He couldn't bring himself to say such things. They had the audacity to do it, but he didn't have the face to speak of it.
Feng Jin glanced at Ling Mo Han, who was by her side. "Young General, why don't you go first? I'll check on the child and be right there."
Ling Mo Han put down the scroll in his hand, his eyes cast down, and nodded faintly.
"Come over quickly after checking on the child."
"Got it," Feng Jin replied with a smile.
The housekeeper had originally intended to escort them both, but now only one was going. Seeing that the young madam had spoken, he couldn't refuse and decided to go with the young general first.
After the two left, Feng Jin's smile vanished. It seemed Ling Chang Yi had been caught in the act. Fortunately, she had arranged for someone beforehand. As soon as Ling Chang Yi entered, someone had already gone to report the matter to Elder Master Ling. By then, Ling Chang Yi wouldn't be able to leave even if she wanted to.
Zhang Miao Er, having inhaled the aphrodisiac, had no idea what had happened and couldn't be questioned. She had to go see Ling Mu Zhu quickly.
...
Chu Qing stepped forward to help Ling Mu Zhu towards the bathtub, exerting all her might to get him into the tub.
The stimulating chill of the cold water gradually brought Ling Mu Zhu back to his senses. He felt something gently brushing against his chest, as comfortable as a feather.
Ling Mu Zhu struggled to open his eyes and saw an exquisite profile glide past. Delicate willow eyebrows, small earlobes, and skin so fair it held a faint rosy hue. Following down his fair, slender neck...
"Young Master Two, you're awake?"
A clear voice entered Ling Mu Zhu's ears, instantly pulling his wandering thoughts back.
Ling Mu Zhu regained his senses, realizing what he had just done. Instantly, his face flushed crimson, shame flooding his mind, feeling mortified by his actions.
Suppressing his surging impulses, Ling Mu Zhu fiercely pinched his arm.
"Don't pinch yourself. Your arm is already covered in bruises."
When she had helped him up earlier, she had already seen his arm covered in purple and black marks. If he continued pinching, there wouldn't be a single spot on his body that was unmarked.
Chu Qing, disregarding the propriety between men and women, grabbed Ling Mu Zhu's hand, her nails digging in.
A faint, delicate scent of a woman wafted into Ling Mu Zhu's nostrils. Already under the influence of the aphrodisiac, his body was now restless. Even submerged in cold water, he felt his whole body burning, his breathing becoming ragged.
He quickly turned his head away, daring not to look at Chu Qing again. He never thought this girl was so beautiful before. Today, even a glance made his mind wander.
Ling Mu Zhu forced himself to calm down, repeatedly reciting scriptures in his mind.
"Young Master Two, what's wrong? Your face is even redder than before."
Chu Qing began to worry, reaching out to touch Ling Mu Zhu's forehead. The scorching heat made her skin tingle with pain.
"It's so hot. The young madam didn't tell me what to do..."
"I... I'm fine... Please go out. I need to calm down alone..."
If Chu Qing continued to hover in front of him, it would only distract him further, making him unconsciously think about those things. If this continued, he wouldn't be able to control himself.
"Ah! I... I..." Chu Qing was slightly taken aback. If she left, and something happened, she wouldn't be able to explain it to the young madam. She hurriedly shook her head and refused, "No, the young madam told me to stay by Young Master Two's side and not leave him."
"I'll add more ice water. The young madam instructed that the water temperature shouldn't be too high."
Chu Qing felt the water temperature with her hand. It seemed to have warmed up. She stood up and went to fetch the prepared ice water to pour into the bathtub. As she was about to step back in, her foot slipped, and she fell directly towards the bathtub.
Ling Mu Zhu, with quick reflexes, reached out and caught Chu Qing. With a slight pull, he actually pulled her into the bathtub, causing a large splash of water.
Startled by the sudden immersion, Chu Qing flailed in the water. She instinctively grabbed something slightly stiff and hot, slowly regaining her balance.
Her vital area was enveloped by something soft. Ling Mu Zhu's head buzzed, and his entire body instantly turned to stone. His dazed gaze fell upon Chu Qing, who was now dripping wet.
Her thin pink dress clung to her body after being soaked, outlining her beautiful curves.
Ling Mu Zhu's face turned completely red, his heart pounded, and his breathing became heavy. He felt a surge of heat in his lower abdomen, and the pent-up sensation suddenly released, significantly reducing the burning heat in his body.
When Chu Qing realized what had happened, her palm felt like it was holding a hot potato. Her mind instantly cleared, and she understood what she had grasped. She quickly let go and stumbled out as if fleeing.
As soon as she pushed open the door, she bumped into Feng Jin, who was walking towards the entrance. They collided directly.
Feng Jin rubbed her forehead, which throbbed from the impact, and looked up at the person she had collided with. "Chu Qing, why are you all wet? What happened?"
Faced with Feng Jin's questioning, Chu Qing didn't even know how to explain. Her small face was flushed red, and she shook her head blankly, stammering, "No... no, nothing, Young Madam... This servant will... will take my leave..."
With that, Chu Qing's figure swept past her like a gust of wind.
Watching Chu Qing's retreating back, Feng Jin's brow furrowed. What was wrong with this little girl? She had never seen Chu Qing so flustered before. Something must have happened. She decided to ask Ling Mu Zhu if he knew anything.
Stepping inside, Feng Jin saw water all over the floor. Further in, she saw Ling Mu Zhu soaking in the bathtub, his expression dazed.
She pulled a piece of clothing from a nearby rack and threw it at Ling Mu Zhu. "Put on some clothes and come out. I'll help you get rid of the medicinal effects."
Feng Jin's voice pulled Ling Mu Zhu's wandering thoughts back. He had been in the water for too long, and his legs trembled slightly as he stood up. Ling Mu Zhu grabbed the clothes and put them on, then shuffled out.
"Your complexion looks much better."
Her complexion looked quite normal. Feng Jin reassuringly placed her hand on Ling Mu Zhu's wrist, her brows slightly furrowed. "Has the aphrodisiac in your body been resolved?"
Did that mean her antidote was wasted? But how was it resolved? Could it be...
Chu Qing's image, all wet and flustered as she left, flashed through her mind. Feng Jin's mind conjured a terrifying thought. Her cold gaze fixed on Ling Mu Zhu, who was still somewhat weak.
"Sister-in-law, why... why are you looking at me like that?"