"I know."
"Hmm?" Mu Qi finished speaking, and Yun Shuzhen tilted her head in confusion.
"I know what color you like, I know what style of clothes you like, I know what flowers you like..."
Listening to Mu Qi's endless enumeration of her preferences, Yun Shuzhen covered her face, the corners of her mouth irrepressibly turning upwards.
"Mu Qi, I'm very happy that you know what I like."
Yun Shuzhen's voice came through the phone.
Mu Qi's eyes curved at the edges, his face filled with the satisfaction of a successful plea. If Mu Qi had a tail, it would be wagging furiously right now.
"But my preferences don't represent all girls, so darling, just focus on your work. Your cards are with me anyway."
"Okay." Mu Qi hung up the phone and then looked towards the mountain palace.
The mountain palace hadn't expected Mu Qi to suddenly turn his head. His body stiffened, and he met Mu Qi's gaze blankly, unsure how to respond.
Fortunately, after a glance at the mountain palace, Mu Qi turned back to his computer screen.
The mountain palace, recalling his young master's beaming, smug expression, was full of surprise.
Was his master showing off? Was he flaunting their affection?
Was he? Was he?
This was... truly a novel experience.
-------------------------------------
After hanging up the phone, Yun Shuzhen casually tossed it aside and, with a vigorous flip, fell heavily back onto the bed.
Yun Shuzhen winced in pain and burrowed into the covers.
After lying on the bed expressionlessly for an hour, she slowly got up.
Yun Shuzhen felt it was time to have a good talk with Mu Qi.
Another half hour passed, and Yun Shuzhen finally finished her morning routine.
Yawning, Yun Shuzhen opened the door.
However, her yawn stopped midway.
"Aunt Ning, why are you here?" Yun Shuzhen lowered her hand from her mouth and patted her chest.
"The young master was worried you might feel unwell after waking up, so he specifically asked me to stay and look after you."
Aunt Ning looked at Yun Shuzhen with a knowing smile, making Yun Shuzhen blush.
Yun Shuzhen cleared her throat and then, as if remembering something, took Aunt Ning's hand.
"Aunt Ning, you haven't been standing here all morning, have you?" Yun Shuzhen carefully examined Aunt Ning, worried she might be uncomfortable.
"No, no."
Aunt Ning quickly waved her hands to dispel Yun Shuzhen's misunderstanding, then moved aside to reveal the chair behind her.
Seeing that Aunt Ning seemed quite energetic, Yun Shuzhen felt relieved.
"Aunt Ning, have you eaten?"
"Yes, yes. Madam, please wait a moment, all the dishes in the kitchen have been kept warm for you."
Aunt Ning said with great tenderness, looking at Yun Shuzhen's delicate and frail appearance.
"Then, Aunt Ning, after we finish eating, will you come with me to pick out a gift?"
A gift?
Aunt Ning was a little confused. She hadn't realized it was a special day.
"Madam, are you picking out a gift for the young master?" Thinking of how worried Yun Shuzhen had been about Mu Qi yesterday, Aunt Ning smiled with satisfaction.
"No, Aunt Ning. It's a little girl's birthday today, and we're going to pick out a birthday gift for her." Yun Shuzhen, supported by Aunt Ning, descended the stairs.
Aunt Ning acknowledged and led Yun Shuzhen to the sofa.
Before long, all the dishes were served.
Yun Shuzhen looked at the various nourishing soups Aunt Ning placed before her, swallowed with a complex expression.
"Aunt Ning, this is too much, isn't it?" Yun Shuzhen asked Aunt Ning with a speechless tone.
"Oh, it's not too much. Madam, just try a little of each," Aunt Ning said, scooping a spoonful of the soup closest to her for Yun Shuzhen.
Yun Shuzhen didn't want to drink this dark, unappetizing-looking concoction.
But not wanting to waste Aunt Ning's kindness, she had no choice but to steel herself and drink it. Su Dan Novel Network
"Here, young madam, try some of this too." With that, Aunt Ning scooped another small bowl of a different nourishing soup for Yun Shuzhen.
...
After lunch, Yun Shuzhen changed into a different outfit in the dressing room, intending to go with Aunt Ning to pick out a gift for that little girl, Ning Jing.
But as they were about to leave, Aunt Ning suddenly hesitated.
"Young Madam, the young master should know we're going to pick out a gift, right?"
Although Aunt Ning felt that even if Yun Shuzhen wanted to run, she wouldn't take her along.
She also clearly sensed that Yun Shuzhen had changed, and now she wasn't entirely devoid of affection for their young master.
However, the memories of Yun Shuzhen's previous escape were deeply ingrained in Aunt Ning's mind. She believed in being cautious.
"Aunt Ning, don't worry, I've already told Mu Qi. You can call him to confirm if you like."
Yun Shuzhen said to Aunt Ning with a smile, looking exceptionally obedient.
"Then, young Madam, please don't go yet. I'll call the young master right away to ask." Aunt Ning said sheepishly.
Yun Shuzhen nodded without objection.
So, Aunt Ning walked over to the house's landline and dialed Mu Qi's number.
"What is it?" Mu Qi's voice was cold.
Yun Shuzhen could almost confirm that Mu Qi thought she had disappeared again.
Yun Shuzhen curled her lips, finding it both amusing and heartbreaking.
"Young master, the young madam wants to go out with me to pick out a gift, so I'm reporting to you."
"Is that all?" Mu Qi's voice softened slightly.
"Yes, young master, that's all."
"Mmm, Niannian already told me."
Aunt Ning: "Then, young master, I'll go with the young madam to pick out a gift this afternoon."
Mu Qi: "Mmm."
After that, neither Aunt Ning nor Mu Qi spoke.
Aunt Ning dared not hang up first.
And Mu Qi...
"Aunt Ning, give me the phone," Yun Shuzhen took the receiver from Aunt Ning with a smile.
"What? Miss me again?" Yun Shuzhen teased with a playful tone.
"Mmm," Mu Qi answered honestly.
"Alright, we'll see each other tonight. Can we hang up now?" Yun Shuzhen's tone was sweet, as if coaxing a child.
"Okay."
Mu Qi wasn't a difficult child to appease. He was a very easily coaxed child.
After receiving Mu Qi's assent, Yun Shuzhen hung up the phone, eager to go pick out gifts with Aunt Ning.
Aunt Ning was finally reassured but still insisted on supporting Yun Shuzhen as they walked out.
Yun Shuzhen remembered that Ning Jing had a pair of jade bangles, so she guessed she must like jade jewelry.
Thus, she led Aunt Ning to a well-known jade brand's boutique.
"Aunt Ning, this green seems quite suitable for you."
"No, no, young Madam, I don't need it."
Yun Shuzhen immediately spotted an imperial green bangle and, ignoring Aunt Ning's refusals, gestured for a sales assistant to bring it out.
However, despite calling the sales assistant several times, the assistant kept looking at her phone, reapplying makeup with a small mirror, and completely ignored Yun Shuzhen.