chapter 7

It seems I have fallen out of favor.

Though I am just a wife who was bought, I have no right to complain.

But every time I see Duan Jing walk past me, eyes fixed straight ahead, my heart aches as if dripping water.

Today, I ran into Chunsheng. He stared at my face and examined me closely: “Miss, are you ill? Why do you look so listless?”

I think about Duan Jing every day, even in my dreams. It’s no wonder I sleep poorly and look pale.

“Oh…” I replied dispiritedly, “Brother Chunsheng, I have nothing to do. I’ll go inside and lie down for a while. Call me if you need anything.”

Back home, I was never lazy all year round. Now I’ve really been spoiled, it’s shameful.

Chunsheng nodded, “Mm, alright, there shouldn’t be anything. You rest well.”

I returned to my room, kicked off my shoes, and burrowed into the covers, falling into a deep sleep.

Afterwards, I vaguely heard Chunsheng’s voice: “She doesn’t look right, better get a Doctor to have a look… Heart sickness? Heart sickness can’t be like this…”

Then, a jumble of footsteps approached.

My eyelids were heavy, I couldn’t open them, only felt someone patting my shoulder: “Wake up.”

I mumbled, not even able to muster any strength in my fingers.

He then lifted me from the bed, held me in his arms, and took my wrist: “Check, what illness is this?”

Someone’s fingers pressed against my pulse. After a long while, he said, “The young lady’s pulse is weak and low, it seems…” He paused for a long time, “May I see what the young lady has been eating?”

“She eats the same as I do. Only the tea is brought in by the servants of the residence.”

I struggled for a long time and finally managed to open my heavy eyelids. Duan Jing was sitting by the bedside, holding me, his expression grave.

A white-bearded old grandpa held a teacup, sniffed it, dipped his fingertip in the water, tasted it, and the room fell silent.

After a while, sweat beaded on the Doctor’s forehead. He said, “Five Minerals Powder.”

I had never heard of it, but Duan Jing’s face changed.

The Doctor said, “A small amount mixed into the tea, in the short term it strengthens the body, but over time it is poison, draining one’s foundation, and death is not far off. Has the young lady experienced any unusual symptoms lately?”

Seeing Duan Jing’s expression, I knew this was serious, so I told everything: “My energy is fine, but I sweat a lot at night, and…” I glanced at Duan Jing and bit my lip.

Thinking of him at night, that scene was not convenient to describe.

The Doctor nodded, “That’s it. After taking this medicine, one’s desires in the affairs between men and women do become more vigorous…”

Duan Jing’s ears turned red. He coughed lightly: “Is there a remedy?”

The Doctor smiled, “The young lady’s dosage was light. Just stop taking it and recover slowly.”

He then wrote a Prescription for some tonic medicine, which Chunsheng took away.

Only Duan Jing and I were left in the room.

“Husband, my nosebleeds were also because of Five Minerals Powder.”

Duan Jing held me: “Five Minerals Powder isn’t a strong drug. Zhang Wanyi, if you crave me, just admit it, don’t use Five Minerals Powder as an excuse.”

“Oh…”

“You just said you sweat a lot at night, what else?”

I knew Duan Jing wouldn’t let me off easily.

“Nothing.”

“Will you say it or not?” His hand stayed at my waist, clearly knowing my weak spot. Just a tickle and I’d have to beg for mercy.

I buried my head in his arms, mumbling, “I just miss you.”

“Louder, what is it?”

My ears burned red, and I said angrily, “I miss you! Even in my dreams!”
“What dream?”

I couldn’t withstand Duan Jing’s relentless questioning. Images flashed through my mind: just like that night, the moonlight was bright, and beneath the trees, the surging tenderness and heart-thumping excitement. It was clearly just a kiss, yet it lingered with me night after night, my heart unable to calm.

I’ve been tainted.

And the culprit behind all this is Duan Jing.

Yet he dares to interrogate me.

I gave him a hard punch.

Duan Jing narrowed his eyes, “You’ve grown bold, daring to hit me?”

The little bit of bravado I’d managed to muster fizzled out instantly. I shrank my neck, sulking, “If you hadn’t kissed me, I wouldn’t be having such thoughts.”

“So it’s my fault?” Duan Jing’s fierce demeanor returned, but his eyes couldn’t hide his amusement as he locked my hands behind my back. “Do you like it when I kiss you?”

My skin is thin; I can’t handle his wolfish words. My gaze darted away, “I like it…”

“Then that’s settled.” Duan Jing pulled me closer, leaned in to my ear, and laughed aloud, “A kiss is nothing. Do you like children?”

My voice trembled, “I’m sick… You… you should restrain yourself.”

Duan Jing hugged me and rolled us both onto the bed, pulling the covers over us. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you. Once I find out who-”

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, a deep hostility surfacing. “I’ll dig up his ancestral grave.”

My illness lasted several days, and Duan Jing spent every night sleeping on my bed.

I had plenty to say about this.

I felt that, since we weren’t married yet, this was far too reckless.

When I voiced this, Duan Jing, ever the smooth talker, coaxed me, “Young Master has hugged and kissed you. From now on, you won’t have the mind to look for wild men.”

I thought Duan Jing lacked a sense of security, so I solemnly pledged my loyalty, “I’m a proper woman. Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. If you die, I’ll keep widowhood for you and won’t look for wild men.”

Duan Jing spat out a mouthful of tea, clutching his soaked robe. “Are you that eager for me to die?”

Realizing my slip, I corrected myself seriously, “Then I won’t keep widowhood. I’ll die for love.”

Duan Jing coughed even harder, wiped the water from his chest, and beckoned me over, gasping, “Come here.”

I walked over and was locked between his hands, yelping.

Duan Jing actually bit me.

His eyes were dark and bright, swirling with ink-black light that sparkled like stars. “Zhang Wanyi, isn’t it good for both of us to live?”

Others like their men to call them by their pet names, but I especially like the way Duan Jing calls me Zhang Wanyi. Every time he says it, my heart skips a beat.

I might really be falling for him. Covering my face, I mumbled, “I have to go… Let me go…”

Duan Jing pinched my burning red ear, “Kiss your Husband once, and I’ll let you go.”

That day, I ran out of my room with a red face. Duan Jing’s laughter echoed endlessly. Chunsheng saw how bullied I looked and couldn’t help but chuckle, “I told you, our Young Master knows how to dote on people.”

Bah!

He isn’t doting on me-he’s trying to kill me.

The Imperial Examination was drawing nearer by the day. I heard that the Second Young Master would also participate, and at the dinner table, Madam Duan hinted that she had used connections to Prince Duan, surely securing a good future for the Second Young Master.

After lunch, I followed Duan Jing from the Front Hall back.

Halfway, Chunsheng hurried over and whispered something urgent to Duan Jing.

Duan Jing turned back and pinched my cheek, saying, “Go rest first. I’ll come back for dinner tonight.”

“Oh, alright.”