The person was still the same, and his facial features hadn’t changed, but something was different. His complexion had shifted from a pasty white to a new kind of white, resembling the clear luster of jade, now with a touch of liveliness after some polishing. He wasn’t wearing loose cotton clothes; instead, he was dressed in a thin red garment. The hem of his robe fell onto the snowy ground, gently swaying with the breeze. The vast snowy mountains in the background framed his vividly enchanting face.
He lightly curled one corner of his lips, his fox-like eyes slightly lifting at the ends, the mole at the corner of his eye suddenly adding a touch of vibrant charm. The clarity was gone, leaving only a bewitching presence.
“Don’t recognize me?” Ji Wujing asked.
It was still that familiar lazy tone that Gu Jianli knew. Her dazed heartstrings finally pulled back, and she slowly blinked, belatedly averting her gaze. Her lips parted slightly, wanting to say something, but she lost the ability to speak and couldn’t utter a single word.
She lowered her head and gaze, looking at the snow beneath the carriage. A light breeze blew, lifting the freshly fallen snow from the ground, creating shallow ripples. It seemed as though the breeze also blew into Gu Jianli’s heart, making it ripple gently.
Why did she look away? She should have been joyfully looking at him. Gu Jianli’s heart pounded as she gripped the corner of her cotton cloak tightly, lifting her eyes again to meet Ji Wujing’s gaze, quietly watching him.
“Gu Jianli, come over and eat some rabbit meat,” Ji Wujing said with a smile.
Gu Jianli nodded woodenly. She held onto her cloak, awkwardly moving forward a bit, stepping onto the snow as she got off the wooden cart. Her gaze remained on Ji Wujing’s face as she walked forward, but suddenly her legs went weak, and she fell to the ground.
She had been walking for so long that her legs had no strength left, or perhaps resting overnight had made them numb from the cold.
Gu Jianli suddenly felt embarrassed. She clumsily tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear, trying to appear calm, and looked up at Ji Wujing. He had already risen and was walking towards her step by step.
As he moved, the painting came to life, radiance fully displayed, making the vast heavens and earth seem dim.
Gu Jianli’s hand, which was supporting her on the snow, froze in place. She stopped moving, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Ji Wujing, watching him come closer step by step.
An odd feeling arose in Gu Jianli’s heart; she inexplicably felt nervous. The subtle tension creeping into her heart made her feel amused. What was there to be nervous about?
Ji Wujing bent down, placing the back of his hand on Gu Jianli’s forehead. He made a surprised sound and slowly said, “No fever, why are you acting dumb?”
He had been sitting by the fire for a long time, and the back of his hand was warm. The slight warmth on Gu Jianli’s forehead gradually seeped into her body, flowing into her heart along with her blood.
Ji Wujing extended his arm under Gu Jianli’s knees, lifting her horizontally into his embrace, and carried her towards the nearby fire. Gu Jianli instinctively hooked her arms around his neck, leaning against his slightly warm chest.
The sudden closeness allowed Gu Jianli to see Ji Wujing’s face more clearly. She looked closely at his profile, a hint of bewilderment in her eyes.
Last night, Ji Wujing had woken up with bloodshot eyes and cracked cheeks oozing tiny black beads of blood—a terrifying sight still fresh in her mind. How could today…
Is this real?
Is the Ji Wujing before her real?
Is everything in front of her real?
Or is it just a dream? Could it be that she hasn’t woken up from her dream yet?
Gu Jianli stared blankly at Ji Wujing’s finely sculpted profile, instinctively reaching out, wanting to touch it. Her slender fingertips moved slowly towards him, but just as they were about to touch his cheek, Ji Wujing had already reached the fire and sat down with Gu Jianli in his arms. He turned his face slightly, glancing at Gu Jianli, his gaze falling on her fingertips, which were almost touching his cheek.
Gu Jianli pursed her lips and awkwardly tried to pull back her hand, but Ji Wujing grabbed her wrist.
Ji Wujing’s eyes narrowed gradually, a hint of displeasure flashing in his fox-like eyes.
Following Ji Wujing’s gaze, Gu Jianli’s eyes fell on the back of her hand. It was covered in blood and dirt, with grit embedded in the unhealed wound, causing it to swell.
This was from when she had rolled down a slope yesterday, protecting Ji Xinglou’s head and face. In the past two days of fleeing for their lives, she hadn’t had the chance to tend to her wounds.
Gu Jianli hurriedly tried to withdraw her hand. She lowered her head and grabbed a handful of snow, attempting to clean the wound on the back of her hand. However, Ji Wujing once again held her wrist, causing the snow in her palm to fall away.
Ji Wujing slowly turned Gu Jianli’s hand over, palm up, gently brushing off the wet snow. Then he pulled her wrist closer and examined the wound on the back of her hand. He bent down, his tongue gently licking over the wound, carefully probing for the grit. He licked the small stones onto his tongue, meticulously cleaning the wound.
His tongue was warm, soft, and moist.
Gu Jianli tightly pressed her lips together, her lowered lashes trembling repeatedly. Despite the freezing cold, her body felt warm and soft.
Under her fluttering lashes, there were also traces of moisture.
Ji Xinglou tilted his little head, curiously watching Ji Wujing and Gu Jianli. What were they doing? Why was Father biting Gu Jianli’s hand?
“Why aren’t you two talking?” Ji Xinglou asked. He stood up, walked over to Ji Wujing and Gu Jianli, and curiously examined Gu Jianli’s hand, suddenly understanding. “Oh, Father isn’t biting you; he’s licking you.”
Gu Jianli’s cheeks flushed red as she quickly withdrew her hand. In her haste, her fingertips brushed against Ji Wujing’s lips. She hid her hand behind her back, trying to sound calm and composed, finally speaking her first words since waking up: “It’s all clean now…”
Ji Wujing casually wiped the corner of his lips where Gu Jianli’s fingers had touched, nonchalantly uttering an “Oh.” He turned his head, his tongue gently curling to spit out the grit.
Gu Jianli glanced around, suddenly remembering Yuanshun, and asked proactively, “Where is Yuanshun?”
Without thinking, Ji Wujing replied, “It snowed last night, and she got buried.”
Gu Jianli was startled, her expression changing instantly. She hurriedly got up, lifting her skirt as she stumbled forward in a shaky run. The thick cloak draped over her shoulders fell to the ground, slowly landing on the snow.
“Yuanshun!” Gu Jianli ran to the spot in front of the flat cart where Yuanshun had slept last night. She fell to the ground, not bothering to get up, frantically digging at the thick snow with both hands.
Scenes from the past two days of shared hardships flashed before her eyes. Yuanshun’s every assistance, the times they held hands to cross obstacles. She especially remembered last night when the malicious villagers caught up with them; despite her fear, Yuanshun was willing to sacrifice herself to save Gu Jianli at the last moment…
“Yuanshun! Yuanshun!” Gu Jianli called out as she dug through the snow.
“Madam, did you call me?”
Gu Jianli’s movements paused, her body stiffening for a moment before she turned around, following the voice.
Yuanshun, holding some dry branches, was standing far away with Changfeng, walking towards them. Hearing Gu Jianli’s call, Yuanshun quickly ran over.
Gu Jianli heard a soft laugh behind her again.
Just as she turned her head, Ji Wujing poked her forehead with his finger and laughed, “So silly.”
“Ji Zhao!” Gu Jianli, infuriated, reached out to push him.
Ji Wujing didn’t dodge; instead, he lazily sat down on the snow, using the momentum of her push. With a cheeky grin, he said casually, “Silly enough that Uncle likes it especially.”
The breath caught in Gu Jianli’s chest wouldn’t come out, nor would it dissipate. She lowered her head, grabbed a handful of snow, and formed it into a ball, which she then threw directly at Ji Wujing’s face.
Ji Xinglou let out a heavy sigh, complaining loudly, “Are we going to eat the rabbit meat or not? You guys are so grown up and still playing in the snow, humph!”
Hearing Ji Xinglou, Gu Jianli felt slightly embarrassed. Moreover, it wasn’t just Ji Xinglou; Changfeng and Yuanshun were also present. She stood up, pretending nothing had happened, and gracefully sat down next to Ji Xinglou, ready to eat the rabbit meat.
She was already starving.
Reaching out to grab the rabbit meat, she quickly withdrew her hand, burned by the heat, and pinched her earlobe to cool her fingers.
“Gu Jianli, turn around,” Ji Wujing said.
Gu Jianli ignored him and not only didn’t turn around but also turned her body to completely face away from Ji Wujing.
“Quick.” Ji Wujing repeated.
Considering the presence of others, would it be too rude to ignore him completely? After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Jianli turned around. As soon as she did, Ji Wujing stuffed a piece of rabbit meat into her mouth.
The meat was fragrant and steaming hot.
Gu Jianli glanced at Ji Wujing, then looked away, slowly chewing the meat. Just as she finished, Ji Wujing offered her another piece he had torn off.
Ji Xinglou rolled his eyes, internally complaining: She doesn’t even know how to eat, how stupid.
He ate quickly, filling his small belly. Suddenly, he remembered something. He glanced at Gu Jianli several times, and when she looked over, he quickly averted his gaze.
“Xinglou?” Gu Jianli extended her hand towards him.
Ji Xinglou hesitated, then awkwardly stood up and walked over to Gu Jianli. As soon as he reached her, Gu Jianli pulled him close and sat him on her lap.
“What’s wrong, Xinglou?” Gu Jianli asked.
After a long hesitation, Ji Xinglou’s face turned red. He reached into his clothes, pulled out a bracelet, and handed it to Gu Jianli. Proudly lifting his chin, he said, “I found it. It’s too heavy for me to carry, so I’m giving it to you!”
Gu Jianli was stunned, staring in surprise at the bracelet in her hand.
The bracelet looked very familiar because it was originally Gu Jianli’s. She had given it to Daya yesterday to curry favor with Chen Wang’s family. How did it end up here…
Gu Jianli looked at Ji Xinglou in astonishment.
Found it?
She suddenly remembered that after dinner at Chen Wang’s house yesterday, Ji Xinglou had insisted on playing with Chen Wang’s three children.
So, it was Ji Xinglou who wasn’t usually a playful child.