Chapter 750: 747: Affectionate_1

Chapter 750: Chapter 747: Affectionate_1

The intricate carvings of the hundred children playing during spring were coated with a tea-colored stain. A few gray magpies perched on the eaves of the pavilion, and Shen Bozhong could only see, from a distance, the silhouettes of birds pecking at each other and flapping their wings against the backdrop of red and purple clouds.

Shen Bozhong didn’t know how long he had been following the servants of the Princess of Zhen’s residence. It wasn’t until nightfall, when the sheepskin lanterns under the long corridors and verandas of the residence were gradually lit, that he arrived at Bai Qishan’s study door.

Several servants stood outside Bai Qishan’s study, their faces glowing red under the lantern light.

Shen Bozhong was not invited inside. He had to stand outside the door and look in, always feeling that this place was tangled with his past.

He stood in the courtyard, his gaze piercing through the open sliding doors to observe the brightly lit study. Opposite the entrance hung a painting of winter plum blossoms that felt inexplicably familiar. He was about to step inside when a loyal Bai family servant blocked his path.

He stood at the door, staring at the painting of winter plum blossoms swaying in the light.

“This painting of winter plum blossoms, I can’t give it to you. Although it was made by Mrs. Bozhong, it is the work of my wife, Mrs. Bai Qishan! Why don’t you stay in Dadu for a few more days since you’ve come such a long way? I’ll arrange accommodations for you. Most of the guards at my residence are retired from the Bai family army. I’ll have Steward Hao select a few men to accompany you around Dadu City, so you can pick some fashionable jewelry for your wife to bring back as a gift. It won’t let your visit be in vain.”

Suddenly, a familiar yet unidentifiable young man with kind features appeared in Shen Bozhong’s mind, making him feel a natural sense of respect.

“It’s the busy farming season. My wife is young and not good at managing farm work. Mother Ye is getting old. I have to go back to help her. And I don’t even know if that little rascal Ruo Hai has been teaching Qingzhu well…”

Covering his heart, Shen Bozhong remembered the clumsy joy he felt when talking about his wife back then.

His wife…

It seemed he had forgotten something extremely important, like his wife.

“How does my higher status matter? I never cared about such things! Even if you’re much older than me, I do not mind! You obviously have feelings for me too. I dare to give up wealth and honors for you. Why won’t you marry me?!”

Grabbing the red lacquered pole for support, Shen Bozhong felt his head splitting and his heart breaking.

“Master!”

As soon as she entered, Shen Qingzhu saw Shen Bozhong leaning against the red lacquered pole, his face full of pain. A Bai family servant was holding him and calling for a chair.

Unable to contain herself, Shen Qingzhu rushed over and pushed aside the servant holding Shen Bozhong, her eyes red and tears streaming down: “Master! Master, it’s me, Qingzhu!”

Looking up, Shen Bozhong’s bloodshot eyes fell on Shen Qingzhu. His forehead was covered in fine sweat.

The grown-up Shen Qingzhu in front of him overlapped with the stubborn, cold-faced young girl practicing swordsmanship in the snow from his memories.

Shen Bozhong’s lips trembled.

Kneeling before Shen Bozhong, Shen Qingzhu cried like a child, her words filled with bitterness and thick with nasal sounds: “Master! Master, what has happened to you… how did your hair turn white like this! Master…”

Bai Qingyan’s sedan chair was set down. Leaning on Zhenming’s hand, she stood up and walked toward her father’s study, clutching a hand warmer.

Shen Bozhong was at a loss, not knowing whether to lift Shen Qingzhu up or turn around and leave. His mind was in chaos.

“Master!” Shen Qingzhu crawled forward and hugged Shen Bozhong’s waist, crying even more sorrowfully, “I’m sorry, master! I couldn’t take care of Mistress. Mistress thought you passed away and… followed you! It’s my fault for not watching over her! I failed you, master!”

Hearing these words was like being struck by lightning for Shen Bozhong. Grabbing his chest with one hand and his head with the other, his eyes filled with blood as if countless sharp blades twisted in his heart, making him unable to breathe and nearly killing him on the spot.

Seeing this, Bai Qingyan shouted to the servants: “Hold him up!”

A taste of blood filled Shen Bozhong’s throat. He suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and fell backward with wide eyes.

“Master!”

In Shen Qingzhu’s cry, Bai family servants caught Shen Bozhong just before he hit the ground.

“Go get Miss Ji and the residence doctor! Quickly!” Bai Qingyan turned and instructed Zhenming.

“Yes!” Zhenming responded and quickly ran away.

“Put him in the side room first!” Bai Qingyan ordered.

Following them into the side room with Shen Bozhong, Shen Qingzhu was full of anxiety.

Standing under the bright veranda lights, Bai Qingyan clutched her hand warmer and looked up at the darkening sky over Dadu. She asked the steward beside her: “Have the Left Prime Minister’s people left?”

“Back to you, miss. They are still waiting outside…” the steward replied.

“Tell the Left Prime Minister’s people to go back! Say… I’m keeping the old man! Let them rest assured; I will not take his life.”

“Yes!” The steward replied and quickly walked out of the courtyard.

After the residence doctor and Ji Langhua arrived, one diagnosed and prescribed medication, and the other performed acupuncture. Shen Bozhong soon regained consciousness, but his mind remained foggy.

Kneeling at the bedside, Shen Qingzhu recounted the events tearfully to Shen Bozhong.

Shen Bozhong looked at the girl, who always had a cold expression in his memory, now with a tear-streaked face. He gently placed his hand on Shen Qingzhu’s head, the familiar and affectionate feeling undeniable.

Being inarticulate, Shen Bozhong didn’t know how to comfort the grieving girl. He could only follow his instincts and gently wipe her tears.

Shen Qingzhu cried even more, clutching his hand as she wailed; it had been so long since her master had gently touched her head. She couldn’t even protect the Mistress for him.

She couldn’t believe why her master had aged so suddenly: “Master, have you remembered everything? Do you remember?”

Shen Bozhong’s mind was in disarray.

“Qingzhu, let your master rest well! He probably won’t remember everything right away.” Bai Qingyan stood by the bed, looking at Shen Bozhong, who was leaning against the headboard. She said, “I’ll talk to the Li family and let your master stay at the Bai family for now. You stay in Dadu and take good care of your master.”

Turning to Bai Qingyan, Shen Qingzhu thanked her: “Thank you, Miss Bai!”

“You…” Shen Bozhong looked at Bai Qingyan with a slight tremor in his voice, speaking with some uncertainty, “You’re… Miss Suqiu?”

Bai Qingyan’s grip on the hand warmer tightened, but her expression remained calm and her eyes unperturbed: “I am not.”