Xie Luohe nodded at his words, her expression stiffening as she fell silent.
With a blush on her cheeks, Xiaotao ground the ink for her young master. Her nimble hands clasped the long inkstick, one over the other, as she moved it in circles across the Jade Inkstone.
With alternating heavy and light strokes, clockwise then counter-clockwise, her technique was clumsy, but earnest.
As Xiaotao rocked and ground the ink, her movements took on an almost musical grace, evoking the image of a musician's fingers dancing over strings.
"Young Master, it's ready."
Zheng Xiu tested the consistency of the ink. "Not bad," he complimented.
"You flatter me, Young Master."
Xiaotao lowered her head bashfully.
Zheng Xiu gave Xiaotao an odd look.
'You're just grinding ink. Why the hell are you blushing?'
'This kid's mind isn't as innocent as it seems.'
As Zheng Xiu silently mused over Gongsun Mo's luck with women, Xie Luohe, who had been watching them, cut in, "Hurry up."
