Encountering a Snake - Chapter 19
Shen Qingxuan sat by the bedside, quietly looking down at the woman on the bed. The woman’s face, pale and waxy, was the only part visible, her lips a sickly white. The thick quilt covered her body, making her shape seem as though it was just a thin piece of paper, smooth and unrecognizable.
Shen Qingxuan knew it hadn’t always been this way. The woman had a slender frame; though small, she was flesh and soft, with a fragrance of rouge. She had once carried one of his children.
Now, the child was gone. Although the woman hadn’t yet breathed her last, it was uncertain how much longer she could hold on.
Everyone in the Shen family believed she wouldn’t survive the night. Youth and a strong constitution had allowed her to last this long, but she was quickly running out of strength.
Shen Qingxuan looked for a while, then took out a piece of precious black ink block from his sleeve, its color black with a hint of purple. Without hesitation, he threw the long-collected ink block into the blazing charcoal brazier. With a hissing sound, it turned red almost instantly, and he felt no regret.
The century-old ink block, made by a master craftsman from a previous dynasty, was crafted from extremely selective materials, including rare herbs, pearl powder, osmanthus, ginseng, poria, and lingzhi, among others. It was said that ink made from this would not fade over a hundred years. Due to its precious ingredients, even a piece the size of a fingernail was worth a fortune. This ink could be used for writing or to preserve life.
Shen Qingxuan used tongs to retrieve the burned ink block, placing it into a small bowl. He then poured hot wine over it, stirring it into a potion with a silver spoon, and had Xiao Tao helped up so he could feed her the ink wine himself.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Tao’s once cold and sweat-drenched body showed improvement. The warmth from the brazier had finally affected her; her body warmed up, her breathing became more even, and she was no longer so weak.
Shen Qingxuan had people care for her properly and stayed for a while before leaving Xiao Tao’s room and returning to his own small wooden building.
Everyone in the Shen family knew that Shen Qingxuan had two ink blocks, one of which was incredibly precious. It was a complete ink block, finely carved with running script and bamboo, and it was impossible to find another like it on the market today. Yet he had shattered it and turned it into a potion for a concubine. Over ten years ago, Old Master Shen had exchanged countless pieces of silver and land deeds for it, specifically for the frail Shen Shao Ye in case of emergencies.
Even when Shen Shao Ye was gravely ill or poisoned by snake venom, he had never used it. So why was it being given to a concubine now?
Various speculations spread like the snowflakes falling in winter.
“Xiao Tao is not favored?—Who believes it?!” “A concubine? She must be receiving more attention than even the main wife!” “Indeed. Xiao Tao has served the young master for so many years, and even if the Wang family’s young lady marries in, she can’t compare.” “Right, although the son is lost, there might still be children in the future…”
Shen Qingxuan didn’t care about others’ opinions, but Shen’s mother couldn’t ignore them. She spoke to Shen Qingxuan once, though not directly, but Shen Qingxuan understood: she was just a concubine, a maid, and shouldn’t be treated so dearly. Such a lowly life couldn’t bear such high regard.
Shen Qingxuan did not comment, simply nodding in agreement.
So Xiao Tao woke up, could drink the soup, and walk a bit. Shen Qingxuan did not visit her again.
Yi Mo came that day, held him in his arms, healed his wounds, and then left.
Shen Qingxuan knew Yi Mo had matters to attend to and did not keep him. Yi Mo’s strong smell of blood was obvious, and even a fool could see he had been in a battle. Shen Qingxuan understood that he was just a mere mortal, who couldn’t comprehend or control matters of demons and devils. As long as Yi Mo wasn’t injured, Shen Qingxuan did not worry about it.
Yi Mo said he would come back to find him once his business was finished.
Shen Qingxuan agreed.
Half a month later, during this year’s auspicious snowfall, Shen Qingxuan, pushed in his wheelchair by a servant, headed to Xiao Tao’s courtyard. Along the way, he observed the little snowmen made by the maidservants, with carbon and wood eyes, carrot noses, and sticks for hats, squatting in a row under the courtyard wall, lively and innocent.
In Xiao Tao’s room, three or four braziers burned brightly, making the room warm as spring.
Xiao Tao, who had had a miscarriage, was confined to bed and resting on pillows. The mixed scent of charcoal fire and medicinal herbs in the room created a tranquil and warm atmosphere.
Shen Qingxuan dismissed the maidservants, sending them out to play in the snow. They were delighted and ran out of the room. Only then did Shen Qingxuan approach the bedside, lift the soft curtain, and call out to Xiao Tao.
Xiao Tao, half asleep, initially did not hear clearly. When she realized a man was calling her, she was startled, thinking it was some reckless servant daring to intrude into her private quarters. How could she face such a scandal? She opened her eyes abruptly and saw it was Shen Qingxuan. She was stunned and in disbelief, calling out, “Young Master?”
Shen Qingxuan smiled and answered softly, looking at her astonished, wide-open eyes, and asked, “How are you feeling?”
Xiao Tao remained dazed, staring at his face and instinctively replied, “Much better,” then suddenly came to her senses. “Young Master, you can speak now?!”
Shen Qingxuan covered her lips with his hand and shushed her.
Xiao Tao looked at him blankly for a while, then realized and quickly nodded.
“I’ve had my voice back for several months,” Shen Qingxuan said, looking up warmly but with a meaningful tone, “but it wasn’t the right time to tell you. Do you understand?”
Xiao Tao thought about how no one in the household knew in these past months and had not heard the maidservants discussing it recently. She quickly understood Shen Qingxuan’s meaning—he had only told her and not anyone else, so she naturally couldn’t leak it. She nodded quickly.
Shen Qingxuan was somewhat surprised by her intelligence. He felt even more sorrowful and watched her for a while before sighing, “Perhaps I shouldn’t have married you.”
Xiao Tao’s face turned pale. “Young Master?”
Shen Qingxuan shook his head and said quietly, “When your uncle sold you to my family, he died of tuberculosis two years ago. Your aunt is a harsh woman, and life is tight, leaving no room for an extra mouth. I thought, with no parents or family to rely on, even if you were sent out, your life might not be better than it is now. Although I can’t give you a respectable status, I can provide you with a life of comfort, without having to be a servant. Even if it’s not ideal, it’s better than being destitute and exposed to the elements… That’s why I agreed to my mother and took you in. In the future, if you have children, you’ll have some support in the household, and you won’t suffer throughout your life. At least, all these years of serving me won’t be in vain.”
Xiao Tao’s eyes turned red with emotion, and she was at a loss for words, lowering her head and calling softly, “Young Master.”
“I know you are intelligent,” Shen Qingxuan continued, “Since becoming a mother, you have been even more careful and cautious. You wouldn’t have fallen in the snow without reason.” He looked at her, then shifted his gaze and added, “It seems that no one in this household would harm you. Perhaps it was someone from your days as a maid who came to visit. Seeing you now in a much better position than her, she felt unfairly treated and pushed you a bit, not realizing it would cause such harm.”
Xiao Tao was startled to hear Shen Qingxuan pinpoint her hidden worry so accurately. Her heart skipped a beat, and she didn’t know how to respond. She had once been a maid herself, and among the maids, they used to play and joke without much thought. Now, as a concubine, she felt more isolated. It was rare to have company, and naturally, she joined in their fun. With the heavy snowfall, they got carried away building snowmen, and in the process, one of the companions, not realizing the danger, pushed her. It was unintentional, but the snow was too slippery, causing her to fall heavily.
Xiao Tao felt guilty about playing with the maids as a concubine, losing her dignity. After losing the child, she nearly lost her life. She wished the incident would never be mentioned again.
Yet Shen Qingxuan, who usually kept silent, spoke directly.
Xiao Tao couldn’t determine if the maid who pushed her acted intentionally or not.
Shen Qingxuan continued to look at her. Although his gaze was not accusatory, Xiao Tao was sweating with anxiety.
“Xiao Tao,” Shen Qingxuan finally spoke up. Xiao Tao perked up her ears to listen, but he said, “Regarding the child, I know the fault is not yours, but I am still very saddened.”
Xiao Tao mumbled, “Young Master…”
“Forget it. Let’s pretend it never happened,” Shen Qingxuan said after a moment of silence. “You seem to be in great pain now. How about I send you out for a change of scenery?”
Xiao Tao was stunned, realizing he wanted to part ways with her. She opened her mouth but couldn’t speak, tears streaming down her face.
“I have bought a piece of land outside the city, which has been vacant for two years. You can move there. Although it can’t compare to the grandeur of the Shen family estate, it is well-equipped with servants and facilities,” Shen Qingxuan said, as if seeing nothing wrong. “If you agree, I’ll give you the land deed. It will provide you with a place to live comfortably and without worry.”
Looking at Xiao Tao’s expression, Shen Qingxuan continued, “If in the future you find someone you like, that land deed can be considered your dowry.”
“Young Master?” Xiao Tao looked at him, unable to grasp his meaning, her eyes full of tears.
“Although I took you in as a concubine, I never truly had feelings for you. You know that,” Shen Qingxuan finally revealed. “After this incident, I’ve realized that what I thought was for your own good actually harmed you. You’ve served me for so many years; I don’t want to treat you unfairly. The countryside estate is beautiful, and the nearby villagers are kind. I’ll send you there to clear your mind. If you wish to return here after a year, you can come back and still be my concubine. If you prefer not to return, stay there. The land deed and property are yours, and if you find someone who treats you well in the future, you can marry him and have a family, which would be better than staying with me, a heartless and useless person.”
Seeing Xiao Tao silent, Shen Qingxuan said, “Think it over carefully.”
Xiao Tao remained stunned, never imagining such a turn of events. She sat dazed at the head of the bed, unaware even when Shen Qingxuan had left.
When Yi Mo returned, Shen Qingxuan was rubbing his forehead, crumpling a piece of paper with dry lotus leaves into a ball, and tossing it aside.
After two days of unsatisfactory painting, Shen Qingxuan was frustrated. He slammed the paperweight down with a heavy thud.
Yi Mo asked, “Do you not welcome me?”
Shen Qingxuan looked up, his face filled with joy.
The joy was genuine and unmasked, as if the previous irritation, anxiety, and impatience had never existed.
Putting down his brush, Shen Qingxuan looked at Yi Mo’s black robe and nodded, “Did you come after taking care of things?”
“Yes,” Yi Mo replied, picking up the crumpled paper from the floor and smoothing it out. “Last time, you frowned and complained about the blood and smell on me?”
“How could I complain?” Shen Qingxuan laughed. “I just think you are most fitting when you are clean. A bit of blood makes you look less like a demon.”
Yi Mo glanced at him sideways, took the ink and brush from the desk, and added a few strokes to the painting of the withered lotus in the pond. “Less like a demon, then what do I resemble?”
“A ruthless monster who kills without blinking,” Shen Qingxuan said, peering at the changes in the painting—a few ripples and a distant mist-covered mountain, exuding an indescribable elegance and grandeur. He couldn’t help but exclaim, “Tsk.”
Yi Mo turned his face with a slight frown, “What does ‘tsk’ mean?”
“It means there’s nothing more to say,” Shen Qingxuan smiled, pulling at Yi Mo’s sleeve, taking the brush and setting it aside. “After all, you are an old demon snake who has lived for thousands of years. If this masterpiece were to be passed on, who knows what kind of fame it might bring. A painting worth a thousand gold is not an exaggeration.”
Yi Mo playfully flicked his forehead, “Do you not know that gold and silver are like dirt?”
Shen Qingxuan grasped Yi Mo’s hand on his forehead, pressed it against his face, bit it, and licked his lips. “Whether gold and silver or dirt, nothing compares to a beauty.”
Yi Mo looked at him for a while and then shook his head. “You’re quite persistent.”
Shen Qingxuan laughed, “You can also… take advantage of the situation.” Holding Yi Mo’s cold hand, Shen Qingxuan smiled meaningfully, opened his collar, pressed Yi Mo’s hand against his skin, and asked, “Do you want to go along with the situation, snake?” The last sentence was soft and enticing.
Yi Mo did not hesitate, lifting Shen Qingxuan and carrying him toward the bed.
Shen Qingxuan continued to smile, his happiness boundless.
It was as if no matter how dangerous his situation, no matter the world’s injustices or uncertain future, seeing him and hearing his voice could make him laugh out loud.
It was as if from the depths of his heart, a golden flower bloomed, bringing warmth to a world that was otherwise dark.