Wish You All the Best - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

When it was time for dinner, Jiafu heard footsteps outside her door. Identifying them as Yinhuan’s, she hurriedly laid down fully clothed and closed her eyes.

Yinhuan entered and said, "Mistress, stop sleeping. The Master asked me to call you down for dinner."

Jiafu replied, "My stomach isn't hungry, and I can't eat a thing. Tell him not to wait for me; he should just eat first."

Yinhuan left, and Jiafu crawled back onto the bed to wait for Pei You’an to come check on her. Who would have guessed? She waited and waited, until her stomach was practically flat and it was pitch black outside. Not only was there no sign of him, but Yinhuan never came to call her again. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she climbed out of bed, walked to the window, and looked down. The light in his study was already on.

So, he had long since finished eating and retreated to his study.

Jiafu stood there in a daze. She understood.

He must have seen through her intentions and decided not to humor her.

Jiafu felt deeply annoyed. Suppressing the sense of defeat bubbling up in her heart, she stared at the study leaking light and remained lost in thought for a long time.

...

At nine in the evening, the sky was completely dark.

Jiafu arrived in front of the study, knocked a few times, and pushed the door open to enter. Arriving at the table, she placed a white porcelain bowl from her tray gently by Pei You’an’s side and said softly, "Cousin, I’ve brought you a late-night snack."

Pei You’an’s gaze remained fixed on the book in his hands as he replied coolly, "You eat it yourself. I’m not hungry."

Jiafu said, "I happened to be in the kitchen looking for something to eat earlier and saw that the cook had some soaked snow fungus. I made my hometown’s snow fungus and taro milk soup myself; it’s my favorite from childhood. The cook said you don't eat much sweet food, so I only added one spoonful of honey. I tasted it myself earlier, and it’s quite palatable, so I brought it for you to try, Cousin. Have a taste."

Pei You’an raised his eyes to look at Jiafu.

Her jet-black hair was styled in the hanging coil bun of an unmarried girl. The bun was tied atop her head, while the ends of her hair fell like swallowtails naturally onto her shoulders. Wearing a pale pink dress, she looked as delicate as a budding crabapple flower. She stood there by his side, her eyes fixed on him with a gaze that was slightly nervous, yet seemingly full of expectation.

Pei You’an’s brows shifted slightly, but his tone remained flat: "Decided to come down for dinner, then?"

Jiafu let out a soft "Mn" and lowered her head. "Earlier, I was actually just angry that you wouldn't take me with you, Cousin, which is why I didn't come down... Just now, I was so hungry I couldn't bear it, so I went to the kitchen myself... The cook said you had instructed her to save hot food for me... You’ve treated me so well, Cousin, yet I’ve always been throwing tantrums... I know I was wrong again..."

Jiafu’s voice grew lower and lower.

Pei You’an silently picked up the spoon, took a bite, and paused.

"Does it taste bad?"

Jiafu looked at him anxiously.

Pei You’an took another bite and said, "It’s a sweet soup. You could add another spoonful of honey next time; I imagine it would taste even better."

Jiafu breathed a sigh of relief. Her eyes turned bright and crystalline, as if starlight were swirling within them. She nodded vigorously. "I’ll remember that! Besides this, I can also make beef soup from my hometown, rice cake bowls, taro fruits... all things my mother made me learn, saying that after I married..."

She quickly covered her mouth, eyes wide as she looked at Pei You’an. Embarrassment colored her features, and she mumbled, "In any case, if you want to eat, Cousin, I’ll make it for you every day..."

Pei You’an’s expression inadvertently relaxed, and he gave a faint smile. "I don't usually eat late-night snacks. You don't have to make it every day. Have you eaten?"

A shallow blush spread across Jiafu’s face, and she replied softly, "I already ate earlier."

A glimmer of a subtle smile, one he didn't even notice himself, crossed Pei You’an’s eyes. He nodded slightly, then signaled for her to sit in the chair nearby.

Jiafu was stunned. Then, hearing him ask her to stretch out her hand flat on the table, she realized what he wanted. In her heart, she was actually a little reluctant, but she didn't dare to defy him, so she stretched out her hand.

Pei You’an gently rolled up her sleeve—his fingers never once touching her skin—to reveal a length of fair, delicate jade-white wrist. After taking her pulse for a moment, he withdrew his hand, picked up a brush, and wrote a few lines on a piece of paper. "Nothing major. I’ll have someone brew this medicine for you according to this prescription. Starting tonight, take it two hours before bed; it will help settle your mind and aid sleep."

"The medicine won't be very bitter. Its medicinal properties harmonize with the cooked honey; you can add some after it cools slightly, which will also nourish your blood and replenish your yin."

He thought for a moment, then added a few more characters.

Jiafu stared fixedly at Pei You’an, her eyes gradually brimming with tears. Seeing him turn his face to look at her, she hurriedly turned away, raising her fingers to wipe her eyes quickly.

"What is it? Besides the frequent nightmares, is there anything else that makes you uncomfortable? You can tell me anything."

Pei You’an looked at her, his voice sounding exceptionally gentle.

Jiafu shook her head and whispered, "I was just thinking that since you’ve been so good to me, Cousin, even if I still have nightmares after taking the medicine you prescribed, I shouldn't bother you any further..."

Pei You’an’s hand, suspended over the paper, paused for a moment. He glanced at her.

Jiafu, however, did not look at him. She kept her head bowed, took a breath, and added, "You have to head out early tomorrow, Cousin, so get some sleep early tonight. I won't disturb you anymore. Please go and don't worry about me; I will be perfectly fine alone at home."

She raised her face and offered a pitiful smile, forced to look cheerful, to the Pei You’an who was watching her. She stood up, picked up her tray, and left the study. Her figure vanished behind the door, accompanied by the sound of light, quiet footsteps.

...

Yinhuan delivered the brewed medicine along with a jar of simmered honey, waiting on the side for the medicine to cool slightly before adding the honey. Jiafu told her she would add it herself and sent her away.

As soon as Yinhuan left, she picked up the bowl and poured the medicine into the soil of a potted azalea in the corner of the room.

It was clear that Pei You’an’s understanding of the Princess of Yunzhong and Xiao Yintang was far less profound and painful than hers.

Yet, there were some things she simply could not explain clearly to him.

Regardless of whether or not Xiao Yintang would strike at her next, or when he might do so, she wanted to follow Pei You’an. Wherever he went, she would go.

He was leaving tomorrow morning. This night, she decided to stay awake the entire time, seizing the final chance to take one last gamble.

She truly, deeply wanted him by her side. Only when she could see his figure at all times could she feel completely at peace.

Deep in the night, Jiafu climbed out of bed and returned to the window. As she looked toward the study, her heart gave a slight leap.

The light in the study, which had been on the whole time, went out. Under the moonlight, she saw a figure emerge from the study. Pei You’an began walking toward his bedroom, but after a few steps, his figure paused, and he turned his head.

The moonlight was bright tonight, and she saw it clearly: the direction his face was turned was precisely toward the window where she was standing.

She hurriedly shrunk back. After waiting for her pounding heart to settle, she peeked out again a moment later.

There was no one there. The courtyard was empty, bathed only in white moonlight—a sheet of clear radiance.

...

The next day, Pei You’an rose before dawn. The attendants and guards who were to travel with him had also arrived early. A group of horses and men waited outside, prepared to depart.

Jiafu was not at breakfast. Pei You’an was ready to go, yet she still had not appeared to see him off. He looked back several times, his footsteps hesitating slightly.

He wondered how she had slept last night after taking the medicine he had prescribed.

Just as Pei You’an was about to call for Yinhuan to ask, he remembered that it was still early in the day. It wasn't that she was late; it was that he had risen earlier than usual. She was likely still in the midst of her dreams, so he dismissed the thought.

Pei You’an was seen off by the steward and the others from the hall of the second courtyard. He remembered the scene from the other day when she had poured out her worries and fears, telling him how she was tormented by nightmares due to Xiao Yintang’s coercion. He couldn't help but look back once more at the circular building behind him. Although he had already given orders, he thought for a moment and called over Yang Yun, the captain of the guards he had left behind to protect her, to give him one more thorough warning.

Yang Yun gave his word with a solemn promise.

Pei You’an knew him to be a skilled martial artist who was always steady in his actions, so he felt slightly more at ease. He continued outward, and upon reaching the main gate, the steward led the servants who had followed him out to bow and see him off.

Pei You’an ordered everyone to disperse, took the horse whip from a guard’s hand, and was about to head out when an image flashed in his mind: the sight of her desperately seeking out his study last night after he had treated her coldly.

He had actually slept poorly last night, too. His sleep had been light; when he closed his eyes, all he saw, blurred and hazy, was her face as she tried to force a smile and plead for his understanding, fearing he would be angry.

Pei You’an suddenly felt a twinge of regret for his own coldness toward her.

She was angry and didn't want to come down for dinner because she wanted him to coax her; it was only natural for a young girl to have such small, private thoughts. Although it was childish, it was harmless.

He couldn't help but look back one more time at the circular building.

The hour was still early, the morning sun had not yet risen, and the building was shrouded in a hazy morning mist. It was quiet in his ears, save for the occasional sound of hooves striking the earth outside the gate, urging him to set off.

Pei You’an exhaled, withdrew his gaze, and turned to leave when his sight suddenly froze.

Behind a pillar of the side pavilion near the main gate, there was a figure.

Jiafu was right there. He didn't know when she had arrived; her figure was so small that she was able to hide behind the pillar. Only her dress was slightly visible, revealing half of her delicate face. With wide eyes, she was looking right at him.

When their eyes met, she looked like a startled rabbit. Her head immediately shrank back, hidden by the pillar; her face was gone.

Pei You’an’s palms suddenly felt warm. He handed his whip to a nearby guard, instructed him to go outside and wait, and then lifted his feet and walked briskly toward her.

Jiafu was flustered and turned to run, but Pei You’an had already stepped onto the stairs and called out, "Cousin."

Jiafu stopped her footsteps. She turned her head slowly, gave a low "Cousin," and lowered her eyes.

Just like yesterday, there were faint blue bruises circling her eyes, and her face was full of fatigue.

"Still didn't sleep well last night?" Pei You’an asked, examining her.

Jiafu put her hands behind her back and shook her head. "I took the medicine and slept much better than usual. No nightmares either. Don't worry, Cousin."

Pei You’an knew she was lying. He hesitated, then changed his question: "Why did you run here so early in the morning? What time did you get up?"

Jiafu slowly raised her small face. She bit her lip so tightly it turned white, but she only looked at him with longing eyes, remaining silent.

The morning light was faintly white, and a cool breeze swept past, gently stirring the strands of hair hanging by her ears. Pei You’an looked at her, and for a moment, he felt a faint sense of being dazed. The sight of her the other night—when she had been caught in her scheme to jump from the building, crying until she was a snot-nosed mess—suddenly floated before his eyes. The space on the left side of his chest slowly softened.

"Be quick, go and change your clothes..."

Jiafu’s eyes brightened instantly. Before he had even finished his order, she immediately turned around and said in a rush, "I’ve already finished packing! Just wait, Cousin, I’ll be out immediately!"

Before the words were even finished, she had already darted inside.

Pei You’an turned to watch her back, feeling somewhat stunned.