Chapter 191 I'm willing to do anything for you
Shen Yiqiu watched the sky outside the house for three days, observing the clouds drift and gather.
He never ate a single grain of rice, and the few sips of water he drank were only taken under duress.
Initially, she feared that her presence would become an obstacle for Xiao Yongjing.
But after so many days of peace, she understood.
Those people want to keep her alive for other purposes. Even if she goes on a hunger strike here, what can they do? The people behind the scenes will always find a way to keep her alive.
It's better to stay alive and look for more clues.
She pondered, a figure flashing through her mind. She knocked on the doorknob, which hadn't been touched for three days, her eyes resolute, yet she feigned weakness as she spoke:
"I'm hungry. Please have the young master bring me some food."
The guards at the door hurriedly left in response, and not long after, Fu Langxing reappeared as expected.
He walked in with a delighted expression, bringing with him a box of exquisite pastries and a gorgeous dress.
The way he looked at Shen Yiqiu was filled with an unconscious sense of superiority.
"Yiqiu, I heard you want to eat something? I'm so happy."
"You don't know, do you? These past few days, things have been incredibly tense outside. The people from the Eastern Palace have been searching for you like headless flies, but unfortunately... they'll never guess you're right here."
He carefully observed her expression.
“At yesterday’s court assembly, a censor made a veiled reference to the foundation of the nation, yet His Majesty did not rebuke him… Do you understand what this means? Xiao Yongjing’s fate is sealed.”
Shen Yiqiu turned her back to him, gazing silently at a small patch of gray sky outside the high window.
In Fu Langxing's view, this silence was a sign of wavering, since there was no rebuttal or emotional outburst as before.
He seized the opportunity to step forward, his gentle voice filled with coercion:
“Yiqiu, stop being so stubborn. As long as you agree and publicly sever ties with the Crown Prince, I can protect you, and even… preserve your title of Marquis of Yongjia. Once the new dynasty is established, we…”
Shen Yiqiu slowly turned around and calmly interrupted him:
"Fu Langxing, you keep saying you'll protect me, yet you won't even give me a glass of clean water. How long are you going to keep burning this soul-capturing incense in this room?"
From the moment she entered the room, Shen Yiqiu had already keenly sensed that, logically speaking, such a small amount of muscle relaxant should have dissipated by now after so many days.
But over the past few days, he felt his inner strength silently dissipating, and he could no longer muster any strength in his hands and feet.
It seems there are still people who are afraid of her... and can use their strength against her.
Fu Langxing's expression changed slightly, but he forced a smile and said:
"It's just a calming incense to put your mind at ease and help you rest..."
Shen Yiqiu gave a mocking laugh:
"Really? Then I really have to thank you for your kindness."
She stopped looking at him and turned her gaze back to the window. "I'm tired."
This unyielding attitude left Fu Langxing feeling like he was punching cotton.
He was both relieved that she hadn't resisted fiercely and caused trouble, and annoyed that she had never bowed her head.
Shen Yiqiu glanced at him indifferently, suppressing the nausea in her heart, and deliberately reached out to pick up a piece of osmanthus cake from the plate he was holding, taking a small bite.
Seeing that she was willing to eat his food, Fu Langxing thought she had given in and was secretly pleased. He quickly said:
"It's good that you're willing to eat! I'll have the kitchen prepare your favorite light side dishes and soup right away."
Shen Yiqiu immediately frowned and spat it onto her handkerchief.
With a look of disgust on his face, he deliberately spoke critically:
"Made in a small kitchen? It's greasy and coarse, not to my taste. I've been lying in bed for days, and my mouth is tasteless. I want to eat something... refreshing and soothing."
She looked at Fu Langxing, her eyes revealing a faint weakness:
"If Young Master Fu is truly sincere, why would he need to rely on others? I've heard that in order to please... certain people, you've personally spent several days studying and refining your cooking skills. I wonder if I'll have the pleasure of enjoying such a meal today?"
Fu Langxing's expression was somewhat complicated upon hearing this. He had indeed studied cooking for a period of time for Song Sangyu's sake.
Shen Yiqiu's directness made him feel a little embarrassed, but he quickly recovered and convinced himself that Shen Yiqiu was testing his sincerity.
Without much hesitation, he reached out ingratiatingly and stroked Shen Yiqiu's temple, tucking her stray hairs behind her ear. Shen Yiqiu stepped back slightly to avoid being touched.
"Alright! Since you want to eat it, I'll make it for you myself. Yiqiu, as long as you're well, I'm willing to do anything for you."
He looked at her deeply, then washed his hands and cooked a meal, a gesture that even moved him.
As she reached the door, she reminded the guards outside to keep a close watch:
"Keep a close eye on them. If they leave, you'll all lose your heads!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Shen Yiqiu looked at Fu Langxing's back through the window and sneered.
He poured the tea from the table onto the incense burner.
She confirmed Fu Langxing's anxiety and impatience.
He was also afraid—afraid that things would be exposed, afraid that he wouldn't be able to completely control her.
Shen Yiqiu was the only one left in the room.
"Miss Shen... I've come to deliver some calming medicine."
There was a knock on the door.
She looked at the plates on the table, and a plan was already in her mind.
For two consecutive days, the same maidservant delivered the medicine.
The maid was about fourteen or fifteen years old, thin and small. She always kept her head down, not daring to look Shen Yiqiu in the eye. Her footsteps were so light that they were almost inaudible, and she looked timid and cowardly.
But the skin exposed outside her clothes had a mix of old and new scars, some still red, as if they had just healed.
Her hands were covered with a thin layer of calluses and had some unhealed wounds; these were definitely not the hands of a meticulous maidservant who served her master.
"Come in."
As the man in the coat walked in cautiously with his head down, Shen Yiqiu already had a plan in mind.
As usual, she silently placed the medicine tray gently on the table, and then bowed and withdrew.
Shen Yiqiu suddenly spoke up: "What medicine is it today?"
The maid was clearly taken aback by Shen Yiqiu's sudden speech, and trembled with fright, lowering her head even further until her voice was barely audible.
"Miss...it's...it's jujube seed calming soup..."
Shen Yiqiu slowly stood up, pretending to go check, but her steps were unsteady and she stumbled, accidentally bumping her arm into the bowl of medicine that had just been put down.
The medicine bowl overturned with a crash, and the black medicine spilled out instantly, most of it landing on the dark blue coarse cloth skirt of the little maid, which was quite eye-catching.
The maid gasped and took two steps back. Looking at her wet skirt, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"...skirt...skirt..."
Shen Yiqiu immediately looked apologetic, and, holding onto the edge of the table, said regretfully:
"I'm sorry, I lost my balance and dragged you down with me."
Her gaze fell on the maid's crudely made cloth skirt, noticing the matching patches on the hem, and she felt a sense of comfort.
"This dress... you must have gone through a lot of trouble to get it, right? You'll probably be punished by the head maid when you get back like this."
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