53 Gu Yunting Brings Chicken Soup

As the temperature in the room rose, Jiang Shuwan’s face grew increasingly flushed.

“Liusu, you should go out first. I want to rest a bit,” Jiang Shuwan instructed softly, trying to conceal her feelings from Liusu.

She had been beaten yesterday and soaked in the rain all night—she must be exhausted.

“Yes, Miss. If you need anything, just call me,” Liusu replied dutifully.

“All right, you should rest too and take good care of yourself,” Jiang Shuwan said gently.

Since Liusu had taken a beating on her behalf yesterday and was injured, Jiang Shuwan couldn’t bear to have her continue to toil for her.

“Okay,” Liusu said before stepping out.

Once Liusu left, Jiang Shuwan covered her face with her hands.

The memory of Gu Yunting tending to her wounds just now made her heart pound rapidly for reasons she couldn’t explain.

She pressed a hand against her chest, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

Perhaps it was from being drenched in the rain or the medicine applied, but her eyelids grew heavy, and soon she drifted off to sleep.

Liusu came to check on her twice; seeing that she had fallen asleep, she finally relaxed.

Early the next morning, as soon as Jiang Shuwan woke, Liusu entered with a pout.

“Miss, it’s infuriating! Those people are outrageous.”

Jiang Shuwan leaned forward and asked, “What happened?”

“I saw you were hurt, so I went to the kitchen to stew some chicken soup for you. But there was nothing there. I asked them to buy some ingredients, but the kitchen staff said they had none and told me if you wanted any, you’d have to pay for it yourself,” Liusu relayed the cold treatment from the kitchen staff concisely.

Jiang Shuwan had long seen through the servants’ sycophantic and disdainful attitudes.

Besides, this had to be orchestrated by someone behind the scenes. Otherwise, no matter what, she was a young lady of the household, and they wouldn’t dare be so insolent.

“Don’t be upset. We won’t drink it then. When I get better, we’ll go out and have something nicer,” Jiang Shuwan comforted her.

“Miss, you’re too kind. They will take advantage of that, and you’ll just suffer in the end,” Liusu couldn’t help but warn, unable to tolerate their behavior.

“We’re still weak and injured. Let’s let them be for now. You go find out who’s behind this. When I’m better, I’ll deal with them,” Jiang Shuwan instructed.

“All right, Miss,” Liusu said with a smile before leaving.

Jiang Shuwan gazed at the branches outside the window, her eyes darkening.

It seemed the Jiang family could no longer tolerate her. She would find a chance to make them suffer, to ensure they wouldn’t have an easy time either.

Otherwise, they’d continue to think they could manipulate her at will.

Suddenly, she felt a shadow before her. Looking up, Jiang Shuwan saw deep, intense eyes and a sharply defined face, accompanied by a faint scent of sandalwood—subtle yet pleasant.

Unbidden, the image from yesterday resurfaced in her mind, and her cheeks flushed.

A large hand pressed against her forehead. Gu Yunting frowned slightly. “No fever.”

Jiang Shuwan instantly woke, realizing he had misunderstood her and was grateful he hadn’t seen through her true thoughts.

Changing the subject, she asked, “Why are you here?”

Gu Yunting sat on a nearby stool, glancing toward a table not far off. Following his gaze, Jiang Shuwan noticed a long white porcelain jar on the round table.

Surprised, she asked, “Did you bring this?”

He nodded. “Yes. My mother heard you were hurt and specially made chicken soup for you.”

Jiang Shuwan was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Madam Gu to be so considerate. A warm current seemed to flow through her heart.

Even an outsider was kinder to her than the Jiang family—especially considering this injury was caused by them trying to seize her mother’s dowry.

Her eyes grew slightly moist. “Please thank Madam Gu for me.”

“Mm.” Gu Yunting’s eyes flickered as he rose and walked to the round table.

Jiang Shuwan watched his slender, well-defined fingers lift a white porcelain bowl etched with green bamboo. With his other hand, he scooped the oily layer off the surface of the soup before ladling the rich yellow broth into the bowl.

In no time, it was more than half full.

He brought the bowl over, and the thick aroma of chicken soup wafted to her nose.

She noticed mushrooms floating on top.

She reached out to take the bowl, but before her hand could touch it, Gu Yunting pulled it back.

“You’re not in a condition to eat on your own. I’ll feed you,” he said calmly.

Jiang Shuwan didn’t want to trouble him but kept reaching out. “No need. I’m sitting up now; I can drink it myself.”

As she spoke, she struggled upright, but a sharp pain stabbed her back, making her cry out involuntarily.

“Lie back down,” Gu Yunting said, freeing one hand to steady her shoulders.

His hand was warm, radiating a steady heat that felt like an electric current running through her body, making her entire being tingle. Her ears instantly flushed with warmth.

To hide her embarrassment, Jiang Shuwan agreed. “Then I’ll trouble you.”

Gu Yunting sat beside her. She slightly raised her head as he blew gently on the spoonful of soup he had just lifted to cool it.

Seeing such intimate care, Jiang Shuwan’s face flushed deeper, but she did not shy away—only feeling her heart race as if it had leapt to her throat.

Gu Yunting didn’t notice her reaction. When the temperature seemed just right, he brought the spoon to her lips.

Jiang Shuwan took a sip. The rich chicken broth, sweet with the earthy aroma of mushrooms, exploded in her mouth and slid warmly down her throat into her stomach.

“How is it?” Gu Yunting asked, watching her.

She paused for a moment before smiling. “Delicious.”

He laughed softly, teasing, “I’m asking about the temperature.”

Realizing her mistake, Jiang Shuwan lowered her head slightly, nodding. “Just right.”

Her hair was fully pinned up, and with her head bowed, her long, pale neck was exposed—skin smooth and flawless, like a peeled egg, irresistibly tempting.

Gu Yunting’s gaze deepened, his throat moving several times.

Afraid to startle her, he changed the subject.

“I told His Majesty about the food supplies you had stored.”

Jiang Shuwan suddenly looked up in disbelief. “Ah?”

Gu Yunting found her stunned expression endearing, the urge to reach out and touch her tempting, yet he restrained himself.

He repeated his words.

At the time, Jiang Shuwan had wondered how His Majesty came to know about her stockpiling, suspecting Du Qing. But now she realized it was Gu Yunting’s doing.

Thinking it over, Du Qing was a commoner and unlikely to have the opportunity to meet His Majesty. Only someone powerful like Gu Yunting could do so effortlessly.

“How did you know I had the supplies?” Jiang Shuwan asked, voicing her doubts.

(Gu Xin arrives.)