Noble's Woman Guide

Chapter 53 - Heart to heart

Chu Jinglan held the scalding, delicate body in his arms as he listened to her frequent unrestrained coughs. His heart already felt particularly distressed yet thinking how she resisted this discomfort to meet Pei Yuanshu just now, the surging anger became intolerable and stifled within his chest, not able to vent it out. The feeling of anxiety mingled with stabs of pain were difficult to calm down.

Ye Huaiyang didn't seem to sense his monstrous fury. She merely feared that she would get him dirtied if she was to vomit again, so she propped her weak arms up wanting to leave his arms but was pressed back by him without hesitation.

"What are you doing?"

"You stay a little away from me... *cough cough*... will get you dirty later..."

Chu Jinglan's face became more serious as he bitterly uttered, "Just let it get dirty. Even if there are thorns in my bosom, you can only stay here now and don't think about going anywhere."

A big warm palm nestled between her mid-back as soon as those words fell, slowly smoothing her breath. Unconsciously, her physical strength depleted as she rested her whole weight onto him where the pair of steady arms encircled her waist, giving her the warmest and strongest support.

A while later, the coughing gradually stopped. Raising his hand, Chu Jinglan fetched some warm water and gave it to her. After swallowing two mouthfuls, she refused to drink any more. He didn't force her and placed the tea cup down then continued to stroke her chest.

"Feeling a little better?"

Nodding her head slightly, Ye Huaiyang's complexion eased up a little but her whole person was still a little dazed due to the high raging fever. She couldn't help but close her eyes and lean against his shoulder when she heard him say, "Wait for the medical officer to come and see, then drink the medicine before going to sleep again."

"Hmm," she softly replied. Smelling the clear pine scent on his body, her mind became somewhat sober, "Has everything been dealt with at Jingzhou?"

"It's all taken care of. The Shen-Ce Army has taken out Deng Tianguan's secret armory that same night and turned over countless irrefutable evidence, which I have already sent back to Wangdu."

"That's good." She slowly lowered her long eyelashes and no longer spoke.

The raging flames that rolled about in Chu Jinglan's heart (earlier) seemed to have died down by a heavy downpour, leaving only tiny embers that were imbued with a sense of helplessness upon seeing her like this. He couldn't help but stretch out his hand to cover her lightly flushed little face and whisper, "Why do you still think about these things? It would be better to vent out a few words to me and somewhat satiate your heart."

Hearing what was said, Ye Huaiyang smiled, the phoenix eyes brimming with light gleams that were limpid and soft.

That day, he risked his life searching for her in the mountain for hours and immediately lost control when he saw her injured. He kept watch of her the whole night without resting after they arrived in Yanzhou. She was very clear about all these. He who can command the wind and clouds all these years, gone through several life and death fearlessly, was out of his mind because of her injury. Would he be like this if he doesn't love her dearly? If sustaining this little indisposition can make him see his heart clearly, she would rather endure it which also saves her from pestering him everyday.

Ye Huaiyang's smile grew deeper when she thought of this. She grasped his hand gently and said, "I'm sick but not confused. Why would I want to get angry at you?"

Looking down at her, there were wisps of pain in his eyes, "You wouldn't have gotten hurt like this if it wasn't for me?"

"Does your heart ache?" she asked in a low voice.