“Master Qi, the sun is shining beautifully today. Wouldn’t you like to come out and get some sunshine?”
Ji Yu leaned against the doorframe, smiling brightly at Nan Xing who was on the bed.
Early spring was usually rainy, so these consecutive days of clear weather were rare. They had to make the most of the sunshine while it lasted, otherwise, when the rain returned, they would be stuck indoors with nothing to do.
Nan Xing sat up straight and looked towards the door. His gaze landed first on Ji Yu, who was bathed in a flood of warm, golden sunlight. Her smile was just as radiant and dazzling as the day itself.
The corners of Nan Xing’s lips lifted almost imperceptibly. He nodded at her. “Alright.”
Ji Yu beamed with delight. “Then let me go get you a lounge chair!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she lifted her skirt and ran off quickly. the hem of her pale yellow dress fluttered beautifully in the air, like a flock of butterflies dancing gracefully and nimbly.
Nan Xing got out of bed and walked out of the house just in time to see Ji Yu setting up the chair in the courtyard. She turned back, saw him approaching, smiled again, and walked towards him.
The brilliant sunlight was somewhat blinding. Nan Xing couldn’t help but squint and raised his hand to shield his forehead. Once his eyes adjusted, he lowered his hand—only to be caught off guard by that dazzling smile again. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly raised his hand back up, as if trying to block out the sight that made his vision swim.
Miss Ji seemed to… love to smile.
He had never seen a young woman smile so brightly and brilliantly before.
He had seen his young mistress smile in many ways: towards the Third Prince, it was usually a polite but distant smile; when she needed something from him, it was soft and girlish; towards Prince Pei, it was shy and blushing. But towards him…
Nan Xing pressed his lips together. His mistress rarely smiled at him, and when she did, it was merely a faint upturn of the corners of her mouth, nothing more.
His mother smiled often, and her smile was gentle and beautiful. But he knew that hidden beneath her smile was sorrow. He disliked that sorrowful smile; he would rather she didn’t smile at all…
“Master Qi, what’s wrong? Is the sun too bright?” Seeing him standing still, Ji Yu curiously leaned closer to look at him. She caught sight of his eyes beneath his hand, filled with complex emotions, and was stunned.
Was Master Qi… sad?
She looked again in disbelief, but his eyes were as calm and unwavering as usual. Ji Yu blinked, thinking she must have imagined it.
Qi Yu was arguably one of the luckier protagonists in novels. His birth mother was the Empress, the Grand Empress Dowager doted on him, and the Emperor favored him. It wouldn’t be long before he was named Crown Prince and eventually ascended the throne. Aside from a little heartache in love, his life was practically perfect.
So how could he possibly have such a sad look in his eyes?
Lying on the lounge chair, Nan Xing asked Ji Yu for a book to read. She handed him a storybook.
He opened it, glanced at the content, and couldn’t help but say, “Miss Ji, could I perhaps have a different book?”
The stories she gave him were always romances between scholars and beauties. As a man, he really had no interest in them.
Ji Yu looked up from her medical text. “What kind of book would Master Qi like? I’ll go get it.”
“Do you have anything like *The Art of War*?”
Ji Yu thought for a moment and shook her head apologetically.
Books on warfare were usually read by martial artists or military officials. Her predecessor’s father and she herself were both physicians; most of the books in the house were medical texts. The few novels and travelogues she had were bought from the bookstore after she arrived.
“Why don’t you read a medical book instead? I’ll find you an illustrated herbal guide. It has pictures, so it’s simple and easy to understand.” As she spoke, she rummaged through the pile of books beside her and pulled one out for him.
Nan Xing took the book, thanked her, and lay back down. But the moment he opened the first page, his expression froze instantly. A flush crept up his ears, spreading across his face and down his neck, though it was less noticeable due to his tanned complexion.
He hastily snapped the book shut. He bit his lip and glanced incredulously at Ji Yu, only to find her curled up in her own chair, flipping through a medical text and cracking sunflower seeds, completely absorbed and unaware of what she had given him.
Did Miss Ji… actually read this kind of thing besides medical books and romances?
You really can’t judge a book by its cover.
Nan Xing’s mind was in turmoil. His fingertips felt hot as he looked down at the book in his hand. The cover was neatly titled *Illustrated Herbal Guide*, but inside, it was an entirely different story.
Judging by how calm she looked, she clearly didn’t realize she had grabbed the wrong book. What should he do?
Should he pretend to be calm and keep reading? Or tell her she made a mistake? If he told her, and she saw what was inside, she would surely be mortified, and he would be embarrassed too.
But how could he possibly pretend nothing was wrong and read this?
Oh well. He decided not to read it. He placed the book beside him, adjusted himself comfortably in the sunlight, and closed his eyes.
Peaceful and leisurely days like this probably wouldn’t come again. He should cherish them while his wounds healed.
A breeze blew, rustling the pages. Ji Yu quickly stuffed the pastry in her hand into her mouth and freed her hands to press down the fluttering papers.
The early spring wind was not gentle at all; it carried a slight chill. The bright sunshine gradually faded as the sun began to set.
Ji Yu tidied up the books that had been scattered by the wind and was about to tell Nan Xing that it was getting windy and cold, and that he should go inside to avoid catching a chill. But when she turned her head, she saw his handsome sleeping face and was mesmerized.
Sword-like brows, starry eyes, a straight nose, and thin, beautifully shaped lips pressed together. As she leaned closer, his lips parted slightly as if murmuring something in his sleep.
“Mother… delicious… more…”
He seemed to be having a pleasant dream. The corners of his mouth lifted, his expression relaxed into a smile, and at that moment, Ji Yu made a surprising discovery: Nan Xing had dimples, shallow and delicate, right at the corners of his lips.
This was a major discovery! The second male lead, Qi Yu, had dimples! Why didn’t the author mention that at all?
Ji Yu frowned slightly, racking her brains trying to recall the book’s contents, searching for any description of his dimples. But all she could remember were descriptions of his skin being as white as snow, his temperament elegant, his beauty ethereal, and his demeanor as gentle as jade. There was not a single word about dimples.
She was so focused that she unknowingly leaned closer and closer, until a gust of wind blew, carrying with it scattered peach blossom petals. One landed on Nan Xing’s face, bringing Ji Yu back to her senses. She realized she was practically inches away from his face.
Staring at such a close-up view of his handsome features, Ji Yu felt her face heat up. She had actually been staring at a man’s face in a trance, and had foolishly moved so close.
His warm breath fanned her face. Startled, she scrambled to stand up. *Thud!* Something fell to the ground.
Looking down, it was the *Herbal Guide* she had given him. She must have knocked it over in her panic. She reached down to pick it up, but the wind picked up again, flipping the pages open wide. Ji Yu stared, wide-eyed and incredulous, at the illustrations inside.
“Oh crap! I forgot the erotic pictures I drew for the bookstore were still tucked inside this book!”
Her face burned fiercely. She quickly snapped the book shut and picked it up, only to look up and meet his gaze directly. Ji Yu jumped back in shock, stammering, “Y-you’re… you’re awake!”
Nan Xing slowly sat up. He glanced at the book in her hands—the same one. Remembering the contents, he cleared his throat awkwardly and gave a low “Mm,” in acknowledgement.
Realizing where his eyes were looking, Ji Yu quickly hid the book behind her back. She forced a stiff smile. “S-so… you were going to read, but fell asleep instead?”
Did he see? Surely not, right? She glanced at him again, noting his usual calm expression. He looked so serene; he must have fallen asleep before even opening it. That meant he hadn’t seen the pictures inside. She breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
“Perhaps the sun was just too warm and comfortable. I got drowsy and fell asleep before I could read it. How about I read it tonight instead?” Nan Xing looked at her obvious fluster and couldn’t help but tease her a little.
Miss Ji was one of the most genuine people he had ever met. She wore her heart on her sleeve; he could read her like an open book.
Look, just hearing him say he’d read it tonight, her eyes went wide with alarm.
This was far more interesting than dealing with those hypocritical, scheming old fools.
“Master Qi! Reading at night is bad for your eyes! Especially now that you’re injured and poisoned! Straining yourself will only hinder your recovery and might even cause the poison to spread!” Ji Yu pleaded earnestly, putting on her best concerned-doctor act.
Nan Xing pondered for a moment, then nodded agreeably. “Mmm, you make a valid point, Miss Ji. Then I shall not read it.”
Ji Yu let out a breath she was holding and smiled brightly. “Master Qi is truly the most obedient patient I’ve ever met!”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely cure your poison. I found some clues in the medical texts this afternoon. I’m confident I can find the antidote within two days,” she said confidently.
“In that case, thank you very much, Miss Ji.” Nan Xing inclined his body slightly and cupped his hands in a polite salute.
***
“Master Qi, dinner is ready. Would you like to eat now, or later when you’re hungry?”
Nan Xing looked at Ji Yu standing by the window. “Aren’t you eating, Miss Ji?”
“I have something to go out for tonight. I plan to eat outside.”
Nan Xing fell silent. Afraid he might misunderstand, she quickly added, “I’m not going out to eat good food alone! I’m going to work! The place I work at provides meals, so I’ll just eat there.”
This was completely true. Ji Yu wasn’t good at lying. She was going to Xunfang Pavilion to paint portraits for the courtesans. She could usually sneak some pastries from their private rooms, and if she was lucky, even some wine.
Xunfang Pavilion was the most famous brothel in Qingzhou, and their food was actually better than many proper restaurants. Every time she went there to paint, her stomach was very happy.
“But aren’t you a physician? Do the pharmacies here see patients at night?”
Under his suspicious gaze and questioning tone, Ji Yu touched her nose nervously. “W-well, a patient made an appointment for a consultation and medicine tonight.”
Nan Xing seemed to accept the explanation and nodded slightly. “It gets dark and the roads are tricky. Please be careful, Miss Ji.”
After she left, Nan Xing walked to the window. Looking up at the bright moon hanging in the sky, he untied a bamboo whistle from his wrist and blew it.
A jet-black dove landed on the window sill.