The Gift of a Robe

“Your Excellency, I want to personally make a set of clothes for you as thanks.”

Since Wen Xiuran already seemed to know about it, Yan Yi saw no point in hiding it any longer.

Originally, she had planned to surprise him when presenting the robe.

But now it seemed that her intention to learn embroidery had already spread through the residence.

There was no point concealing it.

Better to admit it openly—perhaps the villain would feel pleased hearing it.

Wen Xiuran’s brows relaxed slightly as he asked calmly,

“Why did you suddenly want to make clothes for me?”

Yan Yi explained half-truthfully,

“To thank Your Excellency for overlooking my mistakes, trusting me, and letting me stay in the study.”

Then she stepped closer and waved the measuring cord in her hand.

“Your Excellency, I brought a measuring cord.

Let me measure your size first.

Tomorrow I’ll go to the embroidery workshop to learn from the skilled embroiderers there.

I learn quickly.

In less than two days, Your Excellency will definitely have a new robe to wear.”

Wen Xiuran could not help laughing softly.

Even experienced embroiderers needed a day or two to complete a robe.

Yet this mortal doctor who usually dealt only with herbs spoke with great confidence.

Still, seeing how attentive she was toward him, Wen Xiuran felt a faint trace of guilt.

Not long ago, he had suspected her of deceiving him.

Seeing the villain’s expression soften with clear pleasure, Yan Yi still could not quite read his thoughts.

“Your Excellency, shall I measure you now?”

She raised the measuring cord again, almost poking it toward his eyes.

Wen Xiuran answered simply, “Alright,” and stepped into the bedchamber.

Yan Yi quickly followed behind him.

The furnishings of the chamber were quite similar to the study, though slightly larger.

Wen Xiuran stood upright in the center of the room and glanced down at her, silently indicating she could begin.

Standing so close, Yan Yi could clearly smell the familiar fragrance from his body—the scent of calming incense.

Shoulder width.

Chest.

Waist.

Drawing on her vague experience from buying clothes online, Yan Yi measured carefully while writing down the numbers.

As she wrapped the measuring cord around his waist, her fingers accidentally brushed against his side.

It felt as if countless ants crawled through Wen Xiuran’s body.

He stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Yan Yi paused and looked up.

Their eyes met.

Wen Xiuran studied her face carefully.

Her expression was serious and focused.

She had rosy lips and delicate features.

When she looked at him, her eyes seemed to carry endless tenderness.

That sincerity did not seem like something that could be faked.

Could it be that she truly loved him deeply?

Seeing him stare without blinking, Yan Yi softly called,

“Your Excellency, I’ve finished measuring.”

“Mm.”

Wen Xiuran collected his thoughts and sat beside the table, forcing down the strange emotions stirring inside him.

“What kind of robe do you plan to make for me?”

Yan Yi froze.

She had absolutely no idea yet.

Her plan was to ask an embroiderer tomorrow and choose something simple to learn.

“Secret!”

She suddenly raised her voice and said mysteriously.

“Your Excellency, do you know what a surprise is?”

Wen Xiuran: “…”

He felt slightly insulted.

Yan Yi continued happily,

“I originally wanted to surprise Your Excellency.

But somehow you heard about it beforehand.”

A trace of regret appeared on her face, as if she truly felt disappointed that he could not experience the surprise.

“It doesn’t matter,” Wen Xiuran said.

“I heard about it accidentally.

It was indeed unexpected.”

Yan Yi nodded.

“If Your Excellency likes it, I’ll be very happy.”

Then a thought crossed her mind.

This incident reminded her that she must be more careful in the future.

Even walls had ears in this residence.

Wen Xiuran felt waves quietly stirring in his heart, though his face remained calm.

“Your Excellency, I’ll go back now.

When the robe is finished, I’ll bring it to you immediately.”

She grabbed the measuring cord and left the chamber with light steps.

Early the next morning, Yan Yi had just finished washing when she heard a knock at the door.

“Miss Yan—”

It was Lu Qin’s voice.

Yan Yi hurried to open the door and welcomed her inside.

“Miss Yan, Qiong Jiu said you want to learn embroidery.

My mother is on duty today.

Shall I take you to the embroidery workshop to meet her?”

Yan Yi nodded eagerly.

After changing clothes, she followed Lu Qin toward the workshop.

Lu Qin gently patted Xiao Li’s fluffy head.

“Miss Yan, your tabby cat has seemed very lazy lately.

Is it sick?”

Yan Yi glanced at Xiao Li in her arms and did not deny it.

“It probably ate something it shouldn’t have.”

The tabby cat looked listless, lacking its usual liveliness.

Occasionally it stretched out a paw and tugged at Yan Yi’s collar.

A thin hemp cord slipped into view around her neck, revealing a teardrop-shaped red crystal pendant at the end.

“Miss Yan, that pendant—”

Yan Yi quickly grabbed it and smiled.

“My grandmother left it to me.

It’s a family heirloom that supposedly brings protection.”

Lu Qin wanted to look more closely, but Yan Yi had already tucked the pendant back under her clothes.

Seeing how precious it was to her, Lu Qin said nothing further.

At the embroidery workshop, a plump middle-aged woman was already waiting outside.

Seeing them approach, she waved warmly.

Yan Yi noticed that the woman resembled Lu Qin slightly—it was her mother.

After brief introductions, Yan Yi followed her inside.

She chose soft fabrics and pleasant patterns before beginning to learn seriously.

The next day, shortly after midnight, a sheer black men’s robe was finally completed.

The style was simple yet elegant.

Yan Yi gently touched the red rose embroidered on the chest.

It looked like a flower just about to bloom.

After working day and night for two days straight, she had finally finished the surprise for the villain.

She washed briefly, climbed into bed with Xiao Li, and fell asleep immediately.

When she woke again, sunlight filled the room through the window.

Yan Yi rubbed her aching eyes before slowly climbing out of bed.

She massaged her temples and sighed.

Even after transmigrating into a novel, she still couldn’t escape the fate of staying up late.

The sheer black robe hung beside the bed, somehow stirring strange thoughts.

After washing and dressing neatly in a simple ivory dress, Yan Yi left the room.

When she handed the carefully wrapped robe to the villain, Wen Xiuran looked at her thoughtfully.

After two sleepless nights, Yan Yi’s eyes were slightly bloodshot, with faint shadows beneath them.

She looked harmless and pitiful.

“Your Excellency, open it and see,” she urged, pointing at the ribbon.

Her eyes were filled with anticipation.

Wen Xiuran raised an eyebrow, feeling curious.

A mortal doctor making clothes for the first time—

It was indeed worth seeing.

He untied the ribbon.

A sheer black robe unfolded before his eyes.

For a moment Wen Xiuran’s breathing stopped.

He even forgot to hide the emotions in his gaze.

“Your Excellency… do you like it?”

Yan Yi’s voice sounded softly beside his ear.

Wen Xiuran suddenly came back to himself and looked at her.

Her face was filled with hopeful expectation.

If he simply said he liked it, she would probably jump with joy.

For a moment, he lost himself in thought.

Seeing his silence, Yan Yi assumed he was simply stunned by her craftsmanship.

“Your Excellency, whenever you wear this robe in the future… will you think of me?”

Perhaps she had learned instinctively.

Or perhaps his handsome face awakened her curiosity.

Yan Yi spoke romantic words effortlessly, calm and confident like someone experienced in love.

Wen Xiuran’s breathing faltered.

Just as he was about to speak, her face suddenly moved closer.

Soft warmth touched his lips.

Yan Yi lightly brushed against them like a dragonfly skimming water.

Then she pulled back slightly and smiled, her eyes bright.

“Your Excellency, what’s wrong?”

Before she finished speaking, a strong hand gripped the back of her head and pulled her forward again.

Their lips met once more.

Wen Xiuran’s kiss was sudden and intense.

It stirred something restless deep inside Yan Yi.

He lingered hesitantly at her lips, but she quickly took the lead.

Her movements were bold and confident.

The unexpected sensation disrupted Wen Xiuran’s breathing.

His grip loosened slightly.

Yan Yi seized the chance to deepen the moment, one hand pulling him closer while the other slipped beneath his robe.

His chest felt firm and warm beneath her touch.

Her fingers moved slowly, exploring.

Wen Xiuran let out a faint sound before he could stop himself.

Encouraged by the reaction, Yan Yi pressed forward even more boldly.

Her knee pressed against him as she leaned closer.

She laughed softly under her breath.

The ancient villain who had lived for hundreds of years was surprisingly innocent.

A simple kiss and touch were enough to provoke such a reaction.

She knelt before him and buried her face against his neck.

Yet as the moment intensified, Wen Xiuran suddenly felt a strange unease.

The woman before him was not as gentle and harmless as she seemed.

Beneath her calm exterior lurked something fierce and relentless.

His body burned with heat.

He knew if this continued, the situation would spiral beyond control.

Wen Xiuran was not someone ruled by desire.

He would never casually fall into intimacy with someone.

But Yan Yi was an exception.

She appeared obedient and restrained, yet constantly surprised him with unexpected actions.

Step by step she had carved a place in his heart that no one else could reach.

Still, he did not want their relationship to begin in such confusion.

“Yan Yi—”

He pushed her away with force, breathing heavily.

“Stop this nonsense.”

Yan Yi was knocked backward, landing hard against the table leg.

Pain shot through her tailbone.

She wiped the moisture from the corner of her lips and looked at him cautiously.

Perhaps she had moved too quickly.

Perhaps her true nature had frightened the innocent ancient villain.