Chapter 35: Anger

At night, Si Qingyu sat at the desk wearing only her undergarments, reading a book by candlelight. It was very quiet outside, so quiet that even the chirping of crickets couldn’t be heard, but she paid no mind.

Turning a page, the sound of flipping pages was particularly prominent in the silent room. A gentle breeze blew, causing the shadows on the wall to flicker with the candlelight.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knocking sound came from outside the door. Si Qingyu’s eyes didn’t leave the book as she calmly said, “Who is it?” In fact, she had already guessed who it was. After all, there were only two people in the Luo Manor.

“Ziliang, it’s me.” Indeed.

“What is it?” Si Qingyu continued to look at the book, having no intention of getting up to open the door.

The person outside paused for a moment, “I have something to tell you…”

“Mm, go ahead.”

“…You open the door first.”

“Whatever it is, you can say it like this.” Si Qingyu sat on the chair and rubbed her eyes, not knowing what he wanted to do at this late hour.

Outside, Luo Shaoxuan had simply draped an outer robe over his shoulders, clearly revealing the undergarment he was wearing. His tall figure stood quietly outside the door, twisting his fingers, his eyes carrying a hint of resentment, “It’s very important. Open the door first.”

“If it’s important, let’s talk about it tomorrow. Go back and rest now.” Regardless of his coquettish behavior, Si Qingyu’s words held no trace of softness.

Luo Shaoxuan’s beautiful eyes were filled with unwillingness. He said in a seemingly gentle tone, “Then I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Then she heard footsteps seemingly about to leave, but suddenly there was a loud thud. From the sound, she knew the person outside had taken a heavy fall.

Si Qingyu let out a long sigh, closed the book, and got up to put on the outer robe beside her before opening the door. As expected, she saw Luo Shaoxuan lying on the ground, wearing a loose outer robe, his unbound black hair scattered on the floor.

Hearing the sound of Si Qingyu opening the door, he turned his head back, his beautiful eyes misty, like those soul-enticing demons in the night.

Si Qingyu couldn’t help but sigh. He was the only one who could fall so seductively.

“Get up,” she looked down at him and said indifferently.

However, Luo Shaoxuan angrily turned his head back, lying prone on the ground, ignoring her, sulking with her.

Si Qingyu found his little behavior quite amusing. She had never seen Luo Shaoxuan throw such a tantrum before. She raised a faint smile, “Really not getting up?”

“Hmph!” This grunt was barely audible as he remained motionless on the ground.

With a snap, Si Qingyu closed the door without hesitation.

Luo Shaoxuan’s body trembled. He quickly turned his head back and saw that she had already closed the door. Thinking she disliked him throwing this kind of tantrum, he panicked and got up to knock on the door again, “Ziliang, don’t be angry. I’m getting up.” He just wanted her to help him up, not intending to make her angry.

The door had just been knocked a couple of times when Si Qingyu opened it from the inside. After opening the door, she didn’t look at him and turned to walk back in, “Come in.” She walked to the luggage by the cabinet and took out a small bottle.

Luo Shaoxuan bit his lower lip, his eyes reddened with a reproachful look at her. He turned to close the door and walked to the table to sit down.

“Give me your hand.”

Luo Shaoxuan obediently stretched out his hands, which were scraped and bloodied from the earlier fall.

Si Qingyu gently applied the medicine to his hands.

“Hiss,” he cried out in pain. Si Qingyu’s hand paused, and she looked at him.

Luo Shaoxuan looked at her with tearful grievance, “It hurts…”

“This is to teach you a lesson. Don’t wander around in the middle of the night.” After applying the medicine, Si Qingyu gently wrapped the cloth strips around his hand, round after round.

Luo Shaoxuan’s eyes were hazy as he stared intently at the woman who had slightly lowered her head, focusing on bandaging his hand. He remained silent.

Seeing him not speak, Si Qingyu wrapped the last round and tied it. She raised her head and asked, “Didn’t you say there was something important?”

The moment she raised her head, Luo Shaoxuan lowered his eyelids, concealing the obsession in his eyes. He said in a low voice, “I just wanted to ask if you like this guest room.” That was just an excuse to get her to open the door.

Mm, it was indeed an “important” matter.

“Mm.” Si Qingyu had long been accustomed to his irrelevant questions. She put away the medicine bottle and responded calmly. She got up to put the bottle back into the bundle.

Suddenly, she felt warmth behind her. Luo Shaoxuan tightly pressed his body against her back, his hands gently encircling her waist from behind, burying his face in her black hair.

The two of them quietly nestled together, their shadows merging into one on the wall.

Inhaling the fragrance of her hair, Luo Shaoxuan sighed with satisfaction.

A long time passed.

Seeing no reaction from her, Luo Shaoxuan hugged her even tighter.

Then, he cautiously moved one hand towards her undergarment, his bandaged hand trembling slightly. Just as he was about to reach inside, his hand was suddenly and forcefully grabbed.

Si Qingyu calmly turned to look at him. At this moment, Luo Shaoxuan’s face was flushed, his breathing slightly heavy, his beautiful eyes misty with a hint of confusion as he looked at her.

“Go back to sleep,” she said.

Seeing her calm demeanor, Luo Shaoxuan felt a bit unwilling. She wasn’t even slightly aroused?

He defiantly lowered his head again, intending to kiss her, but she dodged.

Si Qingyu’s eyes emanated coldness as she looked at him, enunciating each word, “Go back to sleep.”

Luo Shaoxuan knew she was angry. His heart felt as if it was being tightly squeezed, making him very uncomfortable. He loosened his hands dejectedly and took two steps back, lowering his head and saying softly, “I’m sorry.” Without waiting for her reaction, he left the bedroom without looking back.

Looking at the vast night outside the door, Si Qingyu sighed and walked over to close the door.

……

Early the next morning, after washing up, Si Qingyu took her packed luggage, ready to leave.

Stepping out of the room, Si Qingyu couldn’t help but glance towards the courtyard. Seeing no one there, she thought for a moment and decided to go and bid him farewell before leaving.

Just as she was about to walk towards the courtyard, she saw the housekeeper from yesterday walking over, treating her with great respect, “Miss, the head of the household is already in the main hall. He summons you to have breakfast there.”

Head of the household? Si Qingyu didn’t immediately realize who it was. She nodded to the housekeeper, “Then please lead the way.”

The housekeeper respectfully said to her, “Please follow me.” She then walked ahead.

Si Qingyu followed her all the way to the main hall mentioned. There, she saw Luo Shaoxuan sitting indifferently, having breakfast. Seeing her arrive, he coldly nodded to her, “Have breakfast.” It was as if he was speaking to a stranger.

Si Qingyu had truly never seen Luo Shaoxuan like this before. Every time he was in front of her, he was either gentle and virtuous or well-behaved and coquettish. Even when angry, he would only coldly refrain from actively speaking to her.

Si Qingyu slightly lowered her eyes, unable to describe this feeling. She walked over and sat on the side, starting to eat breakfast. Apart from the faint sound of chewing, there was nothing else at the table.

“I’ll be leaving the capital and returning later,” she paused for a moment, “So I came to let you know.”

Luo Shaoxuan remained indifferent, not even giving her a glance, “Okay.” Nothing more.

She lightly nodded, not saying anything further.

After finishing breakfast, Luo Shaoxuan took the napkin handed by the housekeeper beside him and wiped his hands. His phoenix-like eyes looked at her indifferently, “Do you need me to rent a carriage for you?”

“No need.” Si Qingyu shook her head.

“Mm.” Without paying further attention to her, he got up and left the main hall.

Si Qingyu was slightly stunned, then shook her head with a helpless bitter smile. Was she being masochistic? Wasn’t this exactly what she wanted? Yet she found herself feeling unaccustomed to it.

After the bitter smile, she didn’t dwell on these irrelevant thoughts. After finishing breakfast, she was led by the housekeeper to the main gate. She thanked the housekeeper and left the Luo family.

After seeing Si Qingyu off, the housekeeper quickly walked back to the main hall. Luo Shaoxuan stood in the middle of the hall with his back to her, “Has she left?”

The housekeeper lowered her head, “Yes, Head of the Household. That miss just left.”

Silence.

Luo Shaoxuan had a gloomy expression, his hands tightly clenched. His voice was cold with a hint of anticipation, “Did she say anything?”

The housekeeper lowered her head even further, already starting to break out in a cold sweat, “M-Miss didn’t say anything.” She answered diligently, trying to minimize her presence.

Luo Shaoxuan’s expression became even more sinister. He suddenly turned around and kicked over the large red sandalwood dining table. The porcelain bowls on the tabletop shattered all over the floor.

The housekeeper kept her head lowered, not daring to breathe heavily, afraid of incurring his wrath.

Luo Shaoxuan gloomily looked at the mess on the floor, feeling his heart was just as shattered as the scene before him. Great, just great. When had Luo Shaoxuan’s heart ever been trampled on like this? He angrily flicked his sleeve and left the main hall.

The housekeeper beside him finally let out a sigh of relief and started to clean up the mess.

……

Si Qingyu, who had left the Luo Manor, walked on the bustling streets of the capital city. It was indeed much larger and livelier compared to the town she had returned from.

Si Qingyu didn’t look around during the journey, only thinking of going to the inn. Inns usually had carriages for rent. Suddenly, she heard someone calling out to her from behind.

“Doctor Si?” The voice was gentle and uncertain.

Si Qingyu’s steps paused. She turned her head towards the voice and saw a man dressed in light blue elegant robes, with a slender figure and wearing a veil. He looked at her with a joyful smile on his face. A servant boy accompanied him.

Who was he? Si Qingyu looked at him puzzledly.

The man chuckled and removed his veil, “It’s me, Doctor Si.”

“Prince Jiang?” How unexpected to run into him.

Jiang Yiheng nodded with a smile, “I thought I wouldn’t have the chance to see Doctor Si again.”

Just as Si Qingyu was about to bow to him, he raised his hand to stop her. His eyes were gentle as he looked at her, playfully winking, “No need for formalities. We don’t want to be recognized.”

She nodded in understanding, “I didn’t expect to run into Young Master Jiang here.”

“Indeed, I didn’t expect it either…” He then added, “Didn’t Doctor Si already move the clinic to the town outside the capital?”

Si Qingyu nodded in affirmation.

“Then why is Doctor Si in the capital so early?”

“Just visiting a friend.”

“Is that so…” Seeing her reluctance to say more, Jiang Yiheng didn’t pry further. He smiled gently, “Would Doctor Si be willing to join Yiheng for breakfast at the inn?”

Breakfast? Si Qingyu felt troubled. She was already quite full.