Chapter 64

Chapter 64

In the face of illness, Xu Yunqi and her maid responded swiftly. Within moments, they were dressed appropriately. It was already the second hour of the morning, known as the "You" period. Due to the bitter cold, daylight was still scarce. Carrying a medical kit, Xu Yunqi, wrapped in a cloak, stepped out the door while Silver Apricot carried a lantern.

Huang Wei stood by the moon gate, holding a luminous glass lamp, awaiting her arrival.

As Xu Yunqi walked, she asked, "Why is Third Master suddenly unwell?"

Huang Wei replied calmly without any sign of unease, "Third Master has been engaged in a power struggle with the Twelfth Prince at court. The pressure has been immense lately. Two days ago, when the Prime Minister didn't return home, Third Master spent the night in his office, barely sleeping for two hours. With the freezing temperatures, he must have caught a cold. Then, yesterday afternoon, he accidentally drank some cold water. It burned his stomach fiercely. He didn't take it seriously at first, but last night, I heard him muttering for water in his daze. When I went to attend to him, I discovered that Third Master had a high fever..."

Huang Wei's explanation seemed plausible, and Xu Yunqi did not doubt it. They hurried to the study.

Huang Wei lifted the curtain, and Xu Yunqi entered the study first. She had only visited this room twice before, never lingering or venturing into the inner chamber. Lost for a moment, she wandered past a display cabinet. Huang Wei quickly pushed open an inner door.

"Third Master is in here."

Without hesitation, Xu Yunqi stepped in. At once, she saw a figure lying on the bed, resembling a mountain range beneath layers of thick bedding. She couldn't discern the person's appearance yet. Setting aside her cloak, Xu Yunqi moved closer.

As the gingko tree was about to follow, Huang Wei tugged on her arm. Confused, she looked at him, but he didn't explain, only snatched the medical case from her and quickly placed it on the small table beside the bed. Then, he hurriedly pulled Silver Apricot out of the room.

He even made sure the door was tightly shut as they left.

With a puzzled expression, Silver Apricot stared at him. "What are you doing?"

Huang Wei hushed her. Once they were outside the study, he smiled warmly. "It's just a minor cold. Madam can handle it alone. Miss Silver Apricot, you should go rest in the neighboring chamber."

Seeing Huang Wei's enigmatic smile, Silver Apricot quickly understood. Lately, the couple had been having disagreements, so this was a good opportunity to ease the tension.

Silver Apricot gave Huang Wei a look that said "I get it," then yawned and headed for the annex.

Inside, Xu Yunqi, holding a lantern, leaned over to take a look. Pei Muheng was curled up under the covers, his cheeks flushed, his brows knitted, and he was shivering – clear signs of a high fever.

Xu Yunqi quickly put down the lantern and began to uncover him from the thick blankets. He wasn't completely unconscious, but rather deeply asleep. His handsome face turned towards her, his flush revealing a distinct sickness. Perhaps sensing someone nearby, his weary eyes fluttered open slightly before closing again.

Xu Yunqi placed her hand on his forehead, feeling the scorching heat rising. She drew back, startled. "How could he be so seriously ill?"

If it were anyone else, Xu Yunqi would have remained calm, but with her husband, she couldn't help but feel anxious.

The quickest way to lower a fever is through acupuncture, but one must drink plenty of water beforehand to induce sweating.

She immediately threw back the covers, revealing a man in a disheveled, snowy-white undergarment lying on the bed. A water pitcher sat on the table, so she filled a cup and softly called out to him,

"Third Master, please sit up and have some water."

There was no response from the person on the bed; instead, he turned his body to lie further inside.

Xu Yunqi sighed, getting up to bend down and help him. Having just come from the outer room, she carried an icy chill with her. Upon her approach, Pei Muheng, like a drought-stricken land finding an oasis, quickly turned toward her and reached out to embrace her waist, as if a thirsty soul relentlessly seeking water. He pressed against her, specifically on her lower abdomen, causing Xu Yunqi's face to flush. She had no choice but to sit down beside him,

"You need to drink some water, so I can help you reduce your fever."

Pei Muheng found her cool touch incredibly soothing and refused to let go, still gasping for air.

Though he was delirious with illness, his strength was anything but weak. Xu Yunqi felt as if she were being held captive by a pair of pincers, unable to move.

Amused despite herself, she gently patted his shoulder, "Are you going to drink or not? If you don't, I'll have to start the acupuncture right away."

Her voice remained soft and comforting, even in her mild reprimand.

The man in her arms remained indifferent, his breath rapid and thirsty. His large hand roamed familiarly along her spine, gradually climbing upward. Xu Yunqi's muscles trembled slightly as inappropriate images flashed through her mind. When had she become so sensitive? Lost in thought, Xu Yunqi was taken aback, and in that moment, he pushed her against a soft cushion. The man crawled up her waist, nestling into her embrace.

Xu Yunqi was both embarrassed and amused, pushing him away with all her might. "Pei Mulan, come to your senses. You're ill, and I need to lower your fever. If you keep burning like this, something serious will happen."

That last part was meant to scare him.

Pei Mulan ignored her words, inhaling the cold fragrance emanating from her body. Gasping for relief, he began searching for a source of hydration. Soon, he touched a cold patch of skin, and his brows relaxed.

Outside, frost covered everything, and a bit of dampness clung to her hair and neck, melting into droplets when it met her warmth. He held her close, indulging in a...long, deep kiss. Xu Yunqi drew in a sharp breath, covering his mouth with her hand, which was also cold. His rough stubble grazed her palm, sending shivers throughout her body. Xu Yunqi had no choice but to withdraw her hand, but then he pursued her, almost pinning her beneath him entirely.

She had walked straight into a lion's den.

Pushing him only made him press down harder. Allowing him to have his way was utterly inappropriate. Xu Yunqi found herself in a difficult position, frustrated and angry, yet powerless against him.

She lay on the edge of the bed, her slender form trapped beneath him. Compared to his usual lucid self, he seemed more reckless now. His broad hand delved unscrupulously beneath her clothes, causing Xu Yunqi's face to flush red. She slapped his wrist in anger. "Pei Mulan, calm down!"

Her sharp slap echoed in his ears, and his hazy eyes focused momentarily on her. A flicker of recognition returned.

"Yunqi, were you calling me?"

It was as if he had heard her call his name.

He truly didn't wish to hear the "Third Master" again; it felt distant and devoid of interest.

Pei Muhang's heart was filled with a deep sense of grievance and helplessness, yet he still coaxed her softly, "Call me again... just once more."

Xu Yunqi choked on her words, looking helplessly up at the ceiling. With great patience, she said, "If you move aside, I'll call you."

After saying this, she found it unbelievable herself. Who was comforting whom here? She had come to cure his ailment, so how had things escalated to this point?

Xu Yunqi gently touched her forehead and glanced sideways at the man atop her, awaiting his response.

Then, she saw that handsome face hovering above her, his eyes seeming to be veiled in a misty haze, lost in thought as if weighing whether to move aside for a name or persist in his embrace.

Pei Muheng swiftly made a choice favorable to himself – he persisted, leaning in for a kiss.

Xu Yunqi tried to evade him while staring at him in disbelief, on the verge of losing her temper,

"Pei Muheng, snap out of it!"

See, continue pressing, she's still crying out.

Pei Muhang embraced her from behind, his chin resting on the bone of her shoulder, finding a comfortable position.

Soft lips, buffered by the fabric, conveyed warmth, sending a tingling sensation down Xu Yunqi's shoulder blades.

She could endure it no longer. Lifting her gaze, she spied the cup of water she had overturned moments ago. She attempted to shift her body and raise her hand to grasp the teacup. Just then, however, that familiar figure deftly captured her earlobe. Xu Yunqi's arm trembled involuntarily, causing the water to spill forth, drenching her hand and splashing a considerable amount onto her cheek. Forced to abandon her efforts, her arm was pinned beneath his, rendering it powerless. All she could do was turn her head and press her forehead against him. His body radiated intense heat, enveloping her like a blazing fireball. The droplets clinging to her cheek felt like sweet springwater, yet how could Pei Muheng possibly let them go unattended?

His scorching crimson lips followed the trail of those glistening droplets.

Perhaps due to intense thirst, he carelessly devoured the moisture, soothing the heat on his lips in the process.

Yet, Xu Yunqi found it unbearable. His stiff whiskers grazed her entire face, making her feel uneasy under his kisses.

Soon, her hand was captured by him as well, each finger being tenderly enveloped in his mouth.

Xu Yunqi took deep breaths, her temper entirely drained by his actions.

Doctor Xu always had remedies for her patients, but this patient before her was no ordinary case; she was at a loss on how to proceed.

Well, it's not entirely hopeless. A few acupuncture needles should do the trick.

Just as Xu Yunqi reached for her medical kit, the voice of the person behind her came through, muffled yet recognizable:

"Yunqi, is that you?"

His heavy breathing brushed against her neck, causing a slight itch. His tone carried a hint of melancholy.

Xu Yunqi was slightly taken aback. She turned to look at the handsome face that was so close, his eyes closed, and his thick eyelashes resting neatly beneath them. He appeared extremely weak due to his illness, and the harshness and sharpness in his brows had vanished. Under the dim palace lanterns, he looked particularly gentle, with exquisite contours on his face.

"It's me," she replied clearly.

Pei Muheng seemed unsatisfied with this answer. His eyes remained shut, but a bitter smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"You only come to see me at times like these..."

Xu Yunqi's eyebrows twitched violently, as if a fluffy dog's tail had unexpectedly brushed against her heart, catching her off guard. Her annoyance dissipated instantly, and she gradually turned to face him, staring at him intently for a moment.

"Third Master..." Faced with this confused yet sincere man, Xu Yunqi found herself momentarily at a loss for words.

Pei Muheng's burning forehead rested against the tips of her hair, his entire body propped up on hers, holding her close without pressing down on her. It was reminiscent of their marriage.

Pei Muheng's words had a significant impact on Xu Yunqi. If she still didn't understand his feelings, she would be a fool.

Xu Yunqi truly didn't know how to react. They were already husband and wife, and this current situation was perfect. Maintaining a respectful distance had always been her comfort zone. But now, Pei Muheng seemed determined to cross that line. At this thought, Xu Yunqi let out a sigh.

In truth, these past few days, Xu Yunqi had also pondered over their marriage. Twice, she had suggested a divorce. The first time, he firmly dismissed the idea with a vow of eternal commitment, allowing her to practice medicine openly. The second time, when faced with the possibility of her grandfather implicating the Xi Palace, he took on the responsibility without hesitation. A man so brave, wise, and responsible was one in a million. Xu Yunqi didn't see any reason to retreat.

She wasn't someone who bound herself in her own web. For a married couple, growing closer was a positive thing. She just didn't know how to respond to his affection.

She had no experience in this, and no one had taught her.

For a moment, she was at a loss.

"Right now, you're sick. Let's focus on getting better, okay?" she coaxed gently.

This man, as cold and composed as a flower on a high mountain, mumbled two words through his haze,

"Not good."

Xu Yunqi: "..."