RPDPHW Chapter 35

“Ajin, get up and have something to eat first.”

After their morning intimacy, Zhong Shujin had fallen into a drowsy sleep. It wasn’t until the maids brought in lunch that she was groggily awakened by Gu Qingyin’s gentle shake.

“So tired…” Zhong Shujin opened her weary eyes and, upon seeing the person standing beside the bed, wasted no time in burrowing into her embrace. Wrapping her arms around Gu Qingyin’s waist, she murmured, “I don’t want to move… Feed me…”

Seeing Zhong Shujin like this, Gu Qingyin’s smile deepened.

It was always like this—after their moments of passion, Zhong Shujin would curl up in her arms like a lazy cat, acting spoiled, demanding to be held and fed.

“Alright, I’ll feed you.”

Gu Qingyin chuckled as she scooped up the bare-skinned Zhong Shujin from the blankets, draping a thin robe over her before carrying her over to the table.

It wasn’t until Zhong Shujin felt the dryness of her lips moistened by warm water that she slowly opened her eyes.

Only then did she realize how Gu Qingyin was “feeding” her.

“Mm…”

As the warm water passed into her mouth, Gu Qingyin did not pull away. Instead, she left a lingering kiss on her lips.

“You… seriously, can’t you stop for a moment?”

Zhong Shujin straddled Gu Qingyin’s lap, wrapping her arms around her neck, pressing their foreheads together as she panted out a reproachful complaint.

Perhaps she had cried out too much the night before, for her voice today was distinctly hoarse.

But to Gu Qingyin, that hoarseness was nothing short of music to her ears.

She gently caressed Zhong Shujin’s swollen lips and the small scab that had formed on her wound, smiling as she said, “If I could, I’d never want to stop.”

“As if!” Zhong Shujin playfully bit Gu Qingyin’s fingertip and huffed, “My whole body is sore right now. You’re not allowed to be naughty anymore!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t.” Gu Qingyin chuckled, withdrawing her hand from Zhong Shujin’s lips and instead wrapping it around her waist. In a soft voice, she offered, “Then let me give you a massage, how about that?”

“Mm… ah…”

Her body, after indulgence, was far too sensitive—especially since she was only loosely draped in a thin robe, which barely covered her delicate curves. The moment Gu Qingyin’s hands pressed against her, a shiver ran through her, making her go weak.

“N-No… You’re not allowed to touch me!”

Fearing that things might spiral out of control again, Zhong Shujin, leaning limply against Gu Qingyin, pouted with a mix of shyness and reproach. “No more… If this continues, I won’t even be able to walk…”

This soft, coquettish demeanor—who wouldn’t be tempted by it?

Especially when she was nestled in Gu Qingyin’s embrace, her robe askew, revealing glimpses of her bare skin.

A beauty in one’s arms—how could one possibly remain indifferent?

Gu Qingyin, of course, wouldn’t have minded indulging in another round of pleasure. However, recalling how exhausted Zhong Shujin had been since last night, she ultimately suppressed the temptation with great restraint.

After all, good things were best savored slowly, over time.

Rather than indulging in any further mischief, Gu Qingyin simply held Zhong Shujin sideways on her lap and began feeding her, picking up a piece of warm food from the table and bringing it to her lips.

“Alright, alright, I won’t touch you. Be good and eat something first.”

The aroma of the food finally made Zhong Shujin realize how empty her stomach was.

Last night’s indulgence had drained her strength completely.

Too exhausted to move, she let Gu Qingyin feed her comfortably. Once she was full, she allowed herself to be dressed with ease, as Gu Qingyin carefully helped her into her clothes.

This time, surprisingly, Gu Qingyin refrained from teasing her any further during the process.

“Is there still something you’re unhappy about, my lady?” After tying Zhong Shujin’s belt, Gu Qingyin adjusted her collar, noticing that she remained silent, simply gazing at her. With a small step forward, she wrapped an arm around Zhong Shujin’s waist and asked with a playful smile, “Hmm? I have already listened to you and haven’t touched you—still not satisfied? Or perhaps… would you only be satisfied if I *did* touch you?”

Ignoring Gu Qingyin’s teasing words, Zhong Shujin merely let out a muffled call, “Qingqing.”

Her arms, which had been outstretched to make dressing easier, were now wrapped around Gu Qingyin instead, pulling her in tightly.

Now, the two of them were pressed even closer together.

Gu Qingyin froze for a moment.

Taking the opportunity, Zhong Shujin buried her face into Gu Qingyin’s neck and murmured softly, “I have to go.”

At those words, the smile in Gu Qingyin’s eyes slowly faded.

“… Are you leaving today?”

“Mm.” Zhong Shujin nuzzled against Gu Qingyin’s neck, murmuring softly, “Even though I don’t want to leave you, I still have to go. I’m sorry.”

Her voice was so delicate, as if she were on the verge of tears.

It almost felt as though the way she had indulged Gu Qingyin from last night until now was nothing more than a parting gift—one last act of surrender before saying goodbye.

As if giving herself to Gu Qingyin had only been meant as a farewell offering.

Gu Qingyin’s gaze darkened slightly. She waited for a long time, hoping that Zhong Shujin would say something—something about taking her along, about leaving together.

But that moment never came.

Even though Zhong Shujin couldn’t bear to part with her, she had never once considered bringing her along.

The sweetness of the morning now turned bitter in Gu Qingyin’s heart.

In the end, she simply let out a quiet sigh, her hand gently stroking Zhong Shujin’s head, just as she always did.

“The Tang Clan’s people have been keeping watch outside the general’s manor since yesterday. I’m afraid you won’t be able to leave today.”

Zhong Shujin didn’t seem surprised.

“I know. “Don’t worry, I have my ways.”

She wasn’t afraid of the Tang Clan. Even if there were a mountain of blades and a sea of fire waiting outside, she would carve a path through.

The only thing she feared… was that after today’s farewell, she would never see Qingqing again.

She couldn’t bear it.

But even so, she had no choice but to leave.

She trusted the abilities of her subordinates. By leaving the city in separate groups, they would surely be able to evade the Tang Clan’s search.

But she also knew them well—if they didn’t see her at the agreed-upon time, even if they had already escaped danger, they would disregard her original orders and risk everything to re-enter the city in search of her.

She couldn’t be selfish. She couldn’t ignore their safety just for her own feelings.

As much as she couldn’t bear to part with Gu Qingyin, she couldn’t bear to put her people’s lives at risk either.

To others, they were just subordinates. But to her, they were her brothers and sisters.

They were her family.

And she couldn’t let her personal desires endanger her family.

She had to reach Heifeng Town at the appointed time to reunite with them, to ease their worries.

She couldn’t allow herself to sink any deeper into this warmth, this tenderness.

Because if she did, she might never be able to pull herself out.

“Ziyan is already working on a plan for us. Just wait one more day, alright? By tomorrow, Ziyan will be able to get *us* out of the city.”

“Us?”

Hearing Gu Qingyin’s words, Zhong Shujin’s dejection disappeared in an instant. She lifted her head from Gu Qingyin’s neck, eyes wide with surprise.

But at the next moment, her brows furrowed again, and she murmured uncertainly, “But… aren’t you supposed to be treating the Fifth Madam’s illness? She didn’t seem to be in good condition. If you leave her… will she even survive?”

Zhong Shujin wasn’t familiar with Fifth Madam, nor did she care about her life or death.

But she knew that if Fifth Madam died, Ziyan would be devastated.

She didn’t particularly care about Ziyan’s suffering either, but she knew that if Ziyan were to fall into such grief, Gu Qingyin would undoubtedly blame herself.

And she didn’t want Gu Qingyin to suffer or feel guilt.

So, she didn’t want anything to happen to Fifth Madam.

Which meant… she couldn’t selfishly take Gu Qingyin away with her.

“Ajin, don’t forget—I am not a kind person.” Gu Qingyin gently smoothed Zhong Shujin’s furrowed brow and spoke in an even tone. I am a poison doctor. I can heal, yes, but only those I *want* to heal. The number of people who have died from my poison is beyond count. In their eyes, I am nothing more than a venomous woman, a terrifying toxin. Since I am not some benevolent healer, why should I care about the lives and deaths of others? So stop thinking of me as some virtuous doctor who saves the world. I am just a wicked woman—understand?”

“Nonsense! You’re not wicked at all! If anyone dares to slander you again, I’ll tear their mouths apart!”

Gu Qingyin was momentarily stunned—Zhong Shujin had completely missed the point.

But that serious, unwavering expression etched itself deep into her heart once more.

A soft smile bloomed on Gu Qingyin’s lips, her voice unconsciously gentler.

“Silly girl.” She took Zhong Shujin’s hand and led her outside. “Come with me to check on Fifth Madam. She should be much better today. Once we confirm her condition, we’ll be able to leave with peace of mind tomorrow.”

*We.*

Hearing Gu Qingyin say *we* again and again, joy unconsciously spread across Zhong Shujin’s brows.

She understood now—Qingqing was truly set on leaving with her.

Although her heart was brimming with happiness, she still huffed lightly. “Why must you insist on coming with me? “Weren’t you saying last night that we have no ties to each other?”

Gu Qingyin chuckled softly. This little thing—she really could hold a grudge.

“My dear lady, don’t forget… what you called me last night.”

She stopped in her tracks, gazing at Zhong Shujin with a gentle look.

At the reminder of the word she had blurted out in the heat of the moment—*wife*—Zhong Shujin’s cheeks flushed red, and she quickly turned her head away.

“I… I forgot…”

Gu Qingyin wasn’t the least bit upset. Instead, she dotingly pinched Zhong Shujin’s nose.

“Looks like your amnesia still hasn’t fully healed.”

Zhong Shujin pulled down the hand on her nose, grinning as she met those familiar eyes.

“That’s right! I still haven’t fully recovered!”

And in those eyes of hers, there was a warmth—a tenderness that only ever surfaced when she looked at Gu Qingyin.

Gu Qingyin understood.

She reached out, gently cupping Zhong Shujin’s chin, and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“It doesn’t matter if your lips forget—just don’t let your heart forget.”

With that, Gu Qingyin removed the scented sachet from her waist and tied it to Zhong Shujin’s belt.

As their gazes met, Gu Qingyin spoke softly, “You are my wife. If you are leaving, what reason do I have to stay behind?”

Upon hearing those words, Zhong Shujin’s eyes slowly welled up with mist.

She sniffled, lowering her head as if unaffected, fiddling with the sachet as she asked, “What is this?”

Gu Qingyin ignored her feigned nonchalance and simply took her hand, leading her forward.

“It’s a special sachet I made. Shu lands are full of insects and snakes—keeping this with you will keep them from coming near.”

Zhong Shujin couldn’t help but smile again at those words. One hand was held by Gu Qingyin, while the other lifted the sachet to her nose, taking in its scent.

She wasn’t sure what medicinal herbs had been used, but somehow, she could smell a hint of sweetness.

Hmm. This sachet was fragrant—sweet, even.

The two walked hand in hand through the general’s manor, their steps unhurried.

Zhong Shujin knew Gu Qingyin’s usual pace wasn’t like that.

This wasn’t the speed she normally walked at.

She must be walking so slowly today… because of *her*, right?

Zhong Shujin brought the sachet to her nose again.

Hmm. It seemed… even sweeter than before.

This kind of sweetness made her feel as if even the soreness in her waist didn’t ache quite as much anymore.