She couldn't think any further!
Ye Qingchi self-deprecatingly hooked the corners of his lips, trying hard to calm himself down.
Walking a few more steps into the room, he would be able to see a gilded and lacquered couch leaning against the inner wall. In front of the carved floral bedposts hung a golden silk soft curtain embroidered with sea ogives, and inside the brocade folds, a soft figure could be vaguely seen, with the woman's black long hair winding beside the pillow.
He walked to the bedside and looked down into the gauze curtain from above.
Gu Shuang was actually exquisitely beautiful, with the looks of a delicate family's jade. She was clean and pure, her skin fair, and upon closer look, there was even a little black mole by the corner of her eyes, adding a trace of indescribable charm to her originally pure and beautiful appearance. Especially her two cherry lips, extraordinarily tender, like honey peaches, just looking made one feel as if they could smell a sweet scent.
In addition, she was injured last night, and her right cheek had an extra scratch.
The purity interwoven with a touch of allure and pity was even more likely to arouse one's desire to bully her.
As he looked, a certain part of his body unconsciously reacted, and Ye Qingchi silently scolded himself as a beast before hurriedly walking out of the inner room.
Hearing hurried footsteps in the room, Gu Shuang hazily opened her eyes, momentarily unaware of where she was.
She sat up, looking utterly confused.
This was a luxurious bedroom, even more extravagant than her own boudoir.
Where was this?
Was it Ye Young Master's home?
Last night before fainting, it was Ye Young Master who carried her away... But the Ye family had no daughters, so where did such a beautiful maiden's chamber come from?
Gu Shuang sat blankly on the edge of the bed, staring blankly around the furnishings for a moment. She recalled Fu Xunzhi's indifference to her last night...and her heart sank heavily.
Big brother Xunzhi must not want her anymore after seeing her in such a humiliating state.
Tears fell like rain as her emotions were in turmoil. She randomly flipped open the brocade quilt and got off the bed, walked around a large landscape screen in the room, and saw Ye Qingchi's figure standing by the door.
"Young Master Ye...is that you?"
The weak voice sounded from behind, and Ye Qingchi's figure stiffened as he turned around to see Gu Shuang wearing only a thin white robe, standing gracefully beside the screen. Her eyes were slightly downcast as she said, "You're awake? How do you feel? Does it still hurt?"
It was rare for a man to speak to her with such concern.
Gu Shuang's heart ached even more. She shook her head woodenly and said in a lifeless tone, "It doesn't hurt anymore."
This little pain was nothing compared to the heartache brought by Big Brother Xunzhi's neglect of her. It was barely worth mentioning.
Ye Qingchi glanced at her bleeding shoulder, then at her bare white feet standing on the ground. He frowned slightly, walked over, and said, "A lady should not casually bare her feet."
Lost in a daze, Gu Shuang lowered her head to look at her toes and curled them self-consciously, somewhat embarrassed. "I don't have shoes..."
Her shoes were left on Mount Luyixia.
"It's fine, I'm not afraid of the cold. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Ye."
She smiled, though the tears in her eyes were a little distracting.
Ye Qingchi walked over to her side in irritation, bent down, and slipped his large hand under her slender legs.
Gu Shuang was so frightened that she repeatedly retreated, her small hand hooked around his neck as she stared at him anxiously.
"Young...Young Master Ye...what are you doing?"
The man's face looked rather unpleasant, gloomy and cold. He directly put his arm around her waist and said heavily, "Don't move, be careful of catching a chill. It will make the wound even more painful later."
Gu Shuang's eyes reddened against her will. To her, Ye Qingchi was handsome yet cold, always stern and upright like a strict old tutor.
She had always been a little afraid of him and didn't dare to casually get close. She never thought there would come a day when she would be held in his arms, but now, not only did he hold her, he had done so twice.
She knew he pitied her.
Her throat tightened slightly in distress. There was an uncontrollable dull pain in the place where her heart was.
"Does it still hurt?"
Gu Shuang's voice choked a little. "It doesn't hurt anymore..."
Ye Qingchi just "hmm"ed without replying.
If Gu Shuang looked up, she would be able to see his admirable jawline and even smell the faint sandalwood scent on him.
Her breathing stalled, and she hurriedly lowered her eyes, not daring to look again. Her whole body was tense, and her heart thumped loudly.
She was afraid she might fall and didn't dare let go, yet also afraid that holding on too tightly would seem too intimate. She felt a little awkward and conflicted for a moment.
In all her years until now, apart from her father, no man had ever held her like this. Even her fiancé Big Brother Xunzhi had always been self-restrained and courteous, not even daring to chat with her.
But Young Master Ye...as elegant as the moon amidst the winds, she didn't want her filthiness to tarnish him.
Ye Qingchi carried her back to the bed. Gu Shuang instantly shrank back under the quilt, her pretty little face blushing as she lightly let out a breath between her two thin lips.
The corner of Ye Qingchi's mouth curled up imperceptibly. "I've already asked someone to prepare embroidered shoes and clothes for you. Stay in bed and be good for a while. Your second sister is in the back yard and will come keep you company later."
Gu Shuang bit her lip. "Okay..."
After answering, she abruptly raised her head again, her cheek red with embarrassment and shame beyond words.
She had only just noticed that her clothes had been changed by someone, and her wounds had also been redressed with new medicine. But weren't there only the two of them here?
Was it him who helped change her clothes?
He was the youngest imperial censor...and an outsider male... How could he...how could he touch her?
Gu Shuang clutched the quilt in her little hands and buried herself under it, nibbling her lips. She stealthily glanced at him once before swiftly lowering her head again when their eyes met.
Seeing her long curled lashes and the way she cautiously wanted to ask yet didn't dare, like a rabbit, Ye Qingchi couldn't help laughing. "It wasn't me who changed your clothes, it was my mother."
Gu Shuang's face grew even hotter, but she also felt slightly relieved. "So it was Lady Qin. Is she...also here?"
"Yes. She was the one who washed you and changed your medicine last night. Don't worry, the wound on your shoulder is nothing serious. As long as you recuperate properly, there will be no complications or scarring."
Hearing the gentleness in the man's voice, Gu Shuang tightened her heart. Keeping her head low, she knew that Ye Qingchi had always been stern with her, and today was only showing pity and sympathy.
Now that she had lost her chastity, her engagement with Big Brother Xunzhi was also over.
Once she returned to Bianjing, her father and grandmother might even look down on her. She would probably become a laughing stock for Wang and Gu Wan.
By then, what reputation would she have left? She probably wouldn't even be able to marry and have children in the future.
Her life had only just begun, yet it seemed to have already reached its end.
Lying on the brocade quilt, she couldn't help but grieve. Her eyes grew misty with heat as she cried, "Thank you Lady Qin, thank you Young Master Ye...Gu Shuang will never forget your life-saving kindness. If there is a chance in the future, I will definitely repay you..."
Seeing her choking back tears with great difficulty, Ye Qingchi sat down on the edge of the bed and softened his voice. "What are your plans for the future?"
