Chapter 15 – She Grew Even More Willful:

Wanru’s face instantly changed.
“I’m not going!”

Xie Xianyu’s gaze cooled, sharp and pressing down on her.

Wanru hurried to make an excuse:
“I’m afraid I’ll pass my sickness to you. The physician said this chill is contagious.”

Xie Xianyu ignored her, directly scooping her out of the blankets and lifting her into his arms.

Wanru struggled violently:
“I’m not going! Let me go! I said I won’t go anywhere!”

He stopped walking, lowered his eyes to her:
“So, do you want me to carry you there myself, or would you prefer I summon a sedan chair to carry you?”

Wanru’s face stiffened.

If she were truly carried in a sedan chair, how would that be any different from being paraded like a concubine?

At last she stopped resisting.

Xie Xianyu cast a cold glance at Suyue.
“Fetch a cloak.”

Suyue rushed to obey. She pulled out a cloak from the wardrobe, wrapped Wanru tightly, even pulling up the hood.

Without another word, he carried her out. Wanru buried her head in his chest, clutching his robe with slender fingers, not daring to move. She prayed the night would be darker still, so no one would see.

Xie Xianyu’s stride was long and steady, swift yet unwavering. But Wanru felt as though she were being fried in hot oil, mortified to the bone. She burrowed deeper into his arms, wishing she could vanish into the ground.

Then, above her head, came his low, husky voice:
“Stop rubbing against me.”

Her whole body stiffened. She suddenly realized his body was heating up. Her face burned hotter—this beast! Even with her like this, he could still get aroused?!

The girl in his arms froze into obedience at last. Only then did Xie Xianyu release a long breath and stride quickly back toward Songhe Garden.

Inside the bedchamber, he finally placed her on the bed.

Wanru rolled straight into the blankets.

He gave her a cool glance. Guarding against him? If he truly wanted to do something, even a locked quilt wouldn’t help.

The bit of fire she had unwittingly stirred up was already cooled by the cold night air along the way. She was half-dead with illness—what could he possibly do? He wasn’t so desperate.

Not long after, Cuizhu brought in a bowl of medicine.

Xie Xianyu took it, sat at the bedside, and slid a hand into the quilt to rub her hair.
“Drink your medicine first.”

Wanru peeked out from under the blanket, frowning at the bitter black liquid.

“How old are you? Still afraid of bitterness? Hurry and drink.” He thought she was hesitating out of distaste.

Wanru knew there was no escaping. With him watching, there was no chance she could refuse.

She sat up, lifted the bowl in both hands, and downed it in one gulp.

Xie Xianyu instructed Cuizhu:
“Bring some candied fruits. Also set up the brazier.”

“Yes.”

Cuizhu hurried off to fetch a dish of preserves. Qing’an also moved in a brazier that had long been stored away.

By spring, the warming braziers were usually removed, since Xie Xianyu never feared the cold.

He picked up a candied fruit and held it to her lips.
“Hmm?”

Wanru reluctantly bit into it. The syrupy sweetness melted on her tongue, but couldn’t mask the bitterness in her heart.

“I don’t want any more.” She turned away, too weary to spar with him.

He said nothing, just set the dish down by the bed. Then, loosening his own robe, he climbed in beside her, pulling both girl and quilt firmly into his embrace.

Wanru squirmed.
“Maybe I should sleep somewhere else… in case I pass this illness to you.”

But he only held her tighter, trapping her against him.
“I’m not that fragile.”

Wanru: “…”

Her body was weak to begin with, and the medicine was laced with sedative herbs. Before long, she drifted into deep sleep.

He gazed down at her serene face. At last, peace settled over him. His arm tightened, and he lowered his lips to press a gentle kiss on her forehead.

---

The next morning, Xie Xianyu checked her forehead. No fever.

When Wanru awoke, the sun was already high. She turned, rubbing her eyes, and saw him reading at the desk.

“You’re awake?”

“Mm.” She stretched out a hand toward the water on the side table.

He walked over, lifted the bowl, and handed it to her. She sat up, cradled it, and drank.

“Feeling better?”

Wanru nodded, her voice still hoarse.
“Much better.”

She had dutifully drunk her medicine last night, and the room was warm. Naturally, the illness wouldn’t linger.

Wanru bit her lip, hesitating.
“I’ve recovered enough… perhaps I should go back. It’s not proper to stay here.”

“Go back for what? The Grand Madam knows you’re ill—she instructed you to rest well. I’ve already sent Suyue back to your courtyard, telling everyone you need quiet convalescence and won’t receive guests. No one will disturb you. Stay here and recover.”

As he spoke, he picked up the freshly warmed medicine and handed it over.
“Drink this first.”

Wanru had no choice but to accept.

Afterward, he again offered a candied fruit at her lips.

She frowned. Did he think she was a child?

Turning her head aside: “I don’t want it.”

His brow arched, but he only put it back on the dish.

“You’re not going out today?” she asked.

“It’s my rest day. I’ll stay home with you.”

Who asked him to stay?

“If you feel stronger, walk around a bit. Lying in bed all day weakens the body,” he advised.

Wanru flopped back down.
“No strength.”

He narrowed his eyes. This girl was growing more and more willful.

But fine—she was still sick. He would indulge her.

He pulled the quilt over her.
“Then rest more.”

And went back to the desk, resuming his documents.

Wanru lay in bed, mind in chaos, full of irritation.

So all her scheming had been for nothing. Xie Xianyu seemed to have suddenly fixed his attention firmly on her, giving her no breathing space.

How much longer could this drag on?

No—she couldn’t let it go on. If he really took another concubine, she’d be shackled here for life.

She wasn’t a servant sold to the Xie family, nor was she his possession to do with as he pleased. She only wanted a peaceful parting. If it came to it, she’d risk everything to leave.

Cuizhu entered.
“Gongzi, Madam requests you at Qingfeng Pavilion.”

“For what?” Xie Xianyu didn’t even lift his head.

Cuizhu lowered her voice.
“It seems Miss Jiang has arrived.”

Wanru’s eyes flew open.

“Tell her I’m busy.” His tone was cool.

Cuizhu hesitated.
“Madam said it’s urgent. Nanny Zhang is waiting outside—if you refuse, Madam may come here directly.”

Xie Xianyu glanced toward the bed, then said in a low voice:
“I’ll go shortly.”

“Yes.”

He walked over to Wanru’s bedside.
“I’ll be gone a while. If you need anything, ask Cuizhu.”

Wanru muffled: “I know.”

She kept her eyes closed until she heard his footsteps fade. Then she sat up.

Quickly dressing, she left the room.

Cuizhu was just about to bring in ginseng soup. Seeing her up startled her.
“Miss, you’re up? Want to stroll in the garden?”

“I’m going back.”

Cuizhu blinked, flustered.
“Why leave so suddenly?”

“I’ve recovered enough. It’s inconvenient to stay. If he asks, tell him it was my insistence.”

Wanru didn’t want to remain a moment longer. She walked out at once.

Cuizhu couldn’t stop her and gave up.

Wanru slipped out through a side gate, winding her way through secluded garden paths and artificial hills until she finally emerged.

Not meeting anyone along the way, she breathed a little easier and slowed her steps, heading toward her own small courtyard.

But suddenly, behind some flowering trees, she overheard a few servant girls whispering.

“Really?! Are you sure it was the Young Master?”

“I saw it clearly! And not just me—Mama Liu saw it too. Last night, the Young Master carried a woman back to Songhe Garden!”

Wanru froze mid-step, her blood turning to ice.