Chapter 21, Chapter 21 was changed by me.

It wasn't until the afternoon that Bai Hua finally recovered and weakly woke up.

She had a terrible headache and felt weak and sore all over. When she tried to prop herself up, she felt as if her limbs were shackled. A heavy weariness enveloped her, as if she had done some strenuous work before going to bed the night before and had exerted herself too much. She hadn't been able to recover even after a good night's sleep, and she felt uncomfortable all over when she woke up.

Especially between the legs, it feels sticky.

Her first thought was whether it was the beginning of her period, but when she calculated the dates, it didn't seem right.

After calming down, Bai Hua looked down and was shocked to find that the clothes she was wearing were not the ones she had worn before going to bed the night before.

She clearly remembered that the undergarment she wore yesterday was a plain white satin set, which was rather conservative.

However, what she was wearing now was the silk, lake-blue, diamond-shaped garment she usually felt shy and embarrassed to wear; the fabric was thin, and the style was rather improper—

With a back tie and lace trim, it's all so revealing, truly like a brothel.

Bai Hua blushed and pulled the blanket tightly around her body to cover herself.

Thinking of something, she reached behind her again and touched it. Sure enough, she grabbed the eye-catching tassel at the end of the ribbon that she remembered, confirming with 100% certainty that this was the bottom layer of her clothing.

When she was preparing to go up the mountain, the clothes and luggage she carried were all prepared by Fu Wei's wife, Hou. When she first opened the small diamond-shaped garment, her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She had never seen anything like it before, let alone worn it.

So how did she suddenly end up wearing this frivolous little dress that she had kept hidden away and rejected?

Bai Hua had absolutely no recollection of this, and no matter how hard she tried to recall, she couldn't remember a single scene. This made her fearful, uneasy, and anxious.

...

Hearing the noise inside, Ning Jue pushed open the door and entered the bedroom.

Looking up, she saw Bai Hua sitting half-upright on the bed, her face showing a look of helplessness and anxiety.

He approached Guan and asked, "How are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?"

Bai Hua became somewhat wary of him. Hearing the door open, she instinctively shrank behind the green curtains to avoid his gaze. Then she tightened the blanket around herself, adopting a defensive posture, only exposing her neck and head to communicate with him.

Their eyes met, and she stammered, "What happened yesterday? I... why can't I remember anything?"

Ning Jue remained calm and asked instead of answering, "Don't you remember anything?"

Bai Hua shook her head and tried to recall again, but the headache returned, like being battered and washed by waves, and the more she thought about it, the more confused she became.

She answered weakly, "I don't remember. I just feel like I slept for a long time. What time is it now?"

Ning Jue: "It's already past 1 AM, or even after noon."

Why was he so calm and composed?

Bai Hua pursed her lips, hesitating to speak, but finally couldn't hold back any longer and mustered her courage to ask directly, "Young Master, what's wrong with my clothes...?"

She was flustered and desperately needed an explanation.

Ning Jue sighed, his expression calm, without any unnaturalness of panic, only a slight helplessness in his tone: "I will never overestimate your alcohol tolerance again. I originally thought that at Xiao He's wedding banquet, it was because Aunt Li's Daughter's Red wine was too strong for you to handle, but when I let you try the yellow wine in my courtyard yesterday, you were still drunk after only half a cup."

Bai Hua was stunned: "Am I drunk again?"

She had absolutely no recollection of this.

She even recalled that after seeing Zang Fan off, she could still tidy up and wipe the table with a clear mind and move nimbly.

She had doubts about this.

Ning Jue described in detail: "Yes, not long after we saw Zang Fan off, you suddenly became hot and agitated, and started acting crazy while drunk. You not only vomited all over yourself, but you also vomited all over me. You don't know that last night I barely slept a wink because I was taking care of the drunkard."

Upon hearing this, Bai Hua's eyes widened, unable to believe that she could be so out of control.

Even if she was truly drunk and confused, she should still maintain her composure and dignity.

"As for your clothes..." Ning Jue paused, then frankly admitted, "Do you expect me to watch you go to sleep in my bed covered in filth? Would you sleep comfortably?"

Bai Hua blushed even more at his question. The thought that he had seen her in such an unseemly manner made her so embarrassed that she wanted to disappear into the ground.

She could tell that the young master's helplessness was genuine.

Especially when she talks about being playful, the way she looks like she's dealing with a headache doesn't seem fake at all.

His display of so many genuine details softened Bai Hua's resolve, gradually shifting her from wariness and suspicion to skepticism.

"so……"

"I changed it." Ning Jue admitted frankly, without the slightest humility or naturalness. "In the future, when you follow me on my journey through the martial world, there will be many things that don't concern you with trivial matters. People in the martial world are not bound by the distinction between men and women. For example, when I injured my arm last time, you saw my body when you helped me apply the medicine. I knew that was only a last resort under special circumstances, so I didn't mention it to you afterwards."

Bai Hua couldn't argue with him.

I was going to argue that the consequences of a man being seen and a woman being seen naked are different, so how can they be compared?

But then he remembered that he had just said that when you're out in the world, you shouldn't be bothered by trifles, so he had to swallow his words.

She seemed unable to blame Ning Jue, and could only feel remorse for herself. She silently vowed that since she had no self-control, she would never touch a drop of alcohol again.

"It was my overestimation of my abilities that led me to drink too much. Young Master has gone to great lengths to take care of me, so how could I possibly complain? My tone was simply not right," Bai Hua said apologetically.

Ning Jue stood still, deliberately keeping his distance from her, maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor, and accommodating her sensitive thoughts at this moment: "It's alright, I know what you're worried about. I also hesitated yesterday, but... in the end, I just wanted you to sleep more comfortably."

These words contained a double entendre that only Ning Jue could understand.

His hesitation wasn't about whether or not to take off her clothes.

To make her sleep comfortably, it's not enough to just change her clothes.

However, she found it so difficult to accept that he had changed her clothes, and she was so ashamed that she could hardly bear it. If she knew the truth, he had personally served her for half the night yesterday, his fingertips soaking in her warm vagina, making her moan incessantly.

What should she do?

The memory resurfaced in his mind; she was lying on the soft couch in front of him, her body twisting and turning, trying to beg him to eat her.

Itchy fingertips – that's the feeling of addiction.

Ning Jue's eyes darkened as he forcibly pulled himself back to his senses.

He thought he needed to calm down.

Ning Jue reheated the food he had prepared in advance and served it to Bai Hua. Without saying a word, he went out to practice his sword alone.

This was originally a good opportunity to observe his sword techniques, and Bai Hua wanted to go along, but she was not feeling well and could not force herself to do so.

Watching his figure gradually disappear into the distance, Bai Hua couldn't help but sigh. At that moment, she looked up and unintentionally saw the clothes the two of them had worn the day before hanging to dry outside the courtyard.

The north wind whipped up, causing the hem of my clothes to flutter.

She approached and touched the clothes, finding them to be half-dry, indicating they must have been washed and dried that morning.

This corresponds exactly to what Ning Jue said; she did indeed vomit all over herself, and it also affected him.

Bai Hua finally believed that she had indeed acted drunk and disorderly last night, causing the young master quite a bit of trouble.

Back in her room, she covered her face with the blanket, not wanting to do, hear, or see anything.

He saw me naked, saw me naked...

I want to die.

...

For two consecutive days, Ning Jue went out early and returned late, practicing diligently and hardly interacting with Bai Hua.

Bai Hua belatedly noticed his aloofness and indifference, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. She felt a great sense of loss and a bitter taste in her mouth.

She could probably guess that it was because her tone that questioned him that day was hurtful that he still held a grudge.

On the third day, before Ning Jue left, Bai Hua mustered up her courage and stood in front of him, sincerely asking and taking the initiative to show goodwill: "Young Master, you have been practicing swordsmanship hard lately. Is there anything you would like to eat? Please feel free to ask, and I will do my best."

Ning Jue declined, saying, "The kitchen construction isn't finished yet, and it's too much trouble to start a fire in the yard right now. Let's not do it. I'll go down the mountain to buy some as usual and bring it back to eat together."

Bai Hua was slightly disappointed that her attempt to curry favor had failed.

Ning Jue took a step to leave, but Bai Hua impulsively blocked his way, and then the words she wanted to say became difficult to utter.

Ning Jue sighed: "What's wrong?"

Bai Hua murmured, "These past few days, the young master has spoken no more than five sentences to me each day. Is he throwing a tantrum at me? If that's the case, he might as well just scold me. Instead, he's being so cold to me. It makes me feel uncomfortable and even worse."

Ning Jue was surprised and visibly paused for a moment.

He denied it: "I wasn't angry."

Bai Hua: "You do."

Seeing her insistence on waiting for an explanation, Ning Jue had no choice but to explain, avoiding the main point, "I'm currently in a critical period of breaking through my sword intent, so I can't let my mind be disturbed. That's why I haven't been spending much time with you. Don't overthink it, just stay home and wait for me to come back."

Bai Hua's eyes were full of confusion as she asked, "Why do you feel flustered when you talk to me? What effect does that have?"

She felt that Ning Jue had come up with a very hasty and illogical excuse.

If you're angry, just say so; if you resent her, just say so directly. Why avoid her and give her the cold shoulder?

Ning Jue was in a dilemma; how could he confide his secrets to her?

Should he reveal the truth: after that intimate encounter, every time he gets close to her now, he can't control his wicked thoughts from growing wildly, and he just wants to tease her badly, make her wet again, twist her waist and tremble incessantly?

His ugly thoughts were secrets he had to suppress.

In her presence, he still needed to remain dignified and elegant as ever; how could a gentleman in white be tainted by impurity?

Therefore, faced with her persistent questioning, Ning Jue could not answer and had no choice but to quicken his pace and leave in a hurry.

Bai Hua's heart clenched, her grievances intensified, and she felt depressed and distressed.

...

As lunchtime approached, Bai Hua didn't see Ning Jue return. Instead, she was greeted by a rare guest: Xiao He from Green Ivy Village, a newlywed who had recently gotten married.

She entered the house carrying large and small bags, holding gifts, and insisted on thanking Bai Hua and Ning Jue in person for their kindness in preparing gifts for her before the wedding. She also said that because of the pair of sandalwood chests and that beautiful silk dress, she stood up particularly straight among her sisters-in-law.

Ning Jue was not present, so Bai Hua brewed tea to entertain the guests.

Xiaohe was quite different from when we first met; she was much more lively, and I enthusiastically shared the fun things that happened after our marriage.

Throughout her narration, her eyes were always smiling, showing that she had married a good man and was genuinely happy every day.

Speaking of what would happen after her return to her parents' home, Xiaohe's tone was slightly sad: "My mother raised me with great difficulty, and after I got married, she would be all alone. I was worried about leaving her alone in Green Ivy Village, so I wanted her to come with me to Lianshui Village to find a house to live in, so that it would be much easier for me to take care of her. But my mother was unwilling to leave the villagers she had lived with for so many years, so Silang and I planned to come back to visit her often."

Bai Hua no longer has a mother; it is a wound that, though faded by the years, can never be forgotten, and it throbs with pain from time to time, without warning.

A pang of sadness welled up in her heart, and she took Xiaohe's hand and said, "You're so filial, Aunt Li will know your good intentions."

Xiaohe nodded and comforted her, saying, "Fortunately, Mother knows how to find things to do. Sister Apeng, do you not know yet? Since I got married, Mother has already arranged two marriages for me, both from villages near Jiling."

Bai Hua was genuinely surprised: "It hasn't even been a few days yet."

“That’s right.” Xiaohe took a sip of tea, and her chatter, which had been going on and on, suddenly stopped. The topic changed abruptly and awkwardly. “Sister Apeng, I’m not trying to pry, I’m just curious about your relationship with the young master…”

Why have they become the center of attention again?

Bai Hua quickly clarified: "Thanks to your kindness, young master, I was able to escape from the slave trader. I am grateful to him and only want to repay you. I have no other thoughts."

These words were not just a way to appease Xiaohe, but also a reminder to herself.

Now that her brother is suffering injustice in Beijing, she can no longer care about her own personal feelings and can only use any means necessary to help her cousin win the championship.

Xiaohe said with a hint of regret, "Alas, old ginger is spicier. It seems my mother's judgment is more accurate. Sister Apeng, it's almost lunchtime. Since Young Master Ning isn't here, why don't you come down the mountain with me? Silang is waiting for me at home, and he brought a friend with him. Why don't you go and see what he's like?"

Bai Hua understood what Xiao He meant and took it as her asking her to help her make the selection.

But she and Li Silang were already married and deeply in love, so wasn't this step unnecessary?

She tried to politely decline: "Xiaohe... I'm not good at this."

Xiaohe smiled and advised, "No one is good at this. Just take a look. Actually, he looks alright, but his appearance... well, how should I put it, is far inferior to Young Master Ning's."

How could anyone talk about their husband like that? Isn't beauty always in the eye of the beholder?

Bai Hua smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to say in response.

Xiaohe continued to persuade her, "Sister Apeng, why don't you come with me? We can take a quick look and then leave. It's very simple."

Bai Hua is most susceptible to requests, especially since she has a good impression of Xiao He and treats her like a younger sister, so she can't bear to refuse her seriously.

After hesitating for a moment, she softened and agreed to go with her.

To be honest, she was genuinely curious—

Li Silang, who was kind and loving to his wife, was disliked for his plain looks shortly after getting married. What did he actually look like?

...

After noon, Ning Jue returned from practicing his swordplay, carrying a packaged beggar's chicken in his hand. The aroma was so enticing that it could be smelled from afar.

He had a bad day practicing and wasted some time. He also went down the mountain to buy things and didn't return until after lunchtime.

He rushed back, only to find Bai Hua was not there.

There was a note on the table: "Xiao He has come and invited me to her house to meet her Li Silang. I couldn't contain my curiosity and decided to go and take a look."

Why are you so interested in meeting other men? And so curious...?

Ning Jue threw the note away, scoffed, and looked rather unhappy.

He left the beggar's chicken uneaten, intending to eat it together with Bai Hua when she returned, so he just had a casual lunch.

A moment later, a noise came from outside the courtyard. It was Uncle Zhao driving the oxcart to the gate, ringing the bell and waiting for him to open the door.

This is the last day of construction. Once today's finishing touches are completed, the kitchen will be fully finished and ready for normal use.

While working, Uncle Zhao couldn't keep his mouth shut and always liked to chat.

Ning Jue had been giving perfunctory replies to the rambling conversation, but when he mentioned that Xiao He and Li Silang had returned to Green Vine Village to visit Aunt Li today, he finally looked up and became a little more serious.

Uncle Zhao: "I told you earlier that Xiaohe's mother was quick to act. In just two days, she has invited the man to her home. Miss Apeng was also invited by Xiaohe. If the two of them get together today, you will have to find another maid to keep by your side."

Ning Jue leaned back in his chair, his brows furrowing at the words, doubting whether he had misheard.

"Who do you think she went to see?"

The sound of the banging interrupted Zhao Bodang's words, so he raised his voice and repeated, "It's the nephew of Aunt Li's distant cousin that I mentioned to you before. He came into the village today with Li Silang, specifically to take a look. Didn't Xiao He come by just now? She took Miss A Peng down the mountain. Didn't she explain it to you, sir?"

He didn't understand. But Bai Hua knew perfectly well what was going on and was happy to go?

How could she possibly look at other men...