the cat in emperor's arms

obsession

“Your maid will massage your head now.” Bai Jiu, with eyes full of concern, expertly massaged Ming Luomeng’s temples.

“My lady, do you feel better?”

Ming Luomeng bit her lip, her mind in a chaotic whirl, like many fragmented scenes fleeting by.

It was as if she was observing flowers in the fog, unable to see them clearly.

She let out a soft moan and half-leaned into Bai Jiu’s embrace.

Bai Jiu was a loyal maid left behind by her mother, who had been by her side since childhood for several years. Ming Luomeng treated her like an older sister and confided all her troubles to her.

“I feel like I’ve forgotten something…”

Bai Jiu’s lips curled into a bitter smile, seemingly both nostalgic and regretful, and said, “My lady, you’ve been asleep for three years.”

“Three years?”

Ming Luomeng’s eyes widened slightly, and she lifted her head.

She noticed that Bai Jiu’s face seemed more mature.

Looking around, she saw that the surroundings were very unfamiliar, with a burner emitting purple smoke and green mountains in the distance, shrouded in mist.

It all felt like a dream, as if she were in a fairyland.

“Where is this place?”

“My lady, this is Mount Yunlu. You’ve been recuperating here for three years.”

Ming Luomeng’s eyes, still somewhat innocent, seemed to retain a touch of the young girl who was once unaware of the world.

Bai Jiu’s heart ached for her. Her lady had always been frail and sickly, and three years ago, due to that incident, she had to spend these precious years on the desolate Mount Yunlu.

“My lady, do you remember falling into the lake during the flower feast?”

Ming Luomeng’s long eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her lips to say, “I haven’t forgotten.”

She couldn’t swim and fell into the icy water in the cold autumn, almost drowning in despair.

“After that incident, you were feverish and delirious, almost…”

Bai Jiu choked up, forcing a smile and said:

“Fortunately, the late madam had left behind that jade pendant. Seeing that your fever wouldn’t subside, I took the liberty to bring you here, seeking Master Xiaoxiao’s help for treatment.”

“I’m a fool. Please punish me if you’re displeased.”

“How could I blame you?” Ming Luomeng slowly shook her head, holding her hand. “If you hadn’t thought of bringing me here, I wouldn’t have made it to today. Now, the world has long forgotten Ming’s Luomeng.”

“Thank you, Bai Jiu.”

“It’s just my duty. Don’t speak nonsense; you will live a long life,” Bai Jiu tilted her head, hiding the tears in her eyes.

The late madam had treated her with great kindness; if she didn’t serve her young mistress diligently, how could she face the late madam in the future?

Ming Luomeng then softly asked, “So, is Master Xiaoxiao here now?”

“The master anticipated you would wake up soon and went on a journey. But he left a bottle of elixirs, saying you should take one every month after waking up.”