Shen Yunshu found out in the afternoon that her younger sister was ill.
At that time, she was still in the study, accompanying Pei Huaian with his reading.
Tinglan had gone to Yunzhi Courtyard to deliver clothes and an earring, and upon returning, she stood guard outside the study door, waiting for Fuzi to take a break before coming in to inform Yunshu of the matter.
Yunshu suspected that Huaian had frightened their sister in the morning, causing her to wet her clothes and catch a chill, which led to her fever.
But not wanting to disturb Huaian while he studied with Fuzi, she could only suppress her worry and find a flimsy excuse to leave the study and hurriedly head to Yunzhi Courtyard to check on Shen Youran.
Her sister’s monthly cycle had not yet ended these past few days, making her body especially fragile.
The warming medicine prescribed earlier by the Old Physician was not yet finished, and now this additional illness only added to Yunshu’s concerns.
When she arrived at Yunzhi Courtyard, the Langzhong had just arrived as well.
Yunshu overheard him explain that Youran’s illness was caused by a sudden fever brought on by chilling and fright.
Yunshu’s worry over Pei Huaian’s actions grew stronger.
After the Langzhong dispensed medicine, Yunshu stayed in Yunzhi Courtyard to care for her sister until Pei Huaijin returned from the government office, only then did she leave.
Meanwhile, Huaian had finished his studies for the day. After seeing Fuzi off, he stretched lazily, planning to go out for some relaxation.
“Sister Shu, I’m not eating at the manor tonight. I want to go find my friends…”
“No!”
Shen Yunshu pulled him back into the study.
“Fuzi taught you the Eclipse Ritual today. You must memorize it tonight.”
Huaian, who had been reading for several days straight, felt like a caged bird desperate to fly free.
“I’ll memorize it when I come back tonight…”
“No, you will do it now.”
“Why? I haven’t gone out to play for days,” he noticed her odd expression.
“Sister Shu, are you angry? Who upset you?”
“I just came back from Yunzhi Courtyard,” Yunshu said as she pushed him down onto a stool and opened the book in front of him.
“Youran is sick, probably because you frightened her this morning…”
“She’s sick? Is it serious? I’ll go see her…”
Huaian tried to get up.
Yunshu pressed him back down.
“Going won’t help. It’s better if you sit here and study.”
Huaian was at a loss, “But I’ve been studying all day…”
“No memorization, no dinner tonight!”
He fussed for a while, but seeing she wouldn’t budge, he grabbed the book and began reciting aloud.
Dinner was also taken in the study.
His mind was unfocused, his tone careless.
The few hundred words were repeated over and over, yet he couldn’t remember them.
Yunshu was determined to discipline his stubbornness tonight and asked Tinglan to light two lamps.
“If you can’t memorize it, then no…”
Huaian clutched the book and wailed, “Sister Shu, you’re so cruel…”
Despite the complaints, once he understood the seriousness, Huaian finally straightened his attitude and continued, word by word.
The night deepened, the surroundings silent, only the clear reading voice echoed through the study windows of Ci You Courtyard.
“The gentleman’s mean is moderation, the petty man opposes moderation, the gentleman’s moderation is…”
The recitation gradually grew smooth, but to Yunshu’s ears, it became more and more faint.
She had only slept two hours the night before.
During the day, she had managed household affairs in the morning, studied with him in the afternoon, and even made a trip to Yunzhi Courtyard.
Busy as she was, now sitting quietly, drowsiness overwhelmed her.
Leaning her head on her hand, she intended to rest her eyes for a moment, but unexpectedly fell asleep.
Huaian finally memorized the difficult passages and was about to speak to her when he saw her resting on the table, arms folded, eyes closed in peaceful slumber.
Even asleep, her features remained gentle and graceful.
Though usually dignified and tender, she often seemed somewhat distant, but now, unguarded in sleep, he felt an irresistible urge to draw closer.
Her breathing was heavier than usual, likely from exhaustion.
No wonder—she had rested so little the night before, managed so many chores, and accompanied him in study.
Though she was two years older, she was not made of iron.
Huaian regretted his earlier immaturity.
She was already so tired, yet he still refused to properly study and gave her more worry.
“Sister Shu, Sister Shu…” he called softly, wanting both to wake her and to let her sleep a little longer.
As he wished, her elegant eyes remained closed.
He thought, since he had caused her concern, he must repay her somehow.
So he circled to her side, bent down, and gently lifted her up.
Before leaving the study, she awoke. Moving slightly, she asked, “Have you memorized the text?”
“Yes.” Seeing her struggle, he held her tightly.
“Don’t move. I’ll recite it to you…”
When he read aloud seriously, his voice lost its usual frivolous tone, becoming clear and sonorous, like the pure sound of jade striking jade—clean and transparent.
“The mandate of heaven is called nature; following nature is called the Dao; cultivating the Dao is called teaching…”
Yunshu couldn’t move for a moment. Listening to his smooth, pleasant voice, she unconsciously relaxed.
He walked slowly, his embrace steady.
Leaning on his shoulder, sleepiness crept back over her.
Huaian reached the Ningfang and recited the text at the bedside before gently laying her down.
Thinking she had already fallen asleep, he was about to pull the quilt over her when her hand clutched his chest.
So near, her delicate face and sleep-heavy eyes, like crabapple blossoms intoxicated by the sun, made his breath catch.
“Pei Huaian…”
“Hmm?”
“Please don’t tease Youran anymore, okay?”
“She’s your sister-in-law and your wife’s younger sister. You mustn’t like her.”
“I know.”
She smiled faintly, as before, and stroked his head before closing her eyes again.
Huaian’s heart skipped a beat.
That familiar stirring in his chest, he instinctively covered with his hand, but the restless heat remained.
It was over.
He thought.
Tonight, the dream would come again.
The next morning, just at dawn, Huaian quietly slipped out of the room and handed Qing Wu a pair of underpants.
Qing Wu said nothing but smiled quietly.
Shen Youran woke with her fever completely gone and her body feeling much lighter.
She hadn’t eaten much since noon yesterday and was so hungry her legs trembled as she shakily stepped out of the room.
“Danruo, I…”
“Young Mistress, you’re awake!”
Danruo helped her wash up, then took her to the side hall to serve a bowl of ginger soup.
Youran eagerly took a sip but felt a sharp pain on her lips.
“Burned?”
Danruo touched the bowl and frowned.
“No, it’s only warm. How could it burn you?”
Looking down, she spotted the cause: a crack on Youran’s lip.
“A crack?”
Youran touched it and murmured, “No wonder it hurt so much last night.”
When her fever broke, she sweat a lot and felt thirsty.
Pei Huaijin brought her warm water to drink, and as she drank, he kissed her and tried to feed her more.
She refused to swallow the water he offered, blocking him.
The water dripped between their lips until there was none left.
She thought that was the end, but he turned over, pinned her down, and tangled his tongue deeper inside hers.
Bad man, taking advantage of her being sick…
Somehow, the ties of her nightgown had come undone.
A large hand slid from her waist to her back, loosening the knot of the embroidered lotus cloth, which was then pushed up.
Was he planning to consummate their marriage?
Beast!
She was still ill.
Panicked, she bit his tongue sharply.
He groaned softly; his hand covered her mouth just then, and with his painful sound, she squeezed him hard.
Fortunately, he stopped and held her close, adjusting the disheveled clothing.
“It’s still too small…” he suddenly muttered.
“You think I’m too small?”
Youran rolled up quickly.
“If you don’t like it, don’t touch it…”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“Shameless beast!”
“Taking advantage of the weak!”
“You’re a dog!”
Pei Huaijin, talented and learned, was left speechless, unable to retort.
Wrong chapter