Tao Chuyi was markedly different from before. In the past, she had merely wanted to nibble on soft candies, but now her actions carried a hint of aggression.
Nangong Yunshang’s body went limp, yet Tao Chuyi showed no signs of stopping. There were no deft techniques involved—only the pure drive of her own desires, urging her to seek more.
The two switched positions, and Tao Chuyi, taking advantage of her superior vantage point, pressed her assault relentlessly.
Nangong Yunshang drowned in the sensations, her mind a blissful haze, utterly blank.
It was only when Tao Chuyi bit down a little too hard, breaking the skin on Nangong Yunshang’s lip, that the latter snapped back to awareness.
“Chu… Chuyi.”
Nangong Yunshang pushed at her, desperate to pull herself free from the depths of indulgence. Yet she had no idea what had come over Chuyi today; even just holding her felt like being trapped in an impenetrable fortress, leaving no avenue of escape.
Tao Chuyi still felt it wasn’t enough. She pursued, entwining passionately for a good while longer before finally relenting.
Nangong Yunshang’s cheeks burned hot, her eyes misty. Suddenly, she couldn’t bear to meet Tao Chuyi’s gaze.
“You’re so strange today… What’s gotten into you?”
“Does sister think I’m strange?”
Tao Chuyi stared unabashedly at Nangong Yunshang, her eyes roaming from head to toe in rapt fascination. The person she had longed for in her heart was right before her, and by some twist of fortune, she had married her in the midst of her own dazed folly.
Was this truly a case of turning disaster into blessing?
Nangong Yunshang reconsidered her words. “It’s not exactly strange… just different from before.”
Tao Chuyi leaned closer, seemingly oblivious to how enticing she was in that moment.
“What was I like before?”
Nangong Yunshang felt the warmth of her breath against her ear, hot air tickling into the crook of her neck. She flinched reflexively, shrinking back.
“Just… like a child.”
Tao Chuyi drew even nearer, occasionally teasing her earlobe.
“Does Chuyi seem like an adult now? Is sister happy?”
Nangong Yunshang’s entire body burned with heat. She hurriedly shifted away, creating some distance. Even so, her heart pounded like a drum—a thoroughly unfamiliar sensation.
In the past, hearing Tao Chuyi call her “sister” had always felt warm and intimate. Now, it sent chills racing across her skin.
“Does sister prefer the old me or the current me?”
Tao Chuyi smiled, not pressing too hard. “Or perhaps both?”
For the first time since adulthood, Nangong Yunshang admitted to herself that she was being completely ensnared. Driven by a rebellious urge not to yield, she lifted her head abruptly to confront Tao Chuyi head-on. But what she met were eyes at once innocently bewildered and soul-stirringly captivating.
“Both… I like both.”
Tao Chuyi beamed happily, then leaned in to embrace her. She felt the figure in her arms give a slight start.
“I like sister too—all of sister’s selves, every one.”
Nangong Yunshang could swear she’d never felt so at a loss in her life.
“I… I’ll go fetch your medicine.”
“No.”
Tao Chuyi clung stubbornly, refusing to let her go. “I want sister to stay with me.”
And so Nangong Yunshang was pulled back down. Tao Chuyi pillowed her head on her chest, listening with keen interest and occasionally chuckling in delight.
The quickened heartbeat—how Tao Chuyi loved the sound of it. It raced because Nangong Yunshang’s heart held her.
Gradually, the rhythmic thumping lulled her to sleep.
Nangong Yunshang didn’t dare move rashly, fearing she might wake her and invite further trouble.
Could her head injury have worsened? Had she gone from little fool to little madwoman?
Tao Chuyi slept until nearly dinnertime, when the protests of her stomach finally roused her. She sat up most reluctantly, slapping the bed in dissatisfaction.
“I’m hungry!”
Nangong Yunshang’s side had gone numb from the weight, but now she breathed a sigh of relief. This was the old Tao Chuyi—no change after all. Perhaps she had overthought it.
Seeing Nangong Yunshang still lying prone and immobile on the bed, Tao Chuyi leaned in close, blinking her large eyes.
“Sister’s lazing in bed.”
With that, she clapped her hands gleefully to herself.
Nangong Yunshang sighed. “Whose fault is that? Aren’t you going to help me up?”
“As you command!”
They had already imposed on the Luo family for quite some time. Once they confirmed that Tao Chuyi’s left leg had fully recovered, the two set off to bid farewell to Old Man Luo and his wife. In the end, Nangong Yunshang insisted on handing over the jade pendant to the elderly couple for their living expenses, as payment for their lodging and medicines these past days.
This time, Old Luo didn’t refuse. He only said that if they ever needed anything, they could return anytime.
Leaving Market Fair Village behind, the pair traveled day and night. During the daytime, they walked together. At night, Tao Chuyi carried Nangong Yunshang on her back. Wherever the path grew muddy and treacherous, she ensured not a speck of dirt touched the soles of Nangong Yunshang’s shoes.
They looped back along their original route into a nearby town, where they pawned a jade plaque they had on hand for some silver. With it, they bought two new sets of clothes.
“Chuyi, shall we buy a skirt?”
They still had some silver left, and Nangong Yunshang thought that since they were out, there was no need to keep hiding.
Tao Chuyi glanced at the loose silver fragments in her pack and shook her head. “Need to eat, need to stay somewhere, need to buy sister hairpins. Chuyi doesn’t need.”
Nangong Yunshang smiled warmly. “Good girl. We’ll find a chance for you to wear pretty things plenty soon.”
The market street they were on had no inns, and they heard the town’s only one had closed years ago—few outsiders ever visited anymore.
With no other choice, they sought lodging from nearby homes. The household of the Ning family had a spare room in their courtyard. When the steward saw their attire and reported to the master, permission was granted.
Since the two were sharing a single room, the hosts saw no impropriety and had a maidservant settle them in.
Tao Chuyi was endlessly curious about the new surroundings, peering left and right, liable to stare at a single tree for ages.
“Sister, there’s a bird over there.”
Nangong Yunshang followed her pointing finger and indeed spotted a big goose perched on a rock.
“I want to play with it.”
Before Nangong Yunshang could stop her, Tao Chuyi had already approached. But for every step she took forward, the big goose shuffled back one. When she stopped, it did too.
Tao Chuyi turned around to complain. “It doesn’t like me.”
At that moment, a clear voice interrupted them.
“It’s not that it doesn’t like you—it’s just shy around strangers.”
Both turned to see a young woman approaching with light, graceful steps. She reached the big goose’s side, and this time, it didn’t retreat. Instead, it even leaned in for her touch.
The young woman looked up. “See? Once it gets familiar, it’s fine.”
“Who might you be, miss?”
Nangong Yunshang appraised her. From her clothing, she seemed to be a young lady of the household, not a servant.
The young woman grinned brightly, tilting her head. “I’m Ning Xueyan, the second miss of the Ning family.”
Nangong Yunshang nodded. “Pleased to meet you, Second Miss Ning.”
“No need for formalities. You’re guests here—make yourselves at home.”
Though Ning Xueyan was warmly hospitable, her attention quickly returned to the big goose. After exchanging a few words, she went off to play with it.
Watching the girl and goose interact from afar, Tao Chuyi said enviously, “I miss Fifteen and Little Eight.”
Nangong Yunshang ruffled her hair. “Be good. We’ll head back soon enough. For now, drink your medicine first.”
She had been taking this bitter decoction for nearly a month, and just the sight of it made her scowl.
Nangong Yunshang brought it over. “Scowling or not, you have to drink it.”
“Oh.”
Tao Chuyi took the bowl and gulped it down, then begged for a piece of malt candy.
“Sister, I want more candy.”
Nangong Yunshang refused firmly. “No. One bowl of medicine gets you one piece of candy, or your teeth will hurt.”
Sister took candy for herself when drinking medicine, though.
“Fine, then.”
Tao Chuyi crept stealthily toward Nangong Yunshang. Catching her off guard, she planted a quick peck on her cheek and bolted.
Nangong Yunshang clutched her face, chasing after her in flustered annoyance straight into their room.
They managed to behave for just one day in the room. The next, Tao Chuyi grew restless again. While Nangong Yunshang was off brewing medicine, she slipped quietly to the back courtyard and sure enough, found the big goose on the rock.
“You really like her? Want to pet her?”
Ning Xueyan turned to ask.
Tao Chuyi nodded vigorously. Sister had said this bird was a big goose, and she wondered how its feathers felt compared to Little Eight’s.
Ning Xueyan soothed the big goose, then beckoned Tao Chuyi closer. With Ning Xueyan there, when Tao Chuyi reached out this time, the big goose didn’t dodge.
“What’s it called?”
Ning Xueyan gazed proudly at the big goose. “I named her Little Yan. When I was ten, she crash-landed in our courtyard—injured, I think. I’ve cared for her ever since. Six years now.”
It turned out Ning Xueyan was quite the chatterbox. She latched on and chattered away endlessly, as if no one usually listened to her.
“My mother says I was born with an affinity for geese. A flock flew overhead the day I was born, so they named me Xueyan.”
Ning Xueyan suddenly propped her chin in her hand and sighed.
Tao Chuyi asked clumsily, “Why the sigh?”
Ning Xueyan looked at her and shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand. It’s hard for a girl to pursue an official career. No matter how well I study, the opportunities are far fewer than my brothers’. When I was little, my father praised me as a prodigy, certain I’d top the imperial exams someday. But now that I’m grown, he tells me studying is just to better educate my future children.”
Tao Chuyi scratched her head. “What about you?”
At that, Ning Xueyan paused, then smiled with sudden clarity. “You’re right. If I want it, I just have to persist—no matter what anyone thinks. Young Master Tao, you’re nothing like a fool. Quite the opposite… profound wisdom hidden behind foolishness. Thank you!”
Ning Xueyan left happily with Little Yan, leaving Tao Chuyi alone in the back courtyard.
Suddenly, her head began to ache. She wanted to return to the room and lie down, but halfway there, her legs gave out, and she collapsed at the guest room door.
Nangong Yunshang heard the noise and came out to open the door. She immediately spotted Tao Chuyi sprawled on the ground.
“Chuyi? Chuyi, wake up! Chuyi!”
She desperately tried to help Tao Chuyi up, but after just two steps, she could barely manage it. Nangong Yunshang thought to call for someone to assist first.
At that moment, someone seized her wrist.
Tao Chuyi opened her eyes and sat up, showing no sign of discomfort whatsoever.
“Sister, don’t worry. I was just sleepy a moment ago.”
Chuyi stood up as if nothing had happened, but Nangong Yunshang remained concerned.
“Are you really all right now?”
Tao Chuyi guided her into the inner chamber and gently pressed her down onto the couch.
“I’m really fine now. Sister barely touched her lunch. I’ll go fetch some food for you.”
Nangong Yunshang wanted Chuyi to rest, but Tao Chuyi had already moved.
Chuyi stepped over the threshold, eyes perfectly clear. These past days, the stretches of lucidity had grown longer and more frequent. Physician’s medicine could no longer suppress the awakening of that certain something. Time was running out for Chuyi. There were things that absolutely needed to be done.
