CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: HE’S STILL STARING AT MY MOUTH

"If you speak it aloud, it won’t come true." Fu Shinian couldn’t reveal it now.

Xiao Chengyu sighed, "Don’t take such risks in the future. If you were to exhaust yourself and something happened, it wouldn’t be worth it."

"That’s something to discuss later. If it truly proves effective, I’d still come in the future," Fu Shinian muttered.

Xiao Chengyu couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation, gently tapping a book on her head, "When did you start placing your hope on something so elusive?"

Fu Shinian thought to herself, she used to believe as needed.

But ever since she had that dream, she had wholeheartedly believed in it.

Otherwise, how could she explain having a dream that foretold her future?

Fu Shinian kept quiet. Speaking of such things would be too startling.

She hadn’t even told her family, so naturally, she wouldn’t tell Xiao Chengyu.

Fu Shinian turned to ask, "Why is the Marquis in the temple?"

"I have an appointment with Master Purin today," Xiao Chengyu explained.

Fu Shinian widened her eyes, "Is the Marquis well-acquainted with Master Purin?"

"Master Purin is highly skilled in medicine; over the years, aside from the Imperial Physician, it’s mostly been Master Purin healing me," Xiao Chengyu explained.

Fu Shinian suddenly lowered her eyes, saying, "Then the peace charm that is said to be obtainable only by climbing the path, does the Marquis wish for as many as he wants?"

"How could that be?" Xiao Chengyu looked at Fu Shinian and said, "That is earned with sincerity, no exceptions for anyone. Due to my health, I’ve never climbed the mountain path, nor have I ever had a peace charm."

As for Old Madam Xiao, she believes more in Master Purin’s medical skills.

Moreover, at her age, even if she wanted to, she couldn’t easily climb the mountain.

Xiao Yingyue once wanted to try, but Xiao Chengyu persuaded her otherwise.

He said it was better to focus on tangible treatment than relying on something so intangible.

The visible Master Purin is more reliable than unseen hope.

Having said that, Xiao Chengyu suddenly paused and looked at Fu Shinian, "You..."

Are here to seek a charm?

For whom?

Something stirred in Xiao Chengyu’s heart.

Before he could think more, Fu Shinian asked again, "But how did I end up in the Marquis’s carriage?"

"My carriage is spacious, you can lie comfortably," Xiao Chengyu explained, "In your carriage, you’d have to curl up, which wouldn’t be comfortable."

Moreover, different ranks have transportation regulations.

Even if Aunt Cheng and Fu Mingzhu have wealth, the Fu family couldn’t exceed those regulations.

Carriages, after all, aren’t as luxurious and comfortable as those of the Marquis’ manor.

Besides, his poor health is well known.

Emperor Jiawen has specially permitted that as long as it doesn’t show on the outside, the interior can be as lavish and comfortable as he pleases.

Thus, it’s padded with thick layers inside, softer than a bed; even when encountering bumps, the thick soft padding inside the carriage makes it feel less tiring.

"Having spoken so much after waking up, aren’t you thirsty?" Xiao Chengyu poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, "I heard from Chunmian that you didn’t drink much water while climbing the mountain."

Fu Shinian was indeed thirsty.

She was afraid of drinking too much while climbing and wanting to relieve herself when there was no place to do so.

So she would only sip a little to moisten her mouth.

Now, taking the teacup, Fu Shinian hurriedly took a sip.

"Hot!" Xiao Chengyu tried to stop her but it was too late.

Fu Shinian’s face turned red from the burn, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"What are you waiting for, spit it out!" Xiao Chengyu urged.

But inside the carriage, how could she just spit casually?

Helplessly, Xiao Chengyu took out a handkerchief and held it out to her, "Spit onto the handkerchief! It’ll absorb the water."

Fu Shinian quickly took the handkerchief and spat it out.

Xiao Chengyu initially thought to just let her spit directly, but who knew the girl would refuse.

He frowned, "What does it matter even if you spit it in the carriage?"

Fu Shinian, burned and unable to speak, shook with falling tears.

It wasn’t her being delicate, the burn truly hurt.

Xiao Chengyu gently held her chin and said, "Open your mouth."

"Mmm..." Fu Shinian shook her head, keeping her mouth shut.

"Let me see inside," Xiao Chengyu frowned, "Don’t let it blister."

Fu Shinian’s face flushed red in embarrassment, opening her mouth for him to look was quite embarrassing.

"Be good," Xiao Chengyu said helplessly, "This is no time for such concerns."

Fu Shinian had no choice but to open her mouth a little, face still red.

Xiao Chengyu said helplessly, "Open wider."

Outside the carriage, Chunmian heard the conversation inside and thought to herself what on earth was being said.

Fortunately, it was only her and Jing Lai present, if others heard, their thoughts would surely wander to wild places.

Having opened it once, Fu Shinian had to open it a bit wider.

Xiao Chengyu, without other thoughts, carefully examined inside her mouth.

But while Xiao Chengyu was unfazed, Fu Shinian was so embarrassed her eyes had nowhere to look.

He was leaning so close, occupying all her vision.

And he was inspecting her mouth.

"It’s really red, but luckily not blistered," Xiao Chengyu sighed with relief, "If it had blistered, it would have pained you greatly."

"You little girl, didn’t you feel the heat when holding the teacup?"

Fu Shinian closed her mouth and then slightly opened it again, cautiously drawing in air.

The coolness of the air, entering her mouth, brought some relief.

"I was too thirsty," Fu Shinian said pitifully.

After speaking, she quickly drew in more breaths.

Xiao Chengyu sighed, "It’s my fault; I should have cooled it before giving it to you."

Imagining the scenario made Fu Shinian’s face redden again.

"Marquis," Fu Shinian called out, "your hand..."

It was still holding her chin.

Xiao Chengyu paused, quickly releasing his grip, "Sorry."

A moment ago, he was worried for Fu Shinian and didn’t realize.

But now, his mind was filled with the image of looking into her mouth earlier.

The white teeth within, with the soft pink tongue.

The fragrance of tea mixes with the sweet scent of her body with each breath.

Xiao Chengyu took a deep breath, shaking the image from his mind, then lifted the carriage curtain to glance outside. Discovering their location, he instructed Jing Lai, "Once we pass Taste Building, buy a bowl of osmanthus ice brew."

"Understood."

After a short while, the carriage stopped in front of Taste Building.

Jing Lai got out and soon returned with a bowl of osmanthus ice brew.

Xiao Chengyu handed it to Fu Shinian, "Have some ice, it’ll ease your discomfort."

Fu Shinian, seeing it as a lifesaver, quickly took it, "Thank you, Marquis."

Her mouth was still burning hot.

"This time, eat slowly, don’t rush," Xiao Chengyu advised, "If you eat fast again, I won’t buy it for you anymore.

Fu Shinian, having just scooped a large spoonful, poured it back into the bowl and took a smaller spoonful to her mouth.

The cool sensation quickly dispelled some of the heat and pain in her mouth.

"Does that mean the Marquis will buy more for me in the future?" Fu Shinian asked in surprise.

"If you like it, you can try different flavors in the future," Xiao Chengyu advised, "but don’t overindulge."

Fu Shinian smiled, her mouth now rosy from eating, and said, "The Marquis is treating me like a child."

Xiao Chengyu paused for a moment and gently said, "Not at all."

Xiao Chengyu sent Fu Shinian back to the Marquis’ manor.