Reasoning
By the time Nie Shuang returned to the General’s manor, it was already dusk. She stepped down from the carriage, with her maids supporting her as they entered the manor. Along the way, a voice called out to her.
“Sister-in-law.”
When she looked up, she saw her husband’s younger brother. She couldn’t be bothered to remember his name, so she simply greeted him.
“Second Brother.”
“Did you return from visiting your family? Why didn’t you take the manor’s carriage? I just heard you hired one. You’re part of the family now—don’t let other people’s words trouble you.”
It was the first time Nie Shuang had heard a kind word from anyone in the manor. Though her head still felt dizzy, she tried to look at him, unsure whether his words were sincere. However, the lamplight along the path wasn’t bright enough.
“Thank you, Second Brother. I’ve just returned and would like to rest now.”
As she walked away, Song Ren was about to head back to his own quarters when a voice called out from behind him.
“Second Brother, where have you been? Why are you returning to the manor so late?”
Song Ren had just turned nineteen and had passed the imperial examination, earning a rank-six official position in the Ministry of Rites. When Song Qilin was away at war, it was Song Ren who looked after their parents.
“Eldest Brother, I went to Tianfu Restaurant. There have been some rumors about our manor, so I stopped by to check. It turns out they were all lies.”
Song Qilin nodded. After paying for Nie Shuang’s meals that day, he had also instructed the staff at the restaurant to keep quiet. If anyone dared to spread rumors, it would be surprising.
“It’s all nonsense. Don’t bother with it. Go and rest,”
Song Qilin watched as his younger brother walked away. Song Ren had a kind heart, often too soft with others, and Song Qilin didn’t want him involved in his conflict with Nie Shuang.
He stopped by Liu Yi Niang’s Yun Mei Quarters, staying there for a while until it was time to extinguish the lamps. Then, he quietly left. When he arrived at Lian Fang Quarters, the entire place was dark, without even a gatekeeper on watch. As usual, he jumped over the garden wall. Xiao San, hearing a knock at the courtyard door, came to open it. When she saw Song Qilin, she nervously stood in his way, stammering,
“C..General, please have mercy. The Young Furen is very unwell tonight...she won’t be able to serve you...”
Normally, Xiao San was timid, but she felt so sorry for her Young Furen that she forced herself to speak, despite her shaking legs.
Song Qilin merely glanced at her and then stepped around her, walking past. Xiao San followed him hesitantly, until he closed the door to the Young Furen’s bedroom, she still stayed outside.
After standing there for a while and hearing no sound from within, Xiao San finally returned to sleep in her room next door.
Inside, the room was completely dark, save for the soft glow of moonlight filtering in. He could hear the steady rhythm of her breathing, and a faint scent lingered in the air. Song Qilin removed his outer robe and draped it over a chair. Then, lifting the bed curtains, he climbed in beside her.
His large hand pressed against her small, feverish face, where a damp cloth had been placed on her forehead—likely by Xiao San, who had been tending to her. He slipped under the same blanket and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Only when she was nestled in his arms did he feel a sense of peace.
On the other hand, Nie Shuang felt uncomfortably hot, as if someone had placed a brazier under the blanket. She squirmed away toward the cooler, empty side of the bed, but something seemed to pull her back by the waist. Even though she was still asleep, she flailed her arms in irritation, hitting something with a sharp smack, though she didn’t care and drifted back into her slumber.
Song Qilin was furious—he almost wanted to strangle her!
What kind of sick person kicked off the blanket constantly? And to top it off, when he tried to hold her to keep her warm, she slapped him!
Fuming, he climbed off the bed, grabbed the cloth from her forehead, and rinsed it in the basin to cool it down. After folding it, he placed it back on her forehead.
Once she was fast asleep again, he returned to bed, pulling her close to him once more. Her steady breathing and soft scent helped him relax, and before long, he too fell asleep. About two hours later, he awoke to find her tossing and turning, mumbling in her sleep.
"Just wait...$!@#*/...Song Qilin...#$@*#%..." ...And then followed by the sound of her grinding her teeth...
Song Qilin chuckled to himself in the darkness. He couldn’t make out what she was saying, but he felt oddly pleased.
At least she was dreaming about him...
Wait! He shouldn’t feel this way!
He quickly composed himself, trying to reason with his emotions.
Why was he doing strange things like this—like, coming to nurse her?
No! He wasn’t here to nurse her. He had just come to relieve himself like before. It was only because she wasn’t feeling well that, out of common decency, anyone would do the same.
Yes...he was just feeling guilty.
She had fallen ill because of him, after all. Her body was so fragile...Once Song Qilin had rationalized his behavior, he felt more at ease. He wrapped his arms around her again and fell asleep, holding her close.