Kiyomi Tsuki and His Fox

Chapter 108

Tears welled up in Xiaoqian's eyes, and she said in a trembling voice, "Yes."

Shuxiangyuan (Book Fragrance Academy)

"When I visited Prefect Hong this time, he mentioned that he has a daughter named Qiaoying, who is nineteen years old this year and has reached the age for marriage." Su Haibo stopped and looked at Lu Qingcheng.

How could Lu Qingcheng not understand what he meant? She frowned and said unhappily, "Is his daughter so ugly that she can't get married?"

Su Haibo laughed and said, "No. His daughter is not only not ugly, but she is also very beautiful."

"If that's the case, Prefect Hong should find a scholar or a licentiate for his daughter, or even send her to the palace to be chosen as a concubine. Why would he take a fancy to a powerless and wealthy landowner like me?"

"Lord of the Fortress, you may not know this, but when you paid your respects to Prefect Hong, Miss Hong met you."

The implication is that Miss Hong fell in love with you at first sight.

Hu Shaofan naively flattered, "Of course! The Lord of the Fortress is handsome, mighty, and exceptionally intelligent. If he were to enter the court, he would surely rise to the rank of general or prime minister. What woman could resist your charm?"

Lu Qingcheng glared at him unhappily, and Hu Shaofan, startled, stuck out his tongue and quickly shrank back. Lu Qingcheng pondered, "If I refuse this marriage, how will Hong Wantong react?"

Su Haibo said, "Please be careful, Lord of the Fortress. Hong Wantong is a narrow-minded and vengeful man."

Lu Qingcheng nodded and said, "I understand." Wang Jie came in and presented a letter with a secret message on it. "Lord of the Fortress, this is a secret document sent from Yunnan." Lu Qingcheng took it and looked at it, then said, "You may go."

"yes."

Su Haibo, Li Feiyang, and Hu Shaofan left the study.

The heavy snow had lessened considerably, drifting down like pure white feathers. Emerging from the academy, Su Haibo and Li Feiyang walked side-by-side on the snow-covered path, conversing quietly. Hu Shaofan, meanwhile, gazed curiously at the surrounding scenery. A melodious whistle caught his attention. A handsome young man in richly dressed clothes approached, and with each step he took, a golden-eyed white fox darted dart beneath his legs; the man and the fox seemed to be having a wonderful time.

Su Haibo greeted the boy, who smiled happily, his melodious voice as warm and comforting as a spring breeze. Just looking at him and listening to him speak brought a strange sense of joy. Suddenly, the boy looked at Hu Shaofan, who was staring at him with wide eyes. Although somewhat surprised, he still smiled gently.

Hu Shaofan's heart skipped a beat, a strange feeling rising within him. This young man was peculiar; his clothes were luxurious, like that of a wealthy family, yet he had no airs whatsoever. Especially his eyes, clear and bright, radiating a resolute light that made one involuntarily feel a sense of dependence.

Huang Chong and Zhang Lang arrived and quickly escorted the young man away.

Hu Shaofan couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Su, who was that person just now?"

Su Haibo laughed and said, "Don't you know? He is Young Master Jianyue."

Hu Shaofan exclaimed, "He's Young Master Jianyue? My God! No wonder the Lord of the Fortress dotes on him. Even I'm smitten. Although he's not a stunning beauty, he's even more captivating than a stunning beauty. I like him, I like him!"

Li Feiyang cursed, "Shut up, you bastard. If the lord hears this, he'll cut out your tongue."

Hu Shaofan was so frightened that he covered his mouth.

Su Haibo couldn't help but laugh.

Night fell quietly, and snowflakes continued to fall gently. The little sparrow, holding an umbrella, hurried into the heavily guarded Study. She passed through halls and courtyards, heading straight for the main study. Handing the umbrella to a servant waiting outside, she pushed open the door. Inside, candlelight shone brightly, and Wang Jie was adding charcoal to a bronze incense burner adorned with carvings of various ferocious beasts.

On the warm couch, Lu Qingcheng and Qing Jianyue sat facing each other, with a small lacquered table between them. On the table was a copper basin filled with steaming hot water infused with unknown Chinese herbs. Qing Jianyue's hand was immersed in the water, while her other hand was in Lu Qingcheng's. A little crow stood by, holding a tray with various bottles of different sizes, as well as scissors, gauze, and other items.

The little sparrow respectfully replied, "Lord of the Fortress."

Lu Qingcheng asked, "Did you get it?"

The little sparrow took out a small white porcelain bottle from her sleeve and said, "Doctor Li said that this is the best frostbite medicine he has prepared this winter. Just apply it once every night for five days."

"Be gentler, it hurts!" Kiyomi Tsuki groaned. The white fox lay comfortably beside his legs, curled up like a cute snowball.

"You still feel pain. You ignorant fool, don't you even consider what kind of weather this is? Even if you want to help others, you should know your own limitations. Now look at you, your hands are swollen like bear paws, you're just short of chopping them off and putting them in a pot to stew with bear paws." Lu Qingcheng mocked as she held Qing Jianyue's hands tightly to prevent him from escaping, while skillfully rubbing his swollen, red fingers with her oily hands.

The little sparrow and the little crow couldn't help but smirk.

Kiyoshi was furious. "I don't want you to rub me anymore. Let Little Sparrow help me. Ouch, it hurts! Be gentler, be gentler. Is that supposed to improve blood circulation? You're just trying to skin me alive!"

"Cherish your good fortune, Young Master Jianyue. The only person who can be personally served by the Lord of Lu Family Fortress is you." Lu Qingcheng said angrily, "Even if I were to skin you alive, it would be your own fault." She put one hand into the copper basin to soak in the medicinal water, then grabbed the other hand and held it out, saying, "Little Sparrow."

"yes."

The little sparrow hurriedly uncorked the bottle, and the moment he poured the medicated oil into his large palm, a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air. Lu Qingcheng applied the medicated oil to the red and swollen area on Qing Jianyue's hand and rubbed it incessantly.

Kiyoshitsuki sniffed greedily, "This smells so good, it's incredibly comforting to smell, and it feels cool on my hands too. The itching is completely gone, it's so comfortable. Lord, you have such a broad mind that you can embrace all rivers, and your kindness and compassion are like the warm sun in winter, illuminating the earth."

"Stop being so glib," Lu Qingcheng scolded. "What kind of wicked scheme are you plotting now with that overly clever idiot's head?"

Qing Jianyue said with dissatisfaction, "What do you mean by 'overly clever idiot'? Lord, I was just thinking that if there were any extra medicinal oil, I could share some with Miss Xiaoqian. Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

The white fox stretched its body happily, rolled around on the thick, soft couch, then jumped up and ran to the edge of the couch, gently swaying its large, snow-white tail.

“Zhonghe said that when you heard I was coming, you ran away like a rabbit.” Lu Qingcheng’s sudden words startled Qing Jianyue. Lu Qingcheng continued, “You would rather hide in Yancui Lake, washing clothes for the laundry maids in the heavy snow, even if it froze your fingers off, than go back to your study.”

Kiyomi Tsuki finally realized what was happening and cried out, "No. Ouch, that hurts. I felt sorry for her, having to wash so many clothes all by herself. She was clearly being bullied, but she didn't dare to say anything."

"So you helped them wash their clothes." Lu Qingcheng scolded, "Only someone as stupid as you would do something so stupid."

“When I was little, I was very poor. I did all kinds of work just to have food to eat. One winter, I worked odd jobs at the house of a rich man, washing clothes for him. There were so many clothes, like small mountains. I washed them from morning till night. I was tired, hungry, and cold. The supervisor even complained that I was washing too slowly and wouldn't give me any food. I was so hungry that my vision went black. I was gnawing on my fingers and wished I could eat them like meat.”

"And then what happened?" Lu Qingcheng asked with concern.

"What can we do? We just have to put up with it."

"Why is this happening? Isn't anyone doing anything about it?"

"Nonsense, who would care? I'm just a beggar; my masters wouldn't care if I'm hungry or cold. So, when I see that girl, I'm reminded of my past. But what I admire most is that even though she was bullied and suffered such cruel torture, she didn't complain at all, and her smile was still so beautiful and pure. She's such a strong girl, truly admirable!" Kiyomi Tsuki exclaimed.

Lu Qingcheng's heart was once again violently shaken.

My dear Yue, I never knew you had suffered so much, that your pain was so profound. Yet, even so, you could still laugh so happily and carefree, and retain the pure innocence of a baby.