Chapter 49 Chapter 49 End, Wake Up
Since the day they got married six years ago, the word "panic" has been like a shackle firmly fastened on Xu Wenya's head.
But gradually, as she enjoyed the glory of being the unique hostess day after day in this magnificent and respected mansion, she became indecisive and quietly cast off the shackles as if deceiving herself.
Even though she wasn't favored by the Master, there were no concubines in the mansion besides her, nor were there any elders or parents-in-law to serve. The servants followed the rules, and there were no wicked slaves like those in her family who bullied their masters.
Every month, silks, satins, jewelry, and everything else she was entitled to were respectfully presented to her for her to choose from. She knew this wasn't arranged by her lords; after all, these were once once-in-a-lifetime treasures to her, but to her lords, they were mere dust and grains of sand, and she paid no heed to them.
But it was precisely these things that made her increasingly lost, and yet she felt at ease.
Although she was also a daughter of an official family, her father's official rank was only sixth. In the capital, where every inch of land was worth a lot of money, it was definitely not enough to support a large family and maintain a decent life with just salary.
Therefore, only she, a girl who has reached the age of marriage, without the protection of her biological mother and the love of her biological father, can gain some financial benefits through marriage.
But a sixth-rank official was a lowly position in the capital, so lowly that her father was not even qualified to send a visiting card to the noble family. Unable to reach the upper class, unwilling to settle for the lower class, his only option was to give up his official position and choose business.
However, among those who discussed marriage, many wealthy merchants thought that the father's position was too low and powerless to make any profit. The few who did not care were mediocre in talent and destined to fail to support the family business.
Since you have chosen a businessman, money is naturally the most important thing.
As long as there was enough money, her father could use his connections to get a promotion, the family could hire more servants, and her stepmother and siblings could live the truly pampered lives of the wives of officials and young masters.
As for her being betrothed to a man old enough to be her grandfather as his second wife, no one cared whether she was willing or not, and whether her life was good or bad, except herself.
Pressured by filial piety, she had no choice but to obey.
If the master had not had a sudden thought and ordered someone to rescue her, she would have already drowned herself in the river. Or if she had been found by her family and married to an old man, she would have ended up living a life worse than death, barely surviving.
Therefore, even though the master only treated her as a decoration, and did not offer greetings to his parents or entertain guests on the wedding day, and even just left her far away in the mansion and raised her without paying any attention to her,
To her, the adults' kindness is as heavy as Mount Tai.
She constantly reminded herself to remember the Master's kindness, not to forget her duty, to be careful in her words and actions, and to fulfill her responsibilities, until the day came when the Master no longer needed her to occupy this empty title.
But human hearts are fickle and insatiable. She indulged herself in this false sense of prosperity, and gradually developed a delusion, hoping for the Lord's mercy. This desire began when her father wrote to her urging her to have a child, and when, after years of childlessness, her family decided to send her half-sister to serve in the family, it suddenly became uncontrollable.
Fortunately, the master never allowed her to get close to him and suppressed all her foolish thoughts. Otherwise, not only would she not be able to stay in peace, she would have been expelled from the mansion long ago.
However, although the thought could be temporarily calmed, it never disappeared. When she heard that the master had left the mansion for a woman and accompanied her shopping, watching operas and visiting the garden, and even gave her the Hibiscus Jade, her heart was filled with malice.
When the woman accidentally fell into the water and died, although she was heartbroken about the master's deep love and was seriously ill, she could not suppress the unmistakable joy in her heart.
She knew very well that she was destined not to be loved by the adults, and was willing to accept this outcome, but she could not bear that another woman had received the deep love she had always desired.
Therefore, when she learned that the woman had been found and was not dead but seriously injured, she prayed to the Buddha viciously, asking her to never wake up.
---
The windows were wide open, and snowflakes were falling incessantly.
The silver charcoal basins in the four corners of the room were burning warm, and the heat made the mirror blurry. Xu Wenya sat alone in front of the dressing table, looking into the mirror. The image seemed distorted.
Strange and ugly.
The maidservants had already left. She raised her hand to remove the pearl and gold hairpins in her hair, looked at herself in the mirror for a moment, then took off the pair of exquisite earrings, the jade pendant around her neck, and the gold and jade bracelets on her wrists.
Wiping the mist off the mirror with a handkerchief, she was stunned when she looked at the person in the mirror again. The youthful and reserved look of the past had transformed into a graceful and noble demeanor, and the panic in her eyes had been replaced by calmness.
Strange yet familiar,
It was like waking up from a dream and suddenly realizing everything.
"Please report to the lord, I would like to ask to come down and see the lord."
After delivering the message, Jiangting was left behind. He did not go to the hall to drink tea, but waited quietly under the eaves of the courtyard. He was not surprised to hear this, as it was he who accompanied the master on his journey and was ordered to rescue the person.
Even that deal was negotiated and concluded by him.
Jiang Ting did not raise his head, nor did he sigh, but said calmly: "My Lord, only ordered me to help Madam fulfill the agreement.
Xu Wenya knew that he had a cold personality, but she still had a glimmer of hope in her heart, hoping to see him again before leaving.
But in the end, he was... too heartless.
The room was silent for a long time before a voice was heard: "Okay."
*
The mansion was warm as a spring morning, but a charcoal fire still burned in the main courtyard bedroom. Even in thin clothing, the heat was unbearable. Yet, the woman sleeping peacefully on the bed was still covered in a thick quilt.
A long, high-legged desk stood awkwardly beside the bed, on which lay piles of documents, scattered at varying heights. Whenever the person behind the desk paused to write, they would glance towards the couch.
At lunchtime, Tongze went inside to clear the long table, and Biyu brought out the medicinal food. After Qin Jingyao changed his clothes and washed his hands, he stepped into the tent, gently took the sleeping woman into his arms, washed her, and fed her, his movements smooth and familiar.
He straightened her clothes, half held her in his arms, and massaged her throat and abdomen. After feeding her the pills, he took her hands and carefully applied the medicine. When he saw that everything was stable, he gently placed her back on the couch.
After a quick lunch, I retrieved a few chapters of the storybook she'd written while at the charity cemetery and flipped through them. He raised his eyebrows in surprise when he came across something new, and pointed out any inappropriate parts. The chapters were quite short, and I finished them in less than half an hour.
Qin Jingyao, however, couldn't put it down, perusing it carefully. The story wasn't important; the handwriting was what mattered. Her handwriting was like her, round and lovely yet beautiful, deeply personal. Even the subtle pauses in her writing were familiar to him from dozens of letters they'd exchanged.
And this book of stories was like her escaping from under his nose, successfully escaping, teasing him and taking revenge on him, keeping him in the dark once again.
It is not uncommon for people to learn multiple scripts, but no matter which one they learn, there are always some similarities between the lines. People's preferences are often fixed.
Words reveal one's heart; a person's character rarely changes unless they experience life and death. Naturally, there are also those who remain stubborn until death, never realizing their mistakes.
Calligraphy is different from other things. It is difficult to develop a noble character without years of hard practice and diligent writing.
Her handwriting was clearly the product of painstaking practice. The strokes were thin and sharp, the turns like golden spears and silver hooks, and the sharpness of the left and right strokes was evident. The structure was open and neat, yet within its ease, there was a hidden danger.
Looking at the whole piece, one can see that it is both meticulously crafted and full of integrity, and is written with ease and ease, with its own unique style. It is completely different from her usual soft and reserved handwriting, and it is like two completely different people.
The more Qin Jingyao looked, the darker his eyes became, but the smile on his lips deepened. He suddenly raised his eyes and looked at the woman who was still sleeping and unaware of anything.
If you can, you should be good at swimming. You should lie in wait and strike when the opportunity arises. You must not only be brave, but also be strategic; neither is indispensable.
If it weren't for the perfect timing and location, he wouldn't be able to lure her out. Even if the script was presented to him, he wouldn't be able to recognize it.
As a result, she was allowed to make a living and live a carefree and peaceful life.
I just don't know how many more cards she has hidden besides these.
The end of the afternoon was the time for her daily medicinal bath to dispel the cold and strengthen her body. Because she couldn't stand even the slightest bit of cold, Qin Jingyao had his men connect the partition with the bedroom, carving out a bathing pool, paving it with warm jade walls and filling it with fresh water. Needless to say, this required a tremendous amount of manpower and resources.
---
When the bone-chilling cold was dispelled by the warm current again, it seemed as if the consciousness that had been frozen for a long time was finally released.
The breath that had been weak all the time suddenly became heavier, and Qin Jingyao, who was holding her in his arms and tying her hair, immediately noticed it.
Amidst the steam, he felt as if he had been suddenly frozen, his body stiffening and his blood rushing backwards. His palm landed on her shoulder blade, his knuckles clenching, veins bulging on the back of his hand, yet he didn't let her bear any of the force.
He held his breath, his eyes fixed on her face like a hawk.
Her eyelashes, glistening black from the vapors of the drug, trembled slightly, and a drop of crystal liquid fell. Beneath her thin eyelids, her pupils rolled like dewdrops, her brows knitted together, her lips pursed lightly, and her entire face suddenly became vivid and alive with these subtle tremors.
Lan Nongnong felt as if she had been asleep for an eternity. Her eyelids felt heavy and dry, and before she could even open them, a sore sensation welled up in her. She parted her lips slightly, took a long, deep breath, and suddenly felt exhausted, her head buzzing.
The light, still perceptible through her eyelids, suddenly vanished. Her sense of smell gradually awakened, and amidst the rich medicinal fumes, she discerned a faintly familiar scent of incense. Her brow furrowed, her eyelashes fluttering, as if she were straining to determine the source of this familiar aroma.
Her hands, floating on the surface, were wrapped in oilcloth, and her red and swollen knuckles opened and closed feebly. An itch slowly revived between her bones. Though her senses were still numb, Lan Nongnong seemed to have gained a tiny bit of strength, and finally opened her eyes.
Her vision was hazy at first, she stared blankly, then suddenly blinked slowly, and the darkness dissipated.
Through the swirling heat, she saw a long, semicircular arm, its wet clothes clinging to it. She followed it upwards, slowly raising her eyes to see a face slightly dampened with moisture, its skin pale and its eyes deep, its features accentuated by its refined, elegant beauty.
"Yao, Jing,"
Lan Nongnong murmured softly, and a smile suddenly broke out on her dazed face. In an instant, she was like a budding flower that suddenly bloomed, so bright and beautiful that it was beyond description.
"Yao Jing, it's you,"
She called out again, but she had been unconscious for so long, her body weak and breathless, her lips and tongue numb, her voice very low, the words seeming to be held in her mouth. Perhaps because her voice was too low and hoarse, she frowned slowly in annoyance, but the next moment, she was embraced in a wet, hot embrace.
“…Nong Nong…, Nong Nong, it’s me.”
Qin Jingyao lowered his head to rest on her neck, the deep emotions in his eyes hidden beneath his eagle-like eyelashes. He simply pressed his lips against her ear and responded in a low voice.
At this moment, the ecstasy of her finally waking up, coupled with this unexpected, long-lost affectionate look, shattered all his defenses and anxieties.
At this moment, he didn't want to think too much.
If she loses her memory because of this, whether it is true or not, he is willing to continue their previous love and expectations with her.
Even if she was just momentarily distracted, he just wanted to indulge in the tenderness and love that he had lost and regained at that moment.
Lan Nongnong was ultimately injured, and the heat fumigates her, waking her for only a moment before she fell drowsy again. Her arms were limp, unable to embrace him back. She simply leaned against him, muttering, "I'm tired," before closing her eyes and falling asleep.
Knowing that her awakening was a good sign, she suddenly became silent again, which still frightened Qin Jingyao so much that his heart stopped beating and his body froze.
He held her carefully in his arms, his gaze lingering longingly on her sleeping face, his fingertips gently caressing the lips that had once whispered sweet nothings. His dark hair rippled on the water as he leaned in close, murmuring in a hoarse voice, his words indistinct and difficult to discern.
*
Midway through, Lan Nongnong woke up again, feeling her body and heart alternately hot and cold. When it was cold, she curled up and shivered, feeling the chill seeping through the cracks in her bones. When it was hot, it felt like she was falling into a furnace, threatening to incinerate her flesh and blood. In comparison, the chilblains on her hands seemed insignificant.
She was tortured by the cold and hot torture and rolled over on the couch and groaned. Qin Jingyao stood by and could only hold her tightly in his arms, but he was helpless and the torment in his heart was a thousand times greater than hers.
However, he also knew that the disease would become harmful if it was dormant for a long time, and it would be a good thing to release it now.
That night, Qin Jingyao never left her side, feeding her medicine and food, and soothing her softly. Until the medicine took effect and she finally relaxed and fell into a deep sleep, he also did not close his eyes.
*
The sound of the door closing was heard through several layers of curtains, and no sound was heard at all. However, Lan Nongnong slowly opened her eyes as if she sensed something.
A warm yellow light filtered through the tent, illuminating the view dimly but not enough to see things clearly.
Lan Nongnong had no intention of distinguishing anything. Although her eyes were open, her pupils were dazed and lifeless, her consciousness was hazy and uncertain, and her mind felt like a heavy burden, dragging her down and making it difficult for her to recover.
It was as if she had actually woken up long ago, under his unblinking gaze.
When she slowly realized that she had failed to escape and was caught by him, she should have been excited, angry, panicked, or eager to escape again, with all kinds of intense emotions.
Perhaps it was because she had slept too long, but everything that had happened in the past always seemed a bit distorted to her. She felt like she was trapped in a glass jar, all her emotions drained away.
Therefore, there is no need to disguise yourself. Just block your perception, remain calm and unmoved, and you will not be noticed.
She didn't know how long she'd slept, but she felt unwell all over. Even though she was covered in a thick blanket, she felt the chill seeping into her bones. Her head felt groggy and hot, and she felt too weak to get up. The mere thought of this made her feel exhausted both physically and mentally.
So he opened his eyes, his gaze blank, and remained silent.
It was not until the bed curtain was gently lifted that Lan Nongnong slowly blinked and turned to look over.
"The girl is awake!"
Biyu couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, but she still remembered to lower her voice for fear of disturbing her.
The girl was unconscious all these days, and the adults took care of her personally without any help. Now that the girl woke up, he was a little at a loss for what to do, and his eyes were red again.
It wasn't that my friendship with the girl was particularly deep. Firstly, her personality was truly endearing, and secondly, since the master cherished her so dearly, I, a servant, wouldn't dare neglect her. Thirdly, the girl had finally returned, but she was unconscious. Her unconscious, ice-sculpture-like appearance was truly heartbreaking.
"Young lady, you have been unconscious for many days. Now that you have awakened, you will recover after a period of rest. It is normal for you to feel weak after lying in bed for so long. It is nothing serious. Please allow me to help you get up and have some food. After eating, you can rest."
The outside was covered with glazed tiles, keeping the cold out. Inside, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, creating a warm atmosphere. But Biyu had tucked the bed curtains tightly shut, preventing even a draft from entering. Only then did she look up.
But when he unexpectedly met the girl's eyes, the smile on his face froze and he almost cried.
The girl was born with a pair of bright and round eyes. Before the incident, there was always a smile in her eyes. When her eyes moved, they were as agile and clever as a swimming fish, so lively and attractive that people couldn't take their eyes off them.
But now, the girl had lost a lot of weight, and her eyes seemed even larger. Perhaps because of the dim light, her pupils looked extremely dark, yet they were dull and empty, as if they had lost their soul. Looking at them made people feel sad and inexplicably cold.
Jade's throat was blocked and her lips trembled slightly: "...Miss, if you are still tired, you can rest for a while. I will guard here, and we will have dinner and take medicine later...Okay?
Lan Nongnong saw that she seemed to be frightened by her, and wanted to say a few words to comfort her, but her heart was calm and almost indifferent.
Boundless weariness dragged her down, even blinking felt like an effort. Her hands, probably from chilblains, itched sporadically, but it wasn't unbearable. She tried to get up, but her body felt heavy and weak, then decided it didn't matter.
Biyu keenly caught her instantaneous impulse, and quickly and gently put on protective clothes for her, put on the protective cap with built-in warm jade, and helped her lean half on the soft pillow.
She took care of everything from washing and cleaning the face to feeding porridge and medicine.
Lan Nongnong felt that she should be embarrassed, but she felt calm, as if it was no big deal.
"Young lady, you need to rest and not overwork yourself. Would you like to take a short nap? Or perhaps listen to a book or some music to ease your boredom?"
The bed curtains were drawn, and the snow shone through, making the room bright.
Lan Nongnong leaned her head against the wall, staring blankly. Later she realized the window was made of transparent glass. She thought to herself, "No wonder it's so bright."
Biyu spoke beside her, her voice muffled and indistinct, as if through a veil. She shook her head gently, but seemed not to move at all, her eyes half-lidded, as if in exhaustion, her gaze fixed quietly on a corner.
Biyu watched with a startled heart, a cold sweat instantly drenching her back. The girl's condition looked as if she had lost her soul, or perhaps she was suffering from depression. Either of these was a serious matter, and she didn't dare leave. Seeing the girl still looking downcast, she hurriedly called for her maid to fetch Doctor Mo.
Mo Chou was at the mansion, so he could take care of things. Upon hearing the news, he did not dare to neglect it and hurried over with his medicine box. He first greeted the mansion, and after a maid used an incense burner to wipe away the coldness on his body, he was allowed in.
As soon as he saw the person, he was also shocked.
Fortunately, it is not a case of amnesia, but the trouble is no less serious than amnesia.
Depression is a heart disease, historically incurable. Those suffering from it often exhibit signs of depression, including furrowed brows, a gloomy gaze, self-pity, and a sense of weakness and anxiety.
Miss Guanlan's complexion and breath showed no such symptoms.
Her expression was calm, her eyes indifferent, and her aura was tranquil. Her pulse was gentle and steady, and no matter how you examined her, her expression remained unchanged, her eyes unwavering, her appearance trance-like, yet she was actually oblivious to everything else.
The woman half-reclining on the couch had closed her eyes without her knowing when. Mo Chou frowned, put away the pulse pillow, shook his head slightly at Biyu, and quietly retreated.
Biyu gently grasped her exposed wrist and carefully tucked it under the quilt. She then took a thin quilt and gently covered her shoulders, tucking it in tightly. She motioned for the maid to come forward and take care of her, then quickly followed her out.
"Doctor Mo,"
Mo Chou was waiting outside the courtyard gate. Upon hearing the voice, he said, "Don't panic. The fact that she's awake is a good sign. Starting today, the prescription has been changed. You must take good care of her. First, nurse the girl back to health. Then, proceed step by step. There's still a long way to go."
His tone was calm, as if he had everything planned out, which immediately put Biyu's heart at ease. Her shoulders relaxed and she bowed and replied, "Yes, we will follow the doctor's orders. I wonder if Doctor Mo has any other instructions?"
Mo Chou pondered for a moment and then ordered, "Take down the tranquilizing incense and place some fragrant, colorful flowers in the room to replace the dull and gloomy furnishings. Also, select a few cheerful and bright maids to serve nearby."
He paused briefly, then continued, "Let's make this arrangement for now. When you return, send someone to call me immediately. I will discuss the details with you personally."
*
Whenever it snowed, the court would become more solemn.
Snow can be a blessing or a disaster.
Last year, the northern border was struck by a snowstorm. Roofs collapsed on huts, livestock froze to death, firewood became wet and difficult to burn, and the roads were blocked by snow. By the time the news reached Kyoto and relief efforts began, half the village had frozen to death, let alone the number in previous years.
Natural disasters are merciless, and only human intervention can remedy them. Every winter, all regions take strict precautions early on, and the depth and duration of snowfall are reported daily to Kyoto.
The Sheng Dynasty had a vast territory, covering thousands of miles. Although there were inevitably some places where the government's orders were difficult to reach, many people still froze to death in this peaceful and prosperous era. This shows that local officials were just sitting in their positions and doing nothing, and had never learned from past disasters.
The officials were incompetent and delayed the best opportunity to rescue the disaster, which made the court ineffective in making decisions. The pen of history was as hard as iron, and eventually the officials in the court were stigmatized for their incompetence in governing the country.
Therefore, at the beginning of this winter, the emperor and his officials were on edge, fearing further bad news. Everyone's face was stained with worry, a look of concern for the country and the people. This was in stark contrast to the long-unseen gentleness and gentleness of the Shangshu Ling.
The New Year is approaching, and apart from the important task of preventing snow disasters, there is nothing major happening in the court, just like this cold winter.
After the court session, all the officials filed out of the palace. They all saw the man at the front, dressed in a crimson official robe, his figure as tall and straight as a jade tree, walking hurriedly. Remembering the recent commotion he had caused over a woman, they couldn't help but marvel: "The saying that a hero can't resist a beautiful woman is truly true."
"After all, they are young and full of passion."
"As the head of a government official, a man of great talent and wisdom, yet he indulges himself in women to this extent, isn't he destroying his future?"
"Ah, that's wrong. Your Excellency is not yet thirty, and is in the prime of life. In the past, he was not familiar with the depths of love, but now that he has a beautiful woman, why not indulge her a little?"
"Hahaha, that makes sense, it makes sense!"
The Shangshu Ling was very powerful and had many eyes and ears in the palace. People walked in groups of two or three, saying a few words in a friendly manner and then stopped talking. They left the palace and returned to their respective offices.
*
Since leaving the mansion this morning, Qin Jingyao has been worried about when she would wake up, and even at the court meeting, he was a little distracted. After leaving the court, he rode as fast as he could, but still couldn't make it back to the mansion before she woke up.
According to Mo Chou, her unusual behavior when she woke up yesterday was probably due to sleeping too long and her mind being confused. Now that she has woken up again, she must have regained consciousness and remembered everything that happened before.
He is unwilling to speak and turns a deaf ear. He probably knows that he is being brought back to a situation he doesn't want to face, so he resists stubbornly.
Qin Jingyao had his own ideas in mind and listened to Mo Chou's words. His heart was overwhelmed with emotion as the two of them finally met again after several months of separation.
He paused outside her door, changed his clothes and warmed up before walking in. He saw her lying softly on a purple and pink brocade couch, wearing a purple and pink hat with a warm jade embedded in it, with gold patterns on it. Her black hair flowed out from under the hat, spreading over her neck and hanging down to the edge of the couch.
She tilted her head slightly, and he could see her straight nose and a cheek as delicate as white porcelain.
The eyelashes are curled up, and the person is awake.
Qin Jingyao stopped and stared, not saying a word, as if afraid to disturb her peace. When it was time for her to drink the hot soup, he raised his hand to stop her and took it himself.
The room was filled with colorful flowers. A deep breath filled the abdomen with rich fragrance, and even the heat from the charcoal fire was suppressed a little.
His moon-white robe fluttered to a stop before the couch. Qin Jingyao lifted his robe and sat down, leaning slightly forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze tracing hers. A smile flickered in his eyes, but the moment their gaze met, it froze.
Something exploded in his head, a gaping hole in his heart, hissing with a chill. His fingers unconsciously tightened, and with a snap, jade shattered and the soup splashed.
Biyu and the others were waiting outside the door. Their hearts tightened when they heard the voice, but they didn't dare to enter without permission. She lowered her eyes silently. The state of the girl when she woke up this morning was so distressing that even she could not contain her heartache, let alone the adults who treated the girl like a treasure.
---
What should those intense eyes look like?
Her eyes were large and round, with distinct, winding folds. The corners of her eyes were slightly raised, and her pupils were slightly larger than average. They were dark brown, and the light within them was as clear and pure as a stream. When she smiled, her eyes curved, sparkling like tiny stars. Even when she wasn't smiling, the starlight in her eyes still shone. When she was angry, that light turned into fireworks, blazing brightly.
No matter when, there is always light and vitality in the eyes.
It should never be like this, dark, bleak and empty.
No matter when, there is always light in the eyes.
“…Nong Nong--!”
The hand that was tightly gripping the broken jade suddenly loosened, and blood gushed out without any obstruction, dripping along the knuckles.
Qin Jingyao raised his hand to reach out to her, but it was covered in dirt. He seemed to be suddenly awakened and stood up abruptly as if to escape. Suddenly, his vision went black as if he had lost too much blood, and he called for someone to come in and clean up.
After a while, everyone filed out. He closed his eyes, concentrating, his jaw taut as iron. Veins bulged from his neck to his forehead, like cracks. Blood oozed from his recently bandaged palm.
When his breath calmed down a bit, he suddenly turned around and approached her, put one knee on the step, raised his head and held her face in his hands.
He knelt on one knee, back straight, and suddenly approached her, shoulders slightly bent, leaning in. Within a few feet, he locked eyes with hers, peering deeply into them, intent on capturing that familiar glow. "It's my fault for not being able to get back before Nong Nong woke up... Was Nong Nong angry?"
She let him hold her like this, gentle and obedient, looking back quietly. But her eyes were distracted, and she could not see any trace of him.
Qin Jingyao's head felt like it was being pricked by needles, his eyes narrowed, his body tensed as a rock, but his hand holding her face didn't tighten its grip. She remained silent, and he sought her lips, rubbing against them, sucking tenderly, his gaze still locked on hers, probing step by step: "Everything in the past is now a passing cloud. Now that I've returned, I can't leave."
"Nong Nong has been suffering from a cold this time, so you need to take good care of yourself. When you recover, our wedding will not be far away. By then, Nong Nong will still be the most beautiful bride in the world."
But if these words had been mentioned in the past, she would have resisted them with all her might. But now, her expression remained calm, and even her eyelashes did not tremble at all.
The hand on her cheek trembled slightly, giving Lan Nongnong a slight headache. She was also somewhat puzzled. She had clearly been captured and was ill, unable to take care of herself. If he wanted to kiss her, she would let him. Given her current condition, even if the so-called wedding date really came, how could she have the strength to refuse?
She didn't understand. After all, he was the winner, so he could do whatever he wanted. But why were his eyes red and he looked so painful?
Lan Nongnong gradually felt tired, her neck sore. Just as she tried to move, the body pressed tightly against hers suddenly stiffened. Then, her lips, unreleased, were assaulted like a violent storm. The hand on her cheek stopped trembling and moved to press gently at the back of her neck. She felt a pain in her neck, and her lips opened involuntarily, forced to meet this surging tide.
She gradually felt breathless, and her lips and teeth felt sore from stretching them for so long. Struggling took so much energy that even speaking became difficult.
Thinking of this, Lan Nongnong felt extremely tired and simply closed her eyes and let him go.
After a long moment, Qin Jingyao released her and wiped the wetness from her lips with his fingertips. She had fallen into a deep sleep, lying obediently and submissively beneath him, allowing him to take whatever he wanted. But he felt no joy in his heart. His chest felt like it was filled with snow, heavy, cold, and suffocating.
He held her in his arms, his face buried in the soft, cool warmth of her neck. He breathed in deeply, as if absorbing air, his nose nuzzling her soft cheek. Then he removed his warm cap, gently laid her flat on the bed, carefully tucked in the quilt, and strode away.
Mo Chou was summoned to the outer hall. As soon as he entered, he heard the master say in a gloomy tone: "You can slowly recuperate your body, but you must cure the patient no matter what method you use.
Depression is inherently difficult, and the young woman's condition is more unique than most. Despite his medical prowess, Mo Chou wasn't entirely certain, but he wasn't afraid. He reported truthfully, "Your Excellency, please bear with me. A heart disease requires a heart medicine. The young woman has just woken up, and her current blockage may be due to her still-unclear mind. Since you're willing to cooperate with her, I'd appreciate it if you gave her a little more time to recover. If there's still no improvement, this condition won't be cured overnight. For now, we must keep her at ease, free from fear and anxiety, and avoid extreme joy or sorrow. No matter what, we must not rush. If your Excellency agrees, I'd like to return home to discuss this matter with my father and grandfather."
She was clearly close at hand, he could touch her, be intimate with her, but his heart felt empty and hopeless, like trying to catch the moon in the water. Even if she hated him, scolded and beat him, it would be better than having no reaction like this.
Not to mention waiting for a few more days, even for a moment, Qin Jingyao felt the torment was unbearable, but he was helpless. His head felt like it was being pricked by needles, and he pressed his slender fingers on his forehead, covering his eyebrows and eyes.
"Hurry up."
"yes."
*
Lan Nongnong woke up again in the dead of night. During the day, Biyu had talked to her, read to her, and the musicians had played the harp and flute, all of which had seemed noisy to her. But tonight, in the stillness of the night, it felt too quiet.
To put it bluntly, I just feel bored.
My father once said that boredom is simply a result of having nothing to do and too much free time. Lan Nongnong thought to herself that perhaps she simply had too much free time. Someone fed her, clothed her, and took care of her medicine and baths. She didn't have to do anything, just sit back and enjoy it.
She seemed to have lost her sense of shame and did not feel embarrassed at all.
If you are too satisfied with material things, you will easily feel spiritually empty.
The arm under her neck felt a little uncomfortable, and the restraints on her waist and legs were like vines wrapped around her, which was quite uncomfortable, but she was too lazy to move.
Lan Nongnong stared at the ceiling, her gaze unfocused. Through her chaotic thoughts, she searched for ways she'd spent her time in the past: reading, practicing calligraphy, playing the piano, swimming, watching plays, shopping, and traveling. But now, here, she was reading, copying calligraphy, transcribing scriptures, making incense, and earning money.
It seems that there is not much free time, and every day is extremely fulfilling.
My mother once said that practicing calligraphy is like grinding water with a stone. If you don’t make progress, you will regress. You need to be diligent every day and never slack off. Even after coming here, she has never fallen behind.
Her mother had taught her that calligraphy was like grinding water into a stone; if you didn't make progress, you would regress. You had to work diligently every day, never slacking off. After arriving here, she hadn't completely given up, but she had certainly become somewhat slack.
Lan Nongnong blinked. Thinking about it this way, it seemed that she had not practiced calligraphy seriously for a long time.
With a slight thought, she gently rubbed the knuckle of her index finger under the quilt with her thumb. However, with just this simple movement, her finger became stiff and unresponsive as if cramped, causing another slight tingling sensation.
Lan Nongnong felt a little worried and frowned slightly, but her forehead felt as if it was being pricked by needles, accompanied by a long and short sharp tinnitus.
She closed her eyes for a long time, the pain gradually fading. She didn't open them again, only to blame herself. Could her illness be caused by laziness? She was bedridden all day, like a cripple. It wasn't a serious, terminal illness, so why was she so delicate?
She thought to herself and fell asleep again unknowingly.
When she woke up again, it was already bright outside, and there was no one beside her. Lan Nongnong lay there, her whole body limp. As soon as she turned over, she was already breathing rapidly with exhaustion.
Upon hearing the voice, Biyu hurriedly asked for permission to go inside, and lifted the bed curtain. She saw her frail body lying on the couch, trembling slightly, her long black hair covering the pillow, her lips slightly open and breathing softly, as if she had fallen. She was shocked and hurried forward to support her.
"Did you fall? Where are you hurt?"
Lan Nongnong shook her head slightly, but it suddenly triggered a piercing pain in her head. She closed her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth to endure it for a long time. When the pain gradually subsided, she was already exhausted both physically and mentally, and was too weak to get up. Finally, she gave up trying to be brave.
After a short pause, he looked up at Biyu and said in a voice as weak as a mosquito: "I remember..."
These days, the girl was always alone in a trance and never spoke. Biyu had gotten used to it and didn't expect a response. She just wanted to carefully check the girl's injuries when she helped her change clothes later.
Then she suddenly heard the girl speak. She really thought she had misheard and was stunned for a long time before she came to her senses. She responded excitedly and was at a loss for a moment before calling someone in to serve her.
Lan Nongnong sat on the edge of the bed, feeling waves of dizziness wash over her, as if she were falling weightlessly. Her back and waist cramped, and she needed support to stay in a sitting position. She bent her legs and placed them on a footstool, exerting her strength with her waist and legs, and rose shakily to her feet. The feeling of ground beneath her feet was strangely unfamiliar, as if it weren't her own.
As soon as he stood up, he fell down again as if all his bones and muscles had been pulled out.
Biyu and Qingluo were staring at her from the left and right, and when they saw the situation, they shouted, "Young lady, be careful!" Their men had already caught the person steadily and gently helped her back to the bed.
Qingluo supported her back, while Biyu squatted down and gently rubbed her legs, saying soothingly, "Don't worry, young lady. If you lie down for too long, your body will become stiff and unresponsive. You've also suffered frostbite, so there's no need to rush. Let me massage your legs and feet and give you a medicinal bath. You'll be able to walk normally again in a few days."
As Biyu finished her words, she looked up to see the girl smiling. She exchanged glances with the equally stunned Qingluo, forgetting even what she was doing.
The stabbing pain in her head raged, but her attention was completely absorbed by her legs. Her knees trembled, like the weightlessness of descending a mountain after climbing it. They were sore but not painful, with a numbness and swelling like ants biting them. It was a strange feeling, with a subtle sense of recovery.
Lan Nongnong felt both amused and helpless at the thought and tried to lift her leg. Although it was a little difficult, she was ultimately just weak in muscles and her leg was not really injured. After a while, she regained some control.
She was like a child who had gotten a new toy, trying it out on her own, unaware of how surprised Biyu and the other person beside her were.
After fiddling with her legs for a while and regaining a sense of stability, Lan Nongnong began to feel tired. She wasn't in a hurry, so she just let her legs hang down, asked Qingluo to cushion the backrest behind her, and half-leaned to start moving her hands, clenching and opening her fists.
At first, there was still some weakness, and the movements were clumsy and slow, but gradually they became smooth, opening and closing, over and over again.
When Qin Jingyao returned, he found her sitting alone at her desk, using a key. Hearing that she had improved significantly today, no longer isolated from everything like a senseless puppet, he was overjoyed, and the gloom between his brows instantly disappeared.
However, this joy suddenly disappeared as if she was pierced by thousands of arrows, and her anger suddenly ignited when her hands trembled, the soup spilled all over the table, and she held the spoon tightly with her other hand and struggled to eat with both hands.
"presumptuous!"
A loud shout was like a blazing fire. The maids in the room, who were watching quietly with concern, pity, or confusion, seemed to be lashed by a burning whip. In an instant, they all knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling slightly, holding their breath and begging for forgiveness. No one dared to speak a word to defend themselves.
Qin Jingyao's chest heaved violently, his cold gaze slashing through the crowd like a sharp blade, but he suppressed his anger and waved his sleeve to order them to retreat and await punishment. With his long legs, he was at the table in an instant, reaching out to take the spoon and feed her himself.
Lan Nongnong moved her hand as if to avoid him, and just glanced at him lightly.
Just this one glance made the rage in Qin Jingyao suddenly freeze, and his whole body felt numb as if he had been electrocuted. His lingering hand suddenly grabbed her wrist like an eagle's claw, and he leaned forward,
Finally, I saw myself reflected in her eyes.
Just now, I was distracted by my concern, but now, taking a closer look, I saw that she was clean, her wrists tied with narrow sleeves, her long black hair tied behind her, and a plain silk cloth in front of her. Her lips were only slightly moistened by the spoon, and the stains on the table had not stained her at all.
The anger suddenly dissipated and the rain stopped.
Qin Jingyao smiled suddenly, his handsome features were as enchanting as the breeze and bright moon, but he could no longer confuse the woman who had been obsessed with him.
"Nong Nong wants to say that they didn't neglect me and that I shouldn't punish them?"
Lan Nongnong felt that he was asking a question he already knew the answer to, which was baffling. She nodded slightly, barely perceptible, lowered her eyes to glance at his hand that was clutching hers, then raised it again. Although she didn't say anything, her meaning was clear.
Qin Jingyao naturally understood the meaning of the music, but he did not let go, nor did he turn his head. He just said to the outside that she was exempted from punishment, then suddenly stood up, slid his palms to her waist and neck to steady her, and lifted her up high like a child, letting her legs wrap around his waist. He laughed loudly and walked a few steps to the glass window.
She had nowhere to put her weight, and dared not move her head, so she could only place her hands lightly on his shoulders. However, her body was soft, and she gently leaned down. Qin Jingyao looked up, as if she was actively embracing him, and he couldn't help but kiss her.
While Mo Chou was still thinking about treatment, she had already begun to heal herself. She was worthy of his love, so strong!
Lan Nongnong felt dizzy and achy from the weightlessness, but her opening lips gave him an opportunity to quickly conquer her. Her noses brushed against his, her lips sealed, making it difficult to breathe. Her neck was supported by his palm, unable to lift her head. The slightest movement of her legs seemed to stimulate him, and his movements became even more ferocious.
She couldn't make a sound, couldn't break free, so she decided to give up. Her elbows slid down and hung loosely behind his neck, her body naturally sinking, pressed against his shoulders. She tried to steady her head and move her hands, thinking to herself, she had just taken the medicine, and who knows how much coptis root was added to the pill, leaving her mouth full of bitterness, even sugar water couldn't suppress it, so why did he seem so indifferent?
I didn't get a good night's rest last night, and after getting up, I exercised for a long time. After a good meal and a good drink, I relaxed a little, and then I felt sleepy. My eyelashes fluttered a few times like butterfly wings, and then fell quietly.
She was still weak, so Qin Jingyao had to suppress his desire and stop at a brief taste. He gently picked her up, but did not put her back on the bed. Instead, he walked to the soft couch and sat down. He asked someone to bring a thin quilt to cover her, and ordered Tongze to bring official documents.
He held her in one hand and reviewed her writing, occasionally lowering his eyes to see if she was sleeping soundly. When he stroked her soft cheek, or was really overwhelmed with emotion, he would kiss her lips, nose tip, and eyebrows lovingly.
The truth is, love can't be let go.
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