59: Feelings secretly growing

Hearing this, Liu Xuaner's heart couldn't help but skip a beat, and even the tips of her ears were tinged with a rosy blush.

"You're certainly honest, but you're quite bold to dare make fun of me, your Madam."

She shot Situ Jun a glare, yet her heart was filled with joy.

Had any other steward dared to speak like this, she would surely have been incensed, but the man before her was a trusted confidant, so she wasn't particularly angry.

"I originally planned to betroth Cui Zhu or Chun Hua to you as a wife in the future, but since you don't like young girls, I'll drop the matter."

After Liu Xuaner finished speaking, she glanced at Situ Jun, a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

Situ Jun was startled upon hearing this, thinking to himself: Good grief, she's digging such a big hole for me.

His eye twitched slightly; though he felt some regret, he remained composed on the surface and played along, saying:

"Madam is right. A woman's mature fullness is like fine wine aged over the years; it only becomes fragrant, mellow, and lingering in its aftertaste after a certain amount of time."

Liu Xuaner gave him a sidelong glance and scolded playfully:

"There are still ten days before you go to guard the Mine Tunnel. During these ten days, you'd better settle the shop accounts for me."

Situ Jun nodded in agreement, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Liu Xuaner's fingertips resting on the edge of the soft couch; her jade-white skin glowed softly in the morning light.

His heart stirred slightly, but he remained respectful on the outside:

"Rest assured, Madam, Your subordinate will do his utmost."

Liu Xuaner sighed softly and reached up to tidy the stray hairs at her temples, inadvertently revealing the emerald jade bracelet on her wrist, which shimmered with a warm luster in the morning light:

"The situation in the manor is complicated now. You must be extra careful when you go to the mining area. Zhu Changpo is a deep and calculating man; I always feel he's up to no good."

Her words were full of concern.

A wave of warmth filled Situ Jun's heart. He hadn't expected that Liu Xuaner, who seemed to live a life of pampered luxury, would be so aware of the undercurrents in the manor and care for him so much. He said solemnly:

"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I will certainly act with caution. Then, Your subordinate shall take his leave."

Liu Xuaner nodded and said no more.

Just as Situ Jun turned to leave, Liu Xuaner suddenly turned her head, her fingertips trembling slightly.

The morning light slanted through the carved window frames, casting a golden edge on her plain white skirt and outlining the slender curve of her waist. The Buyao Hairpin at her temple swayed gently with her movements, creating flickering glints in Situ Jun's eyes.

"Wait."

Her eyes were slightly moist as she met Situ Jun's puzzled gaze. She pulled a handful of yellow Spirit Talismans from the Storage Pouch at her waist and pressed them into his palm:

"These are some Rank Six Intermediate defensive Spirit Talismans. A single one can withstand a full-strength blow from a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Keep them safe."

Before she finished speaking, the tips of her ears had already turned slightly red, like a blossoming Spring Peach.

Situ Jun rubbed the Spirit Talismans shimmering with silver specks, suddenly recalling the way Nangong Xue's earlobes had reddened during their Dual Cultivation last night, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

He took the opportunity to grasp Liu Xuaner's slightly cool hand, his thumb brushing against the emerald bracelet on her wrist:

"Thank you, Madam! I..."

Liu Xuaner trembled all over. She wanted to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter.

The scent of sandalwood mixed with his faint masculine aura wafted over her. Looking at his features so close at hand, her heart beat like a drum.

A memory of the "Bei Batian" comforting her that night suddenly flashed through her mind, leaving her flustered and her face burning hot.

"How presumptuous."

She was slightly angry, but her voice was as soft as if it were dipped in honey:

"Do not forget your status."

Instead of letting go, Situ Jun leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing against her reddened earlobe:

"In front of Madam, Your subordinate only remembers that you are the most moving woman in this world."

He noticed a lock of black hair that had slipped down her neck and reached out to tuck it behind her ear, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her burning cheek.

Liu Xuaner felt as if she'd been struck by lightning. She suddenly took half a step back, knocking the chair beside her askew.

Her golden silk sash loosened slightly, and her collar opened a bit, revealing a small patch of snowy skin. She hurriedly straightened her clothes, but the ripples in her eyes couldn't be hidden by her reproachful gaze:

"Even though you are my man, we are in a master-servant relationship. You must not overstep in the future! If this reaches the Manor Lord's ears, you..."

Situ Jun took a deep breath, withdrew the burning gaze from his eyes, and said with a hint of loneliness:

"I'm sorry, Madam. I was impulsive. I apologize to you."

Seeing Situ Jun's lonely expression, Liu Xuaner's heart tightened. She reflexively raised her hand to comfort him, but her fingertips hung in mid-air before awkwardly dropping back down.

She turned her face away, forcing herself to appear calm:

"If there's nothing else, you may go. Remember to settle the shop accounts as soon as possible."

Situ Jun bowed and took his leave, his steps heavier than when he had arrived.

A gentle breeze brushed past his face, carrying the scent of roses, yet it couldn't disperse the waves in his heart.

Sunlight sliced diagonally through the carved wooden window, branding mottled shadows onto the blue brick floor.

Just as Situ Jun was about to step over the threshold, he suddenly saw a madder-red figure stepping in from outside. Her skirt, embroidered with silver cloud patterns, brought with it a faint scent of magnolia.

He hurriedly stepped aside, barely avoiding a collision with the graceful figure.

He looked closely and saw that the newcomer was actually Su Yunniang.

She was dressed in a moon-white Cloud Brocade gown, its hem embroidered with delicate silver-threaded begonias that swayed gently with her steps. A pearl Buyao Hairpin in her hair bobbed slightly with her movements, making her look all the more elegant and charming.

Situ Jun blinked and hurriedly bowed in greeting, his voice steady:

"Madam Su."

Su Yunniang shot him a light, reproachful glance, her eyes filled with playfulness as her red lips parted:

"Come in and tell me about the matter of guarding the Mine Tunnel."

Having said that, she turned her head elegantly and gave Liu Xuaner a gentle smile, calling out softly:

"Sister."

The celadon teacup in Liu Xuaner's hand trembled slightly, and the carmine tea rippled at the rim.

Her beautiful eyes flickered as she said:

"Please have a seat, Sister."

Forcing down her emotions, she broke into a smile and continued:

"It's still morning; how does Sister have the time to come to my place? Usually at this hour, Sister should be in the Spirit Plant Garden tending to those Spiritual Plants and flowers, shouldn't she?"

Su Yunniang stepped forward slowly, sat down on a soft cushion, and smiled warmly:

"It's all because of Steward Situ's matter."

She glanced at Situ Jun as if casually, the rouge at the corners of her eyes like a splash of blood:

"I was thinking, perhaps Sister could step in and change his assignment?"

Liu Xuaner was startled and turned to look at Situ Jun:

"Him?"

The moment her gaze touched him, she pulled it away as if burned, her face turning slightly red and her expression somewhat unnatural. Recalling Situ Jun's "impertinence" just now, she still felt a bit guilty in her heart.

Su Yunniang nodded slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, finding Liu Xuaner's abnormal reaction strange.

Liu Xuaner took a deep breath, trying to calm her heart, and explained in detail the reason why Situ Jun was sent to guard the Mine Tunnel.

In the time that followed, the two of them chatted happily, occasionally asking Situ Jun a few questions.

However, whenever she faced Situ Jun, Liu Xuaner would lower her head to stir her tea; her passionate and charming smile vanished, replaced by a faint sense of aloofness, and her words became much fewer.