Chapter 42 A lone man and a lone woman
The Duan couple took special care of Bai Hua. On the first night of their stay at the villa, Madam Duan sent her closest maid to the villa to take care of Bai Hua's daily life, and two young maids were specially responsible for brewing her medicine.
In addition, Madam Duan also ordered people to send over a lot of new silk and satin clothes, all of which were the most fashionable styles in Ye City.
Bai Hua was too embarrassed to accept it; she couldn't accept something for nothing, and besides, staying at the other residence was already a disturbance. So her first reaction was naturally to politely decline.
After Ning Jue nodded and reassured her that it was alright to accept the gift, she reluctantly accepted Madam Duan's kindness. The weather was warming up in the south, and she wouldn't need to wear thick clothes anymore, so adding some light clothes to her luggage was better than nothing.
The next day, Madam Duan personally visited the villa and met with Bai Hua privately.
Upon seeing Bai Hua, Madam Duan's eyes softened with kindness, and her smile was warm. She spoke to her with exceptional affection, saying, "My husband and I have no daughters and have always longed for one, but my health is poor, and we have never been able to have one. Now that I have seen you, young lady, I feel a surge of affection in my heart. I think it is fate that we are meant to be."
Madam Duan was considerably older than Bai Hua, so her words did not seem abrupt.
Bai Hua was not good at dealing with enthusiasm. Faced with the other party's direct expression of appreciation and affection, she was awkward and did not know how to respond.
After thinking for a moment, Bai Hua replied, "Madam is too kind to say that. I am just a maidservant by Young Master Ning's side and do not deserve such high regard from you."
Upon hearing her say this, a brief moment of sadness appeared in Madam Duan's eyes.
But it was fleeting, making Bai Hua wonder if she had just seen things wrong.
Madam Duan took her hand, patted the back of her hand gently, and said softly, "My master often mentions Young Master Ning, saying that he is a loyal and righteous man, upright in his conduct, and honest in his character. If you stay by his side, you will not suffer any great injustice."
Upon hearing this, Bai Hua did not reply immediately.
Logically speaking, the young master was the guest whom Master Duan had gone to great lengths to invite, while she was merely a maidservant, of low status, and should have been an inconspicuous presence.
But right now, it seems that Madam Duan values her even more than anyone else.
Bai Hua was puzzled. Although she didn't feel that Madam Duan had any ill intentions, she was still very confused by Madam Duan's sudden concern.
She hesitated for a moment, then replied politely, "Madam is kind-hearted, and Boss Duan is even more generous and righteous. This time, I was able to escape from this predicament thanks to the help of the Duan family."
Madam Duan looked at Bai Hua with a complex expression, as if a thousand emotions were hidden in her eyes, and she had so much to say to her.
But when he finally spoke, he only managed to say a comforting word: "It's good that you're alright. Luckily, you're unharmed. You don't know how worried Young Master Ning was. He's such a low-key person, but when he found out that you had been kidnapped by Fang Lun, he was so flustered that he even missed the stirrup when he mounted his horse."
Bai Hua met Madam Duan's loving gaze and replied, "Young Master treats me as one of his own, so I will naturally repay him with utmost loyalty."
Madam Duan gently patted her shoulder.
Bai Hua responded with a smile, but a doubt arose in her heart. She felt that Madam Duan's feelings for her seemed to be more than just admiration.
...
That evening, Duan Yi hosted a grand banquet at the villa to bid farewell to Ning Jue and Bai Hua.
Ning Jue and Duan Yi both drank quite a bit of wine, and in their drunken revelry, they began to reminisce about the past.
Duan Yi spoke ramblingly, raising his wine cup as he said, “Back in the capital, I was arrogant and only thought about power and influence. Later, I was forced to resign and return to my hometown, feeling depressed and disheartened. But look at me now, living a carefree and happy life in Yecheng, without any constraints or pressure from superiors. I spend my days with my parents, wife, and children. This is true immortal bliss… Now, even if someone asked me to come back to be an official, I wouldn’t want to.”
Ning Jue laughed and teased, "More than two years have passed, and so many new nobles have risen in the court. Who would still remember the former head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Besides, the Embroidered Uniform Guard no longer exists. Who would remember an old man with graying temples like you?"
Duan Yi chuckled, flicked his sleeve, and said nonchalantly, "It's good that you're not looking! I'm happy to be free from trouble! Come, let's continue drinking our wine. This wine is truly one less jar left after each jar is finished..."
Ning Jue raised his head and looked at the beautiful moonlight that night.
His throat felt bitter, but he still raised his wine glass to clink with Duan Yi's, tilting his head back to drink one cup after another.
Duan Yi felt the same way, his sorrow mixed with a touch of exhilaration.
As early as when Ning Jue and Duan Yi were getting into the mood for drinking, Madam Duan quietly took Bai Hua to the main house.
She avoided everyone around her, even sending away her most trusted maid.
When the two of them were truly alone in the room, Madam Duan approached Bai Hua without saying a word, took off the bracelet from her wrist, insisted on putting it on Bai Hua's wrist, and then took off the hairpin from her hair and generously gave it to her as well.
Bai Hua reached out to refuse, bewildered by Madam Duan's actions, and truly understood what it meant to be unable to refuse such a warm invitation.
"Madam, please don't do this. The hairpin and jade bracelet are both valuable items, and I absolutely cannot accept them."
Madam Duan said, "Why can't I accept it? We get along well, and I'm willing to give it to you. Besides, it's not a rare item. I've worn it for quite some time, so it's practically an old piece."
Bai Hua hesitated, wanting to push it away again.
Madam Duan insisted, "Since it's a gift for you, just accept it openly. Are you worried that your young master Ning will find out and blame you? Don't worry, Miss Apeng, if he really blames you, I will definitely explain things to you. You are so beautiful, you shouldn't dress so plainly. I cherish beautiful women and want to see you add jewelry and dress up beautifully. Not to mention that young master Ning will be happy to see you, even we ourselves will be happy to see our pretty faces in the mirror."
Bai Hua knew that no matter how much she emphasized her status as a maid, Madam Duan would still have other things to say to persuade her.
Rather than do that, she simply decided to obey respectfully.
Just by looking at the lustrous color of the jade bracelet on her wrist, it was clear that it was no ordinary item, and the shimmering light reflected from the gold hairpin further indicated that it was of the highest quality.
She knew the Duan family was wealthy, but she was also discerning; even a matriarch of a wealthy family wouldn't easily give away hairpins and bracelets of this quality.
Perhaps the Duan family's wealth was immense, comparable to that of princes and nobles, and far richer than she imagined.
Or perhaps, Madam Duan truly took an instant liking to her and developed a fondness for her?
Bai Hua really couldn't understand it.
After the banquet ended, she planned to tell Ning Jue about the matter and hear his analysis. However, when she arrived at the table, she found that the young master was unusually drunk and in a daze.
He was drunk and willful, refusing to be touched by anyone. Bai Hua had no choice but to go forward and help him up herself.
She was outnumbered and outmatched, but fortunately Ning Jue wasn't so drunk that he couldn't walk, and he still managed to move his legs cooperatively.
Bai Hua used all her strength to finally help him to the bedroom. The process of laying him down on the bed was especially difficult. She tried her best to control her strength and dared not let him fall onto the bed. She was very careful and slow in every way.
Ning Jue grew impatient, or perhaps the awkward position was uncomfortable, so he pulled her along and leaned back.
Caught off guard, Bai Hua stumbled and fell directly onto him.
Ning Jue's eyes were half-open, and he didn't feel any pain. He took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her waist, then flipped over and pressed down on her, covering her beneath him.
He looked at her, as if regaining some clarity, and murmured in a low voice, "I drank too much."
"……I know."
He was so close, his breath hot, constantly tickling her.
Bai Hua blushed and turned her eyes away. The two of them were on top of each other, and she seemed to be a little drunk, her head spinning from his smell of alcohol.
She said reproachfully, "Since you can't outdrink Boss Duan, why do you insist on being so stubborn? Won't you feel unwell?"
Ning Jue smiled in a hoarse voice, then leaned down again, his nose brushing against hers.
It wasn't an accidental touch; he clearly did it on purpose.
Bai Hua felt weak all over, realizing that their current position was too intimate. She immediately tried to avoid him, but he was a drunkard who was really persistent. Bai Hua couldn't escape, and she couldn't argue with him. She was extremely embarrassed and in a difficult situation.
Ning Jue gripped her waist with one hand, his voice hoarse: "Who said I can't outdrink him? Duan Yi is even more drunk. Right now, Madam Duan must be having a headache even more than you are."
Bai Hua smiled helplessly, wondering what was the point of comparing them. It was just a case of the pot calling the kettle black, and there was no reason to be proud of even if she won.
She laboriously moved her hand away, used her sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and asked softly, "Young master, you are usually so self-disciplined. Why did you break your usual rule and drink so much today?"
Ning Jue lowered his head, remained silent, and nestled into her shoulder and neck, nuzzling her for comfort.
His appearance was unusual, like a wounded lion showing a rare vulnerability.
Bai Hua's heart softened instantly, and she stopped struggling, letting him snuggle close to her.
She asked again, "What exactly happened?"
Ning Jue replied, "The wine that Duan Yi and I drank today was Suhexiang wine, brewed by my master himself before his death. I could tell that it was the recipe that my master's wife taught him. The taste is the same as before, still the same..."
He spoke lower and lower until he fell silent, his dejected mood growing stronger.
Bai Hua's heart also clenched, unsure how to comfort him, she could only gently pat his back to soothe him.
Not long after, she suddenly felt a warm, damp sensation on her neck. After a moment, she belatedly realized that it was tears.
Bai Hua stopped what she was doing in surprise, stunned in disbelief.
The young master actually shed tears...
This was something she had never imagined before.
In her eyes, the young master had always been omnipotent, wielding a Qingying sword, cold and imposing, invincible amidst the swordplay of the martial world. His public image had always been that of a powerful, arrogant, and flawless man... Therefore, tears, something associated with vulnerability, were so incompatible with him in Bai Hua's perception.
But even the strong shed tears of sorrow.
Even the most invincible person possesses the most ordinary emotions and desires.
Bai Hua felt a tightness in her chest. It was rare for the young master to show weakness, which made her feel particularly sorry for him and uneasy.
She lowered her palm and patted his back gently, trying to remind him that he was not alone at this moment, that he could confide in someone, and that he could cherish the warmth of their physical touch.
After a while, Bai Hua, having been pressed down for too long, began to have some difficulty breathing.
As if sensing her presence, Ning Jue rolled over to the side, shifting to a supine position and continuing to gently embrace her.
Bai Hua didn't refuse and snuggled into his arms.
Ning Jue had his eyes closed, and the moisture in the corners of his eyes had long since dried, but Bai Hua still couldn't help but reach out and carefully wipe it dry with her fingertips.
Her voice was soft as she comforted him, "I will stay with you, young master, I'm here..."
Ning Jue didn't speak, as if he was very drunk, but he tightened his grip on her even more.
He would shift his body slightly every now and then, and each time, his lips would brush against her forehead, like a gentle, continuous pecking kiss.
Bai Hua blushed deeply, unsure whether he had slept soundly or not, or whether it was intentional or unintentional.
How could she possibly fall asleep while being held like that? I wonder how a drunk person feels, but she just gets more and more energetic the longer she lies down.
She waited patiently until Ning Jue's emotions gradually calmed down and his breathing became more even, as if he had truly fallen asleep. Then, she gently poked his shoulder, wanting to slip away and go back to her room to rest.
But Ning Jue held her too tightly, and no matter how many times she tried to break free, she couldn't escape his embrace.
Bai Hua had no choice but to continue waiting, thinking that when the young master got tired of maintaining one position, he would loosen his grip on her, and that would be her chance to escape.
However, before Ning Jue could let go, Bai Hua was the first to succumb to her drowsiness, her eyelids growing heavy.
She fell asleep without realizing it, letting Ning Jue hold her, and slept in that intimate position with him all night.
Of course, once you fall asleep, you won't feel ashamed anymore.
...
On the day they set off south, the two had to wake up early to prepare.
Bai Hua slept fully clothed all night and felt like she hadn't really rested. She moved her body but didn't open her eyes immediately. She waited until she was half asleep before slowly lifting her eyelids.
Seeing the unfamiliar furnishings inside, Bai Hua vaguely sensed that something was amiss.
She blinked, then suddenly remembered what had happened last night. She turned around to confirm, and sure enough, she saw Ning Jue lying beside her, propping his head up with one hand and staring at her with a dazed look in his eyes.
Bai Hua was stunned; this was the young master's guest room.
The worst part was that the two not only slept in the same bed, but also shared the same blanket.
What's worse is that she was dressed elegantly, while the young master was disheveled, with his collar wide open, revealing his collarbone.
Bai Hua was anxious to explain why she was there, but Ning Jue didn't give her a chance and asked her a question first.
Did you take advantage of me while I was drunk?
As he asked, he innocently raised his hand to press against his collar, adopting a defensive posture, as if there really was a lecherous woman in front of him.
Bai Hua was extremely embarrassed and hurriedly said, "Young master, don't you remember? Last night you were drunk, and I helped you back to your room. You... you were drunk and wouldn't let me leave. I couldn't break free from your strength, so I had to stay. Because I was too sleepy, I fell asleep without realizing it. The last thing I remember is waking up now. Young master, please don't wrong me."
Ning Jue, unconcerned, continued to ask her, "Isn't it unfair? Haven't you already taken advantage of everything?"
Bai Hua was utterly speechless: "How could I dare to be disrespectful to the young master..."
Ning Jue said in a light tone, "It's nothing to me, but we're staying at someone else's house now. Yesterday, you helped me leave in front of everyone. Even if a maid is taking care of her master, there's no reason for her to take care of him all night. The fact that we spent the night together yesterday must have already spread throughout the other courtyard. If Madam Duan sees you and asks about this, just say that I was too drunk and you had to stay and take care of me."
What kind of explanation is that?!
Bai Hua lowered her head in embarrassment. Previously, Boss Duan and Madam Duan had repeatedly tested the relationship between the two of them. Each time, Bai Hua earnestly and sincerely told them that her relationship with the young master was absolutely innocent.
The truth had only been cleared up for a day when she did the absurd thing of staying overnight in the young master's room, which was simply a slap in her own face.
If no one knew, it would be fine, but other maids lived in the side room next door. They were all trusted confidantes of the Duan family, so the fact that the two of them slept together last night was certainly not a secret.
Bai Hua felt increasingly guilty and hurriedly tried to get up.
Ning Jue gripped her wrist, stopping her movements: "It's still early, it's not even fully light yet. Even if you get out of bed now and avoid me, it won't undo the absurdity of last night. In that case, you might as well lie down and rest for a while, and calmly think of a solution."
He applied force, and Bai Hua's body went limp, sinking back into the quilt.
Bai Hua pursed her lips, secretly annoyed at herself, wondering why she could never refuse him.
The two shared a pillow fully clothed, not exactly embracing, but extremely close to each other.
Bai Hua deliberately avoided him, turning her back to him.
Ning Jue, however, didn't care about anything else and followed his heart, wanting to get even closer to her.
He leaned his chest lightly against Bai Hua's back and said, "Don't bother anymore. If rumors start to spread, just say I was rude and forced you to stay while you were drunk..."
This is making things worse the more you try to explain!
The scene is now a dark and stormy night, with a lone man and woman alone in a room. If the master forces them and the situation escalates into drunken promiscuity, it's not just eye-catching, it's more dramatic than any play.
Bai Hua immediately stated, "This is inappropriate, absolutely inappropriate."
Ning Jue raised an eyebrow: "So, do you have any other concerns?"
Even if they have reservations, they won't listen to his bad ideas.
Bai Hua turned around, covered Ning Jue's mouth with her hand, glared at him and said reproachfully, "Young Master, stop talking nonsense."
Ning Jue pulled her hand down, rubbed it in his palm, and sighed, "It's such a hassle. Even the smallest thing involves the traditional customs of maintaining proper boundaries between men and women, and you care so much about it... You know, I hate trouble the most."
Bai Hua replied in a muffled voice, "That's how the people of Great Yan are, and that's even more so their traditions. You can't just avoid it with a simple 'trouble' from the young master."
Ning Juening stared at her, then launched another attack before she could react: "I told you I wanted you to follow me openly and legitimately, but you wouldn't budge. If we were husband and wife, even if we really made a scene last night, it wouldn't be considered disrespectful."
"Young Master..."
What kind of utter nonsense is this?
Bai Hua glared at him, her ear tips so red they seemed about to bleed. Seeing that she couldn't cover his mouth, she simply lay down and buried her head in the pillow, too ashamed to utter a word.
Ning Jue patted her shoulder. Seeing her embarrassed look, he couldn't press her any further and had to let her go for the time being.
“If you don’t like these kinds of words, I won’t say them again,” Ning Jue said.
Bai Hua remained silent.
Lately, the young master has been fond of saying things that are perfectly reasonable and justifiable. Every time he says them, she wavers a little.
However, after each wavering, she would recognize her own shortcomings and remind herself to be self-aware; those who are disloyal do not deserve it.
Ning Jue glanced out the window; the sky was bright and clear, and it was almost time.
He stopped teasing her and his tone became serious: "Get ready to get up. After breakfast, we'll set off."
After saying that, he straightened his clothes, got out of bed first, and left Bai Hua with more spacious and comfortable space.
Bai Hua didn't dare to delay and immediately got up to tidy up.
The young master had been flirting with her for so long, and she hadn't reacted at all. Now, as she looked up, her eyes revealed a captivating charm.
Ning Jue glanced back at her, unable to look away, then walked closer and covered her eyes with his hand.
He leaned down, whispered in my ear, and said in a deep voice, "If you keep looking at me like that, this breakfast might not be hot by the time it's ready."
Bai Hua pulled his hand down, her eyes innocent and puzzled, but she still said, "Let's have breakfast at the villa. We'll be taking a boat again, and the food on the boat isn't very good."
Ning Jue rubbed his fingertips together; there was really nothing he could do about her.
...
Breakfast was simple and finished quickly.
As they were about to leave, Duan Yi gestured for someone to come and stand in front of them.
He began by introducing Chen Fu, saying, "This man is Chen Fu, one of my most capable assistants. Your journey south is fraught with danger, and Miss A Peng is not skilled in martial arts. Why not have him accompany you and serve as your helper? Rest assured, although he is handsome, he is extremely skilled with twin swords. If you encounter any dangers on the road, he will definitely be of great help."
Ning Jue fixed his gaze on Chen Fu.
Then he turned to Bai Hua and asked, "What do you think?"
After thinking for a moment, Bai Hua replied, "Having more helpers is certainly a good thing."
Ning Jue: "Do you think he's handsome?"
Bai Hua: "..."
So this is the question the young master wanted to ask... But what does it matter whether they are handsome or not?
She had just given it serious thought, even considering whether Duan Yi's actions were simply to find them helpers or to subtly plant spies.
Bai Hua remained silent, but Chen Fu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I am willing to serve you, young master. On this trip south, I can mobilize the family head's spies in the southern region to facilitate your actions."
That does have some use.
Ning Jue realized that he couldn't be by Bai Hua's side all the time. If he were to clash head-on with Umbrella Fairy Jiang Shen'er, she would indeed need someone skilled in martial arts to protect her.
However, this person's appearance was not quite to his liking.
It's also Duan Yi's fault. Why did he leave so many rough and tough warriors unused and instead cultivate a capable subordinate with a handsome appearance?
Ning Jue, of course, would not lose confidence because of this person. After thinking it over, he agreed to Duan Yi's suggestion and decided that the three of them would head south.
Just before boarding the carriage, Ning Jue paid special attention to Bai Hua and reminded her, "Don't look around, stay close to me."
Bai Hua was confused. When had she not kept up?
I'm afraid if we get any closer, we'll be stepping on your heels.
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