Chapter 27: Candied Fruits

Chapter 27: Candied Fruits

By the time A Yuan woke up, the sun was already blazing. She was completely worn out from last night, and her legs still felt like jelly.

Wei Xun's bedroom was huge, the bed alone was twice as big as hers. A Yuan sat up a bit, and the brocade quilt slid off her chest, exposing the mottled marks underneath.

Even alone, A Yuan felt embarrassed and quickly pulled the quilt back over herself.

Her clothes were still in the bathroom from last night, soaked and stained. Now, under the quilt, she was stark naked and couldn’t even manage to get out of bed.

Chun Tao wasn’t around, and Wei Xun didn’t have any maids or servants nearby. A Yuan waited and waited, but no one showed up.

The outer room was Wei Xun’s resting place, but it was dead silent now. She bit her lip and carefully lifted the quilt, her fair, delicate feet touching the ground, looking even more tender against the blue bricks.

"Ow!"

A sharp pain between her legs nearly made her collapse, but she steadied herself by grabbing the bed frame.

He’d been rough last night, leaving her knees swollen and red, and every step sent a burning pain through her.

Clutching the bed frame, A Yuan inched her way to the wardrobe. Even though the bedroom was empty, she still felt awkward being naked.

She opened the wardrobe and picked out a plain robe. He was tall, and the robe hung off her like a tent, but at least it covered her.

Holding the robe’s hem, A Yuan carefully shuffled back to the bed. When Wei Xun walked in, this was how he found her.

The robe barely clung to her, one side slipping to reveal her delicate, fair shoulder, the iris tattoo still visible, made more vivid by the kiss marks.

Memories of last night’s intimacy flashed in his mind, and her husky pleas for mercy made his throat tighten.

At the sound of footsteps, A Yuan turned her head sharply, the oversized robe draped over her, half-hidden, half-exposed, tempting.

"Why are you up? Didn’t you say you were exhausted?"

He stepped forward and swept her up in his arms, his face stern as he asked.

A Yuan tucked her hands into her sleeves, clenching them into fists, embarrassed. She turned her head slightly, not wanting to hear his crude words.

Wei Xun's gaze fell on the redness and swelling on her knees, and his eyes darkened.

He placed her on the bed and turned to fetch some ointment.

The creamy white ointment melted in his hand, and to keep her warm, he had rubbed his palms together beforehand.

His hot palms massaged her knees, slowly working out the bruises.

The ointment was a top-tier remedy for pain and swelling, and soon the redness on her knees was soothed.

A Yuan winced in pain, and Wei Xun didn't feel much better either.

A delicate concubine like her could barely handle this kind of pain.

"I'll call your maid in."

Moments later, the door opened, and Chun Tao stepped out from behind it.

"Master, I've brought your clothes."

She had waited all night at the Jade Clear Courtyard for her master to return, but in the morning, Madam Zheng suddenly instructed her to pack some clothes for her master, leaving Chun Tao utterly confused.

Seeing A Yuan lying on Wei Xun's bed, her eyes couldn't help but light up.

"Mistress, have you and the Heir Apparent reconciled?"

When the powerful clash, the weak suffer. Whether for herself or for her mistress, Chun Tao hoped that A Yuan and Wei Xun could be on good terms.

A Yuan wasn't sure if this meant they were reconciled. His mood was as unpredictable as June weather—he would give her a smile when he was happy, but when he was upset, he would be cold.

She couldn't read him.

After pondering for a while, A Yuan still shook her head, "Help me get dressed."

It was already improper for her to have stayed here last night. If Madam Wei found out, she would surely enforce stricter rules.

"Yes."

Chun Tao assisted her in getting dressed, and the maid from Ci'an Courtyard brought the contraceptive brew.

Though Madam Wei no longer managed the household, she was well-informed about everything in the courtyard.

After drinking the medicine, A Yuan handed the bowl back to the maid. Today, she was in the outer courtyard and couldn't tip the maid.

But the maid wouldn't dare accept it anyway. With the Heir Apparent right beside her, she wouldn't have the courage to accept anything from Lady Xie.

"Mistress, quickly rinse your mouth with some water."

There were no sweets in the outer courtyard, and A Yuan hated bitterness the most. Chun Tao, worried she'd feel ill, quickly poured a cup of tea.

Seeing her frown as she drank, Wei Xun felt a pang of discomfort.

She must feel awful every time she drinks these bitter brews.

"There are sweets in the cabinet. Fetch some for your mistress."

The man sat on the couch by the window, flipping through a book with his head down, but his words were directed at Chun Tao.

Chun Tao paused briefly, then quickly responded, her face lighting up, "Yes, I'll go get them right away."

The Heir Apparent was showing concern for her mistress. If the two of them really reconciled, that would be a good thing.

Wei Xun had a variety of snacks here. Though he didn't care for them, his subordinates made sure to send them. There were over a dozen varieties of sweets alone.

Chun Tao packed a bit of each and offered them to her mistress.

A Yuan was used to the bitterness, but seeing so many sweets, she felt a bit dazzled.

Though Wei Xun kept his head down, he kept an eye on her.

Seeing her standing there dazed, he set the book down and rose.

He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. In just a few steps, he was standing in front of her.

The light in front of her was blocked, and A Yuan had to tilt her head slightly to see his face.

He still had that cool demeanor, but his elegant fingers held a piece of dried apricot to her lips.

"Open your mouth."