Inside the carriage, Li Yunyan and He Lanyi sat side by side.
It was so quiet that the only sound they could hear was each other breathing.
Qingyin sat on the carriage, straining her ears to listen to what was happening inside.
Quietly.
Between the two of them, it was always Li Yunyan who took the initiative to speak and find topics to talk about. When she didn't speak, the atmosphere became frustratingly quiet.
He Lanyi was really about to lose it.
He wanted to talk to her, but he didn't know what to say, and he was afraid that she would ignore him if he did.
The two did not exchange a single word until they returned to their residence.
Li Yunyan did not return to her room, but went straight into the room of her older brother next door.
Qianfan is very meticulous in his work. He disinfects the silver needles she needs to use very carefully every day.
Li Yunyan carefully washed her hands, took the silver needles, but did not immediately insert them. Instead, she calmed herself down.
When administering acupuncture, one must not be distracted by emotions; she cannot allow her own mood to harm the patient.
She first took his pulse, and since he hadn't received acupuncture yesterday, his meridians showed signs of stagnation again.
She apologized softly, "Brother, I'm sorry I didn't give you acupuncture yesterday. It might mean you won't wake up for several nights."
He Lanyi felt a pang of sorrow when he saw that she preferred to talk to someone who couldn't hear rather than talk to him.
But he had no right to be angry, since the person she was facing was her real husband.
And I am nothing more than a substitute who has taken over someone else's place!
"Yunyan."
Ignoring the presence of outsiders, he spoke bitterly, "If I were the one lying there, would you have saved me like this?"
Li Yunyan's tone was calm and even as she said, "Patients are not distinguished by their social status; I will save anyone within my power."
After saying that, she felt that she had calmed down and began to administer acupuncture.
He Lanyi tried to take the handkerchief from Qingyin's hand, but Qingyin acted as if she didn't see him and didn't even look up.
Hmph! How dare the son-in-law bully her young lady! She shouldn't give him a kind look!
Unable to secure any work, He Lanyi stood nearby with his hands at his sides, gazing intently at Li Yunyan.
Finally, the acupuncture was completed. Li Yunyan had just stood up and hadn't even stood up properly when He Lanyi picked her up and carried her back to her room.
No one saw that after they left, Helan Cheng, who was lying on the bed, twitched his fingers slightly.
He Lanyi carried Li Yunyan back to her room and kicked the door shut to stop Qingyin from following behind.
Qingyin didn't dare to push the door open and came in, so she just pricked up her ears and eavesdropped outside.
He placed Li Yunyan on the bed, and before she could get up, he pressed himself against her.
He grabbed her hands that were pounding on her chest, his voice pleading, "Yanyan, I was wrong! Forgive me!"
Upon realizing he had changed how he addressed her, Li Yunyan stopped struggling and lowered her eyes, remaining silent.
Helan Yi buried his face in her neck, greedily inhaling her scent. "Yanyan, don't ignore me!"
Li Yunyan didn't say anything; she was indeed feeling a bit tired.
I've been here for months, but I haven't made any progress. He's too hard to win over; nothing I do works. It would be faster to just find someone else to pursue!
Don't blame her for being heartless, because she wants to live!
Seeing her heartbroken expression, He Lanyi wanted to tell her the truth: it wasn't that he didn't like her, but rather that he couldn't like her!
Actually, he liked her, liked her so much he was almost crazy!
He even considered becoming a real couple with her, and then apologizing to his younger brother after he woke up. He was willing to give up everything he had!
But now the culprit who poisoned us has just been identified, and could strike again at any time! If he is poisoned as well, or even dies, then...
What should she do then?
"Yan Yan." He lowered his posture considerably, his eyes filled with sincerity, and pleaded cautiously, "Could you please give me a little more time?"
Li Yunyan's eyes flickered, but she didn't have much time left!
Li Yunyan decided to give him one last chance. She looked up into his eyes and asked, "He Lancheng, what is your reason? If it's because of your hidden illness that you want me to take your pulse, I promise you I can cure you!"
Upon hearing this, He Lanyi reflexively pulled his wrist back. Li Yunyan saw his action and smiled self-deprecatingly.
"If you don't want to be my wife, then let me go!"
He Lanyi never expected her to say such resolute words. His heart felt like it had been torn open, and the pain was so intense that he couldn't breathe.
"What did you say?! You actually want to leave me?!"
"You're always wary of me and have never treated me like your wife, so why can't I leave?"
"No! I won't allow it!"
He Lanyi held her tightly, his heart aching with unbearable sorrow. "I won't let you leave! Yanyan! Don't leave me!"
He suddenly kissed her passionately.
This was the first time he had kissed her proactively, with an overwhelming force, as if he wanted to devour her whole.
Li Yunyan did not respond, because she knew he would stop.
They might even get up and run away.
Sure enough, he regained his senses after he tore her clothes and left glaring red marks on her skin.
He pulled the blanket next to him over her and said, "Yanyan, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"
After saying that, he stood up and called out, "Shuquan! Prepare water!"
Li Yunyan was distracted for a moment, thinking that he hadn't run away, which was a kind of progress!
Having already decided to give up on him, she stopped thinking about how to win him over and started planning how to leave.
In ancient times, there were only a few ways for a woman to leave her husband's family: divorce, being divorced, widowhood, or faking her death.
Forget about the last two options for now. Being divorced doesn't look good either. It would be best to have a dignified divorce.
She decided to have Qingyin go to the street tomorrow to buy some relevant books to study.
With a plan in mind, Li Yunyan took a bath and went to bed.
She wrapped herself up tightly, facing inwards, and slept squeezed against the foot of the bed.
After He Lanyi got into bed, she neither turned around nor spoke to him, nor gave him a goodnight kiss.
"Yanyan?"
He Lanyi looked at her slender back, then looked up and touched her long, loose hair. Finding it still a little damp, he used his inner strength to dry it for her.
It doesn't matter if she ignores him, as long as she's still by his side, he'll be content.
He Lanyi sighed silently, his fingers twirling her hair as he watched her retreating figure as he fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, he felt a warm, soft body snuggling into his arms. He couldn't wait to embrace her, feeling incredibly at ease.
Everything seemed to have turned upside down.
Li Yunyan gave him the cold shoulder and refused to speak to him. He Lanyi, however, racked his brains every day to find topics to chat with her. If he could get even the slightest reaction from her, he would be happy for half a day.
Every night he would take the initiative to kiss her, giving her a long goodnight kiss.
In the blink of an eye, half a year has passed since Li Yunyan married into the Helan family.
On this day, Old Madam Helan suddenly summoned Li Yunyan to speak with her.
When she returned, Li Yunyan had a beautiful maidservant by her side.
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