Chapter 30: Stealing a Kiss on Soft Lips

Pei Zhouwu had collapsed, falling into a deep slumber.

Yet the direction he fell toward was exactly where she was, indicating that his trust in her had now reached a new height.

Since Pei Zhouwu had opened his heart to her, the matter of having a child was practically assured.

She curled her lips into a smile and reached out to stroke Pei Zhouwu’s smooth hair.

Truly, heaven rewards those who persevere!

But Pei Zhouwu’s body was heavy, and in his unconscious state, the full weight of his body inevitably pressed down on her. After a while, she could no longer bear it.

She shifted slightly, wrapping both arms tightly around his body.

With one hand supporting his head, she prepared to lay him down flat, but she simply didn’t have the strength. Before she could react, Pei Zhouwu’s body slumped heavily downward.

Liu Fuying closed her eyes, not daring to look at his wound, afraid it might have started bleeding again.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her eyelids. Pei Zhouwu remained unconscious. Perhaps because his wound was wrapped in bandages, even if there was bleeding, it wouldn’t seep through so quickly. His mother had visited, and she must have brought the best medicine for stopping bleeding and healing wounds. For now, it seemed all right.

She lifted Pei Zhouwu’s legs onto the bed, adjusting him a few times to make him lie more comfortably.

Then, she sat down by the bedside, gazing intently at his face.

This face—no matter how many times she looked, she never grew tired of it.

Recalling the kiss from earlier, her gaze grew even more fervent, her heart longing for his swift recovery.

As she watched, her fingers unconsciously brushed against his lips.

The soft sensation ignited a fire at her fingertips, quickly spreading throughout her entire body, leaving her dizzy.

So this was how men felt when they looked at beautiful women.

She leaned down, her hair draping over his neck. The ticklish sensation made Pei Zhouwu’s brows twitch slightly, but Liu Fuying didn’t notice. Her attention was entirely focused on Pei Zhouwu’s lips, which she was about to press her own against.

The closeness of her breath made Pei Zhouwu’s brows tremble even more.

Once familiar, twice at ease—Liu Fuying was no longer as nervous as before, only filled with the excitement of a conqueror.

Pei Zhouwu was the one being conquered, and his tension was evident in his two unconsciously clenched hands.

They tightened for a moment, then relaxed on their own, repeating this pattern.

This showed that he wasn’t just nervous—there was also a hidden longing he didn’t dare reveal.

When her lips finally met his, those hands, which had been clenching and unclenching, suddenly relaxed, confirming his inner acceptance of Liu Fuying.

Earlier, he had indeed fallen unconscious, but when his legs were lifted onto the bed, he woke up again—not intentionally pretending to sleep. His mind was already muddled, and he was on the verge of losing consciousness once more, but the sudden closeness of her breath made his heart tighten.

Liu Fuying’s kiss didn’t last long, nor was it excessive.

She gently pulled back, whispering softly as if breathing out a sigh, “For my sake, please get better soon.”

Even now, she hadn’t completely won him over.

Fortunately, she didn’t say anything else that might expose herself.

Even if Pei Zhouwu heard these words, they would only sound like comforting words, encouraging him to take care of himself for her sake—nothing to fault.

“Sleep now. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, she stood up to tidy the things on the table—not only what she had brought but also the medicine and bandages Mother Pei had sent in.

The extra items were all stored away in the small bamboo cabinet in the room.

The cabinet contained few items: several familiar medicine bottles she had brought in for him last time, and that Glowworm Wooden Hairpin, placed in the deepest part.

Liu Fuying reached in to touch it, then turned to glance at Pei Zhouwu with his eyes closed.

Perhaps one day, she would occupy the deepest and most important place in Pei Zhouwu’s heart, but by then…

Shaking off distracting thoughts, Liu Fuying withdrew her hand and closed the bamboo cabinet door.

She then turned, picked up the washbasin, and left the room.

By this time, Pei Zhouwu was no longer sleepy but wide awake.

Somewhere along the way, the sorrow his mother had left him with had quietly dissipated. The sadness was gone, the heartache vanished, leaving only Liu Fuying’s words—that she would stay with him forever—ringing powerfully in his ears, along with her sincere confession and…

He raised his hand, dragging the heavy iron chains to touch his lips.

In his breath, her scent seemed to linger still.

So intoxicatingly cherished.

“Yueying, Su Yueying.”

“It’s good to have your affection.”

…

When Liu Fuying returned, the basin was filled with water.

She untied Pei Zhouwu’s robe. The bandage inside was soaked through with blood, likely to seep heavily with just a slight squeeze—the wound must have reopened earlier after all.

Carefully removing the bandage, she dampened a towel and wiped away the remaining bloodstains.

In just a few wipes, the water in the basin turned red.

She turned to fetch the medicine from the table and applied it meticulously to the wound on Pei Zhouwu’s chest.

The gash looked frightening, as if stabbed by a short blade—small but alarmingly deep.

In such hot weather, she hoped it wouldn’t fester or ooze pus.

After rewrapping it with a clean bandage, she carried the basin of bloody water and the used bandage outside. The stream behind the hut flowed elsewhere, making it suitable for washing the bandages without letting the dirty blood flow back into the pond.

By now, she wondered how Jin Li was faring alone in the carriage outside.

Though she claimed not to be afraid, she must surely feel fear deep down.

It was a pity—when they entered, Liu Fuying had repeatedly urged Jin Li to return to the city first and simply come back to fetch her tomorrow, but Jin Li refused outright, insisting on waiting outside.

Jin Li had suffered much alongside her since childhood. Once Liu Fuying fully took over the Shen Family’s estate, she would make sure Jin Li lived comfortably, even buying her a house so she could live the life she truly desired.

Thinking of this, Liu Fuying felt more energized as she washed the bandages.

As for the Shen Family, it was likely in utter chaos by now.

Just as she had guessed, Old Madam Shen, upon waking from her illness, kept calling for Liu Fuying. She had cried all afternoon, her eyes swollen from weeping.

Shen Xiunian had returned from Xiangshan to report the investigation at the palace. Back at the estate, the disorder in the rear courtyard gave him a headache.

“General, we’ve searched the entire city. There’s no trace of Madam.”

Hearing his subordinate’s words, Shen Xiunian’s eyelids twitched.

In the past, Liu Fuying had been cautious and reserved in the Liu Family, never getting along well with its members. She had few friends outside, so there was nowhere else she could have gone.

“We checked every inn and tavern, one by one. Nothing.”

Shen Xiunian clenched his fist. He had married Liu Fuying for his mother’s sake, and now his mother had fallen ill because of her, yet she was nowhere to be found.

He slammed the table and stood up angrily.

If she wasn’t in the city, then she must be outside it!

“To Changmingguan.”

If she had any acquaintances outside, it would be that adulterer she had hidden away in Changmingguan.

Once out the door, he mounted his horse and headed straight for the city gate.

He was determined to bring Liu Fuying back before the curfew.

Xiangshan Bamboo Courtyard.

Liu Fuying hung the freshly washed gauze on the bamboo poles behind the house, then returned inside, closed the door, and slid the bolt.

Tonight was a night for solitude.