The cool jade pillow dispelled the summer heat; on a green bamboo mat behind gauze curtains, Baoyue slept in a haze.
"Young Master Wang, our young mistress took her medicine and fell asleep. Could you please wait a little and let her sleep a bit longer? It won't be long." The maid made her request cautiously, her tone humble.
Wang Yang smiled and set his folding fan on the table. "Of course. I'm in no hurry."
The maid said delightedly, "Thank you, young master! Would you like grape wine again today?"
"Yes, your grape wine is quite good. Oh? You were the one who fanned me last time, weren't you?"
The maid blushed, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum. "You still remember, young master."
"Of course I remember," Wang Yang said warmly. "You're very good at fanning, and you treat your young mistress very well."
The flush on the maid's face deepened. Seeing Wang Yang watching her, she lowered her head in flustered embarrassment and murmured, "You flatter me, young master..."
Wang Yang kept his gaze on her, a faint smile in his eyes. "It isn't flattery. You did well. Last time, you used just the right strength with the fan, and now you're being so considerate of your young mistress. You're truly thoughtful."
The maid felt lightheaded. "I... I'm only doing my duty," she said shyly.
Wang Yang leaned forward slightly, drawing closer to her, his voice softening further. "If you do so well simply by doing your duty, that shows how attentive you are. Is your young mistress feeling unwell?"
At his sudden approach, the maid's heart raced and her mind went blank. For a moment, she could think of nothing to say and merely nodded dazedly.
"Did you bring the medicine from the marquis's residence?"