Volume One, Chapter 18: Cradling That Warmth, She Drifted into Slumber

Xie Zhi’an’s feet dangled in the air as he continuously kicked and struggled. Amidst his embarrassment, curses spilled relentlessly.

“Shen Yurou, you jealous woman, you’ll regret this!”

Not far away, Qiuyue heard the commotion and hurried back from a distance.

The scene before her was so absurd that Qiuyue stood with her mouth agape and eyes wide open.

Xie Zhi’an was thrown aside, and then the door slammed shut with a bang.

His backside ached as if it had been split open.

Struggling to rise, Xie Zhi’an brushed the dust off his clothes and spat disdainfully.

“You don’t know what’s good for you! Shen Yurou, just wait! I’ll make sure you have nowhere to cry!”

Biyao and Bihuan dutifully stood guard by the door once more.

Qingyue wore a mournful expression.

“Miss, are you really going to divorce? In Daye, a divorced woman’s life is hardly easy.”

Shen Yurou rubbed the furrowed brow of Qiuyue.

“It’s not a divorce, but a dismissal. Don’t worry, we’ll live better from now on.”

Qiuyue nodded slowly, half understanding. Shen Yurou pressed her lips into a faint smile.

“You should go now, get some rest. There’s still a tough battle to fight tomorrow.”

She bypassed Qiuyue and walked deeper into the bedchamber.

The dim candlelight enveloped her, casting her shadow long and stretched on the floor. She walked with firm steps, never once looking back.

Qiuyue extinguished the candle and retreated to the outer room.

The night was thick and still; everyone had gone to rest.

After midnight, the wind rose.

The howling wind stirred Qiuyue, who was sleeping in the outer room, awake.

She lit a candle and was about to check on Shen Yurou inside, but at the door, she encountered Biyao and Bihuan.

“Qiuyue sister, were you awakened by the wind?” Bihuan asked.

Qiuyue nodded. “I wanted to check on Miss. It’s windy and chilly; I thought to add a blanket for her.”

Biyao lowered her voice.

“Don’t worry, Qiuyue sister, I already added a blanket for Miss. You should go back and sleep.”

Qiuyue trusted their words.

“Then you should go back to sleep too. Our Miss isn’t one for many rules; she doesn’t need night watches.”

Bihuan smiled warmly and gently urged her back.

“All right, we’ll go sleep now. Qiuyue sister, you should rest too.”

Yawning, Qiuyue returned to her bed.

Biyao listened carefully until she confirmed Qiuyue had fallen asleep, then exhaled in relief.

But the two women did not rest; instead, they continued to stand guard by the door.

The wind stirred the cotton and willow branches, their shadows swaying gracefully against the window bars.

In the flickering light, Shen Yurou’s sleep was restless. Her bright eyes squeezed shut, murmuring dream words.

He Leting stood by the bedside with his hands behind his back, his gaze locked on the sleeping figure.

Her small face was tightly furrowed, the redness at the corners of her eyes still vivid.

He Leting took two steps forward and reached out to rub her brow.

The dreamer sensed him immediately, startled and on the verge of waking.

He moved his hand slowly to her delicate neck, pressing lightly on several acupoints, and Shen Yurou sank deeper into her dream.

The cool night air carried her whispered words, like a mournful lament:

“Cold… so cold…”

Her voice was barely audible, as if recounting an unspeakable grievance. Occasionally, her body shuddered twice.

He Leting pressed his ear closer.

The cool breath brushed his ear, carrying her unique faint sweetness. He felt as if burned and abruptly straightened.

In alarm, he caught the words she spoke.

He grasped her jade-like hand, the coolness like an ice pick.

Feeling the warmth emanate from his palm, her entire hand pressed eagerly against his.

Not satisfied, Shen Yurou pulled that source of warmth to her chest and hugged it tightly.

Her tightly knit brows slowly relaxed, and her trembling ceased.

Clinging to that warmth, she quietly fell into a deep slumber.

He Leting, however, was far less comfortable.

One of his arms was half pinned beneath Shen Yurou, his entire body tilted awkwardly.

Worse still, the unmistakable softness under his palm sent tingles and weakness throughout his body, sapping his strength to stand.

He tried to withdraw his hand, but Shen Yurou, alert, immediately pulled it back.

“Don’t take it, I’m cold!”

She rolled over, pouting like a little fierce animal guarding her food.

This time, He Leting’s entire arm was trapped beneath her.

He truly dared not move, fearing to disturb the dreamer.

He sighed helplessly.

In the air, her sweet fragrance seemed to pulse, striking He Leting’s heart with each shallow breath she took.

He closed his eyes, suppressing the restless turmoil in his heart. Removing his boots, he climbed onto the bed and pulled her into his embrace.

In her dream, Shen Yurou walked on an icy glacier, when suddenly a warm stove descended from the sky. Excited, she ran toward it and pressed her whole body against it.

The warmth roasted her tense body, relaxing her. She rubbed her cheek against the heat and then sank deeply back to sleep.

Finally, she ceased tossing and turning, her soft form nestled tightly against He Leting’s chest.

Gentle and obedient, her breath slow and steady.

He Leting broke out in a light sweat but still couldn’t bear to let go.

He gazed at her brows and eyes, contentedly brushing the soft flesh behind her neck again and again.

Though they had not yet shared intimacy, he felt immense fulfillment.

Only when dawn's first light appeared did He Leting withdraw his numb arm.

He slipped quietly out of bed, glancing back thrice as he made his way down.

Biyao and Bihuan still stood guard outside. Seeing him emerge, they respectfully bowed and led him out of the guest chamber.

That night, Shen Yurou slept soundly, a rare peace upon her.

When she opened her eyes, the sun was high in the sky.

The room still held the lingering scent of sweet pine incense from the night before.

Shen Yurou greedily inhaled twice more.

Suddenly, her expression froze—there was still a trace of unfamiliar scent.

Qiuyue and the others heard her voice and entered.

“Miss is awake? Did you sleep well?”

Biyao said, opening the window.

The remaining scent of sweet pine dispersed, and the faint unfamiliar fragrance vanished with it.

Looking out at the vast blue sky, Shen Yurou dismissed the fleeting doubt from her mind.

“Today is a fine day,” she murmured.

After washing and breakfast, the morning passed quickly.

After fetching the ledgers from the shop, Shen Yurou and her companions went to the Xie residence.

Upon entering the gate, an unfamiliar maid led them to the front courtyard.

She bowed slightly to the group.

“The master is dining. Please wait here a moment.”

The midday sun of early summer was bright and somewhat harsh.

Shen Yurou squinted against the glaring light, thinking to herself: This ‘moment’ might last an hour or more.

She was not afraid of such petty tactics. Pretending ignorance, she nodded in agreement.

The maid raised her chin arrogantly and entered, leaving Shen Yurou and her four companions standing under the blazing sun.

Qiuyue wiped the fine sweat from her nose and hurried over to Shen Yurou’s side.

“Miss, shall we wait?”

“Of course, we must wait.”