Chapter 19

Chapter 19

At this moment, Jiang Yunsui’s soot-covered little face featured a pair of large, bright eyes that were darting around guiltily.

Ji Yan’an’s lip twitched.

“Get out. Tell Nanny Zhou to wash your face.”

Jiang Yunsui subconsciously tried to touch her face again.

The tip of the brush in Ji Yan’an’s hand tapped her forehead. “Stupid. You’re getting even blacker.”

Jiang Yunsui looked at her hands, then hung her head and went to find Nanny Zhou.

Nanny Zhou was also shocked when she saw her.

“How did you end up like this?”

Jiang Yunsui answered listlessly, “The Young Master had me grind ink for him, and then this happened.”

“Nanny, I want to wash my face.”

Nanny Zhou took her to wash her face several times with soap beads. Her little face was rubbed until it was rosy and glowing before the ink was finally cleaned off.

She also changed into a clean set of clothes.

She patted her own cheeks; she was once again a clean and beautiful Little Mushroom.

By the time she returned to Ji Yan’an’s side, it happened to be mealtime.

She immediately started running over, but she forgot about her injured foot. The sudden pain caused her to trip and fall to the ground.

Jiang Yunsui sat up, her eyes fixed on the delicious food on the table. Her small mouth kept gasping for air, and her eyes were brimming with tears.

Ji Yan’an stared at her foot, frowning slightly, and then said crossly, “I’ve never seen anyone more gluttonous than you.”

Nanny Zhou helped Jiang Yunsui up, and the little thing began limping toward the dining table.

She was truly persistent.

“Go get your foot injury looked at first.”

Jiang Yunsui looked at him pleadingly. “I think… we can eat first.”

“I’m fine.”

She was truly craving a meal.

Ji Yan’an’s face darkened slightly. “Do I starve you?”

Jiang Yunsui gripped the edge of the table with her small hands and shook her head rapidly.

“Go check your foot.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Yunsui was led away by Nanny Zhou, looking back with every step she took.

Ji Yan’an sat at the dining table alone. Looking at the spread of dishes, he found he actually had no appetite without that little creature there.

This made him feel very frustrated.

He didn’t like this feeling of being tethered to someone.

But he also knew that it had nothing to do with the little girl herself.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Yan’an stood up to go see Jiang Yunsui.

Jiang Yunsui was sitting in a chair with her shoes and socks removed. Her round, fair little feet were quite cute, but the large, purplish bruise on her instep looked terrifying.

Nanny Zhou felt distressed just looking at it.

“Nanmo, go call Doctor Shen.”

Ji Yan’an shouted outside with a cold face, his voice inexplicably carrying a hint of anger.

“Who did this?”

Jiang Yunsui didn’t hesitate to tattle.

She was like a wronged kitten that had been bullied outside, coming home to meow and complain to its owner.

Ji Yan’an narrowed his eyes. Aunt Zhou? For a moment, he really couldn’t remember who that was.

However, since she wanted her daughter to take Cook Chen’s place, this Cook Chen should be the one currently taking care of Jiang Yunsui.

This little thing was quite loyal and affectionate.

As for a mere servant, Ji Yan’an would just have someone deal with her.

Moreover, that woman wasn’t innocent either, having previously bribed the two spies planted by his side.

Shen Qingzhu arrived quickly. After examining Jiang Yunsui, he said, “Let’s use a few needles. This is the second sprain; if it’s not treated properly, it will swell up.”

His finger lightly pressed on Jiang Yunsui’s ankle.

“Ow!”

Jiang Yunsui let out a sharp cry of pain.

Ji Yan’an said, “Then do the acupuncture.”

Jiang Yunsui: “Waaaaah QAQ”

Ji Yan’an was speechless for a moment. “The needles haven’t even gone in yet. What are you crying for?”

“But the needles look so scary.”

Shen Qingzhu said gently, “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt.”

Although she felt a bit better after being comforted, as soon as she saw him take out the acupuncture needles, the Little Mushroom’s large eyes filled with tears. Her small hands flailed and grabbed onto something, and she turned her young face to bury it against it.
Ji Yan’an looked down at his hand, which was being held in a grip he couldn’t quite shake off.

This silly little maid was surprisingly strong!

Seeing her pitiful state, her body trembling slightly with fear, Ji Yan’an ultimately didn’t pull his hand away by force.

Nanny Zhou took in the scene, her heart brimming with astonishment.

The Young Master was a germaphobe. Because of certain past events, even his personal attendant, Nanshu, usually didn’t get too close to him unless absolutely necessary.

Now, the Young Master was actually allowing this little girl, Jiang Yunsui, to grab his hand. It was simply unbelievable.

However, she didn’t speak up to remind him. Perhaps Jiang Yunsui really could slowly heal some of the Young Master’s psychological scars.

After all, the Young Master couldn’t stay in the manor forever. He would eventually have to go to the battlefield.

That was the inescapable fate of the men of the Ji Family.

When the first silver needle went in, Jiang Yunsui instinctively tried to pull her foot back.

Shen Qingzhu seemed to have anticipated this, holding her foot firmly so she couldn’t retract it.

Her small hand pitifully tightened its grip on Ji Yan’an’s clothes.

“Does it hurt?” Shen Qingzhu asked, his voice tinged with a smile.

Jiang Yunsui lifted her small face. It seemed… it seemed like it didn’t really hurt that much.

She cautiously looked down at her foot; three silver needles were already planted there.

The Little Mushroom gave an embarrassed smile.

“It seems… it seems it doesn’t hurt.”

Shen Qingzhu coaxed her gently, “In a moment, I’ll rotate the needles. It will sting a bit, but it won’t be very painful.”

“What’s your name?”

Shen Qingzhu spoke to Jiang Yunsui to distract her.

The young girl answered softly, “My name is Jiang Yunsui. The ‘Sui’ from ‘Suisui Ping’an,’ wishing for peace year after year.”

“That’s a very lovely name with a wonderful meaning…”

As he spoke, he began to rotate the needles.

It hurt.

Jiang Yunsui’s fingers tightened their grip on Ji Yan’an.

But she endured it without crying out.

Yet, no matter how one looked at it, that small face of hers appeared incredibly pitiful.

‘She’s like a cat,’ Ji Yan’an thought, looking down. Her hand was as soft as a cat’s paw pad.

He used to have a cat, a White Cat.

At this moment, Jiang Yunsui reminded him of that White Cat when it was young-weak, pitiful, and cowardly.

But later, he had spoiled it so much that it developed quite a temper, acting all high and mighty by borrowing his authority.

Later still, that cat had jumped in front of him and was bitten by a venomous snake. It couldn’t be saved.

Ji Yan’an’s thoughts drifted for a moment until Jiang Yunsui’s acupuncture was finished.

“All done.”

Shen Qingzhu’s gentle voice brought Ji Yan’an back to reality. He lowered his gaze to hide the darkness in his eyes.

“Young Master, she needs to rest this foot for a few days.”

Ji Yan’an gave a faint grunt of affirmation.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

After packing his things, Shen Qingzhu departed.

Jiang Yunsui clumsily put on her socks and small embroidered shoes.

She sniffled and asked in a muffled voice, “So, can we eat now?”

Ji Yan’an: “…”

He had never seen someone so thick-skinned and simple-minded!

He was rendered speechless.

“Is there anything else you care about besides food?”

Jiang Yunsui said weakly, “I… I’m doing it for you, too. You have to eat more so your body can get better.”

“Heh, then this Young Master should thank you.”

“No, no need for thanks.”

Ji Yan’an stared at her.

Under his gaze, Jiang Yunsui clutched her head and turned away, acting as timid as a quail.

“Hmph.”

Ji Yan’an flicked his sleeves and left. He thought to himself that this little girl was actually more daring than the cat he had raised; it had only been a few days, and she already dared to talk back.