“That… please don’t take what I just said to heart,” Yun Xiang said cautiously.
At this moment, she really wanted to say something to redeem herself, but she despairingly discovered that no matter what she said, it seemed like adding fuel to the fire, only making things worse.
In the end, she simply pursed her lips piteously, even restraining her breathing.
Looking at Yun Xiang, who was so embarrassed that she wished she could disappear, Shen Yu’s emotions were also swept up by her.
Originally, it shouldn’t have been her who felt awkward, but the atmosphere had been built up to this point; it would have seemed a bit impolite not to blush at least a little.
But it was Shen Yu’s silence, her face gradually turning red, and her shifting gaze that avoided looking directly at Yun Xiang that completely ignited the last line of psychological defense in Yun Xiang’s heart.
‘She… why does she not dare to look me in the eye? Why is she only sneaking glances at me from the corner of her eye?’
‘Why is her face getting redder and redder?’
‘She! What is she so shy about? She couldn’t really be interested in a widow like me, could she?’
Thinking of this, the blush on Yun Xiang’s pretty face, which had finally faded a bit, deepened again in the blink of an eye.
Shen Yu’s blush was just a simple blush, but the reason for Yun Xiang’s blush was anything but simple.
Having been a Widow for more than ten — nearly twenty — years, she appeared no different from a normal person on the surface, but she was human too.
Humans have needs.
Moreover, she was a poor Widow who had forcibly suppressed her thoughts for over ten years for the sake of her family’s reputation.
Yun Xiang had always kept these needs deeply hidden in the bottom of her heart; even she hadn’t realized that there was such a shameful side to her.
And these needs, after a brush with death, had been triggered.
They poured out onto Shen Yu almost frantically.
At this moment, Yun Xiang’s eyes could only focus on Shen Yu.
In her sight, everything except Shen Yu was a blur and a void.
Yun Xiang knew clearly that having such distorted thoughts about Shen Yu was wrong, but the more clearly she knew this, the more the palpitation in her heart and the sense of novelty, guilt, and excitement brought by those distorted feelings made her whole body itch with discomfort.
“By — by the way, Medical Officer Shen, you haven’t arranged a place to stay yet, have you? If you don’t mind, in the future… you can treat the Marquis Mansion as your own home. You’re alone with only a small Apprentice by your side. It wouldn’t do to not have a place to settle down in this vast Capital City.”
Yun Xiang subconsciously moved her body a bit, naturally sitting a little closer to Shen Yu.
At this moment, Yun Xiang only felt that the room was exceptionally damp, especially the bed she was sitting on.
The moist discomfort was clearly noticeable, making her feel uneasy all over.
But what she didn’t know was… the temperature and humidity in the room were actually quite suitable.
What was truly moist was not the bed.
“That wouldn’t be very appropriate, would it?”
“It is indeed a bit inappropriate. Medical Officer Shen has not been in the Capital long, and moving into the Wuding Marquis Residence as a woman would certainly cause people to make a fuss. It wouldn’t be good for the Medical Officer or the Marquis Mansion.”
“However, my Yun family keeps Medical Officer Shen’s great kindness in our hearts. The Yun family has many businesses, and I, Yun, have followed the Former Emperor in battles across the North and South, accumulating considerable wealth. I have countless deeds to properties within the Capital City.”
“If Medical Officer Shen doesn’t mind, pick a clean courtyard to be your place of residence.”
Just as the atmosphere between Shen Yu and Yun Xiang reached the peak of awkwardness, the somewhat gruff voice of Marquis Wuding rang out, timely saving the two who were caught in embarrassment.
“Marquis, why have you gotten out of bed?”
“Father!? You’ve only just recovered from a serious illness, how can you…”
“No matter, no matter! Medical Officer Shen’s medical skills are superb. Making a small opening in my belly saved this old life of mine. She is truly a great talent! On the battlefield, what injuries haven’t I suffered? This little wound isn’t even worth mentioning!”
The constitution of Marquis Wuding was indeed different from that of ordinary people; at this time, he was already able to walk smoothly.
Hearing her father’s voice and realizing something was wrong, Yun Xiang finally noticed that she had unknowingly nearly pressed herself against Shen Yu.
‘W — what am I doing? How can I be… so indecent? Even if Medical Officer Shen is a woman, I shouldn’t…’
Yun Xiang touched her burning cheeks.
If her father’s voice hadn’t pulled her back to reality, there was no telling what rude action she might have taken in her daze.
‘Something is wrong. My nightgown… my undergarments. Why? Where did this water come from?’