Wish You All the Best - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The season had entered mid-April. In previous years, early spring would have been warm with blooming flowers, but this year was different. Not only had a late spring chill arrived days ago, but last night a freezing rain mixed with snow had fallen, wilting the delicate flower buds that had just emerged on the Xifu crabapple tree in the courtyard. Pei You’an had just returned; it was well past the hour of lighting lamps. The sky was pitch black, and the biting wind carried a stinging chill. He dismounted, rubbed his slightly frozen fingers together, and hurried through the main gate, stepping briskly inward.

These days, unless he reminded her otherwise before leaving in the morning, no matter how late he returned—even if she were ravenous—Jiafu would insist on waiting for him to have dinner together. He could have returned earlier this evening, but he had been delayed by a matter that had suddenly been brought to his attention. Now that he had finally returned, it was already past nine in the evening. Fearing that Jiafu might be famished, he walked with some urgency. He entered the hall of the second courtyard and stepped inside, but unexpectedly, he did not hear her swift, welcoming footsteps as before. He paused for a moment, looked ahead, and asked Yinhuan, the maid who came to greet him.

Yinhuan took his cloak and said, "Mistress Zhen hasn't eaten yet. I imagine she is still in her room. My Lord, you must be hungry too, right? I will go call for the Mistress to come down right away."

Pei You’an went to the dining hall, washed his hands, and took his seat. The servants set out the meal and two sets of bowls and chopsticks. Pei You’an waited for quite a long while before Yinhuan hurried back, saying, "The Mistress is not in her room! I just had people search the vicinity, and she is nowhere to be found!"

Pei You’an was startled, "Did she go out during the day?"

Yinhuan shook her head, "No." Suddenly remembering, she added in a rush, "That’s right! The young mistress from the Zhang family of Chuxiong came to visit during the day!"

"What did she come here for?" Pei You’an’s brow darkened.

"She said she heard that your cousin had arrived, my Lord, and specifically came to visit. After she left, I went upstairs and saw Mistress Zhen sitting by the stairwell, lost in a daze. Her face was pale, and she seemed a bit off. I asked her if she was feeling unwell, but she just shook her head. After she went up, it seems I never saw her come down again."

Pei You’an immediately stood up and walked rapidly toward the circular building where Jiafu lived. He climbed the stairs and pushed open the door; the room was empty. Her pale pink outer garment was draped over the edge of the bed, its hem hanging quietly against the floor.

"Have people search again! Every room, every corner of the courtyard—don't miss a single spot!"

Pei You’an suddenly turned back and shouted loudly.

Yinhuan turned and hurried down. Every servant in the Pei residence became anxious, searching everywhere, but they still could not find her. Pei You’an went to the gate himself to question the doorman, confirming that the doorman had been there all day without leaving for even a half-step and had not seen her go out.

Pei You’an’s brows were locked in a deep frown. He mused for a moment, then turned to gaze at the window of the room where she stayed. His eyes rested on the very top of the circular building. Suddenly, he turned, left the others behind, and rushed inside. He returned to the front of the circular building and climbed the stairs, taking them two at a time. He reached the top floor in one breath and followed a narrow ladder up to a small terrace, which was designed in local architecture for wartime observation. Before he had even steadied himself, his gaze swept quickly around the surroundings.

The terrace had long been abandoned, and almost no one ever went up there. At this moment, it was pitch black, and the cold wind blew from all sides. In the corner was a slender figure—it was Jiafu. In such weather, she was only wearing a single layer of spring clothing, hugging her knees as she sat beside a wooden railing. Looking at her, her side profile seemed to have merged into the night.

Pei You’an walked over with long strides.

"Why did you run up here silently all by yourself? Do you know how many people were searching for you just now?"

His tone was unintentionally severe.

Jiafu acted as if she had not heard, remaining seated in that same position, motionless.

The wind whistled past his ears, swirling his sleeves. He stopped and waited for a moment. Hesitating, he moved a little closer and finally stood behind her. This time, he leaned down and lowered his voice.

"Follow me down first. It is cold here."

Only then did Jiafu seem to finally realize his presence. Her slender silhouette stirred, and she slowly turned her head to look at Pei You’an standing behind her. She said in a low voice, "I’m sorry, Cousin... I wasn't paying attention..."

Her voice was extremely faint, weak enough to be blown away by the night wind at any moment. As she spoke, she grabbed the railing and relied on it to stand up slowly. She turned to walk inward, but after only two steps, her body swayed. Pei You’an was startled and instinctively reached out both hands, catching her just in time.

Jiafu’s body tilted against Pei You’an’s chest, motionless.

That softness he had felt before once again filled his arms in an instant.

Pei You’an steadied himself and slowly lowered his head. In the dim starlight, he saw her delicate head softly resting against his left chest, her eyes slightly closed. Her two rows of long eyelashes cast hazy shadows, yet because of the closeness, they were clear enough to be counted one by one.

The fist-sized area on his left chest where her forehead pressed against him thumped, as if it were a heartbeat, or perhaps it was not.

"Cousin—"

He felt the weight of her body pressing against him. He hesitated for a moment, then gave a soft, quiet call. He shifted backward by an inch without a sound; as soon as his shoulder moved, the person in his arms lost her support and slumped downward, falling onto the floor beside his feet without a whisper.

Pei You’an was shocked. He quickly squatted down and turned her face, seeing that her eyes were tightly shut—she had actually fainted. Remembering what Yinhuan had said, he felt a chill and immediately scooped her up from the ground. Her skin felt icy through her clothes, and her body was as light and boneless as a butterfly. He rushed down, brought her into the room, gently removed her shoes, and laid her flat on the bed.

The terrace had been too dim, but here, he finally saw clearly: her complexion was snow-white, and her usually rosy lips were blue from the cold. He did not know how long she had been out there in the wind. He unfolded the quilt to wrap her, leaving only one slender wrist exposed. He breathed out slowly, steadying his composure, and gently placed two fingers on her pulse.

Her pulse was weak and her breathing irregular, but the rhythm was steady. It should be caused by a deficiency in vitality. After she rested, it should not be a major problem.

Pei You’an relaxed a little, gently pulled the quilt up to cover her hand, and glanced at her pale face. He turned, intending to go out and call Yinhuan to attend to her.

"...Big Cousin..."

Just as he turned away, he heard a faint, confused, and delicate voice from behind him.

Pei You’an turned his head.

Jiafu’s eyelashes fluttered gently, and her eyes slowly opened as she woke up.

Pei You’an walked back and said softly, "You’re awake? How do you feel? You must be hungry, right? You don’t need to get up; I’ll have someone send something up for you to eat." After he finished speaking, seeing her shake her head to say she wasn't hungry, she lay on the pillow with starry tears gradually shimmering in the corners of her eyes—a pitiful sight. He could not help but remember that when he had just found her on the terrace, his tone had been too harsh, and he felt a trace of regret. He asked in a gentle and kind tone, "What is it?"

Jiafu did not speak, only staring at him fixedly. The tears in her eyes grew more apparent, quickly filling her eye sockets. Suddenly, the tears spilled over, rolling down her cheeks and instantly vanishing into her hair, leaving only damp traces at the corners of her eyes.

Pei You’an lowered his voice even more, "Don’t cry. If something is the matter, just tell me."

"Big Cousin... do you have a sweetheart?"

Jiafu raised her hand to wipe the tears from her face haphazardly and asked in a voice laced with a delicate nasal tone.

Pei You’an was taken aback. He looked at her and saw her staring at him with wide eyes. Suppressing the strange feeling rising in his heart, he said, "Why do you ask that?"

"Big Cousin, tell me first, I beg you..."

Pei You’an felt it was preposterous. He could have completely ignored such an abrupt question, but after a pause, he said faintly, "No."

Jiafu sat up.

"The Zhang family daughter, the Heir Apparent’s fiancée, came to see me during the day. She told me a great many things, and her meaning was that I should submit to the Heir Apparent! I was unwilling and refused her, but I am terrified! I have offended him time and again. A man like the Heir Apparent... he will not let me go easily... Big Cousin, you said before that you would help me, but you can only help me now; you cannot help me in the future. Sooner or later, I will return to Quanzhou. You have your own affairs, Big Cousin. When that time comes, if the Heir Apparent is still against me, or uses my family to threaten me, what should I do? I am so scared..."

She had already wiped away her tears, but as she spoke, they rolled down again. Suddenly, she scrambled up and threw herself into Pei You’an’s arms, holding him tightly and refusing to let go—just like that night at the post station when she had suddenly seen him appear.

Pei You’an froze.

Jiafu pressed her cheek against his chest, and her tears quickly soaked his lapel.

"Big Cousin, didn't you promise to help me? Since you don't have a sweetheart, then let me be your woman, okay?"

Pei You’an was startled—or perhaps it could even be called shocked.

"Absolutely not!"

He refused decisively and raised his hands to undo the arms wrapped around him, but Jiafu clung even tighter.

"I know I am not worthy of you, Big Cousin, but I have thought about it over and over. Only by letting the Heir Apparent know that I am your woman will he stop and stop pressing me like this. I dare not occupy the position of a wife; as long as you nod your head, Big Cousin, I will be a concubine or a servant—anything is fine. If you truly despise me, Big Cousin, you can just let me have the name in title only!"

"Big Cousin, I beg you!"

Jiafu looked up at him, her beautiful eyes filled with tears and anticipation. Like a delicate flower in the rain, she was pitiful and heart-wrenching; even a heart of iron and stone would surely soften by three parts upon seeing her.

Pei You’an stared down at her. The initial shock on his face gradually faded, and his expression turned grave.

Slowly, he finally unraveled Jiafu’s arms. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I do indeed know a little about the Heir Apparent’s disposition, but this method of yours is truly too absurd. Do not think of it anymore; I will not agree. You are overthinking, to the point of being unsettled in mind. You have thought too much. I will have someone attend to you. Rest early; you will feel better after a night’s sleep. Rest assured, I promised to protect you, and I will certainly do so."

He truly refused to agree so easily. He was a man of iron and stone; no matter how she tried to seduce, show weakness, or plead, it was all in vain.

This was also within Jiafu’s expectations.

She bit her lip tightly and looked at him with resentment. Suddenly, she threw off the quilt and jumped off the bed. Barefoot, she ran outside.

Pei You’an was startled and called out, "Cousin!" as he hurriedly gave chase.

Jiafu was like a rabbit; this time her movements were unusually agile. In the blink of an eye, she climbed back to the terrace and ran to the railing where she had been sitting earlier. She leaned her body against it and saw Pei You’an chasing after her, shouting, "Don't come over! If you come over, I’ll jump! I had a dream and I know that sooner or later I will fall into that man’s hands. Rather than that, I would rather die myself, so you won't have to be annoyed by me forcing you anymore..."

As she shouted, she leaned her body out over the railing.

Pei You’an was horrified and shouted sternly, "Danger! Come back here!" He lunged forward, intending to grab her.

"Big Cousin, don't mind me. Since you won't truly help me—"

Just as Jiafu was shouting, suddenly, the railing she was leaning against made a faint "crack" sound. Before Jiafu could react, she felt a void behind her waist. The railing had actually snapped. Having lost her support, she fell headlong outward.

This was the spot she had chosen in the evening. She had wanted to threaten Pei You’an to show her resolve and then wait for him to pull her back, but she had never expected that this wooden railing, due to its age and long exposure to wind and sun, looked sound on the outside but could no longer support any weight.

This circular building was three stories high, at least a hundred feet. If she fell like this, she would truly have no more need to worry about Xiao Yintang’s coercion.

"Big Cousin, save me—"

Jiafu’s head was already pointed downward, and most of her body was out. Subconsciously, she shrieked. Suddenly, one of her ankles was gripped tightly by a hand, and her downward fall stopped instantly. Before she could react, she was dragged back from mid-air and with a "thud," tossed onto the floor.

Jiafu had been so scared that her soul had nearly left her body; it had not fully returned yet. Trembling all over, she suddenly fell to the ground and let out a cry of pain as tears rolled down. The next moment, her feet were swept off the ground, and she was dangled in the air. Pei You’an carried Jiafu down like he was catching a chick, walked back to her room rapidly, and threw her heavily onto that bed.

"I have indulged you far too much, and that is why you have dared to act out to this extent, is it not?"

He gritted his teeth and said each word slowly.

Jiafu looked up and met Pei You’an’s face full of rage—

She had never seen him in such a fire, and she had never imagined that he could show such wrath.

"Master Pei?"

The voices of servants came from outside.

Although the commotion on the roof had been short, it was enough to summon everyone.

"All of you, go down! Do not enter without being summoned!"

He barked an order at the door.

Following a slight rustle of footsteps, the doorway went quiet.

He slowly turned his head and stared at Jiafu once more, his eyes dark and gloomy.

Jiafu flinched, hastily lowering her head and shrinking into the corner of the bed, not even daring to take a full breath.