Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Lu Yu's face subtly darkened, but he remained silent.

Yun Wan, oblivious to his mood, was beaming with excitement. She turned and handed the bundle of books to Yuan Yuan.

"Tonight, we must study these carefully. There are so many characters here I don't understand."

Yuan Yuan glanced nervously at the aloof young master, shivered, and tucked her chin like a timid duck before following Yun Wan away.

--

Night had deepened.

Inside the room, candlelight flickered softly. The two young women leaned over the round table, brows furrowed, poring over the abstruse texts.

Yun Wan diligently turned the pages of *Shuowen Jiezi*, while Yuan Yuan, charcoal pencil in hand, ceaselessly flipped through the *Medical Classic*. Their eyes were heavy with sleep, barely staying open.

Suddenly, Yuan Yuan exclaimed, "Miss, look! It says here how to treat amnesia."

Yun Wan's drowsiness vanished instantly. She quickly leaned in closer.

—

A person is formed by three *hun* souls and seven *po* spirits. Amnesia, also known as "soul-loss disorder," can only be treated by four methods.

First, strike the patient's head; fighting fire with fire can yield miraculous results.

Second, have the patient reside deeply in a familiar environment and consume familiar foods.

Third, for folk cases of soul loss, take the patient's hair and toenails, wrap them in their old clothes, and call their name at midnight on the fifteenth day of each month.

Fourth, use aromatic medicines such as borneol and mint to clear the nasal passages through inhalation.

—

Yun Wan's eyes sparkled, and an irrepressible smile played on her lips. She held the books as if they were precious treasures, carefully putting them away.

Yuan Yuan massaged Yun Wan's shoulders. "Miss, you could make a sachet for the young master. I'll find a pharmacy to buy some aromatic herbs like mint and borneol."

"As for the 'familiar environment,' we're already on our way to the northwest, so there's no need to worry about that."

"For the other two methods, you'll need to devise a plan, Miss."

Yuan Yuan peeked outside the room, then whispered into Yun Wan's ear, "Miss, did you notice? The young master seemed a bit annoyed earlier."

Yun Wan turned to Yuan Yuan, puzzled. "Why?"

"Perhaps he didn't want to be alone."

Yun Wan froze, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cover of the *Medical Classic*. She replayed her earlier conversation with Lu Yu in her mind.

A sudden flash of insight ignited in Yun Wan's memory—she finally realized what she had overlooked.

Why should she be afraid of Lu Yu? He was her husband, Xiao Bao's father.

Now, only she held onto their shared memories. If she didn’t take the first step toward him, what future could they possibly have?

Suddenly, a clap of dry thunder boomed outside the window, the rumbling sound crashing in Yun Wan's ears.

"Just like that day," Yun Wan murmured softly, her eyes filled with recollection.

Yuan Yuan asked gently, "Miss, what did you say?"

Yun Wan pressed her lips together and shook her head. "It's nothing." She turned and took a pillow from the bed, smiling. "Yuan Yuan, please take care of Xiao Bao tonight."

The same thunderclap, the same Yun Wan holding a pillow, the same Lu Yu in his room.

Yun Wan stood before the ebony-paneled door, her fingers lightly tapping. Her memories, carried by the thunder, returned to two years ago.

-----

Two years ago, Northwest

A loud crash of thunder suddenly erupted outside the window, a dazzling lightning bolt streaking across the sky, instantly illuminating the dim room, followed by the pitter-patter of raindrops hitting the ground.

Yun Wan trembled with fear, curling up pitifully in the corner of the bed, reminded of her neighbor's aunt's words.

Earlier that day, the neighbor's aunt had casually asked, "Girl, when are you and your husband planning to have a child?"

She was stunned, widening her eyes. "Have a child? But... we sleep in separate rooms."

The neighbor's aunt put down the foraged greens she was holding, exclaiming, "Is that man seeing someone else outside? Sister, you need to sleep on the same *kang*, have a baby—then your relationship will improve. Otherwise, he’s sure to find some vixen outside."

Then, the aunt went on and on for the entire afternoon. Yun Wan listened in a daze, finally reaching one conclusion—Lu Yu didn’t want to have a child with her, and gradually, he would stop liking her.

Yun Wan didn’t dare dwell on it, but she couldn’t stop her thoughts.

Until the thunder roared again, her distress became unbearable. Crying, she grabbed her pillow and hurried to knock on Lu Yu's door.

Before she could knock a third time, he had urgently opened the door.

Before Lu Yu could even ask, she sobbed and threw herself into his arms, crying hoarsely, "You don’t want to have a baby with me—do you hate me?"

Lu Yu paused, then stroked her hair. "Why are you suddenly thinking such thoughts?"

"I remember, before our marriage was registered at the county office, you already asked me."

Lu Yu picked up a towel to wipe her hair, smiling.

"Before we reached the county office, you anxiously asked, 'Do you really want to marry me?' Actually, I was a little angry, but then I thought—Wanwan's father had just passed away, leaving only me to rely on. You kept wanting more reassurance, and it made my heart ache even more."

"I didn’t say anything, just took Wanwan’s hand and left the county office. The little girl was too scared to speak or ask more. When we reached a quiet alley, I just wanted Wanwan to know my true feelings."

"But when I kissed her, Wanwan’s eyes widened enormously, her cheeks instantly flushed like a sunset, and she even forgot to breathe or close her eyes."

Lu Yu's voice was low, and Yun Wan’s thoughts returned to that day.

Back then, Lu Yu’s low, husky chuckle had made her heart race.

He said, "Wanwan, close your eyes."

His warm breath brushed her nose, and his intense, fervent kiss landed on her lips, sweet as honey, making her heart flutter.

This kiss was different from Lu Yu’s usual aloof demeanor. The moment his lips met hers, it was as if an untamed beast had been unleashed and surged toward her.

Burning fiercely and overwhelming.

She parted her lips slightly, trying to breathe. Lu Yu released her lips, pressing his forehead to hers.

Just as she blushed, thinking it had ended.

Lu Yu's large, well-defined hand pulled her forcefully, making her slender waist press tightly against his body.

It was unclear how much time had passed before she lay lightly panting on Lu Yu's chest, her cheeks flushed and burning, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

Just like now, on this thunderstorm night, she was still lying on Lu Yu's chest.

Lu Yu reiterated his vow from that time: "No matter how many times you ask me, I will only have one answer. I cherish you, love you, want to protect you, want to become your husband. Let us build a stable life together in Yun County, grow old together, and one day be buried side by side."

Yun Wan, thinking of the neighboring auntie's words, her eyes reddened, asked, "Then why won’t you have a child with me?"

Lu Yu caressed her hair, looked down, and said in a deep voice, "I don’t even remember my own past. I’m afraid Wanwan will regret it."

Yun Wan didn’t fully understand the gravity in Lu Yu's words, but she was certain of her own feelings. Blushing, she pushed Lu Yu onto the edge of the *kang* and said, "I am very happy. I won’t regret knocking on A Yu’s door... nor will I regret marrying A Yu."

Yes, she would not regret knocking on A Yu’s door.

Yun Wan stood once more at Lu Yu’s door and knocked.

This time, no one quickly opened the door for her. Instead, a deep voice from inside asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s Yun Wan."

Listening to the approaching footsteps, Yun Wan’s heart pounded. She was eager to see Lu Yu.

With a creak, it wasn’t Lu Yu but his bodyguard Lu Yan who opened the door.

Lu Yu sat at a round table in the distance, wearing a light blue robe over white nightclothes, holding a book. Seeing her enter with a pillow, he frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Yun Wan pursed her lips and said softly, "I... didn’t you tell me to come find you on the first and fifteenth of the month?"

Lu Yu frowned slightly, as if he didn’t remember this.

Yun Wan added quietly, "You said it that night when you were drunk."

So he had said such a thing that night. Lu Yu’s fingers tightened around the book. He lowered his gaze and feigned composure, saying, "Today is the fifth."

"But I miss you."

Yun Wan’s voice was soft, carrying a tender, yearning tone.

All of Lu Yu’s thoughts were instantly shattered by these words, leaving his mind blank. He lowered his eyes to conceal his emotions.

Yun Wan tilted her head, waiting for Lu Yu’s response, but he said nothing.

He neither asked her to leave nor to stay.

Lu Yu looked like a green bamboo under the bright moon as he read. The candlelight flowed over him like water, and the flickering shadows intertwined on the pages, sketching a serene and distant scene.

Yun Wan slowly placed the pillow on a small side table, then used a silver needle under the candlelight to adjust the wick. Instantly, the room brightened.

"If... if you don’t want me here, I’ll go back."

Before Lu Yu could speak, Yun Wan turned to leave. She walked slowly, but her attention was entirely focused behind her.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Hearing Lu Yan creak the door open, Yun Wan had already stepped one foot out when a deep male voice suddenly sounded behind her.

"Yun Wan..."

Unable to hide her smile, Yun Wan quickly turned back, her eyes filled with joy. "You..."

"Take your pillow."

Without looking up, Lu Yu heard Yun Wan’s hurried footsteps as she entered the room, seemingly grabbed the pillow, and quickly rushed away.

She was probably angry.

Lu Yu opened a book beside him, skillfully turning to a page that clearly read:

"To nourish the heart, nothing is better than having few desires. If a person has few desires, even if some things are lost, it is still minimal."

He lowered his eyes and sighed softly, absentmindedly twisting the thumb ring on his finger. As if remembering something, a self-mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Suddenly, the door creaked. Before he could turn to look, a sweet scent rushed into his nostrils.

"I’m not leaving... I’ll help the heir change."

Yun Wan’s face was flushed, her fingers trembling slightly as she clutched the sleeve of Lu Yu’s light blue robe. Her eyelashes fluttered nervously.

Lu Yu closed the book, his dark eyes locked on Yun Wan’s moist ones, as if trying to pull her into an abyss.

He said, "Don’t regret it."

Before Yun Wan could react, her feet left the ground. Lu Yu’s broad, strong arms held her steadily against his chest, the man’s scorching body heat transferring to her.

He still couldn’t bear to send her away.

Her ears were red as blood as she curled up in his arms and whispered, "I am very happy. I won’t regret it."

The bed curtains slowly fell. Intense sparks ignited in both their eyes, and the red mole between Yun Wan’s eyebrows swayed continuously amidst the passionate movements.

When Aunt Yao was around, she always made Yun Wan face away from Lu Yu and forbade her from doing anything improper, as if they were wild animals mating.

Now, she could finally see Lu Yu’s face clearly.

In the dim light, his usual cold and aloof mask gradually cracked. His sharp eyebrows and eyes blazed with desire, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and the small mole under his left eye was exceptionally alluring.

Lu Yu’s deep, dark eyes were entirely focused on her. Tears welled up in Yun Wan’s eyes and slowly streamed down her temples. His slender fingers gently hooked a strand of hair at her temple.

His voice was hoarse and magnetic as he said, "Why are you crying? Didn’t you get your wish?"

Tears in her eyes, Yun Wan shook her head. She reached out to hook her arms around Lu Yu’s neck, intending to kiss the corner of his lips.

But he turned his head away.

Her pupils trembled, and she called out hoarsely, "...Young Master..."

A sudden ache overflowed in Yun Wan’s heart. She lowered her gaze to Lu Yu’s sculpted jawline, hiding the bitterness in her eyes.

As if sensing her distraction, Lu Yu moved faster. She clung tightly to his arms, no longer able to think about anything else.

A warm atmosphere filled the entire bedroom. The creaking of the wooden bed echoed throughout the night until daybreak, when Yun Wan finally fell into a deep sleep.

By then, the bed curtains were filled with a sweet scent. Lu Yu lay on his side, looking at Yun Wan’s body covered in red marks, a trace of tears still on her face. Her soft, delicate whimpers echoed incessantly in his mind.

The desires he had restrained for years had completely spiraled out of control that night.

Lu Yu lay awake all night, lost in thought.

Never mind, she's just a concubine.

------

The next day, the convoy officially left the small county near the capital and entered the main road heading northwest.

After last night's intimacy, Yun Wan felt that her relationship with Lu Yu had grown closer, and she no longer felt as reserved.

Even if Lu Yu had lost his memories, at his core, he was still her A Yu.

Watching the ink in the small inkstone on Lu Yu’s desk gradually run low, she gently picked up the inkstick and began to grind it. Her skilled technique drew Lu Yu's attention, who was reviewing official documents, making him pause his writing.

Sunlight streamed over Yun Wan’s head, her delicate face filled with concentration. The way she quietly ground the ink was like a captivating painting of a beauty.

Lu Yu set down his brush and said, "Although you are not very literate, you have a natural talent for grinding ink. The shades of ink are exactly to my liking."

"Because my husband taught me," Yun Wan blurted out instinctively, casting the carriage into sudden silence.