Chapter 47 (Catching Bugs) When I am not upright...

Jiang Yanyi was so embarrassed that she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

She turned around with an embarrassed face. Because of this distraction, her feet slipped on frost and ice, and her body lost balance, and she fell from the wall.

"Huahua!"

Qiu Kui screamed in fear when she saw Jiang Yanyi falling to the other side of the courtyard wall.

Jiang Yanyi also thought that she would be half-crippled if not dead after this fall, and she closed her eyes in fear.

But the expected pain did not come. Her waist tightened, and she was caught in a strong embrace. A slight groan rang in her ears. Because the distance was too close, it seemed that there was also a warm breath brushing against her ear, bringing a tingling sensation.

Jiang Yanyi opened his eyes in shock, and saw Feng Shuo's handsome face close at hand. He pursed his thin lips, and his delicate jawline was tightly tied, as if he was enduring some pain. The leaves on the pomegranate tree behind him had already turned yellow, and when the cold wind blew, they swirled and fell.

At this moment, everything in the world seemed silent.

The only clear thing was the sound of his own heartbeat, which was getting more and more urgent.

"Are you...are you okay?" Jiang Yanyi was worried that he would fall from the 15-foot-high courtyard wall, and that his inertia was too strong, so he was afraid that he would hurt Feng Shuo's arms.

Feng Shuo's eyes were half lowered, and his thin lips faintly uttered a word: "Hand."

Jiang Yanyi moved his eyes downward, and only then did he realize that when he fell, he grabbed his collar in a hurry.

She was so embarrassed that she quickly let go: "Sorry, sorry..."

When she fell, everything she could grab was regarded as a life-saving straw. Jiang Yanyi instinctively exerted all her strength, so much so that she loosened Feng Shuo's collar, revealing half of his lean and strong shoulders.

A fierce scar extended from his left shoulder blade to his back covered by his collar. The scar became wider as it went further back, which was shocking to look at.

Jiang Yanyi felt that according to the direction of the scar, it might have occupied most of his back. The scar on the shoulder blade looked like it was torn by a sharp weapon when it hit his back with too much force.

He was really lucky to survive such a serious injury.

Jiang Yanyi felt pain just by looking at the healed scar, and couldn't believe how he managed to survive when he was just injured.

Feng Shuo seemed reluctant to let others see his scar. When he saw Jiang Yanyi's eyes fall on his shoulder, he helped her stand steadily, and then immediately reached out to pull his collar.

However, he only covered his shoulder blade with his hand, frowning, as if the muffled groan just now was also caused by this scar.

Even if this degree of injury heals, it may leave some sequelae. Jiang Yanyi's intuition told her that he must have pulled the old wound when he caught her just now.

She hurriedly said, "Shall I find a doctor for you?"

"I'm fine."

He looked at her for a moment and asked, "Are you hurt?"

Jiang Yanyi shook her head.

When he grabbed her waist, he used too much force, and now she still felt a slight pain in the lower back.

Feng Shuo said, "The parrot can fly down by itself after it flies to the wall. Don't climb the wall next time."

At first, his words seemed to be stating facts, but Jiang Yanyi inexplicably felt that he seemed to be overturning what she said before, "I climbed the wall to save the parrot."

She was silent for a second, and felt that it was necessary to defend herself again: "It was frosty today. I thought it flew to the top of the wall and was frozen and couldn't fly down."

"That's it. For a bird, you don't even want your own life?"

There was a hint of anger in his tone, as if he was accusing.

Jiang Yanyi moved her lips to say something, but when she looked up and looked into Feng Shuo's deep phoenix eyes, she swallowed the words back.

He gave her the parrot. If she said yes, it seemed that she especially valued the gift he gave her; if she said no, she would have climbed over the wall, so she was just saying

one thing and thinking another. Jiang Yanyi was a little upset for a while. She had been deliberately avoiding Feng Shuo's feelings. She didn't know whether her love for the parrot was partly due to Feng Shuo.

The two looked at each other in silence.

Jiang Yanyi couldn't help but lower her eyes first. Her row of crow-like eyelashes fluttered from time to time. Her plump lips were lightly pursed. Her lips were bright red, like the most delicate rose petals blooming in April, tempting people to pick them.

"There won't be a next time. I am really sorry for causing so much trouble to the prince today. But... can I borrow another ladder from the prince?"

She had climbed over the wall to enter the courtyard. There were servants guarding the main gates of the Protectorate. She didn't even enter the mansion today, but went out. If someone saw her, wouldn't it be tempting to think about it?

Now she is running a business. If her reputation is ruined, her business will almost be ruined.

It would be safer to borrow a ladder to climb over the wall. The ladder on the other side of the wall is still in her yard. She should be careful and nothing will happen.

Feng Shuo's eyes stayed on her bright red lips for a moment, and he suppressed the thought of pressing her pistil-like lips and kissing her until she cried. He turned away and said coldly: "Are you so unwilling to give up until you lose your arms and legs?"

Jiang Yanyi couldn't help but retort: ​​"I fell down because I was scared by you." Feng Shuo's face turned cold:

"Am I so scary?" Jiang Yanyi thought that

this was not a problem of appearance. Wherever he stood, the air would stagnate for a long time. It was just like Yanluo in the world. But he said: " No, no, you are handsome, ... Feng Shuo glanced at her from the corner of his eye, and seeing her look of bewilderment, he turned around and left her with his head behind him: "Follow me." His tone seemed to be a little happier. Jiang Yanyi hurriedly followed him, holding up the hem of her skirt: "Go get the ladder?" Feng Shuo paused, and couldn't help but turn his head to look at her: "...What else is in your mind besides the ladder?" Being rebuked again, Jiang Yanyi silently said that this was her lifesaver, and she couldn't be angry.

Feng Shuo led her through the mansion. Although Jiang Yanyi often came to the mansion to water the pepper seedlings, she always went directly to the greenhouse and did not dare to wander around the mansion. Now she saw Feng Shuo leading her for a long time. The surrounding scenery was unfamiliar and there was no servant in sight.

She could not help but ask, "My Lord, where are you taking me?"

Feng Shuo walked in front. "Where do you want me to take you?"

Jiang Yanyi's scalp was numb: "You... don't make fun of me."

Feng Shuo ignored her and continued to walk forward.

Jiang Yanyi looked at the narrow road where half of the people were invisible. After hesitating for a moment, she trotted to catch up with Feng Shuo.

Feng Shuo seemed to have eyes on the back of his head. As soon as she caught up with him, he sneered and said, "Aren't you afraid that I have improper thoughts about you?"

Jiang Yanyi flattered him wildly: "Don't be afraid, my lord, you are an upright gentleman, how could you do such a thing to take advantage of others' misfortune."

Feng Shuo suddenly stopped, looked at her meaningfully and said, "I am more often not upright."

Touched by his restrained and aggressive eyes, Jiang Yanyi's heartbeat instantly accelerated, and her palms were full of sweat.

This is the Protectorate, his territory. If he really wants to do something to her, what can she do?

"Huahua!"

Qiu Kui's surprised voice suddenly came from not far away.

Jiang Yanyi's thoughts were interrupted. When she looked up, she saw Qiu Kui coming here with several servants from the Protectorate.

When Qiu Kui saw Jiang Yanyi fall from the wall, she was really scared, tears welled up in her eyes. If Feng Shuo hadn't been here, she would have rushed over to hug Jiang Yanyi and cried.

"Your Highness." The servants hurriedly saluted when they saw Feng Shuo.

"No need to be polite." Feng Shuo's voice was scattered.

The leading servant explained to Feng Shuo: "The people from Jiang's next door just came to knock on the door, saying that their shopkeeper climbed the wall to save the parrot and accidentally fell into the west wing of our house. I was just about to take someone to check it out."

This road is the only way to the west wing. "

I happened to run into him when I went to the west wing to practice martial arts." Feng Shuo glanced at Jiang Yanyi and said lightly.

Jiang Yanyi finally understood why Feng Shuo didn't let her climb over the wall. She was so stubborn that she never thought that Qiu Kui would run to the Protectorate to knock on the door for help after seeing her fall.

She sincerely thanked Feng Shuo: "Your Majesty, I will never forget your life-saving grace today..."

Feng Shuo interrupted her: "Okay, I just happened to go there and saved you. If you have to complain like this, you should repay your life-saving grace with your body..."

In Jiang Yanyi's panicked eyes, he deliberately looked her up and down, and then slowly continued the second half of the sentence: "You repay your body? I will be so disappointed!"

Hearing this answer, Jiang Yanyi couldn't tell for a moment whether she was relieved or a little angry because he played a trick on her.

She bowed and said, "If your Highness can use me, I will fight to the death to repay you for saving my life today."

Feng Shuo didn't seem to like what she said. He snorted and laughed, and suddenly his tone turned cold, "I should have let you fall half to death."

He then turned his sleeves and walked back.

Jiang Yanyi didn't quite understand his mood swings. The servant led her and Qiu Kui out of the house, and she didn't stay any longer.

When they reached the hanging flower gate, Jiang Yanyi looked back for some reason. It was with this look that she realized that Feng Shuo didn't go far. He stood against the wall, his back straight, one hand on his left shoulder blade, his head slightly lowered, making it difficult to see his facial expression.

He must have torn the old injury when he saved her.

Jiang Yanyi's heart was inexplicably tightened.

Back at the store, Jiang Yanyi was restless the whole morning. She would feel uneasy if she didn't repay Feng Shuo for his kindness.

But if she wanted to repay him, she didn't know what to do.

Jiang Yanyi was so worried that she pulled out several strands of her hair.

Qiu Kui was stupid and didn't notice Jiang Yanyi's abnormality. She thought Jiang Yanyi was frightened because she fell from the wall this morning.

But Aunt Guo was an experienced person and could tell at a glance that something was wrong with Jiang Yanyi.

During lunch that day, Aunt Guo half-jokingly asked Jiang Yanyi, "Why are you so worried, shopkeeper?"

Jiang Yanyi forced a smile and said, "I've received a great favor from someone, and I'm worried about how to repay him."

Aunt Guo said, "It's the nobleman from the neighboring mansion, right? He doesn't care about your repayment, he cares about you as a person."

Jiang Yanyi paused with his chopsticks, looking anxious, "Aunt Guo, don't talk nonsense. He's a prince, a nobleman, what am I?"

Aunt Guo said, "Even the emperor is still a person, and the emperor still chooses concubines from the people!"

Jiang Yanyi thought Aunt Guo's words were strange, and she said, "How is this the same?"

"Why is it different?" Aunt Guo suddenly changed the subject: "Or does the shopkeeper actually have someone in his heart?"

Jiang Yanyi lowered his head and poked the rice in the bowl without touching his chopsticks: "No. Auntie, there are some things I can't explain to you clearly, but people must always have self-knowledge."

When Aunt Guo heard this, something flashed quickly in her eyes.

"Auntie is an experienced person. Seeing you young people fret, she is anxious for you." She sighed and said,

"When Auntie was young, she was just like you. She was worried and afraid of everything. She wished she had a pair of eyes to see the road ahead for the next few decades before walking. But how can you see some things clearly in the morning?"

"Auntie often regrets thinking of the short-lived ghost at home. When we got married, he said that he must live longer than me, and after I passed away a hundred years later, he would personally take care of my funeral affairs and then come to find me. He said that he had worried about everything in my life, and he would also take care of my funeral affairs. He was worried about leaving it to others."

"Who could have thought that he would be the first to leave after his foot kicked off..."

Aunt Guo wiped away tears and shook her head when she said this: "I often think that if I had known that he would die young, I would not have married him, so as to avoid crying for him like now... But if I could really live my life again, I would only want to treat him better in the years he was alive, and not quarrel or fight. My life with him is too short to be spent on quarrels and fights..."

Jiang Yanyi took out her silk scarf and handed it to Aunt Guo, "Auntie, stop crying, what if you cry and damage your eyes."

Aunt Guo was usually a strong-willed person. She had no children and no one to talk to about these things. She took the scarf and wiped her tears: "I made a fool of myself, the shopkeeper."

Jiang Yanyi shook her head: "Auntie is a loyal person."

Aunt Guo calmed down and said: "Shopkeeper Jiang, you can run such a big restaurant by yourself. You are a capable person and have your own ideas about everything. You just need to listen to what I say. Don't bother Auntie."

"How could that be." Jiang Yanyi said, "I don't have any elders around me, and there are some things that I really don't know how to decide. I've just told you this, auntie. My... status is way different from his, and his joy is probably just a temporary novelty. If I get myself involved, I'm afraid I'll end up dying in this mansion in the future."

This "he" naturally refers to Feng Shuo.

Aunt Guo said, "Auntie, you are a rough person, and you don't think as carefully and far-sightedly as you do. But how can you be sure that the nobleman will dislike you in the future? Shopkeeper, there are some things that cannot be based on your own guesses and assumptions. No matter how big the difference in status is, at least from what I have seen in the past few days, everyone in the nobleman's house treats you with respect. If the master above hadn't said anything, would the people below do this?"

Seeing that Jiang Yanyi didn't answer, her eyes changed and she was about to continue talking, but she accidentally knocked down the dishes and chopsticks on the edge of the table. She didn't even look at that place, and she stretched out her hand to catch the dishes and chopsticks.

If Jiang Yanyi hadn't been distracted by her words at this moment, he would definitely be suspicious at this moment. After all, this was definitely not the reaction speed that an ordinary master could have.

Aunt Guo looked at Jiang Yanyi and said earnestly:

"If you really don't have any thoughts in mind, it's not wrong to keep avoiding him like this. He will understand your attitude and will probably let it go later. But if you keep avoiding him just because you care too much, I feel it's not worth it for that noble man. You don't even know his character, how can you think the worst of something that will never happen in the future?" "

You have to let him know what you want and what you want. See how he responds, whether he tells lies or makes sincere plans for the future. It's not too late to consider it after you figure this out."

Aunt Guo's words were an epiphany for Jiang Yanyi.

She always thought she was calm and composed, but in terms of feelings, she was actually like a hedgehog. She had no absolute sense of security and would not reveal herself to the other party.

Just like Aunt Guo said, she wished she could see the future path clearly before walking, for fear of taking a wrong step.

Feng Shuo's love for her was absolutely sudden, and her instinctive reaction was to avoid him. After being confused, she imagined all kinds of miserable situations in the future, so as to keep herself away from this relationship.

But whether she was afraid of Feng Shuo's reaction after her identity was exposed, or worried that his feelings for her were only temporary, the bottom line was that she had no idea how much he really liked her.

She didn't understand him.

Jiang Yanyi carefully recalled her memories of Feng Shuo. He was indeed quite fierce, but... he didn't seem to be as unreasonable as she imagined.

When leaving the Protectorate this morning, the image of Feng Shuo leaning against the wall and pressing his shoulder blades appeared in Jiang Yanyi's mind, and she suddenly felt guilty.

Putting everything aside, Feng Shuo had done her three great favors.

The first time was when he rescued her from the pockmarked man in the barracks, the second time was when he supported her waist when Madam Hu was making trouble, and the third time was when he caught her when she fell from the wall this morning.

The more Jiang Yanyi thought about it, the more guilty she felt. She rubbed her face in confusion and said, "Then I'll buy a piece of old ginseng tomorrow and go to the next door to thank him." She

would test the waters first before deciding whether to reveal her true identity.