Pei Xiao lifted his gaze, and the girl’s radiant countenance flooded his vision.
Her pink-and-white complexion resembled a ripening peach, with clear eyes that naturally carried an innocent charm.
Pei Xiao felt that if he uttered a single “no,” those eyes might well up with tears.
His throat moved slightly before he finally replied calmly, “It’s not that I dislike it.”
“That’s good. I like it too, husband.” Jiang Yu tilted her head with a gentle smile, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.
The girl’s sincere, charming demeanor was like the rising sun.
Pei Xiao dared not look directly any longer, placing her foot on his knee to examine it carefully. “Does it still hurt badly?”
“It doesn’t hurt when husband rubs it.” Jiang Yu blushed, leaning against his shoulder.
The hibiscus fragrance from her body drifted around them, making Pei Xiao’s breath catch for a moment.
“Yu’er’s sweet-talking grows more charming by the day,” Pei Xiao teased, turning his head.
They were too close, their lips brushing against each other.
Her soft, crimson lips seemed to invite tasting.
Pei Xiao’s mind went blank, his eyes darkening slightly.
“Ahem!”
Master Huijue had just stepped inside when he witnessed this intimate scene. Chanting “Amitabha,” he hastily retreated.
Pei Xiao immediately pulled away, straightening his back. “Please come in, Master!”
Huijue bowed, looking at Pei Xiao with amusement. “Patron Pei and his wife are truly deeply affectionate!”
Pei Xiao shot him a sharp glance, retorting coldly, “Master, as a practitioner of Buddhism, why are you more fond of gossip than common folk?”
Unwilling to engage in meaningless chatter, Pei Xiao glanced at Jiang Yu’s ankle, then at Huijue.
His meaning was clear: he wanted Master Huijue to check how severe Jiang Yu’s injury was.
Yet the usually perceptive Master Huijue remained standing still, pretending not to understand.
Pei Xiao knew full well the old monk was waiting for him to speak first, so he could seize the chance to mock him again—so Pei Xiao stubbornly kept silent.
Caught between them, Jiang Yu had no idea what riddle they were playing.
But Jiang Yu had her own plans and no time for guessing games. She quietly drew a sharp breath.
Seeing her face pale as paper, her lips trembling with pain, Pei Xiao finally relented. Pointing to the stool by the bed, he said, “Would you please examine my wife’s ankle, Master?”
“When one cares deeply, one often acts rashly. Please calm yourself, Patron Pei.” Master Huijue finally found an opening to say what he wanted.
Pei Xiao was left speechless.
Satisfied, Master Huijue sat down, but his smile vanished instantly as he scanned Jiang Yu’s injury.
According to his estimation, with regular application of the medicinal cream, it should have healed by now. How had her foot worsened like this?
Setting aside his jesting mood, Huijue said gravely, “Madam’s foot… if not properly cared for, I fear she may become lame.”
“Shall we prepare a carriage to return to the capital now?” Pei Xiao frowned.
No sooner had he spoken than a sudden clap of thunder roared outside.
It would be too dangerous to descend the mountain at this hour.
Besides, Huijue was the only one who could treat this injury—what would returning to the capital accomplish?
“First, fetch a basin of water to clean the wound,” Huijue instructed.
Pei Xiao hadn’t realized it was this serious. Acknowledging the order, he hurried out.
Only after Pei Xiao had gone far did Huijue solemnly ask Jiang Yu, “Madam, tell me truthfully—how did the injury on your foot come about?”
Jiang Yu’s hands, clasped around her knees, tightened unconsciously.
Of course, Jiang Yu had inflicted this injury upon herself—she had her own purposes.Huijue and Pei Xiao were locked in heated conflict—how could she possibly reveal everything? “I just fell on the mountainside!” Jiang Yu declared firmly.
Huijue glanced meaningfully at her foot injury but didn’t press further. “This wound is quite severe, but currently the temple lacks a key ingredient—Arboreal Ganoderma—making it difficult to prepare the medicinal cream.”
“It’s really nothing serious!” Jiang Yu quietly tucked her foot beneath her skirt, stealing a glance out the window. “Please, Master, don’t mention how severe my injury is in front of my husband. With his myriad responsibilities, I don’t wish to trouble him over such a trivial matter.”
Huijue hadn’t expected this delicate young lady to be so resilient.
Her constant consideration for Pei Xiao in all matters was precisely why Pei Xiao’s Ice Heart remained unsettled.
“Without the medicine, tonight might be very difficult for you, possibly accompanied by high fever.”
Huijue stood with his back to the window, unaware of the tall figure approaching outside.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yu saw everything clearly and shook her head. “I can endure it! Please just tell my husband that medicine is available, so he won’t worry.”
“Young lady, you truly…” Huijue looked up, admiration flickering in his eyes. “With your pure heart having weathered countless storms, you will surely reap good fortune in the future.”
Jiang Yu sensed deeper meaning in his words and met his gaze. “I beg the Master to deliver me.”
She looked up at him like a devotee gazing upon a deity, yearning for salvation.
A thread of compassion stirred in Huijue’s heart. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, “To deliver others is to deliver oneself.”
Jiang Yu didn’t understand whom Huijue wanted her to deliver.
Before she could inquire further, Pei Xiao entered carrying a water basin, placing it squarely between Jiang Yu and Huijue.
His tall frame also blocked their line of sight.
“I’ll clean my wife’s wound. Please prepare the medicine for her, Master.” Pei Xiao made a gesture of invitation, his dismissive intent clear.
Huijue could say no more and nodded before taking his leave.
Jiang Yu’s heart sank to the depths.
She felt as if Pei Xiao had sealed her in a bottle, isolated from the world, unable to hear or see anything beyond.
Dejectedly, she lowered her lashes while Pei Xiao knelt beside her, washing her feet and tending to her wound.
His jade-like hands moved with gentle precision, careful not to cause her pain.
Yet these very hands that showed such tenderness were the ones covering her eyes and ears.
Feeling suffocated, Jiang Yu withdrew her foot slightly. “Husband, I’m already better. Don’t worry about me—you should rest early.”
How could she claim to be fine when her leg was swollen like a water radish?
Pei Xiao looked up at her pale, paper-white face from where he knelt, wiping the sweat from her nose with his finger. “Rest first, my lady. I’ll go find medicine.”
“Husband!” Seeing him about to leave, Jiang Yu grabbed his sleeve, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. “It’s raining heavily outside. Please don’t go wandering about.”
The worry in her eyes was unmistakable.
For three years, every time Pei Xiao embarked on official travels, she would watch him with this same expression, chattering incessantly about every detail of food, clothing, and lodging.
Initially, Pei Xiao found it superfluous and tedious.
Perhaps with time, he grew accustomed to it.
Now when he traveled, if he didn’t hear her nagging, it felt strangely incomplete.
Pei Xiao ruffled her hair. “Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll return shortly.”
When Pei Xiao left, he casually took a bamboo hat with him.
Jiang Yu breathed a sigh of relief—her plan had succeeded!
The injury on her ankle was one she had deliberately inflicted upon herself.These past few days of coaxing Pei Xiao were meant to make him feel guilty and urge him to go to the mountainside.
Secretly, Jiang Yu had already scouted the route in advance, waiting only for Pei Xiao to leave so she could slip out the back door under cover of night to meet Meng Qingyao…
By the time of the Xu period (7-9 PM), the rain outside had gradually subsided, with mist swirling so thickly that even the lanterns could only illuminate a small patch of ground beneath their feet.
Just as Pei Xiao donned his bamboo hat and was about to head for the mountainside, an irritating voice sounded behind him.
“Patron Pei is truly a devoted husband. Since you cherish your wife so dearly, why not open your heart?”