Chapter 40: An extremely oppressive posture

Did she sing this unintentionally?

She keeps making a fool of herself.

"Brother..."

The heat spread through her, and she hurriedly ran forward a few steps. Her foot seemed to have stepped on something soft and slippery. She hurriedly lifted her foot, but it was too late.

A flash of cold light, the sound of a dagger piercing flesh.

Yu He'an strode into the bushes, picked up the blood-stained dagger, and pulled a meter-long snake out of the dark bushes, examining its markings in the moonlight.

The snake's head had been sliced ​​off by the dagger, but its body was still twirling in the air.

It turned out that she had just been bitten by this snake. She shrank back, feeling as if snakes were hiding in the grass around her.

Fortunately, the initial excruciating pain from the wound has subsided considerably in just a few dozen breaths, leaving only a tingling, numb sensation.

She called out fearfully, "Brother, I'm alright, let's go."

The snake was thrown into the bushes.

"Don't move." Yu He'an squatted down, pressed his fingers on her calf, and felt a slight stinging pain where he pressed. He then picked her up and carried her to a large rock nearby.

"Ah, brother."

The cool moonlight shone on Yu He'an's handsome face. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his thin lips were pursed, making him appear even more serious, as if he had encountered a very difficult situation. "You've been bitten by a snake, and it's poisonous."

"Poisonous?" She clearly felt that the pain had subsided.

Her shoes and socks were taken off, and her trouser legs were rolled up high, revealing her fair calves. There were two small black spots on her calves, and the blood oozing from them was black.

He pressed his fingertip against the wound and squeezed out the dark blood. After squeezing for a while, the dark blood stopped flowing and the blood turned bright red mixed with black blood.

The wound had felt numb for a while, and she hadn't felt any pain yet. Now that most of the dark blood had gone away, most of the poison should have gone away as well, and the wound was starting to hurt.

She belatedly realized that her fingertips were very hot, that she had used a lot of force, and that her legs hurt a lot.

"Brother... could you be gentler? It hurts so much." She struggled and shook her leg.

"You need to squeeze out all the blood clots, just bear with it for now." Slender fingers pressed down on the back of her knees to stop her from kicking wildly.

"Mmm." Yu Tan responded softly. She knew that Yu He'an meant well, but it really hurt so much that she couldn't help it.

He pressed his finger against her calf again, and she flinched, then moved his finger away.

"Brother?" she exclaimed in surprise.

The warm fingers moved away, and in their place something warmer and softer than the fingers was placed on her wound.

"Brother, move it quickly."

His warm lips pressed against her calves, and her body trembled involuntarily. She hurriedly tried to push him away, "Brother, don't..."

Strong fingers pressed down on the back of her knees, rendering her struggles futile. Their lips parted slightly, and her frantic heartbeat finally slowed down.

Logically, with the blood clots being drained, she should feel much better, but her head became increasingly dizzy, as if a water ghost had grabbed her and dragged her into a lake, drowning her there.

Yu He'an squatted down beside Yu Tan, who softly lay on his back, obediently resting her head on his shoulder. He carried her steadily.

"Jade Lotus".

Yu Tan's damp breath fell on her neck, but she did not respond to his words.

"Weren't you singing to me just now? Were you worried that I'm afraid of the dark or too quiet?" Yu He'an bounced up a little to make her more stable on her back.

The snake's venom wasn't too potent; the high fever that followed the coma was what was fatal.

“Brother, don’t be afraid…” Yu Tan said for a while, then snuggled closer to his neck, as if she had found the most solid support.

"I...I used to be unafraid of the dark..."

"But ever since I started having nightmares every night... I've become afraid too..."

“Brother, with you by my side, I have no nightmares and I am not afraid.”

"I'm right here with you, so don't be afraid anymore, okay?"

Yu He'an paused, her voice trembling: "Do you have nightmares every night?"

His tone was erratic and unfocused, like babbling in a dream.

He originally thought that Ji Yushang's behavior had frightened her, so he spent some time with her at Lanfang Courtyard before the New Year. It seems that the truth is more terrifying than he imagined.

After speaking at length, as if exhausting all of Yu Tan's strength, her forehead pressed against the back of his neck, their skin touching. Her skin, which was normally cooler than normal, was now frighteningly hot, urging him to run faster, faster.

In the distance, faint lights appeared; it was people carrying torches searching, who must have discovered their disappearance.

"Someone will be here soon, Yao Yao, you'll be alright."

“Brother.” Yu Tan’s tone was more like a murmur in a dream than when she was speaking to him, “Brother…you, you told me before that you wanted me to confess…”

"I said I'd tell you when you're ready."

Yu Tan sobbed, as if she was thinking of something extremely sad, but she lowered her head and didn't say another word.

The woman who looked similar to Yu Tan, Yu Tan's flustered expression, and the fact that she ran outside several times in the winter.

Yu Tan's identity was kept a closely guarded secret; it was impossible for him not to know.

When Yu Zheng sent his letter, he claimed it was to verify something, which probably meant he had already guessed Yu Tan's identity.

The flames were getting closer.

"My lord." Changming ran over with a torch in hand. When he shone the torch behind him, he saw Yu Tan clinging to Yu He'an's back, her face deathly pale and her lips purple. "What's wrong with my wife?"

"Bitened by a snake." Yu He'an had already circled behind Changming, leaped onto his horse, placed the unconscious Yu Tan against his chest, held her waist with one hand to prevent her from falling, and held the reins with the other.

"I'll take Yaoyao to see Doctor Xue. You go back first and invite all the doctors you can find in Bianjing to the Marquis's residence." Yu He'an's tone was unusually urgent as he quickly finished giving his instructions.

"My lord, is there anything else?" Changming nodded and noted it down. When he looked up again, Yuhe An spurred his horse and rode away. The horse galloped wildly, raising a cloud of sand.

When Changming went to fetch a doctor, he ran into Chu Minglang. They rushed back to Shilanfang Courtyard, where the maids were busy serving hot water and handkerchiefs.

Passing through the small hall, Chu Minglang entered the inner room of Lanfang Courtyard for the first time.

Under the heavy lights, two shadows fell on the sky-blue gauze curtain, nestled intimately together.

That feeling of discomfort resurfaced, and Chu Minglang clenched his fists tightly.

The maid lifted the gauze curtain, and Yu Tan leaned weakly against Yu He'an, burying her petite body in his broad embrace. Her slender fingers gripped Yu He'an's wrist, not letting him leave even for a moment.

Only her fluffy hair was visible; her bright face and the way Yu Tan looked at Yu He'an were not.

Sincerity and trust.

This intimate gesture made him both envious and jealous.

The Marquis's mansion clearly intends for him and Yu Tan to be together, and soon Yu Tan will be his wife.

No one would want their wife to be so intimate with another man, even if that man is her brother.

But with Yu He there, Yu Tan couldn't see him at all, or even anyone else. This thought was constantly being confirmed, burning him with pain throughout his lungs.

It can't be like this; he thought Yu Tan's heart and eyes were filled with him.

A maidservant walked to his side, interrupting his reverie, "Young Master Chu, my wife is really not feeling well..."

The implication was that he should just look and leave, and that's how they started to shoo away customers.

"I'll stay here in the yard and keep watch."

Chu Minglang nodded and left, his face still as gentle as ever, though the shadows in his heart remained buried deep within.

"Brother, please don't leave." She was a little at a loss, only wanting to keep Yu He'an here, as if as long as he stayed, she would have the courage to face life and death.

"Don't be afraid, it won't leave."

She held onto Yu He's hand tightly. Yu He'an squeezed her fingertips, pried open the five fingers that were trapped on his wrist, and squeezed her shoulders, making her lean against Yu He'an's chest.

A bowl of dark, murky herbal medicine was placed to her lips, and she frowned, trying to dodge it.

"Brother, this is the third bowl..."

"You have a fever... You don't need to drink it once the fever goes down..."

She didn't touch the bowl at her lips, and pleading was useless; she had to drink it. She wrinkled her nose, brought her lips closer, and dazedly drank the whole bowl of medicine, as if she had licked something warm.

Sleepiness crept over her, and she could no longer lean on anything. She slid into the quilt, the corner of which she carefully tucked in.

He stared at the glistening moisture on his knuckles, rubbing them vigorously until the moisture disappeared, as if it had melted into his body.

*

The news of Yu Tan being bitten by a poisonous snake didn't reach Hexiang Courtyard until the afternoon of the following day.

Madam Song rushed to Lanfang Courtyard in a great hurry. When she arrived, all the maids in the courtyard were gathered in the outer room.

"Why don't you go in and serve them?"

Granny Liu helped her walk inside. Once inside, behind the sky-blue gauze curtain, stood a tall figure, bowing as he tidied Yu Tan's hair.

He picked up the white porcelain bowl from the low table, dipped his chopsticks in water, and gently touched his chapped lips with the same gentle movements as if handling the most precious treasure in the world. If a drop of water slid down his lips, he would wipe it away with his fingertips.

Granny Liu lifted the gauze curtain and helped Old Madam Song walk inside. Old Madam Song waved Granny Liu away and walked towards the canopy bed. Standing opposite Yu He'an, she watched as the tenderness in his eyes faded, replaced by his usual cold and aloof demeanor.

"grandmother."

"Yaoyao, what happened? Such a big thing happened, why didn't you tell me?" Old Madam Song sat down, supported by the canopy bed.

"It was late last night, so I didn't disturb my grandmother."

Old Madam Song took a step forward: "I'll guard this place, you go back first..."

*

She slept soundly, and when she woke up, she saw Old Madam Song sitting on the canopy bed with an unhappy expression.

"Grandmother, where is my brother?"

She clearly remembered that Yu He'an was here with her before she went to sleep.

Recalling what she saw that morning about Yu He'an's behavior towards Yu Tan, and Yu Tan's dependence on Yu He'an, Old Madam Song frowned deeply.

The Marquis's household was small, and Yu Tan was extremely dependent on Yu He'an when she was young. Someone had mentioned this to her before, which is why she took Yu Tan to Yuyang for a two-year stay when Yu He'an was taking the imperial examination.

After the siblings became estranged, Yu He'an grew increasingly cold and indifferent. She wondered if she had made a mistake back then by letting Yu Tan run off to Feng Xu Courtyard.

But is the current development correct? Has she made another mistake?

"grandmother?"

“He’s tired too. I told him to get some sleep before coming back.” Old Madam Song stroked her head. “Yaoyao, don’t hide such a big thing from me next time, so that your grandmother won’t worry.”

"Hmm..." She nodded, propping herself up against the headboard. It was already dusk, and it wouldn't be appropriate to bring Yu He'an over now. "Grandmother, I won't do it again. It's all my fault for insisting on learning to ride a horse and pestering my brother to teach me... Grandmother..."

“No wonder the young master is worried.” Granny Liu stood behind Madam Song. “Young Master Chu has been waiting outside all afternoon. Would you like to see him, madam?”

Just as Yu Tan was about to refuse, another voice in her heart told her that she should see Chu Minglang.

Old Madam Song seemed to sense her hesitation: "You are still seriously ill. If you want to see me, then see me; if not, you can decline..."

"Please trouble Granny Liu to convey my message that I am still ill. I will thank Young Master Chu after I recover."

The smile on Granny Liu's face faded, and she turned to look at Old Madam Song, who did not move.

Granny Liu left the inner room, lowered the sky-blue gauze curtain to block outsiders' view, and stood outside the canopy bed without going outside to relay a message to Chu Minglang.

She had a feeling that Madam Song still had something to say to her, so she quickly propped herself up on her arms, trying to sit up straight and be a well-behaved child.

Unfortunately, I was weak after my illness, and my arms went limp, causing me to slip into the blankets.

"Yaoyao, are you not satisfied with Chu Minglang?"

After a long silence, Old Madam Song suddenly spoke, and her words left her somewhat stunned.

Why is Grandma suddenly asking this?

As things stand, Chu Minglang has not shown any obvious malice towards her and has been quite humble and polite.

She was simply resisting contact with him out of fear of the future.

If he were to spend time with Chu Minglang, he would probably be at least gentle and considerate towards her.

She shook her head, trying to banish these strange thoughts.

How could she think that way? Chu Minglang might be the one who imprisoned her, but another force was pulling at her mind: the one who imprisoned her might not necessarily be Chu Minglang...

She felt a little lost and apprehensive, wondering why she would think that way.

“I think the Chu family is quite good. They have a good family tradition, and the matriarch is capable. If you go there, you won't have to worry about anything. Anyway, you're a lazy person. I've met Chu Minglang, and he's a good person…”

“Grandmother, I know all this. Lord Chu is a very gentle person. I have thought it over carefully…” She curled up in the quilt, deciding to be a turtle that had retreated into its shell.

Anyway, Madam Song was just asking questions and wouldn't really pressure her. She just needed to get away with it this time.

"If Yaoyao feels it's appropriate... we'll set a date to finalize the marriage..." Old Madam Song lowered her eyes, but the scene from last night felt like a thorn piercing her heart.

Knowing that this time it wouldn't be so easy to get away with it, she could only answer seriously, "Grandmother, it's not appropriate to keep Minglang waiting outside. Let me put on an outer robe and call him in."

After resting for a while and regaining some strength, she put on a light pink outer garment and said, "Please trouble Granny Liu to call Minglang in."

Madam Song's expression softened, her tense face relaxed, and she patted her head as if rewarding a child who had done something right.

Granny Liu left the inner room and soon brought someone in.

As the footsteps grew closer, and the stranger entered her bedroom, she felt as if her territory had been violated, and she suppressed her discomfort.

But the moment Chu Minglang entered, the dim candlelight reflected on his gentle face, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised as he smiled tenderly at her.

An itch began to rise all over her body, and she felt a renewed desire to get closer to Chu Minglang.

Why did she genuinely believe that Chu Minglang was trustworthy?

Although Granny Liu was leading the way, Chu Minglang simply stood in front of the door, in a position where he could see Yu Tan but not too offensively.

Chu Minglang said gently, "Yaoyao, are you feeling better? I was always worried about you staying at the inn, but at least I can get some news about you here."

She was lost in her own emotions: "Thank you for your concern, Minglang. I'm fine now, I'll be much better in a few days."

Chu Minglang stood awkwardly at the door, but when she heard Yu Tan say that she was feeling better, her tense expression relaxed a little, and her straight shoulders and neck loosened.

"As long as Yao Yao is alright, I'll head back now." Chu Minglang had waited here all afternoon, just to hear a word from Yu Tan.

"Lanxin, please see Minglang off for me."

Granny Liu said, "Young Master Chu is so thoughtful. He has been standing in the courtyard for so long without getting impatient. He has a rare and good temperament."

The emotion in Yu Tan's eyes when she glanced at Chu Minglang just now could not be hidden from Old Madam Song; Yu Tan clearly had feelings for Chu Minglang.

Madam Song smiled and ruffled her hair. "You lied to me earlier, saying you needed to think it over carefully, but I see you've thought it through very well."

"Grandmother." She looked at Old Madam Song, who had seen her expression just now and seemed a little flustered.

On the contrary, the blame and embarrassment on Madam Song's face disappeared, replaced by her usual indulgence.

"Grandmother, I haven't figured it out myself." She lowered her head. She originally thought she was resisting Chu Minglang, but now it seems that's not entirely true, and it doesn't seem so hard to accept.

Granny Liu laughed and said, "How can the feelings between young men and women be explained?"

Madam Song smiled and said, "There's still a long way to go. You'll understand after spending more time with him. The results will be announced in a few days. Your brother will definitely be very busy after he enters officialdom. Don't act like a child and keep running to Fengxu Courtyard."

She looked up in surprise: "Grandmother, it wasn't you who said that..."

Why can't she go? Does Madam Song suspect her identity and want her to avoid suspicion?

This news terrified her even more than seeing herself getting close to Chu Minglang.

Old Madam Song held her hand: "Yaoyao, you should be sensible at least once in your life."

“I understand, Grandmother.”

Madam Song squeezed her hand, a comforting smile on her face, "What a good child, Yaoyao."

After Old Madam Song and Granny Liu left, she finally didn't have to force herself anymore. She slid into the quilt and buried herself in it, which made her more comfortable.

She had no time to care whether she would fall in love with Chu Minglang in the future, just like in the story.

She is back in the same predicament she faced five years ago, and this time it's even worse than before.

After all, five years ago, she could sleep well.

She heard footsteps again, but buried herself in the blankets, not wanting to move at all.

Footsteps and the sound of a bowl being placed on a small table indicated that someone was approaching her bedside; it must be Lanxin bringing in medicine.

She couldn't figure out what went wrong.

"Lanxin, have any letters from my father been sent back to the manor recently?"

Lanxin didn't reply. The footsteps grew closer, and she could hear the slight rustling of fabric. She sensed someone sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Asleep?" The voice was low and magnetic.

She lifted the brocade quilt and saw Yuhe sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in a moon-white robe. Her back looked thin, but she had seen the scenery beneath the robe, which was far more vigorous and powerful than she had imagined.

"Brother, what brings you here?"

Yu He'an didn't respond for a moment.

Why did he appear at Yu Tan's residence in the middle of the night?

After he returned and finished applying the medicine, he instructed Changming to check the horse farm. Then, as if his legs had gained consciousness, he walked over on their own.

Yu He'an's gaze fell upon her, and she could hardly hide her joy.

"Brother?"

Yu He'an still didn't answer her; her eyelashes were lowered, and she seemed to be in a daze.

She propped herself up, the brocade quilt slipped down, revealing her lotus-colored dress, the front of which was slightly open.

It reveals a beautifully contoured neck, large expanses of smooth, snow-white skin, and then a graceful, upturned curve.

"Don't move." Yu He'an raised his hand and pressed her back into the brocade quilt, supporting her with both hands on either side of her, pressing the quilt tightly, like a cicada cocoon.

"Brother, what are you doing?" Her tone was soft and sweet, sounding like she was pleading.

"Not really." The hand supporting him on either side didn't move. This posture was extremely intimidating; if it were any other man, she would definitely find it offensive.

“Brother, you’re acting a bit strange…” She looked up at Yu He’an, trying to discern a hint of suspicion from his face.

Yu He'an propped himself up and retreated to the bedside. "What's strange about it?"

When she woke up, both Madam Song and Yu He'an's attitudes were very strange.

Madam Song did not care whether her wound hurt or scold her for being too willful in learning to ride a horse. Instead, she told her to go to Fengxu Courtyard less often.

They had already finished their scientific expeditions.

Yuhe An's is the same.

What exactly happened?

"Brother, has Father sent another letter?" She clutched the corner of the blanket, burying the lower half of her face in it, leaving only her eyes visible as she stared intently at Yu He'an.

His gaze met Yu Tan's, and he understood her worry and helplessness.

"Brother, why are you always spacing out? Why aren't you answering me?"

She didn't receive an answer. She felt a strange sensation on her eyelids, and cool fingertips covered her eyes, so she couldn't see.

The familiar scent of cedarwood was very close, seemingly enveloping her completely.

The posture was extremely oppressive, but because it was Yu He'an, she didn't back away.

Author's Note: Thank you to Yuyanyouzimimao and uksophie for the nutrient solution. [Fireworks]