Right now, Jiang Yun Sui’s little face was smudged all over with black ink, making her big, bright eyes stand out even more though they darted about slightly, betraying her nervousness.
Ji Yan’an’s mouth twitched.
“Go out and ask Granny Zhou to wash your face.”
Jiang Yun Sui instinctively raised her hand to rub her face again.
Ji Yan’an tapped her forehead lightly with the tip of his brush. “Clumsy thing you’re only making it worse.”
Jiang Yun Sui glanced down at her ink-stained fingers, then shuffled off with her head hanging low to find Granny Zhou.
Granny Zhou stared at her in utter surprise. “How on earth did you get into such a state?”
Jiang Yun Sui mumbled dejectedly, “The Young Lord asked me to grind ink, and this happened.”
“Granny Zhou, I need to wash my face.”
Granny Zhou led her away and scrubbed her face thoroughly with soap beads, rinsing and rubbing until her cheeks turned pink and rosy, and not a trace of ink remained. She also changed the little girl into a clean set of clothes.
Jiang Yun Sui patted her own cheeks, feeling satisfied once again, she was a clean, pretty little mushroom spirit!
When she returned to Ji Yan’an’s quarters, it was exactly mealtime. She immediately trotted forward, but forgot about her injured foot, and a sharp jolt of pain sent her tumbling to the ground.
She sat right where she fell, eyes fixed longingly on the delicious dishes spread across the table, while she sucked in her breath from the pain, tears welling up in her eyes.
Ji Yan’an’s gaze fell to her foot, and he frowned slightly. “I have never met anyone as greedy as you.”
Granny Zhou helped her up, and the little girl hobbled her way toward the dining table, undeterred. She was truly determined.
“First, let’s look at your foot.”
Jiang Yun Sui turned to him with pleading eyes. “I think… we can eat first. I’m really fine!”
She was so clearly driven by her appetite.
Ji Yan’an’s expression darkened a little. “Do I ever let you go hungry?”
Jiang Yun Sui clung to the edge of the table and shook her head quickly.
“Go and have your foot seen to first.”
“…Alright.”
Jiang Yun Sui was led away by Granny Zhou, turning her head back to glance at the food every few steps.
Ji Yan’an sat alone at the table, looking over the spread of dishes but without that little creature around, he suddenly found he had no appetite at all. This realization left him feeling irritated.
He disliked this feeling of being unconsciously influenced. Yet he knew it wasn’t the girl’s fault.
Taking a deep breath, he stood up and went to check on her himself.
Jiang Yun Sui sat on a chair, her shoes and socks removed. Her small, round, fair foot looked soft and cute but on the top, a large, purplish bruise stood out, looking quite alarming. Even Granny Zhou felt a pang of sympathy seeing it.
“Nan Mo, go and fetch Doctor Shen,” Ji Yan’an called out to the doorway, his voice cold and sharp, carrying an undercurrent of displeasure.
“Who did this to you?”
Jiang Yun Sui wasted no time in reporting her grievance, like a wronged kitten running home to its owner to meow out all its troubles.
Ji Yan’an narrowed his eyes. Aunt Zhou… The name didn’t ring a bell at first, but he quickly connected the dots this woman wanted her own daughter to take Cook Chen’s position, and Cook Chen was the one currently caring for Jiang Yun Sui.
The little girl was clearly loyal and grateful. But as for a servant causing trouble, it was a simple matter to have her dealt with. Besides, he recalled that this woman had once tried to bribe two spies planted in his household so she was far from innocent.
Doctor Shen Qingzhu arrived promptly and examined the injury.
“Let me insert two needles. This is the second time you’ve twisted this ankle; if not treated properly, it will swell badly.”
He pressed gently around the joint.
“OW!”
Jiang Yun Sui yelped in pain.
“Then proceed with the acupuncture,” Ji Yan’an said.
Jiang Yun Sui’s eyes welled up with tears. “Waaah…”
Ji Yan’an sighed, exasperated. “I haven’t even started yet why are you crying already?”
“But… those needles look so scary!”
Shen Qingzhu spoke gently, “Don’t worry it won’t hurt much.”
Though his words calmed her nerves a little, the moment she saw him bring out the thin silver needles, her big eyes filled with tears again. She flailed her hands and grabbed hold of whatever was nearest, burying her face into it tightly.
Ji Yan’an stared at his hand, which was now firmly gripped and he found he could not pull it free.
This little clumsy maid was surprisingly strong!
Seeing her trembling slightly from fear, looking so pitiful and helpless, Ji Yan’an decided not to yank his hand away by force after all.
Granny Zhou watched this scene unfold, her heart filled with no small amount of astonishment.
The Young Lord was known to be fastidious and had a strong aversion to being touched. Due to past events, even Nan Shu, the servant who attended to him personally, kept his distance unless absolutely necessary.
Yet here he was, allowing this little girl Jiang Yun Sui to hold onto his hand. It was almost unbelievable.
Still, she said nothing to interrupt. Perhaps, she thought, Jiang Yun Sui could slowly help soothe some of the Young Lord’s inner turmoil. After all, he could not remain within the estate forever; sooner or later, he would have to ride out to war. That was the fate no man of the Ji family could escape.
As the first silver needle was inserted, Jiang Yun Sui instinctively tried to pull her foot away. But Shen Qingzhu had anticipated this, and gently held her ankle in place so she could not retreat.
Her small hands tightened their grip on the fabric of Ji Yan’an’s robes.
“Does it hurt?” Shen Qingzhu asked, his voice soft and amused.
Jiang Yun Sui lifted her face. Actually… it doesn’t really hurt at all.
She peeked cautiously down at her foot three needles were already in place.
A shy smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “It… it doesn’t seem to hurt.”
Shen Qingzhu spoke in a soothing tone. “In a moment, I will twist the needles slightly. You may feel a sharp prickle, but it will not be unbearable.”
“What is your name?” he asked, trying to distract her.
In a soft, sweet voice, she replied, “I am Jiang Yun Sui. The character Sui, meaning ‘peace and good fortune through the years.’”
“What a lovely name and with such a fine meaning…”
As he spoke, he began to turn the needles.
This hurts.
Jiang Yun Sui squeezed Ji Yan’an’s fingers a little harder, but bit her lip and held back from crying out. Her face, however, told the whole story she looked utterly miserable, like a small, wounded creature.
Just like a kitten, Ji Yan’an found himself thinking. Her hands were soft too, like the pads of a cat’s paws.
He had once kept a white cat. In its early days, it had been just as timid, frail, and easily frightened as this little girl. But as it grew, he had spoiled it, and it had become bold and temperamental, hissing and swatting, using its master’s favor to throw its weight around.
Then one day, it had leaped in front of him to block the strike of a highly venomous snake. Despite all efforts, it could not be saved.
Ji Yan’an drifted into a moment of silence, lost in memory until Shen Qingzhu’s gentle voice brought him back.
“We are done.”
Ji Yan’an lowered his gaze, concealing the shadow of grief that had briefly crossed his eyes.
“Young Lord, her foot will need several days of rest,” Shen Qingzhu advised.
Ji Yan’an gave a faint, indifferent nod.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
After packing his supplies, Shen Qingzhu departed.
Jiang Yun Sui clumsily pulled her sock and embroidered shoe back onto her foot.
She sniffled softly, then asked in a muffled voice, “So… can we eat now?”
Ji Yan’an fell silent, utterly speechless.
He had never met anyone so quick to forget her troubles and fixate on food!
“Is there anything you do besides thinking about your next meal?” he asked, exasperated.
Jiang Yun Sui replied meekly, “I… I only want you to eat more too. Only if you eat well will your body grow strong and healthy.”
“Is that so? Then I suppose I should thank you for your concern?”
“N-no need at all!”
Ji Yan’an stared intently at her.
Under his gaze, Jiang Yun Sui curled up, hid her face behind her small hands, and turned her head away looking for all the world like a timid little quail.
“Hmph.”
Ji Yan’an turned and strode off, flicking his sleeve. This girl is already more bold than my old cat ever was, he thought. Only a few days here, and she already dares to talk back.