Falling Ill After Getting Caught in the Rain

Gu Wanning was pulled aside by a tremendous force, but could only watch helplessly as the door panel fell on First Concubine...

Then she cried out and jolted awake.

"What's wrong? A nightmare?" Gu Wanning heard Xu Weibei's deep voice.

Only then did she realize she had been having a nightmare. Her inner garments were already soaked with sweat.

"Mm, it's nothing," Gu Wanning said. "I was probably frightened because that door panel nearly fell on me today. I should thank you for saving me, Marquis."

She couldn't leave a favor unpaid, or she'd have nightmares.

"That Er Ya of yours needs proper instruction. She's so clumsy."

Gu Wanning smiled. "That's just how she is, always rushing about. She doesn't mean any harm. I don't want to keep her on too tight a rein... Oh, right, I dreamed about First Concubine just now."

First Concubine was steady and thoughtful, and Gu Wanning had a good impression of her.

She just didn't like that self-sacrificing streak in her, and always felt she was too foolish and too infatuated.

So now, she wanted to help First Concubine test Xu Weibei's limits.

He doesn't lack women outside anyway. It's not as though he can't do without any one of them.

Maybe he could grant First Concubine her wish?

Gu Wanning hadn't dared think this way before, but on this storm-tossed night, she seemed to have seen another side of Xu Weibei.

Xu Weibei said, "You dreamed of her because she didn't show up today, and it was on your mind?"

Gu Wanning: "..."

Although Xu Weibei's tone was sarcastic, that did seem to be the case.

It wasn't that she was petty and angry because First Concubine hadn't come to check on her. She just found it strange. Why hadn't someone as thoughtful and attentive as First Concubine come?

It didn't seem quite like her usual self.

Seeing that Gu Wanning had fallen silent after he spoke, Xu Weibei grew even more sullen.

"You and the concubines get along well, I see."

"That's better than the whole household being in an uproar, isn't it?" Gu Wanning couldn't help saying. "Would you rather everyone fought bloody battles over you, Marquis?"

"There's no need for that."

"Then that settles it, doesn't it?" Gu Wanning remembered her "duty roster" and took the chance to pitch it. "...First Concubine for the first ten days of the month, Second Concubine for the middle ten, and Fourth Concubine for the last ten. What do you think?"

Xu Weibei felt terribly stifled.

Did she have to make her disdain so painfully obvious?

"Third Concubine and I are both in poor health... Not that you have to go. It's still up to you. This is just how we'll arrange it when you come to the inner courtyard."

"You're in poor health? What's wrong with you?"

The way she had charged into the rain was a match for the most capable vanguard under his command.

Gu Wanning was at a loss for words. After a long while, she said, "There's something wrong with my brain. I can't control my mouth and tend to talk nonsense and trouble you, Marquis."

For the sake of that bed curtain, she could be an idiot today.

Xu Weibei: "..."

He really did want to smack that little mouth that wouldn't stop babbling.

"No, it's not good that I had a dream like that." Seeing that dawn was already breaking outside, Gu Wanning sat up. "I'm going to check on the corn, then go see First Concubine. Oh, Marquis, can Gao Lan read the heavens at night? Then next time the weather is about to change, could you have him let me know?"

"I taught him."

It was perfectly normal to learn a little about that when marching and fighting wars.

"Amazing! Then I'm even more reassured. I'll ask him later."

Xu Weibei: So, am I dead?

Why go the long way around instead of asking me, when I'm right here?!

Chapter 30: Falling Ill After Getting Caught in the Rain

Gu Wanning got out of bed, and Xu Weibei got up too.

"Marquis, you're up so early?"

"You made so much noise I couldn't sleep."

Gu Wanning: "..."

She went to the garden to check on the corn, and Xu Weibei followed her.

Without waiting for her to offer, Xu Weibei picked a cucumber and ate it.

As Gu Wanning propped up the fallen cucumber vines, she thought, You wouldn't eat one when I offered, but you've been craving them all along, haven't you?

So proud!

After the heavy rain, the garden was a mess, so she would have to spend some time tidying it up.

The ground was sticky too, and her feet sank in with every step. Fortunately, she was wearing clogs, though every time she moved, it felt like pulling her feet out of glue.

After finishing the cucumber, Xu Weibei actually deigned to help her set the eggplants, which had been blown every which way, upright.

A lot of fruit and vegetables had fallen to the ground. Gu Wanning hated to see them go to waste, so she picked them all up and put them in a basket.

"They're bruised. What do you want them for?"

"I can cut the spoiled parts off the peaches and plums and make jam. If it's sealed properly, we can bring it out and eat it in winter. The grapes can be used to make wine..."

"Western Regions grape wine?"

"Mm."

"You know how?"

"Yes, it isn't hard."

Gu Wanning worked quickly and soon filled a large basket.

It was heavy, and the handle dug into her arm.

Xu Weibei took it from her and carried it as though it weighed nothing.

Gu Wanning smiled. "Thank you, Marquis. Please help me carry it back to the little kitchen first. I'm going to see First Concubine. Oh, right, Second Concubine is good at making these things. How about taking them to her instead, Marquis?"

The idea had just occurred to her. If Xu Weibei agreed, wouldn't that send him right to Second Concubine and fulfill her long-held dream?

Although she had already stood up for Second Concubine, a woman had to have it both ways, especially when he was the one with the money.

Xu Weibei's face changed. "What, how much silver did she give you this time? At least you have a conscience: you took her money and did the job."

Gu Wanning: "..."

Fuck!

Can I keep any secrets at all?

How did Xu Weibei find out about my private deal with Second Concubine?

Could I have talked in my sleep?

That can't be... I don't do that, do I? Er Ya used to sleep with me all the time, and she never mentioned it!

Seeing her eyes darting about, Xu Weibei was so angry that his chest heaved. He ignored her, picked up the basket, and left.

Gu Wanning: So where exactly did things go wrong?

Still pondering, she headed toward First Concubine's room.

Most of the servants in the residence were getting up around this time, appearing here and there and beginning their work.