Chapter 101: Heartache

Tonight, Dagen wasn’t actually scheduled for night patrol. Pear Blossom had made up the lie on the spot, and it left her feeling uneasy. She had caught the questioning look in Dong Yun’s eyes earlier but stubbornly refused to back down.

After descending the mountain, she felt stifled. Lighting a torch, she went to the village chief’s house to check the duty roster. She managed to swap shifts with a villager and was assigned to patrol during the latter half of the night.

In the morning, she took some time to bring Fubao down the mountain, then caught up on sleep for half a day. It wasn’t until after dinner that evening, when she could no longer put it off, that she carried the little one on her back and headed back up the mountain.

Inside the cave, Dong Yun was writing under the dim glow of an oil lamp. Hearing them return, she only looked up briefly before lowering her head to continue her work.

Fubao, knowing her mother didn’t like to be disturbed while reading, obediently followed Pear Blossom to bed since both of them had bathed before coming up.

Having slept all afternoon, Pear Blossom wasn’t tired at all. She lay down next to the little one, avoiding Dong Yun, and stared absentmindedly at the pitch-black cave ceiling.

About half an hour later, hearing footsteps approach the smaller part of the cave, she quickly shut her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Soon, the oil lamp was extinguished, and the cave was plunged into darkness. The faint rustling of straw beneath the mat reached her ears, and when the mattress beside her sank slightly, she knew Dong Yun had lain down.

Fubao seemed to sense her mother’s closeness, murmured softly, and waved her little arms, calling out, “Mama.”

Dong Yun’s soothing voice drifted over. “Mama’s here. Go to sleep.”

The cave returned to silence shortly after.

Just one sentence was enough to make Pear Blossom’s heart tremble.

She was utterly in love with this woman. Whether it was Dong Yun’s maternal tenderness, her feminine grace, or the sharpness she exhibited as someone who once held power, Pear Blossom couldn’t resist her.

How she longed to hold her tightly like she had a few days ago.

She promised herself she wouldn’t cross any boundaries again. As long as Dong Yun allowed her to get close, like before, she was willing to do anything.

Perhaps overwhelming love required restraint this was the faint realization she came to. She wasn’t sure if it was correct, but she was willing to practice self-control for her.

However, the current awkwardness between them was her fault. Regret weighed heavily on her as she fretted over how to break the ice.

She was terrified they’d never regain the closeness they once shared.

Lost in thought for what felt like half an hour, just as she was about to let herself drift off, faint rustling sounds came from Dong Yun’s side.

Pear Blossom was surprised Dong Yun wasn’t asleep yet. From her frequent turning and slightly labored breathing, Pear Blossom gradually realized something was wrong.

All thoughts of their earlier awkwardness vanished. She reached out past Fubao, and when her fingers touched Dong Yun’s icy hand, her heart clenched.

Sitting up quickly, she asked, “Sister, your hand is so cold. Are you feeling unwell?”

Dong Yun froze momentarily, surprised Pear Blossom wasn’t asleep. She didn’t pull her hand away and replied softly, “My period started. I’m a bit uncomfortable. It’s nothing; I’ll be fine after this passes. You should go back to sleep.”

Uncomfortable and so cold how could Pear Blossom possibly sleep? She moved Fubao to the innermost part of the bed, half-carrying and half-shifting Dong Yun to the middle. Then she moved to the outermost spot herself.

After covering them both with the blanket, Pear Blossom reached down to touch Dong Yun’s feet. Her hands and feet were icy, and Pear Blossom’s heart ached. She tucked Dong Yun’s feet between her legs and wrapped her hands around hers, using her body heat to warm them.

“Were your hands and feet always this cold during your period?” she asked.

Dong Yun sniffled lightly. “They would get cold, but it wasn’t this bad.”

She recalled a time when they were fleeing from pursuers in winter. Trapped by the enemy near a river, she had no choice but to wade into the freezing water with the guards protecting her. The bone-chilling cold was something she’d never forget.

Though she had recovered over the years, her hands and feet still turned icy during her period.

Pear Blossom, despite having grown up hungry and poorly clothed, had a strong and resilient body. Now, with her physical strength even greater and the weather growing warmer, she was like a furnace. She couldn’t quite understand the kind of cold Dong Yun experienced, which came from within.

She pulled Dong Yun’s hand to her stomach.

Dong Yun couldn’t bear to let her icy hand chill Pear Blossom’s stomach. The moment her fingers touched the warmth, she quickly pulled back.

The girl, however, held on tightly, refusing to let go. She forcibly pried open her sister’s fist and pressed it against her own warm stomach.

“Don’t pull it back until it’s warmed up,” she said sternly.

This was the first time Dong Yun had heard her speak in such a firm tone. Her eyes couldn’t help but feel swollen with emotion.

Pear Blossom then shifted the other side of her calf against Dong Yun’s feet, transferring her body heat, all while thinking about her sister’s earlier words.

It used to be cold, but it had never been this severe.

Could living in the cave have made it even colder?

Only then did Pear Blossom realize her oversight. When Dong Yun first arrived, it was February. The cave floor was covered with just a layer of dry straw, and the thin bedding couldn’t block the damp cold seeping up. Pear Blossom, naturally warm-blooded, hadn’t noticed, but her sister had been enduring it for over a month.

Dong Yun sometimes coughed lightly, but Pear Blossom had brushed it off. These past few days, she had been caught up in their squabbles and had neglected her sister entirely, even during her time of the month.

Now, as Dong Yun huddled silently in her embrace, Pear Blossom didn’t know what to say. She could only hold her sister tightly.

Dong Yun sighed, feeling the gentle warmth radiating from the younger body, and her eyelids grew heavy. Before long, she drifted into sleep.

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When she woke the next day, the sun was already shining into the mouth of the cave, casting a golden hue over the entire area. Even the entrance of the smaller cave was touched by sunlight.

Dong Yun opened her eyes, enjoying the warmth streaming in but feeling too lazy to move.

Soon, the aroma of rice porridge mixed with the savory smell of meat wafted in, making her stomach growl.

Outside, a childish voice could be heard Fubao was chatting with Pear Blossom, asking silly but endearing questions, which Pear Blossom answered patiently, one word at a time.

Dong Yun sat up, feeling something amiss. Looking down, she realized that she had slept too deeply and hadn’t woken up to change. She had soiled her underclothes and bedding.

She sighed helplessly and got up to clean.

When she emerged with a bundle of soiled clothes, the two figures outside turned to look at her.

“Mother’s awake!” Fubao cheered, running up to cling to her leg like a little shadow.

Pear Blossom also glanced over. Their eyes met briefly before Pear Blossom quickly looked away.

Dong Yun didn’t say much and went to the dark spring to wash the laundry. Just as she placed the clothes into a basin, a hand suddenly reached out beside her and took the wooden basin away.

Pear Blossom picked up the basin and walked toward the stove.

“My pants are dirty…” Dong Yun said softly.

“I know. Use warm water; it’ll clean more easily.”

As she spoke, Pear Blossom added several ladles of warm water into the basin. Then, she brought over a smaller basin, half-filled with warm water, and placed it by the dark spring.

“From now on, don’t use cold water for washing up,” she instructed.

Though her expression remained tense, her tone was soft.

At the stone table, Fubao was happily eating porridge. She called out to her mother, “Mama, come quickly! Breakfast!”

Dong Yun murmured in acknowledgment and turned to wash up.

When she sat at the table, her portion was already served.

“Mama, the porridge is yummy!”

Dong Yun was surprised to see meat so early in the morning. Glancing at Pear Blossom, who was silently eating, she noticed her clothes were slightly damp and had bits of leaves clinging to them—she must have gone out early.

The thick rice porridge, mixed with tender, shredded meat, smelled delicious. Just one bite filled her with warmth.

“Mama, is it good?”

Pear Blossom perked up her ears, awaiting the response.

Dong Yun nodded. “It’s delicious.”

“Pear Blossom woke up very early to make it! It’s so good!”

Dong Yun smiled and said to her daughter, “Yes, Pear Blossom’s cooking is getting better and better.”

Pear Blossom lowered her eyes and ate more enthusiastically, quickly finishing her bowl. Afterward, she squatted by the dark spring to wash the clothes Dong Yun had just changed out of.

Dong Yun, her back to her, listened to the sound of water from the spring and felt a strange yet comforting warmth in her heart. Meanwhile, she entertained Fubao’s whimsical questions with a smile.

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After washing the clothes and finishing breakfast, Pear Blossom took Fubao down the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, she handed Fubao to their mother before heading inside to dismantle her own bed. She tied the wooden planks together into a large bundle and carried it back up the mountain.

Watching her leave, Mrs. Xiong gave Dagen a sharp look. “What are you staring at? Once the mat’s done, you’ll need to make another bed.”

Dong Yun didn’t expect Pear Blossom to return so soon after leaving, and with her entire bed, no less. Seeing how much care Pear Blossom was putting into everything, she could only silently appreciate it while focusing on her book.

Pear Blossom remained busy all day. After setting up the bed in the cave, she took an axe and went out again. She chopped down several trees and, recalling the charcoal-making process she had seen Dagen use last year, made two new batches of charcoal.

The previous supply was nearly gone, and with Dong Yun’s current condition, they couldn’t afford to skimp on warmth. The mountain was rich with trees, and she didn’t mind putting in the effort.

By the time she finished everything, it was already evening. After a quick meal at the foot of the mountain, Daniu and Erniu returned from school with a message: the Master wanted to see her.

Hearing this, Pear Blossom froze. She suddenly realized she hadn’t been to class in a long time. Guilt washed over her, and she couldn’t even finish her meal. She grabbed her bag and rushed to the school.

As expected, the moment Xia Xunyan saw her, he scolded, “Do you remember how long it’s been since you last came to study? If I hadn’t sent someone to fetch you, were you planning to never return?”

Cold sweat broke out on Pear Blossom’s back. She quickly apologized, “It’s entirely my fault. I’ve been so busy with spring planting and other tasks that I lost track of time…”

“Oh, really?” Xia Xunyan cut her off. “Were you also planting rice seedlings at night?”

Pear Blossom immediately fell silent. She had indeed been busy during the day, but at night, she truly had nothing to do. All her time was spent on Dong Yun. Just two days ago, she had promised to focus on studying, but over the past couple of days, she had been preoccupied with sulking, completely forgetting about her studies.

Knowing she had no excuse, she obediently stretched out her palm, ready to accept her punishment.

Xia Xunyan, with a stern face, picked up the ruler and gave her a harsh beating, striking her palm a dozen times until it turned bright red.

Pear Blossom wasn’t afraid of pain, but the disappointed “hate iron for not becoming steel” look in her Master’s (Teacher) eyes made her feel deeply ashamed. Coupled with Dong Yun’s words from the other day, she suddenly felt that perhaps she had indeed indulged in enjoyment too much. To the point that even her Master was angry, which meant the problem was serious.

Even her precious system attributes—she had wasted over twenty points on Cheng Huan. To think, her physique score was barely over fifty, and her reputation was only in the forties.

Now her system task was no longer the Crown Princess mission but the Heir Apparent mission. It was no longer about pleasing any man to complete tasks but about helping her sister ascend to that position!

Covered in sweat and overwhelmed with shame, she lowered her head deeply. She raised her hands high once more, silently pleading for her Master to punish her harder, to make her more aware of her mistakes.

After finishing the punishment, Xia Xunyan coldly said, “Why haven’t you taken out your books yet?”

“Yes!” she responded immediately.