Chapter 042 “They are all good people.” (04/12)
When Fan Wenze came over, Xie Chenyang’s hot water had been delivered and poured into the tub by Shen Shu.
Xie Chenyang originally wanted to help, but Shen Shu refused, showing no difficulty in carrying out his task.
[You said that men in this world have little strength.]
You Huang: “Who promised you? I said, depending on the individual, the degree of a person’s strength depends on their living environment and their subsequent cultivation.”
[Understood. Tomorrow, I will start to exercise.]
Fan Wenze frowned. “You want to bathe? The injuries on your body are not yet healed; it is not advisable to–”
“It’s not advisable to submerge myself in water, I know.” Xie Chenyang tugged his hand and pulled him into the room, saying in a low voice, “So, Ah-Ze, you’re here to help me.”
“The junior attendant ……”
Xie Chenyang’s body in this life was a head lower than Fan Wenze’s, and truthfully, when the two of them leaned together, the top of his head was just against Fan Wenze’s chin.
He waved away the two junior attendants and they closed the door behind them.
Fan Wenze’s eyebrow twitched.
Every time the door to this room closed, he would always feel like he wanted to ……
“Ah-Ze.” Xie Chenyang depressedly hugged Fan Wenze. “You have to give me delicious food every day, and after a while, I’ll be able to grow taller than you.”
Fan Wenze touched Xie Chenyang’s head. “It’s okay, I don’t mind your height.”
If he wasn’t raised as a woman, he probably wouldn’t be able to grow so tall.
Xie Chenyang didn’t dwell on it. “Also, even if you’re taller than me, I can carry you just the same.”
“My back is injured; it’s inconvenient. Will you help me?” Xie Chenyang took two steps back and impatiently said, “Forget it, I’ll wash by myself.”
Fan Wenze: “……” Again, made the man upset.
Xie Chenyang didn’t care if Fan Wenze stayed or not; he walked over to the tub and took off his robe, stretching out his leg and stepping inside.
Fan Wenze frowned and walked over to pull him back. “Let me help you.”
If Xie Chenyang sat in the tub directly, the gashes on his back would be soaked for sure.
Fan Wenze moved gently, carefully scrubbing his body and avoiding the hideous whip marks that crisscrossed Xie Chenyang’s back.
After “bathing”, Xie Chenyang flopped down on the soft and cozy bed. “Help me put the medicine on while you’re here, please? Ah-Ze.”
It felt different compared to You Huang’s cold hands.
Fan Wenze’s hands were warm, and when they rubbed his back with the slightly cool ointment, it made Xie Chenyang’s breathing grow heavier.
The person’s identity was changed to a lover, and the scene became beautiful.
Fan Wenze felt the man underneath him tremble a bit as he applied the ointment; his own body that was originally warming up as he rubbed the other’s body gradually cooled down, and his voice calmed down, too.
“You were hurt by Liu Yuan to this extent. Why do you still want to keep him alive?”
What Liu Yuan had done, ten thousand deaths were not enough.
Xie Chenyang’s chin rested on the pillow, his voice hoarse. “This is something you don’t understand, huh? Death would be too merciful for him.”
Fan Wenze pondered for a moment and drew on his thoughts.
“He disguised himself as a woman, deceived his family, and took up the position of first daughter. After his mother and those concubine sisters of his know about it, can they allow him to have a good life?”
Xie Chenyang sneered. “Plus their family now has lost all their possessions; how are they going to live in the future?”
Fan Wenze put away the medicine bottle. “You’re right. Letting him live and suffer is better than dying.”
“Just wait, the Liu family are not good people. Liu Yuan will have many days of suffering in the future.”
“Is the medicine on?”
“Yes.”
Xie Chenyang sat up.
Fan Wenze averted his eyes and intended to go get him some clothes.
Xie Chenyang reached out and pulled him towards his body. “Can’t you look?”
Fan Wenze shrunk his hand and his throat moved. “Your body is not well, and you and I are not yet married. You …… should be more reserved.”
Xie Chenyang recalled his current body. Before he worked out, even if he did it, he was afraid that it would affect the experience.
But, if they can’t do it, can’t they still alleviate their cravings?
“But I’m uncomfortable. Won’t Ah-Ze help me?”
Fan Wenze turned his back to him and took a deep breath. “If you calm down a bit, you’ll be fine.”
“Alright, then we’ll save our bridal chamber for when we get married. When will you finish handling the affairs of Lanzhou City?”
“It won’t be long. Release your hand first.”
“Hmm,” Xie Chenyang licked his lips. “Ah-Ze, turn around, I’ll give you a treat.”
——
Zhao Xiaofeng and Shen Shu stood in one place, chatting while glancing at Xie Chenyang’s closed door.
“It’s my first time being a junior attendant for someone. I don’t know what I have to do.” Zhao Xiaofeng caught sight of the guards out of the corner of his eye and said softly, “Do we just stand here like this the whole time?”
Shen Shu unhurriedly spoke, “We’ll wait. When the Lord is done bathing, we need to go in and empty the bath water.”
“Wow! Shen Shu, you are so knowledgeable. Have you served someone before?”
Hearing Zhao Xiaofeng’s amazed and questioning words, Shen Shu couldn’t help but tilt his head to look at him.
The curiosity in his eyes was genuine, and although his tone was exaggerated, there was no malicious air.
Shen Shu: “No, it’s my first time too.”
“Then you’re really impressive. You didn’t panic at all the first time. Before, I didn’t have a clue what to do. You already knew about informing the kitchen to boil water for Lord Yu to bathe.”
Shen Shu was speechless.
It was about to get dark. Wasn’t it normal for him to ask if the Lord wished to bathe?
When the Lord bathed and did not need them to attend, then wasn’t it normal for them to wait outside until he finished bathing and then go in to clean up?
Shen Shu said, “Maybe it’s because I’ve read a lot of books.”
“Wow, you’ve even read books!” Zhao Xiaofeng said enviously. “I’ve never read any books. Since I was born with darker skin, my father and mother didn’t like me. My family is poor; not to mention, I couldn’t study and I didn’t even have enough to eat. My two older brothers have been sold before me, and now it’s my turn as well.”
Shen Shu softly asked, “You were sold by your parents?”
“Well, my mother and father wanted to have daughters, but they always had boys. My family’s circumstances are not good. Selling us can make money, and there’s one less mouth to feed, so the family isn’t losing anything, eh.” Zhao Xiaofeng revealed two small tiger teeth. “I hope they give birth to a daughter soon. Otherwise, they can only sell their children if they give birth to a boy. If they meet a bad master, it would be too tragic.”
Shen Shu’s gaze softened a bit. “I think you speak clearly, and your diction doesn’t sound like you haven’t read a book.”
“I haven’t read before, but I’ve heard others read them.” Zhao Xiaofeng squinted his eyes. “My family only gave me one meal a day. The fact that I’m in such good health now is because I’m lucky.”
“Oh?”
“Once I saw the village school mistress struggling to carry water, so I went to help her.”
“And then she gave you food?”
“Yes! I helped her carry the water home and my stomach rumbled. She heard it and gave me a bun. Her husband’s health is not good, ah, so I always ran to help her work, and then she would give me food.”
“She didn’t teach you to read?”
“No, but I often helped her carry things to the village school and quietly listened to a lot of lessons.”
The two talked more and more.
The sky became thoroughly dark now. The soft moonlight and lantern candles carried a warm aura.
Zhao Xiaofeng’s mouth was dry from talking as he looked at the door of Xie Chenyang’s room. “We’ve been chatting for almost half an hour. Master hasn’t finished washing up yet?”
Shen Shu said softly, “Her Ladyship is also in there.”
“Then are they both washing up together?”
Xie Chenyang, who was on their minds, was completely refreshed at the moment.
Fan Wenze reached out and wiped his lips, devoid of the sweeping temperance he had in front of outsiders and instead, he was chillingly elegant. However, the reddened ends of his eyes made that coldness become tinted with a bit of tenderness.
He rolled over and got out of bed. Bringing back the kettle and cups from the table, he poured a cup and handed it to Fan Wenze. “Come and rinse your mouth.”
Fan Wenze reached into the wardrobe and took out a soft and comfortable robe to pull over his back, his voice deep and husky. “Rest early.”
Xie Chenyang hugged him. “Are you really not going to stay and sleep with me?”
Fan Wenze shook his head.
“Alright, then a kiss before you go.” Xie Chenyang grabbed his lapel and tried to pull him down.
Fan Winzer tilted his head back sharply. “Don’t ……”
“It’s fine, lower your head, ah.”
“No.”
Once he was dressed, You Huang’s mosaic disappeared and he laughed. “You have to jump up and kiss, ah!”
Xie Chenyang unhappily let go.
Only then did Fan Wenze lower his head and kiss his forehead. “Rest early.”
Xie Chenyang looked at his back as he left, his gaze darkening.
[This body, is there any possibility of growing taller if I work out hard?]
You Huang suppressed a smile. “No, but the host does not need to worry; height is not a standard to distinguish between gong and shou.”
[I have called you father, and you still call me host?]
“Yang Yang.”
[I regret it; let’s dissolve this father-son connection.]
——
As soon as Zhao Xiaofeng saw the door open and Fan Wenze walked out, he became energized and touched Shen Shu’s arm. “The Lady came out. Let’s go! Let’s fetch the water!”
Shen Shu: “…… Okay.”
Fan Wenze also saw them. He waited for them to come to the front and bowed before saying, “Take good care of the lord.” Then he turned around and went into the room next door.
Zhao Xiaofeng had sharp eyes and came to Shen Shu and said quietly, “Did you see that? The Lady’s mouth–”
Shen Shu reached out to cover his mouth. His forehead throbbed as he lowered his voice. “We are now servants. It’s fine to speak to me privately, but don’t be so reckless.”
This was right in front of the Lord’s room!
Zhao Xiaofeng blinked. Shen Shu let go of him. The two entered the room together.
Shen Shu: “Lord Yu, shall we empty the tub?”
Xie Chenyang lazily laid on the bed. “Go ahead.”
After dumping the water and coming back, Shen Shu saw the used cups and consciously took them down to pour out and wash them.
Zhao Xiaofeng: “Lord Yu, will we keep watch for you inside or outside the room?”
If it’s outside, it’s still quite cold at night, ah?
“No need to keep watch. I’m ready to sleep. You guys go out, then just return in the morning.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Shen Shu and Zhao Xiaofeng were the only two males in the courtyard besides Xie Chenyang.
The two of them were assigned to a room for convenience.
Zhao Xiaofeng nestled under the warm quilt, his eyes shining brightly. “It’s so good to be a servant. My brothers must be having a better time than at home as well.”
It’s much better than eating only one meal a day, ah.
Shen Shu sniffed helplessly. “That’s because you met a good master.”
“Enn, both the Lady and Master are good people~”
Zhao Xiaofeng turned his head sideways and looked at Shen Shu across the table. “I was sold by my family, what about you?”
Shen Shu was silent for a while and said softly, “My mother committed a crime. I was sold.”
“It’s okay; we’ll follow our lord and live well in the future.”
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
