As if something was approaching the bed, Chai Xiaomi curled up under the covers, covering her mouth tightly and suppressing her breath until it was barely audible.
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
The sound was like something crawling, or like the branches outside constantly tapping against the window lattice.
Chai Xiaomi endured the long night in such terrifying torment.
The night passed with nothing happening.
Early the next morning.
When she appeared before Jiang Zhiyu with heavy dark circles under her eyes, swaying slightly, he was standing in the courtyard focusing on his breathing.
At the sudden sight of that pale, swollen face, Jiang Zhiyu was so startled that his wrist trembled, and his Lingyu Sword slid half an inch out of its sheath with a clear sound, almost thinking he had run into a vengeful female ghost.
After seeing who it was, he didn't know whether to swing or sheathe the sword held in mid-air. He awkwardly gestured a few times on the spot, then pretended to naturally rub his shoulder and gave a dry laugh: Morning sword practice, just stretching my bones and muscles.
Chai Xiaomi sighed in admiration inwardly: What a disciplined man, no wonder you were chosen as the male lead.
You keep practicing, I'm going to look for Lili. She looked around as she spoke. She had already searched inside and outside the inn before coming to the backyard, but even after checking the stables, there was still no sign of that familiar figure.
Wu Li? Jiang Zhiyu frowned, his gaze quietly sweeping the surroundings, but he didn't see the young man either.
Wu Li's temper was moody and unpredictable; it seemed like Xiaomi was always the one coaxing and accommodating him.
Guessing inwardly, Jiang Zhiyu couldn't help lowering his voice and asked with concern, Xiaomi, why do you look so pale? Is Wu Li throwing a tantrum at you?
He recalled hearing a woman's low sobbing faintly coming from downstairs last night.
He originally thought it was a ghost causing trouble, but as long as it didn't hurt anyone, he didn't look into it. Seeing the dark circles under Xiaomi's eyes now, she really looked like she had stayed awake all night after crying.
Moreover, the couple shared a room, so why was she looking everywhere for him first thing in the morning?
Nothing of the sort! Chai Xiaomi quickly waved her hands. My husband has the gentlest temper; he never argues with me.
She was eager to describe Wu Li's good points to Jiang Zhiyu, establishing a positive image in each other's minds so their relationship could grow closer.
Saying this, she suddenly remembered something and stepped half a pace closer: By the way, Brother Yu, did you hear any strange noises last night?
Jiang Zhiyu: Do you mean the woman's crying?
Not just that, there was also a baby crying... the creaking of doors opening and closing... all sorts of rustling noises... Chai Xiaomi struggled a bit to describe it. In short, it was a bunch of subtle yet chaotic sounds that seemed exceptionally clear in the dead of night.
As she spoke, her eyes involuntarily drifted toward the second floor of the inn, afraid of being overheard by something invisible.
So she quietly cupped her hands over her mouth, leaned close to Jiang Zhiyu's ear, and spoke softly in a hushed whisper.
The fear from last night still lingered in her heart. After speaking, Chai Xiaomi couldn't help but shiver.
Were there? I didn't hear them. Jiang Zhiyu shook his head slightly and comforted her gently, Xiaomi, could it have been a nightmare? I once heard my master say that when traveling, the last room in an inn easily gathers negative energy and is most prone to attracting restless dreams.
A trace of guilt appeared on his face: It's also my negligence. Yesterday I was only thinking about settling Yaoyao properly, but I forgot that you are pregnant and need a stable place to rest even more. Had I known, I should have switched rooms with you.
Seeing Chai Xiaomi still shrinking back slightly, Jiang Zhiyu raised his hand to unfasten the cloak from his shoulders and handed it over like a considerate older brother: The autumn mornings are cold. Put this on and take care of your health.
Chai Xiaomi felt grateful and was just reaching out to take it—
Suddenly, a sharp sound of something piercing the air rang out!
Startled, she pulled her hand back.
She saw a melon seed flying over with a fierce gust of energy, like a sharp weapon, aiming straight for the arm Jiang Zhiyu was using to hand over the cloak.
Jiang Zhiyu reacted extremely fast, violently pulling his hand back and turning around. Although his arm narrowly avoided it, the melon seed grazed the edge of the cloak, tearing a long slit with a rip.
This feather gauze cloak was woven with Vermilion Bird divine feathers. It was extremely tough and difficult for ordinary swords to damage, a unique treasure of Lingyu State. Yet unexpectedly, a mere melon seed had completely ruined it.
Jiang Zhiyu abruptly looked up.
He saw Wu Li sitting sideways on the windowsill of the inn's third floor.
One leg was bent with his foot resting on the window frame, while the other leg dangled in the air, swinging lazily outside.
He held a curved bow in his hands, his fingertips plucking the bowstring nonchalantly. He glanced down sideways, his tone drawn out, slow and cold: Morning bow practice, just stretching my bones and muscles.
Sorry, my hand slipped. I didn't hurt you two, did I?
The young man's icy tone made Chai Xiaomi freeze slightly.
She saw his lips pressed tightly together. The dark, gloomy aura gathering between his brows was spreading silently, gradually enveloping his entire body.
Was it because of... that presumptuous kiss last night? It must have annoyed him.
No wonder he didn't come back all night.
She took a few steps forward, tilted her face up, and called out softly, Lili.
Her voice carried a barely noticeable hint of complaint: Where did you go? I've been looking for you for a long time.
Wu Li's fingers plucking the bowstring paused, and only then did he lift his eyelids. There was no emotion in his eyes, only a layer of distant, gloomy light reflecting as he looked down from above.
She looked up, her delicate, petite face lacking color. The dark circles under her eyes were especially obvious in the pre-dawn light, revealing a bit of exhaustion.
The clothing of Central Plains women was already flowing and thin. The wind made her sleeves rustle, and the cold fog was heavy and damp. Her frail shoulders shivered a few times in the chill.
There's no need for you to worry about such trivial things. He frowned slightly, his voice flat. Where I go is none of your business.
After saying that, he casually slung the crossbow over his shoulder, turned around, and went back inside.
Chai Xiaomi stood where she was, staring blankly at the empty window.
Behind that window was Song Yueyao's room.
She had searched inside and outside the inn for ages, but the only place she hadn't thought to look was inside Song Yueyao's room.
Jiang Zhiyu was momentarily bewildered. Before he had time to ponder why Wu Li would be in Yaoyao's room, his gaze was drawn to the slender back in front of him.
In the cold wind, her fragile figure wrapped in thin clothes somehow exuded a sense of utter loneliness.
She had just confidently claimed that her husband never argued with her, but Wu Li's aloof attitude clearly showed he was angry.
Why go to such lengths?
Jiang Zhiyu thought to himself that young men were indeed hot-blooded and prone to acting on impulse; that was why he would be so petty with his pregnant wife.
Chai Xiaomi had a sweet tongue, big round eyes, and looked playful and cute. She always subconsciously made people treat her like a younger sister, or even want to treat her like a daughter.
A feeling mixed with brotherly pity and an elder's protectiveness quietly welled up. Unable to just watch, Jiang Zhiyu wanted to step forward and offer a few words of comfort.
However, he had just taken one step.
Inside that third-floor window, the young man who had disappeared a moment ago suddenly reappeared.
There seemed to be a bundle of something in the crook of his arm. Before Jiang Zhiyu could see clearly, Wu Li swooped down from the window like a startled swan, grabbed Chai Xiaomi without a word, and pulled her away.
From beginning to end, she had not spared him a single glance.
At the very least, she could have apologized for the cloak.
Jiang Zhiyu thought in frustration. Looking down at the long tear slashed across the feather-light cloak in his hands, he felt a dull ache in his chest.
This was, after all, a birthday gift from his Lord Father.
"Jiang! Zhi! Yu!"
Upstairs, Song Yueyao poked her head out of another window, her voice carrying its usual spoiled arrogance: "Hurry up and rescue me!"
