Before Qingchen could catch her breath, Song Yue released her, panting as he looked at her lips, which he had sucked red.
"You..." Qingchen's body went limp, her cheeks flushed. She thought shyly, "They've only been alone together for a short while this morning, how could he have lost control..."
He reached out and gently patted her head, saying tenderly, "Let me cook for you. Look at you, you have no energy left. Rest inside and wait for me."
After saying that, he took his bundle, went into the clean room to change into ordinary cotton clothes, and then came out with his sleeves rolled up.
Looking at him, Qingchen felt that he lacked the noble and refined air of a high-ranking official, but possessed a gentleness and composure that gave him a unique and captivating charm.
Her gaze followed him, and before he went into the kitchen, she couldn't help but ask, "Can you really cook?"
He turned around, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Just be prepared to be the first person to eat the meal prepared by the Grand Secretary..."
Qingchen blinked slightly. At first glance, those words made her seem quite lucky. But upon closer reflection, she felt like she had become his guinea pig. Although he appeared very confident, she still felt uneasy.
Someone went into the kitchen, but Qingchen felt a little bored, so she looked around and then walked to the window.
Outside the window were green mountains, lush trees, a clear sky, and warm sunshine... Just looking at all this made her feel very peaceful. After gazing quietly for a while, the sound of chopping wood came from the kitchen.
The Grand Secretary personally chopped firewood, washed vegetables, and cooked, providing a one-stop service. She felt a little embarrassed to be idle like this.
The room had already been tidied up, so there was nothing to organize. Qingchen looked around and decided to pack her things. She took out her books and writing materials and placed them on the table. Then, she prepared to put the rest of her clothes in the closet, but when she opened it, she found bedding and blankets inside.
I've finally found something to do.
She glanced back at the wooden bed, then took the bedding from the cupboard and spread it on the bed. The bedding, once unfolded, emitted a pleasant fragrance, clearly having been freshly washed.
Looking at the only bed in the room, Qingchen blushed as she made it. They were going to stay here tonight, and there was only one bed... Then she thought again, oh well, it wasn't the first time they'd shared a bed; last time, she'd asked him to sleep with her. Being shy now would be unnecessary.
After making the bed, Qingchen noticed the stove and charcoal in the corner of the room and decided to burn charcoal for warmth.
In early February, there was still a chill in the air. The house was colder than outside because the sun didn't shine through. It would probably get even colder at night.
She went outside to get some dry grass, then stuffed charcoal into the stove, but after searching inside for a long time, she couldn't find a flint to light it.
"Teacher Song, have you seen the flint?" Qingchen called out towards the kitchen.
Song Yue did not respond, probably because the sound of chopping wood was too loud and he did not hear it.
"Grand Secretary Song?" Qingchen called out again, listened for a moment, and then simply said, "Old Song..."
Song Yue then appeared at the door carrying a bundle of firewood. He looked at her, and there seemed to be a hint of resentment in his tone, "Why do you call me Old Song? Am I old?"
Qingchen smiled and said, "That's what Lord Zhao Qiran calls you. I'm just imitating him."
"Don't be like him, he's much dumber than you." With that, he turned and went into the kitchen to cook. Sunlight streamed into the room from beside his tall figure, casting a faint shadow on the floor, both real and ethereal.
Later, Qingchen lit the stove and placed the copper kettle on it to boil water, so she could make tea for Song Yue later. After doing all this, she took out a book to read.
The Ministry of Rites is a complex and multifaceted place, and as she's only just arrived, she still has much to learn to better assist him. She's also retained positions in the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, where she should also strive to do her best. The Ministry of Revenue, in particular, oversees the nation's taxes and finances, a matter of vital importance to the national economy and people's livelihood. A few days ago, she drafted a list of her ideas for improving certain matters, but hasn't had time to refine it yet. Now that she's alone with Song Yue, she can ask him for his advice.
After some time, the birds in their nest in the jujube tree outside the window flew back and chirped twice. The aroma of Song Yue's stir-fried dishes also wafted over. Qingchen looked up from her book, sniffed twice, and realized she was truly hungry.
She put down her pen, went outside to the kitchen, and called out to him, "Teacher, may I come in and take a look?"
The kitchen is a "sensitive" area that many people don't like others to see, so it's best to ask first.
"Wait a little longer, it'll be ready soon." His voice came, politely refusing her as expected.
He wouldn't show her, but she could picture him frantically trying to cook. Born into a governor's family, he rose to power at seventeen and entered the cabinet before thirty; he'd never had the chance to cook before, probably never in his life. Besides, he'd been in the kitchen for so long…
Thinking about it, Qingchen began to worry. "Should I help you?" Although he was a capable elder, he had to admit that there were definitely things in this world that he couldn't do.
"No need, it'll be ready soon." Song Yue's voice was calm, and there was no sign of panic. "Just wait and eat."
"Are you really not going to?" she asked again, unwilling to give up.
A voice came back from the other end: "No need."
Qingchen sighed and helplessly went back into the house.
As a Grand Secretary, was it really necessary for him to show off his culinary skills like this...? Oh well, if the Grand Secretary is cooking, then she can only continue to handle state affairs.
Such a division of labor would be astonishing if it got out.
After a while, Song Yue's food was finally served.
Braised mutton with scallions, stewed chicken with mushrooms, pumpkin stew with tofu, and plain noodles—all were incredibly fragrant and visually appealing, and looked quite impressive!
Qingchen had already set out the bowls and chopsticks. After the two of them sat down, she couldn't wait to take a bite, and then looked at him incredulously, "How come you can even cook?"
His cooking was even better than hers, which she made every day. Was heaven truly biased, bestowing upon him such extraordinary talent?
Song Yue merely curled the corners of his mouth slightly, picked up a piece of food and ate it without saying a word, looking somewhat smug.
Qingchen pressed for answers to no avail, and not wanting to let him get too cocky, she stopped asking and just buried herself in her food.
After a while, Song Yue looked at the mushroom stewed chicken that Qing Chen had hardly favored and finally asked with some insecurity, "Is this not good?" He had originally placed the most hope on this dish.
"Um...no." Qingchen originally wanted to tease him, but seeing how hard he was working, she decided against it. "I just don't like mushrooms." In the past, she always picked out mushrooms for others.
Song Yue suddenly realized what was happening, and then began picking out the mushrooms from the dish.
His fingers were long and slender, and the way he held chopsticks was especially beautiful. He patiently picked out the small mushrooms one by one and set them aside, then pushed a plate of chicken with no mushrooms at all in front of her.
Qingchen watched, remained silent for a moment, then picked up a piece of chicken and held it to his mouth, watching him put the chicken and chopsticks into his mouth.
This feeling is wonderful and beautiful.
After finishing their meal, Qingchen brewed some tea for the two of them, but after a few sips, she herself felt sleepy.
At this moment, Song Yue boiled a kettle of water and then took a wooden basin from the clean room, mixing the hot water with cold water and pouring it into the basin. Qing Chen was drowsy and watched him busy himself, not knowing what he was doing. After a while, he saw Song Yue bring the basin to his face.
"What are you doing?"
"Aren't you sleepy? Wash your feet before you sleep, it'll make you feel better."
Qingchen nodded, took off her shoes and socks, tested the water temperature with her toes, and then put both feet into the water. The feeling of the hot water enveloping her feet made her sigh comfortably, and the soak made her feel even more comfortable and sleepy.
Her feet were white, slender, and had delicate skin; they looked as lovely as white lotuses when the water rippled around them.
After watching for a while, Song Yue couldn't help but bend down, reach into the water, and grab her foot.
Qingchen gasped, instinctively struggling out of shyness, "Teacher..."
He gripped her feet even tighter, preventing her from backing away. "Don't move, I'll help you wash."
As he spoke, he rolled up her trouser legs a little higher, then scooped up some water and poured it down her calves. Then he held one of her feet in both hands, gently stroking her ankle, the instep, her toes…
Although the two were already quite close and this was comfortable for them, Qingchen still felt embarrassed. Soon, she softly urged, "Teacher, that's enough."
He looked up at her, his eyes as deep as the starry sky and the ocean. "It's not done yet. Be good, don't move." After saying that, he moved his hands to her other foot and gently lifted it up.
Looking at his handsome, downcast eyes, she suddenly said, "Teacher."
"Um?"
"Why me?" He's such a wonderful person, why is he so good to her?
He massaged her feet intently and said softly, "I like it, there's no reason why."
"Then what is liking?" she asked again.
He looked up at her and said, "If I like you, no matter what I do for you, I'll be the one who's happier."
“But I was just your student at first, a junior scholar who always dressed as a man, neither gentle nor charming…”
He glanced at her, then grabbed a cotton cloth from the side to wipe his hands, picked her up horizontally, and carried her to the bedside to place her on the bed.
Before Qingchen could react, Song Yue had already leaned down, his nose almost touching hers.
The close eye contact made her nervous, and her heart raced. She looked at him, her lips slightly parted, but her voice was so soft she could barely hear it herself, "Teacher..."
“Who says you’re not gentle and charming? You’re my most captivating student.” His voice was deep and magnetic. As he spoke, his lips drew closer to hers, but he didn’t kiss her.
A moment later, he suddenly sat up and pulled the blanket up for her. "How can you sleep if you're thinking about so many things? Close your eyes and sleep for a while. When you get up, I'll show you something."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
