Chapter 79: Embarrassment

Making chicken soup isn’t particularly difficult; you just need to control the amount of salt. With the mushrooms adding their touch, there’s no need for any other seasonings, and the soup becomes sweet and fragrant on its own.

It was the first time Pear Blossom seriously took charge of cooking, and she found the taste quite good.

After serving the food, she asked Fubao, “Fubao, do you want to eat in the main room by yourself, or should I go to the room and feed your mother?”

Fubao immediately shook her head, “I want to eat with mother and Pear Blossom.”

Pear Blossom indulged her, naturally agreeing with whatever Fubao said. She went to the room, brought out the small table where Dong Yun had once taught her to read, placed it on the bamboo couch across from the bed, set Fubao’s small bowl on the table, and helped her onto the couch.

Once the chicken was served, Pear Blossom asked, “Can you eat by yourself?”

Fubao looked at her sick mother on the bed, quickly nodded, “I can, Fubao is a big kid now, I can eat by myself.”

Pear Blossom smiled, patted her head, and left the room.

Dong Yun watched her busily moving around but didn’t look at her. She wanted to say something but didn’t know how to start.

After a while, Pear Blossom returned to the kitchen, fiddled around for a bit, and soon brought in another bowl, with a mound of rice topped with shredded chicken and mushrooms.

Dong Yun realized it was for her and felt some resistance. After all, she had just sent Pear Blossom away earlier, and now she had to eat food that Pear Blossom had made for her. It felt like a slap in the face—she still wanted to maintain some dignity.

Pear Blossom noticed she was reluctant to open her mouth and said, “You’ve been through a lot today, exhausting so much energy and spirit, and you even hurt yourself. If you don’t eat, you’ll have no strength and won’t get better.”

Dong Yun gritted her teeth, “I’ll do it myself.”

Pear Blossom looked at her tightly wrapped hands and said, “How are you going to eat with your hands like that?”

Seeing Dong Yun looking toward Fubao, Pear Blossom added, “Don’t rely on her; she can barely eat on her own.”

Dong Yun awkwardly turned her gaze away, “You go and call Fubao’s grandmother. Let her take care of me.”

When Pear Blossom heard this, a sad expression appeared on her face, and she said softly, “You’d rather have her grandmother feed you than me…”

Seeing the look of grievance on Pear Blossom’s face, Dong Yun’s heart softened. She reluctantly opened her mouth, and Pear Blossom immediately smiled and fed her little by little.

While eating her own meal, Fubao shook a large chicken drumstick at Dong Yun, “Mom, Fubao will give you the chicken leg.”

Dong Yun shook her head and smiled at her daughter, “Mom won’t eat it, Fubao can eat it.”

Pear Blossom added, “Your mom has a chicken leg in her bowl too; I’ve already taken the bones out.”

Upon hearing this, Fubao placed the chicken leg back into her own bowl without any hesitation.

Dong Yun looked at the chicken and mushrooms piled on the rice, feeling mixed emotions. She asked, “Why did you go up the mountain again to get my basket?”

Pear Blossom answered, “You went through so much trouble for these things, nearly losing your life. If you still can’t even have one meal, it would be such a waste.”

Dong Yun didn’t respond. She lowered her head and carefully chewed the food.

When she lifted her head again, she saw Pear Blossom staring at her intently. Realizing that Pear Blossom hadn’t eaten yet, she said, “You can feed me after you finish eating.”

Pear Blossom shook her head, “I’m not hungry, you eat.”

Pear Blossom had a big appetite and was used to not having enough to eat before. Today, she had been running around taking care of things for herself, exhausting a lot of energy. Dong Yun couldn’t believe she wasn’t hungry, but Pear Blossom insisted on feeding her first. Dong Yun hesitated for a moment before saying, “Or… we can share the same bowl.”

As soon as these words reached Pear Blossom’s ears, her heart skipped a beat, but she still shook her head.

She had kissed Dong Yun before, but the kiss was driven by desire, and there was still a large gap between that and their daily habits. Furthermore, the distance between them had been quite significant during the time apart, and she hadn’t even had the chance to see Dong Yun’s face much, let alone engage in other more intimate behaviors. Suddenly becoming affectionate felt quite awkward.

Moreover, the other person had not yet fully accepted her from the bottom of her heart; sharing a meal was merely a temporary arrangement. On top of that, given her previously noble status, it felt difficult for her to share a spoon or a bowl of rice with Dong Yun.

“Take your time eating, I’m not in a hurry. There’s plenty cooking in the pot, and there will still be some for me,” she said.

Seeing that the other person still refused, Dong Yun could only let her be.

Once they finally finished, Pear Blossom was busy cleaning up after the mother and daughter. Dong Yun looked at her daughter running outside and turned to Pear Blossom, her tone a mix of pleading and determination. “I can get out of bed tomorrow. You don’t have to come back later. You have to go to the escort agency, and even if you don’t, there are things to do at home. Running back and forth to my place, what’s this all about?”

Pear Blossom was pushed out several times within the same day, and while it was impossible not to feel hurt, she thought back to the resolve she had made in the medical clinic, remembering hearing her quiet sobs outside the door, and the promise she made when the head of the household left. She had promised to take care of them. Once she made a promise, how could she let herself waver just because the other party was being contradictory?

She lowered her head and softly responded with an “okay.”

Dong Yun punched the cotton.

“You deserved a good meal at noon,” she muttered.

Before the words could finish, Pear Blossom had already taken the bowl and left for the door. Dong Yun could only helplessly swallow the unfinished sentence.

Pear Blossom returned to the kitchen and began eating.

She was truly hungry. After going through so much today—first walking in the rain up the mountain to find someone, beating Liu Youtie, then running around with Dong Yun, and later going back up the mountain again—her stomach was completely empty.

There was chicken soup in the pot for noodles tomorrow, and the remaining chicken and mushrooms were scooped up, eaten with three large bowls of rice, devouring it with sweat on her forehead.

Fubao ran around her, occasionally pouncing on her. She handled this mischievous little bundle with good-natured patience until she was full. The little one then snuggled into her arms and asked, “Pear Blossom, when will Mama get better?”

Pear Blossom put the bowl aside and sat her on her lap, letting her play with her fingers. “She should be able to get out of bed tomorrow, but to fully recover, it will probably take a few more days.”

Fubao furrowed her little brows and hesitated. “I hope Mama gets better quickly and doesn’t hurt anymore. But I don’t want Mama to get better too quickly.”

“Why?” Pear Blossom asked curiously.

“Because then Pear Blossom can come to our house every day to be with Fubao,” the little one said innocently.

Pear Blossom couldn’t help but laugh, feeling both amused and a little wistful. The affection of children was so simple and pure, but the older sister had so many concerns and considerations.

She gently patted Fubao’s little bottom. “Alright, go talk to Mama. I need to wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen.”

Fubao nodded and jumped off her lap, running toward the room.

Pear Blossom washed the dishes with hot water and tidied the kitchen, organizing it just as Dong Yun used to do.

When she finished, she brought two thick pieces of wood and a stool, making some noise while she worked at the door. By the time she finished, it was already dark.

Inside the room, Dong Yun heard her movements and couldn’t figure out what she was doing. With a sigh, she thought about Pear Blossom’s outward obedience, which masked a rebellious spirit within.

At this moment, however, she had to face an awkward problem—she needed to use the bathroom.

She hadn’t noticed earlier during dinner, and with the delicious mushrooms and a large bowl of chicken soup, her stomach felt bloated and she had a slight urge to relieve herself.

She wished Pear Blossom would leave quickly so she could prop herself up against the wall and make her way to the outhouse, but if Pear Blossom was there, how could she let herself take care of it on her own…

Just then, footsteps were heard outside, and a tall figure appeared at the door. With a firestarter, Pear Blossom lit the oil lamp inside the room, then walked to the bed. “I’ll carry you to the bathroom.”

Dong Yun’s ears instantly became hot. She instinctively refused, “I don’t need to go to the bathroom.”

Pear Blossom seemed to read her thoughts. “You drank such a big bowl of chicken soup, and with the rain today, you haven’t sweated. I’ve gone twice already, and no matter how much you can hold, you’ll have to go once.”

Dong Yun insisted, “I don’t want you to carry me. It’s getting late, you should hurry back. I’ll go by myself later.”

Pear Blossom chuckled lightly. “In your current state, can you go by yourself with it being so dark? Anyway, I’ve made you a chamber pot. If you don’t want to go, you can use it in the room.”

With that, she brought in something—a stool with a large hole cut out, along with a basin.

Dong Yun immediately felt embarrassed and tried to push her away.

Pear Blossom was already immune to her attempts to dismiss her. She set up the chamber pot and then moved to the bedside. Without a word, she lifted Dong Yun up and guided her near the specially made stool. “Hold onto the cabinet, I’ll help you remove your pants.”

Dong Yun felt both shame and anger, pushing at her.

Pear Blossom, irritated by the gesture, suddenly felt a surge of strength. She wrapped her arms tightly around her and kissed her lips forcefully.

The woman in her arms let out a soft sob, trying to struggle, but her body was held too tightly, and Pear Blossom’s lips pushed in, her teeth parting to suck on her tongue. The woman’s protests immediately ceased.

After a brief moment, Pear Blossom let go, and Dong Yun slowly regained her senses, pushing her away.

Pear Blossom had gotten what she wanted, and the fire in her heart calmed. However, she didn’t discuss it further. With one hand around Dong Yun’s waist and the other lifting her skirt to remove her undergarments, she placed her gently on the stool. “Nature calls. There’s no need to be embarrassed. Take your time; I’ll wait outside.”

Without waiting for her to respond, Dong Yun stood up and went out, closing the door behind her.

Dong Yun had been served by a group of people since she was young. All kinds of personal matters were treated as important by the palace maids and eunuchs, leaving her with no privacy at all. She had long grown accustomed to it and never felt embarrassed.

Moreover, she had been on the run for so long, disguising herself as a beggar woman; what hardship could she not endure?

But when faced with this person, she couldn’t help but feel a trace of embarrassment.

Fortunately, she was a woman who had seen many big occasions. She pressed down on her heart, which was still wildly beating, and tried to adjust to this new kind of throne.

But her mind still lingered on the scene from just a second ago, when the young girl had forcefully invaded her space.

She couldn’t help but feel a headache. Clearly, she had been restraining herself from pushing the person away, but why did it feel like the magnetic field between them was only growing stronger?

There seemed to still be a lingering sensation in her mouth, thinking about just now when she had been tangled with that burning hot tongue… Dong Yun couldn’t help but pause her breath.

Finally, when everything was over, in order to prevent the person from coming in to adjust her skirt and pants, Dong Yun struggled to pull her pants up herself, leaning against the cabinet and moving towards the bed.

However, the person outside heard the noise from inside and pushed the door open.

Thus, as expected, Dong Yun fell into the young girl’s arms once again, and was quickly placed on the bed.

Watching the other person skillfully carry the basin out, she turned her face away, blushing.

When Pear Blossom entered again, she stared wide-eyed at the other person but could no longer say anything to drive her away. She had already said it three or four times today, but had the other person ever really listened? Every time, she would agree, yet nothing ever changed.

Pear Blossom softly said, “It’s getting late today. Tomorrow, I’ll boil some water and wash your hair for you.”

Dong Yun really wanted to argue, but when she looked at her hands, she knew it would be at least ten days before she could touch water again. After rolling in the mud earlier today, it would take ten days to heal, and how could she endure it?

Running away had its own way of survival, but this was different…

Pear Blossom said, “I had Fubao sleep with her grandmother, so she won’t disturb your wound while sleeping tonight.”

Dong Yun weakly replied, “Oh.”

The roles between the two of them had subtly reversed. Before, she had ordered Pear Blossom to leave, and although Pear Blossom agreed on the surface, she always acted her own way. Now, it was Pear Blossom who was arranging her life, and she couldn’t move or refuse. She could only pretend to be an ostrich, burying her head in the sand and silently accepting Pear Blossom’s arrangements.

“Since Fubao isn’t here and your body isn’t in good condition, you can’t be left alone. I’ll sleep in your room tonight.”

Dong Yun immediately said, “I don’t need to get up in the night, you should go rest. You… you must be exhausted today as well.”

Instead of being able to push her away, she ended up letting her in!

Pear Blossom, however, followed along with her words, “I can sleep anywhere, and I can rest here. I saw there’s a quilt in your cabinet, I’ll sleep on the couch next to you.”

Dong Yun helplessly sighed, “Pear Blossom, you really don’t have to do this. It… it makes me uneasy.”

Pear Blossom responded, “Oh,” and turned to open the cabinet, pulling out the bedding and laying it on the couch. “Sister, are you tired? I’m about to blow out the oil lamp. Or do you want to sleep with the light on?”

Dong Yun completely had no way to resist. She turned around and lay down with a huff.

Pear Blossom looked at her little appearance and smiled faintly. Thinking about Dr. Zhang’s instructions earlier, she left the light on.

By midnight, she was indeed awakened by moaning sounds from the bed opposite. She quickly got up and touched the woman’s head, which was burning with fever.

Hurriedly, she went outside to fetch water, wet a towel, and placed it on the other person’s forehead.

She then loosened the woman’s clothes, using another towel to gently wipe her neck, armpits, and the inside of her thighs, over and over again.

When the fever finally started to subside, Pear Blossom sighed in relief and lay down beside her, half-awake and half-asleep, occasionally checking her forehead with her palm.

At that moment, Dong Yun briefly regained consciousness. She silently shed a few tears before drifting back to sleep.

The next morning, when she woke up, Pear Blossom assisted her with washing and using the toilet. After yesterday’s ordeal, today wasn’t as awkward, but Dong Yun’s previous embarrassment gradually turned into guilt. She felt guilty for now burdening Pear Blossom and worried that this would continue to be the case in the future. Her emotions swirled, and her body ached so much that she couldn’t even finish half a bowl of noodles.

Pear Blossom noticed that she was eating little and felt upset. She asked Fubao to help cheer her up, and only then did Dong Yun manage to eat another half bowl.

Afterward, seeing that the water on the stove had heated up, Pear Blossom carried Dong Yun to the couch, resting her head on the bed’s edge, and propped up a stool to wash her hair.

After several trips back and forth to change the water, she finally cleaned Dong Yun’s hair thoroughly, gently drying it afterward.

When Xia Xunyan arrived, she happened to see this scene. Seeing her, Pear Blossom stood up, fetched a stool for her, and quietly exited the room, leaving the two of them space to talk.

By now, their relationship was no longer a secret in front of Pear Blossom, and Dong Yun couldn’t be bothered to pretend anymore. She leaned back on the bed and casually asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be teaching? Why do you have time to come here?”

Even sitting, Xia Xunyan’s posture was straight and upright, like an ancient pine tree.

“It’s lunchtime for the students. I came to check on you.”

Her tone remained as gentle as always, neither fast nor slow. Her gaze fell on Dong Yun’s freshly washed hair. “She’s taking good care of you.”

Upon hearing this, Dong Yun sighed lightly. “I’d rather she not be so good to me.”

Xia Xunyan replied, “If you keep rejecting her, she’ll be hurt.”

Dong Yun said, “A moment of hurt is better than a lifetime of dragging her down.”

Xia Xunyan shook her head. “Ming Yue, you can’t keep thinking like this. You think your life is a burden to others, but have you considered that no one sees it that way? The guards died protecting you because it was their duty. As long as you live, their death is honored.”

“You think that if it weren’t for you, your fifth aunt wouldn’t be married off to the Ji people? Don’t burden yourself with everything; it’s too tiring.”

Dong Yun was silent for a moment before suddenly looking at Xia Xunyan and asking, “And you?”

Xia Xunyan gave a bitter smile. “As for me… My grandfather couldn’t stand Yu Wenjing’s character, so he retired from official duties due to illness and returned to his fields. Despite being invited three times, he still refused to return to public life, and the Xia family has declined. Do you think, even if it’s not because of you, I could still remain unaffected?”

Dong Yun had never thought about this before. Every time she thought of the night they crossed the river, she felt deeply uncomfortable. But now, hearing the person involved speak so lightly about it in front of her, she suddenly felt at a loss.

Xia Xunyan glanced at the door and continued, “She’s very smart. She knows exactly what she’s doing.”

Dong Yun bit her lip and remained silent.

Only then did Xia Xunyan change the subject and ask about the injury. Seeing that Dong Yun was indeed recovering well and that Pear Blossom was taking good care of her, he finally felt reassured.

After chatting for a while and seeing that it was getting late, he stood up to leave.

Pear Blossom had been busy in the kitchen for a while, and when she saw him leaving, she hurriedly followed him out, saying, “Master, I’ve made lunch. Please have some before you go.”

Xia Xunyan smiled and said, “Xinghua has also made food. I must return to eat with her. If I don’t, that little girl will complain about the leftovers.”

With that, he held his small umbrella and gracefully walked away.

Today’s meal consisted of stir-fried mushrooms with meat and wild vegetable egg drop soup. Under the system’s guidance, Pear Blossom clumsily managed to prepare it. As long as the salt and heat were controlled properly, the food wouldn’t taste too bad.

Dong Yun felt a little better after Xia Xunyan’s visit. The eggs were laid by Pear Blossom’s family’s old hen, and the egg soup was delicious. The two of them finished it off completely. As for the stir-fried mushrooms with lean meat, Dong Yun ate the mushrooms, and most of the meat ended up in Pear Blossom’s stomach.

Pear Blossom, seeing her picky manner, was already thinking about going to the mountains again in the afternoon to find some wild game for her.

Since Pear Blossom had beaten Liu Youtie yesterday, the system had been hesitant to provoke her. Now, it was trying to please her: “Host, do you know why your sister Dong doesn’t like pork?”

“Why?”

“Because these pigs aren’t castrated, so the taste is not good.”

Pear Blossom had no idea about this. For her, having meat to eat was already good enough; she didn’t care about the taste. To her, pork was just that flavor, and it tasted fine.

Only someone like Dong Yun, who had been raised in luxury, could discern such differences.

But so what? She was born into a royal family, destined to remain untouched by the dust of the world. Unfortunately, fate had been unkind, and the bright pearl had lost its luster. She had given up the pomp and luxury of the past, and now all she had left was this small preference for taste. Wasn’t it enough that she could satisfy her?

Pear Blossom knew she couldn’t be as eloquent as her teacher, who could recite verses with ease, but after what had happened yesterday, if it had been the teacher trying to save her sister, could he have done it?

If Pear Blossom had once been insecure, now she felt a little more confident.

Remembering how she had kissed her sister again last night, and her sister’s reaction…

Pear Blossom couldn’t help but bite her lip.

In the past, she was ignorant and didn’t care about the differences in their status. But as she grew wiser and more aware, she became more anxious. But at this moment, she realized that these things, whether important or not, were secondary. What mattered was that her sister liked her.

And undoubtedly, her sister liked her.