Chapter 28: Restful Sleep

You really are a handful.

Having volunteered for the entire day, Li Youqing felt the emptiness of being stranded in a foreign land somewhat alleviated.

She hadn’t felt particularly tired at the time, but when she stood up after washing in the bathhouse that evening, she nearly blacked out and collapsed.

Not wanting to inconvenience others, she had hurried through her ablutions as quickly as possible.

With her long hair piled atop her head and clad in a thick cotton dress, she emerged from the bathhouse clutching a bundle of soiled garments, feeling utterly ridiculous.

Had Li Yuan seen her in such a state, she would have laughed herself breathless.

Bathed in the hazy moonlight, Li Youqing appeared to onlookers like a serene Guanyin statue—her simple attire unable to conceal her graceful bearing.

On her return journey, several young soldiers spontaneously illuminated her path with lanterns. When her gaze met theirs, they shyly averted their eyes.

Li Youqing couldn’t help recalling the pampered noble sons of the capital who knew only cockfighting and hound racing, as well as the refined young scholars at the Imperial Academy who were adored by daughters of prestigious families. Though of similar age, they seemed to inhabit entirely different worlds.

This wasn’t to say she looked down upon civil officials—every dynasty’s glory relied on the mutual achievements of civil and military officials. However, having witnessed so many armchair strategists among the capital’s aristocracy, her recent experiences made those figures appear rather absurd.

When yellow fever broke out in the capital’s outskirts years ago, she had advised the Crown Prince against risking his safety, only to receive her first stern reprimand from an Imperial Brother who had never before raised his voice to her.

She remembered every word of his admonishment: “The imperial family’s elevation above the common people isn’t privilege, but profound responsibility. As a princess, you must always remember that the welfare of the masses is the foundation of your existence.”

Though she now deeply resented him, Li Youqing privately acknowledged he would make a competent emperor.

Yet her two maternal uncles—in their prime and openly ambitious—were determined to install the young Fourth Prince on the throne.

The two factions stood opposed like fire and water. Whichever side ultimately prevailed, the other would meet a grim fate.

Li Youqing had initially worried the mild-tempered Crown Prince would be no match for the Sima Family, but soon thereafter, he joined forces with Zhenbei Wang to attack the Li Zhen Tribe, dealing her maternal relatives a heavy blow.

But did achieving his goals necessitate sacrificing her?

He claimed that as royalty, she must prioritize the people’s welfare.

Was this truly his justification for selling her to Zhenbei Wang—

The thought caused the void in her heart to expand. Pausing beneath the corridor eaves, her eyes clouded with inescapable shadows.

Suddenly, a man’s steady voice sounded behind her: “Is standing here enjoying the wind particularly pleasant?”

Under the row of lanterns hanging from the eaves, her solitary figure appeared somewhat forlorn in the darkness.

Her cloud-like black hair was hastily pinned up, revealing a slender nape, though the hairdo was clumsily executed—loose strands dancing wildly in the night breeze, some even playfully brushing against his face.

Xuan Rui’s stern expression softened as he approached and stood beside her.

Frowning, Li Youqing reined in her sudden melancholy and replied: “It’s not pleasant. And it’s very cold.”

Xuan Rui had just taken off his cloak to offer it to her when she sidestepped again, avoiding it with a look of distaste. “General, you haven’t bathed or changed clothes yet, have you? There’s a smell on you.”

Xuan Rui’s motion to drape the cloak over her paused, his expression turning somewhat awkward.

Seeing her take two more steps back, fluttering a small hand in front of her face as if to waft away the scent emanating from him, he felt a sting. During the day, while tending to patients in their homes—whether feeding medicine to children or inquiring about their conditions—she hadn’t shown a trace of disgust. Now, her behavior made him seem more unwelcome than the plague itself.

Xuan Rui shook his head and turned to go bathe, but she called out to stop him.

The young girl seemed to have forgotten her earlier aversion, offering him a sweet smile. “General Xuan, I’m not sure where my room is. I’m a bit tired and would like to rest early.”

Xuan Rui was taken aback, then, reminded of their current circumstances, his gaze grew complicated. “The villagers’ houses haven’t been disinfected, so they’re unfit for overnight stays. Only the Ancestral Temple is habitable.” Noting her blank, uncomprehending look, he added, “Tonight, you’ll sleep on the common sleeping platform with the soldiers.”

Li Youqing digested his words slowly, then stared at him in disbelief, her face flushing and paling alternately. Furious that he would show so little consideration for her, she couldn’t suppress her anger. “How can this be? Xuan Rui, don’t go too far!”

It was peak hour for the soldiers’ baths. Xiao Ziqi emerged carrying a washbasin and noticed the general standing stiffly on the corridor, his face dark. Puzzled, he moved to approach but was abruptly yanked away.

Irritated, he looked up and met Bai Cha’s gentle, subtly sharp features, his annoyance instantly fading. “Brother Bai, why are you pulling me?” The two shuffled off to a corner, their movements somewhat furtive.

Bai Cha, relieved that the pair were too engrossed in their argument to notice, rolled his eyes at Xiao Ziqi. “Didn’t you see what they were doing? Rushing over to invite trouble—are you tired of living?”

Xiao Ziqi then noticed the petite figure beside the general, her hands clenched into tight fists, standing on tiptoe to yell at him. The general’s expression grew increasingly stormy and intimidating. “Weren’t they inseparable before? What’s happened now?”

“Just stay out of it. I’m off to bathe.” Bai Cha had only pulled him aside as he happened to be passing by.

Xiao Ziqi watched his retreating back, frowning. “Brother Bai, you’re going the wrong way. The bathhouse is over there.”

Bai Cha didn’t bother turning around, merely raising a hand to wave him off and mind his own business. “What? Isn’t he going to bathe?” Xiao Ziqi stood confused for a moment, then, as if compelled, followed him.

~

On the corridor, Li Youqing watched Xuan Rui turn and walk away without a shred of mercy, a lump of frustration stuck in her chest. She shouted at his retreating figure, “Don’t think I can’t manage without you! I’d rather freeze to death outside tonight than come looking for you!”

Not far off, the man halted, glanced back coldly, and tossed over his shoulder, “Suit yourself.”

Li Youqing’s face paled. Stamping her foot in rage, she spun around and dashed back to the carriage.

As winter set in, each day grew colder than the last. The northern wind wailed and roared at night, hurrying any remaining travelers on the road toward the Ancestral Temple.

Li Youqing curled up alone on the carriage couch, shivering uncontrollably from the cold. Even wrapped tightly in a woolen blanket, she couldn’t feel a trace of warmth.

The water in the flask had long gone cold. She took a sip, feeling as though her internal organs were freezing solid.

Yet he actually dared to make her sleep with so many men—how utterly detestable!

Hadn’t the humiliation she’d endured since leaving the palace been enough?

She recalled his earlier words: the Love Gu required seven consecutive days to be completely eradicated. If he truly neglected her tonight, wouldn’t all their previous efforts be in vain?

There was no need, absolutely no need to make things harder for herself—

If she could just endure today, she could leave him far behind, never again having to see that irritating face or endure his vexations.

Half a quarter-hour later, a petite and slender figure, clutching her blanket, timidly pushed open the door of the Ancestral Temple.

A row of candles flickered in the wall niches, a few still burning. Their overlapping shadows illuminated the interior clearly.

Before her was a large common sleeping platform that could accommodate fifty or sixty people, divided into six rows. Soldiers lay neatly in their own berths, not a single one whispering or chatting.

Her gaze swept back and forth several times, but she couldn’t find Xuan Rui.

However, in the farthest corner to the east, a small area had been deliberately partitioned off with a screen, clearly reserved for her.

The Ancestral Temple was filled with the rise and fall of snoring. Slightly reassured, Li Youqing rose on her tiptoes, hunched her back, and moved swiftly in that direction.

What was called a screen was actually just a simple wooden frame draped with a thick, opaque velvet cloth for privacy.

The space inside was just enough for her alone. The bedding had already been arranged, and a hot water bottle lay beside the pillow.

After slipping inside, Li Youqing glanced around and noticed an empty berth beside the wooden frame. Her cheeks flushed slightly.

The wind outside was so strong—where could he have gone?

Clutching the hot water bottle, Li Youqing burrowed under the covers, listening carefully to the surroundings as drowsiness gradually crept over her.

Soon, she heard the sound of the Ancestral Temple’s door opening and closing, followed by a man’s footsteps approaching. Her nerves tightened as she sensed him lying down on the adjacent berth.

Given his earlier hostile attitude, Li Youqing was unwilling to initiate contact.

But after a long while, even after she had yawned three times in succession, there was no sign of any movement from him.

Growing anxious, and hearing faint snores from beside her—as if he were already asleep—Li Youqing decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She took a soft breath and quietly lifted a corner of the cloth draped over the frame.

What met her eyes was a coldly handsome and imposing face, with deep, distinct features and a jawline as sharp as if carved by a blade.

Li Youqing was surprised—how could he have fallen asleep so quickly?

Remembering earlier overhearing soldiers gathered in discussion, saying that General Xuan had inspected five or six nearby villages today, she suddenly realized he must be utterly exhausted.

What should she do then—

It was already late. Although she currently felt no unusual symptoms in her body, if they missed tonight, would the residual toxins remain uncleared?

Hesitating for a moment, Li Youqing quietly moved to his side and slipped under his blanket.

The man carried a faint scent of Chinese honey locust and a warmth tinged with dampness. Having just come from the cold, she sniffed and couldn’t hold back a sneeze.

Covering her mouth with both hands, she glanced guiltily toward his face.

Seeing that not even the root of his eyelashes had twitched, Li Youqing felt relieved. She turned over with her back to him and reached out to grab the hot water bottle from the shelf.

The man’s handsome brows furrowed. He shifted sideways, draping an arm over the quilt and firmly locking the restless little figure against his chest.

Through the quilt, she could feel the strength in his arm, confirming that he was already awake. Li Youqing was so embarrassed she could have dug her fingers into the ground.

A low, hoarse voice, tinged with sleepiness, sounded by her ear: “Don’t rush me, let me sleep a little longer.”

With a soft snap, one of Li Youqing’s nails broke, the pain twisting her delicate face into a crumpled mess.

Who’s rushing you? Who on earth is rushing you—

Her fingers clutched the quilt tightly, fraying the edges from her grip, and she didn’t dare move a muscle.

After a long while, a soft sigh sounded by her ear: “You really are a little ancestor.”

【Author’s Note】

Male lead: You really are a little ancestor.