Ink Burns

Chapter 205 Sleeping in the Same Bed (Two chapters combined)

As soon as Shan Yue finished speaking, Xue Xiao's eyes darkened, becoming thick and deep, like a whirlpool spiraling downwards in an ancient well.

His gaze irresistibly shifted to the woman's fair, thin neck, where the purplish-blue veins were clearly visible, and instantly, like a lamplight leaping onto the satin.

She's amazing.

"If you were a man, why would you need to enter this game? Just go straight for the imperial examination. Once you become the top scholar, even if your mother is Bai Suzhen imprisoned under Leifeng Pagoda, you can still break the pagoda to save her." Xue Xiao's voice was slightly deep, but it was a heartfelt praise.

Shan Yue lowered her eyes and smiled, a hint of embarrassment in her expression: she had never been praised so directly before.

She desperately needed something to cover up her embarrassment.

Shan Yue glanced at the piles of books stacked like small mountains in the east study and asked, "Is this your motivation for reading?"

"Yes. If I were to become a powerful minister, I would wrathfully slay all those who stray from the right path."

Xue Xiao said in a deep voice, "Fortunately, Xue Changfeng only caused me to lose hearing in one ear, not physical deformity or disability. I still have the opportunity to enter officialdom—"

Xue Xiao raised his chin slightly, gesturing to Shan Yue: "Can you see that rocking chair in front of the window?"

Looking out from the mountain moon.

The small rocking chair, with its bamboo handles worn smooth and oily, is an item that has been used for a long time.

"It's so small? Can you even fit in there?"

For Xue Xiao, the chair was like a clamp, strangely narrow. And since Xue Xiao was tall and broad-shouldered, when he shrunk in, his shoulders would be clamped shut like a closed box.

"That's the bamboo chair I sat in when I was little. As I grew up, I gradually realized that only when you're not comfortable can you concentrate on your studies. So I've kept that chair ever since," Xue Xiao said.

Shan Yue tilted her head: "Everyone says you are extremely intelligent."

Xue Xiao shook his head: "I may not be as smart as you."

Shan Yue was startled, then lowered her head, her face turning red from her ears all the way down to her neck.

She is not used to being praised by others.

To be precise, she rarely hears praise.

And tonight's praise is greater than in the previous twenty years.

Xue Xiao's gaze fell on Shan Yue's flushed neck, his eyebrows twitched slightly, and he turned his gaze away and said again, "Before the imperial examination, I sat in that rocking chair for three whole days, with my eyes closed, not thinking about anything, not reading anything, and only asking myself three questions every day: Was I too polite to that dog of an in-laws? Did I give them too much face? When can I kill them?"

Shan Yue smiled again without realizing it.

The imperial examinations tested Confucianism and Taoism, while most people practiced Buddhism and Taoism. However, Xue Xiao followed the Tao of Taoism.

Confucianism and Taoism: Tolerate him; Buddhism and Taoism: To save him; Taoism's way: To get rid of him.

Xue Xiao's attitude towards hatred, in the subtle way between her and Shui Guang, was neither like her exhausting herself to the point of exhaustion, nor like Shui Guang's carefree attitude as if she had just finished doing something—Xue Xiao digested her hatred very well.

When it comes to revenge, one cannot escape the theme of repaying kindness.

"Who is Qiuyu?" Shanyue asked, frowning. "The night before last, if it weren't for her, either Shuiguang or I would have died. She said she came to repay a debt of gratitude, but is it to repay yours?"

“Lansing,” Xue Xiao said calmly, “it’s your own karma and good fortune, it has nothing to do with anyone else. Even if I hadn’t come that day, Lansing could have led you out of there—Qingfeng’s skill in training assassins is better than her skill in judging people.”

Shan Yue suddenly realized.

It was her!
The woman was unintentionally saved when he hid her in a coffin while descending the mountain from the watchtower in Pingning Mountain!
Shan Yue sighed, "Did she disguise herself?"

Xue Xiao nodded: "A minor skill from the martial arts world, nothing surprising."

No wonder she always felt that Qiu Yu was acting strange!

Silent, yet often surprisingly calm.

Qiu Yu was like an invisible fish, following behind without making a sound, even her breathing was very light!
"She lurked by my side just to repay a debt of gratitude?" Shan Yue asked, puzzled. "She's such a kind and affectionate girl."

Xue Xiao pursed his lips: What kind of praise should the bird that chased down the mountain and reminded this affectionate girl who to repay her kindness for?

The truth is, there was no praise.

Only questions remain.

Shan Yue realized what was happening and turned her head: "You knew from the beginning that Qiu Yu was Lan Xin?"

Xue Xiao shrugged: "Your husband is a former censor, yet he can't even handle this little case. How dare he send him to the Southern Prefecture?"

Shan Yue smiled unconsciously and kindly corrected Xue Xiao: "—Just as smart."

"What's so clever about it?" Xue Xiao asked, puzzled.

Shan Yue blinked: "You just said... I'm... smarter than you," she said, glossing over the praise: "I said, we're equally smart."

Xue Xiao laughed along, "Okay, we're just as smart."

"Are you asleep?" Seeing that Shan Yue had finally relaxed, Xue Xiao stood up, loosened his shoulders, and stretched out his body: "The bedding should have been changed by Mama Su. When the fellow disciples come here, they will only secretly drink and will not sleep here—you can sleep peacefully in bed."

Shan Yue asked, "And you?"

"You go to sleep first, I'll go clean up the kitchen." Xue Xiao said and walked out.

The bedding had a faint scent of soapberry. Shan Yue pulled the blanket over her head, turned to her right, and closed her eyes slightly. Soon she fell asleep. Outside the bed, the candlelight flickered. Shan Yue woke up for some reason, opened her eyes groggily, and saw Xue Xiao curled up in the small, old rocking chair through the gap in the bamboo blind. His shoulders were hunched over like a box door, and his head was half-drooping on his shoulders, like a giant who had mistakenly entered a small attic.

A pitiful giant betrayed by his own father—his bones are almost broken, how can he be comfortable?
"Xue Xiao—Xue Xiao—" Shan Yue pursed her lips and called softly.

Perhaps he was truly exhausted. Xue Xiao did not wake up as alertly as he had on his wedding night. Instead, he turned his head slightly, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, unlike the high-ranking and powerful Imperial Censor Chunchen, who appeared to be just a simple young man.

"Xue Qishu—" Shan Yue raised her voice.

Xue Xiao straightened his legs abruptly, his whole body sinking deeper into the ground due to inertia. His eyes, which snapped open quickly, were wary and alert. He turned his head quickly to look at Shan Yue, his cold and stern face softening instantly: "Hmm?" His voice was still tinged with sleepiness.

"Come and sleep here." Shan Yue propped herself up on her right arm, her voice calm and composed. "Come and sleep here. We have to travel early tomorrow morning, and then there will be many tough battles—you believe in Taoism, I believe in Yama, neither of us believes in Confucianism, so there's no need to adhere to pointless worldly rituals—"

Xue Xiao was stunned in the cramped rocking chair. After a breath, before Shan Yue could finish speaking, he immediately got up, strode in, and without saying a word, silently and quickly lay down on the outside of the bed, curling his arms under his head as a pillow, closing his eyes, and keeping his mouth tight. He was some distance away from the woman beside him.

Although the bed was large enough, he could clearly feel the subtle, uneasy movements of the person beside him.

The fabric rustled softly against each other.

Shan Yue was indeed somewhat uneasy.

She couldn't bear to see Xue Xiao so weak and exhausted, so she hastily spoke up. But to her surprise, Xue Xiao didn't refuse at all. As if in the blink of an eye, the poor giant was lying down beside her.

Shan Yue was stunned by the sudden "change". The man's unfamiliar and aggressive aura rushed towards her. She dared not move her left shoulder, but her right hand unconsciously clenched her sleeve.

Shan Yue held her breath, but heard the man's breathing gradually become even and calm.

Shan Yue peered over with one eye.

The man lay on his left side, his back long and relaxed—he had long since fallen asleep, as if he were utterly exhausted.

Oh, I'm really tired.

How can one sleep soundly while huddled in a chair or stool?

Shan Yue turned her head to the side, blinked at the dark gray coarse linen bed curtains, and looked at the gray darkness. In the depths of her heart, Shan Yue mocked herself: she liked to pity the weak, but when she did something, she was afraid of both the wolf in front and the tiger behind. She thought too much about everything and couldn't let go of anything completely. This action was very bad, very bad.

As Shan Yue closed her eyes and her breathing gradually became steady, the man beside her opened his eyes with piercing eyes.

Xue Xiao frowned as if he had just realized something, as if he was trying to analyze the motivation behind his actions.

The group is surrounded by the worldly "weak" – Zhou Liniang, who is prone to crying; the elderly Erniang, who has nowhere to go; the silly and dazed Qiu Tao; Huang Zhi, who is small in stature but ambitious; and Shui Guang Shan Yue, who makes a living by acting cute. She is not used to accepting the kindness of others, but she is used to protecting the weak.

The girl I love is right beside me.

Xue Xiao's nose twitched slightly, allowing him to deeply inhale the pleasant ink-wash scent emanating from the girl.

Xue Xiao raised the corners of his mouth, a knowing smile appearing in his eyes.

The next morning, just as Shan Yue had said, the two opened their eyes at the same time before dawn. Without much time to talk, they immediately mounted their horses and boarded their carriages, catching the first wave of people to enter the city when the city gates were wide open. After entering the city, they returned to their residences to wash up and change clothes. Xue Xiao went to the Censorate, while Shan Yue took Huang Zhi to Guan An Zhai.

Guan'anzhai usually opens at noon. When the moon rises, the shopkeeper is yawning as he dismantles the wooden planks and opens the shop for business.

Shan Yue was a regular customer. She was not only the lady of the Jade Plate who supplied paintings to Guan An Zhai, but also a close friend of the younger sister of the owner behind Guan An Zhai. In fact, she had even sent a maid to purchase fine writing brushes and inkstones the day before.

Upon seeing her, the shopkeeper swallowed his yawn and greeted her with a smile: "Good morning, Madam Xue! Coming to patronize business so early? Is it a new piece from 'Jade Plate Lady' or a new addition to your collection?"

Knowing about her private dealings with Madam Zhou of Changlin, the shopkeeper lowered his voice when no one was around: "Or have you painted another brand new imitation? Is it by Master Shen? Or by Zhao Hehua? There are many people looking at landscapes these days, so Master Shen's paintings will definitely sell well."

"What did you say!" Shan Yue frowned, her voice sharp with anger.

The shopkeeper smiled knowingly and apologized, pretending to slap his mouth as he said obsequiously, "Oh dear! My apologies! You are a great sir! It would be an insult to your ears to mention these despicable counterfeit goods dealings!"

Shan Yue gave a soft "humph" and turned her head away.

Huang Zhi stood up with her hands on her hips and scolded, "I just bought this inkstone yesterday, and I only used it today, and I already found a piece broken off at the edge! Twenty taels of silver! Is this the kind of junk you sell us? If you don't like our lady, we'll go talk to Madam Zhou! We'll settle things properly!"

The shopkeeper was taken aback; who would have thought that opening the door would be met with someone causing trouble!

It was an acquaintance who came to cause trouble!
The shopkeeper bowed and apologized, but Huang Zhi wouldn't let it go, insisting on dragging the shop assistant to pay: "Twenty taels of silver! Not a single copper coin less!"

They're not here to cause trouble! They're here to extort money!

The shopkeeper shuddered, his voice trembling with tears: "So much money! My pockets are emptier than my face! Madam Xue, you are such a big customer, and you are on good terms with our Madam Zhou, why make things difficult for a little nobody like me!"

"If you don't want to make things difficult, that's fine too." Shan Yue spoke up at the right time, walked straight inside, and looked around. He saw that the four beams and eight pillars of the Guanzhai were covered with paintings and calligraphy, including works by famous artists and new works by newcomers. There were landscapes, meticulous brushwork, famille rose, and paintings with calligraphy. There were probably dozens of paintings in total.

"Tell me a few questions honestly," Shan Yue asked. "How long have you been at Guan'anzhai?"

"We've been working here since we opened the door. We used to help the prince consort with his makeup." The shopkeeper chuckled, "We've been following the prince consort around."

Shan Yue nodded: "Alright, then you know. Let me ask you, what painting sold for the highest price this summer? Who painted it? How much silver did it sell for?"

The shopkeeper's eyes darted around, and he grinned, straightening his hunched back slightly. "So that's what you were planning? You think your paintings are too cheap? Relax, your prices won't be low! Your craftsmanship is excellent and authentic, plus Guan Anzhai's endorsement, no one can doubt you. Three to five hundred taels of silver is definitely not a low price."

“You answer whatever I ask you—otherwise, we’ll take this broken inkstone to Madam Zhou and see if she’ll protect you or help me,” Shan Yue raised her voice.

The shopkeeper exclaimed, "Oh dear! Don't be like that! There's no point in comparing! If someone were to buy it, two or three thousand taels for a painting would be cheap! Just a month ago, Master Mi sold a painting called 'Spring Dwelling with Flowers and Birds' for three thousand eight hundred taels—that was more than ten years ago, when Master Mi's paintings could sell for as much as six thousand taels! Frankly speaking, whether someone is willing to pay or not really has little to do with how good your painting is!"

"Six thousand taels? A few years ago? What painting?" Shan Yue asked, squinting.

"Twenty years ago! When Guanzhai first opened, a wealthy merchant from the south bought Master Mi's 'Farming with White Cranes'! He then bought several more scrolls, and they all sold for a high price."

The shopkeeper looked at Shanyue and chuckled, comforting her: "Don't worry, Guan'anzhai is supporting you. Once your name 'Jade Plate Lady' is established, let alone six thousand taels, even seven or eight thousand taels, there will be people willing to bid."

twenty years ago.

Guan'anzhai had just opened its doors.

Rice and "White Crane Farming Picture".

Six thousand taels.

After noting it down, Shan Yue glanced at the fat shopkeeper, stood up, and pointed her slender finger in the air: "Thank you for your kind words! — You don't need to pay the twenty taels, just give me a piece of plain silver paperweight! Qiu Tao, go with the shopkeeper to get it right away! I'm afraid he'll try to renege on the debt!"

Qiu Tao clung to the shopkeeper.

Shan Yue, carrying Huang Zhi, stepped out of Guan An Zhai and immediately headed towards the Chang Mansion of Guan Bei in the East Twelfth Alley.