When it was time for the meal, Jiafu heard footsteps outside the door and recognized them as Yinhuan's. She quickly lay down on the bed, fully dressed, and closed her eyes.
Yinhuan entered and said, "Young Mistress, don't sleep. The master sent me to call you down for dinner."
Jiafu replied, "I'm not hungry and can't eat anything. Tell him not to wait for me and to start without me."
After Yinhuan left, Jiafu climbed back onto the bed and lay down, waiting for Pei You'an to come check on her. However, she waited and waited until her stomach was growling with hunger, and the sky had darkened, yet there was no sign of him. Yinhuan didn’t come to call her again either. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she got up and walked to the window, looking down to see that the lamp in his study was already lit.
So, he had finished his meal long ago and gone to his study.
Jiafu froze for a moment before understanding.
He must have seen through her intentions and simply ignored her.
Filled with frustration, she suppressed the sense of defeat rising in her heart and stared blankly at the study where the light seeped out, lost in thought for a long time.
...
By the middle of the Xu hour, the sky was completely dark.
Jiafu arrived at the study, knocked a few times, then pushed the door open and entered. She walked to the desk and gently placed a white porcelain bowl beside Pei You'an's hand, saying softly, "Cousin, I brought you some midnight snacks."
Pei You'an's gaze remained fixed on the book in his hands as he replied indifferently, "You can eat it yourself. I'm not hungry."
Jiafu said, "Earlier, I went to the kitchen to find something to eat and happened to see the cook had soaked snow fungus ready. So, I made my hometown’s Snow Fungus Taro Milk Soup—my favorite since childhood. The cook said you don’t eat much sweet food, so I only added a spoonful of honey. I tasted it myself just now, and it’s edible, so I brought it for you to try. Please have a taste, cousin."
Pei You'an looked up and glanced at Jiafu.
Her jet-black hair was styled in the hanging bun of an unmarried maiden, the loops tied at the crown of her head, the ends cascading like swallows' wings over her shoulders. Dressed in a light pink gown, she looked as delicate as a newly bloomed crabapple flower. Standing beside him, her eyes fixed on him, her gaze slightly nervous yet full of expectation.
Pei You'an's brow twitched slightly, but his tone remained flat. "So, you decided to come down to eat?"
Jiafu let out a soft "Mm" and lowered her head. "Earlier, I was actually upset because you refused to take me with you, so I didn’t come down... But then I got so hungry it was unbearable, so I went to the kitchen myself... The cook said you had asked her to keep warm food for me... You’re so good to me, yet I always act spoiled with you... I know I was wrong again..."
Her voice grew softer and softer.
Pei You'an silently picked up the spoon and took a bite, then paused.
"Is it bad?" Jiafu asked anxiously.
He took another bite and said, "This is a sweet soup. Next time, you can add another spoonful of honey—it would probably taste even better."
Jiafu exhaled in relief, her eyes immediately sparkling as if filled with starlight. She nodded vigorously. "I’ll remember that! Besides this, I can also make my hometown’s Beef Soup, Rice Cake, and Taro Cake... My mother made me learn them, saying that after I get married..."
She quickly covered her mouth, her eyes widening as she looked at Pei You'an with embarrassment, mumbling, "Anyway, if you’d like to eat them, cousin, I’ll make them for you every day..."Pei You'an's expression relaxed imperceptibly as he smiled faintly. "I don't usually eat late-night snacks, so there's no need for you to prepare them daily. Have you eaten?"
A faint blush colored Jiafu's cheeks as she replied softly, "I've already eaten earlier."
A trace of amusement flickered in Pei You'an's eyes—so fleeting even he didn't notice it—before he nodded slightly and gestured for her to sit on a nearby chair.
Jiafu hesitated, then understood when he asked her to place her hand flat on the table. Though reluctant, she dared not disobey and extended her hand.
Pei You'an gently rolled up her sleeve without touching her skin, revealing a delicate, pale wrist. He placed two fingers lightly on her pulse, withdrew after a moment, and wrote a few lines on paper. "Nothing serious. I'll have someone prepare the medicine according to this prescription. Starting tonight, take it a quarter-hour before bed—it will help calm your nerves and improve sleep."
"The medicine won't be too bitter. It harmonizes well with cooked honey. Add some once it cools slightly—it also nourishes blood and yin."
After a pause, he added a few more words to the prescription.
Jiafu stared fixedly at Pei You'an, her eyes gradually glistening with tears. When he turned his face toward her, she quickly averted her gaze, wiping her eyes with her fingers.
"What's wrong? Aside from nightmares, is there anywhere else you feel unwell? You can tell me."
Pei You'an's voice sounded unusually gentle as he looked at her.
Jiafu shook her head and whispered, "I was just thinking... Cousin, you're so kind to me. Even if the medicine you prescribe doesn't stop the nightmares, I shouldn't trouble you further..."
Pei You'an's hand, poised over the paper with the brush, paused briefly as he glanced at her.
Jiafu didn't meet his gaze, keeping her head lowered as she took a breath and continued, "You're leaving early tomorrow morning, so you should rest early tonight. I won't disturb you anymore. Don't worry about me—I'll be fine alone at home."
She lifted her face, forcing a pitifully cheerful smile at Pei You'an before standing, picking up the tray, and leaving the study. Her light footsteps faded as her figure disappeared behind the door.
...
Yinhuan brought the prepared medicine along with a jar of cooked honey, waiting nearby to add the honey once the medicine cooled. Jiafu dismissed her, saying she would add it herself.
Once Yinhuan left, Jiafu poured the medicine into the soil of an azalea bonsai in the corner.
Clearly, Pei You'an's understanding of Princess Zhou and Xiao Yintang paled in comparison to the bone-deep awareness she carried.
Yet there were things she couldn't explain to him.
Regardless of whether Xiao Yintang would target her next—or when—she wanted to follow Pei You'an. Wherever he went, she would go too.
He was leaving at dawn. Tonight, she resolved to stay awake the entire night, seizing this last chance to gamble once more.
She desperately wanted him by her side. Only by seeing him constantly could she feel truly at ease.
Late into the night, Jiafu rose from bed and returned to the window, her heart skipping a beat when she looked toward the study.
The study's previously lit lantern had gone out. Under the moonlight, she saw a figure emerge—Pei You'an heading toward his bedroom. After a few steps, he stopped and turned his head.
The moon was bright tonight, and she saw clearly: the direction he faced was precisely this window where she stood.She quickly withdrew, waiting for her pounding heart to calm down. After a moment, she cautiously peeked out again.
The figure was no longer there. The courtyard stood empty, bathed only in the silvery glow of moonlight.
...
The next day, Pei You'an rose before dawn. His entourage and guards, who were to accompany him on the journey, had already gathered outside, fully prepared and waiting to depart.
Jiafu was absent from breakfast. Even as Pei You'an prepared to leave, she did not appear to see him off. He glanced back a few times, his steps hesitating slightly.
Had the medicine he prescribed helped her sleep last night?
Pei You'an was about to ask Yinhuan to check on her when he suddenly remembered—it was still early, and he had risen much earlier than usual. She was likely still asleep. He dismissed the thought.
As the steward and others escorted him out of the inner courtyard, Pei You'an recalled the day she had confided in him about her fears, how Xiao Yintang's threats had haunted her nightmares. Unable to resist, he turned to look once more at the round tower behind him. Though he had already given instructions earlier, he called over Yang Yun, the guard captain he had assigned to stay and protect her, and repeated his orders.
Yang Yun vowed solemnly.
Pei You'an, knowing the man was both highly skilled and reliable, felt somewhat reassured and continued toward the main gate, where the steward and servants bowed respectfully in farewell.
Pei You'an dismissed them and took the reins from a guard, ready to depart. But then the memory of last night surfaced—how she had sought him out in his study after he had treated her coldly.
He hadn’t slept well either. His rest had been light, and in his drowsy state, he kept seeing her face—how she had forced a smile, anxious not to displease him, silently pleading for his understanding.
A pang of regret struck him for his harshness.
Her sulking, refusing to come down for meals, wanting him to coax her—it was only natural, the petty whims of a young girl. Though childish, it was harmless.
He turned once more to gaze at the round tower.
The hour was still early, the sun not yet risen. The tower was shrouded in the dim light of dawn. The surroundings were quiet, save for the occasional sound of hooves outside the gate, urging him to set off.
Pei You'an exhaled, about to turn away when his gaze suddenly fixed on something.
Behind a pillar near the side hall by the gate, a figure stood hidden.
It was Jiafu. He had no idea how long she had been there—her small frame easily concealed behind the pillar, only the edge of her dress and half her delicate face visible as she stared at him with wide eyes.
When their eyes met, she flinched like a startled rabbit, ducking back behind the pillar, her face now hidden.
Pei You'an's palms grew warm. He handed the reins back to a guard, instructing him to wait outside, then strode quickly toward her.
Jiafu, flustered, turned to flee, but Pei You'an was already on the steps, calling out, "Cousin."
She halted, slowly turning back. "Cousin," she murmured softly, lowering her eyes.
Just like the day before, faint shadows lingered beneath her eyes, her face weary.
"Still didn’t sleep well last night?" Pei You'an studied her as he asked.
Jiafu clasped her hands behind her back and shook her head. "The medicine helped. I slept much better than usual, and no nightmares. Don’t worry, Cousin."Pei You'an knew she was lying. After a moment's hesitation, he changed his question: "Why did you come here so early in the morning? When did you wake up?"
Jiafu slowly lifted her small face, her teeth tightly biting her lip until it turned pale. She just stared at him with pleading eyes, not uttering a word.
The faint light of dawn cast a pale glow as a cool breeze swept by, gently stirring the few strands of hair that hung by her ears. Pei You'an gazed at her, feeling a slight daze. Suddenly, the image of her tear-streaked, pitiful face from that night when he had exposed her trick of pretending to jump off a building flashed before his eyes. The left side of his chest softened gradually.
"Hurry up and go change your clothes..."
Jiafu's eyes suddenly brightened. Before he could even finish speaking, she immediately turned around and said hastily, "I've already packed everything! Cousin, wait for me—I'll be right out!"
Before the words had fully left her mouth, she was already dashing inside.
Pei You'an turned his head to watch her retreating figure, slightly taken aback.
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