"Ye Yining, you will live here in the future. I need to go to the study to attend to some matters. You can rest for a while. If there's anything, instruct them."
Jun Jiuji noticed that Ye Yining's expression wasn't too good and thought that she was tired and still not accustomed, so he gave her some space.
Ye Yining snapped back to reality and nodded slightly.
"Alright, go ahead and handle your work!"
Jun Jiuji gazed at her deeply and planted a kiss on her forehead when she wasn't paying attention.
As he left, a faint smile curved his lips, revealing his good mood.
Ye Yining slowly lifted her hand and touched her forehead where he had kissed her. For some reason, she had a peculiar notion. The way they were interacting now seemed more like life after marriage.
She patted her flushed cheeks and entered the room.
The room was spacious and tidy, with all the decorations tailored to her preferences.
On the dressing table to the side, a variety of jewellery and numerous new women's clothes were neatly arranged.
She glanced to the right and noticed an array of men's clothing.
Ye Yining suddenly realised that this was Jun Jiuji's room.
Did he really give her his room?
Could it be that he wanted them to share the same room?
Thinking this, she suddenly felt anxious.
She wasn't prepared for this!
Just as her thoughts were in turmoil, Ye Ze appeared at the door.
"Princess Consort, the kitchen has prepared white fungus soup. Would you like to try it?"
"Oh, please bring it over!" Ye Yining did her best to compose herself.
Whatever happened at night, she'd worry about it at night!
At worst... he would simply stay!
Ye Yining was taken aback by her own adaptability.
In the past, she had been repelled and intimidated by Jun Jiuji, who was so domineering and hard to communicate with. But now, she was starting to feel sympathetic towards him.
In the past, he seemed to be too misunderstood.
Ye Yining's heart softened slightly when Ye Ze brought over the white fungus soup.
Because there were no red dates in the white fungus soup...
And she didn't like red dates.
It seemed that he knew all her preferences.
Now that she thought about it, she realised that she never knew what he liked or enjoyed eating.
She suddenly comprehended that after her rebirth, besides protecting her family, she also wanted to understand this man better.
In the study room.
Jun Jiuji was listening to Xue Ying's report, but his expression darkened with each word he heard.
"Master, it's confirmed. Initially, someone paid three thousand taels of silver for Sir Thousand Hands' mission to assassinate Xi Jian, but the mission was later changed. There are indications of the Crown Prince's involvement..."
"Apply pressure on the Thousand Hand Pavilion. Deal with those who altered the mission or dismantle the Thousand Hand Pavilion."
"Understood."
Xue Ying acknowledged and promptly departed.
Moments later, another shadow slipped in through the window and knelt before Jun Jiuji.
"Master, the Imperial Academy of Medicine also intends to depart for Cloud Border City ahead of schedule. Mo Huanchong will lead the team, and the Crown Prince's agents will be part of it. Furthermore, the Crown Prince dispatched three additional teams to Cloud Border City. They seem to be targeting the ten-thousand-year-old ginseng that the Valley of the Medicine Masters is preparing to auction."
"Ten-thousand-year ginseng?" Jun Jiuji raised an eyebrow. "Keep an eye on them. Let's see who's after that ten-thousand-year-old ginseng."
"Of course, Master. There's one more thing. The Empress wishes to meet the Princess Consort."
"She can see her once we return from Cloud Border City."
"Very well."
The shadow withdrew, and Jun Jiuji remained motionless for a while.
The cold poison in his body was acting up.
Within a few breaths, the temperature in the room plummeted, as if winter had arrived, chilling him to the bone.
Fortunately, Jun Jiuji managed to suppress the extreme cold a moment later and regained his composure.
After regaining his senses, he rubbed his cold hands and returned to the Jiuning Yard.
Upon seeing the beautiful figure who had captured his heart engrossed in reading within the room, a trace of warmth thawed his once icy heart.
He had imagined countless times Ye Yining quietly accompanying him.
Now that he witnessed this scene, it felt surreal.
He feared it might be a fleeting dream.
The young girl was so engrossed in her reading that she didn't notice his return.
He approached her and gently drew her into his arms.
"What are you reading?"
His voice was soft, like a gentle breeze, and incredibly tender.
Ye Yining held her breath, and the book in her hand slipped.
"I... I noticed there was a medical book here, so I picked it up to read."
Jun Jiuji glanced at the Atlas of All Herbs in her hand and ruffled her hair. "If you like it, feel free to read it. You're the mistress of Jun Jiuji's estate; you can do as you please."
"Do you enjoy reading medical books too?" Ye Yining asked with curiosity.
"I can't say I enjoy them, but I need to have some knowledge of herbs. Does Ye Yining enjoy them?"
Ye Yining nodded. "I didn't used to, but I've discovered I have a talent for it now. After going through the medicinal herbs in this book, I actually recognised all of them!"
Her expression held a touch of pride, and it was so endearing that Jun Jiuji found himself captivated by it.
"My Ye Yining has always been very clever. If you like it, you can take it with you on the journey."
"Yes."
Ye Yining nodded with a hint of embarrassment. She truly wanted to bring her book.
In the afternoon.
Ye Yining was guided around the estate by Jun Jiushi.
They weren't married yet, but he had everyone in the residence address her as "Princess Consort."
Throughout the afternoon, she felt an unmistakable message from Jun Jiuji. He had decided on her; she was the one he wanted, and he wouldn't allow her to escape.
After dinner, Jun Jiuji took Ye Yining to the mansion's hot spring.
Initially, she was quite pleased, but when someone sat beside her and observed her bathe, she couldn't remain calm.
"Can't you wait outside?" Ye Yining summoned her courage and asked him to leave.
Jun Jiuji sat by the pool, a smile on his face, as he watched the young lady who had submerged herself in the water to evade his gaze.
"Ye Yining, have you noticed there are no maids or older women in the wang fu?"
Ye Yining was momentarily surprised, then nodded. "I did."
"In that case, undress. I'll help you wash your clothes. I don't like other men handling your undergarments."
Jun Jiuji's tone was very solemn, devoid of any jest.
However, Ye Yining was taken aback. He wanted to wash her clothes?
She had never washed her own clothes in her entire life, and now Jun Jiuji wanted to help her wash them?
"Yes, I do. Ye Yining, do you prefer to undress on your own or shall I assist you?"
Ye Yining blushed and replied,
"Can't you wait until after I've bathed?"
After saying that, she felt she had misspoken and quickly added,
"Or... Why don't I wash them myself?"
Although she had never done laundry before, it seemed like a straightforward task. She could manage by just observing.
"After your bath, we'll depart for Cloud Border City."
Jun Jiuji's meaning was clear; there was no time for her to wash her clothes.
Ye Yining wanted to say she had enough clothes and it didn't matter if they weren't washed. However, when she saw him roll up his sleeves as if to assist her, she turned around in anxiety.
"I understand, I understand. Please turn around first."
Jun Jiuji smiled as he observed Ye Yining, who had her back to him, and cooperated by turning around.
Ye Yining also blushed and cooperated.
When she finished her bath, she discovered Jun Jiuji was indeed outside, diligently washing her clothes. Her emotions were complex.
This man was so noble that he was willing to put aside his status for her, personally washing her clothes, and pouring her tea.
What had she done to deserve this?