CXD - 18

Jiang Zhiyi clutched the quilt tightly in her hands, her heart pounding as she shrank into the corner of the bed.

Out of respect for her uncle, she had refrained from punishing her eldest cousin, who had been bedridden for over half a month. But who would have thought that as soon as he regained the ability to walk, he would cause trouble again—and even dare to intrude into her courtyard!

If she had been alone in the room tonight…

Jiang Zhiyi shook her head to dispel such thoughts. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she looked toward the figure standing outside the curtains, holding a sword. The heart that had leapt to her throat slowly began to settle.

On the floor, Fang Zongming clutched his stomach, pain making his vision blur and nearly causing him to faint. After a moment’s recovery, he wiped away the cold sweat and looked up at the unwelcome intruder towering above him, then glanced toward Jiang Zhiyi behind the curtains, who seemed to silently approve of the situation.

...Wait, wasn’t this their family estate?

And wasn’t Shen Yuan Ce supposed to be her sworn enemy?!

Fang Zongming straightened his back and opened his mouth to curse.

But before he could utter a word, Yuan Ce pressed the tip of his scabbard into Fang Zongming’s shoulder joint. Numbness spread through his entire shoulder and back, rendering him unable to straighten up no matter how hard he tried.

Like a strangled chicken, Fang Zongming gasped for air, his face red and neck bulging, only managing to lift his head defiantly: “I—I only came here because I saw Shen Yuan Ce sneaking around suspiciously! I was protecting you, Cousin! Why don’t you ask him what he’s doing here!”

The room fell silent for a brief moment.

“What do you think?”

“What do you think?”

Two voices—one high-pitched, one low—spoke simultaneously.

Yuan Ce turned his head slightly toward the bed.

Through the golden curtains, their gazes met briefly before quickly darting away.

Jiang Zhiyi coughed softly and pulled the quilt over her face.

As if struck by some shocking revelation, Fang Zongming stared dumbfounded at Yuan Ce, who stood imperiously above him, then glanced at Jiang Zhiyi, who appeared bashful behind the curtains. A loud clang echoed in his mind!

...This shameless pair!

A sharp pain shot through his shoulder, and Fang Zongming let out a yelp, doubling over in agony.

Yuan Ce tilted his sword slightly, its tip grazing Fang Zongming’s neck. “Watch your tongue,” he said coldly, “and get out.”

Fang Zongming glanced fearfully at the blade, every hair on his body standing on end. Without daring another look, he scrambled to his feet and stumbled out of the room in a panic.

The door creaked open, then shut with a soft click. The candlelight flickered gently, and the bedroom fell silent once more.

Under the quilt, Jiang Zhiyi exhaled deeply, releasing the tension she’d been holding.

After finishing her sigh, she remembered that someone else was still in the room. Holding her breath, she strained her ears to listen for any sound—but heard nothing.

The ones who should leave had left. Had the one who shouldn’t have also gone?

With that thought, Jiang Zhiyi cautiously emerged from beneath the quilt.

There, standing motionless about five paces away, was Yuan Ce, gazing at her with an expression filled with strange, complex emotions.

Was it really so complicated to admit their relationship in front of others?

Or perhaps—

“You mustn’t misunderstand me again!” Jiang Zhiyi suddenly recalled how terrifying it was when certain people dredged up old grievances. “That despicable wretch disgusts me just by looking at him! He has nothing to do with me! Tonight, I left the door open—for you.”

Yuan Ce raised an eyebrow and chuckled dismissively. “Did I need you to leave it open for me?”

Jiang Zhiyi faltered, knowing full well of his abilities. She glared at him through the curtains, frustrated.

“If I hadn’t left the door open, it would’ve been you sneaking in uninvited. But since I did, doesn’t that mean we’re willingly meeting now? Aren’t those two scenarios entirely different…”

“...”

“How can someone fight battles yet remain so oblivious to romance?”

Yuan Ce’s face remained impassive as he turned and picked up his sword. “Now that you’re well enough to discuss romance, it seems your illness is cured. I’ll take my leave.”

“Hey!” Jiang Zhiyi crawled forward on her knees, pulling aside the curtain to peek her head out. “I’m not better yet!”

Yuan Ce turned his head, his gaze questioning.

“My head hurts! And I’m still coughing—” Jiang Zhiyi feigned a few weak coughs into her hand, then touched her forehead dramatically. “Oh no, it feels so hot. Do you think I’ve caught a fever again? Feel my forehead!”

Yuan Ce lowered his eyes, incredulous. Tilting his head slightly, he regarded her with disbelief.

With such poor acting skills, how had she managed to keep her secret love affair with his older brother hidden from all of Chang’an—not only unnoticed but also convincing everyone they were mortal enemies?

It truly was a miracle.

Yuan Ce curled his index finger and pressed it against her forehead, pushing her back into the bed like he had with the squawking chicken earlier. “If you’re not well, go back to lying down.”

“If I lie down, will you stay?” Jiang Zhiyi looked up at him hopefully. When he didn’t respond, she sighed softly.

“To be honest, I’m a bit scared…”

“If you hadn’t come tonight, or if you’d arrived even a moment later, I don’t know what might have happened…”

“As a princess, what does it matter? In the end, I’m still a vulnerable woman living under someone else’s roof. If my eldest cousin dares to come again… Even if we punish him afterward, killing him won’t undo the harm done.”

Yuan Ce listened silently to her rambling, his expression unreadable. Turning his back to her, he sat on the footstool beside her bed, resting one hand on his sword and the other on his knee, presenting her with the back of his head.

Jiang Zhiyi blinked, leaning over the edge of the bed. “Are you staying?”

When he didn’t respond, she propped her chin on her hand and studied his profile. “So you’re staying, right?”

The sound of her voice behind him was like the spring water of Crescent Moon Spring—clear and mischievous, tinged with triumph.

Yuan Ce frowned, his tone icy. “If you don’t stop talking, I’ll leave.”

“Oh,” Jiang Zhiyi replied, lips curving into a smile. Her legs swung playfully in the air before she lay back down, pulling the quilt over herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at his tall silhouette and the sword in his hand, feeling reassured.

Though she was still somewhat upset about that absurd test, considering how he had come every night recently to care for her and make amends, she decided she could forgive him this time.

Feeling pleased with herself, Jiang Zhiyi shifted onto her side, propping her head on her hand as she gazed at the back of his head. Her fingertips tapped rhythmically against the pillow.

Her intense gaze burned like light piercing through the darkness, impossible to ignore.

Yuan Ce opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately chose not to disturb the rare tranquility. Instead, he closed his eyes and pretended to be blind, sword in hand.

The wax dripping from the gilded lamp gradually filled the small dish below. Time passed without notice as he rested with his eyes closed. Behind him, the weight of her gaze slowly faded until it vanished completely.

Only the sound of steady breathing remained in the room.

Turning his head, Yuan Ce looked through the hazy curtains at the peacefully sleeping face on the bed. Compared to the uncomfortable frowns and furrowed brows of previous nights, tonight she looked much softer, her lips slightly curved upward as if secretly delighted about something.

He had done enough to atone for his brother’s sins.

Yuan Ce rose, stretching his limbs, and walked silently to the rear window. Pushing it open, he prepared to leap out.

Just as he was about to flip over the windowsill, a muffled murmur reached his ears—

What if my eldest cousin dares to come again… Even if we punish him afterward, killing him won’t undo the harm done.

Pausing mid-motion, Yuan Ce turned back to look at the bed. Furrowing his brow, he withdrew his hand.

The night was halfway through, the moon high in the sky. Half an incense stick later, atop the roof of Yaoguang Pavilion, a young man dressed in black stood tall on the ridge, arms crossed as he gazed silently down at the entire courtyard.

East, west, south, north—the main gate, secondary gates, side doors, screen doors, corridors, halls, pavilions, bamboo groves—all visible from his vantage point.

Setting aside the guards removed tonight, the structure and security of this courtyard were all show and no substance, riddled with vulnerabilities.

No wonder that fool had managed to slip in.

As the wind rustled his robes, Yuan Ce rubbed his fingertips together, quickly sketching a mental blueprint in his mind.

Trees that needed transplanting.

Doors and windows that required reinforcement.

Security personnel whose positions needed adjustment…

Suddenly, a sharp “crack” echoed from the bedroom below.

His train of thought shattered like dried ink. Yuan Ce’s eyelids twitched as he leapt down from the ridge and pushed open the door.

Inside the bedroom, a porcelain cup from the bedside table lay shattered on the floor. On the bed, a figure sat upright, gasping for breath, staring fearfully at the window as though waking from a nightmare.

Turning her head, she saw him but didn’t seem fully awake, retreating further into the corner of the bed.

It wasn’t until he approached the bed and lifted the curtain that she recognized him. Her eyes flickered, and with a sudden surge of relief, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

The question on Yuan Ce’s lips was stifled by her embrace. His hand gripping the curtain stiffened along with his body, and he slowly lowered his head.

Once in his arms, she burst into tears: “You scared me to death! Where did you go…”

“Didn’t you promise that if I stayed quiet, you wouldn’t leave? How could you deceive me?”

Yuan Ce: “I—”

“I wasn’t joking with you. I’m really afraid…”

“Uncle isn’t here. I have no family in this mansion…”

Jiang Zhiyi sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly, she looked up at him, her eyes brimming with suspicion. “Are there other things you’ve lied to me about?”

“?”

“When you said you didn’t have anyone else… was that a lie too?”

“When you said you hadn’t changed your feelings… was that also a lie?”

“…………”

Could old grievances resurface like this?

One nightmare for her, four sleepless nights for him?

…Whose nightmare was this, really?

Tears soaked her clothes, leaving dark patches on the dark fabric. A long-standing question surfaced in Yuan Ce’s mind—

What exactly did his older brother see in this crybaby?

Did he like her bossiness? Her stubbornness? Her endless chatter? Her troublesome nature?

Yuan Ce lowered his head, suppressing a laugh. “Can you be reasonable for once? If I had left, who would you be hugging…”

“You’re the one who needs to be reasonable! If you haven’t changed your feelings, why aren’t you comforting me after seeing me cry like this?” Jiang Zhiyi glanced at his hand hanging limply by his side. “Why does it look like you’re about to hit me…?”

Yuan Ce tilted his head. Unbeknownst to him, his clenched fist slowly loosened.

When he turned his gaze back to her, her tear-filled eyes swirled with emotion, looking at him as if he were a heartless cad.

The night breeze poured in through the hastily left-open door, stirring the curtains. Amidst the stillness, the delicate gauze floated gently, veiling the scene before them.

Yuan Ce blinked, and his hand, which had been hanging by his side, slowly rose into the air, hovering uncertainly above her back.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at his hand, then looked up at him.

Meeting her disapproving, urging gaze, Yuan Ce averted his eyes. His palm descended the remaining few inches, lightly resting on her back where her hair cascaded loosely.

For some reason, at that moment, he suddenly remembered the unused silk handkerchief.

“And the other hand?”

The other hand followed suit.

“Hold me tighter!” Jiang Zhiyi tightened her arms around his waist.

Pushed gently by the soft tide of her embrace, Yuan Ce held his breath, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. Gazing into the void, he slowly tightened his arms, pulling her firmly against him.