Translator:
Atlas Studios
Editor:
Atlas Studios
When she arrived back home, it was almost midnight. Wen Xinya reeked of alcohol and was feeling a little nauseous. She sat in the courtyard under the viburnum tree. She could smell the mild fragrance from the viburnum flowers and feel the breeze that blew onto her face. It made her relaxed and comfortable.
Why did you come back so late?
asked a cold voice, sending chills down her spine.
Wen Xinya looked up and squinted her eyes. She saw Si Yiyan standing in front of her. Under the dim moonlight, she could not make much of his expression clearly, and all she could see was a dark shadow covering his face. This gave her a mysterious feeling.
You have been drinking!
Si Yiyan added.
Wen Xinya’s eye sparkled. She replied,
Mm, today is Second Young Master Xu’s birthday. We were celebrating for him so we had a few drinks. I was able to hold my liquor and did not get drunk. Xu-er and a few other friends weren’t as good. They got drunk and couldn’t even balance themselves.
There was some excitement in her voice. It was obvious that she had enjoyed herself at the party.
Let me help you to your room. You shouldn’t be out in the wind after drinking. You’ll catch a cold.
It was probably the effect from the alcohol, Wen Xinya was acting childishly than usual. She pouted and responded,
No! I want to look at the stars and count every one of them. Who said there are too many stars in the sky? I want to count them all tonight!
Si Yiyan laughed at her. She was obviously drunk and would not admit it. He had no choice but to try coaxing her again.
Be good and obedient! It does not feel good to be sick. You have to stay in the hospital and you might have to get some injection if you’re sick.
Wen Xinya made a funny face. She tilted her head as if she was deep in thought. Then she shook her head and said,
No, I don’t want that. I’m thirsty. I want water!
Si Yiyan stroked her hair lovingly and said,
Okay, let me get you some water. I’ll also make a glass of tomato juice for you to help disperse the alcohol in your body. Otherwise, you will get a hangover tomorrow.
Mm, okay!
Wen Xinya nodded. Si Yiyan’s voice sounded clear and crisp in her ear. She could also smell the mild fragrance of bamboo coming from him.
Indeed, she had drunk a lot earlier. But she managed it well because of her past 10 years of drinking in her previous life. The alcohol she drank that night was nothing in her eyes. It was probably after staying outdoors in the cold wind that enhanced the effects of the alcohol.
Wen Xinya looked up into the night sky. In the month of May, the sky always looked dark and vast without borders. The dim stars in the sky blinked a little without much brightness. It gave a sense of loneliness.
This was the same feeling she felt with Si Yiyan. He was so close to her in proximity, and yet she felt so distant from him. She was always unable to guess what he was thinking and he always seemed to be a mysterious character, just like the dark mysterious sky. There was always room for guessing and assumptions.
After a while, Si Yiyan came walking towards her.
His silhouette was barely visible under the dim light from the sky. The dark scenery behind him enhanced his aura and he became even more mysterious than ever.
Under the same dim light, Wen Xinya’s drunken eyes sparkled like the stars in the sky when she blinked. This pair of eyes revealed her youthfulness and a slight sense of childishness in her. He was extremely attracted by her cuteness.
Wen Xinya received the cup of tomato juice he prepared for her. She brought it close to her nose and sniffed. The strong sour smell made her even more nauseous. She then started to vomit uncontrollably all over Si Yiyan, who was squatting beside her.
Puke!
Wen Xinya continuously vomited a few times, almost emptying everything in her stomach. She started feeling much better and less nauseous.
How are you feeling? Do you feel better after vomiting?
Si Yiyan patted and stroked her back hoping to make her feel better.
I’m fine. I feel much better now!
Wen Xinya finally recovered and caught up with her breath. The disgusting smell of puke lingered in the air, making her frown hard at the unbearable smell.
She started noticing the mess on the floor that was caused by her puke. Then a pair of exquisite leather shoes appeared in her vision. She raised her head slowly and saw her puke all over Si Yiyan. There was some on his shirt and his black pants.
Your clothes…
Wen Xinya looked at the mess she caused and felt apologetic towards him.
So sorry. I did not expect to puke all over you.
She apologized.
No problem. I’ll take a bath later and be fine after changing into a new set of clothes,
replied Si Yiyan calmly.
Wen Xinya was still feeling uneasy for what she had done.
Quick, return to your room and change now! You can leave me alone here.
Let me help you return to your room first.
Si Yiyan held her arm to help her stand up.
Argh!
After vomiting, Wen Xinya’s legs were tired and she almost did not have the strength to stand up. She nearly lost balance and fell to the ground.
Si Yiyan bent slightly and carried her body horizontally in his arms.
Ah!
Wen Xinya gasped in a shock. She reached out and held on to his shoulder. Her face started to blush and got warmer.
Si Yiyan, what are you doing? Let me go! I can walk on my own!
Si Yiyan’s eyes gleamed as he replied,
You’re welcomed. It’s my pleasure.
I’m not appreciative of your gesture. I asked you to let go of me. Did you hear me?
Wen Xinya gave him a hard stare and pushed his chest trying to get away. Though he looked skinny, he was quite strong and had well-built chest muscles and she could not seem to push him away.
After some struggling along the way, they arrived at her room. While still carrying her in his arms, Si Yiyan walked straight towards the bathroom and put her down on the chair just outside the bathroom.
Okay, I’ll put you down now,
he said.
Wen Xinya was furious. She kept angrily staring at him.
Si Yiyan said with a smile,
Wait for a while. I’ll prepare a hot bath for you. You were just exposed to some chilly wind. Take a hot bath now and you’ll not catch a cold tomorrow.
She was taken aback and had a weird feeling by his thoughtful gestures. Nothing she did seemed to be able to stop him from being caring and gentle towards her. Wen Xinya tried clearing her thoughts.
Thank you. Sorry to trouble you.
Her words seemed to be signaling him to keep a distance. Si Yiyan ignored her and continued his way into the bathroom to prepare some hot water for her bath.
She could hear the sound of water flowing from the tap coming from inside the bathroom.
After a while, Si Yiyan walked out of the bathroom.
Your bath is ready. I’ve added a few drops of lavender essential oil into the water. It can help you relax and soothe your nerves. It also helps you get a good night’s sleep!
he said.
Oh! Okay!
Hearing Si Yiyan’s clear and crisp voice, Wen Xinya lost the presence of her mind. She did not even dare to look at him directly.
After Si Yiyan’s departure, Wen Xinya heaved a sigh of relief. It was a 60 square meters bathroom, yet she felt repressed being in the same room as Si Yiyan. She almost held her breath and could not breathe normally.
She slowly walked into the bathroom, removed her clothes and lied into the bathtub. Her body was surrounded by the warm water and the temperature was just right for her. The fragrance from the lavender oil filled her nose. It was such a good feeling that she said to herself in a low voice,
Ah! It feels good!
After soaking her body in the water for a while, Wen Xinya felt relaxed and soft. It reminded her of a phrase from the poem
The Song of Everlasting Regret
—She, who was rewarded for a bath in the Huaqing Pool on a cold spring day, cleansed her body in the hot spring water. A maid helped the relaxed and delicate body out of the pool and it was time for her to serve the Emperor.
Right at this moment, Wen Xinya suddenly shook her head hard to dispel her thoughts.
Splat! Splat! Splat! Serve the Emperor? Don’t forget you are now in your younger, underage body!
