Three Joys

Chapter 33

Following the rules, after the heating period of desire, it's recommended for 'kao' to rest for the first half of the month, to recuperate their body and restore the vitality.

Xu Yanqing had already prepared a secluded courtyard for me, but he refused to let me move there.

"That place is remote, quiet, with hardly any clever servants to attend to you. It's better to stay here," Xu Yanqing stated, instructing the servants to leave my belongings in the current courtyard and not to transport anything. Naturally, the servants hesitated and exchanged glances with me, but I offered them an assuring look and whispered, "You may place everything down."

In the days that followed, Xu Yanqing would return promptly after his court obligations. During the initial couple of days when I was under the weather, he would sit by my bedside for a short while and depart when he observed that I had drifted off to sleep.

He had already relaxed his ban on going out, but according to the servants, Second Master had been quite well-behaved lately. He hadn't been going out carousing as before, and even the courtesans who once enjoyed his attention had witnessed a noticeable drop in his visits.

Since I couldn't move to the new house, Xu Yanqing helped me sit back on the bed. At that moment, Biyu returned with the prepared medication. However, Xu Yanqing stepped in, remarking, "Give it to me; I'll take care of this." He even inadvertently scalded his hand with the hot bowl of medicine.

"Ah, Second Master, please be careful," Biyu expressed her concern. Xu Yanqing, however, found their presence bothersome and instructed them, "I can manage this on my own. all of you, leave."

"Yes," the servants replied and retreated outside. I watched as Xu Yanqing carefully carried the bowl of medicine over. I was about to sit up, but he quickly said, "Just rest, don't get up."

Reluctantly, I settled back into a reclined position. Xu Yanqing blew on the spoon and commented, "This medicine is quite hot." I tried to reach for it, but he deftly moved it away and said, "Now, be good and just rest."

I couldn't resist him and had to relent. Xu Yanqing cooled down the medicine a bit and then scooped a spoonful, bringing it to my lips. "Open your mouth," he said with a smile on his face, coaxing me. I silently looked at him for a moment, then obediently opened my mouth.

Xu Yanqing fed me the medicine spoon by spoon, even having a handkerchief on hand to wipe my mouth, and I couldn't bring myself to object. Afterward, he rose to his feet. I believed he was departing, but my heart hadn't entirely eased when he came back.

He was holding a packet of preserved candy made by RuyiTang. He sat down by my bedside and smoothly picked one to offer me.

"What's this?" I asked.

"This is a honey preserve from RuyiTang. It took my servants over an hour to find it," he said, bringing the treat to my lips. "Here, open your mouth."

I hesitated and said, "Thank you, Second Master, but I can handle it myself." I started to reach for it, but Xu Yanqing lowered his voice and said, "Just open your mouth."

Seeing a hint of impatience in his expression, I hesitated a bit more but eventually opened my mouth. He gently pushed the sweet treat into my mouth, and as I swallowed, my tongue delicately grazed his finger. Xu Yanqing withdrew his hand, and his peach blossom eyes held a gentle smile as he asked

"How is it? Sweet?"

I nodded gently, and he didn't retract his hand. His long fingers gently roamed by my cheek, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. When I looked up, I saw him leaning closer, and I instinctively moved back a little, but I couldn't avoid him. His lips touched mine, and my body tensed instantly. My lips quivered, but luckily, he didn't attempt to part them. Instead, he lightly licked my lips and then drew back.