"Does the young mistress know about this?" a cook suddenly asked.
"Of course not, the young mistress is currently praying at a temple in the south of the city," another cook chimed in.
Meng Qingluan asked curiously, "Young Madam?"
The two cooks, seeing that she was a stranger, assumed she was new to the household and didn't know the situation.
Driven by a gossipy nature, he immediately put on a smile and explained the situation for her.
"Yes, you're a new maid in the household, so you don't know. The young master married the only daughter of Master Guo two years ago, and she was quite the shrew and fierce woman."
Meng Qingluan was stunned.
"Doesn't the young mistress know that the young master has homosexual tendencies? And given how fierce the young mistress is, how could the young master dare to..."
"Of course the young mistress wouldn't know, otherwise why would she have married into the family?"
"Young master wouldn't dare, but no cat is immune to stealing fish. The young mistress went to the temple to pray for blessings this morning, and this afternoon she brought him here by kidnapping."
Meng Qingluan frowned even more deeply.
I felt disgusted by Young Master Zhu's filth and vulgarity, and then I felt sorry for that woman.
She knew nothing about him, yet she married a gay man and became a wife of a gay man.
It's absolutely hateful.
They should just use a red-hot stove hook to burn that thing off!
"This is just us gossiping in private. You mustn't let it slip. If the young mistress makes a scene, neither you nor I will benefit."
Meng Qingluan nodded.
The basin was quickly filled with hot water, and two servants carried it away.
Meng Qingluan followed them to the front of the courtyard, where servants carried water inside.
The servant who had just directed Meng Qingluan said again, "Go in and serve him while he takes a bath. Do a good job, understand?"
Meng Qingluan nodded obediently.
Meng Qingluan was led into the house by the servants.
Shen Yan was not seen inside the room, but the tightly drawn bed curtains caught Meng Qingluan's attention.
The servant walked straight forward, pulled back the bed curtains, and was shocked to see Shen Yan bound hand and foot to the bed.
Shen Yan's hands and feet were tied to the corner of the bed. His face was pale, his eyes were closed, and he was unconscious.
It looks like they've been drugged.
Meng Qingluan gripped the fabric at the end of her sleeve.
The servant raised his chin and gestured, indicating that Meng Qingluan should wipe Shen Yan's body like this.
Meng Qingluan naturally knew this wouldn't work; the ropes binding Shen Yan must be specially made, and she couldn't untie them by herself.
Besides, with this person staying here, I have no chance to untie Shen Yan.
Meng Qingluan pointed to the rope binding Shen Yan's hands, "Aren't you going to untie it?"
"What's with all the nagging?" The servant frowned. "Tying him up isn't like tying you up. You just keep doing your thing."
Meng Qingluan remained calm and unhurried.
"It doesn't affect my wiping, wiping it like this is fine. Anyway, if it's not clean and the young master is unhappy, I won't be the one punished."
"..."
The servant hesitated upon hearing Meng Qingluan's words, and his earlier impatience diminished considerably.
His son has a terrible temper; it would be troublesome if he took it out on me.
Meng Qingluan is still continuing here.
"I've heard that the biggest taboo in male homosexual acts is not washing oneself properly. I can't even imagine how terrible it would be if I soiled you, young master, and he got angry!"
After Meng Qingluan finished speaking, her body trembled a few times in coordination.
"etc!"
The servants were frightened by her words.
Meng Qingluan picked up the rag and looked at him.
The servant waved his hand impatiently, "Get out of the way, I'll untie the ropes."
Meng Qingluan raised the corners of her mouth slightly, responded, and stepped aside.
The servants cursed under their breath as they roughly cut the ropes binding Shen Yan's limbs with a knife.
Just as the servant cut open the rope binding Shen Yan's right hand, he suddenly felt a cold, sharp gaze that sent chills down his spine.
The servant subconsciously looked up and saw that Chen Yan was still unconscious with his eyes closed.
The servant quickly cut the rope and turned to ask Meng Qingluan.
Did you see him open his eyes just now?
Meng Qingluan shook her head.
"..."
The servant didn't say anything more, and raised his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
Is this person already dead, and it was just his vengeful spirit looking at me?
The servant was already feeling guilty, and his suspicions made him even more terrified, so he dared not stay in the room any longer.
"You'd better clean him up properly, or you'll be held responsible if anything happens to him."
The servant warned Meng Qingluan, then grabbed a rope and ran out of the house.
Seeing his panicked state, Meng Qingluan was somewhat puzzled, but didn't think much of it.
Was he frightened by his own words?
Meng Qingluan walked to the doorway, moved the armchair that was placed to the side and used it to block the doorway, then walked to the bedside.
"Chen Yan, wake up."
Meng Qingluan raised her hand and gently patted Shen Yan's cheek, calling his name softly.
"..."
There was still no response; the room was deathly silent.
Meng Qingluan could barely feel his breath, and seeing his deathly pale face, her heart was in turmoil.
He placed his index finger under Shen Yan's nostrils; her breathing was faint and very light.
Meng Qingluan forced herself to calm down, aimed her thumb at Chen Yan's philtrum, and pressed down.
A tingling sensation came from his philtrum, and Chen Yan's shoulder suddenly trembled, his brow furrowing in pain.
Seeing that he finally reacted, Meng Qingluan pinched him even harder in her excitement.
Shen Yan's eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were misty and her gaze was somewhat unfocused.
"Luanluan...?"
Shen Yan called out softly, somewhat uncertainly. Her fair and cold face was almost bloodless, and she looked weak with exhaustion.
Meng Qingluan touched his forehead. "Yes, it's me. You're finally awake. I was so scared."
Shen Yan frowned and apologized with heartache, "I'm sorry, I made you worry."
If he doesn't wake up soon, she might strangle him to death.
It hurt him terribly.
How did you find me?
Meng Qingluan helped him sit up. "Let's not talk about this now. Getting out is the priority. I'll tell you when we get home."
Shen Yan shut his mouth and sat up with Meng Qingluan's help.
Meng Qingluan asked, "Can you stand up?"
Shen Yan bit her lip slightly, her trembling voice revealing her dejection at her own lack of ambition.
"Well...it seems like I can't..."
Meng Qingluan looked around and found that there was no tool that could help her.
He simply squatted down in front of the tatami mat.
"Get on, I'll carry you!"
Shen Yan stared wide-eyed at her retreating figure in disbelief. How could things have turned out this way?
He just wanted her to feel sorry for him, to hug him, or at the very least, to ask him where he was still in pain and if he had been frightened.
Even if he's light, he's still a grown man. How could he let her carry him?
That would not be my goal.
Shen Yan refused, "No need! I can stand up and walk after a while."
Meng Qingluan thought he was just being shy, so she urged him, "It's alright, I'm very strong, don't be shy."
Shen Yan: "..." He really didn't hold back.
Chen Yan pursed his lips, finally understanding what it felt like to have his own backfire.
Seeing that there was still no movement behind her, Meng Qingluan reached back with both hands, wanting to carry Chen Yan on her back.
Chen Yan dodged.
"I can really walk now!"
The two were locked in a stalemate when a commotion suddenly came from outside.
"Young master, this servant has already sent someone to help Young Master Shen wash himself."
The servant's obsequious voice came from inside.
Young Master Zhu was pleased, "You're a sensible kid."
"..."
Meng Qingluan and Shen Yan exchanged a glance.
Chen Yan frowned, and the short knife hidden in his sleeve was already drawn from its sheath.
He originally intended to deal with Young Master Zhu himself, but he didn't expect Meng Qingluan to come looking for him.
He didn't want to reveal himself to Meng Qingluan yet...
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