"But elder brother died unexpectedly, I still have to continue on with my life, don’t I?" She seemed to be reaching out to Jiang Yichun, "are you still blaming me? Or are you disgusted because I’m tainted now?"
"I did indeed want to marry you back then, but the day you married my elder brother, I let go of that idea. Now, my heart only has room for Ruozhu, and can’t accommodate a second person. You’re still young, do not fixate on your problems, you will meet someone who truly cares for you." Jiang Yichun said and sighed.
"But Miss Bai has been married before, and even given birth to someone’s child. Why can’t you mind that? Isn’t the deeper the love, the more likely one is supposed to care about such matters?" Wu Wanqing asked unwillingly.
Bai Ruozhu outside stiffened, she was curious about Jiang Yichun’s answer, does he really not mind?
"If I insist that I don’t care, it would mean that I don’t really care about her. But, I know that no matter what happened in the past, she is mine now and likes me the same way I like her. So, even if I do mind a bit, it’s because I care about her too much, and this feeling can make up for any shortcomings, turning my concerns into acceptance." Jiang Yichun slowly explained.
Bai Ruozhu felt warmth spreading through her heart at his words, managing to hide a sweet smile behind her tea cup for fear the maid would see.
"So, Miss Bai’s love for elder brother was genuine. I understand now. I hope you two can be together soon." Wu Wanqing suddenly said in a very understanding manner, although her voice was choked with sobs, making her seem very pitiful.
Bai Ruozhu was startled. It turned out that as long as things were clearly explained, Wu Wanqing would be willing to let go. She probably viewed Wu Wanqing negatively due to her status as a love rival.
Jiang Yichun’s voice echoed again: "Then, junior sister, let’s continue."
Their conversation ended, leaving only faint sounds within the room. Bai Ruozhu felt bored after a while, her eyelids heavy.
About half an hour later, the door hadn’t opened, and Bai Ruozhu began to feel impatient. It had been a while since she had heard Jiang Yichun speak, had he fainted? Or was he too engrossed in detoxification?
How could this poison insect’s detoxification be so troublesome? If it took over half an hour every day, wouldn’t that mean they had a lot of time alone? She wouldn’t be able to stand guard here every day, and she guessed she could go home soon.
Finally, after quarter of an hour, Wu Wanqing’s door was opened. Jiang Yichun was seen sitting in the middle of a strange formation, cross-legged, with his eyes closed, either meditating or sleeping.
Wu Wanqing politely nodded at Bai Ruozhu, "Miss Bai, it’s done. Please help him back. He vomited blood just now and is very weak."
Wu Wanqing was polite, and Bai Ruozhu did not feel like asking for details. She thanked Wu Wanqing and went to support Jiang Yichun, who was sitting on the ground. Approaching him, she noticed a pool of black water that he vomited. For some reason, she felt a palpitation and instinctively avoided the pool of blood.
Jiang Yichun’s eyes slowly opened, and he stood up with her help.
At this time, Wu Wanqing came over again to ask with concern, "Elder brother, can you walk? Or should I help Miss Bai support you?"
Jiang Yichun waved his hand, "No need, you’ve worked hard for half a day. Rest."
Wu Wanqing withdrew her hand helplessly and backed away, however, she stumbled and lurched towards Bai Ruozhu. Even though Bai Ruozhu had no martial arts skills, she had trained in self-defense in her previous life and was quick to react. She swiftly sidestepped.
Wu Wanqing regained her balance and apologized to Bai Ruozhu with a smile, "Sorry, I should really rest, just like elder brother said."
Bai Ruozhu bid her goodbye and left with Jiang Yichun.
After they left, Wu Wanqing’s face remained expressionless, but her eyes briefly fell on the vomit that Jiang Yichun had expelled, her gaze somewhat profound.
Bai Ruozhu supported Jiang Yichun back to his room. She knew how weak Jiang Yichun was right now and needed a rest. She helped him into the bed, removed his shoes, covered him with a blanket, and was about to leave when he grabbed her.
"Ruozhu, don’t leave. Stay with me." Jiang Yichun’s voice was very weak, and his face was also pale. He looked as pitiful as a sad kitten. She had never seen this side of him, which deeply moved her.
"Alright, I’ll sit here while you rest. Sleep now." She spoke, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
However, Jiang Yichun didn’t let go of her hand, although his grip had become weaker.
He looked at her pitifully, his voice a little whiny, "Lie with me for a while."
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh, "You want more now? This yard is full of guards, if they see us lying in bed together, what will they think? Aren’t you afraid that I’ll be pointed at and gossiped about?"
"That’s why you should marry me. There’s nothing to fear, I will propose to your family in a few days." Jiang Yichun spoke with a touch of mischievousness, weakly tugging Bai Ruozhu into his comforter.
Bai Ruozhu was amused by his antics, but seeing his current condition, she felt sympathetic. She didn’t want to encourage his behavior.
"The guards wouldn’t dare peep into my room. I’m so cold, lie down with me. Alright?" Jian Yichun’s voice became even weaker, but it wasn’t because he lowered his volume but because his strength had diminished.
Fearing he wouldn’t rest properly if he continued to be so agitated, Bai Ruozhu hugged him, "Then, I’ll sit up on the bed and hold you for a while."
Only when she hugged him, did she realize how cold he was. His hands had been ice cold before but she hadn’t thought much of it, assuming it was normal to have cold hands in the winter.
But, she now discovered that Jiang Yichun was very cold.
Forgetting about her reputation, she quickly took off her shoes and overcoat, crawled into the comforter and tightly embraced Jiang Yichun. His body was trembling slightly in her arms, perhaps due to his physical exhaustion after the detoxification, or an effect of the medicine. Since she wasn’t sure about the effects of poison insect, she could only hold him like this and provide him as much warmth as she could.
Before long, Jiang Yichun’s body stopped trembling. He was extremely tired and didn’t flirt as he usually would. He quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Holding him, Bai Ruozhu gently stroked his hair, thinking that it would be nice if they could continue like this. Of course, Dengdeng had to be there as well, she couldn’t bear to be without her precious son. In the future, she could embrace Jiang Yichun with one hand and Dengdeng with the other, sleeping with two handsome men that would make anyone’s nose bleed from their attractiveness, she felt overjoyed thinking about it.
Of course, Dengdeng would have to sleep in his own room once he grew up. Therefore, she should treasure the next two years of parent-child time.
Jiang Yichun slept for over an hour, and was awakened by the sound of the guards knocking at the door. Bai Ruozhu was also a bit drowsy, so when she heard the guard speaking, she was startled, fearing that the guard would burst into the room.
"Third Master, the Master is back, please go and talk to him with Miss Bai." The guard said outside the door.