Greeting a roommate when they return is basic courtesy. Whether they respond or not is their business.
Qi Yue didn’t mind. She stretched and moved her neck around.
“It’s really impossible. Forget it, forget it. Rubber and such – it’s not something I can just make by saying so,” she said with some frustration, throwing down her pen.
The ink from the quill pen splattered on the paper covered with writing like a blooming flower.
“Young Marchioness, would you like some tea?” Qiu Xiang had come back just as she was about to leave, asking attentively.
“Sure,” Qi Yue nodded with a smile.
Sometimes accepting is more polite than being courteous.
Qiu Xiang happily poured tea and brought it over.
“Young Marchioness, you’ve been looking at and writing for so long. Let this servant massage your shoulders,” she said again.
Chang Yuncheng inside heard this and twitched his mouth.
As a senior maid, she usually felt that even pouring tea was beneath her status, yet now she was volunteering to do the work of junior maids.
Really…
He directly took off his clothes, revealing his sturdy body as he entered the washing room. When he finished washing and came out, the fragrance of food drifted in.
“Young Marchioness, see if what I made suits your taste?” came the quiet voice of an unfamiliar maid.
“There’s no right or wrong about this. As long as it’s made with care, it’s all delicious,” Qi Yue smiled.
A’Hao smiled with squinted eyes.
“A’Hao could open a small restaurant,” Qi Yue praised, while drinking soup heartily, “I only told you once, and you made it this well.”
A’Hao smiled bashfully.
“If I could learn even a tiny bit of Young Marchioness’s skills, I’d be content,” she said.
“Learn slowly, take your time,” Qi Yue smiled. As she said this, she paused, hearing footsteps from over there. She stood up and walked over, knocking on the bedroom door.
“Lord?” she called.
No one answered from inside.
“Are you asleep?” she asked again.
“What is it?” Chang Yuncheng’s low voice came from inside.
“Want a midnight snack?” Qi Yue asked with a smile, “There’s fig and pear stew, good for moistening the lungs and reducing internal heat.”
No one answered from inside. Qi Yue turned to A’Hao and pouted, making a helpless expression. She was about to turn and leave when the door opened.
Qi Yue gave him a welcoming smile.
“Come, it’s very tasty,” she said, walking over first.
Chang Yuncheng followed slowly. He saw a maid in a small jacket standing in the room, head lowered, shrinking aside as if ashamed.
Oh, that maid…
“You go rest. The night duty people will clean up,” Qi Yue said.
Ever since someone had seen the scar on her belly, A’Hao had always been shy about meeting people, especially these masters.
A’Hao understood that Qi Yue was being considerate of her. After hesitating, she responded and went down.
Qi Yue personally ladled a small bowl and handed it over.
“It’s a bit sweet. If you don’t like sweet food, you might not be used to it,” she smiled.
Chang Yuncheng took it without speaking and poured it into his mouth.
“Hey, it’s hot, slow down,” Qi Yue said quickly, also finding it somewhat amusing.
Chang Yuncheng had already finished drinking.
“You can’t do this. It’s bad for your stomach,” Qi Yue shook her head.
Chang Yuncheng’s mouth corners slightly lifted as if he smiled.
“Good or bad, it’s all just staying alive,” he said, putting down the bowl and standing up.
Qi Yue looked at him and studied him carefully. It seemed this guy’s mood was normal now.
“Why did you join the army?” she suddenly asked.
Chang Yuncheng’s turning body stopped.
“With your background, there’s no need to work so hard,” Qi Yue said.
“Because I don’t want to stay in this house,” Chang Yuncheng turned to look at her with a smile, “Don’t want to see you people.”
Qi Yue looked at him and made an acknowledging sound. Indeed, his mood was normal – even when saying he disliked people, he said it with a smile…
“Lonely…” she seemed to mutter to herself, her gaze turning away to fall on the window frame.
The room fell silent. The wind rose again, seeming to carry snow particles that rustled against the window.
Chang Yuncheng stopped walking.