Chapter 77 Qing Ping Yue (End of Main Text) He's so well-behaved. ...
Ye Mu was lost in thought.
Xie Yicheng stepped forward again, "This spot?"
How could that be?
Jiang Si... Sigh, compared to this life, Ye Mu has no idea what kind of miserable life he lived in his previous life.
He hasn't even reached half of his potential.
"Why is Fourth Sister just crying and not saying anything?" Xie Yicheng leaned down, biting the back of her neck, her tone sincere, "Am I not trying hard enough?"
"Enough, enough." Ye Mu sobbed uncontrollably, "He didn't... how could he have done such a thing..."
Her words were unclear, but Xie Yicheng understood them and chuckled softly, "So, is he better, or am I better?"
Is this the deep-seated competitive spirit inherent in men? Even Xie Yicheng, who is usually indifferent to everything, cannot avoid it.
"Hello, Xie Yicheng."
Ye Mu was willing to tell him the truth, always, especially now, because this honesty pleased him even more, and she could feel it.
Because his bones were burning hot.
This state of being so close yet so distant is what causes her the most pain, and also the greatest happiness.
Ye Mu wept uncontrollably. It turned out that he wasn't a saint who could always be considerate; at least in this matter, he had shown her no mercy.
"How can you keep crying?" Xie Yicheng pulled her back to face her, supporting her knees firmly with one hand while wiping away her tears with the back of his other hand. "Fourth Sister, are you a spring?"
Everything is wet/wet/wet.
Her eyes were shimmering with moisture, more captivating than ever before.
Xie Yicheng's impulsive jealousy had long since melted away in her softness. He couldn't help but lower his head, find her slightly parted lips, and touch them. "Is it because I haven't formally mentioned marriage to you that you're so sullen and sulking with me?"
Ye Mu still felt full and couldn't speak, only able to look at him with a hint of reproach and resentment.
"Then I apologize to you," Xie Yicheng pinned her against the wall to prevent her from falling to the ground, "Don't be angry anymore, okay?"
Ye Mu felt pierced by his touch, tilted her head back, and bit his lip hard as a response.
Xie Yicheng winced in pain and chuckled softly, "You can be even harsher, like this."
He lowered his head, took her lips in his mouth, and slowly, sucked away the faint traces of blood that belonged to him on her lips. What kind of correct example was that? It was clearly gentler and more precious.
He was truly a man of many faces, yet he transformed back into the gentle Yi Cheng. She could break free, but she no longer wished to escape the net he had woven, willingly falling into his trap, into his lurking presence, into his very essence.
Like a dream, there is no way to retreat.
Perhaps happiness needs to be accompanied by some pain in order to truly understand each other.
The next day, Ye Mu woke up slowly to the sound of horses' hooves.
As consciousness returned, her body felt sore and weak, as if she had been disassembled and then pieced back together. Every inch of her bones exuded languor. Ye Mu struggled to lift her eyelids and found herself wrapped in a thick, soft blanket, resting her head on Xie Yicheng's lap, inside a moving carriage.
Bright sunlight shone through the gaps in the car window curtains; it was nearly noon.
"Awake?" Xie Yicheng's voice came from above.
Ye Mu blinked, her chaotic thoughts gradually clearing. She recalled being trapped by him by the desk last night, then moved to the dimly lit wall, and then to the couch, her clothes falling to the ground. Her face suddenly burned again.
She was so exhausted that she didn't know when she fell asleep, when she finished getting ready, or when she was carried onto the carriage.
Ye Mu tried to sit up, but was pressed back down by an arm around her waist. "Rest a little longer, the road ahead is still long."
How long have we been gone?
"It's been more than two hours."
Ye Mu was startled, "They've been out of the city for over an hour?"
"Hmm," Xie Yicheng replied, "You were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you. Since I had nothing else to do, I figured it would be good for you to sleep a little longer."
Ye Mu then had time to examine the carriage closely. It wasn't the starry sky canopy she was familiar with. "We're in a horse-drawn carriage? What will happen to the little calf these next few days?"
"Don't worry, I asked Instructor Zheng next door to look after it this morning."
Xie Yicheng casually brushed the stray hairs that had fallen across her cheek with his fingers. "I have a lot of gifts to bring to Jimo this time, and there are two cargo carts following behind. I'm worried that the calf won't be able to keep up, so let it rest at home."
"I haven't let it do any work since I bought it; it just rests all day."
Xie Yicheng smiled slightly, "I was exhausted from running around the post station that time, but I deserve credit for it. I could rest for the rest of my life without any problem."
Ye Mu always felt that he was implying something, that the night at the post station was by the riverbank.
His contributions are indispensable...
Ye Mu's sleepiness vanished completely. Her ears felt slightly warm. She sat up halfway, reached out and lifted a corner of the car window curtain next to her, and peered back.
Sure enough, about ten feet behind their carriage were two more carriages with blue oilcloth canopies. The carriages looked heavy, and the horses pulling them would occasionally snort and exhale puffs of white vapor.
"Are these gifts for the marriage proposal?" Ye Mu asked curiously. "Yi Cheng, when did you secretly prepare so many?"
“While you were in Suzhou, I started making preparations. I stored everything in my old courtyard. I originally planned to find an opportunity to formally propose to Madam Liu after you returned to the capital safely. But unexpectedly, so many changes occurred and it was delayed.”
Xie Yicheng wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently resting his chin on her shoulder. "There are also some things that were added this morning. Although we can't be here in full due to the journey and time, we can't lack the sincerity and etiquette that are due."
His statement that he had "sent a formal invitation" was not an exaggeration, but rather more thoughtful and comprehensive than Ye Mu had imagined.
"Are you hungry?" Xie Yicheng took out a food box from a small cabinet in the corner, and also took out a set of clean towels, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a small copper basin. He poured warm water from the water bag he carried with him. "Wash yourself up quickly, eat something to tide you over, and then tell me what kind of person your maternal grandfather was."
Ye Mu wiped her face and hands with the damp cloth he handed her, and felt much better.
The food box contained still-warm delicate pastries and a small pot of congee. She ate them in small bites while recounting the situation of the Liu family in Jimo.
My maternal grandfather, Liu Yueshu, was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in two separate examinations. He rose to the position of Imperial Censor in charge of the Grand Canal Transport, and was known for his incorruptibility. He retired and returned to his hometown more than a decade ago.
He is a very upright person, somewhat rigid, rarely smiles, and strict in managing his household.
But perhaps out of love for her, he doted on his granddaughter, though he was not used to smiling and did not show the same kindness as other grandparents.
“If he looks at you with a stern face, don’t be afraid,” Ye Mu said with a smile. “He is actually very soft-hearted, especially when he listens to my mother. She will definitely speak well of you.”
"What are your grandfather's hobbies?"
"He was a great connoisseur of poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and his taste was extremely refined. His study contained many authentic works and rare copies by famous artists," Ye Mu said. "That's why my father and my maternal grandfather shared similar interests, which is why my father was able to marry my mother."
Xie Yicheng frowned slightly, something he wasn't good at. "Any other hobbies?"
"He also enjoys wine, especially collecting vintage wines. He has a large capacity for alcohol, and sometimes when he is in the mood, he can pour himself a drink and comment on it without needing anyone to accompany him."
Xie Yicheng's brows furrowed even more. He had been a monk in a temple since childhood, strictly adhering to the precepts and never touching a drop of alcohol. The only time he had come close to the smell of alcohol was the night she was drunk, when a trace of lingering wine remained on her lips.
I'm even less skilled at drinking.
After a moment of silence, Xie Yicheng changed direction and asked more cautiously, "Does your maternal grandfather usually dislike anything or avoid anything?"
Ye Mu said awkwardly, his smile fading slightly. "He... doesn't like seeing doctors or taking medicine. He rarely associates with doctors unless absolutely necessary. I heard my mother mention that it seems that a very close elder in the family was delayed by an incompetent doctor in his early years, which led to a regrettable incident. Therefore, he has no good feelings towards doctors."
Xie Yicheng: "..."
This is a complete mismatch. Poetry and books are not his forte, drinking is something he dislikes, and he dislikes doctors who directly point out the flaws in his character.
These three major passes actually stood right in front of us.
Even Xie Yicheng, who was usually calm and composed, couldn't help but feel a bit of a predicament at this moment, and said with a wry smile, "It seems that this trip is indeed fraught with difficulties."
When they arrived at the Liu family residence in Jimo, it was already the afternoon of four days later.
The journey could have been faster, but Xie Yicheng, mindful of Ye Mu's long journey and poor health, specifically instructed the driver to slow down and arranged for more rest stops along the way.
Even so, Ye Mu's legs were still a little weak when she got off the carriage, and Xie Yicheng helped her up steadily.
She couldn't help but secretly glare at him, and whispered reproachfully, "It's all your fault... It was one thing at the inn at night, but during the day in the carriage, you..."
He recalled that the other day at noon, when they were passing through a grove of trees, they chatted and somehow ended up entangled. Overwhelmed with emotion, he pulled her into his arms, holding her round breasts in one hand and covering her mouth with the other to prevent her from making a sound.
He then slowly led her to lean against his shoulder. Outside the window, the shadows of the lush green trees and the dappled sunlight rushed by. Feeling his embrace, she was so shy that her toes curled up.
Xie Yicheng also thought of the scene that day, which was a bit absurd. He lowered his voice and apologized, admitting in her ear, "It was indeed my fault."
He was quickest to admit his mistake, quick and decisive. Ye Mu glanced at him, but he didn't seem to change.
Xie Yicheng's gaze fell on her rosy lips. He smiled. It was really hard to blame him. Her lips were so soft and fragrant. As he watched her speak, he couldn't help but want to kiss her.
A fire was inevitable.
Moreover, during the rest of my time in Jimo, under the watchful eyes of my elders, I will certainly find it difficult to have such intimate moments again.
The gatekeeper had already gone in to announce their arrival. Ye Mu straightened her clothes and hair, then suddenly remembered something. "Yi Cheng, Jimo City isn't very big, unlike the bustling capital. There aren't many good inns. What are you going to do tonight?"
Xie Yicheng was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, as he had indeed not considered this aspect.
The mansion before him had white walls and gray tiles, with deep courtyards and a rather large scale. Why would it be missing a guest room? He asked in a low voice, "Will my grandfather just kick me out of the mansion?"
"Hard to say." Ye Mu awkwardly tugged at the corner of his lips. "I forgot to tell you in the car that my grandfather detests all this stuff of praying to gods and Buddhas, and he especially hates supernatural and bizarre things."
He had actually been a monk for over a decade. Xie Yicheng's gaze sharpened, and he felt a rare sense of tension. He asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you tell me about something so important sooner?"
"I was afraid that if I had told you earlier, you might have gotten scared halfway through and run away. What if you had?"
Xie Yicheng's eyes held a smile, "It's too late to run now..."
"It's too late." Ye Mu interrupted him with a forced smile. Liu Shi and Zijing had already rushed out to greet them, followed by her maternal grandfather. She took the opportunity to push Xie Yicheng away a little, "Men and women should keep their distance."
"Fourth Sister, you're finally back." When Liu saw Ye Mu, her eyes immediately reddened, and she took Ye Mu's hand and looked her up and down.
The maternal grandfather also stepped forward and said repeatedly, "Mu Niang has grown up, grown up. It's been several years since I last saw her, and she has grown into such a beautiful and poised woman. Good, good."
“Grandpa doesn’t seem to have aged at all.” Ye Mu looked at his maternal grandfather, whose face was clear and bright, his eyes sharp, and who was dressed in a simple dark robe. He had a straight back and an imposing presence. “Grandpa is still the same as before, with his mustache sticking up. He’s the most elegant man.”
Liu Yueshu's face wrinkled as he was amused by his granddaughter's words. He couldn't help but raise his hand and tap her lightly, laughing, "Your hair is all white, and you're not old yet? You're the only one who knows how to make this old man happy."
Even so, anyone could hear the pleasure and joy in his tone.
The group chatted for quite a while at the door before Lin reminded her, "Father, the sun is setting and it's getting chilly. Why don't we come inside and sit down and talk?"
Liu Yueshu nodded as if suddenly realizing something, and her gaze finally fell on Xie Yicheng, who had been standing silently half a step behind Ye Mu from the beginning.
The gaze instantly shifted from its usual scrutinizing and authoritative tone, slowly and deliberately examining him from head to toe. Seeing that he was tall and elegant, with extremely handsome features and even better bone structure, the gaze then spoke in a calm tone, "This must be Young Master Xie?"
"Junior Xie Yicheng greets Elder Liu." Xie Yicheng stepped forward at the right time, performed the proper etiquette, bowed properly, his posture was respectful, and his voice was calm.
Liu Yueshu simply grunted an "Mmm" in response, then stepped aside and said, "Don't just stand there, let's go inside and talk."
The group then moved to the main hall, which was bright and spacious, with simple and elegant furnishings that reflected the cultural heritage of a scholarly family.
As soon as everyone sat down, a snow-white shadow darted out from the inner room, rushed to Ye Mu's feet, rubbed against him affectionately, and meowed.
It was Tuantuan who had returned with her mother and Zijing.
Ye Mu bent down and picked it up with delight.
Tuantuan rubbed against her twice, its round blue eyes darting around, and then it leaned out and meowed at Xie Yicheng, stretching out its pink little paws, wanting him to hold it too.
Xie Yicheng's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes softened. He reached out and gently scratched Tuantuan's chin, and the kitten immediately purred contentedly, rubbing against his fingertips in a familiar and affectionate manner.
"It seems Young Master Xie has visited quite a few times in the capital?" Liu Yueshu said, taking a sip of tea.
“Father, as I told you, Young Master Xie lives right across from us and often comes to help out.”
Liu, standing to the side, smiled and took over the conversation. She instructed the maid to serve tea to Young Master Xie, and then spoke of how capable Ye Mu was in the capital, and how skilled and benevolent Xie Yicheng was in medicine, her words full of praise.
Liu Yueshu simply listened, slowly sipping her tea from the cup. As she listened to her daughter's words, her expression remained unchanged, though her gaze occasionally fell on Xie Yicheng.
After finishing a cup of tea, Liu Yueshu put it down and said to Liu Shi and Ye Mu, "You two have been separated for a long time and must have a lot to say to each other. Why don't you go to the back to rest and chat?"
He looked at Xie Yicheng, his tone leaving no room for refusal, "Young Master Xie, I have some things I'd like to discuss with you privately."
Ye Mu's heart tightened, and she subconsciously looked at Xie Yicheng.
Xie Yicheng gave her a reassuring look and nodded slightly: "I will obey your orders, sir."
Seeing this, Madam Liu understood and gently tugged at Ye Mu's sleeve, "Fourth Sister, come with me to the back warm pavilion to rest and change into some comfortable clothes."
Zijing followed quietly, and the door to the main hall was gently closed, isolating the situation inside.
In the warm pavilion in the backyard, the incense burner emitted a faint fragrance of pear blossoms.
Ye Mu was restless, sometimes standing, sometimes pacing, his gaze fixed intently on the moon gate leading to the front hall outside the window.
Madam Liu poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her, gently comforting her, "Don't worry, your grandfather has his own methods and sense of propriety, and he won't make things difficult for anyone. I think Young Master Xie is calm and composed in his speech and behavior, and he can handle things."
Ye Mu took the teacup but didn't drink it. Hesitantly, she asked, "Mother, have you told Grandpa about what happened in the capital?"
My mother just mentioned the house across the street, so it's clear that my maternal grandfather already knows they've moved out of the Marquis's mansion and are living elsewhere.
Liu sighed softly and nodded: "How can such a big thing be kept secret? Now that I've moved to Jimo, I have to have a reason to explain it clearly to your father-in-law."
She took Ye Mu's hand and gently stroked it. "After hearing this, your grandfather didn't blame us at all. He just cursed the Yong'an Marquis's mansion from top to bottom for three days and three nights."
At this point, Liu smiled helplessly. "He also blamed himself a bit, saying that he misjudged people and made a mistake in judging your father, which caused me trouble. Now that he heard that you have chosen someone yourself, he doesn't say it, but he's really determined to make sure you choose the right person."
Hearing this, Ye Mu didn't relax at all; instead, his nerves tightened even more. The more his grandfather valued it, the more difficult this hurdle would probably be.
The mother and daughter talked for a while, about half an incense stick's time passed, but there was still no movement in the front hall.
Ye Mu could no longer sit still. He found an excuse to slip out of the warm pavilion, and tiptoed to the corridor outside the main hall. He held his breath and put his ear close to the tightly closed carved door.
There was no loud argument as expected, nor the crisp sound of porcelain shattering; only the faint sound of conversation could be heard intermittently.
Grandfather's voice was low and slow, and the content was indistinct. Xie Yicheng's response was even more muffled, but his tone remained steady. He was always like this; no matter how important the matter was, he would speak slowly and deliberately.
His ferocity was only revealed on the bed.
Ye Mu pursed her lips, leaned closer, and almost pressed her ear against the door. Without warning, the door was pulled open from the inside.
Ye Mu was startled and hurriedly took a half step back to stand up straight, only to see that Xie Yicheng was the first to step out.
He remained calm, and when he saw Ye Mu standing somewhat awkwardly by the door, he smiled and nodded at her.
Immediately afterwards, Liu Yueshu also walked out slowly with her hands behind her back.
The old man's face still showed little smile, and his usual serious expression made it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry. However, upon closer inspection, the previously tightly pursed lips relaxed slightly, and the sharpness between his brows dissipated considerably, making him seem a little more amiable.
"Finished talking?" Ye Mu steadied himself, put on a smile, and went to greet him. His gaze quickly darted back and forth between the two men before he tentatively asked, "Grandpa, Young Master Xie has come from afar and must be tired from his journey. Why don't we have someone take him to the guest room to freshen up and rest?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Yueshu smiled at Ye Mu and nodded, letting out a soft "hmm" in agreement. She then said calmly, "Let's have dinner at home tonight. Have someone prepare some local dishes from Jimo."
This clearly indicates that the guest is being invited to stay, and tacitly allows him to participate in the family dinner.
Ye Mu's heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, finally settled back into reality.
She quietly breathed a sigh of relief, turned her head to look at Xie Yicheng, and their eyes met, both of them feeling a sense of relief.
-
Dinner was served in a small pavilion overlooking the water. Pushing open the carved windows, one could see the shimmering pond under the moonlight. The dishes on the table were plentiful, mostly local specialties.
The atmosphere was quiet at first.
Liu Yueshu sat upright at the head of the table, his gaze calm and he didn't say much. He only occasionally mentioned one or two illnesses in a casual tone, asking Xie Yicheng for his opinion.
This attitude surprised Ye Mu. His grandfather had always avoided talking about doctors and seemed to have a subtle aversion to it. How did Xie Yicheng manage to get the old man to ask about this topic during their private conversation that afternoon?
Xie Yicheng put down his chopsticks, sat up straight, and answered concisely, yet always managed to pinpoint the crux of the illness.
He could quote from classics like the *Huangdi Neijing* and *Shanghan Lun* with ease, and what was even more remarkable was his ability to combine his own medical experience with practical insights, always maintaining a humble and composed attitude without any pretense.
Liu Yueshu listened, nodding slightly from time to time, her face showing agreement.
After several rounds of drinks, the servants brought out a pot of freshly warmed Jimo Laojiu (a type of Chinese liquor), and the rich aroma of the liquor filled the warm pavilion.
The atmosphere became a little more lively.
Liu Yueshu picked up the white jade wine cup in front of him, slowly drank it all, and suddenly looked up, "Young Master Xie has come from afar with generous gifts. I have seen your sincerity in proposing marriage."
He paused briefly, then said, "Marriage is a union of two families, concerning my entire life, and is no child's play. Since you are sincerely seeking my hand in marriage, then it wouldn't be too much to ask that you have a few drinks with me to express your feelings, would it?"
As he spoke, he raised his hand to signal the servant standing to the side, "Fill Young Master Xie's cup."
They've arrived.
Ye Mu's heart skipped a beat. She knew that Xie Yicheng had been practicing cultivation since childhood and had never touched a drop of alcohol. He should not drink alcohol now that he was recovering from his illness.
Seeing that Xie Yicheng's wine cup was full, she subconsciously leaned forward, "Grandfather, Yicheng, he..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xie Yicheng's warm hand quietly covered her knee under the table, pressed it gently, turned his head, smiled at her, and indicated that she didn't need to worry.
He then returned to his seat, gracefully picked up the wine cup in front of him, and said loudly, "Since you have given your order, I will obey. This cup is for you."
Having said that, he raised his cup, tilted his head back, and drank the wine in one gulp.
As the liquor entered her throat, its pungent aroma assaulted her nostrils. Xie Yicheng restrained herself by pursing her lips. When she put down the wine cup, a faint blush quickly spread from her ears to her cheeks, even tinging the corners of her eyes with a light blush.
Liu Yueshu observed this without showing any emotion, simply saying, "Good, straightforward."
He drank a cup himself and then ordered someone to refill it.
Before long, they had drunk several cups. Ye Mu saw that Xie Yicheng's blush was getting deeper and deeper, and although he tried his best to keep his eyes clear, they were already filled with a hazy, watery light.
She was anxious and exchanged glances with her mother, Liu. She tried to dissuade them several times, but her grandfather stopped her with a casual remark, "The worst thing to do when drinking is to talk too much." In the end, she was directly "invited" out of the flower pavilion and told to go and rest on their own without waiting for them.
How could Ye Mu possibly rest in peace?
However, from inside the flower pavilion, one could hear the initial murmur of conversation, followed by the sound of the grandfather's loud, hearty laughter. The laughter was deep and cheerful, as if he were extremely happy.
It wasn't until late into the night, when the moon had already begun to set in the west, that they heard the sounds of the banquet ending from the flower pavilion.
Ye Mu immediately grabbed the coat draped over the screen, put it on, and hurriedly slipped on his shoes and rushed over.
Under the clear moonlight, I saw my maternal grandfather, Liu Yueshu, being helped out by two strong servants, one on each side.
Although the old man's steps were a little unsteady, his back was straight. His usually serious face was flushed with two obvious blushes. His eyebrows and eyes were relaxed, and a smile still lingered on his lips. He was humming an unknown country tune indistinctly.
Seeing Ye Mu rushing over, he narrowed his eyes and gave her a thumbs up, his voice loud and slightly drunk, "Good! Mother Mu, you've found a great grandson-in-law!"
After saying that, without waiting for Ye Mu's response, he laughed twice to himself and was escorted by the servants to the main house.
It seems the old man has gotten quite drunk, though it's a rare occurrence, but he seems to be enjoying it.
Even my grandfather, who was known for his high alcohol tolerance, was like this, while Xie Yicheng, who had never touched a drop of alcohol...
Ye Mu's heart tightened, and she lifted her skirt and quickly walked towards the entrance of the flower pavilion.
The man was leaning against a pillar in the vermilion porch, his head slightly tilted back, his eyes closed. Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned his head.
Her face, usually so clear and serene, now had a deep, rosy blush under her eyes, and even her long neck was not spared, glowing a faint pink in the moonlight.
Those eyes, which were always as calm as a cold pool, were now half-open, wet and veiled with a layer of misty confusion. His gaze focused on her face, and then, slowly, a silly, endearing smile bloomed on his face.
He's so well-behaved like that.
"Fourth... Mother?" Xie Yicheng's words were slower than usual, somewhat mumbled, and carried a strong smell of alcohol, yet were incredibly soft.
Ye Mu's heart sank, and an inopportune thought popped into his head: letting him have a couple of drinks occasionally and see his rare obedient demeanor didn't seem so bad.
Xie Yicheng stumbled towards her and said, "Hug me."
Ye Mu felt both sorry for him and amused, and quickly stepped forward to support the swaying man.
He entrusted most of his weight to her, his steps unsteady, and let Ye Mu support him as they slowly made their way back to their temporary guest room.
After finally settling him on the couch, we took off his outer robe, shoes, and socks, wrung out a hot towel to wipe his face. He was unusually obedient, with his eyes closed, his long eyelashes thick, and his breath carrying a mellow smell of alcohol, but it wasn't unpleasant; instead, it had a comforting warmth.
It turns out he's so well-behaved when he's drunk; he doesn't cause any trouble at all.
Ye Mu couldn't help but kiss the corner of his lips and asked in a low voice, "What exactly did you talk about with your grandfather today? Not only did he not mind you talking about medicine, but he also drank with you so happily?"
This was completely beyond her expectations.
Xie Yicheng half-opened his eyes, gazing unsteadily at the top of the tent, but a smug smile played on his lips. His voice was hoarse and indistinct as he said, "I've taken your pulse."
"Taking your pulse?"
"Hmm..." he said slowly, "My maternal grandfather is in good health, but he has some old stomach and spleen problems that require gentle treatment... I told him that a small cup of wine every day can improve blood circulation and is actually beneficial... It's alright..."
He smiled and said, "My grandfather was very pleased when he heard this. He said that everyone else advised him to quit drinking, but I was the one who advised him to drink."
Ye Mu suddenly realized and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
So that's it! This was clearly flattery, pandering to his tastes. It demonstrated medical skills, affirmed the old man's health, and provided a perfect excuse for his beloved drink. No wonder my grandfather was so happy.
Her heart softened, and she found it amusing. She gently tapped his burning forehead with her fingertip. "Yi Cheng, you're so cute..."
Xie Yicheng raised his hand, groped and grasped her wrist, then lovingly pulled her hand to his burning cheek and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Fourth Sister..." he murmured, "You are finally... mine."
The feelings were so intense they couldn't be dissolved.
Xie Yicheng is usually calm and reserved, and he would never say a word of sweet talk. Unexpectedly, he was so straightforward when he was drunk.
His lips were still moving slightly, as if he had more to say.
Ye Mu leaned down and put her ear close to his lips to catch the subtle breath sounds.
He said, "I will...love you as much as you do."
Ye Mu was taken aback. Wasn't this the third wish she had written down at the wishing well? How did he know?
She propped herself up and, by the dim candlelight beside the bed, carefully examined his drunken face. "Did you go and check the lanterns in the wishing well?"
Xie Yicheng seemed to understand her question, blinking her eyes glazed over with drunkenness.
He didn't answer, but awkwardly rummaged in his sleeve, his fingertips reaching into the inner pocket. After searching for a while, he carefully pinched out a neatly folded piece of paper.
Xie Yicheng held the thin piece in his hand and carefully handed it to her, instructing her, "Don't break it."
Ye Mu glanced at him and smiled, then took it. It felt slightly rough to the touch, with some fuzzy edges, indicating that it had been soaked and dried. She gently unfolded it.
These were the three wishes she had written down. The ink had smudged slightly with water, making the characters a little blurry, but they were still legible:
My first wish is for my mother to be safe and healthy.
My second wish is that Fourth Sister's monthly income will always be plentiful.
My third wish is that he would love me as I love him.
Her fingertips traced the words, and her heart trembled. He had known all along.
Ye Mu flipped the paper over, and on the back were also three lines of wishes he had written:
"May all of Fourth Sister's wishes come true."
My second wish is for Fourth Sister to live a long and healthy life.
My three wishes…
The ink on the third wish was deeper, and the strokes of the brush conveyed a more somber and restrained feeling. He must have hesitated for a long time here before finally putting pen to paper with heavy strokes. Ye Mu's eyelashes trembled slightly.
"...I hope Fourth Sister will allow it."
Allowed? Allowed what?
This half-finished wish, without any beginning or end, gently scratched at Ye Mu's heart.
She turned the thin piece of paper over and over in the candlelight, examining it closely, but could find no more words. His third wish came to an abrupt end, hanging in mid-air.
Ye Mu unconsciously turned closer to the person sleeping on the bed. His breathing was deep and warm, tinged with the scent of alcohol, and his long eyelashes were peacefully lowered. Ye Mu reached out a fingertip and gently stroked his lips, asking softly, "What does Yi Cheng want me to allow you to do? Hmm?"
He didn't respond, only his even breathing could be heard, as if he were deeply drunk.
Ye Mu waited for a while and, hearing his even breathing, assumed he had fallen asleep.
She carefully tucked the blanket around him, and was about to get up to blow out the nearby candle and retreat to her own room when, just as she turned to leave, the man on the bed reached out from under the blanket and pulled her back into his arms.
Ye Mu let out a soft cry and slumped down on the edge of the couch, falling into his embrace, enveloped in his warm presence.
He didn't wake up; his eyes were still closed. He had his arms wrapped around her waist, buried his face close to her side, and let out a few muffled breaths, as if he were talking in his sleep. The sound was so soft that it was mixed with his breathing.
Ye Mu's heart was pounding in her chest; she could hear it.
She nestled quietly against his chest and chuckled softly, "I allow it."
It turns out that her Yi Cheng was so devout and humble in loving her.
His third wish was:
"I hope Fourth Sister will allow me to love her."
- End of text -
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Author's Note: The main story has finally come to an end with daily updates. There will be side stories coming up, including the wedding, daily life after marriage, hot springs, and some things that weren't explained clearly in the main story, such as the Zhou family's ending.
But it will probably be updated every 3 days, which means it will start updating on Thursday.
My new novel, "Sister-in-law, Can't You Play With Me?", will be released in February. It's a marriage of convenience that blossoms into love. Feel free to add it to your collection!
About this book.
These are probably my favorite male and female protagonists since I started writing, and I'm really, really, really going to miss them. I really enjoyed writing them, I wonder if you guys like them [sunglasses]
Thank you all so much for your comments, support, and encouragement during the serialization! I saw them all. It's because of your support that I was able to keep updating daily. I love you all so much! I'm happy to give out red envelopes today~ See you in the next book! Thank you again everyone! [Keep it up!]
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