After much effort—stuffing her nose with grass leaves, smearing herself with flower juice used for bathing—she finally managed to wash away all the bloodstains from her face and body until not a trace of the bloody scent remained. Only then did she redo her hair, apply makeup, and change into fresh clothes.
The blood-stained garment was carefully washed by her and hung to dry in a corner of the courtyard. This was the first fine piece of clothing she had ever worn in her life, and she wanted to treasure it forever.
By the time she finished her tasks, dusk had already fallen.
Zhang Jiulu brought someone to deliver the meal, placing it on the small stone table before leaving without a word.
“Guard Big Brother, will the Young Master return tonight?” she hesitated for a moment before calling out to Zhang Jiulu.
“Don’t know.” Zhang Jiulu glanced back at her before striding out.
Su He felt a pang of regret. Could it be that he was angry about the incident with Ye Lang and wanted to drive her out? Perhaps she should quickly put on a few more layers of clothing now, so she wouldn’t leave empty-handed.
Standing idly in the courtyard for a while, she finally sat down at the stone table, picked up her chopsticks, and began to eat. There were three dishes—two vegetarian and one meat—and the rice was white and perfectly round, each grain dissolving into a rich, fragrant aroma in her mouth. The meat dish was steamed chicken, skinless and without a hint of grease.
Was this the good life everyone yearned for?
Having food to eat, clothes to wear, free from beatings and humiliation—it truly felt like a heavenly existence. After just one day, she was utterly captivated.
Ah, how fortunate were Pei Yan and his kind to be born into such lives? In her next life, she would aim for a better start too!
She ate with great care, savoring every grain of rice and finishing all three dishes, not even leaving a drop of the sauce.
Heaven have mercy, this was the most comfortable and satisfying meal she had eaten since her mother passed away!
Licking her lips, she picked up a round fan and walked over to Pei Yan’s rocking chair, sitting down as she rubbed her round, full belly and gently waved the fan.
Now that she had tasted such a good life, she would never allow herself to be driven out. At least until she achieved her own goals, she would cling to this place.
“Get up.” A low voice drifted down from above her.
Su He’s eyes lit up, and she quickly opened them.
Pei Yan was back!
Her lips curved into a smile as she playfully stretched out her hands toward him. “Sir, help me up.”
“Wishful thinking.” Pei Yan chuckled, nudging the tip of her foot with his own. In all his life, he had never met a woman as audacious as her!
“But I ate too much tonight and am too full to stand.” Su He placed her small hands on her round belly, smiling as she spoke.
“Su He, remember your place.” Pei Yan scoffed.
Su He paused for a moment, her watery eyes curving again as she timidly grasped his slender fingers. “I know. I am Sir’s little plaything.”
“Then why aren’t you getting up?” Pei Yan withdrew his fingers, shook out his wide sleeves, revealing his entire long, fair hand, and grabbed her arm, lifting her from the rocking chair.
Su He reacted swiftly, quickly wrapping her arms around his arm to avoid being thrown to the ground.
She tilted her small face upward, looking at him pitifully. “Chairs are meant to be sat on. If Sir can sit, so can I.”
“Pushing your luck. Remember, there are some things I can sit on, but you cannot.” Pei Yan withdrew his arm and sat down in the rocking chair.
“Got it.” Su He crouched before his legs, holding two small fists as she diligently massaged his thighs like an eager puppy. With a cheerful smile, she asked, “What delicacies did you have at the banquet, my lord? I can smell the aroma of braised pork knuckle. What other delicious dishes were there?”
“What exactly is your face made of?” Pei Yan had originally been in a foul mood, but Su He, chattering like a little sparrow, somehow lifted his spirits.
“Made of flesh,” Su He replied straightforwardly. “Just like yours.”
Pei Yan applied a bit of pressure with his fingertips, pinching her delicate cheeks and giving them a playful squeeze. He couldn’t help but recall the report from the Anwei earlier that afternoon.
“Did you have a nosebleed today?” His gaze fell on her petite nose as he asked in a low voice. He had expected her to play the victim or feign pitifulness, but instead, she was dressed up as flamboyantly as ever, acting as if nothing had happened.
“Yes,” Su He nodded. After a moment’s thought, she added brightly, “It was because of you, my lord.”
“Nonsense. I wasn’t even in the courtyard. How could I have caused your nosebleed?” Pei Yan tapped the tip of her nose, amused. “Don’t try your unreliable tricks on me.”
“It’s true,” Su He continued massaging his legs, her expression earnest. “Thinking of you made my nose bleed. Probably because I’m craving you.”
Pei Yan: …
“Su He, the Su family truly neglected you, leaving you to fend for yourself in the backyard. Where on earth did you learn all this?” He abruptly sat up, gripping her chin and forcing her to lift her head high, both annoyed and amused.
“It’s just the truth,” Su He replied, her slender neck craned to its limit, her voice strained and slightly trembling.
“Craving, is it? Come here.” Pei Yan released her face, spread his legs apart, and loosened the belt of his robe.
Su He nestled between his legs, resting her cheek against his firm abdomen, and whispered, “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?” Pei Yan asked.
“I just meant I’m craving food. Next time you attend a banquet, take me with you. I want to eat braised pork knuckle, crab, steamed fish…” Su He racked her brain, recalling the dishes she had seen at the Su family’s banquets. Many of them she had never tasted, and some she didn’t even know the names of.
“My lord, what does steamed crab taste like? Could you ask the kitchen to make some for me?” she asked wistfully.
“Greedy and never satisfied,” Pei Yan muttered under his breath.
Su He snuggled deeper into his embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
“If you’re going to keep me, my lord, you should keep me well. You’re more capable than other men, so the woman you keep should be more beautiful and more impressive than others.”
Pei Yan found himself momentarily unable to refute her.
“What about your face?” he grumbled irritably. He, Pei Yan, could make half the city tremble with a single stomp. How had he ended up with such an audacious little thing who didn’t know her place!
“What use is a face? It won’t fill my stomach,” Su He lifted her head, still looking utterly unapologetic.
“If your face is useless, then what do I see in you?” Pei Yan’s lips curled into a smirk, unable to resist teasing her.
Su He thought for a moment before whispering, “You’re right. A pretty face is still important. You truly have good taste, my lord.”
Pei Yan couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. After all that, she had still managed to praise herself. Yet, with her playful antics, the lingering displeasure in his heart dissipated completely amidst her coquettishness.
“If you want to eat crab, you’ll have to satisfy me first.” He pulled her up and sat her on his lap.
“Then I also want to learn how to brew tea.” Su He opened his robe, her small hands wandering restlessly inside his embrace. “Sir, could you give me a few more books? I’d like to read more. But I don’t know many characters—could you speak to the Guards? If I ask them for help, maybe they’ll pay me some attention.”
“Quite demanding.” Pei Yan held her waist, shifting her into a different sitting position.
Her face was indeed beautiful, her body soft. Aside from being too thin now, there were no other flaws to find. This fine appearance was her natural advantage, and now, nestled in his arms, it truly was a pleasure. If that old man were pressing her down beneath him at this moment, would she also act so coquettishly and foolishly? Or if she were with Ye Lang, would she be the same?
Thinking of Ye Lang, Pei Yan exerted force fiercely.