Chapter 50: A Strange Sensation

At this moment, Li Yi had already returned to the Du residence together with Li Lizhi and Du Xiaomei. Thus, he had no idea what thoughts were occupying the minds of Cheng Chumo and Luo Tong. If he had known, he would surely have deeply regretted his instruction to the innkeeper to entertain them just moments before. Those two blockheads—how they could rack up such a bill! Every morsel they ate came straight from his own purse…

At the entrance to the Du residence, several household guards were on duty. When they saw not only Du Xiaomei and the princess return together, but Li Yi as well, they were momentarily stunned before exchanging knowing smiles and regaining their composure. At once, they bowed deeply in respect, greeting in unison, “Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Young Master Li. Greetings, Young Mistress.”

“No need for such formality, please rise,” Li Lizhi replied gently, and only then did the guards straighten themselves.

Though Li Lizhi was strikingly beautiful, none dared so much as steal a glance at her. At that moment, Du Xiaomei suddenly turned and asked one of the guards, “Where is my mother?”

The guards instinctively looked toward Li Yi before the one addressed stepped forward, a smile plastered on his face, and replied, “Madam just went to the Li residence to discuss some matters with Lady Li.”

“Oh…” Du Xiaomei paused, a pleasant thought flashing through her mind and a mysterious joy lighting her heart. She stole a sideways glance at Li Yi, only to find his gaze meeting hers, their eyes locking in a gentle exchange.

In that instant, Du Xiaomei’s pale, adorable face flushed crimson with shyness, like a ripe, tempting strawberry ready to be plucked.

“You… go prepare some tea for my husband,” she said softly, head lowered, instructing the guard. Then, without daring to meet Li Yi’s eyes, she mumbled quickly, “Husband, please wait here for a while. The princess and I will change clothes and return shortly.”

With that, Du Xiaomei, her face ablaze with embarrassment, turned and hurried away. Li Lizhi covered her mouth, stifling a laugh; before long, both she and Du Xiaomei had vanished from Li Yi’s sight, leaving only him and Yue’er behind.

Witnessing the scene, Li Yi could not help but laugh to himself, thinking, “My little wife is truly charming when she’s shy!”

After a short wait, a guard smiled and gestured for him to enter. “Young master, please come inside.”

“Thank you,” Li Yi replied with a smile, stepping forward.

“There’s no need to thank me—it’s my duty,” the guard replied cheerfully, surprised by Li Yi’s easy manner. He followed, together with Yue’er, leading the way to the main hall.

Before long, a maidservant brought tea, and the guard withdrew with her, leaving Li Yi alone. The tea in the cup was a concoction of various medicinal herbs, its aroma thick with their scent—hardly appetizing. Li Yi found himself unable to drink it, or even to take a sip.

Glancing around, and seeing no sign of Du Xiaomei or Li Lizhi after a while, Li Yi felt rather bored. He stood, and made his way toward Du Ruhui’s sickroom.

Meanwhile, in Du Xiaomei’s boudoir, both she and Li Lizhi had shed their men’s attire, remaining in only their white underclothes.

Li Lizhi suddenly teased, “Little sister, why is your face so red? Are you afraid I’ll see you undressed?”

“Of course not!” Du Xiaomei protested, her face burning. “It’s all because of my husband…”

The memory of that recent glance she shared with Li Yi made her cheeks flush an even deeper red.

Hearing this, Li Lizhi felt a strange emotion stir within her—was it disappointment, envy, or perhaps jealousy? She could not say. But in Du Xiaomei’s voice, she heard nothing but pure, sincere affection—a love that could not be faked.

While she didn’t know Li Yi well, she could sense how much he cherished Du Xiaomei. It was a mutual affection, born of the heart. And from her first encounter with Li Yi that day, Li Lizhi realized he was neither narrow-minded nor a frivolous scoundrel. In fact, she found herself growing curious about him.

“Li Yi, what kind of man are you really?” she wondered.

Lost in thought, a faint, dreamy smile curved her lips, her face as lovely as a spring blossom.

Du Xiaomei, noticing, asked curiously, “What is it, Lizhi?”

Only then did Li Lizhi snap out of her reverie. “I was just thinking about your husband—what sort of man could so thoroughly captivate my little sister’s heart?” she said with a playful smile, her gaze lingering a moment on Du Xiaomei’s petite chest with a hint of mischief.

But Du Xiaomei noticed nothing.

“My husband is, of course, the very best!” she replied, nodding shyly, her face aglow.

As she spoke, Li Lizhi, taking advantage of Du Xiaomei’s distraction, suddenly reached from behind with nimble hands and mischievously grabbed Du Xiaomei’s chest, her fingers gently squeezing several times.

Li Lizhi exclaimed, “My, little sister, you’re even a bit larger than I am!”

Caught up in her shy happiness, Du Xiaomei was completely unprepared for this ambush. She gasped in shock, “Li Lizhi!”

But Li Lizhi paid her no mind, giggling as she continued her playful assault. Du Xiaomei, never expecting such an attack, struggled with all her might to escape those mischievous hands, but Li Lizhi held her tightly from behind, making escape impossible.

With a quick turn, Du Xiaomei seized Li Lizhi’s own chest in retaliation, and the two, faces flushed, tumbled into a playful scuffle, laughter and squeals echoing through the room.

Spring’s beauty could not be contained, and only the sounds of the girls’ merriment drifted from the chamber…

Outside Du Ruhui’s sickroom, a maid saw Li Yi approach. She quickly curtsied and asked him to wait for a moment before hurrying inside to announce his arrival.

Li Yi smiled and nodded, waiting where he stood.

Before long, the maid returned and said sweetly, “Young master, the master invites you in.”

Li Yi nodded and instructed, “Yue’er, wait here for me.”

“Yes, young master,” Yue’er replied obediently with a sweet smile.

Only then did Li Yi enter the room. There, on the simple, broad sickbed he had seen before, Du Ruhui was half-reclining, his back propped against the headboard, watching Li Yi approach.

“Bo’an, you’ve come,” Du Ruhui greeted him warmly with a smile.

(End of chapter)