Shen Youying was taken aback by his words and subconsciously looked down at him, then she understood the origin of his words.
Her face flushed slightly, and she gently bit the inside of her lip, whispering, "I'll help you on the tatami later..."
Xue Shen knelt on the couch, kneading her leg with one hand, sometimes lightly and sometimes heavily, so that she could step on him. He supported himself with the other hand beside her, while leaning down to kiss her, his voice hoarse as he said, "It's fine here too."
Shen Youying was forced to bend her knees, her soles burning hot. She curled her toes in shame and instinctively shook her head: "No..."
But Xue Shen didn't want to listen to her at all. He breathed heavily and kissed her repeatedly, disrupting her breathing.
Shen Youying was so dazed by his kisses that she curled up on the low couch and was coaxed into using her feet.
The young lady from a noble family was pampered and spoiled, even the soles of her feet were incredibly delicate. After being forcibly grabbed and teased by Xue Shen, the soles of her feet were rubbed red, and a few plum blossom marks appeared on her snow-white insteps.
When Xue Shen finally brought hot water to wash her feet, Shen Youying didn't dare to look at him. Her feet were tense, and her toes curled up in shame.
As Xue Shen washed her, he laughed and said, "Why are you shy about this?"
Shen Youying glared at him, her eyes brimming with tears. She wanted to kick him to vent her anger, but remembering the consequences of her previous actions, she was afraid he would catch her again. So she hid her feet under her skirt to keep them from him and said arrogantly, "I'm going to bed."
Xue Shen's smile deepened. He picked her up and placed her on the couch, then kissed her foot and said, "You go to sleep first, I'll go wash up."
Shen Youying shrank into the quilt, leaving only a tuft of hair sticking out for him.
Xue Shen picked up the copper basin and went out to pour out the water.
He had just stepped out when he ran into Zhao Meier. Zhao Meier was surprised to see him carrying a used water bottle and quickly stepped forward to take it from him, saying, "How can you let the master do such a servant's job? Let me do it."
Xue Shen stepped back to avoid her hand, frowned, and said coldly, "No need."
After saying that, he strode away to the bathhouse.
The bathroom in this courtyard was not connected to the bedroom. Xue Shen poured water and used the leftover water to wipe himself down. He then saw Zhao Meier guarding the bedroom door.
Upon seeing Xue Shen approach, she hurriedly bent her knees, lowered her head deeply, revealing just the right amount of her long, white neck. Her voice also seemed much softer, and her "Master" was uttered with a deep, lingering quality.
If Xue Shen hadn't paid attention to their intentions before, now that Zhao Meier's intentions were so obvious, if he still couldn't see through them, he would have wasted all the beauties that people in the capital had given him.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing Zhao Meier: "How old are you this year?"
Zhao Meier was secretly delighted, thinking that her cold face earlier was all an act, and quickly replied, "Just now, I was sixteen."
Xue Shen chuckled and said slowly, "You've seen it yourself, my wife is really clingy and jealous. She doesn't allow anyone else to be around me."
His words were actually a bit strange, unlike the usual complaints of a man about his wife being too controlling.
But Zhao Meier was caught up in joy and didn't notice the slight unease. Hearing this, she boldly raised her face, a blush rising on her lightly powdered, pretty face. She said softly, "My lord is a man of exceptional talent. I dare not ask for anything else, much less compete with my wife. I only think that my wife's legs are weak and she may not be able to serve you properly. I am willing to serve you in her place. If my lord remembers me in the future and takes pity on me when he comes to town, that would be my good fortune."
When Xue Shen heard her say, "Madam's legs are not good for walking," he completely understood the brother and sister's plan.
It seems that when Zhao Tang was at the teahouse, his brother mistakenly thought that Zhao Zhao had difficulty walking. Considering his claim that he wanted to open a teahouse in the capital, the two siblings probably wanted to take advantage of the situation to become mistresses and build connections in the capital.
Xue Shen scoffed and said coldly, "There are clearly extra rooms in the inn, but Zhao Tang insisted that the waiter say there were no rooms available and made us stay in this 'Immortal' room. So that's what he was planning?"
Zhao Meier was taken aback, noticing the sudden change in his tone, and stared up at him blankly.
Xue Shen didn't look at her again, and said coldly, "I'm in a good mood today, so I won't bother with you. You can leave now, but don't show your face in front of my wife tomorrow. Also, tell Zhao Tang that my wife is waiting to listen to the storyteller tomorrow, so don't spoil her good mood."
Without hesitation, he pushed open the door and went inside, leaving Zhao Meier with only a cold, aloof back view.
Although Zhao Meier wasn't a stunning beauty, she was still a well-known beauty in Qingyan Town. In addition, the Zhao family had considerable property in Qingyan Town, and after she came of age, suitors came one after another. No man had ever spoken such harsh words to her before!
She twisted her fingers in resentment and anger, but didn't have the courage to chase after him to question or argue. She could only go to find her brother with a heavy heart.
Zhao Tang looked surprised: "He really said that? That shouldn't be the case. His wife is beautiful, but she's disabled in both legs. Judging from that, even conjugal relations are difficult for them. What man would willingly be a eunuch to serve her?"
"How would I know? You have no idea how humiliated I was just now. I wish I could find a hole to crawl into." Zhao Meier complained, "Every man in Qingyan Town treats me like a queen. I've never been so embarrassed in my life."
Zhao Tang shook his head: "What do you know? What vision and future do the men in Qingyan Town have? If you're interested in them, why haven't you made a decision about marriage yet?"
Zhao Meier fell silent after hearing his words. The Zhao family was already one of the most prominent families in town, and the other suitors were either far inferior to them in terms of social standing, or, if they were barely qualified, they were unattractive. She had no way of getting to know those handsome and well-bred young men. The marriage was thus delayed, and no agreement was reached.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to give it a try when her brother came to talk to her today.
I'd rather be a concubine of a king or nobleman than a wife of a poor man.
She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart when she recalled the handsome and aloof face of Master Zhu and the gentle and considerate expression he gave when taking care of his wife.
Such a man is hard to find, not only in Qingyan Town, but even in the capital.
She said somewhat unwillingly, "But what can I do if they don't like me?"
Zhao Tang comforted her, "Why are you in such a hurry? You can't rush things. These powerful people all care about their reputation, and there are all sorts of entanglements between in-laws. How can they just accept any woman who comes knocking on their door?"
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly slapped his thigh and said, "That lady likes storybooks. Tomorrow, take the two new storybooks I found to her and strike up a conversation, try to get closer to her, and ideally, get her to stay in town for a couple more days. Then you'll have your chance, won't you? What's that saying again? 'Those near the water get the moon first!'"
Zhao Meier was also somewhat tempted upon hearing this, but remembering Master Zhu's warning, she became a little fearful: "But Master Zhu said..."
Zhao Tang waved his hand and said, "All hypocritical men love to play this game; they're just saying one thing and meaning another. Try it a few more times, dress up more seductively, and he'll eventually lose control."
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