Xiao E thought of a problem. What if Miss didn't know anything—if she didn't know all that Mu Zibai had done for her during this time? What should they do then?
Mu Zibai fell silent. It was an incredibly melodramatic problem. He suddenly felt as if he were in some soap-opera plot.
Mu Zibai had thought about this, too.
Of course I know. I know everything. Wenren Lingmeng was secretly delighted. Luckily, she had been conscious and hadn't been in a coma; otherwise, how would she have known about Mu Zibai's attentive care?
Thankfully, she knew everything.
Only someone who had experienced it firsthand could understand what it was like to struggle in utter darkness, only for a beam of light to suddenly shine into the darkness of her heart. She would never forget that warmth.
At the thought that Miss might not know anything, Xiao E couldn't help feeling anxious.
Mu Zibai said nonchalantly, "A day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection. What I've done is simply what I ought to do. I have a clear conscience."
Wenren Lingmeng was deeply moved. It was wonderful to have a husband like him.
Xiao E smiled. "Don't worry. Even if Miss forgets, I won't. I'll tell her everything, and I won't leave a single detail out."
Mu Zibai smiled warmly in response.
After they had bathed, Mu Zibai went to change clothes while Xiao E helped Wenren Lingmeng change and tucked her into bed.
Wenren Lingmeng heard rustling outside and felt nervous. This was her first night sleeping with Mu Zibai.
She had once imagined her husband as a genius, accomplished in both letters and arms.
She'd imagined him making great achievements, unmatched among the nation's finest. Sometimes he'd have to lead troops into battle, and the two of them would go months without seeing each other. Then she would write poems for him, and he would write poems for her.
Though they were far apart, they would gaze at the moon at night and pine for one another. When they were together, they would cherish and support each other through thick and thin.
Just thinking about it was so romantic.
Unfortunately, fate rarely matched reality. Wenren Lingmeng knew her expectations were lofty—where could anyone find a man so remarkable? But a young maiden's dreams were always full of imagination.
When she first learned Mu Zibai's identity, she had been deeply unwilling to accept it.
But after Mu Zibai had taken such thoughtful care of her, Wenren Lingmeng had to admit it: she'd come around.
Compared with those unrealistic fantasies, who could refuse a husband so considerate, someone who truly cared for her?
Wenren Lingmeng had also come to understand something. Back when she was well, who knew how many people had admired her? The gifts she received each day were too numerous to count.
Which of those young masters hadn't sworn eternal devotion to her, uttering vows so moving they could make heaven and earth weep? Which of them hadn't seemed so touching?
But what had come of it? The answer was plain.
It was Mu Zibai who had cared for her without abandoning her after she became a vegetable. Though he had done it to bring her good fortune through marriage, by now Wenren Lingmeng had come to regard him as her other half.
Mu Zibai was that ray of light that had shone into her heart when she had fallen into darkness. Since she had slipped into a coma, he had been one of the few sources of warmth in her life, giving her, as she struggled in the dark, hope that she could go on living.
She felt a chill beside her as the covers were lifted. Mu Zibai climbed into bed, while Xiao E stood to one side with her back turned.
Looking at the peerless beauty so close to him, Mu Zibai felt his heart stir. He reached out and tapped Wenren Lingmeng on the tip of her nose.
Wenren Lingmeng's heart stirred, too. She felt Mu Zibai's warm finger tap her nose, and her heart gave a sudden leap.
Her excitement mounted. Her heart felt as if it might leap right out of her chest, and she was so nervous she could hardly bear it. Yet she couldn't do a thing.
All sorts of strange thoughts came to her.
Does this count as consummating our marriage?
What is my husband going to do? Surely he isn't going to...
Could I get pregnant like this?
Wenren Lingmeng felt warmth beside her. Was it Mu Zibai's body heat? She felt so cozy.
Mu Zibai slipped one arm around Wenren Lingmeng, drawing her into his embrace, and took her little hand with the other.
She could hear Mu Zibai breathing beside her, and feel his warm breath. Though shy, she didn't resist. She even wanted to hug him back.
Real married couples sleep holding each other, right?
Wenren Lingmeng wanted to snuggle up to Mu Zibai, but she supposed she'd have to wait until she woke up.
Mu Zibai looked at Wenren Lingmeng. Seeing how peaceful and serene she was, he felt his own heart settle, too.
At first, he had thought of Wenren Lingmeng as nothing more than a tool for earning points. He had been glad for the opportunity. Back then, his feelings toward her had perhaps amounted to little more than gratitude.
But after spending so much time together, he had developed a much more sincere affection for the sleeping girl before him. He didn't know whether it came from pity for Wenren Lingmeng or from growing fond of her over time.
Mu Zibai stroked Wenren Lingmeng's hair and said gently, "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get better."
Wenren Lingmeng was deeply moved. The breathing she heard beside her grew fainter and gradually steadied. He must have fallen asleep.
Gradually, the tumult in her heart quieted, too. She drifted off, sleeping alongside Mu Zibai.
Xiao E turned around and saw that Mu Zibai had fallen asleep. She drew the gauze curtains, poured some powder into the burner, then left the room and closed the door behind her. She yawned.
At last, she could get a good night's sleep herself.
The next morning.
The crisp chirping of birds outside woke Mu Zibai. He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Wenren Lingmeng's face.
He hadn't slept so peacefully in ages. Feeling refreshed all over, Mu Zibai lifted his arm. After holding Wenren Lingmeng all night, it had gone numb.
Mu Zibai didn't get up. It was still early, and he made no other move. He simply watched Wenren Lingmeng in silence.
He felt he could look at that face for the rest of his life.
He didn't know how long he had been watching when he suddenly heard a commotion outside.
He knew at once it was that girl, Wenren Qingyi. She was the only one in the household who would shout at the top of her lungs.
Mu Zibai was just about to get out of bed when Wenren Qingyi burst straight into the room.
"Big Sis, Mother said we should all go stroll around the garden today—"
She hadn't finished speaking when she saw Mu Zibai climbing out of bed. Wenren Qingyi stared at him.
"Could you knock before coming in next time?" Mu Zibai said helplessly.
"You—you—you—why are you in my sister's bed?! How can you get into my sister's bed?! You really bullied her, you beast!"
Wenren Qingyi was furious. Without stopping to think, she charged at him.
Mu Zibai couldn't be bothered to deal with her. He sidestepped, and Wenren Qingyi nearly fell to the ground.
Mu Zibai smiled. "They say women with big breasts have no brains. So why do you, Third Sister, insist on taking the road less traveled?"
Wenren Qingyi froze, not understanding what Mu Zibai meant. She planted her hands on her hips, thrust out her flat chest, and said, "What do you mean?"
What did he mean, women with big breasts had no brains? And how was she taking the road less traveled?
"Flat-chested and brainless."
She glanced down at her chest. Her face instantly flushed with embarrassment and anger, and she charged at him, intent on tearing him apart.
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