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Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Last night, did you help me take off my clothes?
But every time Zhan Lan thought about what Mu Yan had said earlier, she didn’t want to pay attention to him anymore.
She didn’t know why she was annoyed, only that she felt like Mu Yan was treating her like a worthless brothel woman, and anger smoldered in Zhan Lan’s heart.
In the end, she still remembered the kindness Mu Yan had shown her. So, she picked up a cloth dampened with cool water to wipe him down and cool his fever.
Reluctantly, she removed Mu Yan’s sweat-soaked clothes, turned her head away so as not to look at him, and helped wipe his body.
By the time the sky was beginning to brighten, Mu Yan’s burning body finally cooled down a bit. Drained and with dark circles under her eyes, Zhan Lan left Mu Yan’s room.
Vermilion Bird secretly observed his master from a hidden spot. Seeing that Miss Zhan Lan had covered Mu Yan with a blanket, Vermilion Bird touched Mu Yan’s forehead and found the fever had subsided.
He looked at the water in the basin and the washcloth, realizing that Miss Zhan had almost stayed up the whole night to cool down the master’s body. 𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
Vermilion Bird was inwardly pleased; Miss Zhan really did care about his master. Though she wouldn’t say it, her actions were the best proof!
So, he tiptoed back downstairs.
...
Early the next morning, Mu Yan woke up with a splitting headache and sat up in bed, his arms supporting him. The blanket slid off, revealing his chest and abdominal muscles...
Mu Yan frowned and called out coldly, "Vermilion Bird, come in!"
Vermilion Bird had been waiting outside for a while. He entered the room and stood respectfully, "Master, what can I do for you?"
Mu Yan’s voice was icy, "Last night, did you undress me?"
Vermilion Bird looked blank; this would be quite the story. He had forgotten that his master disliked others undressing him, as he was quite fastidious about cleanliness!
Vermilion Bird began hesitantly, "Last night, Miss Zhan Lan..."
"Don’t mention her!" Mu Yan’s voice was icy cold.
His loud voice suddenly caused the cut on his lower lip to split open again. Mu Yan strained to recall how his lip got injured.
Startled by Mu Yan’s anger, Vermilion Bird dared not respond.
Mu Yan looked at him, "Speak!"
Vermilion Bird muttered, "Master, you said not to mention Miss Zhan Lan!"
Mu Yan glared at him and then ordered, "Leave!"
"Yes, Master." Vermilion Bird turned and left.
Leaning on the bed, Mu Yan tried to recall the previous night. He had been drunk, with intermittent memories flashing through his mind.
Suddenly his eyes sparkled; he remembered that last night he had forcefully kissed Zhan Lan and she had bitten him, and then he had torn her clothes.
And then his own clothes were removed, does that mean...
Mu Yan instantly sobered up, fearing that he had forced himself on Zhan Lan in his drunken state, committing an inexcusable act.
Regret and shame flooded Mu Yan’s mind.
He closed his eyes; if he had coerced Zhan Lan while drunk, even if he had claimed her body, he would be nothing but a despicable man.
After Mu Yan flung back the blanket and saw no bloodstains on the sheets, his self-reproach eased somewhat.
Did nothing happen last night?
Mu Yan rubbed his temples, bathed in the hot springs, changed his clothes, and went to the Xingtian Department.
Vermilion Bird followed, without uttering a word about Zhan Lan.
...
After returning from Mu Yan’s place, Zhan Lan got out of bed at midday and immediately sneezed.
Liu Xi brought her some ginger soup, "Miss, you’ve sneezed several times this morning; don’t catch a cold. Drink some ginger soup to warm up."
Zhan Lan got up, feeling her head heavy. She picked up the ginger soup and downed it, spice and all.
Liu Xi took the empty bowl, while Xiao Tao went to add more coal to the heater.
As Xiao Tao went to wash Zhan Lan’s clothes, she asked curiously, "Miss, how did your clothes get torn?"
Instantly, Zhan Lan remembered last night’s events. She said to Xiao Tao, "See if you can mend it. If it can’t be worn out, pack up all the old clothes and store them; I have use for them."
"Yes, Miss." Xiao Tao took the clothes to wash.
Zhan Lan instructed Liu Xi, "Xiao Chen has been providing aid to the poor, so let’s organize some of the unused items in the house. When Xiao Chen has time, have him deliver them."
She had Xiao Chen visit that estate, to donate some winter clothes and food, so those people wouldn’t starve or freeze to death and could make it through the winter.
"Yes, Miss!" Liu Xi nodded.
Her Miss was clear with affections and grudges; she was truly fierce to her enemies and kind to her own people, as well as compassionate toward the poor.
Serving such a master, Liu Xi felt at ease.
Zhan Lan coughed once, and Liu Xi squatted down to pat her back.
Zhan Lan smiled and said, "Liu Xi, you’re also at the age to marry. If you have someone in mind, you must tell me. You’ve helped me so much; I will see that you’re married off splendidly."
In a few days, Zhan Lan was destined for Heifeng Pass, a dangerous place. She didn’t want to delay Liu Xi’s life.
Hearing this, Liu Xi sank to her knees, grasping Zhan Lan’s dress, "Miss, are you trying to send me away?"
Looking into Liu Xi’s pleading eyes, Zhan Lan smoothed her forehead with her finger, "You, as the legitimate daughter of a County Magistrate, should be enjoying a lady’s privileges. And yet, you follow me and became a maid. Do you not find it hard?"
Liu Xi clutched Zhan Lan’s dress tightly, "I owe my life to you, Miss. Every day I live is a blessing. How could it be hard? I won’t leave."
Zhan Lan helped her up, "Liu Xi, you have your own life to live. Leave the revenge to me."
Liu Xi spoke seriously to Zhan Lan, "I have told my father that I will not marry and will serve you all my life."
Zhan Lan was surprised, "Your father agreed?"
Liu Xi nodded, "At first, he didn’t, but he is grateful to you and wants me to serve you loyally."
Seeing she couldn’t persuade Liu Xi, Zhan Lan conceded, "Let’s take it one step at a time. If there comes a day of peace and prosperity, I will help you find a good man to marry."
Liu Xi’s cheeks flushed as she countered, "And you, Miss? Will you get married?"
Hearing this, Zhan Lan pondered in her heart. Would she marry?
After enduring such a tragic marriage in her previous life, would she dare to marry again?
