Chapter 192: Senior Sister Smells So Sweet, Not Returning Home for the Night

The sky was overcast.

Street vendors were all bundled up in thick cotton coats, their breath puffing out in white clouds, while pedestrians rubbed their hands together and hurried past.

When Luo Zijun arrived at Bao'an Hall, snowflakes began to drift from the sky once more.

The cold wind swept by, chilling to the bone.

Luo Zijun entered the shop and saw his master sitting in the corner warming himself by the fire, the flames in the stove burning brightly, while his senior sister sat alone behind the counter, pounding medicine with a cold, detached air.

Luo Zijun immediately protested, "Master, how can you warm yourself by the fire while leaving Senior Sister here in the cold?"

Su Dafang stomped his feet, glanced at him, and said, "None of your business. If you're so concerned, go buy her another heater instead of just talking."

"Whoosh!"

Luo Zijun had been waiting for those very words; with a flick of his hands, he produced a snow-white, luxurious fox-fur cloak and looked at the young girl behind the counter, saying, "Senior Sister, look at the winter garment I made for you! Put it on, and you won't be afraid of the cold anymore!"

Su Dafang was taken aback, his gaze fixed on the fox-fur in his hands with surprise as he clicked his tongue, "Yo, this thing isn't cheap; only the nobility ever get a chance to wear such things."

Luo Zijun said, "Senior Sister is far more beautiful than those nobles; if they can wear it, Senior Sister naturally can too."

Su Dafang was instantly filled with envy, clicked his tongue a few more times, and said, "Disciple, make one for your master too."

Luo Zijun said, "Master has the stove, that's enough; why waste the money?"

"Get lost! You unfilial dog, forgetting your duty for the sake of a pretty face!"

Su Dafang cursed, ignored him further, and cast his gaze toward his granddaughter.

"Senior Sister, stop pounding the medicine for a moment, stand up and try it on."

Luo Zijun stepped behind the counter with the fox-fur, his face full of fawning.

As he entered the counter area, Su Qingling had already stopped her pounding, seemingly afraid that medicine juice might splash onto the pristine, snow-white fur.

Her fair, jade-like hands and her white dress were both stained with some green medicinal juice.

"I don't want it."

After a pause, she said indifferently.

Luo Zijun said, "Why not? I spent a great deal of money and favors to have this made especially for you. Senior Sister, if you don't want it, I'll be very sad."

Su Qingling ignored him, gripped the pestle, and prepared to continue pounding, but after a light strike, she stopped again, merely stirring the medicine slowly in the mortar, her face cold and detached, devoid of any expression.

Su Dafang gave a "cough-cough" and said, "Disciple, if your senior sister doesn't want it, forget it; don't force her. Give it to your master; I can wear it too."

Su Qingling raised her eyes and gave him a cold look.

Su Dafang gave a sheepish smile, immediately stood up, went to shoulder his Medicine Chest, and said, "You two watch the shop, I'm going out to see patients."

With that, he stepped out the door and shivered instantly as the cold wind outside hit him.

When he had walked some distance away, he sighed, "Ai, the moment that brat arrives, I get kicked out. In this freezing weather, where is an old man supposed to go?"

Inside the shop.

Luo Zijun continued to persuade her: "Senior Sister, stand up and try it on; if it doesn't fit, I still have time to find someone to alter it."

Su Qingling was silent for another moment before saying indifferently, "Put it down; I don't want to try it on right now."

Luo Zijun glanced at her hand gripping the pestle and immediately understood, saying, "Then don't move, Senior Sister; I'll just help you drape it over your shoulders to check the size."

As he spoke, he unfolded the fox-fur and stepped forward to drape it over her back.

"The back is just right."

He picked up the sleeves to measure them, then pinched the fluffy collar, wrapped it around her neck, and tied the strings; it was also just right.

As for the width across the chest...

He held the lapels of the fox-fur in both hands, glanced at the towering, firm curves on her chest, and tried gently pulling them together; it seemed just right as well.

As for the waist below, there was no need to try that.

Although this girl was quite majestic and steep up top, she was truly slender below, a waist that could be spanned by a single hand, no less impressive than the willow-like waist of Lin Guniang.

"Senior Sister, it fits perfectly."

Luo Zijun was very satisfied, thinking to himself: That Qingwen is truly clever and skillful; it's a waste for her to be at the Jia Mansion. If I could get her over here to make clothes every day, that would be perfect.

He moved to the side and caught a glimpse of her wearing the fox-fur, and his heart skipped a beat.

The snow-white fur set off her fair skin and her jet-black, satin-like hair; that pure yet alluring face, cold and detached, looked even more soul-stirringly beautiful.

Those cold and alluring eyes suddenly held a watery, seductive charm, like two deep whirlpools that caused him to suddenly fall in, feeling a wave of dizziness.

The faint scent of medicine and the virginal fragrance on the young girl mingled together, drifting into his nose, making his heart race, his blood boil, and his breathing quicken, beyond his control.

Looking at her watery, pitifully beautiful eyes, then at that pure and alluring face, and finally at those naturally red, soft, and delicate lips, Luo Zijun couldn't help himself and slowly leaned in.

Their warm breaths touched.

In that instant, he felt as if he had lost his soul, his mind a complete blank.

"Pop!"

Just then, a firecracker suddenly went off on the street outside.

Following that, several children ran past, laughing.

Luo Zijun instantly snapped back to reality!

"Sen... Senior Sister, you smell so good..."

Luo Zijun awkwardly covered up his slip, hurriedly saying, "I'll leave the garment on the chair for you; remember to wear it if you go out."

His heart thumping wildly, he quickly took the fox-fur out from behind the counter, folded it, and placed it on the chair where she usually sat to pound medicine.

"Um, I have things to do, I'm leaving now."

He didn't dare stay any longer, waved his hand, and went out the door.

Once outside, hit by the cold wind, he immediately regained his full senses.

There's poison in that room!

That girl must have been secretly using poison!

Otherwise, how could his soul have been suddenly snatched away, leaving him unable to control his emotions?

He stroked his chest; his heart was still thumping rapidly.

The feeling from just a moment ago was hazy and dreamlike; upon careful reflection, it was unexpectedly soul-stirring and bone-melting, leaving him with a lingering sense of reluctance to let go.

Just being close enough for their breaths to touch had caused such a feeling; if they had truly kissed, what would that have been like?

That girl is terrifying!

The overcast sky began to drift with large snowflakes.

It grew dark very quickly.

Night fell quietly, and with it came a sudden drop in temperature.

There were not many pedestrians left on the street.

When Luo Zijun arrived at Chujian Bookstore, he discovered a carriage parked in the alley in front.

The carriage was imprinted with the emblem of the Jia Mansion.

After he entered the shop, Xiao Lan hurriedly whispered, "Young Master, several young ladies from the Jia Mansion have arrived and are currently upstairs talking with the Young Lady."

Luo Zijun nodded and walked toward the stairs.

At the top of the stairs stood two burly women; upon seeing him, they smiled and greeted him, "Young Master Luo."

Luo Zijun remembered that these two were servants of Jia Tanchun, so he also smiled and greeted them, asking, "Has Young Lady Tanchun arrived?"

One woman said, "Yes, they are talking upstairs; the Second Young Lady and Lin Guniang have also come."

Luo Zijun hurried upstairs.

Upstairs, they had already heard the sound of him speaking.

Jia Tanchun, Jia Yingchun, and Lin Daiyu, who had been sitting and chatting, all stood up immediately. Liu Chujian also stood up.

Luo Zijun went upstairs and discovered that they had brought quite a few maidservants, all of whom he recognized.

"Young Master Luo."

Everyone greeted him with smiles on their faces.

Luo Zijun also cupped his hands in a salute.

Jia Tanchun smiled slightly and said to the maidservants and nannies, "You all go downstairs and wait first; there is no need to crowd in here."

Those maidservants and nannies agreed and went downstairs.

Only then did Luo Zijun feel more at ease; he walked over and said, "Why have you all come?"

Jia Tanchun laughed, "We brought the Second Sister over. What, are only you allowed to have the Second Sister come over, and you don't welcome me and Daiyu?"

Luo Zijun said, "Of course not. Has Young Lady Yingchun already spoken with her family? Did the Old Ancestor say anything?"

Jia Yingchun lowered her head and said somewhat shyly, "Everything is settled; the Old Ancestor has also agreed."

!

Jia Tanchun said, "The Old Ancestor was very worried at first, but after our repeated persuasion, she agreed. The Old Ancestor heard that the daughter of Minister Liu lives here and that it is also the shop of the Luli Junzhu, so she felt relieved; she only asked the Second Sister to go back and see her often."

Luo Zijun nodded.

Jia Yingchun whispered, "The Old Ancestor actually also knew about my father wanting to sell me..."

Luo Zijun said, "In fact, nothing in the mansion escapes the eyes of the elderly. It is just that for many things, she is also powerless."

Jia Yingchun said with red-rimmed eyes, "Young Master Luo, Liu Jiejie, I will trouble you from now on."

Liu Chujian hurriedly said, "It is no trouble, it is just two more rooms."

Jia Tanchun added, "Yingchun only brought three maidservants out: Siqi, Xiuju, and Lianhua'er. The others are all staying in the mansion. I will come to deliver silver every month, and their monthly wages will be paid as usual."

Liu Chujian smiled, "Even without the monthly wages, it would be fine. Our Young Master Luo can write books to earn money; he certainly won't let Yingchun Meimei go hungry."

Everyone laughed.

Jia Yingchun lowered her head, her face flushed.

Lin Daiyu could not help but speak up, "Young Master Luo, why have you not been writing books lately? We have all been waiting for a long time."

Luo Zijun glanced at her, very much wanting to say that since it is so easy to trick you out of your money, why would I bother writing books?

"I have had no inspiration lately and cannot write for the time being."

Jia Tanchun laughed, "It is mainly because you are getting married soon; you probably have no heart for writing books."

Luo Zijun said, "That is also one reason. Before, I wrote books to earn money, but now that I am about to live off a woman, there is no need to write books anymore."

Everyone knew he was joking, and their expressions varied.

Jia Tanchun said deliberately, "Young Master Luo, you had better write quickly. Our Lin Meimei asks her maidservant to come out and inquire every day. She has read the few books you wrote before over and over again, and she still hasn't had enough."

Lin Daiyu blushed and said, "Aren't you the same? As soon as you see Qingtong Jiejie, you have to ask about Young Master Luo."

Jia Tanchun said, "I was just afraid you were too shy, so I asked for you."

Lin Daiyu said, "You are good at shifting the blame; it was clearly you who wanted to ask."

While the two were bickering, Cuimo came up and said, "Young Lady, someone from the mansion has come, saying it is snowing heavily outside and asking you to return early so as not to be unsafe on the dark and slippery roads."

"Young Master Luo, Chujian, then we will be leaving first; see you tomorrow at the Bai Mansion."

Jia Tanchun hurriedly took her leave.

Seeing them about to leave, Jia Yingchun thought about being alone in this strange place in a moment, and she suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

Lin Daiyu took her hand and whispered, "Second Sister, we will come to see you often, and you can also go back often."

Jia Yingchun whispered, "Mm."

Liu Chujian saw Jia Tanchun and Lin Daiyu downstairs and walked them all the way to the door, watching as they were surrounded by maidservants and nannies and boarded the carriage.

Upstairs, only Luo Zijun and Jia Yingchun remained.

Jia Yingchun's cheeks were burning and her heart was racing; she lowered her head, not knowing what to say, and could only shyly express her thanks again, "Many thanks, Young Master Luo..."

Luo Zijun said, "You are welcome. Just stay here for the time being; if you need anything, feel free to tell Chujian, don't be a stranger."

Jia Yingchun lowered her head and said, "Mm."

Seeing that she was somewhat uncomfortable, Luo Zijun walked to the stairs and asked, "Bi'er, are the rooms for Young Lady Yingchun and the others ready?"

Bi'er replied, "They were ready a month ago."

Luo Zijun was stunned.

Bi'er added, "Young Master Luo, it is really snowing heavily outside. If you don't leave now, you won't be able to leave later."

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Chujian returned from the doorway, looked at her, and said, "Bi'er, there is nothing for you to do here; you should go back to the manor."

Bi'er: "Ah..."

Xiao Lan snickered on the side.

Liu Chujian did not go upstairs immediately, but helped Xiao Lan tidy up books on the first floor.

Bi'er hurriedly lowered her head and went over to help.

Siqi and the three young maids looked at each other, not knowing what to do; they wanted to go upstairs to check on their young lady, but having received no instructions, they dared not go up.

Liu Chujian said to them softly, "It is cold, just go on up and serve your young lady so she can sleep early."

Only then did the three of them go upstairs.

On the second floor, Luo Zijun was browsing through books on a shelf in the corner.

The books here were all prepared specifically for him by Chujian, and they appeared to have been looked through already.

Jia Yingchun thought he was organizing the books, so she hurriedly followed to help, and then she saw the title of a book: "Jade Foot Illustration VI".

She felt puzzled, and just as she was about to open it, Luo Zijun snatched it away and said, "This is a book for men to read; women cannot read it. If you want to read, go to that bookshelf over there."

Jia Yingchun was stunned for a moment, as if it were the first time she had heard that there were books men could read but women could not, and said, "Daiyu just came over to read it earlier."

The corner of Luo Zijun's mouth twitched, and he said, "She read it for a long time?"

Jia Yingchun thought for a moment and said, "Quite a while, she read several volumes."

Luo Zijun: "..."

Liu Chujian, who had just come upstairs, suddenly let out a "pfft" of laughter.

Luo Zijun looked at her and said, "Are you doing this on purpose, you girl? Why didn't you put them away?"

Liu Chujian laughed, "I don't think it's anything. A fair lady is a good match for a gentleman; beautiful jade feet are something Zijun loves to look at. Isn't that how all men are? There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Luo Zijun ignored her and said to the Jia Er Xiaojie beside him, "Yingchun, it's cold, go wash up and sleep."

Seeing him address her directly by her name, Jia Yingchun was startled, then blushed, murmured an "Mm," and went to her room in a fluster.

Siqi and the other two hurriedly went to prepare hot water.

After the four mistress and servants left, Luo Zijun looked at the bad woman who had deliberately caused him to suffer social death and whispered, "Have you washed up, Bai Bai? Tonight, this Young Master is going to make you look good!"

Liu Chujian laughed, "Not yet. Zijun-gege is getting married tomorrow; are you sure you really want to stay out all night tonight?"

Luo Zijun said, "What do you mean stay out all night? Isn't this my home?"

Liu Chujian was slightly stunned, then huffed, "Zijun-gege never said that before. Today, the Jia Family young lady came, and she even brought three beautiful, delicate young maids, so Zijun-gege says that immediately. Your desire to have one in each arm is known to everyone on the street, hmph!"

Luo Zijun ignored her and urged, "Go wash up quickly, this Young Master will wait for you in your boudoir."

Saying this, he took a Jade Foot Illustration and went to the room.

(End of this chapter)