chapter 9

I picked up the cup and, under Duan Jing’s deep and enigmatic gaze, took a sip. Instantly, my heart felt as if a sweet spring had burst forth: “It’s sweet!”

Duan Jing squinted his eyes and smiled, clinking his cup with mine. “There’s barely any alcohol in it. Drink as much as you like.”

One cup down, my body was filled with warmth. I pressed the back of my hand to my face, leaned against the small bowl, and felt as if I were floating on air. It seemed that in the next moment, I too would become a Fox Immortal, carefree and at ease.

Duan Jing truly treats me so well-never lets me go hungry, and now there’s even wine to drink.

If I were truly Husband and wife with him, wouldn’t that be perfect-

Smack!

I slapped my forehead, stunned.

Something’s wrong with me!

Duan Jing was startled, his chopsticks slipping and clattering into the dish. He asked in surprise, “What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m drunk.”

Duan Jing touched my sweaty forehead. “It’s just one cup, how could you be? You’re just not used to drinking. Have another.”

Looking at the full cup before me, I couldn’t resist the temptation. I reached out, took it, and sipped slowly with my eyes half-closed.

So delicious.

But Duan Jing in front of me was swaying.

His features were like jade, lips rosy, teeth white, dressed in red, alluring and bewitching.

I reached out and grabbed Duan Jing’s black hair, as if holding a treasure.

He winced in pain, hissing, “Zhang Wanyi, what are you doing?”

I pulled him closer with force. “Come here.”

He laughed in exasperation and leaned in. “Well?”

Well?

Of course, to take advantage of the Male Fox Immortal!

Seizing the moment, I quickly leaned in and kissed him on the lips, laughing triumphantly.

Duan Jing froze, then the corners of his lips slowly curled up, his eyes dark and bright. Suddenly, he grabbed me as I tried to escape and pulled me back. “What was that just now?”

I was so excited, something was pounding in my heart, and I smiled sweetly. “Flirting.”

This word was taught to me by Duan Jing himself.

Duan Jing pinched my cheek. “Zhang Wanyi, are you really drunk?”

I propped my elbows on the table, lying in front of Duan Jing, giggling foolishly.

He laughed along, patting his thigh. “Come, sit on Husband’s lap.”

I didn’t think anything was wrong, staggered over, and snuggled up to him, playing with his black hair.

“Jiming, I think you’re capable. Even without Prince Duan, you’re still capable.”

Like coaxing a child, I patted Duan Jing’s back, my chin lazily resting on his shoulder, eyes half-closed.

Duan Jing let me hold him, and after a while, said hoarsely, “Zhang Wanyi, the last person to say that was my mother.”

“Mm.” I answered softly, feeling sad. “But I don’t want you to be my son…”

Duan Jing is such a good person, why couldn’t Lord Duan favor him a little more? Back home, even a puppy without a mother would be pitied-why is there no one to pity Duan Jing?

Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but burst into tears.

Duan Jing was silent for a long moment, then said in a muffled voice, “Don’t tell me you’re crying because you don’t want to take me as your son.”

I cried even harder.

Duan Jing took a deep breath and bit my damp cheek. “Are you bullying me while we’re not married yet? Still want to take advantage of me?”

He was so fierce, leaving a neat row of teeth marks on my cheek.

I buried myself in his arms to prevent him from biting me again, muttering, “I’m so useless, I can’t help you with anything. Others can buy a house and land with two thousand taels, but you spent two thousand taels on a burden.”

Duan Jing pulled me up from his lap and said seriously, “I’ve said it before, in my Jiming’s room, nothing is worthless. People and things alike, all are treasures.”

With tearful eyes, I let him wipe away my tears with his thumb, as he spoke each word clearly: “In our home, Zhang Wanyi is my pillar. I never fought for anything before because I didn’t know who I was fighting for. Now I know-the future mistress of Duan Mansion can only be my Wanyi.”
It was at that moment I realized that a fluttering heart also has a sound.

My heart pounded violently against my ribs, making a deafening noise: thump thump… thump thump…

By the time we returned to the residence, it was already late at night.

Duan Jing got out of the carriage first, squatted down with his back to me, and patted himself: “Get on.”

I staggered out of the carriage, barely managing to climb onto Duan Jing’s back.

The Guard at the gate looked over and asked, “Is the young lady… drunk?”

Duan Jing chuckled, “She can’t hold her liquor, just likes to cling to people.”

Soft laughter rippled through the night breeze. Resting my head on Duan Jing’s shoulder, I felt a rare sense of peace.

“Zhang Wanyi, wake up. Sleep when we get inside.”

I said nothing, drifting into a sweet dream.

In my dream, I became a noble lady from a prestigious family. Three letters and six ceremonies, an eight-carriage bridal procession-I married Duan Jing in grand style. That day, he was bathed in light, riding a tall horse to fetch me. My wedding dress was bright and beautiful, drums and gongs resounded. His Mother sat in the main hall and gave me a smooth Jade Bracelet. Duan Jing’s eyes were full of smiles as he held my hand tightly and kissed my forehead.

But in the next moment, someone gently touched my ear: “Wanyi, get up and wash your face.”

The dream was too wonderful. I grumbled for a while, turned over, and covered my ears.

That voice laughed and scolded a few words, then let me sleep.

I slept until the sun was high in the sky. Suddenly, I sat up and searched for Duan Jing.

I met Chunsheng in the courtyard and learned that Duan Jing had gone to the study.

Recently, he had been busy with the Imperial Examination, working day and night, which was hard on his health.

I went to the kitchen, ground Walnut Kernel into paste, mixed it with Milk, boiled it, and brought it to Duan Jing.

He patted my head, picked up the bowl, drank it all in one go, and then chased me out of the study.

The next day, I went to the Doctor and got a few Prescriptions for refreshing the mind, made them into Medicinal Meal, and gave them to him for nourishment.

He acted the same as before.

Until half a month later, Duan Jing pushed away the bowl I handed him, his expression strange: “I won’t drink it today.”

“Why?”

He didn’t answer, just continued, “Tonight I’ll sleep in the study.”

Ever since I was attacked last time, Duan Jing insisted on eating and living with me. Now, suddenly wanting to sleep in the study, I was quite surprised. “Are you going to study? I’ll keep you company.”

“No need.” Duan Jing was firm, his face stiff as he drove me out of the study.

Chunsheng saw me carrying the bowl out as it was, very curious: “Is the young master unhappy?”

I shook my head in confusion: “Doesn’t seem like it. Maybe he’s just tired.”

Before bed, I couldn’t stop worrying, so I put on a coat and headed to the study.

Passing under the window, I suddenly stopped.

Separated by a window, it seemed I heard something.

Listening closely, it was Duan Jing.

“Wanyi…” He called me softly, affection lingering, his tone gentle and tender.

Suddenly, the wind rose, blowing low under the eaves, reserved and gentle, like lovers whispering sweet words.

I raised my hand, wanting to knock on the window.

“Wanyi… Wanyi… Wanyi…”

Duan Jing sang softly, with abandon and longing, blending into the boundless moonlight. The sound was so beautiful, I couldn’t bear to interrupt.

After a while, the wind grew stronger, and I couldn’t tell whether the sound that startled my heart came from inside the room or the alley outside.

The wind swept through the alley, rushing out of the narrow lane, competing, clamoring, and joyfully wandering under the night.

When the night finally fell silent, I accidentally bumped into the window.

After a long time, Duan Jing spoke through the window, his voice hoarse and lazy: “Who is it?”

Clutching my wildly beating heart, I answered softly, “Husband, it’s me.”