Counting the time, this should be its first heat cycle.
It was perfectly normal for Pei Ruyan not to understand, since this was his first time keeping a cat.
Shen Sangning was still contemplating how to broach the subject tactfully when she saw the man beside her roll out of bed. He declared with utmost seriousness—
“You sleep first. I’ll go find a veterinarian.”
A veterinarian?
Why look for a veterinarian! What if they trace it back and discover the Spring Drink…
In her panic, Shen Sangning blurted out, “It’s springtime! Even a veterinarian can’t do anything about that!”
Shen Sangning couldn’t make out his expression in the dark, only knowing he remained silent for a moment before quietly lying back down.
The persistent meowing outside kept disturbing her, filling her with guilt.
Having lost all intention to seduce Pei Ruyan, she hid beneath the quilt to block out the sounds.
The night breeze couldn’t penetrate the window paper, and the cat’s cries eventually ceased at some point.
The sleeping girl became drenched in fragrant sweat from the stuffiness, unconsciously kicking off the bedding.
Shen Sangning slept deeply, dreaming of falling into the Azure Sea. Mumbling incoherently, “Cold…”
Her hands groped around, driven by the instinct to seek warmth, until she burrowed into a warm blanket.
Tossed by the Azure Sea’s waves, Shen Sangning seemed to spot a reef. She desperately climbed onto it, clinging tightly for fear of falling back into the abyss, refusing to let go.
Somehow, this reef grew increasingly warm, dispelling the chill.
That night, Pei Ruyan slept rather poorly.
Woken by disturbances in the latter half of the night, he found it difficult to fall asleep again.
The tickling sensation at his neck was impossible to ignore. The girl’s scorching breath fell in rhythmic patterns, making him feel somewhat feverish. Gently, he tried to push her away. “Shen Sangning.”
Not only did she not release him, she held on even tighter.
Pei Ruyan’s gaze fell upon her slightly parted lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he unconsciously drew closer.
Suddenly, Shen Sangning turned over.
Pei Ruyan regained his composure, but his arm remained firmly trapped in her embrace. He lay stiffly on the bed for two hours until faint morning light filtered into the room, and Chen Shu’s voice carried inside—
“Heir, it’s time to rise.”
There was still the morning court assembly to attend.
Pei Ruyan extracted his numb arm from beneath the sleeping girl and covered her with her own quilt.
His dark gaze shifted away from the peacefully sleeping face. He couldn’t ignore the restless heat within him, subtle tendrils of warmth converging in one particular area.
So he rose, changed his inner garments, and used cold water to calm himself.
When he emerged from behind the screen, Pei Ruyan was fully dressed in his red official robe, showing no unusual expression. He deliberately glanced at the girl on the bed, relieved to see no signs of her being disturbed from sleep.
Perhaps March was truly too hot—he found himself feeling unbearably warm again.
Averting his eyes, he suddenly noticed the medicine chest placed beside the dressing table.
The medications inside were fairly complete. His gaze ultimately settled on several small jade bottles—
Fever reduction and heat relief.
Exactly what he needed right now.
He took one bottle, concealed it in his sleeve, and quietly left the room.
When Shen Sangning awoke and saw she was still covered by her own quilt, she knew she had slept properly through the night.
She probably hadn’t disturbed Pei Ruyan’s rest.
“Zisu—” she called out while rising.
Immediately, the door creaked open from outside as Ziling entered carrying a washbasin. “Zisu and Yufei have gone to find a mate for the cat.”
Ziling still couldn’t bring herself to address him as Ning Hou, always feeling it was somewhat strange.
Find a mate? Shen Sangning was momentarily astonished.
Suddenly she remembered—in her previous life, Ning Hou’s mate was actually a year younger. It probably hadn’t even been born yet!
Shen Sangning rose and dressed, when a snow-white spherical object suddenly flew before her eyes. With quick reflexes, she caught it.
“My, how did this cat become so familiar with you so quickly?” Ziling exclaimed in amazement.
Ning Hou lifted its eyes, those proud orbs slanting dismissively at Ziling before turning to Shen Sangning. “Meow~”
It suddenly lowered its head, rubbing its head against her chin.
Shen Sangning was thoroughly pleased. She sat on a chair, happily placing Ning Hou on her lap, gently stroking its fur. “My precious darling!”
Taking advantage of Ziling stepping out to fetch water, she suddenly spoke apologetically, “Your little husband hasn’t been born yet, so I’m afraid I can’t help matchmake for you this time.”
“Since you have no memory anyway, it shouldn’t make much difference to you who Zisu brings back later, right?”
An arranged marriage without consent – how tragic for a cat.
It suddenly sprawled horizontally across Shen Sangning’s lap, motionless, its noble eyes reflecting utter despair.
After fetching water, Ziling mysteriously entered the room. “Ahem, this servant heard another piece of gossip this morning.”
Shen Sangning and Ning Hou simultaneously looked up.
“Since the wedding banquet, the two masters of Fuhua Garden have been inseparable, as everyone has witnessed.”
Ziling’s eyes sparkled with gossip. “But last night, the Second Young Master actually didn’t sleep in Fuhua Garden. Guess where he rested?”
Shen Sangning wasn’t surprised at all, asking indifferently, “Luo Xiaoniang?”
Ziling’s eyes widened. “How did you know, Young Madam?”
Because Shen Sangning wasn’t surprised. “I’ve heard about it before.”
Luo Xiaoniang, the daughter of a private school teacher, had a gentle and delicate disposition. She was Pei Che’s confidante and the most favored among his concubines.
“Right,” Ziling nodded, gesturing with her hands. “The servants in the mansion find it strange, saying the Second Young Master and Second Young Madam have been so affectionate these past few days, yet he’s already grown tired of her just four days after marriage.”
After speaking, Ziling shook her head and sighed. “How heartless.”
Her world-weary expression made Shen Sangning laugh.
But Shen Sangning knew Pei Che wasn’t tired of her – he was naturally fickle. His affection for Shen Miaoyi hadn’t reached the point of everlasting devotion, as evidenced by his not dismissing his concubines.
That he had sought to marry Shen Miaoyi indicated she held a special place in his heart.
As long as Shen Miaoyi didn’t cause trouble herself, Pei Che would surely treat her well.
While Ziling was still excitedly imitating others’ comments, Shen Sangning took a sip of tea and said with unruffled composure—
“Since Pei Ruyan isn’t willing to sleep in our room either, I’m afraid there will be even more gossip about me.”
“Not at all! It’s different!” Ziling stated firmly. “The Heir resting in his study is normal. When he occasionally sleeps in the courtyard, they marvel that the Heir has descended to the mortal world for the day.”
Shen Sangning nearly choked on her tea, calmly setting down the teacup.
She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Thinking of last night, even sharing the same room and bed, he hadn’t been willing to touch her…
Shen Sangning suddenly remembered the gossip Ziling had shared yesterday and asked in surprise, “Is it possible he hasn’t completely forgotten the girl he admired in his youth? That he still remembers her to this day?”
A youthful admiration might be like the moon in the sky – pure and bright.
Hanging high in the sky every day, unforgettable yet untouchable.
If it was that profound… Shen Sangning’s expression grew somewhat solemn—
“Go investigate further. Find out who in the mansion knows what this moonlight maiden looks like and what she did with the Heir.”
At least she needed to understand the situation before she could prescribe the right remedy.
Unexpectedly, Ziling waved her hand, “No one knows. If anyone did, this servant would have found out yesterday! Even the errand boy who saw the portrait has been sold off.”