Jiang Zuoqing: "Here, this pair of new slippers is for you. There are a few rooms upstairs that no one uses. You can choose one that you like except for the one at the very end of the hall and the one adjacent to it."
The young man placed a pair of pink slippers in front of the young woman before changing into his own.
"I don't like strangers walking around so you would only see a housekeeper in the mornings and afternoon."
Loosening his tie with one hand while raking back strands of hair with the other, the young man pondered for a moment while scanning the interior of his house.
"This place isn't as large as the main estate but you are free to wander around however you like. If there are any questions or needs, ask me anytime."
"... …"
Yan Beiqing sauntered into the house as obsidian irises took in the modernesque display of black and grey furniture.
Couches, tables, decorations, and kitchen appliances are all of a similar shade that gave this area an emotionless ambience. A sense of coldness that comes from a lack of liviness in these depressing colors.
Nodding in acknowledgement to Jiang Zuoqing's words, the young woman changed into a pair of pink bunny slippers. Sight sparkling with interest at the swaying ears of the furry design that moves in tune of each step.
Soft lips curve into a light smile that turns into surprise as Yan Beiqing raises her sights. Irises colliding with the eyes of the young man who had paused in his steps to observe the young woman's actions.
"... …"
Eyes blinked for a few seconds before Yan Beiqing made a soft inquiry, "what are you going to do now?"
Turning his gaze away, Jiang Zuoqing began to stride upstairs while motioning for the young woman to follow.
"I'll go upstairs as well, show you which rooms are mine while I take a look at where you will be sleeping from now on."
The duo reached the top of the stairs which revealed a rather long hallway with a view of five doors in total.
"These two chambers are mine, one is the bedroom while the other is my office."
Saying so, the young man proceeds to open the door to his bedroom chamber while continuing to speak.
"The other three rooms are empty, you can choose to live in any of them. The sheets are clean too, it's changed every week so you don't have to worry about dust."
Well-structured digits pushed open the wide closet as the youth began to rummage through its interior. Murmuring in a light voice once in a while as Yan Beiqing stood outside the entranceway.
Yan Beiqing: "... …"
Sharp eyes lowered to lock onto those bunny ears once more while waiting for the young man to finish. Kicking her legs upwards once every few seconds to see those fluffy ears sway in a happy tune.
"Here."
Jiang Zuoqing handed the young woman a pale yellow nightwear and a pair of women's lingerie sandwiched between the thin fabric.
Yan Beiqing: "This…"
Jiang Zuoqing: "Don't misunderstand."
A suspicious flush colored the man's skin as Jiang Zuoqing explained in a low tone of voice.
"These are all new. It was prepared for you the moment our wedding was decided by my grandparents."
"We were supposed to be living together the moment we came back but… ahem! Either way! You don't have to worry about clothes, they're all in my closet. I'll have the housekeeper move them into your room tomorrow."
Saying so, Jiang Beiqing pushed the clothes into Yan Beiqing's arms before closing the door in a hurry.
Leaving the young woman to stand outside with a slight expression of bewilderment before she herself turned to select a room.
Thirty minutes later…
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Rubbing his wet hair with a towel, Jiang Zuoqing paused in his actions with a tilt of the head. Wondering what could be the reason for a sudden visit, the young man opened the door to see Yan Beiqing.
The young woman is standing at the entranceway, head lowered and hands clasped together as if a child caught doing something mischievous.
Her clothes had not changed to the youth's surprise as he had assumed the young woman would have already taken a shower.
"Is something wrong?"
Releasing the towel in allowance for the cloth to hang around his neck, the young man leaned against the wall in wait.
Yan Beiqing: "I… can you help me?"
Almond eyes blinked once to register the plea before the young man straightened his body. Striding out of the room in silent acceptance which made the young woman immediately run towards her chamber.
Yan Beiqing pushed open the chamber door in a hurry.
Inviting the man in while leading him towards the bathroom where the lights are all on and shining with brightness.
Jiang Zuoqing saw the nightgown and corner of a triangular fabric as he turned his sights away with an awkward cough.
"So, what do you need my help for?"
Yan Beiqing: "This."
A lithe index finger pointed at the shower as obsidian pupils locked onto the man with nothing but wordless pleas and confusion.
"I don't know how to use this."
Jiang Zuoqing: "???"
Then how were you able to shower in the main estate?
As if able to sense the man's thoughts, the young woman answered in a low tone, "everything was readied for me."
That's correct.
During the stay with the elderly Jiangs, the two past palace workers had taken up their old jobs once more.
Waking up in the early mornings to have the kitchen ready for breakfast while the other stood to serve by Yan Beiqing's side.
From dawn to twilight, as long as Yan Beiqing is within the estate, the two elderly would be close. Making sure that there is not the slightest inconvenience to their noble master.
Which includes things like taking a shower, a bath really.
Ah, the nostalgic feelings of washing Her Majesty. That sense of accomplishment, it's what makes grandma Jiang's life complete!
Yan Beiqing: "I don't know how to use it but I can learn."
The young woman gave the youth an earnest look of determination that Jiang Zuoqing cannot fathom.
Nonetheless, the young man explained the different uses of the items that were placed in the shower area. From the bottles of shampoo and body wash to the mechanisms of the shower itself.
Ten minutes passed until the young woman finally gave a hesitant nod of understanding.
Yan Beiqing: "I understand now, thank you."
Feeling enlightened with new knowledge the young woman thanked the youth one last time and proceeded to close the bathroom door.
Click.
"... …"
Feeling uneasy, Jiang Zuoqing did not leave right away as he stood at the doorway with focus. Trying to distinguish whether or not the sound of water would come out first or Yan Beiqing's gasps of confusion.
But five minutes passed with no sounds inside which induced the young man to furrow his brows with worry.
Pondering for a few more seconds, the youth finally could not stop himself as an index finger rasp on the doorway with a light call.
"Yan Beiqing? Is everything okay?"
"... …"
"Yan Beiqing?"
Click.
The door opened a small crack wide enough for the young woman to peek her face out.
Flushed cheeks and a snowy shoulder entered the young man's sight as Jiang Zuoqing took a bewildered step back.
"Wh-what are you-"
Yan Beiqing: "Jiang Zuoqing."
The young woman cut the man's words off while speaking in a soft voice, "what do I do with this?"
Jiang Zuoqing: "Huh?"
A slender arm that seemed to glow with an ethereal hue under the bask of tender lights stretched out from behind the door. Clasp between lithe digits is a small piece of transparent teal fabric.
It swayed in follow of Yan Beiqing's movement to stop a distance away from the young man's sight. Causing his pupils to dilate in immediate surprise as thin lips open without a single sound.
Slowly…
A trembling finger raised to point at the tender fabric before moving to point at the young woman.
In the end, that well- structured digit curved to indicate himself with wordless questioning of her intentions. Making the current situation somewhat strange with comedic undertones of bewilderment.
It was as though the young man had the words, [you talking to me?] written on his dazed expression.
Yan Beiqing: "En."
Receiving an affirmative nod from the young woman as she blinked at the man with silent beams of encouragement.
The young man merely became more perplexed.
Jiang Zuoqing: "... …"
However…
Perhaps it was because the situation was too unbelievable for our arrogant president who has never experienced this.
Maybe it was because the night has caused his thoughts to slow from fatigue.
Or possibly, the young man was being polite.
But well-structured fingers twitched before reaching out to receive the fabric from the young woman.
Dazed eyes blinked in confusion as Jiang Zuoqing watched as the door to the bathroom closed once more with a soft click.
Jiang Zuoqing: "... …"
The fabric pinched between two fingers sway in mid-air.