“I heard the County Princess is looking for a marriage for Mu Baiyu, and I have a gift here. I hope you can deliver it on my behalf.”
Not even two days after the County Prince’s New Year’s Eve snow banquet ended, Hui’an arrived with a carriage full of gifts, including something she entrusted her to deliver to Mu Baiyu.
Nan Shiying looked at the brocade box Hui’an presented. Judging by its size and shape, it likely contained a painting.
Nan Shiying unfastened the clasp of the brocade box and, as expected, found a scroll. She took it out and unrolled the painting: the dragon scale landscape painting by the century-old art sage Gu Xizhi.
Nan Shiying looked up at Hui’an, wanting to know the purpose of her gift.
Hui’an remained open, allowing Nan Shiying to examine her. This was her thank you gift to Mu Baiyu.
Thanking him for stepping forward to help that day.
The incident happened more than half a year ago, and she was only sending the gift now. Hui’an had been so cautious in avoiding trouble that even Mu Baiyu might have forgotten his good deed.
“Alright, I will have my Lord pass it to him,” Nan Shiying agreed.
Lü Wan took the painting, re-rolled it, and placed it back in the box. She then put the brocade box in the Empress’s calligraphy and painting cabinet before returning to serve tea.
After thanking her, Hui’an inquired about Nan Shiying’s recent situation. They chatted about everyday matters for about fifteen minutes before Hui’an rose to take her leave.
Had she really come all this way just to deliver a gift?
Nan Shiying still felt somewhat surprised when she mentioned it to Ji Jinmo.
Perhaps it was because spring was approaching and the weather was changeable, but Ji Jinmo’s complexion had become increasingly pale. Nan Shiying felt his pulse, but there were no changes in his pulse. It was just that his skin, so pale it seemed to faintly reflect light, always gave her the illusion that his temples were shimmering with a green light in the sunlight.
Nan Shiying held his hand. Fortunately, his palm was warm, unlike his complexion, which made him look frail. Nan Shiying remembered that when she first saw him, his face was merely pale, not this reflective pale. Yet, even with his current skin tone, it was difficult to associate him with the word “patient.” One might think that an ice mountain’s skin should be this pale.
“Cold?”
Nan Shiying touched his cheek. Her fingertips traced his temples, feeling the smooth skin and dense hair. Her worries lessened slightly.
“Cold?”
Ji Jinmo raised an eyebrow slightly, gazing at Nan Shiying’s phoenix eyes, as dark as ink, deep and dangerous as if wanting to swallow her whole. With the beauty in his arms, how could he be cold? Had she not felt his warmth after being in his embrace for so long?
Seeing his strange tone and predatory gaze, Nan Shiying belatedly swallowed. The sun was strong today, the sounds of servants outside were faintly audible, and he was quite unrestrained when he went mad – strong, fast, and lasting. It was fine on a soft bed, but what if it were a table, a cabinet… Thinking of this, Nan Shiying’s face flushed. She glared at Ji Jinmo, not realizing that her eyes seemed to have a seductive glint. Her current unaware beauty could make even a sacred and inviolable Buddhist monk fall into an endless abyss.
Ji Jinmo pulled her waist into his embrace and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
Hearing the commotion from inside the room, Bai Zhi and Lü Wan exchanged a look. They tacitly dismissed the maids still cleaning in the courtyard, and Xuan Yi and Thirteen wisely jumped down from the trees.
…
Nan Yuan’er sat blankly in front of the mirror, her expression somewhat dazed.
“Miss, Miss, it’s time for dinner.”
The maid approached Nan Yuan’er and called out softly. Nan Yuan’er trembled and looked back at the maid, a flicker of fear and unease in her eyes. She asked with a trembling voice, “Dinner?”
The maid didn’t notice anything unusual about Nan Yuan’er and said with a smile, “The small kitchen made your favorite pineapple chicken today, as well as the lotus seed soup with orchid… Master knew you haven’t had a good appetite these past few days, so he specifically asked a servant to buy you the hibiscus cakes from Gui Shanzhai.”
Nan Yuan’er’s hands clenched her skirt. Dinner? How could it be dinner? Hadn’t she just finished breakfast? Had she been sitting in front of the vanity mirror all day?
“What did I do today… I mean, I think I have a bit of a headache.”
Nan Yuan’er’s words blurted out. As soon as they were spoken, she felt it was too direct and raised her hand to her temple as if to press it, feigning a headache.
“You… you went to Master’s study this morning, and after lunch, you sat by the lake in the backyard for a long time. You only returned to your courtyard after sunset.”
After the maid finished speaking, she asked tentatively, “Miss, are you alright?”
Nan Yuan’er forced a smile, revealing a grin. “Perhaps I sat by the lake for too long and caught a chill. Please have the food put away. I’m not hungry and want to lie down for a while.”
“Miss, please rest. I’ll go get the doctor right away.”
“No need!”
Nan Yuan’er stopped the maid, preventing her from going to fetch the doctor. “I’ll be fine after a rest. You can go down too. You don’t need to serve me.”
“But…”
“Go down!”
“Then Miss, I’ll wait outside. Call me if you need anything.”
“Mm!”
The maid helped Nan Yuan’er onto the bed, tidied away the food, and left with the food box. The moment the door closed, Nan Yuan’er sat up.
The maid, carrying the food box, went around to the window and peeked into the room.