Chapter 31 “I Was Thinking of You”

Chapter 31 "I Was Thinking of You"

Yin Rou found it strange; though the wind sweeping across her skin was cold, it carried a searing heat.

The heat grew more intense, threatening to ignite the most delicate parts of her skin.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she lowered her gaze. The Third Young Master was bent slightly, tying her sash.

All she could see was his meticulously styled hair; his lowered face was so close to her chest that Yin Rou instinctively clenched her fingers.

It was his breath that burned her.

Each exhalation grew deeper, the moist warmth seeping through her skin.

Chen Yanqing thought the young girl must be very nervous, otherwise she wouldn't be trembling so violently.

Especially that small, flushed bud, reflected in Chen Yanqing’s dark eyes like the sole vibrant splash of color in a parched wasteland.

Yin Rou felt overwhelmed by the heat. His breath was so close it seemed it might brush her skin at any moment. She drew her shoulders in, wanting to retreat.

Catching her intention, Chen Yanqing’s gaze darkened. He tugged the sash in his hand, pulling the fleeing girl back. At the same time, he lowered his head and bit the flushed bud reflected in his eyes.

"Third Young Master…" Yin Rou arched her neck, a breathless tremor escaping her lips. The rest of her words dissolved into ragged, trembling gasps.

Chen Yanqing could hear his own breathing, hoarse and animalistic, while the girl’s soft moans beside his ear were exquisitely tender. This stark contrast held an intoxicating power that drew him deeper.

Yin Rou lay back weakly, her unfocused gaze glistening as she stared at the rafters above. From afar, the solemn, resonant toll of temple bells drifted in, making the scene feel even more disorienting.

She struggled to grasp a sliver of clarity from her muddled thoughts: What was wrong with the Third Young Master?

Her hazy vision dropped lower. Beyond his bowed head, she could faintly discern the swallowing motion of his throat.

Dizzy and breathless, Yin Rou suddenly doubted: Was this insatiable man truly the Third Young Master, the one who was always so calm and self-possessed?

Not until the sharp bite did Yin Rou finally confirm his loss of control.

Had the unapproachable saint truly fallen into the mortal realm? Yin Rou suddenly felt a sense of liberation. The vision had been true; she hadn’t been mistaken after all.

A thousand thoughts flooded her mind, but the strongest was a sense of grievance.

Grievance that he was finally no longer indifferent, no longer keeping her perpetually bewildered, no longer trapping her in endless days of self-loathing and unease.

Her nose burned, and a low, muffled sob escaped her throat.

Chen Yanqing heard her sobbing, her body trembling with the cry. This cry, laden with grievance, was different from her cries of surrender. His clouded eyes cleared, and he slowly released her.

The glistening bud bore the mark of his teeth, red and swollen. Chen Yanqing frowned, a mix of pity and an even greater, unfulfilled desire.

If she couldn’t endure it, why tempt him? Had she never considered the consequences?

His throat tensed impatiently. "Does it hurt?"

Yin Rou sniffled and nodded repeatedly, her tear-filled eyes looking at him with a soft, petulant grievance, devoid of her usual timid deference.

The wicked fire burning in Chen Yanqing’s chest suddenly died down, melting into tenderness.

He gathered her loose collar, wiped away the moisture from her delicate skin, and straightened her clothes. "Then keep it hidden."

Still dazed, Yin Rou instinctively clutched her collar at his words. Watching her, Chen Yanqing paused, then a soft smile curved his lips, unable to suppress his amusement.

Folding her too-long sleeves twice, he walked to the luohan bed by the wall and sat down, taking a sip of the cooled tea by his hand to quell the lingering heat.

Seeing him pick up a scripture to read without another glance at her, Yin Rou hesitated, unsure what to do. After a moment, she tiptoed to a nearby chair and sat down.

Her gaze flickered toward Chen Yanqing now and then, overlaying his image with the man from her vision—the one who had cradled her lifeless body now had a face.

An inexplicable familiarity lingered in his features, as if they had truly known each other for two lifetimes. The warmth she had found in despair made her cling to it all the more.

After reading for a while, Chen Yanqing closed the scripture and leaned sideways, propping his head as if dozing. Yin Rou, realizing just how starved for companionship she had been, longed to curl into his embrace.

Besides, hadn’t he already...? The softness beneath her collar burned anew.

After much hesitation, she rose and tiptoed over, gently settling into the space beside him. Biting her lip, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against him.

Chen Yanqing opened his eyes, his gaze resting on Yin Rou’s face. Seeing her nestled against him with such trust and dependence, he found it impossible to resist. After a pause, he lifted a hand to cradle her waist.

Encouraged, Yin Rou tightened her embrace, pressing deeper into him.

A faint smile touched Chen Yanqing’s eyes as he gently stroked her back. For Yin Rou, even this rare gentleness felt like a luxury now, and the safety of his arms lulled her deeper.

Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep in his embrace.

It was only the sound of knocking that roused her from peaceful slumber. The lingering warmth made her reluctant to wake, and she drowsily nuzzled deeper into Chen Yanqing’s chest.

"Young Master, the young lady from the Zhao family is here."

As Shu Yan’s voice faded, Zhao Hanyue spoke. "Cousin, the scripture recital is about to begin. Grandaunt sent me to remind you."

Yin Rou fully awoke, blinking twice. They were still in the temple—how could she have let her guard down so completely? Hastily, she pushed herself up from Chen Yanqing’s arms.

The warmth pressed against his chest vanished, and Chen Yanqing frowned slightly, answering impatiently, "I know."

"Then..." Zhao Hanyue’s voice wavered.

"Go ahead first."

"Alright."

Only when the footsteps outside faded did Yin Rou’s tense nerves relax.

Noticing the Third Young Master smoothing the wrinkles she had left on his robes, her cheeks warmed.

Chen Yanqing looked at her. "Stay here and wait for me. If you need anything, ask Shu Yan."

Once Yin Rou nodded, Chen Yanqing rose and left.

Zhao Hanyue hadn’t gone far, waiting instead along the path to the main hall. When she saw Chen Yanqing approaching, she stepped forward with a faint smile. "Cousin."

But as a faint trace of sweet fragrance drifted to her nose, her smile stiffened.

Chen Yanqing glanced at her. "What is it?"

Zhao Hanyue forced her expression back into place, shaking her head. "Nothing."

"Let’s go, then."

She nodded stiffly, following beside him in a daze.

The hesitation in her heart had reached its peak. If the previous two times could still be dismissed as her overthinking, this time, the delicate fragrance entwined around her cousin was unmistakably clear.

Where did this fragrance come from, and who was it from?

In the main hall, the monks and Chen family had all arrived—except for Wu Shi.

A maid entered to announce, "Madam has suddenly fallen ill and says she cannot attend."

Madam Chen immediately guessed that Wu Shi had learned about Nanny Lu's incident. She furrowed her brows and shot a glance at Chen Yanqing, whose expression remained impassive as usual. She then said to the maid, "Since she is unwell, let her rest properly."

Upon hearing her mother was ill, Chen Lingxue sprang up from her prayer mat in alarm. "I’ll go see Mother."

Madam Chen nodded in approval, and Chen Lingxue rushed off in a fluster. The monks in the hall began chanting scriptures.

By the time the ceremony concluded, it was already evening. The temple had prepared a vegetarian meal for the attendees, and an attendant monk led them to the refectory.

Chen Yanqing lingered at the rear when Chen Lingxue rushed up to him. "Third Brother."

He stopped and looked at her. Chen Lingxue, who stood in awe of him, edged forward with timid hesitation. "Third Brother, please spare Nanny Lu."

She had heard the details from her mother—how her third brother had broken Nanny Lu’s arm and expelled her from the estate, causing her mother to succumb to rage-induced illness.

"Nanny Lu was indeed at fault, but that Song Yinrou is truly a vile creature."

"Chen Lingxue," Chen Yanqing snapped her name icily. "Remember your status. Is this how a young lady of the Chen family speaks?"

Chen Lingxue ducked her head at the reprimand but retorted indignantly, "But Third Brother, I’m telling the truth!"

"I don’t care about the past. As things stand now, Nanny Lu broke the rules, and I will deal with her accordingly."

As Chen Yanqing turned to leave, Chen Lingxue doggedly seized his sleeve. He turned back impatiently.

Seeing the coldness in his eyes, she let go and hunched her shoulders. "Third Brother, please consider how long Nanny Lu has served Mother."

Chen Yanqing remained unmoved. Watching him go with despair, Chen Lingxue stood dejected. Zhao Hanyue approached and asked gently, "Are you alright?"

Chen Lingxue gnawed her lip in vexation. "It’s all because of Song Yinrou! I told you she’s a fox-spirit temptress. How is it that everyone protects her? First, my brother was bewitched by her, and now even Third Brother is standing up for her."

"Don’t speak nonsense," Zhao Hanyue chided, though she too had noticed her cousin’s protectiveness toward Miss Song. Quelling her growing disquiet, she reasoned, "Didn’t you say yourself that Third Brother acts by the rules? This time, Nanny Lu truly overstepped."

Chen Lingxue wanted to argue but couldn’t find the words. "What should we do now?"

"Let’s go eat something first," Zhao Hanyue suggested.

As they walked toward the refectory, which was in the same direction as the kitchen, Zhao Hanyue spotted Shu Yan bearing a meal tray toward the monastic lodgings. Puzzled, she wondered—since her cousin was heading to the refectory, who was the food for?

That phantom fragrance she had noticed on her cousin multiple times!

Zhao Hanyue dug her nails into her palms, then quickly dismissed her suspicion.

No, her cousin was a man of rectitude. How could he possibly do something so unconscionable?

Yet, despite her self-reassurance, she couldn’t help but ask, "How is that Miss Song doing now?"

"How should I know?" Chen Lingxue itched to tear her apart at the mention of Yin Rou. "The messenger said Nanny Lu was seized by Third Brother’s men the moment she entered Shifang Hall—before she could do anything. That bitch wasn’t even seen."

Zhao Hanyue’s heart plummeted. This was no longer just her delusions—it was highly likely her cousin had indeed brought the girl to the temple.

This trip was meant to light an eternal lamp for Master Chen. If her cousin had truly brought her here at such a time, what did it signify? Zhao Hanyue dared not dwell on it further.

She pushed grains of rice around her bowl absentmindedly, unable to swallow, her mind restless with suspicion.

After a modest repast, Chen Yanqing said to Madam Chen, "Grandmother, please dine at leisure."

Watching him leave, Zhao Hanyue deliberated—she had to confirm the truth.

Leaning close to Chen Lingxue, she whispered, "I think you should plead with Third Brother again while there’s still time. Once Nanny Lu is sent away, it’ll be too late."

Chen Lingxue, who had grown up under Nanny Lu’s care, couldn’t bear to see her suffer. She nodded firmly. "I’ll go now."

As Chen Lingxue hurried after Chen Yanqing, Zhao Hanyue lowered her head, her heart in her throat.

Before long, Madam Chen also laid down her bowl and chopsticks. Zhao Hanyue stepped forward to support her. "It’s still early. Let me accompany you for a walk to walk off your meal."

Madam Chen smiled in relief. "You’re so thoughtful."

Arm in arm, they strolled through the temple grounds, which lay hushed. Zhao Hanyue discreetly glanced toward Chen Yanqing’s monastic lodgings and murmured sorrowfully. "Cousin and Aunt seem even more at odds now."

Madam Chen shook her head, unwilling to discuss it.

"With Uncle’s body not yet cold, he surely wouldn’t wish to see this," Zhao Hanyue added, invoking Master Chen’s memory. As expected, Madam Chen’s countenance fell.

"That’s Cousin’s residence ahead," Zhao Hanyue ventured carefully. "Shall we go over? Perhaps we can offer some comfort."

She compressed her lips slightly. If her suspicions were correct, the best course was for Madam Chen to witness it firsthand and intervene—only she had the authority to handle it.

After weighing the matter, Madam Chen nodded. "Very well."

As they approached the monastic lodgings, Zhao Hanyue noticed Shu Yan leaving, accompanied by another man—likely one of her cousin’s attendants.

She paid them little mind, secretly glad that Shu Yan’s absence would make their entry easier.

Supporting Madam Chen, she reached the corridor. Knowing Chen Lingxue was currently waylaying her cousin, she knocked with bated breath. As expected, there was no response.

Her gaze boring through the wood, desperate to see within.

"Cousin doesn’t seem to be back yet. Shall we wait inside?"

Madam Chen agreed. Wiping her sweaty palms, Zhao Hanyue pushed the door open.

The room was empty, save for the illuminated candles.

Her eyes grew sharp-eyed as she scrutinized every corner, searching for any trace of suspicion. Under the pretense of fetching water for Madam Chen, she even checked the inner chamber.

Finding no one, her tension gradually eased. Her mind uncoiled.

She had been overthinking. Her cousin would never stoop to associating with women of ill repute.

"Grandmother, what brings you here?"

Chen Yanqing’s voice sounded. She looked up, meeting his gaze.

"You're here too, cousin."

His searching look made her inexplicably nervous, and she lowered her eyes in greeting, "Cousin."

"I was the one who asked Han Yue to come with me," Madam Chen explained.

Chen Yanqing nodded slightly and took a seat beside her. Madam Chen then brought up the matter concerning Wu Shi.

After listening patiently, Chen Yanqing reassured her, "Don't worry, Grandmother, I have it under control."

Madam Chen looked at the grandson she had raised herself. Over the years, he had grown into someone even she found somewhat inscrutable. Still, she didn’t expect him to reconcile fully with Wu Shi—as long as they kept up appearances, that was enough.

*

They returned to the Chen residence three days later.

Yin Rou had stayed behind in Shifang Hall. By the time she heard the news, it was already nearing evening. She put down her brush, hesitating about seeking out the Third Young Master.

That day, before she could wait for him, Shu Yan had arranged for her return.

The household had since calmed down, and from Yu He, she learned of Nanny Lu’s fate. It turned out the Third Young Master had arranged everything long ago, while she had foolishly hidden in the carriage.

So, that day, he had thought she had disappeared—hence his abrupt intrusion into the carriage and the unexpected kiss.

Yin Rou's eyes flickered as she lightly touched her lips. Every time she recalled it, her heart seemed to squeeze tight.

As Chen Yanqing approached the Shifang Hall, he saw the girl lit by warm lamplight, her cheeks flushed. "What's on your mind?"

Startled, Yin Rou looked up, her dark eyes blinking up at the tall, poised figure in the doorway, as if caught with embarrassing thoughts, her face growing redder under the flickering candlelight.

Chen Yanqing had asked offhandedly, but now he genuinely wanted to know what had made her fair face turn so red.

"Hmm?"

At his deep, unhurried voice, her heart fluttered again, and the words spilled out before she could stop them: "You."

The Third Young Master’s gaze, already wrapped around her, tightened abruptly the moment she spoke, an invisible tension making it hard to breathe.

Chen Yanqing searched her clear, dark eyes, as if discerning truth from pretense.

The sharp feeling of being exposed made Yin Rou falter. She scrambled for cover. "I—I was thinking about whether my actions caused any trouble for the Third Young Master."

Her stumbling explanation was met with his penetrating gaze, so deep and knowing it left no room for concealment.

Defeated, Yin Rou bit her lip. After a long pause, she parted them softly and admitted, "I was thinking of you."

She knew he was watching her, his gaze burning against her skin.

Head bowed, she stepped closer to Chen Yanqing. Her hands lifted hesitantly before she swiftly grasped his robe, pressing her face against his chest.

Her voice muffled against his chest, she repeated, "Thinking of the Third Young Master... wondering if my actions troubled you... and wanting to thank you."