Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“Sophistry.”

It took a long while before Cui Shao managed to squeeze out those few words.

He pulled off his own hair ribbon and wrapped it around my finger.

He preferred plain colors; the clothes in his wardrobe were all simple, as were his accessories. Although they lacked their former opulence, even the most ordinary clothes looked noble when worn by him.

The ribbon was wound layer upon layer, tied with meticulous care. I couldn’t tell if it was simply his nature or because he had endured too much.

He had no fewer scars on his body than I did.

The difference was that mine were all old scars, while his were all new ones from the past year.

He finally tied a knot, and the wound was considered dressed. Before I could say thank you, someone came looking for Cui Shao from outside the door.

It was a man with deep features and light-colored eyes, likely of foreign descent. He wore a bright red cloak and held an ancient zither, looking exceptionally striking against the monotonous snowy day.

He didn’t come inside, instead urging Cui Shao from the doorway, saying that Master Zhang would be angry if they were late.

Cui Shao left behind a brief “Don’t wait for me” and departed with the man.

A string of footprints remained on the thin layer of snow.

I was distracted the entire evening and couldn’t fall asleep at all. I eventually put on my clothes and went out for a walk. It worked well; by the time I returned, my steps were much lighter.

In a short while, the footprints leading from the courtyard to the door would be covered by the heavy snow. No one would know I had gone out.

I waited for Cui Shao. I lost track of how many times I trimmed the lamp wick until only a bean-sized glow remained, and I finally couldn’t hold out any longer.

I intended to take a short rest, but I unexpectedly fell asleep slumped over the table.

Sleeping at the table was uncomfortable, and the candle flickered out while I was in a daze. Half-asleep and half-awake, I heard someone open the door, bringing in a gust of cold wind. Shivering from the cold, I murmured a few soft complaints.

Then the door was closed again. The person stood beside me, and a moment later, I was picked up.

A chilled scent mixed with wind and snow drifted into my nose. In my hazy state, I thought I was still back with the Chen Family, sleeping in that leaky woodshed.

“So cold… Little Brother, did you steal all the blankets again?”

Instinct made me grope around blindly, trying to snatch the blankets back. Someone told me to stop acting up. I let out a huff-he stole the blankets and now he’s acting like he’s in the right?

“No!”

As expected, my brother fell silent. Then, after a slight jolt, I tumbled into a place that was half-soft and half-firm. I remembered then-I had already married Cui Shao. I didn’t have to sleep in the woodshed anymore. His bed was warm and soft, and the blankets were thick.

I started searching for the blankets again, but a pair of large hands kept thwarting me. In a fit of pique, I swung my hand and hit something.

A crisp slapping sound jolted me awake.

I opened my eyes to meet a pair of eyes shimmering in the dark. The wind and snow outside had stopped at some point, and moonlight filtered through the window paper. Only then did I realize I was sprawled on top of Cui Shao. His clothes had been pulled halfway open by me, his chest faintly visible, and a faint five-fingered mark lingered on his face.

He was breathing heavily. His usually calm expression finally showed signs of turmoil, yet it wasn’t the exasperation I expected. Instead, it was a strange sensation-a mix of bewilderment and heat.

“Get off.”

I snapped back to my senses, only then noticing something hard beneath me.

I looked down, and Cui Shao looked down as well. “That is the jade pendant my mother left me.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. What on earth was I thinking? Cui Shao was already…

“I’m sorry. I was dazed from sleep just now. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

I don’t have many virtues, but I’m very good at reading the room and knowing when to back down. This was my fault, so I ought to apologize.

To my surprise, Cui Shao simply turned over, leaving me with a cold back that screamed “stay away.”

When I woke up the next morning, the spot beside me was already empty and the bed was cold. It seemed he had been up for a long time.

After I finished washing up and stepped outside, I saw Cui Shao standing under the veranda in a daze. He held a jade pendant in his hand, stroking it idly.

After a moment’s thought, I approached him.

“I don’t know much about jade, but I saw plenty back with the Chen Family. It feels warm and smooth to the touch; anyone can see it’s a fine piece…”

Knowing I was in the wrong, I figured saying a few kind words might ease the awkwardness.

But Cui Shao immediately tucked the jade pendant away and turned to leave without giving me so much as a glance.