Chapter 128: The Figure Painter

The man was dressed in a brownish-red robe, a vibrant hue that felt bold yet not gaudy, and when paired with his picturesque features, it lent him an air of elegant detachment.

He had already approached Xue Xue and Luo Hua. His handsome eyes were fixed on Xue Xue, revealing a mix of disbelief and pleasant surprise. "I presume you are here to see the King. I truly did not expect to see you here."

His tone suggested a deep familiarity, though in reality, they had only met once before.

"You are..." Xue Xue frowned. She remembered this man; she remembered his voice and the fact that he had once wanted to use her as his "canvas." "You are the painter who enjoys creating art on human skin."

But why was he here?

"It seems that Lord Yu's peculiar hobby is no secret," Luo Hua remarked with a smile, before turning to Yu Bufan. "However, Lord Yu should be aware that this person's status is not one you can simply command."

"Indeed. I should address you as Her Majesty, the Queen." With that, Yu Bufan bowed, acting every bit the refined scholar rather than a man obsessed with painting.

"Lord Yu, why are you here?" Xue Xue nodded and asked.

If she recalled correctly, this Lord Yu was the local official of Peiyuan City. How had he come to Qin City?

"My Lady may not know, but Lord Yu is now a capable talent by the King's side, serving almost as a military strategist," Luo Hua explained, speaking of Yu Bufan with a hint of admiration.

A strategist? Did Ji Wuqing really need a strategist?

"I am but a humble man, though I know a thing or two about the affairs of the Wu Kingdom and of Zuoqiu Liye." Mentioning Zuoqiu Liye, a flash of ferocity and hatred crossed Yu Bufan's expression, as if he bore a deep-seated vendetta against the man.

Xue Xue noticed his reaction; it seemed this man had come prepared, and Ziqing had gained a valuable asset.

"Lord Yu, do you still paint?" Xue Xue did not wish to discuss Zuoqiu Liye and turned the conversation to his art. Yu Bufan possessed a unique charisma, using his works to captivate and bewitch others.

"If it would not be too presumptuous, My Lady, I have not found a 'canvas' to my liking lately." Yu Bufan's thoughts shifted to his craft, his eyes filled with obsession, the earlier ferocity wiped clean.

"Are you not afraid the King will kill you, Lord Yu?" Luo Hua remarked airily from the side.

"Now is not the right time for painting, in any case," Yu Bufan replied, clearly not abandoning his search for a "canvas."

He had once said she was an excellent canvas.

After exchanging a few more words with Luo Hua and Yu Bufan, she returned to Ji Wuqing. Breakfast was already laid out—light porridge and side dishes steaming in the room, with servants waiting quietly with lowered heads.

"Xue'er, have you forgotten your husband? You kept me waiting so long." Ji Wuqing lay propped up on the bed, feigning complaint. He was unclothed, draped only in a robe, with bandages visible beneath the silk quilt where his shoulder was wrapped.

"You haven't eaten yet?" Xue Xue ignored his dramatics and sat on the edge of the bed. Touching his robe, she realized he hadn't fully dressed. She instinctively tightened the robe around him; with his injury at the junction of his arm and shoulder, the wound could easily reopen.

"With you gone, who was to serve me?" the King declared righteously.

"I was gone for the past two days. Was it the City Lord's daughter who served you then?" Xue Xue asked pointedly.

He had never intended for her to come to Qin City—or rather, he hadn't wanted her to know his current situation. She was still a bit angry about that.

"What daughter?" Ji Wuqing frowned, his handsome face showing genuine confusion.

"If there was no daughter, then surely someone else served you." She didn't press the matter, instead taking the bird's nest porridge from Yuzhi and stirring it slowly. She wasn't jealous, just asking earnestly.

"Though you don't look jealous, Xue'er, I am delighted by your concern. I knew you loved me dearly." Ji Wuqing admired her calm expression and the small flicker of pique in her brow.

She loved him dearly? She could only say he was certainly bold.

"Come, open your mouth." She decided to shut him up before his narcissism went further.

However, he caught her hand, turning the porcelain spoon toward her lips instead. Xue Xue paused, then opened her mouth and swallowed the porridge.

"You haven't eaten either, Xue'er. You must have the first bite," the King said, playing the part of the doting husband.

"...You would do better to just finish your meal so I can eat," she said, though her heart felt warm.

"That works, too," Ji Wuqing nodded. "So you don't fret over me not eating and distress yourself."

Xue Xue raised an eyebrow. How was she to deal with him? He was a patient, after all, and she wouldn't squabble with a sick man.

Yuzhi smiled; she hadn't expected the King to have such a childish side when with the Queen.

"By the way, I met someone outside earlier. It was quite a surprise to find him in Qin City, especially as one of your talents." Even back then, she had felt that the painter, Lord Yu, lived up to his name—he was indeed "extraordinary." But was this not too coincidental?

"You mean Yu Bufan," he said, swallowing a spoonful of porridge with satisfaction. "He is quite useful."

"Oh?" She wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief. Remembering their brief conversation, she sensed he had deep ties to the Wu Kingdom, and perhaps to Zuoqiu Liye himself.

"Actually, Yu Bufan is a man of the Wu Kingdom," Ji Wuqing said, eyes squinting in comfort as he enjoyed her care.

"He seems to be a man with a story." Xue Xue nodded, sensing a heavy burden on his shoulders.

At this, the King looked displeased. "You care so much about others—are you not afraid of making me jealous? Or do you not care about my feelings at all?"

"Enough, eat properly and don't be unreasonable. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask," she said, blocking his mouth with another spoon.

"..." Ji Wuqing was momentarily silenced by the word "unreasonable." "Yu Bufan’s story is simply one of 'love.' When he learned of the war between the Ji and Wu Kingdoms, he sought a chance for revenge. As for Zuoqiu Liye, he has no shortage of enemies."

Love? For a man like Yu Bufan, she wondered if it was romantic or familial. She remembered the praise of the people in Peiyuan City; such a man should have been free and elegant.

"By the way, what about Yu Bufan? He hasn't come to pay his respects to me, but you happened to run into him." Ji Wuqing’s expression darkened. "Is he still harboring that idea?"

Xue Xue said nothing.

They finished breakfast quickly. Ji Wuqing remained in bed to recover; his shoulder injury was far more serious than his casual demeanor suggested. Despite his calm appearance, his handsome face was deathly pale.

Bored, he patted the empty space beside him. "You didn't rest well last night. Come, lie down with me."

Xue Xue removed her outer garment and climbed onto the bed. Ji Wuqing pulled her onto his left shoulder, his arm gently encircling her with lingering tenderness. Gradually, his hand moved to her waist, rubbing it with soft, kneading motions.

Xue Xue let out a soft hum; her waist was indeed sore, and his touch brought relief. She felt embarrassed by her own lack of restraint.

"Does that feel better?" His hand continued to knead, the pressure perfect, easing the tension in her muscles.

"Yes." She nestled into his chest. "Does your shoulder still hurt? I'm fine, I'll be fully recovered by tomorrow." She tightened the quilt and let her hand rest on his waist. He was bandaged there, too, and her fingers traced the fabric gently.

"It hurts, of course. Just like you. And it would be unfair if only you were in pain, wouldn't it?"

"Nonsense." She hummed, laughing despite herself. By his logic, his pain was only fair. She was exhausted, and though she had slept soundly, it hadn't been enough.

Gradually, the world faded into darkness and silence. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, and she suppressed her drowsiness. "You are not allowed to turn on your side and hold me while I'm asleep. You'll strain your wound."

"Understood," he said, stroking her hair.

"Remember that, or we'll sleep in separate beds," she added, not fully convinced. Then, she drifted into a deep sleep.

Feeling her asleep in his arms, Ji Wuqing was conflicted. He wanted to hold her as he had the night before, but remembering her threat of separate beds, he decided against it—that would be a great loss indeed.

The Yishou Official Residence had been very quiet lately, as the King was recuperating and the Wu Kingdom had made no further moves, as if waiting for something.

As she slept, a figure stood silently outside the layered curtains, bowing respectfully to report on the matters concerning Ling Yin from the night before.

"He went to the Wu camp south of the Qin River last night. What did he do there?" he asked softly, still cradling Xue Xue.

"He seemed to be looking for someone, but returned empty-handed," Qing He reported.

"Go on. I am aware," Ji Wuqing said, glancing at the sleeping Xue Xue.