But as a man, once this topic comes up, he must protect his self-esteem no matter what.
Qiao Zhen keenly sensed the dangerous look in Ye Shangzhou's eyes, and she immediately explained pitifully, "I'm delicate and weak, do you really want to torture me?"
Ye Shangzhou chuckled lightly, his expression not much better than before, tinged with mockery, "I'm going to torment you, so what can you do about it?"
Qiao Zhen leaned closer to Ye Shangzhou, her smile wicked, her fingertips gently tracing across Ye Shangzhou's leg. "Then I can only... torment you in return."
A tingling sensation spread from Ye Shangzhou's legs upwards, causing him to stiffen, his eyes filled with disbelief, but he quickly regained his composure. His expression hardened, and he pushed Qiao Zhen's hand away, his words carrying a barely perceptible warning, "Don't cause trouble."
"Tch." Qiao Zhen withdrew her hand. She had become increasingly smug lately, all because of Ye Shangzhou's constant concessions. "When we go back this afternoon, shall we visit Xun Yin? We should at least ask him how the wheelchair is going."
Ye Shangzhou's raven-feather-like eyelashes trembled. His gaze seemed to casually sweep over Qiao Zhen's fingertips, yet it carried a hint of contemplation. "Hmm."
Qiao Zhen then took Ye Shangzhou's hand and started playing with it. There were obvious calluses on Ye Shangzhou's fingers and nail beds, which were caused by holding weapons frequently. However, his fingers were long and slender with well-defined bones, and his hand shape was very beautiful. Especially when he relaxed, his hand curled up slightly, which Qiao Zhen couldn't put down.
She then raised Ye Shangzhou's hand to her nose and sniffed it, smiling mischievously, "It smells like persimmon."
Qiao Zhen is becoming more and more adept at flirting and teasing men.
Mother Qiao quickly prepared the meal, and Brother Qiao busied himself preparing it. Qiao Zhen asked Ye Shangzhou, "Would you like to eat alone, or with us?"
Ye Shangzhou originally intended to eat alone, but on a whim, he said, "I'll eat with you all."
Qiao Zhen carried Ye Shangzhou and placed him on a stool next to the square table, then squatted down to straighten his legs. "If you feel unwell anywhere, be sure to tell me."
"Mm." Ye Shangzhou looked down at her with a smile.
Qiao Zhen went out for a moment and came back carrying a large plate of braised pork. "Ah, it looks so delicious." She ran to the kitchen to get two sets of bowls and chopsticks. "Quick, quick, let's eat it as soon as possible."
Soon, Old Man Qiao, Mother Qiao, Brother Qiao, and Grand Tutor Jin all gathered around the table and began to eat, quite reservedly. However, Qiao Zhen adapted to any place very quickly. In the palace, she was very proper and polite, but at home, she let loose. She used chopsticks to pick up a bone with one hand and held it with the other, gnawing on the braised pork with her mouth full of oil.
The originally reserved atmosphere became much more relaxed because of Qiao Zhen's casualness. Jin Taifu also cooperated with her, smiling and crinkling his eyes as he directly started to eat the braised pork.
This was a novel experience for Ye Shangzhou, but undeniably, the lives of ordinary people seemed more comfortable than his life in the palace.
Ye Shangzhou had even gnawed on tree bark during his military campaigns, so naturally he had no complaints about the food prepared by Qiao's mother.
After Qiao Zhen slowly put down her chopsticks, her mother began to carefully clear the dishes from the table into the kitchen.
After eating and drinking her fill, Qiao Zhen started to feel sleepy, yawning repeatedly. Qiao Liang, unable to bear it any longer, roasted some sweet potatoes for her. The aroma made Qiao Zhen's mouth water, but she restrained herself and turned to ask Ye Shangzhou, "Would you like some?"
"Eat." Ye Shangzhou reached out to her for some.
Qiao Zhen, who had initially thought Ye Shangzhou looked down on sweet potatoes and was therefore being polite but not actually intending to give them to him, said, "...Oh, they're a little hot, please handle them carefully."
Ye Shangzhou suppressed the urge to smile, took the warm sweet potato from Qiao Zhen's hand, and peeled off the skin without the slightest disgust, taking a bite of the golden, soft, and sweet sweet potato flesh inside. "Very good."
"What a terrible head of yours!" Qiao was heartbroken! The sweet potato she was almost eating was gone forever because of her foul mouth. The little devil inside her was scratching at the wall, but she still had to smile.
I feel so frustrated!
Once Qiao Zhen relaxes, you can see her true emotions in her eyes, which fully reveals her true nature and her inner and outer self.
Ye Shangzhou smiled and handed the sweet potato in his hand to Qiao Zhen, "Here, it's not very tasty either."
Qiao Zhen happily took the sweet potato, holding the piping hot potato in both hands, grinning like a contented fool. "You're so kind."
She's greedy; she never feels she has enough money.
She is easily satisfied; a roasted sweet potato can bring a genuine smile to her face.
Ye Shangzhou also seemed a little confused about Qiao Zhen, but he understood the contradictions of human nature, so he didn't get stuck on it. On the contrary, he thought Qiao Zhen was a good person.
After finishing lunch, Grand Tutor Jin went off to have some fun somewhere again. What can be done about the current Grand Tutor's excessive recklessness?
Of course, we should forgive him.
Qiao Zhen originally wanted to be wildly promiscuous and cuckold Ye Shangzhou, but she was afraid it would backfire and cause a disaster, so she decided to stay put and remain in her position as Lady Zhuohua. There are countless ways to torment a man; one doesn't necessarily have to resort to extreme measures, as the risks are too great.
In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon. Grand Tutor Jin returned from the Qiao family's backyard carrying a hoe, still wearing that same kind smile as Maitreya Buddha.
Qiao Liang tugged at Qiao Zhen's sleeve, "Auntie, that person probably did it. He turned over all the soil in our backyard. Grandpa and Grandma will have a lot less trouble now."
Qiao Zhen twitched her lips and secretly slipped some silver to Qiao Liang. "Take this money to buy whatever your family needs, and whatever your mother and sister want to eat. Your aunt isn't home, so keep an eye on things for her."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
