Chapter 18: Sins That Cannot Be Repaid

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as…”

Zhilan, standing to the side, looked shocked, not daring to breathe. Even Shiqi quietly took two steps back.

Yun Chu’s expression was not sharp, but he seemed genuinely earnest. “Just this once, trust me this once.”

Li Yunli had no idea what he was talking about. Maybe he had seen something new when he went out today.

But she suddenly recalled—on the night he served her, he had also asked her if she was willing to trust him.

She supported him and softly asked the drunken man, “What bad thing have you done?”

If he hadn’t done something to feel guilty about, why would he be so afraid that she wouldn’t trust him?

Li Yunli thought carefully. The only thing she knew that could be considered leverage against him was the secret message from last time in the bamboo forest near the southern wall. Was he feeling guilty about that?

“No, I didn’t do it.”

Yun Chu suddenly seemed to sober up a little. He straightened up and stopped leaning against her, muttering,

“I haven’t done it yet. No, I haven’t.”

“Not yet?”

Li Yunli caught the key detail.

Even while drunk, Yun Chu was tight-lipped. He knew he was about to say too much and immediately fell silent, standing before her with his hands hanging at his sides, lost in thought.

His reaction made Li Yunli find the whole thing quite amusing.

So, the ruthless protagonist in the original story had actually started out as such a kindhearted person? Even after his country was destroyed, even after being humiliated and degraded, when he finally got his chance for revenge, he still felt uneasy about it?

She suddenly recalled her dream from last time—when Yun Chu, as a young man, and she had stood side by side on a war-ravaged land.

So, the dream wasn’t just an illusion. They truly had a connection in the past.

The original owner of this body had no sentimentality, but Yun Chu was someone who valued relationships.

Such a loyal attendant, pure at heart—he still had a high chance of being properly reformed.

She gestured to Shiqi. “Take him back to rest.”

Seeing that the princess was in a good mood and showed no signs of anger, Shiqi quickly carried out the order, supporting Yun Chu as they headed to Hanmei Residence.

Zhilan, standing by, was still anxious over the word “A’Yun.”

But Li Yunli simply turned and said, “Prepare some warm pastries and food. I’m a bit hungry. Bring them to Hanmei Residence later.”

Zhilan quickly bowed and left.

Night had fallen early. After a brief delay, the servant girls had already come out to light the garden lamps.

Li Yunli stood for a moment in the cold wind, then turned to go back inside.

Zhilan worked quickly, and there were already plates of pastries on the table.

The previously dazed Yun Chu was now sitting at the table, resting his head on his hand, quietly lost in thought.

Li Yunli closed the door. “Sober now?”

Yun Chu heard her voice and looked up, his eyes moist and shimmering.

Oh, so he was still drunk.

“Who were you drinking with today? You seem to have had a good time.”

“A young master surnamed Shen from the academy,” Yun Chu answered honestly. “He listened to my debate and asked me to write a poem on his fan.”

“What was the debate topic today?”

Yun Chu lowered his head and said nothing.

Even drunk, he knew what could and couldn’t be said. A good habit.

Seeing that she couldn’t get anything useful out of him, Li Yunli didn’t press further. She picked up a small stack of osmanthus cakes and took a bite.

Yun Chu’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“You’re eating osmanthus cake?”

His tone didn’t sound like he was asking whether she liked it—it was more like he was surprised: You actually eat osmanthus cake?

Li Yunli glanced at the pastry she had bitten into. It was sweet, fragrant, and soft—easy to eat. She asked him in return, “Is there a rule against eating osmanthus cake?”

Yun Chu nodded firmly. “You can eat it, you can eat it!”

Then he smiled.

What kind of reaction was that?

Li Yunli took another bite of the remaining half of the cake, thinking that the drunk Yun Chu wasn’t all that different from his usual self—still unpredictable.

A different kind of unpredictable.

She held out a piece toward him. “Want some?”

Yun Chu happily took it and bit into it.

“See, you eat it too. Why were you so surprised?”

Li Yunli chuckled, as if watching a cat.

Yun Chu suddenly paused, put down the half-eaten cake, and his expression sank.

Li Yunli: “?”

What now?

Yun Chu withdrew his hand and fell silent again.

Fine, fine, she shouldn’t have mentioned it.

Li Yunli looked at him and tentatively held out the cake again. “Still want it?”

“I’m full.” Yun Chu immediately stood up, looking uninterested. He lowered his head. “Sleepy.”

“Go to sleep, then.”

Li Yunli poured herself a cup of water and took a sip.

Then, she watched as Yun Chu visibly cheered up again and walked briskly into the inner chamber.

Dealing with a drunk person was… truly exasperating.

Li Yunli finished half a plate of pastries, savoring the sweet fragrance, and only then did she get up and return to the inner chamber.

When she reached the bed and lifted the curtain, she was stunned.

Her Yun attendant had taken both quilts on the bed, stacked them together into a thick cocoon, and already snuggled inside, fast asleep.

Only his head peeked out, facing outward, already in deep slumber.

Li Yunli laughed in exasperation.

Shaking her head, she softly asked, “Weren’t we supposed to mind our own business? What, are you offering yourself up tonight?”

Yun Chu didn’t move. He was completely out.

Li Yunli tugged at the quilt, trying to pull one side away for herself.

But the two layers were wrapped too tightly together, and one corner was pinned under his weight.

The bed was large, but there was still only one blanket. Unable to pull it apart, Li Yunli hesitated between calling for another one and squeezing in.

She chose the latter.

Carefully, she climbed into bed, lifting the corner of the quilt that wasn’t pinned down and slipped inside.

There was plenty of space left in the bed. Fortunately, Yun Chu slept still, leaving her enough room.

Li Yunli curled up a little.

To her left was the warm heat from Yun Chu’s body. She didn’t move closer, simply lay still.

That night, she had no dreams.

Before dawn the next morning, Yun Chu’s eyes snapped open.

A familiar fragrance filled his nose, and he was startled to see—

Li Yunli was in his arms, still asleep.

His right arm was a little numb, but he didn’t dare move.

Her soft body was nestled against him, and they were curled up like two spoons.

Was he dreaming?

He closed his eyes again.

But he was fully awake.

Cautiously, he exhaled, afraid that his breath would wake her.

He remembered everything from last night. But after falling asleep, was he the one who moved closer, or was it Li Yunli?

With warmth in his arms, he dared not cross any lines.

Carefully, he withdrew his numb arm.

He knew that Li Yunli slept deeply—once asleep, she never stirred.

Supporting her head, he gently placed it on the pillow and sat up in bed.

His mind was a mess.

The early autumn morning was cold. Sitting up, his chest and back felt icy.

But the sight of a half-eaten osmanthus cake on the table caught his eye.

His heart pounded.

If she ate osmanthus cake, then… did that mean she didn’t remember that night from before?

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes, alright?”

Standing there barefoot, he realized with sharp clarity—

He was nothing but a sinner, stained with blood, despicable and shameful.