Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Yuan Feng asked, "How long will it take for your leg to heal?"

Nanfei said, "I don't know, maybe seven days."

Yuan Feng asked curiously, "Why?"

"The Trouble-Relieving and Mind-Clearing Drink must be consumed for seven days." Nan Fei pounded the bed: "Seven days, that's too harsh... Young Master, are you deliberately trying to cripple me?"

Seeing his aggrieved and indignant state, Yuan Feng advised him, "Words can be dangerous. Bianjing is not as free as Chongming Island. You need to watch your words. Saying things like 'If you dare to be disrespectful to the Nan family, let A-Feng rebel against them.' If someone with ulterior motives hears this and makes up stories, even the execution of nine generations of your family wouldn't be enough."

Nanfei said, "The Crown Prince is a bit too scheming, but he can still distinguish right from wrong."

Yuan Feng said, "The emperor's heart is unpredictable; it is best to be cautious."

Nanfei coaxed, "Okay, I'll do whatever Ah Feng says."

Yuan Feng smiled and kissed him: "Good boy, here's a reward for you."

Yuan Feng leaned her head against his chest, her arms wrapped around his waist. Nan Fei rested his chin on the top of her head.

The quiet room brought Yuan Feng a warmth and contentment she had never imagined. She never dared to hope for a lifetime together; a brief embrace was enough to console her during the hardships of military life.

How fortunate I was to have listened to the Crown Prince and gone to find him; otherwise, it would have been a lifelong regret.

As darkness fell, Nanfei stroked her hair and said, "Ah Feng."

Yuan Feng looked up at him, her usually resolute face now softened.

"That 'trouble-relieving and mind-clearing drink'...it's for seven days...aren't you going to give me some comfort beforehand?" Nanfei's Adam's apple bobbed as he lowered his head to kiss her. "We've been traveling for so long, and we haven't even had...um..."

Yuan Feng wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned forward, kneeling on the bed without him even realizing it, loosening his belt and pulling open his clothes...

The door creaked open, and a wooden voice said, "Uncle, it's time to take your medicine..."

Yuan Feng reacted quickly, jumping off the bed. Nan Fei straightened his clothes and pulled the blanket up: "Mom, aren't you going to knock?"

Old Madam Nan stood inside the gate, holding a wooden stick, while Jun Xinyue stood outside the gate carrying medicine and Nanshan, followed by maids and servants peeking out.

The young master hadn't returned for several years, and everyone was missing him terribly. Those who were there before hadn't seen enough, and those who weren't there before, upon hearing that the young master had suffered a great calamity and was going to become a eunuch, all gathered around, intentionally or unintentionally.

Yuan Fengqiang suppressed the heat and took two steps to the side, then two more steps.

Jun Xinyue placed the tray on the cabinet and handed him the medicine.

Nanfei had no choice but to reply, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Jun Xinyue, in the typical manner of an eldest sister-in-law, said: "We're family, little brother, no need to be so polite."

Old Master Nan glanced at the embarrassed Yuan Feng, then sat down next to Nan Fei: "Xiao Fei, you..."

Nanfei interrupted her: "Mother, we didn't do anything. If you don't believe me, ask Afeng..."

Why ask? Even burying your head in the sand is better than them.

Madam Nan advised, "Xiao Fei, the young master said we mustn't be indulgent and must cultivate a calm mind... You're a medical apprentice, you understand... You're still young, there's no rush... As the saying goes, 'A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan...'"

Nanfei interrupted her: "Mother—"

Old Madam Nan sighed, "I'm getting old. I don't expect you to be successful; I just hope you'll be safe and healthy... Take your medicine..."

The smell of medicine was overwhelming. Nanfei stared at the brown liquid in the bowl, tears welling in his eyes. "Mother, I'm fine, I'm really fine, you have to believe me. I don't need to take medicine..."

As expected, Madam Nan said, "Young Master really understands you. He knows you don't like taking medicine, so he specifically told me to keep an eye on you. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep an eye on you, so I had your brother and sister-in-law come along..."

Nanshan advised, "A short pain is worse than a long one. Just grit your teeth, close your eyes, and drink it..."

Nanfei said seriously, "How can you drink when you're already gritting your teeth?"

"She won't listen to reason, no matter what? Nanshan said, 'Mother, I can't persuade her...'"

Old Madam Nan burst into tears: "Young Master said that it must be used for seven consecutive days without interruption, otherwise the consequences will be endless... How could you be so insensible... Endless consequences, what will we do in the future..."

Little Wood said to Old Madam Nan, "Grandma, don't cry... I have a way..."

With tears welling in her eyes, Madam Nan asked, "What can you do?"

Little Wood climbed onto the bed and pulled a few candies from his pocket: "Uncle, I'll give you candies when you need to take your medicine. Auntie brought these from the palace for me. Mom said you'd be coming back, so I saved them for you..."

The little wooden boy's eyes sparkled, making it impossible to resist. It's just a matter of gritting your teeth—no, closing your eyes—isn't it?

Nanfei brought the bowl to his lips, about to close his eyes, when he heard Huzi's voice: "Nanfei, Nanfei..."

"I'm here..." Nanfei shouted, overjoyed, "Ah Feng, the young master has come to save me. I knew he wouldn't bear to part with me..."

Tiger appeared at the door. Nan Fei's heart hadn't even taken flight before it fell to the ground and shattered with a crack.

Tiger carried the wheelchair in, his voice excited: "Nanfei, isn't it beautiful? Young Master picked it out for you personally. The rosewood smells wonderful, and the armrests are even carved. Young Master said the grain is beautiful and the color is soft—it's top-quality. The cushions were also provided by Young Master; this is the seat cushion, and this is the lumbar cushion. They're all embroidered—so beautiful..."

Nanfei silently finished the medicine in one gulp, placed the bowl on the tray, lay down, and pulled the blanket over his head.

Tiger, who was holding a lumbar cushion and talking non-stop, was quite displeased to see him like this: "Southward..."

A surge of shared hatred welled up within Yuan Feng: "Tiger, thank you for your trouble, young master. Nanfei is tired and needs to rest, let me take you..."

Nanshan politely urged him to stay: "Dinner is ready, Tiger, would you like to..."

Tiger refused: "I'll go back to eat. Young Master's food is much better."

Tiger's loud voice faded into the distance: "The young master instructed that General Yuan must be pushed in a wheelchair to pay respects to his father tomorrow. This chair is more attractive and valuable than a carriage; everyone will surely be envious..."

We're breaking off relations! If we don't, we're not from the Nan family!

Little Wooden Head couldn't pull the blanket away: "Uncle, here's some candy for you."

Jun Xinyue picked up the little wooden boy and placed the candy next to Nanfei: "Little brother, rest well. We'll bring the food over later."

Thinking back to what had just happened, Madam Nan was still worried: "Xiao Cui will sleep on the soft couch tonight. Call her if you need anything?"

Nanfei pulled down the covers: "Mother, how can a young girl like her stay in my room? What kind of behavior is this?"

Madam Nan said, "It's quite normal for wealthy families to have maids on night duty."

Nanfei resolutely refused: "Other families have improper family traditions and don't treat their maids like human beings... How could our family do such a thing?"

Madam Nan said, "Your legs are weak, why should she serve you? Isn't that how it is on ordinary days? If you feel that there is a difference between men and women, then let Xiao Chai take care of you at night."

Two grown men sharing a room? Nan Fei's face fell: "I don't need anyone to take care of me at night. Doesn't A-Feng live next door? I can just call her if I need anything."

Madam Nan said sternly, "You two haven't consummated your marriage yet, so she's bound to be a bit impatient... Here's what we'll do: let Xiao Chai stay next door, and she can stay in the guest room. You can call Xiao Chai if you need anything. If you still don't agree, I'll have A Feng go back to the Yuan family and come back to pick you up in seven days..."

When the old lady is in charge, who dares to disobey?

Nanfei pulled the blanket over his head again.

Yuan Feng stood outside the door, extremely embarrassed. She had already anticipated that Bian Jing would be the headline gossip in the city tomorrow.