Chapter 038
Chapter 38: What Can Be Done, Then?
Jiang Wan Sheng didn’t like drinking, nor did he like places like these. Quietly nestled against Shi Zi Chu’s neck, he pretended to doze, content to be nothing more than an impossible-to-ignore ornament.
Only when Shi Zi Chu had finally drunk his fill did the two of them return.
Jiang Wan Sheng felt a hint of surprise when he noticed Shi Zi Chu showed not even the slightest sign of being drunk.
[Qing Qing’s tolerance… could easily outdrink ten of me!]
Back at the manor, they walked a full two quarters of an hour before arriving at the main courtyard.
While Shi Zi Chu went to freshen up, Jiang Wan Sheng busied himself inside the room.
Shi Zi Chu stepped out shortly afterward, wearing green silk night robes, and immediately recognized the familiar scent of calming incense.
Jiang Wan Sheng handed over a porcelain vial, quietly saying, “Sobering pill.”
Shi Zi Chu took the porcelain vial, shook out the spirit pill, and swallowed it.
By the time Jiang Wan Sheng finished washing and returned, Shi Zi Chu was already lying on the bed, nearly asleep.
Clearly, the calming incense was effective.
Jiang Wan Sheng extinguished the last candle and lay down, stretching out his arm to gather Shi Zi Chu into his embrace.
Shi Zi Chu, who had been drifting off, instantly woke.
Her guard had grown too strong. Thirteen years apart had removed Jiang Wan Sheng from her list of trusted people.
With someone she didn’t fully trust, it was impossible for her to sleep peacefully.
Just like last night, Jiang Wan Sheng had slept deeply without dreams, while she merely closed her eyes, resting but never truly sleeping.
Jiang Wan Sheng suddenly turned Shi Zi Chu over so that she faced him directly, his large hand gently patting her back in soothing rhythms, like lulling a child to sleep.
In the darkness, Shi Zi Chu’s cunning expression went unnoticed. Her voice, soft and gentle, said, “Sheng Sheng, I know a way for me to fall asleep quickly.”
“Hmm?”
Her teasing tone carried a hint of anticipation, “If you went to another room, I’d sleep very quickly.”
Jiang Wan Sheng immediately laughed despite himself.
[What exactly was I expecting?]
[This little heartless one!]
His arms around her waist tightened swiftly, drawing their bodies even closer.
“Impossible,” Jiang Wan Sheng murmured, his lazy voice stubborn yet alluring as he nestled against Shi Zi Chu’s neck. “Qing Qing, you’d better get used to this quickly.”
Shi Zi Chu was tightly wrapped, nearly breathless, so she gently pushed against Jiang Wan Sheng’s chest, indicating he should loosen his grip slightly.
Jiang Wan Sheng relaxed his hold a bit.
“When we were young, it took me one month to get Qing Qing used to sleeping comfortably by my side. This time, shall we try two months?” His sleepy voice, magnetic and soothing, was deeply pleasant.
Shi Zi Chu seriously pondered before replying, “That might not be enough.”
“No matter.” Jiang Wan Sheng had always possessed endless patience and time when it came to Qing Qing.
Since he’d once succeeded in getting Qing Qing to sleep peacefully beside him, he was certain he could do it again now!
Under his gentle patting, Shi Zi Chu’s tense body indeed relaxed slightly, but true peaceful sleep remained impossible.
“In two days, I’ll take my disciples to train near the outskirts of Evernight Forest. Qing Qing, will you come along?”
Though Jiang Wan Sheng’s tone was questioning, Shi Zi Chu clearly understood the hidden meaning.
“Your words give me only one choice,” she pointed out softly.
Jiang Wan Sheng hummed an affirmation, sounding utterly unapologetic.
“We’ll see,” Shi Zi Chu replied without committing clearly, only adding, “Sleep now.”
The next day.
Only after Jiang Wan Sheng rose from bed did Shi Zi Chu, half-awake until now, fully relax and curl back up in the blankets, finally falling asleep.
Yet her sleep didn’t last long.
By the time Jiang Wan Sheng returned from his morning stroll, he saw Shi Zi Chu busy tempering her body.
When she finished her morning training, Jiang Wan Sheng approached her, remarking, “The manor’s array formations still have room for improvement.”
Shi Zi Chu sat quietly, sensing the spiritual power in the air. “I already have plans.”
Xing Lan was skilled with array formations. She planned to let Xing Lan handle the adjustments, and perhaps set up a few spirit-gathering formations while she was at it.
Jiang Wan Sheng seemed to guess something but shifted the topic. “Chu Zhi Sheng has a strong vindictive streak…”
Shi Zi Chu raised her hand gently, interrupting his words.
Jiang Wan Sheng leaned in close, asking, “What is it?”
“I have my own plans,” Shi Zi Chu replied gently, smiling warmly.
Jiang Wan Sheng made a small hum, his enthusiasm visibly dampened.
Shi Zi Chu pretended not to notice and rose to change her clothes inside.
After having their meal outside, the two went to the Ye Clan’s residence.
Ye He Qi’s guard awaited at the gate and led them straight to the study once they arrived.
Inside the study.
Ye He Qi and Jiang Wan Sheng exchanged proposals about their transaction, while Shi Zi Chu sat aside, lost in thought.
Xue Gu lay lazily on her lap, flicking its tail idly.
“Clan Chief, Young Miss requests an audience,” the guard announced, interrupting their conversation.
Ye He Qi and Jiang Wan Sheng simultaneously paused and turned their gazes toward Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu blinked, relaxing her expression, eyes turning clear with awareness again. Facing their questioning gazes, she smiled softly, as if to ask what was wrong.
Retracting his gaze, Ye He Qi instructed, “Let her in.”
The guard acknowledged and left.
[The heroine is loved by everyone! Nobody can resist her charm! You wicked female villain, just wait and see!] The voice of the female villain system echoed clearly in Shi Zi Chu’s mind.
At the same moment, Chu Zhi Rou, dressed in pure white, delicately entered the room, her fragile posture paired with her sickly appearance, making her seem like a porcelain doll easily shattered.
Shi Zi Chu gently stroked Xue Gu’s soft white fur, eyes curved lightly with precisely measured concern.
Chu Zhi Rou raised her hand respectfully, greeting, “Big brother. Young Master Jiang.”
Ye He Qi casually waved his hand.
Turning toward Shi Zi Chu, Chu Zhi Rou offered a faint smile, behaving as though nothing had ever happened, “Second Senior Sister.”
“Sixth Junior Sister,” Shi Zi Chu spoke softly and warmly, “Sit down quickly.”
At Shi Zi Chu’s presumptive gesture, Chu Zhi Rou timidly looked toward Ye He Qi.
Ye He Qi again gave a small wave of permission.
Only then did Chu Zhi Rou carefully sit beside Shi Zi Chu.
Ye He Qi turned toward Jiang Wan Sheng, gently and gracefully concluding their discussion, “Our matters are settled then?”
Jiang Wan Sheng nodded.
At that moment, a golden snake slid from Jiang Wan Sheng’s wrist onto the ground, quickly slithering toward Shi Zi Chu.
Chu Zhi Rou feared snakes more than anything. Seeing the golden snake moving toward them, her face lost color in fright.
The golden snake climbed along Shi Zi Chu’s skirt, finally wrapping itself gently around her wrist.
Noticing its friendly flickering tongue, Shi Zi Chu gently held its head between two fingers and softly rubbed it, “Star Gem, you’ve become much gentler.”
Unlike Jiang Wan Sheng’s rough handling, Shi Zi Chu’s gentle movements were careful and soothing.
Star Gem, though fearsome in nature, behaved remarkably obediently in her grasp, hissing softly as if responding.
Observing Chu Zhi Rou desperately trying to shift away, Shi Zi Chu teasingly moved Star Gem closer. Seeing Chu Zhi Rou recoil, Shi Zi Chu showed faint surprise, “Sixth Junior Sister, are you afraid of snakes?”
“S-Second Senior Sister…” Chu Zhi Rou’s pale face suggested to outsiders that Shi Zi Chu was bullying her.
Shi Zi Chu pulled back her hand, noticing Chu Zhi Rou’s visible relief, but immediately leaned forward again, smiling softly, “Don’t be afraid, Sixth Junior Sister. Star Gem is gentle. Why not pet him?”
Seeing Star Gem bare its fangs, Chu Zhi Rou sprang from her chair in fear, stumbling backward repeatedly.
Shi Zi Chu withdrew her hand with mock regret, her gentle smile appearing wickedly cruel in Chu Zhi Rou’s eyes!
Ye He Qi, enjoying the spectacle, shot Jiang Wan Sheng a meaningful glance.
Gentle?
Star Gem’s vicious reputation was widely known—thousands had fallen victim to its deadly fangs.
Shi Zi Chu clearly held a deeper place in Jiang Wan Sheng’s heart than he’d anticipated.
Jiang Wan Sheng lounged leisurely, eyes fixed on Shi Zi Chu, openly enjoying her mischief.
“Second Senior Sister, you’re going too far!” Chu Zhi Rou accused, nearly trembling.
Shi Zi Chu stroked Star Gem’s head, smiling elegantly yet immovably indifferent. “Then, what can be done?”