Su Xiaoqi didn't miss Zhang Lei's odd behavior. Her sensitivity made her instinctively feel that the master and servant were hiding something from her. She lowered her gaze and asked casually, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Li Shushao just came to say that someone from the cutlery shop is here to deliver silver needles, saying the ones you ordered are ready."
Su Xiaoqi saw the small box on the table, picked it up, and looked. It was indeed a complete set of silver needles.
Eight long needles, fifteen short ones, all gleaming silver.
"Oh, right. The shopkeeper from the cutlery shop is still waiting in the outer courtyard. He wants to ask if he can use the drawings for your knives?"
Su Xiaoqi raised an eyebrow, "He's eyeing my surgical knives and wants to make them to sell?"
"He said someone saw that type of knife at his place and wanted to have one made," Shen Yun replied.
Su Xiaoqi thought for a moment, "We drew those blueprints, but they've already leaked. Even if I don't agree, I can't stop him. Let's consider it a good deed."
She never bothered with things she couldn't stop.
Besides, she hadn't invented it. If it could help the people of this era, it would be a great thing.
Of course, Su Xiaoqi's intentions were good, but she didn't realize that once some things got out of control, they truly would become uncontrollable.
Su Xiaoqi said, "Right, besides this, what else were you talking about earlier?" Shen Yun's face was as calm as ever, showing no expression.
But Zhang Lei was different.
When Su Xiaoqi arrived, he was talking animatedly with Shen Yun.
Upon seeing her, his eyes visibly flickered, and then he awkwardly left.
Moreover, after she arrived, Shen Yun clearly tried to change the subject.
Their behavior was so obvious that if Su Xiaoqi didn't notice the problem, she would have lived in vain.
Shen Yun thought for a moment and asked, "Did you have anyone deal with Liu Yuanming?"
Su Xiaoqi looked bewildered and shook her head.
"I knew it wasn't you. It must be someone else," Shen Yun said in a low voice, his expression becoming somewhat grave.
Zhang Lei had just reported that the incident where they designed Liu Yuanming to be bullied by vagrants had been deliberately spread.
When Liu Yuanming was caught red-handed that day, it had circulated briefly in the marketplaces.
But it was quickly suppressed by the Yong'an Marquisate.
Afterward, no one dared to speak of it openly. Just when the Liu family thought the matter had passed, they discovered that the entire capital was talking about it again.
This time, it was even more unpleasant.
It was said that Liu Yuanming was not a victim at all.
In fact, he was accustomed to such things.
It was just that he had hidden it well before, and no one had discovered it.
There were even incidents in the past where he had taken it upon himself to search for boys among the common people, keeping and abusing them.
The last time was not an accident, but rather a consequence of his many wicked deeds, which Heaven could no longer bear, leading to the exposure of the matter.
Since this matter had been exposed, they couldn't let it pass so quickly.
And so, the streets and alleys were now filled with rumors about the Yong'an Marquis's heir, Liu Yuanming, and his peculiar tastes.
It also caused considerable anxiety among households with sons in the marketplaces.
For a time, parents were afraid to let children under twelve go out on the streets alone, for fear of being defiled by the depraved Liu Yuanming.
The direct result of this affair was that Liu Yuanming dared not leave his house.
Listening to Shen Yun recount such horrifying events in such a calm and composed tone, Su Xiaoqi's heart trembled.
"Is... is this true?"
Liu Yuanming looked like a frail scholar, refined and handsome, yet he possessed such peculiar habits.
Of course, Su Xiaoqi didn't object to his sexual orientation, whether it was towards men or women. But he couldn't force anyone.
If it were two same-sex individuals who were sincere with each other, she wouldn't find anything wrong with it.
But if the other party's preference was for women, and they were forced to accept something because of him, that would be rather hateful.
Furthermore, judging from Shen Yun's account, he had not only forced others, but those people were mere children.
Was this any different from being a beast?
Su Xiaoqi became agitated.
Shen Yun had already confirmed that this matter was definitely not something Xiaoqi had done.
Zhang Lei had guessed wrong!
Shen Yun mentally filtered through everyone he knew in the capital, and he had a rough idea.
"So you were just talking about this matter, and you thought it was me?" Su Xiaoqi asked directly, without any pretense.
Shen Yun spread his hands, indicating that he hadn't expressed an opinion.
"Then it was Zhang Lei who said it." Su Xiaoqi rubbed her hands, gritting her teeth.
She really couldn't tell that this Zhang Lei, who looked so sturdy and like a true man, would slander her behind her back.
She did have such thoughts and means, but she lacked the manpower.
The only person she could use for such matters was Zhang Yu. If she had dispatched her, Shen Yun would have had no reason not to know.
After all, in Zhang Yu's heart, Shen Yun was her true master.
Su Xiaoqi pouted, feeling increasingly wronged the more she thought about it.
Shen Yun hadn't expected her to be angry. He quickly moved closer, held her in his arms, patted her back, and coaxed her gently, "My dear wife, don't be anxious, don't be anxious."
"How can I not be anxious? You, you actually think of me like this." Su Xiaoqi let out a soft hum and turned her face away, not wanting to look at Shen Yun's handsome and sculpted face.
She feared that if she looked, she wouldn't have the heart to be angry with him.
However, Shen Yun saw through her thoughts perfectly.
He curved his lips into a smile, turned her face towards him, and his eyes, as tranquil as a deep pool, looked directly into hers, as if they could capture her soul.
She tilted her head and became lost in the gaze.
It was only when her lips felt a warmth that she snapped back to reality.
Damn Shen Yun, he had deliberately seduced her.
Indeed, beauty could mislead.
She was both angry and anxious, yet unable to resist the warmth on her lips. She could only stiffen her body and let Shen Yun have his way.
Shen Yun's kissing skills were becoming increasingly proficient. He first sealed her delicate lips, then gently brushed over them, like a solar eclipse, consuming them bit by bit until he explored between her lips and teeth.
His tongue, like a silken whisk, invaded, causing Su Xiaoqi to tremble, her body suddenly going soft, almost unable to stand.
Fortunately, Shen Yun had anticipated this. He held her entire body horizontally, settling onto a circular chair, one arm around her shoulder, the other at her waist.
Throughout the entire movement, his lips remained firmly sealed against hers.
Allowing her no escape.
"Mmm... mmm..." Shen Yun's teasing and playful actions made her flustered and disoriented.
His hot breath and soft, moist lips made her soul reel. She didn't know how to resist and could only obediently follow Shen Yun's lead.
What a charmer!
February 17th First Update (Thursday)
Su Xiaoqi thought this was the longest kiss she had shared with Shen Yun.
It felt as if it would last until the end of time, through the shifts of stars and moons.
By the time her intellect returned, and she pushed Shen Yun away, gasping for breath, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were languid, and her lips were moist, as if inviting Shen Yun to something more.