Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Trifles

At that time, Bai Ying was only a young girl of fifteen or sixteen, Zhou Jingyun thought.

Zhuang Li smiled at him: “Don’t underestimate my older sister, she’s very capable. Back then, Young Master Song from Fengzhou nearly ran us over with his horse in the street. It was my older sister who submitted a letter to the Empress through the bronze jar denunciation system, accusing the Song family, which led to their entire family being executed.”

If Bai Ying could submit one letter, she could naturally submit a second.

His father’s trip to the capital to report on his duties that year was very sudden. It shouldn’t have been his turn to go…

Last night, he entered Bai Ying’s dream and saw that she was holding a second letter in her hand.

Although dreams are false and absurd, they are based on reality and hide even more truth.

It’s a pity that Bai Ying was too resistant. Plus, there’s some kind of restriction hidden in the imperial palace. Not only did he not see the contents, but he almost couldn’t come back…

Zhuang Li couldn’t help but press her hand to her chest, before she could even catch her breath, Zhou Jingyun’s hand was already on her shoulder.

“Are you alright?” he asked, “Should we call Doctor Zhang again?”

Zhuang Li hurriedly waved her hand: “No, no need, I’m just…”

Zhou Jingyun said decisively: “Don’t think about these things anymore.”

No wonder she said she didn’t sleep well last night and was mentally exhausted. Knowing that her father didn’t side with Empress Jiang, and that the person who truly did might be her older sister, her whole family is dead, and her sister is still alive, her heart must be filled with mixed emotions and chaotic thoughts.

Zhuang Li felt the warmth of the large hand on her shoulder.

“I just wanted to tell you,” she said softly, “my older sister is not a simple person. I’m fine within the inner quarters, but you’re out and about, and she’s an imperial consort, you need to be careful.”

Zhou Jingyun nodded: “I understand.”

The two were silent for a moment.

Zhou Jingyun realized he was still holding Zhuang Li’s shoulder. Her nightgown was thin, and he could feel the roundness of her shoulder beneath it, her warm skin. He quickly withdrew his hand.

“Are you hungry? Have some bird’s nest porridge,” he said.

Zhuang Li shook her head: “I’m not hungry, let Chun Yue come in and help me wash up.”

Zhou Jingyun looked at her seemingly thinner figure and said: “Don’t get up, be careful of dizziness, just wash up in bed.”

Zhuang Li nodded: “I know.” She added, “Don’t worry, Young Master, I won’t neglect my health.”

She was also comforting him. Zhou Jingyun hummed in response, called for Chun Yue, and excused himself.

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

When Zhou Jingyun came back in, he had changed his nightclothes. Chun Yue was extinguishing the lamps one by one, and Zhuang Li lay back down.

“I slept too much during the day,” she said, “I might not be sleepy at night, Young Master, you can rest in the outer room.”

Chun Yue said from the side: “Young Master, I can watch over Madam, Chun Hong and I can take turns.”

Zhou Jingyun shook his head: “You all can go down.”

Chun Yue glanced at Zhuang Li. Seeing that Zhuang Li didn’t say anything else, she retreated.

Zhou Jingyun placed a lamp on the bedside table and took out a book from his sleeve: “If you’re not sleepy, I’ll read to you.”

Zhuang Li was surprised. She didn’t expect him to have brought a book. Looking at the title, it was the same one she read daily.

“Where did you leave off?” Zhou Jingyun asked, flipping through the pages under the lamplight.

Zhuang Li pursed her lips and told him. Zhou Jingyun quickly found the place and began to read softly from there.

His voice was rich and gentle, Zhuang Li lay on the pillow and listened attentively.

After only two or three pages, the person beside him was breathing evenly. Zhou Jingyun turned to look and saw that Zhuang Li had fallen asleep.

Although she had slept for a day, she was still weak and frail from being ill.

Under the night lamp, half of her face was buried in the quilt, making her face appear even smaller, her brows slightly furrowed.

She said she wouldn’t think about it anymore, but are her thoughts still chaotic?

Zhou Jingyun couldn’t help but reach out and place his hand between her brows, wanting to smooth them out. Touching her delicate skin, he came back to his senses. They weren’t a real couple, they couldn’t have physical contact. He quickly withdrew his hand.

Perhaps sensing the touch, the sleeping Zhuang Li stirred and turned inward.

Zhou Jingyun put down the book and extinguished the lamp.

When Zhuang Li woke up again, the sky was already bright. Zhou Jingyun was nowhere to be seen in the room or the inner chamber.

✿✿✿

“The Young Master was afraid of disturbing you, so he didn’t let us serve you. He had breakfast with Madam and then went out to the Imperial Academy,” Chun Yue said with a smile.

Chun Hong and Chun Xiang came to help her wash up.

Zhuang Li sat up: “I’ll get up and go to the washroom. I’ve slept for a day and a night, and I’m much better now.”

Although her face was still pale and weak, it wasn’t as frighteningly white as yesterday. Chun Yue went along with her and carefully helped her to the washroom with Chun Hong and the others.

When Madam of Dongyang arrived, Zhuang Li had already washed up and was sitting on the Arhat bed by the window in the east side room, drinking her medicine.

“Why are you up?” Madam of Dongyang frowned, seeing Zhuang Li trying to get up to greet her, “Just sit down.”

Chun Yue stammered from the side: “Madam felt a little better and wanted to get up and sit for a while…”

“You let her do whatever she says? She doesn’t treat herself as a patient, and you don’t treat her as a patient either?” Madam of Dongyang scolded, looking at the three maids standing with their heads bowed in the room.

They were all seventeen or eighteen years old.

She turned and called for Mama Xu.

“You stay here and look after her.”

Mama Xu hurriedly responded, “Yes, Madam.”

Madam of Dongyang looked at the half-finished medicine on the table: “Finish your medicine first.”

Zhuang Li responded with a “yes” and sat down. Chun Yue and the others watched as she finished her medicine and offered her candied fruits.

Madam of Dongyang sat with a stern face and asked what was for breakfast. Chun Hong hurriedly brought the prepared breakfast for her inspection.

There were vegetables, meat, and eggs, small but plentiful, and all prepared to be easily digestible.

Madam of Dongyang nodded: “Eat less if you can’t finish it all, but you must eat.” She then looked at Zhuang Li with a hint of disapproval, “You’re too thin.”

Zhuang Li responded with a “yes” and said: “I can finish it.” She then sat down to eat.

Madam of Dongyang sat and asked Chun Yue, “What time did she go to sleep? When did she wake up?” She then instructed, “The medicine must be taken on time. After taking it, go back to bed and lie down.”

Chun Yue responded with a “yes” to each instruction.

Zhuang Li finished her meal while listening to Madam of Dongyang’s instructions.

Madam of Dongyang then stood up: “Jingyun will go to the Imperial Medical Academy to ask around and invite another imperial physician to come and see you.”

Zhuang Li sat up in bed and bowed: “Thank you, Mother.”

Madam of Dongyang snorted inwardly. She wanted to say something but there was nothing to say. She left with her entourage.

Mama Xu stayed behind and saw them off at the door before returning.

Madam of Dongyang walked back, halfway there, she stopped and frowned.

“Madam, what’s wrong?” Hongxing hurriedly asked.

Madam of Dongyang said: “I always feel like something is missing?”

Hongxing gasped: “Did you forget to tell her something? I’ll go back and convey it.”

Madam of Dongyang waved her hand and looked back at the Young Master’s courtyard: “Why didn’t she argue with me? She agreed to everything I said?”

For example, how did she get out of bed? She didn’t treat herself as a patient. Shouldn’t she have retorted that she understood medicine and knew she could get out of bed?

For example, when she asked Mama Xu to stay in the courtyard, why didn’t she protest about being watched and try to drive her away?

Why was she so obedient and listened to everything this time?

Because she’s sick and doesn’t have the energy or spirit?

That doesn’t seem right either. She has the strength to sit up, and the strength to finish a whole table of food.

Hongxing was stunned. Was Madam so used to being contradicted by the Young Madam that she couldn’t adapt now?

She couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Madam, what are you saying? You’re concerned about the Young Madam. The Young Madam knows your good intentions, how could she argue with you?”

Madam of Dongyang snorted and sighed: “I don’t care how she sees me. As long as she’s well, and Jingyun can be at ease, I have nothing else to ask for.” She clasped her hands and prayed, “I hope there won’t be any more trouble.”

Yes, trifles, the daily life of a married couple is just so trivial, isn’t it?（