Su Qing's mind went blank.
Wang Li continued, "There's not a hint of joy in your eyes. What a pathetic expression."
'So it's because my acting was too emotionless!'
Su Qing felt helpless.
'Honestly, what kind of emotions am I supposed to have after coming here? It's not like I chose to become a slave.'
'Just managing to take care of you is already a feat in itself.'
"Miss, to me, it makes no difference whether my skin gets fairer or not."
"I haven't been paying attention to my skin."
Su Qing said helplessly, trying his best to sound sincere.
"You are definitely not an ordinary person."
"Tell me, where are you really from?"
Wang Li was still undressed, and the sight was enough to stir Su Qing's heart, but he was in no mood for it right now.
The force with which Wang Li had just pushed him away was immense, not at all like the strength of a slender woman.
So Su Qing quickly said, "I'm from Flood Village. I fled to Chuanshui Town as a refugee and ended up being captured and sold as a slave."
Su Qing was being completely honest.
But Wang Li kicked Su Qing square in the stomach!
OOF!
"Argh!" Su Qing curled up on the floor in pain, nearly vomiting bile.
"You're lying!"
"I'm not lying."
The two exclamations came out almost at the same time.
Su Qing was telling the absolute truth, hoping to avoid another beating.
But Wang Li didn't believe him. 'Villages? Towns? There are certain points of etiquette that people like that wouldn't possibly know.'
Especially since Su Qing somehow knew that the aromatic ointment was for cleaning one's mouth.
There was no way Wang Li would believe Su Qing's words.
Hearing Su Qing's last cry, Wang Li fell silent.
Su Qing didn't say anything either, just remained curled up on the floor.
"..."
"Get up."
"Continue wiping my body."
Wang Li commanded without looking at him again.
Su Qing had no choice but to shakily get to his feet. 'That kick really, really hurt!'
His small, thin frame was just too weak.
However, the silk cloth in his hand was now dirty, so he had to get a new one to continue wiping.
After that, Wang Li had him help her get dressed.
Only then was Su Qing allowed to leave the room.
The moment he stepped outside, Su Qing's lips were a little pale.
'That kick was excruciating. That bitch... just you wait.'
'Once I, Su Qing, become strong, I'll be sure to discipline her!'
'Martial Arts!'
Su Qing felt utterly helpless. 'When will I ever get my hands on some Martial Arts?'
Frustrated, Su Qing lay down in a shady spot on the ground to wait for time to pass. 'If I went to the training grounds I saw when I first arrived at the Wang Family, the only thing I can imagine happening is death.'
'You can easily get killed for secretly learning Martial Arts.'
「Afternoon.」
At some point, Wang Li came out of her room.
But she didn't leave the courtyard.
Seeing Wang Li emerge, Su Qing had to stand up. He couldn't just lie there lazily, at least.
But Wang Li didn't go out.
Instead, she stood in the middle of the small courtyard, holding a specific pose.
Su Qing watched, confused.
He watched for about a minute.
[Cyan Snake Posture: A Pile Skill that increases vitality and flexibility.]
[Synthesizable]
At the same time, all the details about the Cyan Snake Posture flashed into Su Qing's mind.
"Hm?!!"
Su Qing was inwardly shaken.
'Martial Arts!'
'This is Martial Arts!'
Su Qing was shocked. 'I never expected my Synthesizer to have this function. Doesn't this mean I can secretly learn any technique I see in the future?'
His heart pounded with excitement just thinking about it.
'The crucial thing is, this Martial Art can be synthesized!'
'This means the Synthesizer can not only combine materials, but it can even merge Martial Arts.'
'After all, Martial Arts aren't physical objects.'
Su Qing suppressed his excitement. He only had one Martial Art right now, so he couldn't synthesize anything yet.
And Su Qing had a feeling that he could keep synthesizing Martial Arts.
Su Qing focused his mind on the Synthesizer and thought, 'Copy the Cyan Snake Posture into nine copies!'
'Copy the Cyan Snake Posture into nine copies!'
Su Qing had a feeling his Synthesizer already possessed this ability.
...
Su Qing didn't know if it would work.
But then, suddenly, Su Qing saw nine copies of the Cyan Snake Posture appear in the Synthesizer.
However, in the next second, the world started spinning, and everything went upside down.
THUMP~
Su Qing collapsed directly onto the ground.
He lost consciousness.
Wang Li saw Wang Qi suddenly fall and glanced over in surprise, but she, still practicing her Cyan Snake Posture, showed no concern for him at all.
She just continued her practice.
Su Qing was abruptly kicked, and he groggily woke up.
His face was pale.
"Get up! Go to the dining hall and get my food, then boil some water!"
Wang Li squinted at the fallen Su Qing. 'This guy wasn't just being lazy, he actually fainted?'
'I might as well send him to the dining hall to get my meal. He can get some food for himself at the same time.'
'Did he actually faint from hunger?'
That was Wang Li's guess.
Pale-faced, Su Qing was stunned for just a moment before saying to Wang Li, "Yes, Miss."
Su Qing turned and left.
He headed for the dining hall.
'Synthesize.'
[Synthesis successful.]
[First Layer Cyan Snake Posture (Renameable): Doubles the effects of Cyan Snake Posture Cultivation.]
'Finally, I've learned a Martial Art.'
Su Qing smiled. 'It seems coming to the Wang Family isn't all bad.'
'I wonder if I can synthesize it again.'
Su Qing remembered how he had just fainted and realized that replicating Martial Arts must be linked to his physical or mental state.
'I can't be so reckless in the future.'
'Extract.'
Su Qing thought silently.
All the key principles and movements of the First Layer Cyan Snake Posture were instantly transmitted to him.
'Twice the original effect... I wonder if the cultivation will be even better.'
A strange, eerie smile appearing on Su Qing's pale face was indeed an odd sight.
On his handsome, dark-complexioned face, that striking pallor was truly bizarre to look at.
However, the path to the dining hall was filled with other servants, and none of them paid Su Qing much mind.
After a moment's thought, Su Qing ate another Dandelion Grass Cake.
A warm sensation instantly spread through his stomach, and his vitality began to recover rapidly.
After collecting the meal, Su Qing had just left when he saw another servant who also had a pale face.
'Why does this guy look so familiar?'
Su Qing was puzzled. The servant's face was completely drained of color, and his eyes were bulging.
'It's hard not to think of excessive debauchery.'
'But how could a servant indulge in excessive debauchery?'
Su Qing truly didn't understand.
'Could it be that the young mistress of the Wang Family has such... intense tastes? All of us servants are either ugly or have very dark faces.'
But he didn't voice his confusion, instead quickening his pace back to Wang Li's courtyard.
Wang Li was currently brandishing a Soft Sword.
Seeing this, Su Qing was overjoyed.
However, the meal and hot water still needed to be taken care of, so he had to deal with those first.
By the time Su Qing had finished everything,
it was a pity, but Wang Li had already stopped her practice.
"Wang Qi, serve my meal."
...
After serving Wang Li her meal and adjusting the temperature of her bathwater,
Su Qing finally had some time to himself.
While Wang Li was bathing,
Su Qing went outside and began practicing the Cyan Snake Posture.
He held the stance until Wang Li finished her bath.
Half an hour had passed.
"Wang Qi, come in and wipe me dry."
Su Qing stopped his Cultivation.
He hurried inside.
But Wang Li had a look of disgust on her face.
"What's that smell? Wang Qi, why are you sweating so much!"
The sour stench of sweat assaulted Wang Li's senses, and she quickly ordered, "Don't come any closer! Get out."
"I'll dry myself tonight. Wang Qi, remember this: in the future, if you sweat, wipe it off and wash it off immediately. If I ever smell that foul stench on you again, you know the consequences."
Wang Li was truly furious this time. To think she had to dry her own body tonight! It was always a servant, or one of her mother's maids, in the past. When had she ever needed to do it herself?
...