Chapter 163: Doing an Experiment
Xiao Yu scoffed. "I don’t need you. Go, get Hua Ping for me."
Hua Ping, Xiao Yu’s head maid, was doing needlework in a side room. When she heard Stone call for her, she came over at once.
Hua Ping lifted the curtain and stood at the entrance, curtsying to Xiao Yu. "Young Master Heir, you called for me?"
Xiao Yu nodded. After looking around, he pointed to the chair behind the desk. "You, sit there."
Hua Ping said fearfully, "I wouldn’t dare. That’s your seat, Young Master Heir."
"Just sit when I tell you to! Enough with the nonsense!" Xiao Yu said impatiently.
Hua Ping didn’t dare to defy Xiao Yu. Trembling, she could only walk to the desk and sit, after which she stared blankly at him.
Xiao Yu pointed at her. "Just sit there and don’t move. Don’t you dare go anywhere unless I say so."
Hua Ping nodded repeatedly. "Young Master Heir, I won’t move."
"Good!" Xiao Yu lifted the curtain and left.
Hua Ping sat there, her heart pounding with anxiety. ’What scheme has the Young Master Heir cooked up to torment me this time?’
Xiao Yu walked outside and shot Stone a sidelong glance. "What are you waiting for? Light the incense!"
Stone acknowledged the order, quickly fumbling for an incense stick. He lit it, then lifted a corner of the door curtain and tossed it inside.
The two of them walked to the window, peering inside through the rosy gauze covering the lattice.
They could just make out a figure sitting perfectly upright at the desk.
Xiao Yu whispered, "Keep track of the time."
The incense had been tossed inside, its smoke curling delicately into the air. Before long, Hua Ping noticed it.
She started to rise to investigate, but the moment she moved, Xiao Yu’s voice came from outside, "Don’t move!"
Startled, Hua Ping obediently sat back down.
A peculiar fragrance soon filled the study.
It carried a hint of sweetness. As Hua Ping inhaled the scent, she began to feel drowsy.
But she remembered the Young Master Heir’s order to stay seated, so she fought to stay awake and maintain her posture.
But her eyelids grew heavier and her mind foggier. Finally, Hua Ping could no longer resist and slumped softly onto the desk.
When Xiao Yu saw the figure at the desk collapse, he was delighted. He turned to Stone and asked, "How long did that take?"
Stone thought for a moment. "Less than a quarter of an hour, I’d guess. That’s probably because this room is so large. If it were a smaller room, it wouldn’t have taken nearly as long."
Xiao Yu was very satisfied.
He whispered, "We’ll go in after a bit. You poke her and see if she wakes up."
Stone hesitated. "Is... is that really necessary?"
Xiao Yu’s eyes widened. "Of course it’s necessary! That girl has definitely hidden that thing somewhere clever—maybe even on her person. What are we supposed to do if she wakes up while we’re searching for it?"
A sudden look of horror crossed Stone’s face. "Young Master Heir, if we go in... we won’t collapse just like Hua Ping, will we?"
Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes. "That’s a good point."
"In a minute, I want you to go in, cover your mouth and nose, put out the incense, and then we’ll see how long it takes for Hua Ping to wake up."
The two waited outside a while longer. Then, covering his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, Stone entered the study.
He first put out the incense, then walked over to Hua Ping. He reached out a finger and poked her arm. "Hua Ping... Hua Ping..."
No response.
Xiao Yu lifted the curtain and entered. He casually picked up a writing brush from the desk and tickled Hua Ping’s nose with it.
Hua Ping’s brow furrowed slightly, but she remained unconscious.
Xiao Yu looked at Stone. "Pinch her. See what happens."
Stone stared at Xiao Yu, utterly aghast. ’Young Master Heir, how could you make such a request!’
’This is a young woman with such delicate skin!’