Especially since her attempt to steal a chicken ended up losing her rice yesterday, her mood was understandably not the best. This morning, when a maid accidentally spilled breakfast on her knee, she immediately slapped her fiercely across the face.
Upon hearing Xiuyi announce that Huangfu Jue had arrived, Qian Xueying was instantly invigorated.
"The Duke has also brought flowers and fruit to visit you, to see how your injuries are doing!" Xiuyi said with a smile.
"Humph!" Qian Xueying immediately revealed a triumphant smile and waved the maid, who had been scolded until she cried, to stand up. No sooner had the maid risen than Qian berated her again, "Wipe your eyes clean. If the Duke happens to see that you’ve been crying, be careful, or I’ll have the police take you away as a thief tomorrow."
Terrified, the maid’s face went as white as paper; she hurriedly picked up the breakfast tray and meekly left the room.
Xiuyi then stepped forward, "Would you like to freshen up?"
Qian Xueying threw back the thin quilt and lay down once more.
"Bring me the mirror and the makeup box." Taking the mirror from Xiuyi, she quickly dabbed her face with some powder, creating a pitiful look, "That’s good. Please invite the Duke to come up and tell him that the doctor has advised me not to leave my bed because I’m feeling unwell."
Xiuyi put away the items and went downstairs to fetch Huangfu Jue.
Huangfu Jue, knowing full well it was all an act, did not expose her. Accompanied by Will, he headed upstairs to Qian Xueying’s boudoir. Upon entering, he saw her leaning against the pillow in her robe, her complexion slightly pale, the very picture of pitiable beauty.
"What’s this about? Didn’t you say I was coming downstairs? Why did you have the Duke come up? It’s so rude." She feigned anger at Xiuyi while feebly attempting to get out of bed.
Watching her contrived display, Will merely felt inward disgust, and Huangfu Jue spoke indifferently, "Miss Qian, if you’re not feeling well, you shouldn’t push yourself."
"Then..." Qian Xueying, secretly pleased, settled back into bed according to his words and pointed to the chair by the bed, "I hope you’ll excuse me, please take a seat, Duke."
Huangfu Jue sat down in the chair while Xiuyi went downstairs to arrange for some refreshments.
"Miss Qian, how is your injury?"
"Much better." Qian Xueying smiled with her mouth, but as soon as she moved slightly, her face showed excruciating pain, "It’s just... a bit sore, and it’s embarrassing. I’m so clumsy that I even managed to fall just going to the bathroom."
Feeling repelled, Huangfu Jue immediately got to the point.
"I heard... the Duke has already gone abroad for recuperation. How is he doing right now?"
"Ah!" Qian Xueying sighed pretentiously, "It’s the same old story. The doctor keeps saying that taking medicine would help, but the more he takes it, the worse it gets. I was thinking about taking my father to another hospital, but given my current condition, I’m really powerless."
"Miss Qian need not worry, the Duke is a pillar of the nation, and I won’t just give up on him." Huangfu Jue then gestured to Will, "You go to check on the Duke’s condition. I have a few questions to ask Miss Qian."
"Alright." Will walked towards the door.
"I’ll have Xiuyi take Mr. Will there..."
As Qian Xueying tried to rise, supported on her arm, Huangfu Jue reached out and steadied her shoulder.
Feeling the warmth of his palm, Qian Xueying’s lips curved up, her eyes, framed by long lashes, lifted to return a smile she deemed incredibly charming to him.
"The Duke is really considerate."