Special Fondness – Chapter 11
PUBLISHED ON14 November 2021
Fang Su seemed to find it unbelievable, he pondered for a long time about these two characters, thinking about the name "Fang De" blankly in his mind.
The maid that came to deliver the message was so stunned by Tang QiaoYuan's glare that she knelt down, Fang Su saw her expression and knew in his heart that this matter had something to do with him. He raised his head, and asked hesitantly: "Is it my father?"
Tang QiaoYuan did not answer and looked at him, nodding wasn't a good answer but nor was shaking his head, he hadn't thought how to answer, then he heard him ask again: "My father, he… why would he come here to kowtow to apologize? He is indebted again, is that it?"
Tang QiaoYuan sighed, he couldn't trick him thoroughly, nor can he now hide it either, in order to not worry him, he could only be honest with him.
"No," Tang QiaoYuan took Fang Su in his arms, "I detained people in the mansion."
Fang Su did not understand, he looked up at Tang QiaoYuan in silence while thinking at the meaning behind his words, after a while, he seemed to have guessed something.
He is initially smart, it's just that he is simple, he doesn't like to think about complicated things. Now that he heard Tang QiaoYuan say this, after thinking carefully, Fang Su remembered that Tang QiaoYuan wasn't in the room early in the morning, his second mom's face appeared in his mind, his heart turned so cold that his complexion slightly changed.
Tang QiaoYuan noticed his strangeness and held him a little tighter, his intuition told him that what he has to tell him today won't be a simple answer to a question. After thinking about it, Tang QiaoYuan settled down in his heart, he asked him in a low and gentle voice: "Is Su Su going with me, or would you rather wait for my return in the courtyard?"
"I am going with you." Fang Su did not hesitate.
Advertisements
The mansion gate was half open, a person outside the threshold kept kowtowing for a long time, causing some dark purple bruises to faintly appear in the middle of his forehead. Tang QiaoYuan could hear Fang De's grievances cries from afar, after his figure was in Fang De's line of sight, that voice suddenly rose a bit more, begging and yelling "Master Tang".
Tang QiaoYuan was not in the mood to hide it from Fang Su anymore, but he still had some measurements in his heart, and he raised his hand to stop him. Tang QiaoYuan leaned to kiss Fang Su's earlobe, and whispered: "Wait here for me."
Fang Su did as he said and stopped his steps, looking beyond the gate from afar.
Maybe the change in his attire was way too big, that's why the person outside the gate didn't recognize him from afar, and was only knee-walking towards Tang QiaoYuan's direction, he got closer to the threshold but did not dare to enter the mansion rashly, he kept begging him outside: "Master Tang! Master Tang is a bigger person and is magnanimous, please let my ignorant wife and son go…"
Tang QiaoYuan walked closer, his gaze falling on the prostrating back, and answered: "The Tang mansion's gate isn't open at any time, they dared to walk in perfect condition, then they should know that it is hard to walk out in a perfect condition."
"Master Tang…" Fang De knocked hard on his forehead on the threshold, and kept begging for mercy, "It's my wife and son who are ignorant, a greater man like you will not take not make note of a lesser man's faults, please let them go…… They both are insignificant to you, consider as letting two ants go, I promised… I promised that both of them will never appear in front of you again!"
Tang QiaoYuan sneered, raised his voice a little, for someone to hear on purpose what he had to say: "I, Tang QiaoYuan, am not some charitable person, letting people go, not letting people go, it is always only up to me, you dare to come to beg me, are you not afraid to die?"
How could Fang De not be afraid, when he heard this, his whole body trembled like a sieve, his complexion couldn't help but turn white, even though it was the case, he still gritted his teeth and pleaded: "This little one is afraid… but this little one couldn't help but come! Master Tang…they are my wife and son, my most important persons… Without them, it will be no different than losing my life…"
"Oh?" Tang QiaoYuan's tone was extremely disdainful, he thought about Fang Su who was not far behind him, he felt reluctant in his heart but he couldn't not be harsh and continue to tell him, "Back then when I wanted to take your life to pay off your debts, why did I not see you have this same thought? Could it be that Fang Qiang is your son but Fang Su is not?"
Beads of sweat dripped from Fang De's forehead, and he was suddenly silent.
"Answer me, Is Fang Su your biological son or not?"
"Yes, he is…" Fang De gritted his teeth with an unreasonable heart, "He is my biological child, Master Tang, Fang Su's mother has left us too early, I love him dearly too… but I am a man, who also wants a wife to warm its bed, that's why I married his second mother… His second mother gave birth to Qiang Er, it is difficult for the family to finally become whole again… Even though I love him dearly, he and his second mother have never been on good terms, I really have no choice…"
"No choice? That's why you've agreed to give him to me so easily? Is it to live, or just to kill two birds with one stone?"
Fang De dared not to speak again when he heard his anger, and vigorously kowtowed before him. Tang QiaoYuan was completely disgusted when he looked at his cowardly appearance, and wished he could kick him far away, but he was worried about the person behind him, so he decided to restrain himself.
"Since you are so concerned about those two, then go and have a look", Tang QiaoYuan said no more to him, and signaled with his head for the two footmen beside the door, "Take him down."
Two strong men came forward and took the pale Fang De away from the ground.
As the sound of begging for mercy faded away, Tang QiaoYuan turned around, and saw Fang Su didn't move at all and remained in the same spot. He felt distressed, but did not regret the words he had just forced Fang De to say, instead thought it was better this way, Fang Su will only be sad temporarily, from then on he will be able to completely cut off his longing.
Tang QiaoYuan approached him, stretched out his hand to raise his lowered jaw, and felt his palm damp with water. Tang QiaoYuan's whole heart tugged, he lowered his head and slowly kissed the tears on his face.
After a long moment, he explained the whole story to Fang Su with a low voice.
"A few months ago, I went out of the city to relax, and saw you in a forest people rarely come by. At that time, you were sweeping your mother's grave, and with such diligence, I'm afraid you have never noticed me." Tang QiaoYuan said as Fang Su slowly raised his eyes to look at him. He curled his lips to reveal a smile, then added with a gentle tone, "I just liked you to no end, I didn't know whose family's child you were from, how could you be so likeable, en?"
Fang Su's long eyelashes trembled slightly, but his mood was still not good, and waited for what came next with a sense of loss in his eyes.
Tang QiaoYuan sighed lightly.
"After I returned to the mansion, I ordered people to find out about your personal background… In fact, it would have been easy for me to take you as my own. I could have given your family some money, hired a matchmaker, and welcomed you through the door. But I did hire some people to catch your father, threaten him and order him to send you to pay off his debt." Tang QiaoYuan was not sure whether such honesty will make Fang Su resent him, but his words were already irretrievable, and kept on revealing everything, "There are a few gambling houses under my command, your father likes to gamble and would often owe the gambling houses some money. Although he was unable to repay his debt on time, the amount owed was small, and he could have accumulated some money over time, or if he were to have a golden touch/a streak of luck, he eventually would have been able to pay everything back slowly… Up until a few days ago, my men tempted him into losing a big one, so big that he won't even be able to repay the small change for the rest of his life. You should understand what will happen hereafter.
Fang Su's eyes revealed his surprise and puzzlement, his thoughts lingered in his mind, the more he thought the more confused he became, he thought so much that he didn't even know the reason behind his headache, and asked blankly: "But why…"
Tang QiaoYuan turned his head to kiss him, and tasted a salty and astringent taste on his lips, so he kept on kissing him, until his lips became moist and warm, once it was back to being sweet again, he withdrew a few inches and replied softly: "Because I don't want you to have any kind of involvement with such family again, I can give you everything, and make it so you never have to experience any sad moments ever again. All the good things in this world, I can find them all for you as long as you like them. I want for you to cut off any connection to your past, and for the rest of your life, the important person only needs to be me, and you can only rely on me."
Fang Su was stunned and looked at him dumbfoundedly, his emotions were complicated and found it difficult to speak clearly.
"I am not open nor straightforward regarding things I do, and I am not an upright person, but I sincerely want to love and cherish you, and never regret what I have done… I just didn't expect your second mother to be even more brazen than I had thought, even though you were sent away to pay off a debt, she still had the nerve to ask for a share of your benefits. This morning, she was the one to take the initiative to come to our door with her son, so I've had her detained in our mansion, and this is the reason your father came to apologize. Now these three individuals are in this Tang mansion, whether to free them or not, or how to treat them, everything is up to you. As long as you say the words, no matter what the request is, I will promise you all.
Fang Su's eyes became gradually erratic, after listening to this statement, he seemed to have a lot to say, but when he opened his mouth, he couldn't utter a single word. Tang QiaoYuan was not in a hurry for him to answer, He lowered his forehead, picked him up and walked back to the main courtyard.
Advertisements
Back in the room, Tang QiaoYuan put Fang Su down on the couch, and left him alone for quite a while. Tang QiaoYuan did not say a single word, he just remained in the room, but stayed out of his sight. He lifted the curtain and went to sit alone in the outer room, and waited patiently.
Fang Su looked at his figure when he left, and recalled every word he said over and over again in the silent room
He didn't know how long he had been contemplating, it was like everything he saw on the day he got married was laid before him.
Fang Su remembered Tang QiaoYuan's gentle smile, the warmth of his hands, every single word and gesture smoothing out the loneliness and fear in his heart. But he had one question on his mind: "If Tang QiaoYuan never liked him, both of them never meeting in this life, then what would he have become?
He wouldn't have become anything… Neither having joy nor sadness, living the lonely days like he was used to, not getting any attention from anyone at home, till old.
Maybe he would have met someone else, maybe he would have fallen in love and gotten rid of the emptiness of the past. He would spend his life like this, but even this way, there will be no Tang QiaoYuan, there will be no one who would love him like this, teach him to write, read to him, coax him to sleep at night, wait for him to wake up in the morning, be considerate right down to the most trivial details at all time.
Fang Su calmed his heart, he thought clearly about various things.
He cares about his father, not because they were related by blood but because he has childhood memories left in his heart, he unilaterally wished for his dear ones to care for him. But for a long time, he was only lying to himself, father Fang became someone else's dad a long time ago, he was the superfluous one at home, because he wasn't liked by his second mother, he was like a fishbone stuck on his father's heart.
There was no place left for him in that home, but Tang QiaoYuan gave him a place, he gave him the care he wished for, and also value. In this world, there was only this one particular person, only this person is the most irreplaceable.
Fang Su's thoughts were clear.
He raised his eyes, looked at the silent beaded curtain, and a soft smile returned on his face.
Chapter 12
PUBLISHED ON 21 November 2021
R18 warning: There is a smut in this chapter.
Tang QiaoYuan looked sideways after he heard the sound of footsteps spread out inside the room, he waited until Fang Su appeared before his eyes, slowly approaching him. Tang QiaoYuan put down the teacup in his hand, the tea inside was already cold, and didn't even drink a sip of it. He held onto Fang Su fingers that were hidden in his sleeves, raised his head, and waited patiently for him to speak with gentle eyes.
Fang Su pursed his lips, called "QiaoYuan", then asked: "No matter what I think… Will you agree to anything?"
Tang QiaoYuan nodded: "I will agree to anything."
Fang Su's eyes curved and smiled: "Then can you let them go?"
"Alright." This person did not hesitate, and readily agreed, he knew that he still hadn't finished talking and waited for him to continue.
"I don't hate my father," Fang Su shook his head as he spoke very softly, but there was no feeling of loss in this tone, and preached, "I don't hate him, but not because I am kindhearted, but rather because I was able to think clearly, in fact I know whether he has me or not would make no difference… But no matter what happened in the past, he at least gave birth to me and raised me… I don't want to owe him anything, I hope he can safely go back, and from then on there would be no me in this family. There will be one less burden, and it may actually be a good thing…"
Tang QiaoYuan shook his head and followed up his words: "How can my Su Su be a burden?"
"QiaoYuan thinks I am not, but he doesn't necessarily think so… I just heard him speak like that, only then did I know that he is not clinging for dear life nor is scared of death, but the person he values the most is not me… There is grievance, but there won't be resentment nor feeling of unfairness… If we have to talk about what is fair or not, then you treating me so well is the most unfair thing in this world."
Tang QiaoYuan's throat felt slightly tight, he paused for a moment, then suddenly took him in his arms, and put his forehead on his waist. Fang Su was a little surprised, he always saw him with a gentle smile, and never expected that he would feel restless.
Advertisements
After a while, the man laughed out loud, and said with what seemed sheer happiness: "I was worried you were scared and sad, that's why I have always been unwilling to tell you honestly, unwilling to let you know the truth, and especially unwilling to let you know the things regarding the gambling houses… But I can see now, my Su Su is simply extraordinary, and is not the slightest bit afraid of me"
Fang Su chuckled and asked: "You treat me the best in this world, how can I be afraid?"
The man didn't answer anymore, stood up, and hugged him in his arms. After hugging him for a while, what they were talking about suddenly didn't follow with his next words, abruptly he said: "I don't know if the sweet potatoes in the courtyard are burnt or not."
Fang Su was stunned for a while, then remembered, and hurriedly wanted to turn around to take a look, unexpectedly, the man's arm that was wrapped around his waist bound him tightly and firmly, he took a few steps towards the bedroom while holding him, with an ambiguous tone, he said with a deep smile: "It is very unfortunate. Well, let's eat Su Su then…"
Fang Su's face became hot, he was suddenly brought inside the bedroom by this man before he could even answer. After hanging down the bed curtain, the light still shone brightly, which made him feel embarrassed.
It was clearly still broad daylight, yet Tang QiaoYuan was absolutely not joking around, he reached out his hand to his belt, although Fang Su didn't prevent him from doing so, he still seemed particularly stiff, the alluring deeds came back to his mind. After stressing for a while, he slowly raised his hands to hold on to the man's shoulders.
Tang QiaoYuan leaned over and kissed him, seeing that his eyes were tightly closed, as if he could hide himself this way. He let out a low chuckle, the soft belt was just by his hand, he quietly pulled it, one hand gently lifting the back of Fang Su's head, and holding the belt with his other hand to blindfold his pair of eyes.
Fang Su was slightly taken aback, now he wanted to open his eyes but cannot do that anymore, his eyelids were covered by a soft brocade, the light his eyes could feel instantly turned dim, although the shameful feeling lessened, it added a feeling of loss and nervousness. Fang Su's hands on his shoulders squeezed him unconsciously, in the dark, he felt this person hold his palm and slowly pecked it, the warm lips stopped on his fingertips for a moment, then from the fingertips toward his knuckles, leaving a trail of a fine red mark from the wrist to the elbow.
Tang QiaoYuan was lingering, he wanted to continue kissing but the white skin in front of him was covered by clothes, his eyes contained heavy lust, he sat up holding Fang Su. Fang Su wasn't fully seated, the loose clothes without the belt were suddenly torn off, his upper body was almost naked, only leaving the messy material hanging on his elbows.
"QiaoYuan…" Fang Su couldn't see anything, he called out his name anxiously, Tang QiaoYuan answered with a sound, took off his inner pants, and his palms stroked the tender flesh of the inner of his thighs, he stroked them until Fang Su's legs were trembling lightly, his smile and spread them, holding his waist and letting him sit on his body.
Fang Su's lower body was uncovered, it originally felt cold but now it was suddenly against a heat source, that thing behind the layer of fabric became more and more enthusiastic, although he could not see he still could tell what it was, slowly relaxing his body, he lowered his head and pressed his face against this person's neck.
Tang QiaoYuan took his hand and put it on his lower body, but didn't lead his movement, with some interest, he looked at him freeze suddenly, he did not pull his palm away from the surprise nor did he caress it, just stiffly holding on it, motionless, he looked nervous and obedient like this, seeing that, it made him in a very good mood.
Tang QiaoYuan embraced him and leaned slightly, he slid his hand under his pillow to take out the balm, Fang Su thought he was going to fall backward and hurriedly hooked his arms around this neck, this person laughed and held him tighter in his arm, coaxed him: "Don't be afraid." After speaking, he opened the small box and the fingers with the cold cream went into the tight entrance directly from behind.
Fang Su let out a small moan, although he couldn't see the light, he still remembered in his heart that it was still daytime, the maids and servants were busy coming and going into the courtyard, it was right when there were a lot of people, the more he thought about it the more he was worried, he whispered Tang QiaoYuan's name. Tang QiaoYuan was gently stretching him behind with one of his hands, his other hand moved away from his waist and lifted up his face that was buried in his neck, and kissed him and comforted him.
Advertisements
Even at this moment, Fang Su's heart couldn't completely settle down, he seemed to be always afraid that the person beside him was not Tang QiaoYuan, after a short interval, he would call him with a slight tremor in his voice. Tang QiaoYuan answered patiently, after a long while, he finally withdrew his fingers, took off his pants, and slowly pushed the high-spirited hard object inside the warm body.
The burning lower object buried itself inch by inch, Fang Su slightly opened his lips and panted lightly, he was quite aroused, on the other hand, Tang QiaoYuan was not quite satisfied, he did not move after entering his deepest place, he just tilted his head and bit on his ear, the hot and humid lips followed his earlobe down, burning marks everywhere, then suck on his nipple.
"QiaoYuan…" Fang Su wanted to urge him but couldn't say it out, and called him aggrieved.
Tang QiaoYuan waited for a while until the person in his arms rubbed his body impatiently, then he couldn't help laughing, he stabilized his hands on his waist and slowly thrusted forward.
"Hm…" A moan spilled from Fang Su's mouth, the last time he made love with Tang QiaoYuan, he was more ignorant and felt confused during the whole process, and could only rely on this person's lead. But it was different this time, he was riding him and could clearly feel how deep Tang QiaoYuan was inside him, and each time he was purposely aiming for the most pleasurable spot, making it hard for him to control himself, making him want to take the initiative to meet his thrust.
The desire was strong, but Fang Su didn't dare to really respond like that, he was so embarrassed that his cheeks were burning, his tears wetted the belt that was covering his eyes.
Tang QiaoYuan felt sorry, he slowed down and kissed the tip of his nose, coaxing: "Su Su doesn't need to be afraid, those things in the bed always feel good…"
Fang Su shook his head when he heard this, he answered him in a very low voice: "The people in the courtyard will come…"
Tang QiaoYuan chuckled, only understanding now what he was worried about, he couldn't help but thrust with strength, he thrust until the person in his arm closed his lips to hide his moans, and smiled happily: "If they were this ignorant, then I'm afraid they shouldn't have stayed in this mansion long ago." Fang Su was still uneasy, his body was stiff and he couldn't relax, this person couldn't help but stop his joke, then straightforwardly comforted him: "Su Su can rest assured, the door is closed, no one will disturb us."
Fang Su was half-believing and half-doubting, he remembered that when he was sitting in the room at that time, the courtyard was indeed quiet, there was no voice from the beginning to the end, after finally regaining his senses, he guessed that after what happened this morning, Tang QiaoYuan should have ordered them to retreat a long time ago, not allowing people to randomly come to the main courtyard to disturb.
Fang Su breathed a sigh of relief, and his whole body relaxed. Tang QiaoYuan noticed his subtle changes, his lips curled as he stroked his back, and started to ram from below again.
The ambiguous slapping sound filled the bedroom, Fang Su's moaning started to gradually become more sultry, the pleasure he felt below his abdomen became more and more intense, and couldn't help himself from rubbing his legs in confusion. Tang QiaoYuan knew that he was about to come, he suddenly leaned over to press him down, Fang Su fell back down the bed, and subconsciously wrapped his slender legs around the man's waist.
The object inside his body started to thrust faster, after a long while, Fang Su bit his lips and let out a groan, taking both of them to climax.
They were intertwined on the pillow soaked and panting, after a while, Tang QiaoYuan moved his waist again, and asked him once more while he was still feeling the aftermath.
"Don't want……" Fang Su was unable to withstand it, but these two words really couldn't stop the man's passion.
Tang QiaoYuan chuckled and kissed his lips, he slowly pulled out then sank in again, when he started to get excited again he untied the cloth on his eyes. Fang Su opened his watery eyes, and looked at him hazily, at this moment Fang Su no longer cared whether it was day or night, he only thought that he could finally see him again, and stretched out his arms to hug him.
"Good Su Su……" Tang QiaoYuan coaxed him with a smile, and leaned down to hold him tightly.
The movements where they connected didn't stop at all, he didn't want to stop either, and kept on indulging with Fang Su in the warm bed.
Translated proofread by Milktea and Gemini
Chapter 13
PUBLISHED ON8 December 2021
After the long moment of tenderness, Fang Su couldn't tell what time it was, only that he felt exhausted under Tang QiaoYuan's demands, he snuggled softly in his embrace and let him do whatever he wanted.
Tang QiaoYuan was actually very gentle, during the act he was very considerate towards him and was afraid of not having enough mercy on him, he doted on him to the bone. After all, Fang Su rarely experienced this, before meeting Tang QiaoYuan, even a sudden dream could make him feel embarrassed for a long time, not to mention this kind of unbridled enjoyment, it made him not only physically tired, but the blush on his face didn't subside either.
Tang QiaoYuan was very restrained before, this time he was no longer worried about his resistance or fear, also because he heard his confession, he couldn't help himself. So when Tang QiaoYuan was finally sated enough to stop, Fang Su was already drowsy and didn't even want to move a finger.
Tang QiaoYuan kissed his burning cheeks with a feeling of soreness in his chest, a smile was deeply burned in the bottom of his eyes, and thought of letting him sleep like that, but then he also thought about the lunch they missed a long time ago and felt very conflicted. After wandering and hesitating, it was Fang Su who spoke first, and asked in a hoarse and low voice: "QiaoYuan, I want to drink water…"
"Alright," Tang QiaoYuan propped on his elbows to sit up, put on a garment at random, and got out of bed, after a moment he came back with a teacup, Fang Su actually closed his eyes again, Tang QiaoYuan stretched his hand and stroked the side of his face, then coaxed him with a low voice, "Su Su, wake up and drink a sip of tea."
Fang Su half-opened his eyes, and after a long while, he slowly raised his arm. Tang QiaoYuan leaned over so he could hook on him, he embraced his back and held him to sit up, after Fang Su leaned on him, he brought the tea to his lips and carefully fed it to him.
"Are you hungry?"
Fang Su drank most of the cup of water, nodded after hearing the question, then immediately shook his head and replied: "Don't want to eat, want to sleep…"
Tang QiaoYuan felt a heartache but was also interested when he heard that, he put down the teacup with his backhand and helped him lie down again, his fingers lifted up the strands of hair scattered on his face and said: "It won't do if you don't eat, I will let the kitchen prepare it, you sleep for a while first."
Fang Su sleepiness was near, he semi-consciously nodded, and refused to speak even half a word, his whole body was swept by exhaustion after the emotional tide, he just thought that whether to eat or not was fine, he only wanted to sleep for a while…thinking about it, his breathing gradually became even.
Tang QiaoYuan couldn't bear to disturb him, so he brought clean water by himself to help him wipe clean his body. The thin quilt on Fang Su was gently taken away, which made him slightly frown, then he fell into a deeper slumber. Tang QiaoYuan looked at him with a smile for a while, then stood up and pulled the curtains together, he also cleaned himself up, then put on his clothes, and left the room.
Advertisements
The courtyard was still quiet, and no one dared to step in without his permission. Tang QiaoYuan only saw a maid waiting outside when he walked out of the courtyard, then instructed her: "Tell the kitchen to prepare some fresh porridge, one that is light and nourishing would be the best."
The maid answered with a salute.
He turned around after speaking, not staying any longer, who knew that after he barely took two steps that he was called out by the maid behind him. Tang QiaoYuan turned his head, saw Bai Ping walking forward, two quiet little girls were following behind her.
Bai Ping gave him a slight bow, took a letter out from her sleeve, and gave it to him: "Master, your cousin is already on her way."
Tang QiaoYuan took the letter, then when he heard the words, he didn't open the letter to read it, he crumpled it into a ball and threw it on the ground.
"Uncle's illness couldn't possibly have gone away this fast, she just went home for over a month that she is already back?" Tang QiaoYuan frowned unhappily and said with a cold voice, "Who allowed her to come?"
Bai Ping did not answer, thinking that this question wasn't really for her, after all that cousin came and went at her will, she always treated the Tang Mansion like her own house mansion, does she even care about who would allow her or not? Moreover, she knew that Tang Qiaoyuan is someone who's cold, there are many things he doesn't put in his eyes, however, he respected his uncle, and to repay him for his old kindness, he couldn't help but indulge this cousin of his a bit.
If the master is like this, what can a servant like her get to say.
Bai Ping waited for him to drop a few words out of anger, and so did not answer. A moment later, she saw Tang QiaoYuan do just as she expected, but he did not close the door on the person who was on its way, and warned: "Since she has come, then serve her well, but one little thing…"
Bai Ping's eyebrows moved slightly, and looked forward to his unfinished words.
A look of disgust came across Tang QiaoYuan's face: "She is not allowed to come half a step near the main courtyard."
"Yes." Bai Ping was happy, her lips revealed a delighted smile when she bowed her head.
"One more thing, let the three people from the Fang Family go."
"This servant knows"
Read the original translation at milkteatranslations.
Tang QiaoYuan turned back to his bedroom, the girl stood in the same spot while digesting his last two words, his words were related to Fang Su, especially his previous sentence – In the past, when that young female cousin came to the mansion, she was never forbidden from entering the main courtyard, to hear such instructions now, really mean that there is one more individual who's not comparable in the mansion.
Behind her were all the new maidservants, who had to learn the rules by following Bai Ping, they listened from the side while trembling in fear, and only when they saw Tang QiaoYuan has walked far enough did they dare ask in a low voice: "Sister Bai Ping, Master doesn't seem to be very happy… That young female cousin coming here, will it cause some trouble?"
"So what if it does?" Bai Ping turned around, looked toward the young girls who were still young and innocent, and smiled: "There should have been someone to manage her long ago"
One after another, the two maidservants looked puzzled, Bai Ping didn't discuss this matter any further, and said, "Let's go", as she led the two of them away.
On the other side, Bai Ping has already made a big bet on the person who was unaware of everything, and slept soundly under the blanket till dusk.
Fang Su's body has been thoroughly scrubbed by Tang QiaoYuan, when he woke up, he felt fresh and comfortable. He has always hated sweating, however since the beginning of the summer, he still liked to wrap himself in a thin blanket, feeling warm all over when sleeping, and his cheeks slightly turning a light red.
The small porridge boiling in the pot was silky and light, finely stewed chicken soup was also added to the boiling porridge's water, after tasting one bite Tang QiaoYuan felt quite satisfied and generously rewarded the kitchen's inside out, soon after he personally carried the small cup back to the room. On the way back, all the servants did not dare to look up at him.
The bed curtain in the room was being lifted up, it was getting dark and the light in the room was not so dazzling anymore. Fang Su was still deep asleep without getting disturbed, after a short while, he was forcefully picked up by Tang QiaoYuan and had to wake up.
Fang Su's eyes were closed and didn't want to open them, Tang QiaoYuan lowered his head to rub against his face, and rubbed continuously for a while, and got to bring out a bit of his weak temper, he was being groaned at and his head was being pushed away.
Tang QiaoYuan could help but laugh, he got closer to kiss him and whispered: "Su Su, you should wake up, if you still don't wake up, the moon will be seen throughout the entire night"
Fang Su murmured in a low voice, as if he was complaining about being woken up, then reached out his hands again to push, he kept pushing again and again until he buried himself on his shoulders to continue sleeping. Tang QiaoYuan simply lowered his head and kissed him, he first licked gently, a moment later he stuck his tongue inside his mouth, making the kiss hot and intense.
"En…"
Fang Su groaned, woke up gradually and looked blankly at the man before him with half-opened eyes.
Tang QiaoYuan let him go with a low smile, then very slowly licked the saliva on his lips, and watched with great interest as his eyes became sober and his face red, he picked up his clothes then helped him get dressed up, and joked "In the future when you're lazing in bed, how about I wake you up like this?"
Advertisements
Fang Su was already weak, after being kissed like that earlier his whole body became soft, he lowered his eyes without responding, and let him help himself get dressed. Although Fang Su didn't say anything, he understood very well that this man was only just saying it without really meaning it. Usually, when he would wake up a little later, Tang QiaoYuan would normally watch over him quietly by his side, and would definitely not disturb him, but today, no matter how he had to coax him into waking up for fear he would be hungry
Fang Su's eyes curled.
Tang QiaoYuan carried him up to the table, scooped from the bowl of porridge a smaller bowl of it, blew on each spoon then fed him. Fang Su who just woke up lacked appetite, but he couldn't reject his considerate manners at all. After eating two mouthfuls his appetite then also improved, and instantly felt the emptiness in his stomach, he was really starving.
The chicken soup in the porridge was delicious but not greasy, Fang Su saw that he only prepared one bowl and one spoon, so asked curiously: "Why are you not eating?"
"I already ate," Tang QiaoYuan answered, without forgetting to say nonsense in his words, "When you were sleeping like passed out under the blanket, I was in the kitchen stealing mouthfuls for a long time."
Fang Su listened till he laughed out loud, and the porridge in his mouth tasted even better.
The two individuals inside were very cozy, and the feeding was also endlessly pleasing.
Chapter 14
PUBLISHED ON11 February 2022
Outside the Tang mansion in Linzhou city, a carriage adorned with tassels on the roof slowly came to a stop.
Two maids came down from the carriage first, one lifted the curtain, while the other carefully waited outside the car with a stretched-out hand to help the person inside. After a while, a delicate jade-like hand came out from inside, it seemed soft and boneless, fair and translucent, which was quite fascinating.
The doorman greeted them and hurriedly approached the carriage to invite them, making sure the guest set their feet on the ground, he bowed and greeted carefully: "The miss has come, the room in the Jade Courtyard has been cleaned up, please go ahead and rest for a while, this little one will go ask the kitchen to serve the food."
The girl who was addressed is Tang QiaoYuan's distant cousin who is half-family related, her name is Qin MeiWan, she lives in Liu City which is a dozen of miles away from LinZhou city, and is one of the best beauties in the local area. Qin MeiWan is over twenty years old, some earlier years, countless wealthy families almost broke the threshold of the Qin mansion to ask her in marriage, but not only this lady was unwilling to respond, and even from time to time, she would leave home and go to live in the Tang Mansion instead, – her stays would last for months -.
Gradually, people had a guest in their heart, they all thought that this flower had recognized a master, only waiting for Tang QiaoYuan to pick it home someday. There are even some people with bad intentions who spread rumors without authorization, saying that there have been some moves between the two of them, getting married was just a matter of time.
Concerning this matter, Tang QiaoYuan always chose to ignore it, only when it was really unbearable, he would drive Qin MeiWan away back home, even more, there were countless times he would keep her outside of the gate of the mansion with a cold face. But this girl was very patient, she didn't mind once, she still tried her best to stick to him. Later, Tang QiaoYuan was too tired to deal with it, simply turning a blind eye on it, letting her do whatever, and just pretending that she doesn't exist.
However, just a month ago, Tang QiaoYuan got married to Fang Su, only inviting close friends and old friends in the city, even the invitations were only sent out a day before the wedding.
After the news came out, everyone was surprised, people who knew about Qin MeiWan were extremely surprised, they couldn't understand how the position of the mansion master's wife was lost overnight, and people who didn't know about were very curious, wondering who was the one who made Tang QiaoYuan set his mind on.
The rumor was spread further and further, not long after it was spread to Liu City, after several turns, it reached Qin MeiWan's ears.
Qin's father was still sick, but it wasn't too serious, only needing to rest, therefore, Qin MeiWan, who was extremely anxious didn't want to hear this rumor in vain anymore, burning with jealousy, she rushed to Linzhou city.
After rushing about for half a day, Qin MeiWan finally saw the two words "Tang Mansion" in front of her, hearing the doorman's words as if he was walking on thin ice, her slender phoenix eyes glanced at him coldly, sneered at him and said: "What? I haven't entered the mansion yet, you're already in a hurry to the Jade courtyard, afraid that I'll disturb cousin?"
The doorman hurriedly lowered his head even more and said to please her: "Lady cousin is a distinguished guest, this little one is only afraid that you* (respectful 'you')are tired after your trip, and is in a hurry to rest…"
"Distinguished guest?" Qin MeiWan couldn't bring herself to be happy after hearing these two words, stretched her hand and pushed the doorman, she lifted her robe and walked into the mansion.
Advertisements
The doorman wasn't on guard, his thin body was immediately pushed to the ground, but didn't dare to complain out loud, he rubbed his butt and stood up, following closely behind.
Qin MeiWan crossed the threshold, and took two more steps, then saw that three persons not far away were walking toward her. The person's silhouette walking in the front looked very familiar, making her unconsciously stop her steps to take a look at them. After a while, she recognized Bai Ping, the other two maids looked completely unfamiliar, perhaps new maids.
"Lady cousin has arrived", Bai Ping approached and inclined her body, "I invite the lady to fo the Jade Courtyard to rest."
"Ha…" Qin MeiWan picked up her sleeve and chuckle lightly, looking at her with interest, "all in a hurry for me to go the Jade courtyard? what, is there anything that others shouldn't see in this mansion?"
Bai Ping lifted her head, with an unchanging respectful smile on her lips, her words containing sarcasm: "To answer to this lady, this mansion originally has nothing that shouldn't be seen by others."
Qin MeiWan didn't understand what she was saying at first, but when she realized the deep meaning, she was so angry that she lifted her hand and was about to hit her. Bai Ping did not hide, her brows slightly moved, seeing that slap wasn't in a hurry to land on her and was stopped by Qin MeiWan's maid.
In a hurry, that maid went in front of her to block her, and her thin cheek was slapped on Bai Ping's stead, she kneeled down while holding her cheek, urgently persuaded her: "Please don't be angry, Miss…"
Qin MeiWan glared at her, in her heart she was angry yet distressed, she remembered that time when she lifted her hand on Bai Ping before, she was safe and sound, but the next day she found out that her confidant maid's cheek was red and swollen, the mark took three days to disappear. Qin MeiWan, full of anger, went to find Tang QiaoYuan for an explanation, but Tang QiaoYuan was extremely indifferent: "Su Yu is your people, then Bai Ping is not my people anymore?"
Qin MeiWan understood that she was at a disadvantage first, at that time, even if she was angry she couldn't ask for a favor, so she could only suffer the loss, from then on, even if she act in a tyrannous manner in the mansion, she had to be more patient toward Bai Ping.
Qin MeiWan just recalled from her memories, she took a deep breath, and narrowed her eyes to look at Bai Ping, as if she was staring at someone else through her, she suddenly thought that if a simple maid in chief could make Tang QiaoYuan this protective of her, then won't the person who went ahead and succeeded first be even more incredible?
She fears that they can casually suppress her arrogance.
Thankfully, she still holds a trick up her sleeve that only she knows, and in her opinion, this chip she is holding onto, can without a doubt, help her win everything back.
"Ah, miss Bai Ping" Qin MeiWan's expression changed, and smiled at the girl before her, the anger that she just let out now disappeared completely, she calmly told her, "I am not a medicine lady with a fragile body and many sicknesses, I only traveled for half a day and am not so tired that I am not able to walk… now that I have returned to the Tang mansion, it is only natural than I go to meet my elder cousin first."
Bai Ping could hear that she used "returned" on purpose and felt extremely repulsed. But even if she did not take Qin MeiWan seriously, she couldn't go too far, there is a difference between a master and a servant, after all, so she could only also fake a smile and answer: "This cousin lady, unfortunately… the master is currently busy, without permission, no one is allowed to approach the main courtyard." Bai Ping paused and saw her face turned ugly, then leisurely continued: "The master specifically said, no one without exception."
The last few words were said very clearly, Qin MeiWan felt completely unable to hold her face, she let out an angry "hmph", swang her sleeves, and left.
Bai Ping sent her away with her eyes until she couldn't see her back silhouette, the smile on her face fell, her eyes extremely unhappy.
The two maidservants behind her relaxed their tensed bodies, the little girls just arrived at the mansion, when no one could see them they would still be lively, now seeing that there was no danger around, she immediately laughed in a clear voice and told her: "Sister Bai Ping is really incredible, you show no timidity in front of the master, and when you speak with this lady cousin, you are even more formidable!"
After one person said something like this, the other hurriedly echoed.
Advertisements
Bai Ping turned around, the two persons restrained themselves a bit, they shut their mouths and didn't dare to talk nonsense anymore, but a smile could still be seen in their eyes. After a while, Bai Ping also slightly curved the corners of her lips, reminded them: "That person now is not a master that you should provoke, you two just arrived for the first time, in the future if you see her, go around and as far as possible. If you notice something strange when you see her, don't forget to let me know anytime."
"Yes, Sister Bai Ping" the two maidservants nodded and bowed respectfully, "We will remember."
Bai Ping nodded.
The small dispute here has temporarily come to a stop, thinking about that person, she is afraid that she won't settle down this easily, Bai Ping turned again and walked toward the main courtyard.
Tang QiaoYuan just fed Fang Su two small bowls of porridge, the dinner time was a bit delayed, but they still have to eat, but he did not plan to coax him to eat more. If he was to persuade him to eat another bowl, considering Fang Su's pitiful appetite, he surely won't be willing to eat later.
Tang QiaoYuan put down the bowl and the spoon and wanted to get the handkerchief to wipe off the porridge stain on the corners of his mouth, but before his hand could get close to it, Fang Su grabbed the handkerchief, and he heard him speak in a low voice: "I can do it myself…"
Thinking that he always coax him like a small child, he was embarrassed again.
Tang QiaoYuan lost his smile, he was thinking in his heart that they have done intimate things already, why does he suddenly feel ashamed now? Just when he was about to tease him about it, he suddenly heard a tap outside the window.
"Who?"
Outside of the window, Bai Ping answered and lightly called "Master".
"Wait for me outside the door." Tang QiaoYuan looked down at Fang Su's thin attire, to avoid him being embarrassed, he didn't call Bai Ping to come into the room.
Bai Ping's shadow could be seen on the window, she bowed and walked to the door.
There was not a single moment when Tang QiaoYuan didn't want to be intimate with Fang Su, these days, he had been holding him happily in his arms, now that he stood up to go out, he left him sitting on the stool by himself. Fang Su was sitting uncomfortably, thus Tang QiaoYuan moved him to the soft couch, putting it away like this is like thinking of a way to place some precious treasure, making him feel extremely happy.
Fang Su quietly laughed, his raised his head as he was leaning down for a kiss, his eyes curved as he watch him go out.
Advertisements
After a while, conservation could be heard from the corridor. Fang Su didn't mean to eavesdrop, but the courtyard was quiet, and the two persons did not have the intention to avoid him, all the conversation fell into his ears.
The girl outside spoke first: "The three members of the Fang family have been sent back."
Tang QiaoYuan nodded and answered a "Good", Fang Su, who was in the room, also had the same peace of mind.
Bai Ping then went on again to speak about an important matter, but this time, Fang Su didn't quite understand it.
"Master, the person has come, the maidservants stopped her at the door of the mansion, they did not let her go further into the main courtyard."
"En," Tang QiaoYuan's words did not contain much reassurance, he said with a headache, "you can only stop her for a while, knowing her temperament, as ever, she won't listen."
"If she doesn't listen, what should be done?" Bai Ping asked, calmly looking at him.
Tang QiaoYuan chuckled: "Whatever you want to do, you've always been able to strike the right balance, as long as don't disturb madam, anything is fine." Immediately after that, he asked back, "You are asking this, is it not what you wanted to hear me say?"
Bai Ping did not evade it, bowed to him happily: "I cannot hide anything from Master, this servant was just waiting for Master to say this".
Tang QiaoYuan chuckled again.
The two people outside talked about that person again and said a few more words, and occasionally uttered some words like "marriage" "prevention", Fang Su listened to it inside the room and it became more and more froggy, although he didn't think about it but vaguely felt that it was related to himself.
He thought about it but could not figure it out, he could only wait for Tang QiaoYuan to return and ask him about it.
But in this short amount of time, Fang Su felt uneasy in his heart, he did not the reason but the feeling was only growing deeper.
'Lady cousin' sounds very very weird, it is not a mistake, I still left it sometimes because the author only use this term to call QMW. I think it's to highlight the fact that she is TQY's cousin and also a Lady from another household.
The two maids part also left me very very confused because the author used 'the two of them' then 'she' and the other chirped in but there's only one person talking? I also left it as it was because I don't know better.
Chapter 15
PUBLISHED ON 14 February 2022
"QiaoYuan, did something happen in the mansion?"
"Uhm?" Tang QiaoYuan just returned to the room and opened the curtain but had yet approached when he heard Fang Su's question, he smiled and walked over, "Nothing important."
Fang Su half-believed and half-doubted his words, he waited until he sat beside the couch and turned his head to ask him: "It seems like someone has come?"
Tang QiaoYuan slightly lost his smile, raised his brows, and stroked that face full of concern, for a moment he was slightly distracted and thought that his Fang Su was actually born smart and alert, but is naturally restrained and never made it known.
Probably because he was used to being wronged before, Fang Su can always maintain proper vigilance at all times, but faced with kindness around him, he can also put down all his guards, and completely give his trust. It seems contradictory, but Tang QiaoYuan understood the reason, it's because although Fang Su used to have little, he always had some expectations in his heart, and had this kind-heart wish that people could treat each other with sincerity.
Now that they know each other, from Tang QiaoYuan's perspective, it is not because Fang Su met him, but that he (TQY) is fortunate to become that person, and the unique one, the person whom he married.
Tang QiaoYuan felt very satisfied with this, from then on, the wish he has in his life is only to be able to accompany each other until they become old.
Therefore, in the final analysis, apart from giving everything to Fang Su, Tang QiaoYuan also wished that both of them won't be troubled by idle people's matters. In case some troubles are bound to come to their door, then he will be the one to withstand them, Fang Su doesn't need to worry about it.
Tang QiaoYuan's thoughts drifted a bit away, he helplessly sighed after he returned to his senses, said with a smile: "Su Su doesn't need to mind it, it's a distant younger cousin of mine who has come, her character is arrogant, you don't need to pay attention."
Advertisements
Fang Su didn't understand, he thought that although they were distant relatives, there should be a kinship between cousins, but listening to the meaning of his words, he was obviously being dismissive, he could vaguely perceive a subtle strangeness, and couldn't help but ask: "No matter what, people who have come are guests, leaving them there and ignoring them, isn't it a bit inappropriate?"
The person in front of him showed a very happy look for a moment when he heard it, he didn't even worry about what was said, he chuckled and pulled the person into his arms: "You only need to remember what you said today, she is a guest here. You are different, you are a master here."
Fang Su was stunned, then blushed and lowered his eyes.
He did not express it correctly, he didn't mean to be arrogant about it, he just felt that this cousin that has come to the Tang Mansion is a guest but did not think of himself as a master of the Tang Mansion. After he married Tang QiaoYuan, in this short period of time, he already regarded him as the most important person for him, nothing more besides this. Even without the Tang Mansion, it is enough to have Tang QiaoYuan, he would have no regrets.
Now that Tang QiaoYuan made a joke like this, teased him on purpose, and wanted to see him embarrassed, he didn't know how to respond, so he could only shut his mouth and said no more.
Tang QiaoYuan could see his distress and stopped teasing him, saying a little more seriously: "If she can consider herself as a guest, then I would be thankful to Heaven and Earth. Anyway, she is not some kind of good person, it is better if you don't meet her, if you really do happen to meet her, just ignore her.
Fang Su could hear the implication behind these words, he could guess that Tang QiaoYuan did not really like this young woman, he had no objection and nodded.
Tang QiaoYuan looked at his gentle appearance and liked it so much, he reached out a hand to pinch one side of his face, then he left the soft couch and walked toward the bookshelf while speaking: "We will have dinner in a while, it is already dark, Su Su also doesn't have much energy to have a walk outside, how about listening to this husband read some book for you?"
He looked back after asking that and saw that Fang Su was stunned while holding the cheek that has been pinched, after hearing what he had just said, his ears slowly turned red with an expression that makes others want to bully him.
Tang Qiaoyuan had a thought, he picked out a book, made up his mind before telling him these ghosts and monsters' stories.
"Last time when we talked about the monsters, Su Su seemed to be particularly interested, are we still reading this genre of folk tales?" Tang QiaoYuan waved the book in his hand.
Fang Su doesn't like to be picky, furthermore, he does like these kinds of folk tales that are flavorful, he curved his lips and nodded.
Tang QiaoYuan returned to the soft couch, took off his shoes, and sat down, he leaned back on the couch and pulled Fang Su into his embrace, then flipped through the familiar book in his hands and found the page he wanted, said with a serious expression: "This story is about monsters that take human lives."
Fang Su was in high spirits, on one side, he nodded and listened to him, and on the other side, he looked over the book, trying to identify the few uncommon words on it, feeling particularly comfortable.
"These evil spirits are mostly common animals in the human world, for example, stray cats in the gutters, foxes in the forest, or rabbits in the haystacks. After they cultivate for a hundred thousand years, after possessing a whole body of power, they can take human form, and each one is more attractive than the others, their appearances gorgeous. In order to suck away the soul of humans, they go back and forth in the human world, especially picking on these young and strong men to seduce, then they are intercourse until the other party dies, drained of their energy and have their yang energy sucked dry.
Fang Su was really fascinated, asked: "Then why do humans always get tricked? Evil spirits probably appear in a very weird way, these people don't know to take precautions against them?"
"Because of love," Tang QiaoYuan was very happy to hear his question, "aware that there is danger but still being tempted, besides love, it is also because they indulge in their desires and cannot bring themselves to break away."
Fang Su did not understand, he thought that a beautiful or an ugly appearance is only a skin, if it is a monster inside, and there is no sincerity, then it is better to avoid them early on.
As he was engrossed in his thoughts, Tang QiaoYuan suddenly brought his face closer, the tips of their nose almost touching, said with an ambiguity: "Don't know what transformed into my Fang Su, and got my head all twisted1 about…"
Fang Su did not know how to react at the moment, under his blank expression is not only embarrassment, he also seemed to be thinking about something. Before he gets to answer, he heard Tang QiaoYuan chuckle and guess again: "fox? cat? or a small rabbit…"
Fang Su's eyes flashed, and unexpectedly and suddenly responded, he asked back: "QiaoYuan, you…why do you like me?"
This question sounded familiar, Tang QiaoYuan remembered that he already heard it once. He restrained his joking tone, his expression became gentle: "I am not clear about it, I just like you."
Fang Su was startled, his emotion was hard to describe.
Advertisements
Tang QiaoYuan was afraid that he would think too deeply about it, he then coaxed him: "Actually, the reason of liking is not something so important, I like so I liked it, I only know that I like you thus I cannot like someone else."
After hearing that, Fang Su pondered for a while, he thought about it and found that it is indeed like this, he is the one who is thinking about unnecessary things, so he did not pursue this matter, and gave him a gentle smile.
Tang QiaoYuan put the book aside to free his hands to hug him and smiled deeply for a long moment.
That conversation just now did not make him feel awkward at all, on the contrary, it made him feel extremely pleased, Fang Su would think and ask simply because he cares.
Fang Su does not need to say more, a mere "why" is enough to show his feelings…
Tang QiaoYuan was relaxed and happy.
Passing the days like this, everything was happy.
Fang Su's thought just float for a moment then was thrown away in the blink of an eye, there was never a moment of dissatisfaction when he was with Tang QiaoYuan, he naturally then forgot that an uninvited guest was residing under the roof of the mansion.
In a blink of an eye, a few days have passed, Fang Su hasn't gone out of the mansion these past days or even walk a half-step past the main courtyard. Tang QiaoYuan was always by his side, their shadows almost inseparable. After a long time, he gradually also wanted to take a walk outside the courtyard, but seeing that Tang QiaoYuan did not seem to have this intention, he had not mentioned it for a long time, only taking a few glances of the outside of the courtyard.
Later on, this evening, when both of them had their dinner, seeing that his spirit was good, Tang QiaoYuan was finally the one who took the initiative to inquire: "Want to go out?"
"En," Fang Su immediately nodded, looking up at him with bright eyes, "I wanted to walk around the garden, I've only been staying in the courtyard lately."
He wasn't thinking about anything else when he said that, but after Tang QiaoYuan asked this, he remembered Qin MeiWan who he has thrown somewhere in the mansion, and couldn't help but feel anxious.
After thinking back and forth, that young miss is never the one who takes the initiative to leave by herself, Fang Su cannot possibly not leave the courtyard for as long as Qin MeiWan refused to leave. Furthermore, he is there to accompany him, nothing could happen, in the end, Qin MeiWan is only a weak girl, he took it a bit too far.
When thinking like this, Tang QiaoYuan was not guarded anymore, he held Fang Su's hand with strolled out in a very good mood.
Don't know if it is a coincidence or is it because Qin MeiWan heard it from a maidservant, but Tang QiaoYuan and Fang Su really did run into her in the garden.
Qin MeiWan saw them first, standing there and watching them from afar until the two people notice her, then calmly bowed to greet them, quite like a model lady.
Fang Su only returned to his senses when Qin MeiWan turned to leave, he turned to look at Tang QiaoYuan, then asked: "She should be that cousin of you, right? Looking at her, she doesn't seem like someone hard to get along with, she also looks beautiful.
Tang QiaoYuan deep in his thoughts, nodded, he was puzzled by Qin MeiWan's actions different from her past, but he dismissed it and did not think much about it, just keep guarding her as before, and took Fang Su to stroll somewhere else.
At that time, he did not dwell in this bizarreness, but he did not know that from then on, Qin MeiWan would not stay put anymore.
The next morning, a maidservant was sending white fungus jujube lotus seed soup2 to the bedroom. There was a slip of paper under the small bowl, Fang Su opened it to look at it and couldn't help but be surprised.
He turned to look at Tang QiaoYuan, who was blocked by the wide folding screen and secretly hide the slip of paper inside the placket of his robe.
He could understand what was written on the paper, the two words "love poison" were written on it, it seemed that something was shattering the doubts buried deep in his heart.
Notes:
神魂颠倒 (Shénhún diāndǎo), a common expression used say 'Getting one's spirit/soul all twisted it about (so they are head over heal for someone).' There's a notion of "betwiched" in this expression.
银耳羹 is also called Tremella soup in English, it looks like this. (nutritious soup)
That small cliffhanger!! We are getting there!!! Turning point of the story!