She bit down hard, and almost instantly, Shen Qiyuan’s wrist showed blood.

Fresh red blood, just two small drops, yet the taste was extraordinarily sweet and alluring, causing Ruyi’s eyes to become hazy with desire.

She extended her tongue tip to roll those two blood droplets into her mouth, and instantly it was as if sweet spring water descended from the ninth heaven, flowing through her limbs and cleansing her heart and soul.

So comfortable it made one want to sigh.

Shen Qiyuan didn’t mind her unsettling behavior at all, but instead generously offered his wound to her, then said softly: “Come with me, to somewhere with fewer people.”

Gnawing on someone’s hand in the street was somewhat inappropriate. Ruyi licked her lips, restrained her murderous aura, and obediently followed behind him.

Seeing that the two were about to fight, but Miss Liu suddenly became docile, Zhou Tingchuan couldn’t help but admire his lord’s methods. But remembering today’s purpose, he hurried to catch up: “My lord, aren’t we supposed to find Yanning?”

Zhao Yanning wasn’t as considerate of the bigger picture as Fuman. He hadn’t left Lin’an, but had come to the Grand Preceptor’s manor on this day when nobles gathered—who knew what extreme actions he might take.

“You stay here and continue watching,” Shen Qiyuan said. “If you find him, bring him directly to the Meeting Immortals Wine House.”

Compared to Zhao Yanning, the person in his hands was much more troublesome and needed to be dealt with first.

Helping her sit in the carriage, this person’s expression was already somewhat dazed, docilely leaning against the carriage wall, yet her eyes staring at his wrist showed bright, obvious longing.

“You are human now,” he pressed his lips together and said seriously. “Humans don’t like drinking blood.”

Ruyi’s shoulders slumped, her cherry-pink lips pouting as she looked at him pitifully.

She knew she was wrong, otherwise, given this person’s domineering and unreasonable nature, he should have taken it by force.

But Shen Qiyuan felt that showing him this pitiful appearance wasn’t much different from outright robbery.

With a stern face, he hesitated for a long time before offering his unscabbed wound back to her lips.

Ruyi took it into her mouth with an “ah wu.”

He hadn’t noticed before, but now with just the two of them in the carriage, the warm, moist sensation spreading from his wrist was particularly obvious.

Shen Qiyuan stiffened his spine and said coldly: “Know when to stop.”

Though his words were fierce, his ears were also terribly red, a brilliant color like the evening glow on the horizon, spreading from inside his collar to his jaw.

Ruyi only glanced at him once before humming softly, her eyes and brows full of understanding.

This attitude of seeming to have him figured out made Shen Qiyuan extremely annoyed, and he suddenly withdrew his hand.

With crimson lips, she looked up dissatisfied: “Stingy, you said I’m anemic and weak, so what’s wrong with me supplementing a bit?”

Shen Qiyuan looked at her coldly, his gaze like a deity’s judgment.

Ruyi whined and softened her attitude, pouting toward his wound: “It’s still bleeding. Quickly bandage it.”

He sat without moving, his gaze sweeping around the carriage as if he couldn’t find anything for bandaging.

She said impatiently: “Use a handkerchief to tie it first, just press the wound so it stops bleeding. Why be so particular?”

“I didn’t bring a handkerchief,” he said flatly.

Ruyi pouted and felt around herself: “Ah, I forgot to bring a new one too. I gave my previous handkerchief to the young master and he hasn’t returned it yet.”

Mentioning this, Shen Qiyuan smiled without warmth: “Do you think he’ll return it?”

When women in Great Qian gave handkerchiefs to someone, it signified romantic interest. The other party would only return it if they disliked her. Given Zhou Tingchuan’s easily teased nature, it would be good if he didn’t frame it.

“If he doesn’t return it, I’ll just buy a new one.” She looked at him, puzzled. “Why are you being so fierce?”

Shen Qiyuan stopped talking and pulled out a handkerchief from his sleeve pocket, carelessly wrapping it around his wrist.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t bring one?” she muttered.

Too lazy to deal with her, Shen Qiyuan closed his eyes and leaned against the carriage wall.

Arriving at the Meeting Immortals Wine House, he sat in the guest room and listened to her explanation before speaking coldly: “So, you killed people again.”

Ruyi raised her eyebrows: “How can you call that me killing people? They killed each other.”

Like the previous kidnappers, all of them died by their companions, without any trace of their involvement. Even in court, he couldn’t convict her.

Shen Qiyuan looked at her with a serious expression, his gaze like morning sun reflected on a golden plaque at a mountain temple: “It’s because you harbored murderous intent that they died.”

With her abilities, there were many ways to deal with those people, yet she chose the cruelest method.

Ruyi laughed angrily: “They came to kill me, over twenty hearts all harbored murderous intent toward me, yet this one heart of mine can’t wish them dead?”

“All living beings deserve pity. If you can let them live, why not show mercy?”

Ruyi rolled her eyes dramatically: “Such noble sentiment, even the Buddha in the main hall of Jinshan Temple would have to stand up and let you sit on the lotus platform.”

“Liu Ruyi.” He was annoyed. “Being so cruel and vicious, how can you have any good ending?”

“What ending do I need? I only want present happiness.” The worse his tone, the colder her expression became, leaning back on the soft couch with a proud attitude, her eyes full of disdain. “You’re gentle and tolerant, but I don’t see you getting any good death either.”

At these words, Shen Qiyuan’s face turned pale, his hands in his sleeves clenched into fists, and oppressive energy immediately filled the entire room, as if he would strike her the next moment.

The door was pushed open at this moment.

Fuman entered anxiously, gesturing frantically to Shen Qiyuan: Those people brought it upon themselves. Either they died, or we would have died. Miss Liu is a good person, kind-hearted, pure, and gentle. She shouldn’t be misunderstood.

Seeing her, Shen Qiyuan was somewhat surprised: “How are you here?”

Fuman gestured again: I lost my luggage. Miss Liu saved me and brought me back, and treated me to lots of delicious food.

After brief contemplation, he extended his hand: “Give me your hairpin.”

Fuman didn’t understand, but still removed a silver hairpin from her hair.

Shen Qiyuan got up and went out to hand it to a purple-capped guard: “Take this to the Grand Preceptor’s manor. If Tingchuan can’t bring the person back, give this to him.”

“Yes.”

The door closed again, and only then did he say to Fuman: “Two perfectly good words, wasted on her.”

Fuman didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: My lord never spoke of others this way before.

After pausing, she tilted her head and gestured: That’s right, Miss Liu isn’t just anyone.

“Why are you wearing an apron?” Ruyi frowned and beckoned to her. “Come here, let me see.”

Fuman walked to her side and spoke obediently: “The cook, cook makes food so, so delicious. I was idle, idle anyway, so I wanted, wanted, wanted to learn cooking from her.”

She spoke very slowly, yet still couldn’t avoid repeating words three times. Even a simple sentence was said haltingly.

However, Ruyi listened very seriously, without any impatience in her eyes. After hearing her out, she said naturally: “That’s good. The kitchen is shorthanded. If you’re willing to help, besides the food, clothing, and expenses I promised you earlier, I’ll additionally pay you two taels per month as wages.”