Chapter 10 Sending Men, The Unyielding Jiang Si

Qin Qing unconsciously swallowed, his gaze slightly lowering, attracted by a dot of crimson on her fingertip.

A bit of congealed red blood stood out starkly on the jade-white knuckle of her finger.

“Why didn’t you use the soft jade ointment I gave you?”

Qiu Shuzhi covered the wound on her hand: “The Empress Dowager’s bestowed item, I cherish it. I didn’t dare to use it carelessly for such a minor injury.”

Qin Qing laughed lightly behind his fan, the ink-colored gold-painted fan making his fair skin appear even more noble.

If such words came from an ordinary official’s mouth, Qin Qing would find it sickeningly flattering and sycophantic. But the same words from Qiu Shuzhi’s mouth felt like a fresh breeze, making Qiu Shuzhi appear more and more pleasing to the eye.

“I rewarded you with it so that you could heal quickly. You don’t need to hide it away. Did you bring the medicine?”

Qiu Shuzhi took out a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve and respectfully offered it in her palm: “I heard from Yu Zhi that this soft jade ointment is a precious tribute item, so I’ve been carrying it with me.”

“No matter how precious, it’s just an object. How can it compare to a pillar of the state?” He took the soft jade ointment, his fingertip inadvertently touching her soft palm. The cool porcelain bottle absorbed the warmth of her hand.

His face reddened slightly as he handed the soft jade ointment to Yu Ye, who was attending nearby.

“Go apply the medicine for Secretary Qiu.”

Qiu Shuzhi was slightly surprised: “I—”

The fan pressed against her lips, the faint elegant scent of agarwood lingering around her. His gentle eyes were as calm as spring water with a hint of soft light.

Yu Ye responded softly and lifted her slender hand, applying the cool ointment to her knuckles.

Qiu Shuzhi turned her head slightly away.

Qin Qing, seeing her rare display of shyness and innocence, his eyes flickered slightly.

“How old is Secretary Qiu?”

“In response to the Empress Dowager, I am twenty-three this year.”

Twenty-three? Qin Qing looked at her beautiful face, which appeared even younger than her age.

Back when he entered the palace to become the Empress, he was not yet 20 years old.

At that time, he was the renowned eldest son of the Qin family, pursued by countless noble ladies in the capital, but ended up being sent as a political tool to the aging old dragon.

Fortunately, the late Emperor was already decrepit then, without the energy to consummate their marriage, allowing him to be the Empress while still remaining a virgin, preserving his purity.

Yu Ye’s movements were extremely gentle, the milky-white ointment on her hand looked like a layer of translucent jade cream.

Qiu Shuzhi’s face remained calm, but the tip of her ear revealed a hint of pink.

Qin Qing smiled slightly at her innocent appearance and asked unconsciously: “Secretary Qiu is young and beautiful, I’m sure you must have at least eight or ten young men at home. How come you’re still shy?”

Qiu Shuzhi’s face reddened slightly: “I haven’t taken a husband yet.”

Yu Ye’s hand paused.

Qin Qing was slightly surprised but couldn’t hide a trace of inexplicable joy: “Secretary Qiu is young and accomplished, I’m sure matchmakers must be wearing out your threshold. How come you’re still unmarried?”

Qiu Shuzhi’s voice deepened: “I want to establish my career before starting a family.”

Qin Qing’s lips curled slightly, his meaning unclear, looking at her with eyes that seemed soft to the bone.

The soft jade ointment spread evenly on her fingertip. Yu Ye gently placed the small porcelain bottle back in Qiu Shuzhi’s hand and curtseyed slightly: “My lady, it’s done.”

“Thank you, Yu Ye,” Qiu Shuzhi’s voice was soft.

Yu Ye was much more composed than Yu Zhi, but still couldn’t help but purse his lips slightly, the corners of his eyes curving.

“Now that Secretary Qiu is the Deputy Magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture, with busy official duties, you need not stay long in Qingning Palace. You may go back now. If there’s anything, I will summon you.” Qin Qing glanced at him inconspicuously, the gold-painted fan lightly waving, sending a breeze mixed with agarwood scent from beneath the fan.

“Yes.” Qiu Shuzhi felt relieved.

Coming out of Qingning Palace, the high-grade agarwood scent had mostly dissipated. The fresh air entering her nostrils made her feel refreshed all over. She walked leisurely towards the palace exit, seeing the three characters “Imperial Study” in the distance, remembering the days when she used to teach Yue Shen there, feeling a bit nostalgic.

Since she was transferred from the Hanlin Academy, the once-peaceful academy had become unsettled. First, Attendant Wang was found guilty of corruption, then a newcomer took her position as lecturer to teach the young Emperor. At this hour, it was probably her habitual time to doze off.

She wondered how the new lecturer would react to the lazy young Emperor? She couldn’t help wanting to go in, but considering her current position, she had to keep her distance. She was about to leave when she saw Yue Guanyi striding out of the study.

He was wearing official robes today, his hurried steps making the pearls hanging from his gold-threaded official hat sway slightly. His taciturn and reticent nature exuded a sense of steadiness and authority, which was extremely rare in a female-dominated world.

He didn’t seem to notice her and walked straight past. His tall figure was like jade, the wide official robe tied with a jade belt, outlining his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His handsome and thin face, topped with his notorious reputation and piercing eyes, made people can’t help but take a second look.

She couldn’t help but recall that day when this man, the most powerful in the world except for the Empress Dowager, knelt before her, humble and cautious, making her feelings complex.

Yue Guanyi seemed to have something special towards her, but what was the meaning beneath this specialness? She didn’t dare to think deeply and turned to leave.

When Qiu Shuzhi returned to her rented small courtyard, she was startled by the scene inside.

In the originally quiet and desolate small courtyard, several beautiful young men were kneeling in front of Qiu Qiushuang. They had charming figures and were wearing thin, transparent clothes. The strong scent of powder made her cover her nose and mouth.

Looking at Qiu Qiushuang sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard, his usually gentle and kind appearance was nowhere to be seen. He had a cold face with furrowed brows, his fingers constantly tapping on the stone table, looking hatefully at the men kneeling in front of him.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

Before Qiu Qiushuang could speak, those kneeling young men all rushed up like a swarm, their knees seemingly rooted to the ground as they knelt in front of her, whimpering and clutching at her skirt, refusing to let go.

Qiu Shuzhi was first startled, then looked puzzledly at Qiu Qiushuang.

Qiu Qiushuang angrily came forward and pushed away those young men clinging to her one by one. Suppressing his anger, he gestured: “These were all sent by your colleagues.”

Qiu Shuzhi understood. Ever since she was promoted to Deputy Magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture, there had been many flatterers eager to give gifts. Seeing that she wouldn’t accept them, they started thinking of crooked ways. Knowing she was still unmarried, they came up with this act of sending men.

Qiu Shuzhi quickly pulled the angry Qiu Qiushuang to sit down and said to the men crying and whimpering on the ground: “This household doesn’t accept men. Go back to where you came from.”

The men on the ground panicked and still tried to grab Qiu Shuzhi to beg for mercy.

Although Qiu Shuzhi had a good temper, it didn’t mean she had no temper at all. Seeing those who still boldly came forward, her eyes turned cold.