BXBX NOVEL Chapter 73
(smile didn’t reach his eyes : fake smile, usually when people smile from their hearts their eyes unconsciously tend to bend into a crescent moon so not reaching the eyes meaning his eyes didn’t bend)
"It turned out to be the fourteenth w.a.n.g di. Tan’er suddenly came over. I wonder if I’m disturbing w.a.n.g Ye’s business?" Qu Tan’er chuckled and turned her eyes back to Mo Liancheng, questioning.
(w.a.n.g di : di means junior or younger brother, prince’s younger brother or young prince)
"You worry a lot. In fact, it’s nothing important that my eighth brother has to scold you about. We were just talking casually. Since the eighth sister-in-law is here, it is better to sit down and talk together." Mo Jingxuan smiled carelessly.
"Tan’er dare not, Tan’er is a mere woman of a Taoist family, knows not to improperly involve herself in men’s affairs, following father’s teachings, w.a.n.g Ye’s business is not something Tan’er can ask about, neither can have an opinion about."
"That..." the corner of Mo Jingxuan’s mouth twitched, weirdly staring at the Qu Tan’er.
(corner of the mouth twitching: a phrase meaning that someone is speechless, wanting to say something but just does not know how or what to say)
Mo Liancheng, sitting in front of the desk, never spoke. His sight would occasionally sweep toward Qu Tan’er yet quickly retreat, stopping on her in a fleeting moment.
"w.a.n.g Ye should not have had breakfast yet. Tan’er brought some snacks. It’s best if w.a.n.g Ye could eat it first. If there is nothing else he need’s Tan’er for, Tan’er will not bother you more. If w.a.n.g Ye still needs something, he can ask for a maid to inform me and I will come over soon." Qu Tan’er went to the desk, put the plate down, slightly lowered her head, putting on a gentle look.
When she finished her words, she did not wait for the answer of Mu Liancheng, turned directly going out taking the same way she came in with.
"Does not eighth sister-in-law want to stay?" Mo Jingxuan’s face twitched, he is really doubtful of what he just saw.
(face twitching: again it’s being speechless, think of it as the three black lines that appear on the faces of anime/manga/manhwa/manhua etc. characters)
"No, Tan’er knows that the study is heavy place, not a place for Tan’er to stay at , so~ "
(heavy place: not literary heavy but more as it’s a very important place and being in it bears a heavy responsibility which is hard to put up with.)
"Since you’re already here, then stay." Mo Liancheng opened his mouth unhurriedly, with his head slightly lifted, and eyes fixedly staring at the back of Qu Tan’er, he could clearly see her back becoming stiff after hearing his words.
"Yes." Qu Tan’er called while pouting standing at the doorway.
The next moment... She turned back, and everything returned to its original position as it nothing happened here.
Then...
"I wonder where Tan’er should sit?" (Qu Tan’er talking in third party about herself)
"It’s so boring." Mo Jingxuan suddenly popped up a sentence, but it was vague and too random to be true.
" Fourteen younger brother , what are you talking about?" Qu Tan’er looked at Mo Jingxuan doubtfully.
" I’m saying, this tea is delicious. I haven’t had such a good tea for a long time."
"Oh, then fourteenth younger brother should drink a little more."
"well." After Mo Jingxuan heard her, it was much harder to stop the corner of his mouth from twitching.
"Come on and grind the ink for ben w.a.n.g." Mo Liancheng swept his eyes toward Qu Tan’er, his head went down, slowly until his sight was set on his own painting.
(To make ink, an ink stick is ground against an ink stone with a small quant.i.ty of water to produce a dark liquid which is then applied with an ink brush. Artists and calligraphers may vary the concentration of the resulting ink according to their preferences by reducing or increasing the intensity and duration of ink grinding)
"Yes." Qu Tan’er smiled slightly and whispered back softly. Looking just like a standard good wife, both in voice and att.i.tude. Everything seemed perfect. Even she couldn’t help applauding for herself. It seems that she really has talent for acting. It is really regrettable. Why did she not choose art school?
Then, with her head lowered down, she slowly walked over, glanced at the situation on the table, without questioning, she directly held the ink stick and slowly started grinding the ink.
One , two circles, three circles...
Each time she grinds some ink, her line of sight sweeps the painting in front of Mo Liancheng.
(T/N : I’m sorry if it’s confusing for u but in Chinese novels you’ll have to get used to characters talking about themselves as a third party, I wanted to convey it better but it’s a bit hard so I’ll keep on the third party way of talking until I find a better solution. I appreciate any suggestions u make ~~~)