After a moment of panic, Chu Yunxi forced himself to stay calm. "Hear me out first—let me argue my case… I mean, explain…"As he spoke, he snapped the book shut and scrambled to gather up the things on the table.Shi Wuxie's gaze swept over the dazzling array of items on the desktop, finally coming to rest on that exquisite little box.The fineness of the box alone told him the contents were no ordinary things. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he reached out.Chu Yunxi was busy sweeping everything into the gathered hem of his robe when four slender fingers suddenly flashed before his eyes.His movements froze.The next second—Click.The box opened, revealing the jade carving inside.Before Chu Yunxi could react, the thing was already pinched in Shi Wuxie's hand.Shi Wuxie looked puzzled. "What is this?"Chu Yunxi watched the jade held between those fair, pale knuckles, the fingertips and the jade nearly blending into one color, and for a moment he couldn't tell which was more beautiful—the jade, or those knuckles, so vividly alluring.His Adam's apple bobbed, and his mind, entirely against his will, conjured up the images he'd seen in that storybook earlier—The figure in the picture had also been holding a length of jade, facing away from the viewer in an unspeakable posture, reaching back behind himself…Then the figure turned its head—and it had become Shi Wuxie's face.His eyes shimmered with moisture, the corners tinged with faint red, gazing out of the picture at him with hazy, seductive eyes, as if in invitation.Boom—His blood nearly boiled.Chu Yunxi's ears burned instantly.The scene that had just been an eyesore was now unbearably, scandalously erotic. A surging heat raced through his limbs and body, his heart pounded like a drum, and even his breath caught.Seeing him frozen in a daze—his usually cold, pale skin now flushed with a layer of pink, worst on his cheeks, his ears so red they seemed about to bleed—Shi Wuxie tilted his head. "What's wrong with you? A fever again?"Chu Yunxi was jolted back to his senses by the touch of those icy fingers, and he swiftly snatched the jade object from Shi Wuxie's hand, clearing his throat. "It's nothing. Just… toys.""Oh."Shi Wuxie didn't press about what kind of toys; instead, his attention was caught by those abnormally red ears. He reached out and felt Chu Yunxi's forehead. "You're burning up. Is the wound inflamed?""The Court of Judicial Review's physician came with me. Let him take a look at you."Chu Yunxi was about to say he was fine, but his eyes darted, and he changed his tune. "Mm-hm, go ahead."Shi Wuxie nodded and turned to leave.The moment Shi Wuxie was gone, he shot to his feet and crammed all those "toys" into the wardrobe. The movement was too abrupt and pulled at his wound, making him hiss in pain.Not daring to delay, he climbed back onto the bed, burrowed under the covers, and let out a long breath.He lay there, staring blankly at the canopy.Why was it that the images that had been such an eyesore before were no longer an eyesore once it was Shi Wuxie in them?So was he bent or not?Schrödinger's bend?Before long, the physician entered behind Shi Wuxie.The physician unwrapped Chu Yunxi's bandages, examined the wound carefully, and took his pulse, then nodded. "The young master is recovering well. The stitches can come out soon, and he may walk about in moderation—it will aid his recovery.""No fever?" Shi Wuxie asked.The physician shook his head. "No fever at all."Shi Wuxie was taken aback.He was somewhat surprised, and after a moment's thought, his expression grew more serious: "These past few days, he's often had fevers for no reason, which then subsided on their own after a while, coming and going unpredictably. Could it be some rare illness? Take a good look at him."As he spoke, he even took out paper and brush, looking ready to take notes at any moment.Chu Yunxi: …The household physician's expression also grew grave at this. He took Chu Yunxi's wrist pulse again, holding his breath in concentration.After a long while, he stroked his beard and said, ashamed, "This old man's skills are lacking. All I can tell is that the young master's body is depleted—he does not have the constitution of a long-lived man. Beyond that, I can't discern anything. It's just…"Chu Yunxi hurriedly said, "I'm really fine! Maybe it's just… I've been lying down too long and felt a bit stuffy. I moved around a little just now, and that's why I felt hot. It's already passed."There was no particular expression in Shi Wuxie's eyes; it was impossible to tell whether he believed it or not.But the physician hesitated again, looking at Shi Wuxie as if wanting to speak but stopping himself.He remembered quite well that His Lordship wished for the young master to die young.Yet only how many days had passed, and his prognosis of three to five months of life was about to be proven wrong.Somehow, a thread of vitality had inexplicably appeared within that withered body, and it showed signs of growing stronger.This was outrageous! If this continued, it wouldn't be three to five months of life left—he might well live another three to five years! How could His Lordship afford to wait that long?Seeing the physician's hesitant expression, Shi Wuxie asked, "What is it?"The physician knew he couldn't hide it, so he simply leaned close to Shi Wuxie's ear and told the truth: "My Lord, actually, the young master he…"Chu Yunxi only saw the physician whisper a few words in Shi Wuxie's ear, and Shi Wuxie's expression abruptly changed.When he looked at Chu Yunxi again, his gaze had grown very complicated—he seemed rather displeased.Chu Yunxi: ?Why did the two of them look so grave?His heart tightened, and he asked tentatively, "Is something… wrong with my body?"The physician glanced at him and nodded solemnly.Chu Yunxi remembered that when he had first transmigrated over, this physician had said he wouldn't live long, and even the imperial physicians in the palace had spoken of things like "a lamp burning out with the oil spent."Before, hearing such words hadn't really affected him—he'd always figured that if he died, he might just transmigrate back.But now, hearing it again, somehow he suddenly didn't want to die anymore.His expression grew grave as well, and he said in a low voice, "How much longer do I have to live?"At this, the physician sighed and held up five fingers. "At most, this number."Chu Yunxi: …Five… days? He'd barely transmigrated here, and now he was going to die?The physician then leaned over to whisper in Shi Wuxie's ear again: "My Lord, shall this humble one prescribe him a medicine… I guarantee no one will ever know\…"At this, Shi Wuxie's pupils first brightened slightly, but seeing Chu Yunxi's bloodless face, he hesitated.After a long internal struggle, he slowly shook his head in the end."Forget it." His voice was very low, carrying a barely perceptible regret. "Let him… live out his days in peace."It was only five years, after all. He had already waited through ten.Besides, if the physician killed someone at his behest, he would equally be breaking the law himself.Chu Yunxi closed his eyes deeply.Let him live out his remaining days in peace?Fine.After a moment of silence, he suddenly felt a sense of open-mindedness.Straight or not—did it even matter?He was going to die anyway.Might as well spend his last days living however he pleased!When he opened his eyes again, he said to Shi Wuxie, "Husband, I heard there's a temple fair in town tonight. It's supposed to be lively. Will you come with me?"Shi Wuxie slowly shook his head. "I still have official duties."Chu Yunxi's face paled on cue, and he slumped weakly back against the pillow. "This is my final wish in life."Shi Wuxie turned his head to look at him, puzzled. "Final wish?""Isn't it a bit early to be saying that?"Chu Yunxi's long lashes lowered, hiding the look in his eyes. "Early? There aren't many days left."Every day from now on could be the last.Just then, a guard came to Shi Wuxie's side and reported quickly in a very low voice: "My lord, the target you've been watching will make their move tonight."Shi Wuxie's eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly changed his tune. "Then let's go."Chu Yunxi's eyes lit up at once, and he sat up. "Really? It'll be late by then—let's go now."As night fell, the temple fair in town was already ablaze with lights and buzzing with voices.Lanterns of every kind hung along both sides of the main street. Acrobats were surrounded by dense crowds, with cheers ringing out endlessly. Hawkers' cries rose and fell along the street. From the teahouses and taverns on either side drifted the sounds of music and laughter—the whole town was alive with noise and bustle.Chu Yunxi, full of curiosity, looked around in every direction.Passing a stall selling masks, his eyes lit up and he leaned in, picking out a gray wolf mask and putting it on his own face, then picked up a white sheep mask as well."I'm Grey Wolf\~ Awoo\~" He curled one hand into a claw beside his face while pressing the sheep mask onto Shi Wuxie's face with the other. "Gonna catch Pretty Sheep\~""No sheep." Shi Wuxie tilted his head slightly to dodge, pushing the sheep mask away. Then he picked up a wolf mask and studied it for a moment, saying earnestly, "This one suits me better."Chu Yunxi looked at him through the eye holes of his mask, a glint flashing in his eyes. Then he set down the sheep mask, rummaged through the stall a bit more, and found a golden crown-shaped hair ornament, which he placed in front of Shi Wuxie's topknot. Then he pressed the wolf mask onto his face."Then you're Red Wolf."Wearing the wolf mask, Shi Wuxie was puzzled. "Who's Red Wolf?"Chu Yunxi's mask covered only the upper half of his face, revealing a handsome nose and beautifully shaped lips, the corners of his mouth curling up to the sky."Why, Grey Wolf's wife, of course."Shi Wuxie blinked slowly and shook his head. "That's wrong. You're Grey Wolf, so Grey Wolf is Red Wolf's wife."Chu Yunxi froze for a moment, then laughed even harder, his shoulders shaking.He turned around and was drawn to another stall nearby.It was a small stall selling fans, with a banner in front bearing several large characters: "Complete the verse—poetic souls win a free fan."Chu Yunxi pulled Shi Wuxie over.Seeing customers arrive, the stall owner greeted them warmly: "Care to take a look, young sirs? If you can complete the verse written on a fan, the fan is yours free. If not, you can also buy one that's already inscribed—only two silver coins apiece."He held up a fan to show them. On it was written: He who stays near vermilion gets stained red."This first one is an easy one for you two—just a little opening prize," the stall owner said with a smile.On it was written: He who stays near vermilion gets stained red.Chu Yunxi took the fan and the brush the stall owner handed over, and without a moment's hesitation, set brush to paper.Shi Wuxie watched from the side, thinking that this verse really was easy—practically a free fan.Then he watched as Chu Yunxi's brush swept across the paper like flying dragons and serpents, and after "He who stays near vermilion gets stained red," wrote four characters of his own:He who stays near you gets sweet.Chu Yunxi picked up the fan with a smile, put on a suave air, fanned himself twice in front of his chest, then handed it to Shi Wuxie. "For you."The stall owner: "…Sir, you got the couplet wrong. It should be 'he who stays near ink turns black.'"Chu Yunxi shot the stall owner a glance. "That's right."Shi Wuxie frowned slightly and murmured too, "It's 'he who stays near ink turns black.'"Chu Yunxi shook his head and winked at Shi Wuxie. "No, it's 'he who stays near you turns sweet.'"The stall owner: …The stall owner understood now—just look at how clingy this couple was.So the clown was him all along.At that moment, a young couple nearby who had also been looking at the fans came over.The woman covered her mouth with her handkerchief, leaned over to whisper a few words in her companion's ear, and the man immediately broke into a smile. He pulled a small piece of broken silver from his robe and handed it to the stall owner. "Shopkeeper, write what this young master wrote—make one for me too!"The stall owner was stunned for a moment, then beamed with delight. He briskly spread out another blank fan and, copying the original, wrote "He who stays near vermilion turns red; he who stays near you turns sweet," and handed it to the couple.Then he respectfully picked up another inscribed fan and presented it to Chu Yunxi with both hands, his face blooming with smiles. "What great talent, young master! Please, how would you inscribe this one?"Shi Wuxie saw that the fan read: The south wind knows my heart.Afraid that Chu Yunxi would get it wrong again, he leaned close to Chu Yunxi's ear and softly reminded him, "And blows my dreams to Xizhou."But Chu Yunxi, brush in hand, merely curled his lips into a smile and wrote: And blows my dreams into your heart.When he finished, he handed the fan to Shi Wuxie, looking smug. "Well? What do you think?"The stall owner was delighted and handed over another fan: When you see the virtuous, think of emulating them.Shi Wuxie's expression changed slightly. This time, he beat Chu Yunxi to it and said clearly, "When you see the unworthy, look within yourself."Chu Yunxi swept his brush across the fan: One glance at you, and my heart is lost.Shi Wuxie fell silent.The stall owner grew even more enthusiastic and simply hauled out a small stack of fans from under his stall, piling them all in front of Chu Yunxi. "Young master, would you take a look at these as well?"Shi Wuxie sighed inwardly, thinking the stall owner must be taking Chu Yunxi for a fool.So he tried to dissuade him. "Stop inscribing. We can't use this many fans."As he spoke, he took out his purse, drew a small ingot of silver, and handed it over. "Shopkeeper, we'll just buy them."But the stall owner waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, no, young master, you misunderstand. These are free—a gift to you both!"Shi Wuxie was taken aback. "But he got them all wrong."By now, quite a crowd had quietly gathered around them, mostly young men and women in pairs."Boss, I want a fan like his too.""This is fun. Give me one.""I like that one—'one glance at you, and my heart is lost.'"The stall owner, busy attending to the customers who had suddenly swarmed in, grinned ear to ear at Shi Wuxie. "Thanks to this young master, this old man has seen the light. This is how fans should be inscribed!"Only then did Shi Wuxie notice that the space behind them was packed with customers.Chu Yunxi dragged Shi Wuxie out of the crowd and tossed all the fans to the Shadow Guards. "Take these and have fun." Then he added a warning, "But don't go giving them away as love tokens, got it?"Shi Wuxie didn't understand. "Why not?""Because they're too frivolous." Chu Yunxi said mysteriously, "Where I come from, these are called 'corny pickup lines.'"Shi Wuxie tilted his head slightly. "Corny? What does corny taste like?"Chu Yunxi doubled over laughing.Shi Wuxie: "Aren't sweet nothings what people use for confessions between married couples?"Chu Yunxi shook his head. "Where I'm from, no one uses those for serious confessions—they're just for teasing."As he spoke, he froze, suddenly realizing something, and quickly said earnestly, "Don't take it seriously!"Shi Wuxie was puzzled. "Take what seriously?""Thinking that you and I…" Chu Yunxi stopped mid-sentence, and his face suddenly fell. "You didn't misunderstand?"Shi Wuxie had no idea what fit he was throwing this time. He shook his head and walked away.Chu Yunxi stood frozen in place for a moment, growing angrier the more he thought about it. Suddenly, he strode after him and called out loudly, "You didn't misunderstand even a little?"Just then, the crowd in the distance began surging toward the east side of town. More and more people streamed past Shi Wuxie.Shi Wuxie asked, "What's going on over there? Why is everyone heading that way?"Ying Si, following behind the two of them, answered, "My lord, I hear they're setting off fireworks by the river. It's a grand annual event, and everyone's rushing to grab a good spot."Chu Yunxi trailed behind Shi Wuxie with his arms crossed, puffing with indignation. The two of them were swept along in the crowd with almost no choice in the matter.The closer they got to the river, the denser the crowd became—shoulder to shoulder, pushing and shoving.It wasn't until Shi Wuxie was pushed some distance away by several people that the irritation in Chu Yunxi's heart gave way to worry.He shoved forcefully through the crowd and took Shi Wuxie's hand, gripping it tightly as if afraid of losing him.Shi Wuxie looked back in confusion, and lowering his gaze, saw his fingers interlaced with the other's.Chu Yunxi was still seething inside, yet he admonished, "Don't wander off. What if you get lost?"The crowd grew ever denser, and the two soon pulled far ahead of the Shadow Guards."Young Master! My lord! Wait for us!"Ying Si's anxious shouts came from behind, but were quickly swallowed by the surging tide of people.Seeing they were about to lose sight of the pair, the Shadow Guards exchanged a glance and, in silent accord, sprang lightly onto the eaves of roadside houses or the tops of trees, following closely from above.People pressed in on all sides, the crowd jostling left and right.Suddenly, a powerful force slammed into Shi Wuxie from the side. Caught off guard, he lost his balance and toppled toward Chu Yunxi.Chu Yunxi instinctively opened his arms, catching him firmly and drawing him into his embrace.The familiar, crisp scent of medicinal herbs instantly enveloped him.Thump-thump—thump-thump—Chu Yunxi's heart began to pound wildly.He was slightly taller than Shi Wuxie, and at this moment, the tip of his nose was almost touching the other's smooth forehead.Looking down, he could see Shi Wuxie's faint brows, his long, thick lashes, his straight, delicate nose bridge, and lips so pale they were nearly colorless.He stared at those lips, and suddenly remembered that accidental touch in the carriage last time.So soft…He wanted… to try it again.The scent of medicinal herbs grew even clearer beneath his nose, sending his mind drifting, his spirit soaring. The clamor around them receded like a tide, leaving only the thunder of his own heartbeat.Involuntarily, he lowered his head slightly, drawing closer, trying to catch the scent more clearly.Shi Wuxie frowned at the crushing press of the crowd, glancing uneasily at the rushing streams of people around them. "Yunxi, it's not safe here. We should…"As he turned his head to speak, he suddenly felt a cool touch on his lips.Beneath the mask, a pair of beautiful fox eyes met his gaze.Under the dazzling lights of the temple fair, his deep brown eyes shimmered, clearly reflecting the moment of stunned shock on his face.The instant their lips touched, those pupils contracted sharply.Shi Wuxie came to his senses and was just about to pull back—"Hey! Watch where you're shoving!"Someone behind them crashed into him without warning. Not only did he fail to pull away, the impact shoved his hips forward, pressing him tightly against Chu Yunxi's waist and abdomen."Thump-thump—thump-thump—"The sound of a wildly racing heart rang in his ears, and for a moment he couldn't tell whose it was.Then, Shi Wuxie clearly heard a short, suppressed groan escape through the other's clenched teeth.Chu Yunxi: "…Damn it."Shi Wuxie looked puzzled.
Chapter 19
My Cold-Faced Wife Wants to Kill Me Again