Chapter 49 Magpie on a Branch (Part 9) It was as if he held her by the handle. ...
Wen Kong carefully folded the soaked lamp paper and tucked it away close to his body.
He returned to the temple under the cover of night, his soaked monk's shoes making muffled thuds on the bluestone, sounding particularly lonely in the empty mountains.
"He can love me as much as I love him."
he.
The word gripped his heart tightly, and jealousy surged forth, overwhelming all the precepts, rules, and principles of compassion and equanimity that he had memorized since childhood.
Yet it is so real, so real that Wen Kong cannot avoid it, and can only face it honestly in this cold night alone.
Wen Kong was jealous of this unknown "him," jealous that "him" could be written into her prayer so solemnly.
She was jealous that "he" could live openly and honestly in her mortal world, chatting and laughing with her, receiving her gentle gaze.
This jealousy is as base as dust and as burning as karmic fire.
That unknown "him" may be sharing her joys and sorrows at this moment, knowing the details of her life that he is unaware of, and in the future, he will rightfully and reasonably occupy the most intimate place in her life, enjoying all her love and trust.
Wen Kong stopped, grabbed a nearby rock, and panted, his breath instantly dissipating into the cold night.
I love her as much as she does.
What she sought was not shelter, nor pity, but complete acceptance. She remained so clear-headed and so courageous.
What she wants is someone who loves her as much as she loves herself.
To be seen as she is, to love her as she is, to love her entire being, to love the vibrant and concrete Ye Mu, to understand her complete truth.
This self-affirmation made Wen Kong feel a little proud. He watched her grow from a child into a young girl, her precious authenticity untouched by the world.
He never doubted her ability to love herself, which is more precious than being loved by others.
But it was this pride that deepened his jealousy of the man on the paper.
Wen Kong slowly stood up, looking at his monk's robe, and mocked his own overstepping and poverty. She deserved a good match in the mortal world, to meet a true love, and to stay together until old age. What right did he have to be jealous?
That's utterly absurd.
Wen Kong walked slowly to the temple's corridor. The lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed slightly in the night breeze. Qiu Jing, who was keeping watch at night, was huddled behind a pillar to shelter from the wind, flipping through a tattered sutra by the dim light. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, saw that it was Wen Kong, her eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up.
"Brother Wenkong!" His voice was clear and bright as he approached in a few steps. "Brother, yesterday I went to Yuqian Lane to deliver a message. On my way back, there was a benefactor at the entrance of the lane who saw me dragging an empty cart and actually stopped me and gave me some alms!"
He opened his palm, revealing a few copper coins, his face beaming with joy. "This is the first time I've received alms from a benefactor. Now that's great! Next time I'm off the mountain, I can buy a pastry to sweeten my mouth!"
Qiu Jing was still young, her face still bearing the traces of childhood innocence. She had only recently received full ordination and was the least senior member of the temple. Her monthly allowance was meager, barely enough to buy essential items like soap, needles, thread, and paper, and she lived a very frugal life.
Unlike Wen Kong, who was already the chant master of the temple and in charge of the discipline of the monks, he already had a generous salary. Moreover, he was well-versed in Buddhist teachings and rituals, and was often invited by the city's dignitaries or neighboring temples to preside over religious ceremonies, so the offerings he received were naturally different.
For Qiu Jing, these unexpected copper coins were nothing short of a small windfall, adding a touch of sweetness to her austere life of spiritual practice.
Wen Kong stopped and looked at his face, which was filled with simple joy. He suddenly remembered that Qiu Jing was about the same age as Ye Mu. As soon as this thought came to mind, he couldn't help but want to take better care of him. He asked gently, "What kind of pastries does Qiu Jing like to eat?"
"Osmanthus and Poria Cake!" Qiu Jing answered without hesitation, her eyes shining even brighter. "It's fragrant, sweet, and soft—so delicious! It's a pity..."
His shoulders slumped, a hint of regret in his voice. "It's the dead of winter now, the osmanthus flowers are long gone, and they're not available for sale in the market anymore."
Osmanthus and Poria Cake.
Wen Kong silently recited it once. Children seem to have a sweet tooth, and Ye Mu also loves to eat this, so this autumn, he collected a lot of fresh and plump osmanthus flowers, dried them in the sun when it was sunny, and put them in jars, but he hasn't had time to do it yet.
“I still have some dried osmanthus flowers,” Wen Kong said. “When I have some free time in a couple of days, I’ll make some Poria cocos cake, sprinkle the osmanthus flowers on it, and steam it for you.”
"Really? Thank you, Senior Brother!" Qiu Jing was so happy she almost jumped up. She quickly put her hands together in a gesture of respect, her mouth agape in a wide grin.
Only then, using the dim light from the corridor, did he take a closer look at Wen Kong, and then exclaimed, "Huh? Senior brother, why are the hem of your monk's robe and the legs of your trousers so wet? And these shoes..."
He had been so preoccupied with his own affairs that he only noticed now that the lower half of Wen Kong's dark gray monk's trousers was noticeably darker, clinging tightly to his legs, and his cloth shoes were soaked with water, leaving a shallow wet mark on the stone slab with every step.
The mountain night was bitterly cold in the dead of winter; how cold it must be to be wet like this.
Qiu Jing frowned, full of concern, "Where did you go, Senior Brother? You shouldn't be this wet even if you're fetching water from the spring in the back mountain."
"It's alright." Wen Kong waved his hand. "It's windy tonight, no need to keep watch. Go back and rest."
Although Qiu Jing saw that her senior brother did not want to say more, she did not dare to ask any further questions. She simply nodded and replied, "Then you should go back and change into some dry clothes, or you will catch a cold!"
After saying that, she glanced at him again before carrying the scriptures and heading towards the monks' quarters, turning back every few steps.
Wen Kong stood alone in place until Qiu Jing's figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
The wind outside the corridor picked up, making the lanterns sway back and forth, casting swirling shadows. He looked down at his damp, cold monk's robe and shoes, and only now did the biting chill belatedly spread throughout his body.
He went back to his room and changed into his monk's robe. In the closet lay the indigo collar she had made. Wen Kongshen glanced at it, then closed the closet door, and that warmth from her handmade craftsmanship was locked away in the darkness.
Wen Kong turned and stepped into the cold night, heading straight for the Third Hall.
The hall was spacious, with only the eternal lamp flickering before the Buddha, its dim light casting a halo of light on the enormous Buddha statue, which was half-lit and half-shadowed. The sandalwood incense and the Buddha's eyebrows pressed down heavily, looking at him.
Wen Kong knelt on the cold ground, his back straight as a pine tree, but in the next instant he prostrated himself deeply, his forehead touching the cool gold brick.
Kneeling before the Buddha, he dared not lie and frankly confessed his delusions.
"Buddha above, your disciple Wen Kong confesses his sins."
"Although I wear a cassock, my heart has already fallen into the mire and has been stirred by worldly thoughts."
"To a woman named Ye Mu."
“The disciple’s heart is filled with greed; he is happy when he sees her and misses her when he doesn’t; he is captivated by her voice and shaken by her shadow.”
Wen Kong's voice was hoarse, and as soon as he spoke, it dissipated in the empty hall, so faint that it was almost inaudible, but he knew that the Buddha could hear it.
“Even worse, when a disciple feels jealousy, it is like a poisonous insect gnawing at the heart. When he sees others who may get close to her, think of her, or be admired by her, he feels as if his heart is burning. Such filthy thoughts are clearly greed, anger, and delusion, all of which are great taboos in cultivation.”
Wen Kong pressed his forehead against the ground, the icy touch piercing his mind, yet he couldn't suppress the surging shame in his heart.
“However, since the deluded thought has already arisen, it follows me like a shadow. I dare not lie and must cut it off immediately. From now on, I will diligently cultivate precepts, concentration, and wisdom, and constantly observe this mind.”
He paused, his gaze falling on the ever-burning lamp before the Buddha.
“This disciple wishes to strictly observe the rules, and shall sit on the meditation cushion before the Buddha, abstain from food and water, remain silent, sit in meditation day and night, and recite scriptures without ceasing, for a period of ten days.”
His voice calmed down, “The suffering of the body is to temper the delusions of the mind. This is not to atone for sins, but because I know that my roots are dull and stupid. I can only try to suppress the inner demons by working harder, so as to prove my sincerity in pursuing the Way.”
Wen Kong bowed deeply once again.
“All karmic consequences and retributions arise from the disciple’s deluded mind and are caused by his foolish thoughts. He has failed to uphold the precepts and has nothing to do with her.”
"Therefore, all adverse circumstances and punishments, all karmic retribution, please bestow them all upon my body. My bones may break, I may suffer illness, but please do not let my defiled karma taint her in the slightest."
"I only pray that Buddha will have mercy and that all her wishes will be fulfilled."
The Buddha lowered his brows and eyes, expressing his compassion without speaking.
-
As the days slipped into the latter half of the twelfth lunar month, the hustle and bustle of the year-end season rose up. Red lanterns were hung on both sides of Yishui Street, and stalls selling New Year pictures, Spring Festival couplets, dried fruits and candied fruits were crowded together, with the sweet aroma of roasted nuts and candied melons floating in the air.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere in Fuyou Pavilion was already strong, with red silk hanging everywhere and new peach charms placed under the eaves. However, amidst this liveliness, Ye Mu's days were not easy.
Her leg injury was intermittent, and the prolonged sitting and the stress of year-end liquidation made the wound heal very slowly, and she still had difficulty walking.
Jiang Si is even more troublesome.
Since the day he learned that she had a leg injury, this person stopped being so forceful and persistent. Instead, he changed his approach and became so attentive that it made people's scalps tingle.
The finest wound medicines, blood-activating and stasis-removing plasters, and Yu Rong San (a traditional Chinese medicine formula) from the palace... all sorts of bottles and jars were either sent by servants or personally delivered outside the pavilion.
Ye Mu initially had a cold face and smashed the bottle twice in front of him. The sound of the porcelain bottle shattering was crisp, and the ointment was spilled all over the floor. Jiang Si's face turned ashen, but he endured it and sent a new one as usual the next day.
Later, Ye Mu got tired of it. Smashing it would be a waste, so he simply accepted it all and pawned it.
However, she felt uncomfortable using his money, so she donated it all to Fukuda Institution, a place that specifically shelters widows, orphans, and orphans, and provides winter clothes and charcoal for the elderly and children in the institution.
As for the perfumes and cosmetics that couldn't be pawned or were of little value, she simply gave them to Granny Sun, who was washing and cleaning in the backyard.
Grandma Sun was initially horrified and waved her hands repeatedly, "No, absolutely not! Madam Ye, this is too precious. This old woman is clumsy and careless; don't waste such a fine thing!"
"Mother-in-law, just take it," Ye Mu said without further ado. "You can use it yourself or give it to the maids at home. Things are just inanimate objects; their value lies in using them. It's better than letting them gather dust here or getting smashed by me."
"Tsk tsk," Qin Jun shook her head upon hearing this as she passed by the accounting office. "All the good stuff that's been flowing in has ended up at Granny Sun's house. If you ask me, someone like Lord Jiang, with all his effort, would have warmed even a stone by now. Amu, you're harder than a stone."
They've gotten to know Ye Mu now, and they all call her A Mu, just like Qi Jun does.
Ye Mu didn't even look up, the abacus beads clicking loudly under his pen. "That's not his intention, it's a relapse. A serious one."
"Amu, why do you have such a strong hostility towards Jiang Zhuangyuan?" Chess Master, who was secretly roasting rice cake slices by the edge of the basin, picked up a corner with his fingertips, took a bite and hissed as he was burned, and mumbled, "Let's stick to the facts. His chess game was really beautiful, his thinking was unpredictable and brilliant. I lost fair and square."
He was once invited by Jiang Si to play two games of chess. Although he was utterly defeated, he found himself a worthy opponent and secretly admired Jiang Si's chess skills.
"Does he play chess with a faint smile, appearing calm and collected, but in reality, every move he makes is designed to lure you deeper, so that just when you think you have the upper hand, he suddenly closes the net, pressing you relentlessly until he has completely destroyed all your escape routes, leaving you absolutely no room for maneuver?"
"Amu, have you seen him play chess? Your description is spot on," the chess master exclaimed in surprise. "In the last game, I fell into his trap. I thought I had gained a lot of territory, but in the blink of an eye, he cut in from the corner and killed my large group of stones. His move was truly ruthless."
“I’ve never seen him play chess, but I know him.” Ye Mu stopped writing, raised his eyes, and stared at a point in the void, his gaze clear and sharp. “He’s a ruthless person. Once he sets his sights on a target, he will go all out and use any means necessary.”
There was a moment of silence in the accounting office.
Qin Jun and Qi Jun exchanged a silent glance. The latter slowly swallowed the cake slice, saying, "In that case, it is indeed chilling."
As they were talking, Lady Yun gracefully approached. She was dressed in a brand-new rouge-red outfit, which looked very festive.
Chess Master reacted extremely quickly, shoving the whole piece of Yunpian cake he had just taken a bite into his mouth. He was so hot that his eyes widened in shock, and he crouched down, trying to squeeze into the gap between the tall rosewood cabinet and the wall.
"What are you hiding?" Lady Yun's eyes were sharp as lightning; she had already spotted him and dragged him out like a cat stealing food. "Do you think I can't smell the whole room smelling of burning food?"
Chess Master stood up awkwardly, wiped his mouth haphazardly, and chuckled dryly twice.
"On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, one should not beat young children." Lady Yun released her grip, glared at him irritably, but there was little real anger in her eyes, and turned away, ignoring him.
She moved gracefully to Ye Mu's table, took out several vermilion and gold-flecked sealed bags from her bosom, picked out the thickest and fullest one, and gently placed it next to the open account book. "Our accountant Ye has worked hard."
The seal was also carefully affixed with a small gold foil "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character. The inscription reads: "Year after year, countless things happen, money flows in and out like water, but thanks to you, everything is handled clearly."
Ye Mu smiled and stood up, curtsying in greeting. "Thank you, Madam Yun. It was my duty, and I am deeply grateful for your trust."
Lady Yun nodded slightly, then turned and walked to the desk next to Wang's accounting office, which was piled with old account books.
The old gentleman was wearing Western-style crystal glasses and checking a series of numbers by the light of the window. Hearing the sound, he looked up and his reading glasses slid down to the tip of his nose.
“Uncle,” Yun Niangzi’s voice softened as she placed another equally bulging sealed bag on his desk, “You’ve been working hard these past few days. Your eyesight and spirit have been strained. Please take this as a token of my appreciation. Buy some good wine and cut some good meat before the New Year to nourish your body.”
Accountant Wang was taken aback. He looked at the sealed bag, then looked up at Lady Yun. His wrinkled face was filled with complex emotions. His lips moved a few times, finally turning into a long sigh. He habitually muttered, "Sigh, what's the trouble? It's all Lady Ye's help that's been working for me. I'm ashamed, and there's my unfilial son who left his old man here..."
Although he often cursed, everyone knew that he was also concerned about it.
"Your good-for-nothing son is doing quite well," Lady Yun said with a smile. "I specifically asked the merchant caravan in the south the other day. The couple has set up a fairly large tailor shop at the southern river and land docks, catering to traveling merchants. Your daughter-in-law... well, that woman, she was previously married to a silk merchant. She has some old connections, and the couple is hardworking. The shop is thriving, and I heard they're about to open a branch. I reckon that once things settle down next spring, they'll most likely head north to bring you here in style to enjoy your retirement."
As Wang the accountant listened, his beard trembled slightly. He lowered his head, pretending to adjust his glasses, his voice muffled but still hard, "No, no! Seeing his spineless face makes me angry. Going there would only shorten my life! I'm staying here, I'm not going anywhere!"
Knowing his temperament, Lady Yun didn't expose him. She simply smiled, turned to face everyone in the room, and said loudly, "Today is the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and we've almost finished settling our accounts. Everyone should pack up early, collect your monthly wages, and hurry to buy some New Year's goods to share in the festive atmosphere. Our Fuyou Pavilion will welcome guests for one more day tomorrow, and then we'll close for the New Year after tomorrow. We'll reopen on the third day of the first lunar month!"
The room was immediately filled with heartfelt cheers and thanks. The tense atmosphere of the year-end, which had lasted all winter, was finally dispelled by the generous rewards and the upcoming holiday, and the atmosphere became relaxed and joyful.
Ye Mu sat back in his chair and carefully tucked the heavy red envelope into his inner pocket, where it felt solid and reassuring.
It's tiring here, with daily calculations of numbers and dealing with all sorts of people. But it's also bright and open, with clear rules: you get paid according to how much work you do. Lady Yun is fair in her dealings, and the staff are gradually becoming familiar and friendly with each other.
Compared to the past when I was in the deep mansion of the Marquis's mansion, constantly on guard against Zhou's schemes, and suffering from the open and covert troubles of those head maids, it was so much more pleasant.
The money he earned, calculated stroke by stroke with his own ten fingers, was now firmly in his hands and tucked into his pocket, making Ye Mu feel much lighter.
Ye Mu finished work earlier than usual. Holding the rice cake slices that Qi Jun had baked for her, she slowly moved towards the back door. Her calves were still aching slightly, so she walked very slowly.
The wind was biting cold at the alley entrance. Uncle Chen's oxcart was already waiting quietly. The old ox had droopy eyelids, and the white breath coming out of its nostrils condensed into wisps of mist in the cold air. As soon as Ye Mu climbed onto the cart, he heard an annoying voice from behind.
"Fourth Sister".
Ye Mu frowned and quickly whispered to Uncle Chen to hurry up and leave.
But Jiang Si arrived in just a few steps.
He had clearly learned his lesson from being chilled lately, and was wearing a thick, dark cloak over his clothes.
Jiang Si glanced at the simple, open-topped oxcart and frowned slightly. "Fourth Sister, since you like riding in an oxcart so much, why don't I get one for you? I'll choose a strong, docile ox, make sure the canopy is tightly closed, lay thick mattresses and soft padding inside, and set up a small heater. It will be a hundred times more comfortable than this drafty place. Why suffer this bumpy ride and cold wind every day?"
Ye Mu didn't even lift his eyelids.
But why is Jiang Si so leisurely in this life? She remembers clearly that in her previous life, when he had just become the top scholar and entered the Hanlin Academy, he was busy making friends, scheming, consolidating his position, expanding his influence, and even bringing his shrewd mother from his hometown to the capital to enjoy a life of luxury.
Once the mother-in-law arrived, she acted as if she were the head of the household, scrutinizing every expense, from buying a needle to a bundle of thread, firmly grasping the power of managing the household.
A few days ago, she had some doubts. Jiang Si had just entered officialdom, and the salary of a compiler in the Hanlin Academy was limited, far from enough to support the lavish expenses of the top scholar's residence. His mother was strict in managing the household, so how could she tolerate him coming to Fuyou Pavilion and buying her this and that? Where did all this money that was being spent like water come from? Why didn't his mother do anything about it?
Ye Mu absolutely refused to believe that there weren't some shady dealings involving bribery, corruption, and other clandestine activities.
In his previous life, he was able to climb all the way to the position of Grand Secretary. He was probably not only familiar with these unspoken rules and shady methods of officialdom, but also proficient in using them.
It's a pity I'm just a lowly accountant now, without any official position or power. I'm not yet the Censor-in-Chief who can impeach all officials; otherwise, I would definitely find a pretext to thoroughly investigate him and impeach him. If there were someone in the palace…
Someone was there! Ye Mu suddenly thought of her older brother. It had been more than two months. Judging by the time, her older brother should have arrived in Suzhou Prefecture by now. Knowing her brother's personality, he would have written to her as soon as he arrived. It was probably in the hands of her aunt at the Marquis's mansion.
She should ask her third sister about this next time she sees her, and ask for her brother's detailed address. Her eldest brother has many colleagues who are officials in the capital, so perhaps she can use some reliable channels to privately investigate whether this successful Jiang Zhuangyuan is really up to any good.
It would be best to lock him up in jail as soon as possible.
That way, he won't come back and disturb the peace.
Jiang Si saw that she was silent, but there was a hint of joy on her lips. He completely misunderstood her, thinking that his sincerity over the past few days had finally softened her attitude. Little did he know that she was thinking of ways to lock him up in jail.
Moreover, she had previously said she had someone she liked, but Jiang Si hadn't seen him these past few days. This made Jiang Si even more certain that Ye Mu was lying to him, just making up this person to spite him. As for the men's clothes, perhaps she had just bought them on a whim.
Jiang Si sat down on his own, almost pushing her to the edge. Ye Mu kicked him away a few times.
Uncle Chen was used to it. With a shout of "Giddy up!", the old ox slowly started moving, and the wheels creaked as they rolled over the stone road.
"Fourth Sister, the New Year is approaching, what are your plans?" Jiang Si turned his head, looking at Ye Mu's profile, which was slightly red from the cold wind. His voice sounded somewhat faint in the wind. "The Scholar's Mansion is all alone now, it's quite deserted. Why don't you come to the mansion for the New Year? I'll have the cook prepare some of your favorite dishes..."
But when it comes to this, he can't seem to remember what she liked to eat in her past life, he only remembers that she always ate very little.
Ye Mu remained silent.
“I know that you and my mother did not get along well in your past life. She was too controlling and caused you a lot of grievances.” He paused. “In this life, I have settled her in our hometown, rebuilt the ancestral home, and allocated enough money for servants. I have not brought her to the capital.”
“Si Niang, since you say you have grown new flesh and blood,” he stared intently at her, “can we put the past behind us and start anew? I promise I will never make the same mistakes again. I will treat you well, and I will only treat you well.”
As he spoke, he reached for the sash around his neck, intending to remove his thick crane-feather cloak and drape it over her seemingly slender shoulders. "It's cold, you..."
Just as he leaned closer, his crane-feather cloak about to touch Ye Mu's shoulder and back, diagonally opposite, in front of the rouge shop, under the dim yellow lantern that had just been lit, a gray-blue figure suddenly froze.
Wen Kong was also carrying a food box containing Poria cocos and Osmanthus cake.
“Master, the small jar of ointment you sent last time was truly effective! Our family accountant used it and his legs are much nimble now. He specifically instructed me that if I ever see you again, I must give you some money as a token of my respect.”
The shop assistant, clutching loose silver coins, offered them forward, saying, "How kind of you are to bring pastries for my master! But the shopkeeper said we can't accept any more gifts."
He looked at Wen Kong blankly, then followed his gaze and saw the oxcart that had turned the corner, and two figures on it.
He smiled knowingly, assuming the monk was also drawn by the worldly scene, and said in a familiar neighborhood chatter, "That's Miss Ye from the Fuyou Pavilion up ahead, the most capable accountant! She's incredibly skilled with the abacus, and she's also very efficient. Yun, the lady from their pavilion, often comes to our shop to pick out rouge, and every time she talks to our shopkeeper about Miss Ye, she praises her endlessly, saying she's an extremely capable right-hand woman."
The oxcart had already driven away around the corner, so they naturally didn't see the comical scene of Ye Mu throwing his cloak to the ground, Jiang Si bending down to pick it up, and Ye Mu taking the opportunity to kick him off the oxcart.
The waiter continued his incessant chatter, full of energy, "Master, did you see the one sitting next to her just now? The newly appointed top scholar, Jiang, a high-ranking official in the Hanlin Academy! Everyone on Yishui Street knows that this top scholar has been putting in a lot of effort to pursue Miss Ye lately. He's either sending her gifts or waiting to pick her up every day."
"If you ask me," the shopkeeper clicked his tongue, "they're a perfect match, a scholar and a capable accountant, a handsome couple."
Wen Kong, carrying a food box, somehow ended up in Yuqian Lane.
Dusk had completely fallen, and wisps of smoke mixed with the aroma of food occasionally drifted out from the alley. Dots of light spread out, and a solitary monk walked about.
He neither ate nor drank before the Buddha, meditating in asceticism for ten whole days, until he was emaciated, all to temper his mind's delusions through extreme physical suffering. When he left the temple, he was completely exhausted, and that night he developed a high fever, lying on his meditation bed in a daze for three more days.
It wasn't until this morning, when Yi Yuan returned to his body and opened the window, that the crisp, cold air filled his lungs, and he vaguely felt that this body once again belonged to him.
When he saw Qiu Jing come to deliver the money wrapped in red paper, he realized that the end of the year was approaching. So he forced himself to get up, kneaded dough, steamed cakes, and sprinkled half a jar of dried osmanthus flowers. Seeing that Qiu Jing was eating happily, he thought that it was the New Year, and it was nothing to give her some cakes.
It turns out, she wasn't actually an accountant at a cosmetics shop.
It turns out, she could lie to him too.
Wen Kong stood quietly in front of the door for a moment before gently placing the food box on the cool bluestone steps at the entrance.
Just as he was about to turn around, the courtyard gate creaked open from the inside.
Zijing, carrying a small bamboo basket, was about to go to the street to buy tofu when she suddenly saw a gray-blue figure standing at the door. Startled, she recognized Wen Kong and immediately smiled, "Master Wen Kong? You've arrived! Why are you standing outside? Please come in! I just got back and was complaining about my foot injury, saying it just wouldn't heal. The medicine didn't help, and it still hurts! Your medical skills are excellent, you've come at the right time, please take a look..."
As she spoke warmly, she stepped aside to make way for him, then turned back and called out into the courtyard, "Miss, Master Wen Kong is here!"
Wen Kong stood still, without moving.
His gaze flickered to the door of the house in the courtyard, where light was shining through. A sound came from inside, like a little sparrow hopping around, "Has Master arrived?"
The next instant, the window was pushed open halfway from the inside, and Ye Mu's smiling face peeked out.
She was only wearing a simple apricot-colored padded jacket, her hair loosely tied up, a few stray strands clinging to her cheeks, which were flushed from the warmth of the indoors. Seeing him indeed standing in the courtyard, her eyes suddenly lit up, her lips curved into a slight smile, and she waved vigorously at him, "Master! It's terribly cold outside, come inside quickly!"
Wen Kong remained silent for a few moments before finally stepping inside.
"Master, look, I don't know why, but my leg doesn't seem to get better no matter how many ointments I use. In fact, it's swollen even more." As she spoke, she naturally bent down and reached out to pull up her skirt and the cotton trousers underneath, all the way up to her knees. She then casually took off her silk stockings and tossed them aside.
She was far too open and honest with him.
Even this skin and flesh are not concealed at all; the skin is fair and the bruises from the swelling and injuries are even more noticeable.
Wen Kong placed the food box on the desk beside him, washed his hands with water from the wooden basin next to him, sat down, and grasped her bare calves with considerable force, pressing down with a hint of punishment.
"Hmm..." Ye Mu groaned softly in pain, her calf muscles tensing up involuntarily. "Yes, yes, it hurts the most here."
The swollen wound felt hot in his palm.
Wen Kong didn't let her move. His hand, with its distinct knuckles, firmly gripped her calf, as if he held her by the handle. His face was gloomy. "Ye Mu."
Where is the small celadon jar I gave you?
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