For the sake of Yuexi’s treatment, Mo Ruxue had already prepared herself mentally.
Xu Sheng had given her five days to come to terms with it, and he had even brought her some books to read in the meantime. However, when the time actually came for Xu Sheng to do something to her, Mo Ruxue still could not help but feel nervous.
Furthermore, they were right next to Yuexi.
Mo Ruxue instinctively shifted her legs, seemingly trying to avoid Xu Sheng’s touch.
Xu Sheng narrowed his eyes. He turned his gaze toward Zhu Yuexi.
“This toxin is not easy to eliminate. After dinner, I will perform acupuncture on you. It might be a bit uncomfortable.”
Zhu Yuexi ate her dinner and rolled her eyes at Xu Sheng in her heart. She merely nodded slightly, choosing not to strike up a conversation.
Mo Ruxue was unable to distract herself enough to remind Zhu Yuexi to be more polite. Xu Sheng’s words just now were a type of reminder, or rather, a warning.
The movement Mo Ruxue had intended to use to dodge him came to a halt.
Xu Sheng was very satisfied with Mo Ruxue’s reaction. He clamped his legs around her calf, forcing one of her feet to lift. Afterward, he naturally placed one hand beneath the table.
From above, Xu Sheng’s posture did not look awkward. Even if Zhu Yuexi noticed him, she would never imagine that her beloved master was currently lifting a leg and allowing her small foot to be massaged by the man she hated most.
‘I need to make one thing clear,’ Xu Sheng thought, ‘I am not a foot fetishist.’
It was simply that in this world of cultivation, feet were considered a relatively private and shameful part of the body. Simultaneously, Mo Ruxue was an exceptionally reserved woman, and playing with her jade-like feet in this situation was the most effective position.
Xu Sheng took a bite of rice while his other hand pulled the white sock halfway off Mo Ruxue’s foot, leaving it hanging from her toes.
From Xu Sheng’s perspective, he could see Mo Ruxue’s tender, pink sole and her high, elegant arch. Because of her nervousness, she was trembling slightly.
Xu Sheng’s finger inadvertently brushed across her pink sole.
“Ah… cough, cough, cough…”
Mo Ruxue failed to control herself and let out a small cry, but she immediately reacted by pretending to cough.
This clumsy disguise actually managed to deceive Zhu Yuexi. She patted Mo Ruxue’s back and looked at Xu Sheng with an angry expression.
“Stop pressuring my master to drink.”
Zhu Yuexi truly was not the smartest person, and she was certainly wicked, but this protective display actually looked somewhat cute.
A smile spread across Xu Sheng’s face.
“I didn’t pressure her. Your master wanted to drink this herself. Right, Fairy Mo?”
Zhu Yuexi wanted to retort, but Mo Ruxue gently pressed down on the back of her hand.
“…Yes, this is a fine wine.”
Saying this, Mo Ruxue picked up the wine cup again and took a small sip. She then set the cup down and stared straight at Xu Sheng, looking as if she had finally made up her mind.
Beside her, Zhu Yuexi felt frustrated by her master’s lack of backbone. She knew her own illness was fake, yet her master believed it so thoroughly that she was acting in such a flattering and subservient manner toward Xu Sheng.
However, since Xu Sheng held a leverage over her and she could not easily disobey her master’s words, Zhu Yuexi could only glare at Xu Sheng before focusing on her own food.
Zhu Yuexi’s gaze was fine, but when his eyes met Mo Ruxue’s expression, Xu Sheng felt a bit guilty and rubbed his nose.
‘Why does it feel like I’m some kind of villain? I haven’t even done anything yet.’
However, when Mo Ruxue saw his movement, her eyes widened, and her already flushed cheeks turned even redder. If she was not mistaken, Xu Sheng had just used that same hand to massage her…
Xu Sheng noticed the shock in her eyes. The movement had been subconscious, and he did not think much of it now. As a cultivator, Mo Ruxue had long since achieved inedia and her body was pure and untainted. Since her foot was indeed beautiful, he had no reason to feel disgusted.
‘I am not a foot fetishist. I just find it fun to tease Mo Ruxue and watch her reactions.’
With that thought, Xu Sheng put his hand back.
Mo Ruxue was gradually becoming more obedient. After all, when his hand had left her earlier while he rubbed his nose, she had not taken the opportunity to pull her leg back.
Thus, Xu Sheng pulled the entire sock off, revealing her full, pink toes.
Mo Ruxue seemed to realize that her face was likely flushed beyond reason, so she could only keep her head down and eat.
The dining table became unusually quiet, with only the faint sound of chewing remaining.
But Xu Sheng’s purpose was to tease Mo Ruxue, so he naturally would not stop there. His hand began to explore further.
From her toes to her sole, and then to her instep… Mo Ruxue was not used to any of it. She could only manage to keep herself from crying out while being caressed.
Soon, Xu Sheng’s hand moved to her ankle, and his long fingers even touched her calf.
This was unexplored territory.
For someone like Mo Ruxue, who had never had such an experience, every inch of her skin was extremely sensitive. She had to bite her lip hard to keep herself from making a sound.
She did not dare let Zhu Yuexi discover the truth. If Yuexi knew what she was sacrificing… She did not want Zhu Yuexi to be sad, and she certainly did not want to ruin her image in front of her disciple.
At this point, her raised leg was essentially a point of no return. If she insisted on pulling it back now, it would definitely cause a commotion.
A massive wave of humiliation rose in Mo Ruxue’s heart. She was not a particularly arrogant person, but since she began her cultivation journey, she had never been trapped in such a situation. She felt as if she had fallen into a swamp; she had plenty of strength, but she could not use any of it.
A sense of grievance washed over her, and Mo Ruxue could only lower her head, fighting back the urge to cry.
Seeing this, Xu Sheng did not feel much guilt, but he did sigh in his heart. Mo Ruxue cared for Zhu Yuexi to such an extent that a traditional woman like her was willing to sacrifice herself.
It was a pity that Zhu Yuexi’s true personality was selfish, profit-driven, and insidious—likely the exact type of person Mo Ruxue hated most.
The only thing that might offer Mo Ruxue some comfort was that her disciple was at least sincere toward her.
Thinking of this, Xu Sheng stopped bullying Mo Ruxue and let go.
Mo Ruxue froze.
Xu Sheng felt her leg still resting on his thigh and gave a half-smile.
“This seafood… it must be eaten while it’s fresh. If we wait, it probably won’t taste as good.”
On the surface, the hint was a bit forced, but combined with Xu Sheng’s current actions, Mo Ruxue understood his meaning. She hastily withdrew her feet.
For some reason, the grievance that had been circling in her heart just a moment ago vanished instantly.
Without even noticing it herself, Mo Ruxue felt a trace of gratitude toward Xu Sheng.
—