Jiang Wan had her back turned to Fu Ci, lost in thought.
Fu Ci watched her slender figure, usually unflappable, but now at a loss.
He knew Jiang Wan was upset but didn’t know how to comfort her.
The arm around her waist tightened, yet Jiang Wan seemed unaware, unlike in her past life when Fu Ci’s embrace would fill her with boundless sweetness.
Now, she felt lost, unsure how to break free from it all.
If she stayed by Fu Ci’s side, Jiang Wan doubted she could remain calm.
Sooner or later, she’d fall back into the same patterns.
And her fate would likely be as tragic as before.
Wouldn’t that make her rebirth meaningless?
But she was Fu Ci’s concubine, officially registered with the authorities.
Without resolving her status, she couldn’t go anywhere.
A flood of tangled thoughts overwhelmed Jiang Wan, giving her a headache.
Even her breathing betrayed her restlessness.
Fu Ci kissed her smooth, jade-like cheek, the corner of her mouth…
Trying to soothe her, to give her confidence and strength.
After so much distance in their past life, this sudden intimacy felt unfamiliar to Jiang Wan.
Her lips grew warm.
The intensity deepened.
Jiang Wan fought to steady her trembling body.
Closing her eyes, she turned away from Fu Ci’s kiss. “I’m tired. I want to sleep.”
With that, she adjusted her sleeping position.
His arms suddenly felt empty.
Fu Ci stared blankly at Jiang Wan.
He wasn’t a fool; he could sense her resistance.
Just yesterday, she’d been fine, saying nothing else mattered as long as they were together.
Why had she changed so suddenly after what happened?
Regret filled Fu Ci’s eyes. Had he performed poorly, making Wanwan angry?
He should have read up on it beforehand.
Seeing her curled up alone in the corner, pressed against the wall, his heart ached again.
He pulled her firmly into his arms. “Don’t stay so far away from me in the future.”
Jiang Wan struggled slightly. “I’m not used to it.”
“Then get used to it soon.”
Fu Ci lay flat on the bed, letting Jiang Wan rest her head on his shoulder.
Stretching out his long legs, he held her firmly in place.
Now intimately close, Fu Ci was finally satisfied.
“Wanwan, don’t be afraid.”
Jiang Wan stopped struggling, her eyes growing moist.
Fu Ci truly loved her now, but later, when he stopped loving her, that was real too.
His slightly calloused fingers traced the curve of her waist as he massaged her.
The pressure was just right.
But Jiang Wan suddenly remembered the days when she was pregnant.
Her back had ached terribly.
Her feet had swollen.
Eventually, she could barely walk.
Back then, she’d longed to see Fu Ci, to hear a single word of comfort from him.
A wave of cold washed over her. Jiang Wan abruptly grabbed Fu Ci’s hand. “Don’t move. I want to sleep.”
Fu Ci stopped immediately, holding her even tighter.
“Sleep, then.”
Jiang Wan hummed in response, not opening her eyes to look at him.
Neither of them was asleep, and both knew it.
But for now, they had nothing more to say.
A sudden unease gripped Fu Ci. Even with her in his arms, she felt impossibly distant.
As if if he let go, he’d never be able to hold her again.
Doubt clouded his eyes. What was wrong with Wanwan?
And so it was, until the red candles burned out, neither of them spoke a word.
At the break of dawn, someone came from Old Madam’s side.
“Master, Old Madam fell ill suddenly last night and now seems to be in a bad state. Please go and see her at once!”
Jiang Wan’s heart sank.
It was the same in her past life.
Sure enough, upon hearing that Old Madam was unwell, Fu Ci immediately rose from the bed.
He asked in a low voice, “If she fell ill last night, why are you only reporting it now?”
“Old Madam said that since the household welcomed a new member yesterday, she told us not to disturb you and Lady Jiang.”
Fu Ci turned to look at Jiang Wan. “Wanwan, I’ll go see what’s happening first. You should rest a little longer.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Jiang Wan pushed herself up to get out of bed.
In her past life, she hadn’t gone, and later, Old Madam had criticized her indirectly, accusing her of lacking propriety and disrespecting her elders while relying on Fu Ci’s favor.
This time, she wanted to see for herself what expression Fu Ci would have when he nodded in agreement.
That way, she could finally let go of all hope.