Chapter 17.2

By the time he emerged from the study, it was already dark. He handed the secret letter to Meng Qianshan, and then saw him stuffing it into his sleeves quite skillfully.

Jiang Suizhou withdrew his gaze with ease.

Perhaps because he possessed a weaker body, he looked awful after sitting for a long time. When Meng Qianshan saw that his lips were pale, he asked thoughtfully, “Master, you must be tired. Do you want me to prepare a warm bath for you?”

Jiang Suizhou also felt a little tired after hearing his suggestion, so he nodded in agreement.

Meng Qianshan responded repeatedly.

Jiang Suizhou walked all the way back to his room and saw that dinner had already been prepared. Under the brilliant light, Huo Wujiu was sitting there reading a book.

How many books were there in the room? They were all prepared by Meng Qianshan for the original owner as a way to relieve his boredom before going to bed. The original owner preferred obscure Confucian ancient texts, which were all about the ways of governing the world.  Jiang Suizhou was used to reading ancient prose, and he didn’t find it boring, but Huo Wujiu was different.

How could a man who danced with swords appreciate these?

With that thought in mind, Jiang Suizhou sat down at the table and asked, “Are you reading?”

His tone was cold, and he made it clear that he was not interested in what he was doing.

He didn’t expect Huo Wujiu to pay attention to him either, so that question was nothing more than a conversation opener. When his words fell, he paused, and was about to order Meng Qianshan to send some leisure books to Huo Wujiu, when he suddenly heard a low, mellow voice.

“I’m just skimming through it,” replied Huo Wujiu.

Jiang Suizhou was startled.

He looked at Huo Wujiu with some disbelief, and saw him eating his meal with an air of complacency.

The words he had prepared reached his mouth, but were blocked by Huo Wujiu’s sudden response. For a spell, Jiang Suizhou was rendered speechless.

He saw Huo Wujiu raise his eyes and look at him indifferently.

He wasn’t sure if it was his illusion, but he had this feeling that the aggressiveness in Huo Wujiu’s gaze this time has faded a lot despite his same old icy, unapproachable countenance. Even the oppressive air dissipated for the most part.

For a while, he was so calm that Jiang Suizhou felt that he must have misread it.

He froze, hastily put away his astonishment, lowered his eyes to grab some food, and said, “I see. What kind of books do you usually read? You can ask Meng Qianshan to bring you some.”

As he spoke, he signalled Meng Qianshan with his eyes.

Meng Qianshan nodded repeatedly right after.

But Huo Wujiu spoke up again. “No need,” he declined. After a pause, Huo Wujiu looked at him indifferently and then said, “I’m not used to being taken care of.”

He implied – not only the books, but also the sacrifices Jiang Suizhou made in the court and the letter he had people send to him in the previous days, which he naturally knew in his heart.

He had no control if King Jing insisted on liking him, but he didn’t want to accept King Jing’s favor and kindness.

Benefits received from someone should be returned, but he couldn’t reciprocate this kind of sentiment.

He saw Jiang Suizhou raise his eyes opposite him with a fleeting look of bewilderment in his eyes. Then he smiled coldly and said, “How have I ever taken care of you? I’m just looking for something for you to do, so you won’t give me any trouble.”

Jiang Suizhou was ecstatic deep inside.

How can you not get used to it? For the sake of my life, there are many places of yours I can take care of in the future!

You’d better get used to it sooner!

Huo Wujiu frowned and was about to say something when he saw Meng Qianshan next to him bursting with joy. Meng Qianshan was smiling and nodding his head, saying that he would go and pick out some more for the Madam later and let him choose.

Obviously, the master and servant duo did not intend to listen to his opinion.

Huo Wujiu looked down while Jiang Suizhou also did not speak again. After eating dinner, he went to the side to drink tea to aid with digestion.

He was in a good mood.

When the night was getting late, Meng Qianshan approached him and told him that the bath in the back room was ready, and that he could go and bathe.

Jiang Suizhou responded, put down his book and went to the back room.

He bypassed the silk screen, and the steam heat rushed to his face. Under the heavy veil, there were flickering candle flames, exuding a bit of charming ambiguity in the misty steam.

A sunken carved copper pool was built in the middle of the back room. It was not too big, only about three to five square feet. At this time, hot water filled the pool along with floating layers of flower petals that permeated a subtle delicate fragrance.

A few maids were standing next to it, presumably to serve Jiang Suizhou in his bath.

…This was too inappropriate.

Jiang Suizhou withdrew his gaze and waved his hand, gesturing for them to withdraw.

The maids then obediently retreated. There was not even the sound of footsteps between their actions, and in no time, they completely retreated.

Jiang Suizhou turned his head again, looked at Meng Qianshan, and said, “You can also withdraw.”

Meng Qianshan was stunned: “Huh?”

Um…when did his master ever bathe without someone serving? Except when in Madam Gu’s room…

When this thought popped up, it suddenly dawned on Meng Qianshan.

How could he be so blind! There was another master in the room, so his service was not needed!

He nodded repeatedly and beamed. “Aye! I’ll leave now!”

Jiang Suizhou wondered if Meng Qianshan was having delusions again. Meng Qianshan’s expression…how should he put it? It bore a sprinkle of unspeakable lewdness.

When he exited, Jiang Suizhou approached the pool, he leaned down to test the temperature. Then, he removed layers of robes and placed them on the side of the rack.

There was no one around at this time, so his mind relaxed, and he started to ponder things again.

The next day of the Grand Court Assembly was in a couple of days. It seemed appropriate to find a way to confer with the two ministers about today’s secret letter…

He thought about it while undressing. Just as he was untying the sash of his loincloth and about to remove his robe, he heard a rattling sound behind him.

Jiang Suizhou whirled around.

He saw Meng Qianshan pushing Huo Wujiu’s wheelchair in, and sitting on the wheelchair was Huo Wujiu, who was expressionless, like a Buddha being pushed in.

Behind him, Meng Qianshan smiled crudely and implicitly.

Jiang Suizhou’s mind went blank, and the next moment, he immediately understood what this grandson, Meng Qianshan, was planning.

How dare he bring Huo Wujiu here and let him take a c-couple bath with him?

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