Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Heartbeat Out of Rhythm
Qu Fulan gathered all her thoughts, focusing on bandaging, but a wisp of hair fell from behind her ear, slightly obstructing her. Just as she was about to free a hand to tuck it back, a hand reached over and tucked the hair behind her ear for her.
The movement was so sudden that Qu Fulan was a bit stunned, then instinctively looked at him.
He was also looking at her.
His gaze was as clear and gentle as flowing water, with her reflection in his deep, dark eyes. His handsome face was so close that they could feel each other’s breath.
A silent, indescribable current flowed in the air, enchanting enough to make one feel that doing nothing in such a wonderful atmosphere would be a waste.
Pei Ji’an moved slightly.
Qu Fulan felt inexplicable panic and confusion, along with a hint of bewilderment.
"Reporting to the Heir!"
A discordant voice suddenly appeared at the door, shattering the invisible barrier in the room, like the sound of glass breaking into pieces.
Perhaps the voice was too abrupt, Qu Fulan’s hand tightened.
A low, soft "hm" sounded, and Qu Fulan realized she was holding a bandage, having been lost in thought, she had been binding it too tightly on his wound, causing it to bleed, no wonder the Heir Pei, who was always tolerant, couldn’t help but frown.
"S-sorry, I didn’t mean to." Quickly bowing her head, Qu Fulan continued bandaging carefully, not daring to lose focus again.
However, the subtle undercurrent from earlier quickly dissipated. Pei Ji’an quietly turned his head, his face looked calm and collected, understanding, "I’m fine."
But looking at the soldier at the door, his gaze was like a blade, "What is it?"
The look in his eyes clearly meant: you’d better have a perfect explanation, otherwise...
The soldier shivered inexplicably, then reported some military information, all of which was crucial.
Pei Ji’an’s voice was deep, "Understood, leave."
Along with the soldier exiting, Qu Fulan, having finished the bandaging, also quickly found an excuse to leave.
Silence once again filled the room, Pei Ji’an sat motionless for a long time, then he closed his eyes and let out a long, low sigh.
His tone seemed to contain a hint of frustration.
After Qu Fulan went outside, a cool breeze brushed her face, instantly clearing her mind.
Indeed, it was probably just that the brazier inside was too strong, causing a lack of oxygen, making her feel muddled and unclear about what to do.
Qu Fulan wandered outside for a while.
Seeing the people in the camp wearing expressions of joy and relaxation, soon they began to rest and reorganize.
The soldier was right, their commander was injured, but the enemy couldn’t attack.
All because the Heir Pei had infiltrated the enemy camp to save people, not only killing an enemy general but also burning their supplies, thus, even if the Heir Pei was injured, the enemy lacked the conditions to attack.
This could provide a decent buffer, preventing them from being too passive.
Meanwhile, the Big Housekeeper pulled Prince An into a secluded corner.
"Are we brothers?"
The unexpected question left Prince An a bit bewildered, "Why ask such nonsense?"
"It’s necessary, just answer me."
"Having shared hardships, do you still need to ask? Apparently, you don’t consider me a brother."
"Alright, since we’re brothers, show me by taking off your clothes."
At this moment, Prince An would’ve spat out his drink, "Are you sick? Asking me to undress in this winter cold?"
"Then I’ll take mine off first, fair exchange." Saying that, the Big Housekeeper stripped off his clothes, baring his upper body.
Prince An was speechless, but seeing him undress, although confused by his actions, he complied, though he quickly dressed again because of the cold.
The Big Housekeeper looked disappointed.
"What expression is that? I’ve undressed, now can you tell me what’s going on?"
The Big Housekeeper didn’t hold back, bluntly said, "Didn’t I tell you before that I haven’t touched women for a long time and find men delicate? But I tried in the camp and felt no effect, wondering if I have a problem and prefer men. But now, looking at you again, I feel nothing. What’s going on?"
This statement caught Prince An by surprise; honestly, in the Capital City, among the pleasure-seeking nobility, such things were common, though he had no such interests himself. Hearing the Big Housekeeper say this made him laugh, "Didn’t you say you find men delicate? Who did you find delicate? Maybe that’s the root of it."
The Big Housekeeper frankly admitted it was Doctor Qu.
Prince An nearly choked on his own saliva without having a drink; you’ve got hawk-like eyes to pick out the only woman among a group of men.
But unfortunately, she’s not someone you can fancy.
However, Prince An couldn’t say such things. Worried the Big Housekeeper might unknowingly offend, he thought it over and patted his shoulder with sincere advice, "Don’t think about it, she’s not someone you can fancy, she’s the Heir Pei’s person."
This shocked the Big Housekeeper, "You mean the Heir also..."
Prince An nodded against his better judgment, "What’s the big deal? Such things are common in Capital City. Don’t act like you’ve never seen the world. Also, curb your restless heart early, if the Heir Pei finds out, you’ll be in trouble."
The Big Housekeeper nodded quickly, no matter what, he wouldn’t dare compete with the Heir for someone.
Prince An worried he might get stuck in a dead-end, advised, "Maybe you’ve just been single too long, find a nice girl when you get back, you’ll realize you still like women."
The Big Housekeeper agreed wholeheartedly.
With Prince An’s tip, the Big Housekeeper quietly observed interactions between Heir Pei and Doctor Qu, indeed noticing things previously unnoticed.
Like when Doctor Qu changed the Heir’s bandages, he looked down at him, with eyes that...tsk tsk, even the Big Housekeeper felt shy witnessing it.
Or when Doctor Qu accidentally cut her finger while cooking, just a scratch, and the Heir’s expression looked like the sky had fallen.
Or now, when An Ruchang picked wild fruits from a tall tree, and Doctor Qu watched below, despite his injuries not being severe anymore, the Heir occasionally came out for a walk, and on seeing this, he didn’t caution An Ruchang up the tree to be careful, lest he falls, but rather told Doctor Qu below to stand farther, lest a fruit hit her.
Even the Big Housekeeper was speechless, and Prince An in the tree felt helpless; after all, they were brothers, shouldn’t be such blatant favoritism.
Then an accident happened, not with An Ruchang falling, but due to the heavy snow bending branches, often weakened to the point of falling, and a branch actually fell.
A thick trunk fell directly above Qu Fulan.
In an instant, Pei Ji’an’s mind spun into chaos, instinctively wanting to rush to her aid but felt a sharp pain in his chest, delaying his movements.