Wishing You Eternal Happiness

Not long after the lanterns were lit at nightfall, Pei You'an returned home.

The summer heat was oppressive. Jiafu had bathed upon returning from the Taoist temple in the evening and was now waiting for him. When she saw him arrive, she greeted him and asked about dinner. He said he had eaten some pastries with his colleagues in the duty room at the palace during the hour of You and wasn’t very hungry yet. Jiafu had also eaten a bowl of lotus leaf and lotus seed soup earlier and wasn’t hungry either. Knowing he must have sweated, she first helped him bathe and change clothes. Then the young couple had dinner together, visited the old madam and Madam Xin, and upon returning, just like the previous night, Jiafu followed him to the study.

The jade hairpins in the courtyard were in full bloom, their fragrance growing even richer as night fell. The scent of flowers drifted into the study through the dark green gauze windows with each gust of the evening breeze.

Pei You'an sat behind his desk, occupied with his own affairs, while Jiafu stood in front of the bookshelf behind him, lightly flipping through the books. No longer facing each other, the smile that had lingered on her face gradually faded as her thoughts wandered. It wasn’t until Pei You'an called for her to fetch him a book that she snapped out of her reverie, uttering an "Oh" before hurriedly putting down the book in her hands and looking up to search.

"Third shelf from the top left, second book from the right," Pei You'an added without turning around.

Following his instructions, Jiafu quickly found the book and brought it to him.

Pei You'an took it, flipped through a few pages, then set it down and looked up at her carefully. "What’s the matter? If you’re tired from going out today, you don’t have to stay here with me. Go to bed first—I’ll join you shortly."

Jiafu did indeed have something weighing on her mind—and it was no trivial matter.

That day in the palace, from the moment she first saw Chi Hanzhen speaking with Pei You'an by the palace path, she had sensed a faint threat. Of course, the incident had ended with her making a fool of herself once again, while Pei You'an, magnanimous as ever, chose to forgive her—just like the many similar incidents that had occurred between them before. This time, it had even turned misfortune into a blessing, breaking the awkwardness between them since their wedding night, making it a rather favorable outcome.

While Jiafu felt grateful and relieved, upon reflection, she was even more ashamed of her impulsiveness and pettiness. Over the past two days, thanks to Pei You'an’s gentleness and the intimacy he didn’t deliberately hide in private, she had gradually shaken off the shadow of those first few days.

But today’s visit to the Taoist temple had caused that dissipating shadow to slowly descend upon her again.

Her intuition told her that Chi Hanzhen very likely harbored feelings for Pei You'an.

And honestly, that wasn’t surprising. Pei You'an had a mentor-student relationship with her grandfather, and she had visited the Pei household often as a child, knowing Pei You'an since they were young. Both had reputations for talent back then, so her admiration for him wasn’t strange. Jiafu also believed Pei You'an wasn’t the type to act improperly.

Yet what she had witnessed today still left her unsettled.

This female Taoist had pride, a reputation for talent, and expressed her emotions through her writings—her calligraphy even faintly resembled Pei You'an’s style. Pei You'an was like the bright moon and clear breeze, while she was the wind beneath the trees. Though her family had been destroyed, leaving her to dwell in a Taoist temple in pitiable circumstances, Jiafu knew deep down that in Pei You'an’s presence, she couldn’t help but look up at him, overwhelmed by his kindness toward her.

But Chi Hanzhen was likely the kind of person who could stand on equal footing with him. Back then, to protect her purity, she had even been willing to shatter like jade.

Of course, Jiafu had also once thrown herself from a building—but compared to Chi Hanzhen’s fierce resolve, that unspeakable experience left her with nothing but shame and inadequacy.In Pei You'an's eyes, she must be talented and virtuous, worthy of admiration.

Yet apart from this lingering shadow in her heart, the brief encounter with Xiao Yintang on her way back to the city had unsettled her even more.

She had always felt that Xiao Yintang would not let her off easily. It was precisely because of this that when she had previously encountered Pei You'an—a lifeline that could rescue her from her predicament—she had clung to him desperately, stumbling along until she finally married him and found stability.

As long as Pei You'an was around, even if Xiao Yintang was the Crown Prince, he should be powerless against her. Jiafu believed this firmly.

Back when she had thought of seizing Pei You'an and marrying him, she had also considered that if Pei You'an truly died of illness before the age of thirty, as she had known in her past life, she would willingly follow him in death rather than face Xiao Yintang's revenge after his ascension to the throne. She had no fear of this.

On their wedding night, she had thought that this man was worth such devotion. If he were to leave, living alone would hold no meaning for her. In this lifetime, being able to spend a few years as his wife and enjoy some peaceful days was already more than she could ask for.

From their meeting in Wuding to now, with all the ups and downs along the way, she and Pei You'an had gradually grown familiar. She had finally realized that his health was not as frail as she had once imagined.

He was slightly thin, his build indeed not as robust as a martial artist's, but beneath his clothes, his body was lean and strong, no different from any other healthy young man.

She found it hard to believe that this Pei You'an would relapse into illness years later, vomiting blood until he died suddenly in a remote frontier town.

That evening, after returning home and closing her eyes in meditation in the bathtub, Jiafu suddenly remembered something.

In her past life, during Xiao Yintang's final days, she had knelt by the Dragon Bed and heard him mutter in his nightmares something related to Pei You'an.

He had said, "You'an, You'an, is this the retribution you've brought upon me? I beg you, spare me! Don't blame me! Blame Father! It's all his sin—"

Recalling those words from his dream and the manner of Pei You'an's death in her past life, Jiafu had shuddered in horror at the time.

The true relationship between Xiao Yintang and Pei You'an was far less amicable than it appeared on the surface—the two had never interacted privately. Especially in this lifetime, because of her, Xiao Yintang must harbor even greater resentment toward Pei You'an. Jiafu knew this well.

But if her suspicions were true, what puzzled her was that in her past life, she had not been entangled between these two men. Even if Xiao Yintang had envied Pei You'an for overshadowing him, at that time, Xiao Lie was still on the throne, and Pei You'an had voluntarily left the wealth and luxury of the capital to travel to the distant frontier city of Suye, remaining there for years with no intention of returning. For Xiao Yintang, who held the position of Crown Prince, there was truly no reason to risk his father's detection by plotting Pei You'an's death.

Jiafu could make no sense of it and decided she must be overthinking things.

Now, as Pei You'an asked his question, the strange look Xiao Yintang had given her during their daytime encounter flashed before her eyes.

"Cousin..."

Meeting his scrutinizing gaze, she called out softly, then fell silent.Pei You'an paused briefly in thought, then set down the brush in his hand onto the brush rest. Instead, he took hold of her hand and gently pulled, guiding Jiafu to sit sideways on his lap. One arm reached around from behind, encircling her waist with a tenderness that felt utterly natural.

Jiafu leaned back against the arm supporting her back, tilting her head slightly to look up at him.

Pei You'an lowered his head slightly and said, "I just ran into Second Uncle and heard from him that you encountered the Crown Prince on your way back? Were you frightened?"

Jiafu had indeed been afraid of Xiao Yintang in the past, but after having Pei You'an by her side, she no longer feared him. Yet the unease she felt now was more unsettling than the simple fear she had once known.

"Cousin, you must be careful of the Crown Prince... He must resent you deeply..."

She couldn't hold back any longer and finally voiced her concern.

Pei You'an seemed somewhat surprised by her words, studying her with a scrutinizing gaze before responding. Under his steady regard, Jiafu grew increasingly uneasy. She bit her lip and murmured, "Perhaps I'm overthinking... If I'm wrong, please don't be angry... I didn't mean to sow discord between you and the Crown Prince..."

Pei You'an's expression softened into a smile as he tightened his arm around her and said quietly, "Why would I be angry with you? I was merely taken aback that you'd say such a thing..."

He paused briefly.

"From the beginning, the Crown Prince has indeed harbored a competitive spirit toward me. I never intended to antagonize him, but in the court, many matters are beyond one's control. Even without you, there would have been friction between us. But rest assured, as long as His Majesty is still here, he won't dare to openly challenge me. As for the future, though the winds of fate are unpredictable, now that I've married you, I will spare no effort to protect you."

His voice was steady, carrying a reassuring strength. The shadows in Jiafu's heart gradually lightened. She softly called him "cousin," then wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his neck.

Pei You'an gently patted her back, as if comforting a frightened child. After holding her silently for a moment, he lifted her chin with his other hand, bringing her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes lingered on her lips, lost in thought for a moment, before he slowly leaned in closer.

Jiafu knew he was about to kiss her.

Though they had already shared more intimate moments than mere kisses, her heart still raced like a startled deer. Her cheeks flushed, and her lashes trembled as she closed her eyes. When she felt the warmth of his breath nearing her face, she couldn't help but pucker her lips slightly—only to immediately brush against his.

He paused briefly, then stopped. The man was truly wicked—he let out a soft, amused chuckle, the sound unmistakable in her ears.

But that wasn't all. Still nestled in his embrace, Jiafu could clearly feel his shoulders and chest trembling slightly. Clearly, he was still holding back laughter at her expense.

Instantly, Jiafu's face burned crimson, her ears scalding with embarrassment. She no longer wanted his kiss. Opening her eyes, she pushed him away and stood up, exclaiming in annoyance, "I'm tired. I'm going back to my room to sleep. You can do as you please." She turned to leave, but before she could take a step, a hand reached out from behind and grasped her forearm, pulling her gently back into his embrace.Jiafu's little face was still flushed. Pei You'an leaned close to her ear and whispered soothingly, "I truly wasn't laughing at you earlier..."

He had only spoken half a sentence when he stopped, his chest trembling slightly again.

"Cousin!"

Now truly annoyed, Jiafu struggled forcefully, refusing to stay seated on his lap. Pei You'an tightened his arms around her slender waist, still coaxing her, when footsteps sounded outside the study. A servant woman approached and called through the door, "Young Master, the Daoist nun Hanzhen from White Crane Temple has sent someone urgently requesting your presence. She says her younger brother has fallen ill again."

Jiafu stopped struggling and turned to look at Pei You'an.

Pei You'an froze momentarily, the smile vanishing from his face as he immediately released Jiafu. "I'll go take a look. You rest first."

Recalling the frail, sickly child she had glimpsed during the day, Jiafu dared not delay him and nodded. She followed Pei You'an back to their room, helped him dress, and saw him off as he hurriedly left the courtyard.

...

Pei You'an rode out of the southern city gate with a servant in tow, hastening to White Crane Temple. A senior disciple named Qingxin, under Xu Chen, was waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Pei You'an arrive, she hurried forward to greet him. Carrying his medicine chest, Pei You'an entered and inquired about the situation.

Qingxin said, "He was fine during the day, but suddenly he fell ill again—unconscious, foaming at the mouth. It was terrifying..."

Pei You'an rushed to the Taisu Hall, where the door stood open. A young Daoist nun was anxiously peering outside and, upon spotting Pei You'an, quickly ushered him in.

Pei You'an entered the child's bedroom. The room was brightly lit, and Xu Chen was also present. Hearing the commotion, Chi Hanzhen turned and hurried over, her eyes red and swollen. Before she could speak, Pei You'an swiftly moved to the bedside, pulled back the covers, and examined the child—pale-faced, eyes tightly shut, limbs convulsing, foam at the corners of his mouth. He quickly checked the child's eyelids, took his pulse, then retrieved a needle kit from his chest. Instructing others to hold the child's limbs steady, he inserted needles into specific points on the body and the crown of the head. Gradually, the child's breathing steadied, the convulsions ceased, and his eyelids fluttered before slowly opening.

"Little brother!"

Overcome with joy, Chi Hanzhen threw herself forward, tightly grasping the child's hand.

Pei You'an wrote a prescription, selected the herbs himself, and instructed the young Daoist nun to brew the medicine quickly. Returning to the bedside, he continued the acupuncture treatment. Half an hour later, the medicine was brought in. He helped the child sit up and drink it. Moments later, the child slowly closed his eyes and finally fell asleep again.

Only then did Xu Chen exhale in relief, escorting Pei You'an to the outer chamber.

As Pei You'an packed his medicine chest, Chi Hanzhen instructed the young Daoist nun to watch over her brother before stepping out after him. Gazing at Pei You'an with reddened eyes, she said, "I am truly ashamed to disturb your peace again because of my brother. His condition had stabilized somewhat these past two days—Old Madam Pei even came to see him during the day. In the evening, he got up, and following your earlier instructions, I helped him walk slowly around the courtyard twice. Who could have imagined he would fall ill again just now? I initially thought to summon Physician Hu, but feared he might be on night duty at the palace and unavailable. If we had gone in vain, it might have delayed treatment for this sudden illness..."

Pei You'an waved his hand, stopping her. "It's no trouble. Your brother's condition is severe and urgent—it truly cannot be delayed. I'll stay a while longer to ensure he's stable before leaving."Chi Hanzhen's eyes brimmed with gratitude, and Xuchen also breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing Pei You'an's cautious nature—how he had retreated outside the courtyard after the last medical visit to await the results—Xuchen assumed it would be the same this time. He promptly had tables and chairs brought out, along with fresh seasonal fruits. Fearing mosquito bites in the summer night, he also instructed his disciples to light incense. After personally attending to these hospitable arrangements, he excused himself first.

Pei You'an stood beneath the moonlight, his robes flowing like water, his figure as elegant as a jade scholar. Chi Hanzhen personally brought out tea from the house and said, "I know you are newly wed, my lord, and tonight's summons was truly unavoidable. I am deeply grateful for your trouble in coming all this way, yet I have nothing to repay you with. I have no fine tea here, only an aged Longya Pu'er left from last year, which I brewed myself just now. Please, my lord, have some tea."

Pei You'an smiled faintly, said it was no trouble, and casually lifted the teacup to take a sip.

Chi Hanzhen inquired about the illness. Pei You'an set down the cup and replied, "It's a complication of his original condition. Follow the prescription I left, administer the medicine on time, and if my judgment is correct, it should not recur."

After a moment of silence, Chi Hanzhen said, "My lord, over these years, my family has declined, leaving me without kin, adrift like rootless duckweed. I have endured humiliation and witnessed the fickleness of human hearts, my spirit long turned to ashes. Meeting you has shown me that good people still exist in this world, and my heart has gradually warmed. Please accept my bow."

With that, she abandoned her Daoist courtesy and instead performed a deep bow in the manner of an ordinary woman. Beneath the moonlight, her slender figure resembled bamboo, evoking tender pity.

Pei You'an said, "Lady Zhen, please rise. Your grandfather was a man of unyielding integrity and loyalty, and he shared a teacher-student bond with me. What I do now is merely a small gesture—there is no need for you to dwell on it."

He looked up at the moon gradually veiled by drifting clouds, then added after a pause, "Your brother should be fine now. With that, I shall take my leave."

Chi Hanzhen insisted on seeing him off, but Pei You'an repeatedly declined. Only then did she stop and bid him farewell. After a moment's hesitation, she added, "Since childhood, I have discarded many worldly possessions, but never my love for books. The Lunheng you recommended last time—I finished reading it these past few days while my brother's condition stabilized. However, there are a few passages I don’t understand. If you ever have time, might you enlighten me further?"

Chi Hanzhen had always loved reading, and during Pei You'an's visits to the Chi household, he had often guided her.

Pei You'an replied, "I have little insight to offer. If you don’t understand, consult the commentaries and annotations—they should clarify things. I believe they are available in bookshops."

Chi Hanzhen paused, then said, "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, my lord."

Pei You'an smiled slightly, nodded at her, and with a word to stay where she was, turned and strode away, his figure soon vanishing beneath the moonlit shadows.

...

After seeing Pei You'an off, Jiafu returned to her bedroom, undressed, and lay down—but sleep was nowhere to be found.Earlier, she had been unsettled by the unexpected encounter with Xiao Yintang today. After temporarily setting aside her worries, it was such a coincidence that Pei You'an was called away again by the female Taoist priest. The incident from the day had already left her uneasy, and now, even though she knew he had gone to treat a child, her heart still felt hollow. She had no mood for reading, nor could she sleep. Tossing and turning in bed, she felt dizzy and restless. Getting up to check the time, she saw it was already past the middle of the Hai hour (around 11 PM). She had no idea when Pei You'an would return—if the child's condition was critical, he might not come back all night. Feeling irritable and stifled by the heat in the room, she wiped the sweat from her brow and got up to open another window. Suddenly, she heard movement outside—Pei You'an had returned. She faintly heard him speaking with Tanxiang, asking if she was asleep. Relieved, she quickly got out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and was about to greet him when she changed her mind. She swiftly dropped the bed curtain and crawled back under the covers, pulling the blanket haphazardly over her chest and stomach before turning to face the wall, pretending to be asleep.

Light footsteps entered the room. He went to the bathroom first and emerged moments later. There was a soft rustling as he undressed, then the bed curtain was lifted, and someone lay down beside her.

Jiafu remained still. Pei You'an didn’t disturb her at first. After a while, she felt a hand slide around her waist, slipping beneath her clothes, fingers lightly tickling the sensitive spot at her side.

Jiafu was extremely ticklish and tried desperately to hold back, but after a few more teasing strokes, she couldn’t suppress a giggle. In an instant, she was pulled into his arms. Pei You'an held her close and whispered in her ear, "Is this how you serve your husband?"

Jiafu opened her eyes and mumbled, "I was asleep until you tickled me awake. You were the one who told me to sleep first, and now you’re blaming me."

Pei You'an gazed at her delicate, enchanting face, his eyes gradually settling on her cherry-red lips. Suddenly, he said, "Smile for me again."

The request was abrupt, and Jiafu blinked in confusion.

"Like the way you smiled at me this morning when I dropped you off at White Crane Temple."

Only then did Jiafu recall the moment. She remembered him glancing at her a few times before turning away, and she had assumed he hadn’t noticed. Yet now he wanted her to smile again.

Jiafu couldn’t refuse him. After a brief pause, she pursed her lips and smiled, the faint dimple at the corner of her mouth appearing and disappearing.

Pei You'an cupped her face, leaned in, and kissed that little dimple that had caught his eye. Slowly, his lips moved to hers, parting to take them gently between his own.

Outside the bed curtain, the silver lamp flickered softly; inside, a subtle fragrance filled the air. Jiafu’s hair was tousled, her delicate body sprawled beneath him as he moved against her—sometimes slow, sometimes urgent, now gentle, now intense. One slender arm hung limply over the edge of the bed, the bracelet on her wrist swaying slightly in the air, occasionally tapping against the wooden frame with a faint, rhythmic clink.

"There’s nothing between her and me. In the past, it was only about treating her illness. You were very understanding tonight—well done. Sleep now."

Afterward, before drifting off, Pei You'an wrapped his arms around Jiafu, casually stroking her hair before pressing a tender kiss to her forehead and whispering softly.