The pines sighed softly, and clear dew dripped.
Time passed slowly.
The pale blue canopy embroidered with golden mandarin ducks playing in the water hung low, its jade hooks empty. Within the thick gauze lampshade, the candle flame flickered quietly.
Pei Ling sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, leaning weakly against the bedpost. His eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand catties and kept drooping, but the moment his head dipped, he jolted awake again and snapped it up!
The dim, yellow light illuminated the entire room.
Stillness reigned, deep and deathly.
A long while passed like this. Then came a soft creak.
Behind the screen, the door to the room opened with a faint squeak, and a slender figure slipped inside.
The maid, her hair styled in twin buns, carefully circled around the screen, carrying a bowl of freshly reheated medicine.
The medicinal liquid was pitch-black in a five-petaled, gilt-edged sunflower bowl. As the maid walked, ripples spread across its surface, one after another.
Pei Ling immediately raised his bloodshot eyes and looked toward her.
Seeing her young master sitting by the bed, the maid paused in surprise. Then she hurried over and set the bowl on the table before curtsying. "Young master, the medicine has been reheated. This servant will help you take it."
At this, Pei Ling gave a slight shake of his head and said bluntly, "Just leave the medicine on the table. Go back and rest."
"Without my orders, don't come into my room again."
The maid couldn't help pausing, but quickly bent her knees in a curtsy. "Yes!"
She bowed again, then turned and left.
Thud.
Hearing the door close, Pei Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief. His eyelids immediately began to close despite his efforts. Weakness, drowsiness, exhaustion... surged over