Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
If this was the case, she took back her earlier words—this box truly did deserve to be locked.
Even holding it now made her feel a bit uneasy. If it had accidentally spilled open during the journey and Jiang Zhiyi had seen it, it might have frightened the child…
Baojia stared intently at the object in her hand, her eyelids twitching faintly.
She did have similar items in her private collection, but those were just ordinary objects.
This one, however, was crafted in Li Dafeng’s likeness, painstakingly polished by his own hands. Holding it felt like holding him.
“You—” Baojia swallowed lightly as she gazed at the jade, slowly lifting her eyes to confirm, “Did you make this yourself?”
Li Dafeng’s gaze lingered on her throat as she swallowed. “Does Your Highness think such a thing could be entrusted to others?”
“It seems Mr. Li has been quite busy behind the scenes in the military these past few months,” Baojia said with a smirk, looking at him. “I—”
Before she could finish saying “I really like it,” she noticed Li Dafeng’s gaze shift past her.
Following his line of sight, Baojia turned her head and saw Liu Linfei hesitating at the other end of the corridor, watching her and Li Dafeng from afar as if he had something to say.
Liu Linfei hadn’t been among the retainers she had just dismissed.
Aware of his past transgressions, Liu Linfei knew he was fortunate to still be allowed to stay in the estate. Unlike the other retainers, he didn’t dare linger near her.
“Is there something?” Baojia’s smile faded as she closed the box and tilted her chin toward Liu Linfei.
Liu Linfei glanced at Li Dafeng before hesitantly addressing Baojia: “…Your Highness, may I have a private word?”
The last time he had requested a private conversation was also when Li Dafeng was present. Why again now?
Since Liu Linfei rarely appeared before her, Baojia suspected it might be urgent. Turning to Li Dafeng, she said, “Go wait for me in my room.”
Li Dafeng opened his mouth as if to say something, glanced at Liu Linfei, then paused. Meeting Baojia’s questioning gaze, he finally spoke: “I don’t know which room is Your Highness’s bedroom.”
That was true—he had stayed in the princess’s estate for half a month six months ago, yet he had never set foot in her bedroom.
Baojia chuckled softly, glancing at Liu Linfei and then back at Li Dafeng.
What was this? Did he not want to lose face in front of his colleague? Who told him to act so self-righteously and painfully give her up in the first place?
Smiling, Baojia turned to instruct, “Cuimei, take Mr. Li to my room and have bathwater prepared for him.”
Cuimei gestured for Li Dafeng to follow.
Li Dafeng cast one last glance at Liu Linfei, hesitated briefly, then followed Cuimei away.
Liu Linfei approached, waiting until Li Dafeng’s figure disappeared around the corner before stammering, “…Your Highness, I wanted to inform you that I encountered Mr. Li at the apothecary this afternoon.”
Hmm? And what about it?
“I went to see about my condition—the one from before—and Mr. Li might have overheard…”
It took Baojia a moment to realize what condition he was referring to.
“You mean this afternoon? Before I went to the marquis’s residence?”
“Yes. When I saw Mr. Li at the apothecary, I thought I was seeing things. But just now, hearing from Jinyue and the others that Mr. Li has returned to the capital, I realized I wasn’t mistaken. I’m worried Mr. Li might misunderstand again, so I came to consult Your Highness.”
Baojia slowly turned her head toward the direction Li Dafeng had left, recalling his aloof demeanor at the marquis’s residence earlier and his resigned attitude just moments ago. She suddenly understood.
“Oh—” Baojia drew out the sound, laughing.
Liu Linfei hesitated: “Your Highness told me last time not to speak out of turn. So this time…”
Still lost in thought, Baojia only remembered Liu Linfei was still standing there after a moment. “Alright, I understand. You don’t need to worry about this matter. Go attend to your duties.”
Liu Linfei bowed and took his leave.
Baojia weighed the box in her hand, her lips curling upward as she walked briskly toward her bedroom.
________________________________________
By the time Li Dafeng emerged from the bath, night had fully fallen. He saw Baojia reclining on the bed, propping her head up as she examined his gift by candlelight.
Hearing him approach, Baojia glanced up and pointed to the box. “Mr. Li, is this gift meant to remind me of you, or is it actually useful?”
Li Dafeng glanced outside, seeing no one else around, and replied, “As Your Highness pleases.”
He had chosen a special type of jade that wouldn’t harm the body and meticulously smoothed every edge—it was clearly not meant to be merely admired.
“But it can be admired more than used. It must be thoroughly cleaned before use, as it is an external object. I’ve written all of this in the accompanying letter,” Li Dafeng added.
So serious—was he giving medical advice?
Of course, she had already read the lengthy letter inside the box, detailing the formula for the cleaning solution and the method of cleaning. Originally, since he wasn’t present, she had simply read the letter herself. Now that both the gift and the man were here, wasn’t it obvious she wanted to exchange some playful banter?
“Admire more, use less? Mr. Li speaks as though it’s easy for you,” Baojia teased, taking the jade in her hand and waving it lightly. “If I admire it, how can I resist using it?”
Li Dafeng looked at her hand holding the jade. “Your Highness has others she can use.”
Baojia suppressed a laugh as she watched him. “Mr. Li tempted me with this, and if I go find someone else to satisfy myself, wouldn’t that leave you at a loss?”
Li Dafeng stood silently for a moment before turning to open his medical bag. He retrieved a cushion and approached her.
“What are you doing?” Baojia eyed him suspiciously.
“To take Your Highness’s pulse.”
Baojia was taken aback. “Li Dafeng, while I’m trying to have a… playful conversation with you, you’re diagnosing my pulse? Aren’t you ruining the mood?”
“I’ll check if Your Highness’s cold uterus has improved. You can continue your conversation while I diagnose—it won’t interfere.”
Baojia was exasperated by his lack of tact. “It hasn’t improved at all! Not even a bit! How could it, when I’m surrounded by beauties and accompanied by fine wine every day?”
Li Dafeng held out his hand expectantly.
With a sigh, Baojia reluctantly placed her hand in his, while her other hand holding the jade pressed down firmly on top.
Li Dafeng’s fingertips on her pulse faltered abruptly, and he lifted his eyes to meet hers.
Seeing his reaction—as if a lock had been unlocked—Baojia blinked and slowly pressed down again experimentally.
Li Dafeng’s breathing tightened slightly, and his fingers trembled faintly against her pulse.
A mischievous smile tugged at Baojia’s lips as she began to playfully manipulate the jade in full view.
Li Dafeng watched her fingers slide up and down. “Your Highness—”
“You diagnose, I play—it doesn’t interfere,” Baojia echoed his earlier words back to him.
Li Dafeng’s three fingers repeatedly pressed and released her pulse, loosening and tightening several times before finally letting go entirely.
“How is it? Has there been any improvement?” Baojia continued to caress the jade with her fingertips.
Li Dafeng averted his gaze. “I couldn’t diagnose anything.”
“Even the divine hands of Mr. Li can falter sometimes?” Baojia teased, glancing at him sidelong. “So, what should come first—taking my pulse or talking about love?”
“Princess, the war only ended five days ago.”
“So?”
“So, I’ve only been taking medicine for four days.”
Baojia burst into laughter.
So it wasn’t that he was unromantic—it was that he couldn’t be romantic.
“Then there are still three days left. Are you planning to leave me hanging for those three days?”
Li Dafeng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he looked at her.
Baojia chuckled and handed the jade back to him. “Mr. Li, you came prepared, didn’t you? Here, you take over.”
________________________________________
On this sultry summer night, the air in the bedroom was thick with mingled scents of sweetness and saltiness after their passionate encounter.
On the bed, Baojia lay limp in Li Dafeng’s arms, her bare arm draped over his shoulder. Her hoarse voice broke the silence: “Li Dafeng, will you return to Hexi after this trip?”
“If there are no special circumstances, I’ll stay in Chang’an until the end of the year when the young general enters the capital to marry Miss Jiang.”
“And if there are special circumstances?”
Li Dafeng hesitated, carefully considering his response, when suddenly the person in his arms spoke: “Li Dafeng, I’m hungry.”
Li Dafeng lowered his head. “You can’t—”
“My stomach is hungry,” Baojia interrupted with a laugh. “I’m really hungry!”
Li Dafeng chuckled too, gently placing her back on the bed. He rose, wrapping himself in his robe. “I’ll have someone bring us dinner.”
Baojia pulled the thin quilt up to cover herself, propping her head up as she watched him walk out of the bedroom.
Outside, Li Dafeng instructed a maid to prepare their evening meal. As he turned to head back, he spotted a young man pacing near the courtyard gate—it looked like Jiang Jinyue.
“Mr. Li—” Jiang Jinyue noticed him as well.
Li Dafeng approached. “Mr. Jiang, do you have something to discuss with the princess? She may not be available at the moment.”
Jiang Jinyue shook his head. “Mr. Li, I’m not here to see the princess—I’m here to speak with you.”
Li Dafeng raised an eyebrow in question.
“Six months ago, I was ill and unable to speak. By the time I recovered and wanted to thank you in person, I heard you had already left the capital… When I first met you, I mistook you for one of the new retainers, so I deliberately tried to compete for attention in front of you. Later, I realized you’re different from us—you’re truly a compassionate physician of great virtue. You treated me with kindness and saved my life despite my earlier behavior,” Jiang Jinyue lowered his head, overcome with emotion. “I am deeply grateful and ashamed.”
Li Dafeng shook his head. “Saving lives is a doctor’s duty. Mr. Jiang, there’s no need to thank me, nor to apologize.”
“Yes, Mr. Li likely doesn’t need my gratitude or apologies, but perhaps you’d want to know about Mr. Liu…”
Li Dafeng’s brows lifted slightly.
“Before Mr. Liu went to see the princess earlier, he told me about encountering you at the apothecary today. He asked me for advice, worried that you might misunderstand him again. Last time, the princess didn’t let him explain, and he fears offending you this time, which might lead to him being expelled from the estate.”
“Misunderstand?” Li Dafeng echoed.
“Yes. Mr. Liu’s condition stems entirely from his own actions, including six months ago. Back then, he was living in the remote courtyard and hadn’t even seen the princess. In these past six months, the princess hasn’t summoned any of us—not even for banquets. From what I hear, she hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol since your departure.”
Li Dafeng’s gaze flickered.
“The princess doesn’t easily show vulnerability, and perhaps the knot in her heart hasn’t fully unraveled yet. She likely won’t explain these things to you. I thought that since I have nothing else to repay you with, I might as well clear up this misunderstanding for you.”
________________________________________
When Li Dafeng returned to the bedroom, Baojia had already been dressed by the maids and was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Baojia frowned at him. “Sending for food took so long—are you personally chopping firewood in the kitchen?”
Li Dafeng stepped over the threshold, still lost in thought over Jiang Jinyue’s words.
At the end of their conversation, Jiang Jinyue had admitted that part of his reasoning for speaking was self-serving. He said that when the day comes and Li Dafeng officially joins the estate, they—the retainers—will likely be dismissed. He hoped that by then, Li Dafeng wouldn’t hold it against them or strip them of the livelihood the princess had provided.
Li Dafeng hadn’t responded directly, but he understood—he had never blamed them.
Blaming them would mean blaming Baojia, but how could someone who chose to leave have the right to blame those who stayed behind?
In this world, waiting has limits and endings. But for Baojia, the past seven years had been endless, hopeless—no beginning and no end. For her, those seven years were no different than seventy, and this separation no different than death. It wasn’t waiting—it was enduring.
Leaving was his choice. So whatever she did after he left was her freedom.
Even if she wanted him to coexist with these retainers in the future, it would be a bitter pill he’d have to swallow for his decision. He certainly didn’t approve of these men, but if it pleased her, he was willing to accept them entirely.
Thus, Jiang Jinyue’s attempt to ingratiate himself was unnecessary.
But Jiang Jinyue had reminded him of something important—Baojia’s heart still bore wounds that hadn’t healed. Seven years of despair couldn’t be mended overnight. She was still afraid that one day he would leave again due to some new hardship.
Earlier, when she had asked him about special circumstances, his hesitation had merely been to phrase his response carefully—but she had mistaken it as another unspoken burden and used the excuse of ordering food to interrupt the conversation.
As Li Dafeng entered the room, he explained: “Mr. Jiang stopped me to say a few words.”
“What did he want?”
“To thank me. He said he hadn’t had the chance before.”
“Oh.”
Li Dafeng approached the bed when suddenly, a soft “meow” sounded. Turning around, he saw Cuimei holding Ruyi.
Seeing him in the room, Cuimei, remembering his rule of avoiding Ruyi, quickly moved to leave.
“Wait,” Li Dafeng called out. “Please bring Ruyi in, Miss Cuimei.”
Cuimei hesitated, looking toward Baojia.
Baojia, in turn, hesitated, looking at Li Dafeng.
Li Dafeng stepped forward and took Ruyi from Cuimei’s arms.
After more than seven years, Ruyi likely no longer recognized him—but the cat didn’t resist his embrace, instead gazing at him curiously with wide eyes.
Li Dafeng sat down on the edge of the bed, cradling the cat in his arms. “Before I left earlier, there was something I didn’t finish saying to Your Highness.”
“What is it?” Baojia already had a faint sense of what he was about to say.
“Your Highness asked me earlier what I would do if special circumstances arose. It wasn’t that I couldn’t answer—it’s just that I was thinking about how to phrase my response.”
“And now… have you figured it out?”
Li Dafeng turned his head to meet her gaze. “Young General Yuan Ce has shown great kindness to my family. If the Xuan Ce Army ever needs me in the future, I will have no choice but to answer the call. Therefore, I cannot promise Your Highness that I will never again put myself in danger.”
Baojia glared at him. “Is that the promise you think I want? If Hexi faces trouble and I try to stop you from going, what kind of person would that make me? Setting aside grand talk of serving the nation and its people—Zhiyi is the mistress of the Xuan Ce Army. For her sake alone, I could never hold you back.”
Li Dafeng nodded. “I know Your Highness would support me. So the promise I want to give you is this: from now on, no matter where I go or what I do, I will respect Your Highness’s choices.”
Baojia’s eyes locked onto him intently.
“In the past, I only thought about my own decisions and never gave Your Highness the chance to choose. From now on, whether you wish to be with me or not, whether you wish to live with me or die with me—I will respect your decision and remain forever loyal to you.”
Baojia gazed at him silently, hearing the steady yet powerful thumping of her heart beneath her chest.
Though they had already shared the most intimate acts and become one, in this moment, it felt as though she had been transported back to her youthful days at fifteen, when her heart first began to flutter with budding emotions. All those long-forgotten sensations came rushing back.
When she finally spoke, her voice trembled with tears: “You said this. You can’t take it back.”
Li Dafeng nodded solemnly. “I said it, and I won’t take it back.”
“Meow!” Ruyi, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly seemed to snap out of her daze. Recognizing him, she leapt forward, pouncing onto Li Dafeng’s shoulder.
Baojia gasped in surprise as Li Dafeng leaned back slightly, barely managing to steady the cat in his arms—a scene reminiscent of those days in the palace where they had once spent every day together.
【—End of Baojia and Dafeng’s Story—】
Google Sites
Report abuse