#124: Nestling (1)

Shen Xiling had never imagined that the next time she saw Qi Yin, he would be covered in wounds.

Their last meeting was over half a month ago, and they had been deeply affectionate. However, since then, he had been busy with the spring examination and hadn’t returned to Fenghe Garden, so they hadn’t seen each other.

She missed him so much that she couldn’t contain it anymore; even her dreams were filled with him. That afternoon, after waking from a nap, she suddenly heard from Shuipei and the others that Young Master Qi had returned. Initially overjoyed, she soon noticed the maids’ panicked expressions. Upon further inquiry, they revealed that Young Master Qi had suffered serious injuries and had been brought back by his elder brother, Qi Yun. He had just arrived at Huaijin Courtyard.

Hearing this, Shen Xiling immediately grew anxious and rushed toward Huaijin Courtyard without a second thought.

By the time she arrived, Qi Yun had already left. The room was bustling with activity—maids were coming and going, and a doctor had been summoned. Qingzhu and the others were busy assisting the doctor in treating Qi Yin’s injuries, leaving no one to notice her arrival. Finally, through the crowded room, Shen Xiling caught sight of Qi Yin.

…He was injured.

He sat sideways on the bed, seemingly hurt on his back. His clothes were soaked with blood, and his face was paler than she had ever seen it.

In the three years she had been by his side, she had always seen him composed and unruffled, never in such a battered state. Yet here he was, wounded…

Shen Xiling felt as though she had fallen into an icy abyss, her hands and feet numb.

Amidst the commotion, Qi Yin spotted her standing in the corner, looking lost and unsure. For a moment, he seemed surprised, then smiled faintly and beckoned her over, silently mouthing, “Come.”

He wanted her to approach.

Shen Xiling’s eyes welled up immediately. She pushed through the crowd to reach him. If not for the cramped space, she would have run straight to him.

She carefully sat beside him, afraid of causing him pain even though she didn’t touch him. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked him over, struggling to hold back her emotions before finally asking, “You… does it hurt?”

Normally, the first question someone might ask in such a situation would be “What happened?” or “Why are you injured?” But at that moment, all she cared about was whether he was in pain, forgetting to ask about the cause.

Of course, it was a futile question—he was so badly injured, how could it not hurt?

Yet Qi Yin remained calm, his expression unchanged as usual. He even managed to comfort her, gently smoothing her hair and saying, “It’s nothing serious, just looks worse than it is.”

Shen Xiling’s eyes brimmed with tears even more.

She knew he was trying to reassure her because his hand, which caressed her, was cooler than usual and trembled slightly. Moreover, the doctor behind him looked grave and said, “Young Master, please bear with it a little longer. This… might hurt quite a bit.”

Qi Yin, with his back turned to the doctor, didn’t even glance back. He simply acknowledged with a sound, his eyes still fixed on Shen Xiling.

His expression was gentle as he said to her, “Go back now, so you don’t get scared.”

Even in his pain, he was worried about frightening her.

Shen Xiling couldn’t quite describe her feelings at that moment. She forced back her tears and tightly grasped Qi Yin’s hand, shaking her head and saying, “I won’t go back. I’ll stay here and keep you company.”

Her voice was resolute. Qi Yin gazed at her for a while, appearing somewhat helpless but ultimately didn’t insist she leave, tacitly allowing her to stay.

The wounds on his back were severe. Last night, Chancellor Qi had been enraged, delivering over thirty lashes with the family whip—a punishment far harsher than ordinary whippings, leaving Qi Yin’s back bloody and torn. Because he had knelt in the ancestral shrine all night, the wounds hadn’t been treated promptly, and his clothes had adhered to the injuries. Before applying medicine and bandages, the wounds needed to be separated.

It was excruciating.

When the doctor began treating him, everyone in the room averted their eyes, unable to watch. Even Qingzhu couldn’t help but close his eyes. But Shen Xiling wanted to see—she wanted to know the extent of his injuries. However, Qi Yin wouldn’t let her look. He had her sit in front of him, his expression barely changing, as if he felt no pain. Yet the veins on his hands stood out, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

Shen Xiling was both worried and heartbroken, unconsciously biting her lips until they turned white. Noticing this, Qi Yin reached out to touch her lips, fearing she might hurt herself, and consoled her, saying, “It’s alright, don’t worry…”

Shen Xiling clutched his hand tightly, unable to speak, her eyes red like a rabbit’s.

By the time the doctor finished treating Qi Yin’s wounds and applied the medicine, over half an hour had passed.

Qi Yin was drenched in sweat, but his complexion improved slightly, no longer as pale as before, though he appeared very weary.

Secretly, Shen Xiling wanted to stay with Qi Yin, but seeing how badly injured he was, she assumed he would want to rest. Instead, she followed the doctor closely, attentively listening to his instructions on how to apply medicine and care for the wounds. After the doctor finished explaining, she prepared to see him out.

However, Qi Yin called her back: “Wenwen.”

Shen Xiling turned around to see him sitting on the bed in fresh clothes, looking at her. He didn’t say much, but his expression clearly conveyed that he wanted her to stay with him.

Shen Xiling’s heart melted completely.

Without hesitation, she ran to him. Qingzhu, who understood when to make himself scarce, quietly ushered the servants out of the room. As he closed the door behind him, the last thing he saw was Young Master gently pulling the little maid into his arms.

Shen Xiling silently allowed Qi Yin to hold her, but she didn’t know where to place her hands.

She used to love wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her face against his chest, but now his entire back was injured. She didn’t dare move, afraid of touching his wounds and causing him more pain.

Qi Yin sensed her restraint and loosened his embrace, asking, “What’s wrong?”

His little girl frowned deeply, hesitating to speak. After a moment, she said, “…I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

Qi Yin raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly.

He pinched her cheek and said, “It’s fine now.”

Shen Xiling touched the hand he used to pinch her cheek, gently rubbing her face against it. Her eyes were still red as she looked at him and asked, “What happened? Why are you hurt?”

Qi Yin lowered his gaze, pausing for a long time before replying, “I’m a little tired… Can I sleep for a while?”

He was truly exhausted.

From grading the exam papers to finalizing the results, he had barely slept. Last night, he had knelt all night without closing his eyes, leaving him utterly fatigued.

When Shen Xiling heard him say he was tired, her heart ached. She hurriedly nodded and said, “Ah, go ahead and sleep, don’t mind me—sleep now.”

She seemed desperate for him to fall asleep, her flustered movements endearing to him.

Qi Yin smiled faintly and pulled her close again, murmuring, “Stay with me for a while…”

He looked not only tired but also… lonely.

He had always been strong, so strong that she thought him invincible, so strong that she believed he had no weaknesses. But now she saw his exhaustion, his loneliness.

It was as if he had truly let her into his heart, allowing her to see these hidden corners of his soul.

Shen Xiling had never felt so close to him, as though she could almost reach out and touch his very essence. Such a realization made her heart silent. She even felt that, at this moment, she could die for him.

She nodded at him, then took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged at the head of the bed. Gently, she guided him to lie down on his side, resting his head on her lap.

She softly patted his shoulder, whispering tenderly, “Sleep now, I’ll stay with you…”

Qi Yin said nothing more, simply closing his eyes quietly.

He was so tired.

He fell asleep.

This nap lasted a long time, from the afternoon of the previous day until early morning the next day.

Shen Xiling hadn’t planned to sleep, but somehow, while keeping him company, she drifted off. When she opened her eyes again, it was already bright outside.

She had originally been sitting upright, but now she found herself snugly tucked under the covers—and even more surprisingly, Qi Yin was lying beside her, sharing the same blanket, still asleep.

Shen Xiling’s beautiful eyes widened instantly.

…This… this wasn’t her fault!

Although she did harbor some improper thoughts about him… and those thoughts had become especially pronounced after they confessed their feelings… today’s situation was entirely unintentional! Besides, she always slept very soundly and would never change positions to take advantage of him!

Perhaps… he had woken up once in the middle of the night, saw her uncomfortable sleeping posture, and…

Shen Xiling blinked, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

He was half-holding her, his breathing steady, still deeply asleep.

Shen Xiling realized she had never seen Qi Yin asleep before. Unlike his usual self, asleep, he didn’t seem as stern or aloof.

She had always known he was handsome, but his reputation and position as the second young master often overshadowed his appearance. Now, in sleep, his aura softened, and his striking features became even more pronounced. Shen Xiling secretly thought that all the so-called beauties from past dynasties written about in books couldn’t compare to the man before her.

Unable to resist, she moved closer to him.

As the sun rose higher, its bright and warm light filtered through the bed curtains, casting a sliver of light on his arm.

Shen Xiling stared at that ray of light, suddenly realizing something—he hadn’t gone to court today.

This was unprecedented.

After spending three years by his side, she knew how diligent and disciplined he was. In those three years, he had never missed a single court session, even when sick or utterly exhausted, always forcing himself to attend despite any persuasion to the contrary.

But today, he hadn’t gone.

Shen Xiling found this strange. While she knew it was because of his injuries, she also felt that, given his usual temperament, he would still have forced himself to attend even in this condition.

She found it puzzling, yet also comforting.

This man was always busy, always pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion. It was good that he could finally rest properly.

Shen Xiling smiled softly, gazing at him for a while longer. Eventually, unable to resist, she leaned in and gently kissed the corner of his eye.

Those incredibly beautiful phoenix-like eyes.

It was just a fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of water, yet it woke him.

At first, only his eyelashes fluttered. A moment later, he opened his eyes, his gaze carrying the unique languor of someone freshly awake. Then, upon seeing her, he came fully to his senses, a gentle smile spreading across his eyes as he pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. His voice, slightly hoarse, asked, “Awake?”