The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

40. The Smell of the Sunlight

Translator: Iris Guo

“They wouldn’t dare.” said Zhong Mingwei slowly. His Adam’s apple moved, so A’Chou figured he was going to open his eyes, but they were still closed. After a while, he continued: “Besides, you make me feel better.”

A’Chou couldn’t help smiling and got proud: “Nowhere could you find a competent maid like me, who can cook, do laundry, and wash your hair.”

‘You are not a maid to me.’ Zhong Mingwei wanted to say it out but eventually didn’t.

A’Chou was certainly not a maid, but who was she?

What did she mean to him?

…

After A’Chou finished washing Zhong Mingwei’s hair, she took the handkerchief prepared aside and carefully wiped his hair. She prepared several handkerchiefs early in the morning, because he was weak and she was very afraid that he would catch a cold. However, she still didn’t think that was enough, so she tore a sheet into several pieces. At present, she wrapped his hair in one piece of sheet and rubbed it carefully and gently.

“Your room is too big, and the sunlight can’t reach your bed,” whined A’Chou constantly, “I’d better move the bed towards the south wall. There is a window, so that you can enjoy the sunshine every day and don’t need to go out. You’ll definitely feel more comfortable.”

“I feel fine now.” murmured Zhong Mingwei.

Zhong Mingwei was telling the truth. A’Chou was very industrious and always helped keep his body dry and clean. She also put his quilt in the sun every day to make it fluffy and warm, always with the smell of sunshine, which was far more comfortable. When he was in the capital, the bedding in his chamber was full of the fragrance of agilawood, and his servants dared not forget to perfume his bedding, so he never had the chance to enjoy the smell of the sunlight which warmed his whole body.

It was A’Chou that brought this brand new smell that was so addictive.

However, A’Chou was unsatisfied and still murmured: “In winter, if no sunlight reaches your bed, you will definitely feel cold. I’ve heard that the winter in NingGuTa is very freezing and long.”

Zhong Mingwei didn’t say anything. He had experienced the winter in NingGuTa. When he first got here, every day he shivered with cold, and even his teeth chattered. He could still vividly remember the piercing coldness, so he suddenly trembled even if he was now covered with a warm quilt.

“What’s wrong? Do you feel cold?” A’Chou was startled and began to blame herself, “I must have washed your hair for too long. You must feel cold since your hair was wet all the time.”

“It’s alright. I just feel a little numb.” said Zhong Mingwei hurriedly.

“Isn’t that also because I spent too much time?” A’Chou frowned deeper, stopped talking, and wrapped Zhong Mingwei’s hair in a piece of cotton cloth. Then, she moved him inside so that he could sleep comfortably. However, she was still worried, so she found another piece of cotton cloth to cover his hair, and checked everywhere carefully. She was finally relieved after making sure that no hair was outside. Then, she said: “Your hair is already half-dry. I wrapped it, so it will dry completely after a while, and you won’t feel cold.”

Zhong Mingwei supposed that he must look ridiculous with cloth on his head, but he didn’t mind at all but felt warm. He grinned at A’Chou and said: “Girl, cut the beard for me.”