“Are these two items… a chemise and undergarments?”
Qu Qirong’s elegant brows furrowed. She had deduced their purpose by their shape, but she wasn’t entirely sure.
Deng Tianyu nodded: “Yes, these are new styles!”
Qu Qirong’s jade-like face flushed slightly as she suppressed a wave of embarrassment. She asked softly, “What are the advantages of these designs?”
After all, no matter what, she was his aunt.
As an elder, discussing a woman’s intimate apparel with a junior, regardless of the reason, inevitably brought an awkwardness and shyness that was difficult to put into words.
So she silently admonished herself in her heart: I’m merely discussing a product with Tianyu, that’s all.
Whether it’s an item for men or for women, the original intent is solely to generate profit.
If Tianyu, as a man, can put aside his embarrassment to help, then why should I, as his aunt, be so reserved?
With that thought, she picked up her teacup, took a sip of the fragrant tea, and eased that peculiar feeling.
Only then did Deng Tianyu slowly explain: “This chemise can prevent sagging and also help with shaping.”
“Compared to a bellyband, if one is overly full, wearing a bellyband can cause discomfort.”
“But this style won’t have that issue. It comes in different sizes so one can choose what fits best. It’s both beautiful and comfortable.”
Compared to the “Tender Affection” and “Deeply Rooted Affection” he came up with from the Spirit Wood last time, these two items were, arguably, less embarrassing to discuss.
Qu Qirong bit her pearly white teeth. She recalled that when she wore a bellyband, she did sometimes experience the kind of discomfort Deng Tianyu described. So she understood his point was correct.
Then she asked again: “And what about these undergarments? Aren’t they much shorter?”
Deng Tianyu smiled: “Compared to traditional undergarments, they are indeed shorter.”
“But this style fits more closely against a woman’s delicate skin, providing better intimate protection!”
“And it won’t feel loose or saggy when worn—it’s more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.”
Sometimes, even he had to admire his own eloquence. He spoke so logically, with reason and evidence.
Of course, none of this was something he made up; it was all true.
Otherwise, why would these styles have emerged in his past life? They came about precisely because the old styles were phased out, replaced by the new!
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Qu Qirong’s fair, snow-like earlobes flushed crimson. She couldn’t help but spit lightly.
Just a moment ago, she had been imagining in her mind what she would look like wearing this new style of chemise and undergarments.
Suddenly hearing the word “aesthetically pleasing” made her heart flutter. She thought her thoughts had been seen through.
Deng Tianyu looked baffled: “Uh… but I’m telling the truth!”
What just happened?
How was he talking nonsense?
“I just spaced out for a moment. It has nothing to do with Tianyu!”
Qu Qirong’s beautiful eyes darted away as she took another sip of fragrant tea to mask her embarrassment. “Qing’er, go have someone rush to make these. I want to see both items tonight.”
“Yes, Madam!” Qing’er, her face equally flushed, replied respectfully and left the small courtyard with the two drawings.
After her figure gradually disappeared from sight, Qu Qirong raised her beautiful eyes and looked at this filial junior: “Tianyu, how is it that you understand these two articles of women’s clothing so well?”
“I read about it in a miscellaneous book back at the Purple Cloud Sect,” Deng Tianyu said, maintaining his composure as he met her gaze and once again shifted the blame onto the all-purpose miscellaneous book.
After all, Aunt Rong couldn’t exactly go to the Purple Cloud Sect’s Library Pavilion to verify it.
Using this excuse once worked, and ten times would still work.
Qu Qirong saw the clear, pure honesty in Deng Tianyu’s eyes and decided not to press further. She shifted the topic: “Tianyu, could you teach me this sketching method?”
Deng Tianyu was a bit surprised: “Aunt Rong is also skilled in the art of painting?”
Qu Qirong shook her head: “I’ve only dabbled in my spare time. I wouldn’t call myself proficient,” she said.
Because of her Special Physique, whenever she cultivated, most of the True Essence she absorbed was drained away, unable to be stored in her Spirit Mansion.
Thus, no matter how hard she tried, her cultivation remained stagnant.
So, she poured her energy into other pursuits.
It was a way to pass the time and also a means to express her emotions, to depict things she liked.
Deng Tianyu took out a special charcoal pencil and asked, “What would Aunt Rong like to draw?”
“Draw that pair of Twin Lotuses on One Stalk!”
Qu Qirong swept her gaze around the elegant garden, her eyes finally resting on the lotus pond.
On the water’s surface, lush green lotus leaves held up blooming lotuses, elegant and pure.
And amidst the many water lotuses spreading out, two stunningly beautiful lotus flowers nestled close together, interdependent on a single stem.
The scene looked just like two lovely young girls wrapped in misty green dresses, leaning against each other, standing with a smile, bashful and wishing to speak.
This was, without a doubt, the extremely rare Twin Lotuses on One Stalk!
Deng Tianyu withdrew his gaze from the lotus pond and spoke: “To sketch the Twin Lotuses, you must first outline the overall contour, and then begin the detailed filling in.”
“That is, first go from the whole to the parts, and then back to the whole. Follow this method!”
He began sketching on the paper with the charcoal pencil.
In no time, the general outline of the twin lotuses had appeared on the page.
Qu Qirong’s elegant brows furrowed slightly: “Your explanation is concise and clear, but it’s a bit hard to remember just by listening.”
“How about this, Aunt Rong, you follow along with my drawing and sketch, and I’ll guide you from the side!”
Deng Tianyu thought for a moment, then handed the charcoal pencil to her.
Looking at the special drawing tool in her hand, Qu Qirong was slightly puzzled: “Is this a special brush for sketching?”
“Yes, it’s called a charcoal pencil!” Making a charcoal pencil wasn’t difficult; Deng Tianyu had tinkered and made several back at the Purple Cloud Sect.
“Then let’s begin,” Qu Qirong said, her gaze falling on the paper. She began to sketch, imitating Deng Tianyu’s earlier movements.
But after drawing for a while, the curves and straight lines she produced lacked the clear distinction of Deng Tianyu’s, resulting in an inelegant outline of the lotus stalk.
She tried several more times, but the result was the same.
Qu Qirong sighed softly and gloomily: “Tianyu, am I just a bit slow-witted?”
Deng Tianyu shook his head: “How could that be? Aunt Rong is just trying this for the first time!”
He had been the same when he first started. Only with more practice, as his skills developed, did he gradually build a foundation.
Suddenly, a thought flashed in Qu Qirong’s mind and she came up with an idea: “Tianyu, how about you hold my hand while I draw? Would that be better?”
“Yes, that’s actually a very good approach!” As a filial junior, when an elder had a request, Deng Tianyu naturally had no reason to refuse.
Aunt Rong said, “Then let’s begin!”
Without further hesitation, Deng Tianyu shifted closer to her full, mature figure and placed his right hand over hers, holding it.
Feeling this male presence, and the warmth enveloping the back of her hand, a strange, unfamiliar sensation stirred in Qu Qirong’s heart.
So much so that her movements paused, and she stared blankly at the hand holding the charcoal pencil.
“Aunt Rong?” Deng Tianyu called out softly when he saw her dazed.
