Volume One, Chapter Six: A Fall Injuring the Lower Back and Hip

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Mei Lingxi awoke to find Ye Jianxun holding some writings she had idly composed, reading them. A flush of embarrassment rose in her cheeks as she hurried over and snatched the papers from his hands.

Ye Jianxun released his grip and turned away, a trace of mockery in his voice as he said, “Does the Young Lady of the Prince’s household have the leisure to write her own scripts?”

For a noble lady to be found reading scripts was already improper, let alone writing them herself. Mei Lingxi naturally denied it. “No, this is merely a copy I transcribed.”

Ye Jianxun did not press further, his tone indifferent. “Back at the Marquis of Dingbei’s residence, although you were the legitimate daughter, it seems your life was hardly comfortable.”

Mei Lingxi neatly gathered the papers and retorted coolly, “Thank you, Young Master, for your concern.”

Ye Jianxun was momentarily at a loss for words, falling silent. At that moment, Bìshuǐ knocked softly and announced, “Young Master, Young Lady, dinner is served.”

The two of them proceeded to the main hall, one following the other.

At the large round table, a dozen dishes were already laid out. As the son-in-law, Ye Jianxun should not have taken the seat of honor, yet the Marquis of Dingbei insisted he sit there, and Ye Jianxun did not refuse, sitting down directly.

After sitting, Ye Jianxun noticed Mei Lingxi was not beside him but separated by Lady Wang. He called out, “Lingxi, come sit closer.”

Mei Lingxi had not yet reacted when Lady Wang gave her a gentle push. “The Young Master is calling you.”

The Marquis narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing through them before he stepped aside and said, “Lingxi, sit with the Young Master.”

Mei Lingxi looked at Ye Jianxun in confusion. Seeing no other expression on his face, she quietly took her place.

The servants began pouring wine. Ye Jianxun lifted his cup, instantly recognizing the rare vintage they had dug from the bottom of the cellar. Without hesitation, he drank cup after cup.

Lady Wang was pleased to see Ye Jianxun’s protective attitude and kept offering Mei Lingxi her favorite stir-fried lotus root. “Lingxi, this is your favorite dish.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Mei Lingxi replied after a bite, then rested her chopsticks.

She finished quickly, but neither the Marquis nor Ye Jianxun had finished their meal. By custom, one could not leave early.

Her eyes subtly shifted, furtively glancing at the man beside her.

His pale face bore no flush, but his phoenix-shaped eyes, brightening with the increasing effects of the wine, shimmered like ignited stars.

For some reason, she felt those eyes were vaguely familiar, but she quickly dismissed the thought.

Sensing Mei Lingxi’s gaze, Ye Jianxun glanced at her, then set down his cup. “Tonight, I am grateful to my father-in-law and mother-in-law for their generous hospitality.”

After dinner, they were to return home, but Mei Lingxi said she wanted to retrieve something from the Xiaoxiang Garden. He agreed to accompany her.

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While waiting in the courtyard, suddenly a small stone was hurled over the outer wall.

Ye Jianxun swiftly climbed over the wall and looked into the distance, spotting a hurried figure retreating—a woman dressed in lotus-leaf green.

He bent to pick up the stone, wrapped in a note. Unfolding the paper, he saw a single line of elegant handwriting.

His brows furrowed tightly into a crease, his knuckles whitening as he crushed the paper in his fist and tore it to shreds.

*

Leaving the Marquis of Dingbei’s residence, the two rode in a carriage. Mei Lingxi still sat in the farthest corner, keeping her distance from Ye Jianxun.

He glanced at her and said, “After Mei Lingyi fled the estate secretly, she went to the military camp to find your former fiancé, the legitimate son of General Zhenyuan.”

“What?!” Mei Lingxi was shocked beyond words. For a woman to flee was bold enough, but to go to the army camp was reckless to the extreme.

“If she returns and admits her fault, would you accept her back? Would you marry her?” Mei Lingxi asked.

She recalled Bìshuǐ mentioning that Ye Jianxun was infatuated with Mei Lingyi. If Mei Lingyi changed her mind, this position of Young Lady could be hers again.

And she could return to Qingyuan Town.

Ye Jianxun was silent for a moment, then drew back the curtain and looked out. “We’ve arrived.”

He leapt lightly from the carriage and strode ahead, ignoring those behind.

The snow in front of the Wang residence had been cleared, but the ice beneath remained. Chunwu steadied Mei Lingxi as they walked carefully.

Suddenly, Chunwu stumbled and fell forward. In her panic, she inadvertently grabbed Mei Lingxi’s arm, causing her to lose balance and fall as well.

Mei Lingxi landed on her rear; her left side struck a mound of broken ice. The hard shards bruised her waist, and she cried out in pain.

Bìshuǐ hurried over, trying to help her up, but Mei Lingxi’s pain was too great.

Bìshuǐ noticed the severity of the injury and grew increasingly anxious.

At that moment, a figure who had disappeared at the gate suddenly reappeared.

Ye Jianxun came quickly to Mei Lingxi’s side and asked, “Where does it hurt?”

“My waist...” Mei Lingxi was embarrassed to admit it was her rear and so just said her waist.

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Ye Jianxun loosened the tie at his collar and draped his dark cloak over her shoulders. The snow began to fall heavily, swirling down, and she had forgotten to wear her cloak today.

He bent down and lifted Mei Lingxi into his arms. She gasped in surprise and instinctively wrapped her hands around his neck to steady herself.

In that instant, a cool, cedar-like scent enveloped her, mingled faintly with the scent of wine. Her cheek pressed softly against his strong chest, making her slightly uncomfortable, so she shifted her face away.

Ye Jianxun did not notice her unease. Passing through the corridor, he strode quickly toward the Luoyu Garden, instructing Bìshuǐ, “Send for the Xu family physician.”

Back inside, Ye Jianxun laid her gently on the bed, careful not to press on the side where she had fallen.

Chunwu had already lit silver-thread coals inside, gradually warming the room.

The Xu family doctor arrived, skilled in treating bone injuries, but found it difficult to assess the damage to her waist.

Ye Jianxun realized this too. After thinking for a moment, he approached the bed and told Bìshuǐ, “Help the Young Lady remove her outer robe and padded jacket.”

Mei Lingxi understood he wanted to examine her injury and cooperated, removing her layers until only her thin nightdress remained.

“Chunwu, bring another charcoal brazier,” Ye Jianxun ordered.

With two braziers burning, the room quickly felt warm as spring.

Ye Jianxun continued to Bìshuǐ, “Lift her clothes so I can take a look.”

Bìshuǐ glanced at Mei Lingxi, as if seeking her consent. After hesitation, Mei Lingxi said, “I’ll do it myself.”

She took a deep breath and lifted the left side of her nightdress.

Beneath, she wore a pink undergarment, with two slender straps barely visible from the side.

Yet the pale skin beneath bore a large bruise, dark and swollen.

Feeling the cool, steady gaze upon her, Mei Lingxi blushed and was about to lower her nightdress when Ye Jianxun stepped closer, pressing a finger gently against the bruised skin.

“Does this hurt?” he asked.

His fingertip was cool, carrying a hint of frost that made her shiver slightly.