Chapter Forty-Six: He Wanted to Taste Her Lips
Shen Qingnian felt a tingling sensation, and a slight stinging pain gradually came from her collarbone.
A moment later, Xie Yanzhi looked at his masterpiece with great satisfaction.
That red mark was the one he left on Shen Qingnian, making her unable to like any other man.
Shen Qingnian now understood what benefits he wanted.
It turns out that being gentle with him comes at a price.
Her eyes slowly reddened.
He always bullies her like this!
He never asked about her feelings, always treating her like a toy to tease her.
If she were a noblewoman from the capital, would he treat her like this?
Xie Yanzhi suppressed certain reactions and hugged Shen Qingnian tightly again.
"I'll head back first tonight. I have a day off tomorrow, so I'll take you out for a stroll."
"Get some rest."
After saying that, Xie Yanzhi climbed out the window. He was afraid that if he didn't leave soon, he might do something terrible.
Every time he encounters Shen Qingnian, he is easily aroused by certain indescribable feelings.
But seeing Shen Qingnian's moist eyes, reddened eye sockets, and aggrieved look, he didn't dare to actually do it.
So much so that he always had to endure it in such a pathetic state!
As he felt increasingly unwell, Xie Yanzhi quickened his pace and walked into Guanlan Residence.
Yuan Qing, who was standing at the door, saw his master approaching with a flushed face and was about to go forward to serve him when Xie Yanzhi, as if he hadn't seen him, quickly slipped into his bedroom and plunged into the bathtub.
He only calmed down and returned to silence when he looked up at the night sky again and let out a long sigh.
Xie Yanzhi got up, put on his undergarments, tossed the towel he used to wipe his body beside the bathtub, and then went to bed.
Looking at the canopy above his head, Xie Yanzhi realized that something was wrong with him more and more often, all because of Shen Qingnian!
As night deepened and the moonlight shone brightly, the forsythia in Qianyue Residence quietly climbed onto the branches. After listening to the sorrowful sighs of the woman inside, a soft, gentle breath followed.
Shen Qingnian arrived at the market early in the morning in Xie Yanzhi's carriage.
Xie Yanzhi took her to a rouge shop, bought two boxes of rouge, and then handed her a box of lip rouge.
The color of the lip rouge was a bit too bright, and Shen Qingnian didn't really like it.
"I don't like this color," she said curtly.
I want to see it!
"This looks delicious too."
Xie Yanzhi whispered a couple of words in her ear.
He just wanted to taste the lip rouge on her lips.
Shen Qingnian turned her head to look at him. His expression was indifferent, showing no sign of anything unusual.
She was a little confused as to why Xie Yanzhi, who seemed as dignified as before, could spout such reckless words so easily.
Doesn't he know he's flirting with her?
How is this any different from a lecherous man?
Shen Qingnian ignored him and walked straight outside.
Xie Yanzhi then dragged her to a jewelry shop.
The shopkeeper could tell from Xie Yanzhi's clothes and demeanor that he was a wealthy man.
He hurriedly went up to curry favor with her.
"Young master, would you like to buy some jewelry for this lady?"
Before Shen Qingnian could deny it, Xie Yanzhi moved his lips and coldly said:
“Madam, buy whatever you like. You’re always too plain.”
Shen Qingnian glared at him, feeling a little annoyed.
Xie Yanzhi is now like a peacock that has suddenly spread its tail feathers in her eyes, self-righteous and delusional.
He was clearly a celestial being before, untouched by the mortal world.
After Xie Yanzhi forcefully bought her a set of jewelry, they went to a private room in a teahouse to have some tea and rest.
Looking at the boxes of various sizes piled on the table, Xie Yanzhi turned to Shen Qingnian and asked, "What do you think I am to you?"
Shen Qingnian understood Xie Yanzhi's thoughts.
She looked at the boxes containing cosmetics, clothes, and jewelry, and pretended to think about them for a moment.
Under Xie Yanzhi's somewhat expectant gaze, he said lightly:
I think you look a bit like my father!
Xie Yanzhi choked on a mouthful of tea.
Shouldn't she resemble her husband?
Today, he acted like her husband, accompanying her to shops, spending money on her, and buying her things she liked.
"Shen Qingnian, watch your words!"
Xie Yanzhi's face darkened again.
Shen Qingnian pretended not to see it and continued, "Only my father would spend money to let me buy rouge, face powder, and silk."
That way, we can dress her up beautifully, like a delicate object, and give her to that bastard in the Jiang family.
Just then, a guard knocked on the door: "Your Highness, I have important news to report."
Xie Yanzhi recognized the voice of the person who came from Lingnan as Yuanxiao, his subordinate who had been left there.
They agreed that if anything changed, they would return to Beijing to find him.
He frowned slightly, reverting to his aloof and stern demeanor as a prince.
"You wait here for me, I'll go outside and talk to him."
Xie Yanzhi did not want her to see what Yuanxiao looked like.
"No need, let him come in and talk. I'm going to the study to buy some poems."
Judging from Xie Yanzhi's expression, it must be something extremely important. She didn't want to get in the way.
"Alright, I'll assign two people to follow you."
Perhaps because her appearance was too striking, Xie Yanzhi even put a veil on her before letting her out of the private room.
Shen Qingnian arrived at the study and began flipping through books one after another.
Coming here finally allowed her to breathe some fresh air; being with Xie Yanzhi was too stifling.
As she was pondering how to escape her current predicament, a voice rang out.
"Miss Chen!"
Shen Qingnian turned around and saw that the woman was wearing a light gauze dress, with charming eyes and eyebrows, and the hair ornament on her head swayed gently with her steps.
Shen Qingnian recognized her; it was Diewu, the woman beside Xiao Huaiyi.
"Butterfly Dancer, it's been a long time," Shen Qingnian called out her name.
Butterfly Dance was somewhat surprised. The two had only met once, yet after so many days, she was still able to recognize her.
Butterfly Dance stepped forward: "Miss Chen, I never expected to meet you here."
"I'm here to buy some storybooks to pass the time."
Seeing the books of poetry in Diewu's hands, Shen Qingnian asked, "Does Miss Diewu enjoy poetry?"
"The girls in our building make a living by singing and dancing."
"Since Young Master Xiao left the capital, there have been no new lyrics for many days, and the musicians are also worried. If there are no new lyrics and music, Yicui Courtyard will not be able to survive."
"I'll go find some poetry notebooks to take back and see if I can try to write a couple of poems to make do."
Butterfly Dance excels at singing and dancing, but is not good at writing lyrics.
Recently, business at Yi Cui Courtyard has been getting worse and worse, and the women's livelihoods have become a problem.
Shen Qingnian then realized that Xiao Huaiyi was helping them write lyrics every day.
Shen Qingnian thought for a moment, then said in a low voice:
"Miss Butterfly Dance, may I give it a try?"
She had written some poems and even secretly wrote storybooks before, and the response was quite good.
"That's wonderful!" Butterfly Dance exclaimed with delight.
"But Miss Shen doesn't mind?"
Because of their status as performing artists, few women in the capital associated with them, for fear of attracting gossip.
She had to remind Shen Qingnian of this.
“You don’t steal or rob, you live on your own, why should I care?”
Shen Qingnian did not look down on her because of her identity as a street performer, and Diewu's goodwill towards her increased even more.
She couldn't help but admire the young master's excellent taste.
"Come back here the day after tomorrow, and I'll write two poems for you."
"Yes, thank you, Miss Chen. If I earn any money, I'd like to split it 50/50 with you."
As she spoke, Butterfly Dance made a hand gesture.
Shen Qingnian could have refused to accept the money, but she was short of cash right now.
"Then thank you very much, Miss Butterfly Dance." Shen Qingnian smiled.
After making the agreement with Diewu, Shen Qingnian also bought several books of poetry and storybooks and returned to the teahouse.
"Don't bother with the storybooks, keep these poetry books."
As he spoke, Xie Yanzhi snatched the storybook from her hand.
Those storybooks were nothing more than love stories and dramatic tales of life and death, hardly worthy of serious consideration.
Xie Yanzhi felt that he was about to take her as a concubine, and that his woman should not be seen by such vulgar things.
Only someone as stupid as Xie Zhao would prepare storybooks for her.
Shen Qingnian was unwilling and reached out to snatch it back.
"Why did the young master take my storybook?"
Xiao Huaiyi's jade pendant was also taken away because he didn't like it.
"Shen Qingnian, you'll soon be a member of the Jingnan Marquis's household, so stay away from these vulgar things."
Xie Yanzhi was somewhat displeased.
"I never said I wanted to join the Jingnan Marquis's mansion! Nor do I want to become a member of the Jingnan Marquis's mansion!"
"Furthermore, I am just a vulgar person. I beg Your Highness to show mercy and spare me!"
Shen Qingnian straightened her back, like a stubborn rose.
She's really had enough lately.
"Shen Qingnian, have you forgotten who you are? Who am I?!"
Xie Yanzhi was also somewhat annoyed.
Shen Qingnian repeatedly defied him, taking advantage of his slight affection for her.
He's been lowering his stance a bit lately; has he been too indulgent with her?
Who gave her the audacity!
Xie Yanzhi turned and walked out the door with a dark face. After getting into the carriage, he saw Shen Qingnian still standing at the door with a hint of displeasure on her face.
He then said to Shen Qingnian, "You don't have to ride in the Jingnan Marquis's carriage if you don't want to, but you can't refuse to be a member of the Jingnan Marquis's family!"
After saying that, she told Yuan Qing to drive the carriage away, leaving Shen Qingnian alone at the entrance of the teahouse.
Xie Yanzhi sat in the car and rubbed his temples: Let her be left alone for a few days to correct her spoiled temper!
Otherwise, she wouldn't even know who he was!
Suddenly, Yuan Qing's voice came from ahead: "Master, something bad has happened, Miss Qing..."
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