Yu Changxuan had followed his father to inspect military defenses at the western front, traveling for nearly a month. This evening, the party finally returned to the Yu residence. The moment Madam Yu saw Yu Changxuan, she noticed he had grown much thinner than a month ago, her heart aching terribly. Without saying more than a few words, she hurried downstairs to arrange for the servants to prepare Fifth Young Master’s favorite dishes.

Seeing his mother leave, Yu Changxuan noticed Second Sister Yu Jinxuan sitting under a pink gauze lamp shade, smiling at him. He walked over and sat beside her, attentively picking up the rain-over-azure-sky imperial teapot nearby to pour Jinxuan a cup of tea. He offered it with both hands, smiling: “Second Sister has worked hard this past month. Please have some tea.”

Jinxuan accepted the tea but laughed: “Enough, stop flattering me. Tell me honestly – a girl like that, clearly one with ambition, how could she possibly just obediently become a canary in your cage? What methods did you use to manipulate her?”

Yu Changxuan didn’t answer, only smiling: “So Second Sister likes her too.” Jinxuan nodded: “She’s a good child, impossible not to love. It’s just a pity she has such an awkward identity, always looked down upon by others – all because of the sins you’ve created.”

Yu Changxuan said flatly: “I’m determined to marry her.”

Jinxuan smiled, then saw little Yu Zening run in from outside, hands full of cookies. Jinxuan asked: “Where did the cookies come from?” Zening said: “Grandma gave them to me.”

Jinling people had their own customs, always calling maternal grandmother “grandma” and maternal grandfather “grandpa.” Yu Changxuan saw Zening eating his cookies with relish and went to snatch the handful Zening was clutching. Unable to fight back, Zening stamped his feet and jumped about, squealing wildly. Jinxuan laughingly smacked Yu Changxuan’s hand once: “Stop bullying my son. Since you like children so much, have that one at Fengtai give you one.”

Yu Changxuan suddenly froze. Jinxuan smiled as she picked up Zening, giving him a pointed hint: “Why don’t you understand? If you truly want to keep her, have her bear you a child. Think about it – Mother thinks about holding a grandchild all day long. If she were really pregnant, Mother would feel too precious about it to do anything but comply with your wishes.”

Yu Changxuan returned to Fengtai around ten o’clock at night. His arrival was quite sudden, but he didn’t disturb anyone. Adjutant Wu Zuoxiao went directly back to the attendant quarters, while only Chief of Staff Gu Ruitong followed Yu Changxuan all the way to the study. Yu Changxuan removed his coat along with his military belt and gun, handing them to Gu Ruitong, who hung them on a nearby rack. Then he heard Yu Changxuan ask: “Has anything happened these past few days?”

Gu Ruitong replied: “The Army Ministry submitted some documents. I’ve organized the important ones and placed them on your desk. The rest are minor matters. Following Fifth Young Master’s request, I transferred Feng Tianjun from the Army Ministry to serve as Group Leader of Intelligence Group Six in the Second Department of the Attendant Office. This fellow is indeed talented – his cleverness rivals even Secretary-General Wang Ji.”

Yu Changxuan casually flipped through the stacks of files on his desk, smiling: “You see, I’ve snatched away all the good people. Uncle Zhang will probably come lecture me again. You’ve worked hard these days – I’ll treat you to drinks at Kuiguang Pavilion sometime.” Gu Ruitong acknowledged and turned to leave. As soon as the door opened, they saw the head maid Qiu Luo eagerly carrying in a bowl on an exquisite small tray. Seeing Gu Ruitong, she smiled cheerfully: “Chief Gu.” Gu Ruitong lowered his eyes and walked out.

Yu Changxuan still sat behind his desk reading those few pages of files when he saw Qiu Luo place the tray on the table. Immediately, the fresh fragrance of lotus leaf soup filled the air. Qiu Luo smiled: “Madam specifically called from the residence, saying when Fifth Young Master returns, you must be served this bowl of soup first. Please eat quickly, Fifth Young Master – I’m still waiting to report back to Madam.”

However, Yu Changxuan didn’t first eat the bowl of lotus leaf soup, but instead picked up a nearby teacup, took a sip of tea, and said: “How has she been this past month?”

Qiu Luo knew whom Yu Changxuan was asking about. She had prepared for this long ago, now giggling: “How Miss Ye has been, we really don’t know clearly. If Fifth Young Master wants to know, you’ll have to ask Chief Gu.”

Yu Changxuan looked up at Qiu Luo, slowly rotating the teacup in his hands, and actually smiled slightly: “What do you mean by that?”

Qiu Luo giggled: “We foolish, clumsy maids wanted to take care of Miss Ye, but we can’t get involved. Miss Ye is well-educated and reasonable, naturally having endless things to discuss with Chief Gu. She probably finds us maids an eyesore.” As soon as she finished speaking, a wave of heat hit her face – Yu Changxuan had directly thrown his tea at her. The scalding tea splashed on her skin, causing sharp pain and frightening her out of her wits. She immediately knelt there, crying: “Fifth Young Master!”

Yu Changxuan coldly laughed, saying flatly: “Remember this well – Gu Ruitong is like a brother to me. If you ever dare say such things again, I’ll take your life first!”

Qiu Luo trembled all over in fear, unable to say a word. She heard Yu Changxuan impatiently say: “Get out!” Qiu Luo hurriedly stood up and frantically came forward to collect the bowl and tray. Under the tray was something she had specifically brought, but now she dared not show it to Yu Changxuan and started to leave. However, Yu Changxuan saw clearly: “What is that?”

Qiu Luo tremblingly took out that page: “It’s a newspaper. I took it from Miss Ye’s room. That day… I saw Miss Ye staring at this newspaper in a daze.” Yu Changxuan immediately spotted the words “Famous Daily” and extended his hand. Qiu Luo hurriedly handed the newspaper to him, then turned and fled in panic. Yu Changxuan unfolded that page and saw the “Love Thread Notes” under the column. A dark light immediately contracted in his pupils as he coldly read on.

The night grew deeper. The study was so quiet it was somewhat unsettling, with only the grandfather clock’s pendulum making tick-tock sounds. From far and near, one could hear wind blowing through Fengtai’s trees, making wave-like rushing sounds. Yu Changxuan sat alone in the study, the cigarette between his fingers emitting wisps of white smoke. The cigarette was about to burn down to the butt, creating a long ash, while at his feet lay five or six cigarette butts.

He remembered when she lowered her head to string beads, a short strand of hair fell from her forehead, gently brushing against her snow-white profile. He walked over to help smooth that strand of hair – the soft hair brushed past his fingers. His fingers accidentally touched the skin of her cheek, warm and soft. He felt his heart itch wave after wave, as if soft feathers were stroking across his heart…

His hand trembled, and the burned cigarette butt fell to the ground. He suddenly stood up, using his military boots to stomp on it forcefully, viciously crushing it. Then he swept everything on the desk to the floor, even the telephone flying out to crash against the wall with a bang, instantly shattering into pieces!

He finally crumpled that newspaper tightly and strode out of the study, going upstairs. The corridor was carpeted throughout, so no matter how fast he walked, he made no sound. He walked all the way to the bedroom door at the end of the corridor but paused, finally softening his steps and slowly pushing the door open.

The room was very quiet. The small incense burner still burned Taiwanese agarwood. Thick curtains hung straight to the carpet. The light was somewhat dim, with only a small green silk pleated lamp lit on the bedside table, casting a warm, dim glow. She lay on her side in the soft bedding, her left hand loosely curled under the pillow, sleeping peacefully.

He casually threw the newspaper onto the carpet and stood by the bed, slightly leaning down with one hand braced on the bedside, extending his other hand to gently caress her cheek. Her skin had a soft warmth. His breathing involuntarily quickened as he slowly lowered his head, seeing she still had her eyes closed, but the eyelashes against her skin suddenly trembled, and her left hand, originally slightly curled by the pillow, slowly clenched into a fist…

Already angry, he now coldly laughed: “Keep pretending!” He actually grabbed the strand of short hair by her forehead and uncontrollably yanked it. She could even hear her own hair snapping, the pain making her sharply inhale cold air. She opened her eyes to see his face immersed in dim light, revealing threads of coldness.

Filled with fury, he said: “Ye Pingjun, I’ve nearly carved out my entire heart for you, yet you treat me this way!”

Her heart suddenly tightened as she tried to sit up, but her wrist suddenly shot with pain. Her body felt heavy as he pressed down on her, using one hand to pin both of hers directly above the pillow while his other hand went to unbutton her clothes. The buttons were small and numerous. Growing impatient, he yanked forcefully. With a “rip,” buttons scattered everywhere, like the light in her eyes seemingly dispersing in that instant.

He lowered his head to kiss her, that kiss covering her lips, turning and lingering with a gentle fragrance seeping into his breath – her body’s scent, soft with a hint of warmth… an intoxicating sweet fragrance that made one unable to resist…

She kept her eyes tightly closed, her hands clenched, submitting to whatever he did. She accepted her fate. His lips kissed her earlobe as he whispered in her ear: “You must bear me a child.”

Her body trembled, instantly opening her eyes. From somewhere came such great strength that she suddenly pushed him away. In his passionate confusion, unprepared for such resistance, he actually let her escape from his control. She had already fled under the bed, covering her torn clothing, but there was still a bright gleam in her panicked gaze: “Don’t even think about it!”

Yu Changxuan sat up from the bed, watching her pressed against the floor-length curtains, looking at him warily. He frowned tightly and wordlessly came forward to embrace her. She desperately clutched the heavy floor-length curtains. His expression suddenly changed as he pressed her directly against the curtains, angrily saying: “I’m telling you to bear one, so you must bear me one!”

He violently tore at her clothes. Furious, unable to struggle free, she simply let go of her grip and stared at him with cold eyes, saying word by word: “I’m telling you, even if I had your child, I’d find ways to ensure it’s never born!”

His body suddenly stiffened. He saw her lifting her head, looking at him coldly with a gaze revealing chilling determination and resolve. Panting heavily, he gripped her shoulders, gritting his teeth: “You dare!”

She glared at him defiantly. The two faced off like enemies, several strands of hair falling from her disheveled bun, making her pale face appear white as paper, cold as snow.

Finally, icy angry light emerged from the depths of his eyes. Always accustomed to being pampered and doing as he pleased, when had he ever encountered such resistance? In hatred, he reached out to fling her away from himself. He hadn’t expected to lose control and use such force – her body flew out like a thin stalk of rice, falling onto the carpet, but her forehead struck hard against the bedside table with a “bang.”

Yu Changxuan suddenly turned around.

Pingjun covered her forehead with her hand, her lips moving slightly. Bright red blood seeped bit by bit from between her fingers covering her forehead. He panicked and came forward to help her, but she turned her head away, avoiding his hand, saying quietly: “I don’t need your help!”

Yu Changxuan froze, his hand rigidly suspended in midair.

Pingjun breathed lightly in pain. She slowly lowered her head. That newspaper lay like waste paper on the carpet. Blood dripped from between her fingers, soaking the disheveled hair at her temples and falling onto Jiang Xueting’s black and white photograph in the newspaper, staining that page of “Love Thread Notes” red.

In the morning, sunlight streamed through the opened curtains from outside. In such late autumn weather, even a little beam of light felt warm. A large bouquet of osmanthus flowers was arranged in an azure-glazed carved vase, their fresh floral fragrance overpowering the white satin sachets filled with clove powder hanging in the wardrobe. Ye Pingjun sat on the sofa, feeling her breath filled with the scent of cloves.

She touched the corner of her forehead. The wound wasn’t large and had been bandaged, with only slight pain.

The newspaper was neatly placed on the coffee table, the bloodstained page pressed underneath. Then she heard the door – Qiu Luo entered.

She remained seated until Qiu Luo smiled and called: “Miss Ye, you wanted to see me?”

Ye Pingjun looked at the newspaper, slowly saying: “Don’t mess with my things again in the future. You’ll also need to trouble Fifth Young Master to bring it back to me.”

Qiu Luo’s expression immediately turned ugly.

Ye Pingjun said calmly: “I told Fifth Young Master we have enough staff here and don’t need you. You’re getting on in years anyway, so we’ll just arrange for you to return to the countryside to marry. I had someone handle it this morning – your parents will come get you tomorrow.”

Qiu Luo turned deathly pale in an instant, falling to her knees on the carpet with a “thud,” crying repeatedly: “Miss Ye, please don’t send me away… I was wrong, I know I was wrong.”

Pingjun smiled slightly, slowly saying: “You think I’m some pampered young miss from a wealthy family, to be bullied and humiliated by you, that a few words or little schemes would make me cry or cough blood. You’ve really miscalculated. I’m not that magnanimous either – having forgiven you time and again, do you really think I can’t deal with you?”

She turned her head, focusing her gaze on the tearful Qiu Luo: “Let me remind you – next time you want to scheme against me, you’d better choose a better opportunity and finish me off completely with one move. Otherwise, when I recover, you’ll be the one who dies.”

Qiu Luo never expected Ye Pingjun to say such things, only kneeling there in fear, shedding tears. Ye Pingjun looked at her, slowly saying: “You’re truly confused to the extreme. I can’t control whom he wants, and neither can you. What’s the use of scheming here? You’re just making everyone miserable. When I wasn’t here, he never let you move into this room. Do you think that if you drive me away, he’ll let you move into this room?”

Qiu Luo kept sobbing, repeatedly saying she wouldn’t dare again. Pingjun stopped speaking and slowly turned to look out the window, seeing in the distance the maple red on Yuxia Mountain burning like flames. That brilliant light stabbed harshly into her eyes. She felt waves of warmth welling up in her eyes, only silently lifting the corners of her soft mouth in a bitter smile, saying softly:

“Take this newspaper and burn it.”

Jinling’s winter was naturally somewhat dry and cold. After several consecutive sleet storms, the chill penetrated to one’s bones. Around ten in the morning, the Yu residence had warm radiators burning, and unseasonable cut flowers were arranged in vases. Madam Yu was teaching her grandson Zening to write large characters in the living room when she looked up to see Butler Zhou Tai bringing refreshments: “Hasn’t Fifth Young Master gotten up yet?”

Zhou Tai replied: “Apparently not yet. Auntie Zhu knocked on the door earlier, but there was no response from inside.”

Madam Yu immediately worried: “This child has been traveling through wind and rain with his father. He’s finally had a few days’ rest – he’s not ill, is he? I’ll go check on him.” She had the servants nearby feed Zening refreshments while she went upstairs, walking to Yu Changxuan’s bedroom door. She knocked several times, but no one answered. Madam Yu grew anxious and told Butler Zhou Tai beside her: “Open the door.”

Zhou Tai took out a large bunch of keys from his waist, selected one, and opened the door. Madam Yu pushed the door open to see Yu Changxuan lying in bed wrapped in bedding. She called out: “Changxuan, are you ill?” Yu Changxuan initially didn’t want to speak, but hearing his mother’s urgent tone, he threw off the covers and sat up: “I’m not a three or four-year-old child – how could I be ill?”

Madam Yu saw him like this and said anxiously: “Cover yourself with that quilt – you can’t handle this hot and cold. If you’re tired, rest a while longer. Your father isn’t home anyway. Look at those dark circles under your eyes – how is it that after sleeping so long, you still have two black circles?”

Yu Changxuan deflected: “Where did Father go?”

Madam Yu sat on the bedside, noting his truly poor spirits. She reached out to feel Yu Changxuan’s forehead to check his temperature. Yu Changxuan turned his head away, showing some impatience. Madam Yu smiled: “Alright, I understand. You’re a grown man now – I can’t keep treating you like a child. Today is the wedding of the Mou family’s son to the Tao family’s eldest daughter Yayi. Your father went to the wedding banquet.”

Yu Changxuan smiled: “The Mou and Tao families’ union – their intentions are crystal clear. Such a political marriage will probably anger Father for a while. Why doesn’t the Chu family have a daughter? Otherwise, I could personally take the field and help Father share his worries.”

Madam Yu laughed: “That works out perfectly then. It’s rare you have such filial devotion. The Chu family has no daughter, but the Tao family has a second daughter. Don’t you quite like her? Someday I’ll go speak for you.”

Yu Changxuan said carelessly: “Forget it. Being brother-in-law to that Mou family fool, being a head shorter than him – I won’t do it. Mother, you know the Mou family’s only heir has a few screws loose in his head.” This made Madam Yu laugh even more. She pointed her finger at Yu Changxuan’s forehead: “You really don’t have a good word to say – you’re infuriating! Hurry up and eat something, don’t go hungry.”

Yu Changxuan acknowledged, and only then did Madam Yu leave with Butler Zhou Tai. He flopped back onto the bed, pulling the covers over his head, completely burying himself under the bedding. After being covered for a while, he suddenly sat up with a look of complete frustration, grabbed the bedding and flung it to the floor. Even this couldn’t vent his heart’s fire, so he simply stood up and viciously kicked that bundle of bedding.

He thought he was truly going mad – how had he reached this state? As soon as he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with her, her shadow everywhere before his eyes – every frown and smile, every gesture and movement, impossible to drive away. That soft fragrance from her body seemed to coil around his heart, such gentle fragrance stirring his entire being into chaos, impossible to dispel…

“Never having known lovesickness in life, once knowing it, one suffers from lovesickness.”

He was truly mad.

Adjutant Wu Zuoxiao had been idle for several days straight, so this afternoon he stayed in the guards’ room in the main hall, chatting aimlessly with several attendant officers. Suddenly, one guard came out saying: “Fifth Young Master is coming.”

Wu Zuoxiao hurriedly stood up to greet him, seeing Yu Changxuan in full riding attire, even the spurs on his military boots gleaming brightly. He held a riding whip and said to Wu Zuoxiao and the others: “Come with me, we’re going riding at the training ground.” Wu Zuoxiao said: “It’s snowing and raining outside – hardly good weather for riding. If Madam finds out, she’ll be angry.”

Yu Changxuan pointed his whip at Wu Zuoxiao: “If my mother finds out, I’ll dismiss you first.”

Wu Zuoxiao saw Yu Changxuan looked quite poor in spirits, so he hurriedly grabbed his military cap and followed with the guards. After a few steps, he noticed dark circles under Yu Changxuan’s eyes and couldn’t help laughing: “Fifth Young Master, how did you get black eyes? How many days haven’t you slept?”

Yu Changxuan didn’t turn back, saying irritably: “Is that any of your business?”

Wu Zuoxiao just laughed: “If you can’t sleep, go out for a walk. Staying cooped up in the residence all day, you’ll worry yourself sick.”

Yu Changxuan was blunt: “That’s my choice!”

Wu Zuoxiao, like Gu Ruitong, had followed Yu Changxuan for many years and knew his temperament inside and out. Now he smiled: “Fifth Young Master hasn’t been to Fengtai in a long time. Fengtai is a wonderful place – beautiful scenery and even more beautiful people.”

As soon as Wu Zuoxiao finished his teasing words, he saw Yu Changxuan stop walking and turn around, glaring at him furiously with eyes that seemed ready to breathe fire. Wu Zuoxiao immediately felt his courage fail and assumed a posture ready to flee at any moment: “I mean, we brothers spend all day following Fifth Young Master in revelry, while Chief Gu is at least our brother too, but he’s thrown at Fengtai, keeping the empty room alone. My heart always feels somewhat sorry for him.”

Yu Changxuan didn’t even use his whip – without a word, he kicked out. Wu Zuoxiao frantically shouted the most important thing first: “Chief Gu told me to tell Fifth Young Master that someone at Fengtai has been staying at the hospital these past few days!” His words were still too long, and he still got kicked by Yu Changxuan, who asked: “Who’s in the hospital?”

Wu Zuoxiao grimaced and rubbed his kicked calf: “Miss Ye’s mother had a relapse of her old illness. This time it looks serious. Chief Guard Gu said Miss Ye has been keeping vigil at the hospital these days, not leaving for a moment.”

Yu Changxuan froze, just standing there looking at Wu Zuoxiao with such focused attention that it made Wu Zuoxiao’s spine go cold, instantly breaking out in goosebumps. Then Yu Changxuan’s eyes flashed as he turned and walked back, saying as he went: “Have them prepare the car.” Wu Zuoxiao, ignoring his still-aching calf, charged forward valiantly, following behind Yu Changxuan and asking suicidally: “Not going riding anymore? Not going riding anymore?”

Yu Changxuan was nearly driven to death by him. He turned and swung his whip at Wu Zuoxiao’s head, saying frantically: “Can’t you see for yourself! Is this weather for riding? Snowing and raining – you want me to fall and die?!”

Wu Zuoxiao suddenly found these words very familiar. Seeing Yu Changxuan walk away, his naturally roguish character that enjoyed life’s ironies made him feel greatly pleased. He pulled over an attendant officer, draping an arm around his shoulders in mock sorrow: “You see, our line of work is too difficult. All the bitterness and hardship must be swallowed, and we still have to put on fake smiles to greet people.”

The attendant officer was stunned for a long time before responding: “Adjutant Wu, I don’t think we’re in the same line of work.”

Since entering winter, Madam Ye had caught several colds, which triggered her lung disease. The first few days she could still endure, but gradually it became more serious, and she was bedridden again. Pingjun was terrified and spent half the winter at Mercy Hospital, caring for her day and night. From this constant vigil, she had grown thin again.

This day, after feeding Madam Ye half a bowl of fine rice porridge, Madam Ye fell into a drowsy sleep. Pingjun sat beside the bed watching over her mother. All around was silent. She occasionally tucked in her mother’s blanket corners, looking at her mother’s pale face, unable to help feeling her nose sting as tears threatened to fall.

Then she heard hurried footsteps in the corridor outside. She froze slightly and looked up as someone entered the hospital room – it was Yu Changxuan. Their eyes met directly. Her fingers trembled as she stood up from the chair. Madam Ye was also awakened by the footsteps and weakly called: “Ping’er, who is it?”

Yu Changxuan stepped forward. Madam Ye slowly opened her eyes, and seeing Yu Changxuan, struggled to sit up. Yu Changxuan extended his hand to gently hold her down: “Mother, lie still and don’t move.” That form of address made Madam Ye hold her breath, staring blankly at Yu Changxuan. Yu Changxuan tucked the blanket around Madam Ye again and called to people in the corridor: “Come in.”

A foreign military doctor entered with two nurses, carrying their own medical bags. Standing in the room, they first saluted Yu Changxuan with a military salute. Yu Changxuan nodded, and the doctor turned to place his bag on the table, beginning to take out diagnostic instruments. The two nurses came over to help Madam Ye, but Pingjun first helped her mother sit up, seeing her mother’s head slightly lowered with tears in the corners of her eyes. She quietly called: “Mother.”

Madam Ye softly responded, only using her fingers to gently wipe the tears from her eyes, then looked up at Ye Pingjun and Yu Changxuan with a slight smile: “With the doctor here to examine me, there’s nothing for you two to do. Go out for a walk.”

Pingjun remained seated, slightly lowering her head to look at the table corner beside her, her fingers slowly tracing it, pursing her lips with a stubborn expression. Madam Ye looked at Pingjun and sighed, urging: “Ping’er, what’s this temperament of yours? You won’t even listen to me anymore…”

Yu Changxuan smiled: “Let her stay here to care for you. I’ll be outside. If Mother needs anything, just call me.” As he spoke, he glanced at Pingjun, but she still kept her head down, eyes lowered, sitting silently as if not seeing him at all.

Yu Changxuan withdrew his gaze, said nothing more, and walked out. The military doctor came forward to treat Madam Ye, working busily for quite a while. Near evening, he finally stopped, and a guard came in to tell the doctor: “Fifth Young Master said when you finish the treatment, come out and report on Madam Ye’s condition.”

The doctor immediately followed the guard out. After receiving injections and medicine, Madam Ye’s complexion improved somewhat. She lay in bed and softly hummed. Pingjun quickly stood up: “Mother, do you want some water?”

Madam Ye slowly shook her head, taking Pingjun’s hand and saying quietly: “Did you hear what he called me? He called me Mother. Child, this shows he acknowledges you – he doesn’t look down on you.”

Pingjun pressed her lips together. Madam Ye breathed with some difficulty, shedding a few tears as she choked out: “Ping’er, go with him. I can see he truly likes you. Don’t think about Xueting anymore. Things have come to this point – you and Xueting… don’t have this fate. Why keep thinking about it…”

Her arm moved as Madam Ye pleadingly shook her arm. She just felt wronged, sitting there and turning her head toward the window beside her. She saw several overwintering sparrows perched on the small ledge outside the window, huddling with their heads tucked under their wings for warmth. The window edges were covered with a layer of fine frost flowers.

In the blink of an eye, half the winter had passed.

The strand of hair at her temple had grown long. She now tucked that strand behind her ear, combing it together with the rest of her hair, still able to style two beautiful small round buns, so one could no longer distinguish which hair had been cut and which hadn’t.

Actually, there was no need to distinguish anymore.

Her mother said: “Child, I know he’s waiting for you outside. Go out and speak with him.”

She still sat rigidly. Madam Ye grew anxious and coughed several times, clutching her chest and breathing heavily: “Why are you so disobedient!”

Pingjun slowly released her mother’s hand, stood up and walked out. She pushed open the hospital room door to see several guards standing in the corridor. Clearly, when someone like him arrived, this entire corridor was put under guard. The military doctor stood before him, saying something. He stood straight as a sword with the heavy twilight from the windows behind him like dense fog.

Pingjun walked along the corridor toward the front, reaching the staircase at the corner. She quickly went downstairs but heard footsteps following closer and closer behind her. Her heart grew more tightly wound, beating rapidly. Just as she stepped down the last stair and turned around in panic, she felt warmth on her shoulders as he reached out and forcefully embraced her, opening with a gentle phrase: “Don’t be angry with me.”

For some reason, a stubborn anger surged in her heart. She struggled against him, but he held her tight and wouldn’t let go. The two stood silently wrestling at the bottom of the stairs until finally he backed himself into the corner, leaning there and holding her even more firmly. She couldn’t help feeling somewhat ashamed and annoyed: “Let go!”

Yu Changxuan just laughed: “You’ve already pushed me into a dead end – where do you want me to go?”

Since he said this, she simply had to be angry: “How can you turn it around and blame me?” Yu Changxuan laughed once, saying righteously: “I didn’t.” Pingjun pried at his fingers one by one: “Nonsense, you clearly…” She felt her cheek suddenly grow warm as he lowered his head to kiss her. Startled, he was already by her ear, laughing softly: “Since you say so, I’ll take a bite so I don’t bear this false accusation in vain!”

Pingjun’s heart twisted painfully. Her fingers couldn’t help gripping the cold buttons on his military uniform somewhat forcefully: “Let me go quickly. What if someone comes and sees?”

Yu Changxuan held her even tighter, smiling slightly: “I’d like to see who dares come over.”

She hardly dared lift her head to look at him, but he kept his gaze on the corner of her forehead, seeing that small wound had healed. He said softly: “Pingjun, I haven’t dared see you all this time. I could only lose my temper with myself. In the future… I’ll be more careful in the future, alright?”

He was an extremely proud and arrogant person by nature, and with his upbringing, from birth until now he had never spoken soft words to anyone. Yet now, speaking these apologetic words to her, there was actually a kind of clumsiness, completely lacking the well-known Fifth Young Master’s carefree demeanor, but this made the listener’s heart soften involuntarily.

He said: “Pingjun, don’t blame me. I was truly furious that day.”

Ye Pingjun’s tensely rigid fingers slowly relaxed. Her heart was in such turmoil that her eyes began to swell: “How dare I blame you? I’ve reached this point, neither human nor ghost – who else would I dare blame!”

Yu Changxuan said: “Still angry? Then let me apologize again. When Mother recovers, I’ll take you and Mother to Wuqiao for a change of scenery and stay a few days. How about it?”

He was so thoughtful, even knowing she had lived in Wuqiao as a child. Her nose stung, and after a long while she stubbornly replied: “I’m just someone who doesn’t know what’s good for her anyway. You don’t need to treat me so well.”

Yu Changxuan smiled: “I just insist on treating you well.” He held her tightly, his breath filled with the warm, fragrant scent from her body, faint and subtle. He said quietly: “You don’t know – for all this time, I’ve been thinking of you until I nearly went mad.”

His tone was so tender and infinitely affectionate. She suddenly felt terrified, as if a crack had suddenly split open in frozen ice and she was about to fall through. A unpredictable fear churned in her chest like overturning seas, almost like sharp knives about to shred her heart. Her cheek against his chest began burning, and in just that instant, unstoppable tears fell like broken pearl strings.

By her ear was his voice, his tone so certain it was solid as rock: “Pingjun, I won’t wrong you. I’ll give you proper status. Someday, I’ll give you a completely legitimate position.”

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve. The Yu residence was naturally a hundred times busier than usual. From daybreak, Butler Zhou Tai arranged for servants to clean and organize throughout the mansion, hanging fragrant pine and cypress branches, suspending international flags outside the main gate, and stringing a long line of electric lights in the corridors. Auntie Zhu led the little maids in changing fresh flowers on the flower stands. Such wealthy households naturally had special greenhouses cultivating flowers, growing unseasonable blooms ready to decorate the residence at any time.

By evening, the electric lights blazed brightly, illuminating the entire residence like daylight. From far and near came the sounds of firecrackers. Zening clamored to go out and set off fireworks with the guards, but Madam Yu stopped him. After eating the reunion dinner and watching fireworks for a while, it was already around one in the morning. Jinxuan walked out from the living room to see Yu Changxuan standing in the corridor in a daze. She smiled and approached: “People say newlyweds are inseparable like mandarin ducks, but you two haven’t even exchanged marriage documents yet. How are you already lovesick to this degree?”

Yu Changxuan turned to see Jinxuan and instead laughed: “What is Second Sister saying? I don’t understand.”

Jinxuan pointed at Yu Changxuan with her handkerchief: “Your soul has flown to Fengtai, yet you’re still putting on an act here. Fine, Father and Mother just went upstairs to rest. If you have something to do, hurry up and take care of it.”

This was exactly what he wanted to hear. Yu Changxuan turned and smiled at Jinxuan: “Then I’ll go. If anything happens, Second Sister must cover for me.” Jinxuan nodded, and Yu Changxuan was absolutely delighted. He turned and ran downstairs, out the main gate, where Wu Zuoxiao and others were already waiting with the car. They picked him up, and the car drove out of the residence straight toward Fengtai.

On this New Year’s Eve night, fireworks and firecrackers sounded everywhere. Such noisy festivities always made it hard to sleep. Ye Pingjun was very tired, having just leaned against her pillow and begun to fall asleep when she heard knocking outside. Qiu Luo’s voice came in: “Miss Ye, Fifth Young Master is here.”

Ye Pingjun’s head was heavy with drowsiness and extreme fatigue. She reluctantly sat up from bed and responded that she would get up, when the door was already pushed open. Yu Changxuan walked in with great enthusiasm, but seeing Ye Pingjun’s tired appearance, he immediately froze. After a long moment: “I only thought about wanting to see you, but didn’t think it was so late and you would naturally need to sleep.”

Ye Pingjun casually smiled: “You’re used to being waited on hand and foot like the center of the universe – when do you ever think of others?”

Yu Changxuan froze, then was silent for a moment before saying: “Then you should continue sleeping, I…” Ye Pingjun saw he was covered in cold air and supported her forehead, getting out of bed: “Are you hungry?” Yu Changxuan smiled: “I am a bit hungry. That meal at the residence was too greasy – I only ate two bites.”

Pingjun turned to Qiu Luo: “Go cook some of those osmanthus glutinous rice balls I brought back from East Goodness Bridge tonight and bring them for Fifth Young Master to eat.” Qiu Luo immediately went out. Pingjun put on a robe and walked to sit on the long row of sofas, picking up the small box containing crystal-clear pearls and opening the small colorful gauze lamp nearby. She saw Yu Changxuan still standing there: “What are you standing there for?”

Yu Changxuan laughed: “I just came in from outside – the cold air on me hasn’t dispersed yet. You’re lightly dressed. If I come over, you’ll definitely shiver from the cold.”

Being so clever, hearing him say this, she smiled: “Now you know how to consider others. Don’t think I don’t know – clearly because I said that about being the center of the universe, you’re unconvinced and using words to reproach me here. Fine, with Fifth Young Master’s great temper, I won’t dare say such things in the future.”

He stood there smiling slightly. Seeing she had pointed out his thoughts with one sentence, he simply walked over laughing: “It really is cold outside. If you don’t believe me, feel my hands and you’ll know.”

He stretched both hands out flat, extending them right in front of her. She held the box of pearls and tried to shrink back, but instead he embraced her. Sure enough, a wave of cold air hit her. Hot and cold mixing, she couldn’t help sneezing twice in a row. Being pulled into his arms, she said frantically: “Sit over there – let’s talk properly.”

He let go and smiled: “I brought you something good too. Take a look.” He stood up and walked outside, soon personally carrying in a pot of white jade hairpin flowers. Those slender jade hairpin flowers were blooming perfectly, white as jade nestled among tender green leaves. She was first stunned, naturally full of amazement, then heard him laugh: “I personally planted these for you in the greenhouse, calculating the days – not early, not late, just waiting for this day to bring them to show you.”

Outside was bone-chilling winter cold, but inside the bedroom was warm as spring. That pot of white jade hairpins appeared gracefully before her eyes, the white flowers like quietly beautiful maidens, naturally spiritual and elegant, spreading delicate fragrance. Her lips curved up, her eyes like water, and she smiled slightly. Yu Changxuan looked at her and said softly: “Truly beautiful.”

She thought he meant the jade hairpin flowers, extending her finger to gently touch those tender green leaves: “These flowers are naturally the most beautiful. Haven’t you heard – ‘Immortal maidens of Jade Pool feast on flowing clouds, drunk they drop hairpins that transform to flowers.’ This refers to jade hairpin flowers.” Seeing her lips curve in a smile, her lustrous profile like fragrant flower petals, truly having countless charms around her brows, black hair cascading like a waterfall with jade hairpins – he loved it extremely and leaned over, saying tenderly: “I only know ‘With zither and harp in harmony, how tranquil and beautiful!'”

Her finger paused lightly on that leaf, feeling his breath right by her cheek. The door sounded as Qiu Luo entered carrying a bowl of glutinous rice balls, smiling: “Fifth Young Master, time for rice balls.”

She took this opportunity to push him, but felt her wrist tighten as he clasped her hand. Yu Changxuan’s gaze fixed on Ye Pingjun’s cheek, not turning his head as he said flatly: “Get out!”

Qiu Luo immediately left with lowered head.

Pingjun felt afraid. Yu Changxuan gripped her hand and slowly leaned over, saying softly: “You look so beautiful when you smile. Smile once more for me to see.” His gaze held an almost hypnotic light. She smiled nervously – probably an extremely perfunctory smile. He extended both arms to enfold her, smiling: “That doesn’t count.”

She was practically pressed half-lying on the sofa by him, only using the box of pearls in her arms to brace against his chest. Her heart beat wildly like a little rabbit, her entire face burning as she said tremblingly: “The pearls will spill – let me get up.” He laughed: “Fine, I ask you to smile and you won’t smile – then don’t blame me for being impolite.”

She froze as he reached over to tickle her. Pingjun immediately felt both ashamed and urgent, unable to block him yet couldn’t help laughing breathlessly, her mind in chaos. As if grasping a lifeline, she used the pearl box to brace against him, a blush blooming on both cheeks as she panted: “Don’t… the pearls… the pearls… are all spilling…”

His hand suddenly swept out, and the box of pearls fell from her hands with a crash, scattering everywhere with crackling sounds across the floor. In an instant, her heart felt seized by an invisible hand. He had already lowered his head to kiss her, the surrounding air eagerly claimed by him. She couldn’t catch her breath, feeling she might faint, only nervously pressing her fists against his chest, too flustered to speak a word, not knowing whether to be anxious or angry. His fingers tangled in her black hair, not allowing her to avoid him, forcing her to sink with him into such wild entanglement…

No matter what, it was too late. He conquered territory like a madman, and she retreated step by step. Before her eyes the world spun and that sharp pain was as if her entire soul was being roughly crushed and turned upside down. She was finally softened, as if reborn, her whole being no longer her own… but his!

Behind crystal curtains on glass pillows, warm fragrance stirred dreams in mandarin duck brocade. Moist pearls slipped from her hands, soundlessly falling onto the soft carpet, impossible to retrieve… Only the fragrance of white jade hairpins, thread by thread, seeped into their mutual breathing…