Chapter 75
Su Yan crossed his arms, his gaze seemingly fixed on the rising steam outside the window, but in reality, his eyes never left the medicine bowl in Su Zhelan's hand. Only when he watched Su Zhelan swallow the last mouthful of bitter medicine without even frowning did he breathe a barely perceptible sigh of relief.
Su Zhelan put down the empty bowl and let out a soft sigh. The taste of medicine lingered in her mouth, but the stuffiness in her chest seemed to have been soothed a little by the new medicine.
He looked up at Su Yan, his eyes gentle: "Master, I've finished drinking."
Su Yan then withdrew his "supervisor" gaze and gave a soft "hmm" through his nose as a response.
He glanced at the half-finished ink plum blossom painting on the table, then at Xiao Qiyun who was standing quietly waiting beside him. His brows furrowed again as usual, but he ultimately didn't say anything harsh.
Gu Linzhao stepped forward at the opportune moment, naturally tidying up the medicine bowl and pot, and said gently to Su Yan, "They've taken their medicine, and Zhelan seems to be in good spirits. Let them continue. Our standing here is only spoiling their fun."
As he spoke, he gently tugged at Su Yan's elbow with a gentle yet firm force that left no room for refusal.
Su Yan was pulled by Gu Linzhao, his body stiffened for a moment, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only said two stiff words: "Let's go!" Then he stopped looking at anyone, turned around and strode towards the door, his footsteps still making a thud on the stone slabs, as if he wanted to use the sound of his footsteps to announce his "dissatisfaction".
Gu Linzhao smiled apologetically at Su Zhelan and Xiao Qiyun, and said gently, "You two continue, you're drawing very well." After saying that, he picked up his packed things and quickly followed Su Yan.
The door to Shuyu Courtyard was gently closed, shutting out Su Yan's slightly heavy footsteps.
The courtyard instantly returned to its previous tranquility, with only the soft sound of the hot spring water flowing and the occasional bird calls passing by outside the window.
Xiao Qiyun stared at the courtyard gate until he was sure Su Yan and Gu Linzhao were far away before slowly turning his gaze away. He sat down again on the cushion next to Su Zhelan, his movements still composed and elegant.
He picked up the brush that Su Zhelan had just put down, and gently dipped the tip into the ink in the inkstone, the movement fluid and natural.
"Alright." Xiao Qiyun's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible ease and teasing as he turned his gentle gaze to Su Zhelan.
"When I was drawing the forked part of the plum branch, I hesitated a little. Here, give me your hand."
Su Zhelan obediently extended his right hand. Xiao Qiyun's palm gently covered his wrist again, his fingertips carrying a warm touch and a steady strength, guiding his posture in holding the pen and the force with which he wielded it.
“Here,” Xiao Qiyun’s voice was deep and clear, whispering in Su Zhelan’s ear with a patient, instructive tone.
"The transition should be decisive, the pen should be lifted steadily, and the stroke should be light, like this..."
He held Su Zhelan's hand and guided him to draw a smooth and vigorous arc on the Xuan paper, instantly giving the previously hesitant branches a more powerful and vigorous appearance.
As Su Zhelan felt the steady guidance on her wrist and the trajectory of the pen tip on the paper, her tense nerves slowly relaxed, and she became immersed in the world of ink and brush once again.
He imitated Xiao Qiyun's strength and rhythm, trying to control the brushstrokes himself, and added a few small forks to the plum branches.
Xiao Qiyun released his grip at the opportune moment, letting him do as he pleased, his eyes filled with approval: "Yes, that's it. You control the force perfectly, very good."
As Su Zhelan watched the plum blossoms gradually taking shape under her pen, a blush rose on her face from her focus and a small sense of accomplishment.
He put down his pen, let out a soft sigh, and looked at Xiao Qiyun with a hint of confusion.
"Your Highness..." Su Zhelan's voice was soft, carrying a hint of dependence and inquiry, "What... should we paint next?"
He looked at the lonely plum branch, which, though strong, seemed somewhat frail, and didn't know how to continue.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze also fell on the drawing paper, looking at the ink plum tree that was beginning to take shape.
He didn't answer immediately, but picked up the brush washer next to him, moistened another slightly finer sheep hair brush with water, and then dipped it in a warm pink color made by mixing vermilion and light ink.
"The essence of painting plum blossoms lies in their spirit, not in their complexity." Xiao Qiyun's voice was gentle, carrying a guiding tone. "A single blossom standing out can also brave the snow and frost. However..."
He paused, his gaze shifting from the drawing paper to Su Zhelan. His gentle eyes held a faint smile and a hint of barely perceptible inquiry. "What does Zhelan want to paint? Is it the aloofness of this bare branch, or... the vitality of a flower bud about to bloom?"
Su Zhelan was slightly taken aback by Xiao Qiyun's question. He looked at the ink plum blossom with only branches on the drawing paper, then at the warm-colored brush in Xiao Qiyun's hand, and a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.
Aloofness? Vitality? He seemed never to have considered these things. For him, painting was more like a guided attempt to grasp a bit of tranquility.
He pursed his lips, his voice tinged with uncertainty: "I...I don't know. Thank you for teaching me, Your Highness..." He paused, as if remembering something, then raised his clear eyes, a hint of pure curiosity in them, and looked at Xiao Qiyun, "Your Highness...what do you want to draw?"
This question made Xiao Qiyun pause slightly, his fingers almost imperceptibly rubbing the pen. He looked into Su Zhelan's eyes, which were filled with confusion yet utter sincerity, reflecting the sunlight outside the window and his own shadow.
A deeper, gentler smile slowly curved Xiao Qiyun's lips. He didn't directly answer what he wanted to draw, but instead turned his gaze back to the paper, the tip of his brush lightly touching the end of the plum branch.
He didn't start writing immediately, but instead turned his head slightly, shifting his gaze from the paper to stare intently and deeply at Su Zhelan.
The gaze was no longer fixed on the painting, but on Su Zhelan's face. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, softly outlining the lines of Su Zhelan's profile—her slightly pale skin, her cheeks flushed slightly from focusing on her painting, her exceptionally long eyelashes when she lowered her head, and her eyes, which were now filled with confusion and pure curiosity, as clear as a mountain spring.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze was so focused and direct, as if he wanted to etch every inch of the person in front of him and every expression into his heart.
The gentle composure he usually displayed during his teachings was gone, as was the aloofness and pride of a prince. All that remained was an undisguised, warm, and deeply emotional focus.
Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat at the sudden, overly direct gaze. She instinctively tried to look away, but seemed to be frozen by the warmth in that gaze. She could only look back at Xiao Qiyun helplessly, her confusion deepening.
Just as Su Zhelan's heart began to race slightly, unsure how to respond to the intensely focused gaze, Xiao Qiyun spoke. His voice was even deeper than when he had been instructing her on brushwork, carrying an almost whispered gentleness, yet reaching Su Zhelan's ears with crystal clarity. Each word was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples in her heart:
“I want to draw…” Xiao Qiyun’s voice paused slightly, his deep eyes clearly reflecting Su Zhelan’s somewhat flustered face, “…you.”
Su Zhelan's eyes widened! The slight blush on her face from painting spread like paint being thrown into boiling water, instantly spreading at a visible speed, burning from her cheeks all the way to her ears.
"I...I..." Su Zhelan's voice was terribly dry, trembling noticeably with disbelief and panic. "Your Highness...what...what are you saying?...What is there for me to paint..."
He spoke incoherently, his voice growing softer and softer until it was almost a whisper, and he lowered his head deeply, as if he wanted to bury his burning cheeks in his collar.
“Yes, I’ll draw you.” Xiao Qiyun’s voice was still gentle, but it carried an undeniable certainty and warmth. “I’ll draw your eyes and brows when you’re focused, I’ll draw you…”
His gaze fell on Su Zhelan's lips, which were pressed tightly together in embarrassment and had a faint pink tinge. His voice was even lower and deeper, "...draw what you look like right now."
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Qiyun slowly leaned closer. A gentle kiss, filled with utmost tenderness, landed on Su Zhelan's lips.
Time seemed to slow down and stretch out at that moment.
When Xiao Qiyun slightly raised his head and created some distance, Su Zhelan's breathing was already erratic. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes were shimmering with tears, filled with lingering emotions and immense shyness, and his slightly parted lips appeared exceptionally red.
Looking at Su Zhelan's expression, Xiao Qiyun's smile deepened, filled with satisfaction and doting. He lowered his head, gently pressed his forehead against Su Zhelan's, and affectionately nuzzled their noses together.
“It’s a pity…” Xiao Qiyun’s voice carried a hint of lazy regret. He tilted his head slightly and whispered, “Today’s time… is probably not enough for me to properly depict you.”
This word made Su Zhelan's already burning cheeks even hotter!
Xiao Qiyun sensed his embarrassment and chuckled softly.
"Let's do it next time." Xiao Qiyun's voice was gentle and coaxing. "Next time... you must let me fulfill this wish, okay?" His voice rose slightly at the end, carrying a hint of affection.
Su Zhelan's heart was pounding as if it would explode! He dared not look Xiao Qiyun in the eye, his voice barely audible, thick with nasal congestion and obvious panic: "...Wh...when..."
Looking at Su Zhelan's shy and obediently asking questions, Xiao Qiyun's eyes almost overflowed with laughter.
"Let's wait until my birthday, which is next month." Xiao Qiyun's voice was clear and gentle, carrying a solemn sense of promise. "On that day... you must promise me."
He paused, his fingertips gently brushing against Su Zhelan's still burning cheeks, his voice lowering, carrying a hint of barely perceptible force and expectation, "You can't go back on your word."
On her birthday…that day…an overwhelming wave of shyness washed over her again, forcing Su Zhelan to meet Xiao Qiyun's eyes, which were brimming with gentle smiles and unmistakable expectation. The words of refusal rolled in her throat, but she couldn't utter them.
He pursed his lips, and finally, as if using all his strength, he responded very softly, with a heavy nasal tone and obvious shyness: "...Mmm."
The sound was as soft as a sigh, yet it clearly reached Xiao Qiyun's ears.
Xiao Qiyun's lips instantly curved into a smile of immense pleasure and satisfaction. He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on Su Zhelan's burning forehead with utmost care.
"It's settled." Xiao Qiyun's voice carried a smile and a hint of triumphant satisfaction. He gently took Su Zhelan's hand, enveloping her slightly cool fingers in his warm palm.
Su Zhelan felt the warmth on the back of her hand, looked down at their clasped hands, her ears burning red, but she made no attempt to break free.
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