Ji Yuwei seemed unaware that he had said something shocking: “Wei wishes to understand Ping’an’s life better and wants to live together with Ping’an.”
Wu Ping’an wriggled out of his embrace and quickly refused: “No, my home is full of girls. It’s not appropriate for a man to live there, and besides, we only have two rooms—there’s no place for you to sleep.”
Ji Yuwei calmly stated: “Wei can sleep together with Ping’an.”
Wu Ping’an was horrified: “No, I should be sleeping with Dai’er.”
He stepped back and said: “Then Wei will sleep alone.”
Wu Ping’an:…
He tilted his head like a cat, staring intently at her flushed face, not understanding why she reacted so strongly.
If it was because of Dai’er, he could quietly make her disappear.
Wu Ping’an, unaware of his beautiful face hiding a malicious heart, saw that he insisted on moving in. Considering that Ji Yuwei had grown up in luxury, always waiting for her from afar outside, it was uncertain whether he could even get used to living in a slum.
She didn’t believe he would be willing to stay; perhaps he would leave in disgust as soon as he entered the poor alley.
Wu Ping’an tactfully declined: “The household consists only of women; having a man there is unsuitable.”
Ji Yuwei nodded naturally and took her hand: “Then let’s not move in for now. Today, I only wish to see Ping’an’s home.”
Wu Ping’an didn’t agree, pondering how to dissuade Ji Yuwei from the idea.
She hadn’t practiced much spellcraft today; instead, her lips were swollen from being kissed. When she got back on the sheep-drawn carriage, she noticed servants pulling many things behind.
“What are these?” Wu Ping’an asked, puzzled.
Ji Yuwei explained: “These are prepared for Ping’an. Wei has never lived in an alley, but I’ve heard from the servants that it’s quite inconvenient there. I hope Ping’an won’t refuse.”
He spoke euphemistically—the slum was more than just “inconvenient”; everything had to be bought from within Jianye City.
Wu Ping’an looked at the items already rolling along behind them and sighed softly in resignation.
With the sheep-drawn carriage leading the way, the guards at the city gate didn’t stop them when leaving Jianye City, kneeling respectfully on the ground to see them off.
Along the way, Ji Yuwei discussed music and poetry with her. Wu Ping’an racked her brains to recall what she had learned from her studies, managing to keep up the conversation, though the overly refined language was exhausting.
When they finally reached the familiar alley entrance, the sheep-drawn carriage couldn’t enter. Wu Ping’an looked at Ji Yuwei.
He sat silently on the ornate cushion for a long time before slowly stepping down in his boots, standing on the uneven, pitted ground.
The celestial-like young master, polished like jade, wore a white robe with an embroidered vest and wide-legged trousers, a small jade crown on his head—clearly a young master from an aristocratic clan raised in splendor. His sudden appearance in the narrow, dark alley, where two people could barely pass side by side, made the phrase “bringing honor to a humble dwelling” vividly manifest.
It was truly too much for him.
For some reason, Wu Ping’an couldn’t help but laugh with a hint of schadenfreude.
Unfortunately, the amusement in her eyes was immediately caught by Ji Yuwei.
The young man wore a helpless expression, folding his arms and pressing them down as he said: “Ping’an, if you want to laugh, just laugh. There’s no need to hold back.”
Wu Ping’an suppressed her laughter, furrowing her brows and pretending to be serious: “It’s not funny at all. I just wanted to ask—since the young master once took me to the servant grounds outside the city, how does this compare?”
This was a difficult question. The servant grounds were set up for nobles; no matter how messy, the roads weren’t pitted or filled with stagnant water, and they were spacious. It was different from this slum, a chaotic place where people merely struggled to survive.
But he considered her feelings and awkwardly replied: “It’s hard to say; each has its own differences.”
Wu Ping’an truly smiled this time, struggling to suppress the upward curve of her lips as she led the way ahead.
Occasionally, she would explain to him what the things placed at the doorways were—all means of livelihood for the impoverished to survive.
No matter what she said, Ji Yuwei listened attentively, never showing the slightest hint of disdain on his face. In reality, however, he felt no connection whatsoever to the desperate struggles of these ants-like lives.
Those people were born into poverty, destined by heaven to waste their entire lives in this place. Even if he were told, what did it have to do with him? Should he set this place ablaze and restore the land to its clean breath?
Yes, this place was also filled with a strange, unpleasant earthy smell, making him feel as if a foul stench clung to him as he walked on this broken ground. Occasionally, he would furrow his brows.
Enduring it, he followed Wu Ping’an to stand before a dilapidated narrow doorway. With a cold gaze, he watched her dazed expression as she looked at the broken door and listened to her describe the scenes from when she used to live here.
When Wu Ping’an finished speaking and turned around, his eyes softened, and his lips curved into a comforting smile. “Hardship precedes, joy follows. Ping’an, everything will go smoothly for you from now on.”
Wu Ping’an smiled, stood on tiptoe, and retrieved a key from under the eaves of the low wall, then opened the courtyard gate.
“This is my home,” she said generously, stepping aside to let him enter first.
The young man stood behind her, lifting his gaze to sweep a glance inside.
Outside was chaotic, but the narrow courtyard within was clean and tidy, arranged in an orderly manner, just barely giving a sense of cleanliness.
Ji Yuwei said, “Ping’an, you go in first. Wei will wait for them to bring the things in before entering.”
Wu Ping’an glanced at the long line of people behind him and called Dai’er out to stand with him.
When Dai’er saw Ji Yuwei, she behaved more obediently than usual, bowing respectfully to him. The little white dog behind her, however, was not shy, wagging its tail rapidly as it circled his feet, barking excitedly.
Ji Yuwei lightly avoided the dog and listened to Wu Ping’an speak. “Let them go in first. It’s too crowded to move around with so many people.”
“Mm,” he nodded.
The servants carried in many things, but they hadn’t anticipated the interior would be so narrow. Large items were reloaded into the sheep-drawn carriage, and both the low steps at the entrance and the courtyard were covered with carpets.
Ji Yuwei stepped onto the thick cloth carpet and followed her into the courtyard.
Seeing the little dog only circling Ji Yuwei, Wu Ping’an told him, “It’s very obedient and won’t bite.”
Ji Yuwei glanced at the dog on the ground, not particularly fond of it, but asked with a smile, “What’s its name? It’s a very beautiful dog.”
The little dog barked even more cheerfully than before, as if receiving praise from its owner.
Wu Ping’an was nearly startled by its barking and quickly picked up the dog. “It’s called Red Dog. It’s usually very well-behaved and quiet. Today, it might be excited from seeing a stranger.”
Busy muttering to soothe the overly excited dog, she didn’t notice the young man in front of her coldly staring at the dog, his long hand pressed to his lips in a gesture for silence.
The little dog instantly quieted down.
After comforting the dog, Wu Ping’an realized there was no tea at home and said she would fetch a pot of cold water from the well outside.
Ji Yuwei watched her retreating figure as she stepped out the door, then turned to exchange a glance with Dai’er.
The young man crossed his arms with restraint, his tone as cool and detached as the faint sound of a string. “Later, persuade me to stay.”
Dai’er lowered her head.
Not long after, Wu Ping’an returned from outside carrying a pot of cold water, intending to pour some for him. She saw him standing alone in the courtyard, appearing extremely refined but in reality, isolated from everything around him. He hadn’t touched any of the items inside.
She glanced down at the copper pot in her hand, thinking he might not be accustomed to drinking it, and decided not to pour water for him.
Ji Yuwei finished surveying the dilapidated courtyard and turned to see her returning with a water kettle. He smiled faintly, “Ping’an, you needn’t trouble yourself. Wei is not thirsty.”
Wu Ping’an hadn’t actually intended to pour him water. Since he said so, she felt obliged to offer politely, “Have a little. You’ve walked quite a distance.”
After she spoke, the young man fell silent. Under her not-so-sincere gaze, he said, “Thank you for your trouble, Ping’an.”
Wu Ping’an could have kicked herself. Why be polite? It was clear he didn’t want to drink. By pressing further, she knew he would agree just to accommodate her.
“Haha, wait a moment, I’ll go inside to change the cup.” Wu Ping’an headed inward.
Though it was merely changing the vessel without changing the contents, perhaps she could find a nicer-looking cup to appease his eyes.
Just as she was about to brush past him, Ji Yuwei breached etiquette by reaching out to stop her. He took the freshly washed cup from her hand, turned, and placed it on the stone stool. He poured a cup of tea and offered it to her first.
Wu Ping’an drank it. He smiled and then drank as well. “Wei said he would try to understand everything about you.”
Wu Ping’an watched as his lips, tinged a faint pink after drinking, glistened with moisture. His eyes also softened, damp and tender, as if they had just shared a ceremonial wedding cup and become husband and wife.
It truly made her scalp tingle. She forced an awkward smile, unsure how to react.
Fortunately, after setting down the teacup, he slowly paced around the courtyard, seemingly observing the place where she once lived.
Wu Ping’an followed behind him, listening as he spoke slowly with a hint of regret. “Wei finds Ping’an’s dwelling quite comfortable, but the sky is already growing dark. Otherwise, Wei would have liked to stay and share a meal with Ping’an.”
Hearing that he intended to leave, Wu Ping’an regained some energy and said politely, “Another day, when the young master visits, I will personally prepare meat and tea for you.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Dai’er beside her tugged at her sleeve, gesturing ‘ah, ah, ah.’
From Dai’er’s gestures, Wu Ping’an understood that Dai’er wanted to invite Ji Yuwei to stay for dinner, wishing to thank him for spending money to save her in the past.
Dai’er rarely made requests. Wu Ping’an was momentarily stunned, even suspecting that Ji Yuwei had said something to Dai’er.
But when she turned to look, the radiantly handsome young man gazed at her with curious dark eyes, wearing an innocent expression as if he had no idea what Dai’er was gesturing.
Looking back at Dai’er, who held a white dog in her arms, blinking and pleading with her eyes.
Wu Ping’an had just refused Ji Yuwei not long ago. Now, with Dai’er requesting to keep him, she couldn’t bear to disappoint her. Gazing into the distance, she said, “How about… why not seize the day?”
Ji Yuwei’s eyes held surprise, followed by a smile curling at his lips. “Very well.”
After finishing dinner that evening, the sky had long since darkened to the point where one couldn’t see their own hand. The alleyways were chaotic and confusing. She needed to escort Ji Yuwei out, but she was afraid of encountering Shadow Ghosts on her way back. In the end, amidst the young man’s silence and Dai’er’s urging, she allowed him to stay the night.
Wu Ping’an went to sleep with Dai’er, leaving her own bedroom for Ji Yuwei.
The night grew deeper.
Inside the room, the bean-oil lamp flickered restlessly. The young man with a red mole between his brows had skin as pale as soft snow. Dressed in a white inner robe, he lay on the wooden bed, his long eyebrows furrowed into elegant mountain ridges.
This was the bedroom where Wu Ping’an slept every day. He hadn’t taken his medicine, so lying there made his body feel feverish. Tossing and turning, he found it difficult to sleep.
As his body, pressed against the long pillow, began to tremble, he shivered with unfocused pupils, slowly rising and parting his legs.
Another mess.
He was accustomed to it. Taking out a silk handkerchief, he carefully wiped his legs, then lay prone on the bed to sniff, ensuring nothing had leaked and left any suspicious, strange odor. Only then did he step onto the snow-white floor covering, surveying the visible poverty of the room.
Even with the old house now furnished with a brand-new, beautifully carved canopy bed, a pearwood wardrobe and footstool, and even a carpet woven from Western woolen threads, its inherent shabbiness prevented it from looking beautiful in any way.
Before sleeping, he had rearranged the wardrobe, the vases displaying delicate flowers, and other items several times, yet he still found the place so ugly it pained his eyes. Living here was undoubtedly torture.
Ji Yuwei stood by the window, riddled with tiny holes from insect damage, glanced down, and instantly covered it with a nearby white cloth. Only then did he feel better and look outside.
The other side had already extinguished its lights and gone to sleep long ago.
Turning back to the cold, empty bedroom, he found sleep had deserted him.
Because Ji Yuwei was in the house, Wu Ping’an woke up very early, but she hadn’t expected the young man to be up even earlier, as if he hadn’t slept all night. His long hair was half-tied with a simple hairpin, cascading down his back, and he sat neatly dressed in the bluish-gray dawn courtyard, surrounded by a thin mist.
Wu Ping’an ran into him the moment she opened her door, stunned for a moment.
He reminded her of the lines: “Zong, the carefree and handsome youth, raises his cup, casts a white-eyed glance at the azure sky, pure as a jade tree standing before the wind.”① This was likely the kind of ethereal, pristine immortal such words described.
“Not used to it? Why are you up so early?” Wu Ping’an asked as she tied up her hair and went to fetch water from the nearby water jar.
Ji Yuwei shook his head gently and said, “I slept very well last night.”
Wu Ping’an thought he probably slept well because the old items in the room had been replaced. Otherwise, with her former belongings, he might have preferred to sit alone in the courtyard all night waiting for her to wake up.
Feeling a pang of emotion, she prepared to wash up and glanced back at him.
Ji Yuwei was tactful; seeing she was about to wash, he quietly returned to his room alone.
The summer heat was intense, and Wu Ping’an always bathed first thing after waking up. But with Ji Yuwei here today, to avoid any unnecessary incidents, she decided to return to her room for a quick wipe-down to freshen up before going out.
As she finished fetching water, took off her skirt, and was about to wipe herself, she faintly sensed a chilling aura brushing past her ear.
Thinking it was just the wind, Wu Ping’an paid no mind. She wrapped the cloth around her chest and was about to wring it when she saw the reflection of a mutilated ghostly face behind her, clinging to her shoulder, its long nails scratching something.
In an instant, it felt as if threads of cold, ghostly energy seeped into Wu Ping’an’s pores, and the ghost pressed against her back like moss-covered vines wrapping around her limbs.
It was that ghost again. Hadn’t it disappeared? Why was it still on her?
She whipped her head around to look at Dai’er.
Dai’er was sound asleep, unaware of the female ghost in the room.
Wu Ping’an shook Dai’er awake and pulled her outside.
Still drowsy, Dai’er didn’t understand but followed her out.
As Wu Ping’an opened the door, she abruptly saw a figure in front of her. Thinking it was the ghost, she hurled the cloth she was clutching in her other hand at it.
The cloth landed on his face. Ji Yuwei’s long lashes fluttered slightly before he removed it, revealing his face just in time to see a fist coming toward him. He raised his hand and caught it. “Ping’an.”
The young man’s soft, gentle voice rang out. Wu Ping’an, who had closed her eyes, opened them to see.
It was Ji Yuwei, not a ghost.
“Wei heard Ping’an’s voice from another room and didn’t know what had happened, so I came to check,” he murmured softly, his gaze drifting down to her hastily fastened collar, which she had closed in her rush to escape.
The loose, padded jacket enveloped her body, making her appear almost slender enough to be held in one hand.
The thought crossed his mind, and unconsciously, he reached out.
Wu Ping’an was initially relieved to see it was him, but then the youth suddenly trembled, his lashes fluttering as if possessed by a ghost, and he reached out toward her.
Without thinking, she slapped his hand away.
A sharp smack landed on the back of Ji Yuwei’s hand, quickly reddening the pampered, snow-white skin, while also dispelling the emptiness in his eyes.
“Ji Yuwei, are you alright?” Wu Ping’an still harbored a deep fear of ghosts. Fortunately, a glance backward confirmed the ghost was no longer in the room.
Ji Yuwei, having been slapped, frowned and withdrew his hand. “It’s nothing. What did you encounter, Ping’an?”
Wu Ping’an hastily recounted her encounter with the ghost in the room. She had clearly hung the warding talisman Ji Yuwei gave her here—how could there still be a ghost?
After listening, Ji Yuwei took a few measured steps in the courtyard, then stood at the doorway and removed the bronze mirror hanging there. He turned it slightly to face him—it was empty.
The warding talisman placed inside the bronze mirror was gone, no wonder the ghost had reappeared.
Wu Ping’an stepped forward and saw that it had been stolen, and the bronze mirror had been pried open and damaged.
Ji Yuwei reassured her: “It’s fine. I’ll draw another one. From now on, hang it inside the room.”
Wu Ping’an hadn’t expected that hanging it at the doorway would lead to theft. Fortunately, Ji Yuwei was here and could draw another one.
She went inside to look for paper and brush but found none in the house, so she tidied her hair and went out to buy some.
Ji Yuwei sat waiting in the room.
After a long while, he suddenly lowered his gaze and noticed he had been holding a damp handkerchief all along—the one Wu Ping’an had thrown at his face when she opened the door.
The handkerchief was wet.
His eyes went vacant for a moment, and when he blinked again, he had already brought the handkerchief to his nose to sniff.
The action was inelegant, even somewhat perverse, but he didn’t think so. He simply wanted to smell the faint scent lingering on it. Perhaps there was nothing at all—it was purely just a handkerchief—yet he wanted to bite it.
Just like biting a pillow, clamping it between his teeth, his tongue pressing against it.
Ji Yuwei slowly bit down on a corner, his long lashes resting against the flushed pink of his cheekbones, his pupils dazed as he felt pleasure descending from his slightly itchy throat, gathering into a wave of heat.
He abruptly released his teeth, parting his moist, rosy lips, clutching the handkerchief as he sat in the chair, breathing coldly.
Before his body deteriorated, he had to obtain it as quickly as possible.
Author’s Note: As if they were already husband and wife~