Chapter 41 - The Momentum of a Raging Fire
Regrettably, the departed Pei Xuan couldn't hear these words anymore.
Pei Xuan was quite occupied, busy with eating, bathing, catching up on sleep, and then preparing for another battle.
No one had ever heard of this 'treatment method', nor had the opportunity to see it. But when it came to the mystical realm of 'curses', Lady Pei could only follow its guidance.
The prominent experts were still residing in the mansion.
Not to mention that this method truly worked -- Cui Ti's high fever subsiding was a powerful testament to that.
Now, all that was left to do was to awaken her.
The inner chamber was filled with a faint fragrance, with petals of fresh flowers in vases fully opened, showcasing vibrant colors. The door leading to the bathroom was opened, and Pei Xuan cradled her sleeping beauty onto the bed, kneeling beside her. She gently brushed aside the long hair near Cui Ti's ear, observing her face which was pale but with a hint of rosy glow.
"Cui Ti."
Her voice was soft and tender, her lips moving with affectionate words, showcasing the very demeanor that captivated Cui Ti when she was awake.
"I deeply regret not having protected you."
"I realize my mistake."
She should have wholly offered her passionate heart earlier on, rather than understanding its value when on the brink of loss.
She was anxious deep inside, fearing that Cui Ti might fall into a perpetual slumber, worrying that this treatment might prove ineffective in the end.
Pei Xing Guang, having tasted success at a young age without any setbacks, had sailed smoothly through these years. Setting aside her outward appearance of steadfastness and resilience, at least at this moment, facing Cui Ti immersed in a nightmare, she seemed fragile, like a pale pear blossom.
As pear blossoms fall onto the water surface, a wave crashes over, and one's entire being is engulfed by the unpredictable sea.
A moist, gentle kiss landed softly on Cui Ti's eyelids. Gathering her spirits, Pei Xing Guang reached out with both arms, encircling that waist which was delicately slender.
Clothing fell away.
Revealing vast expanses of fair skin.
Pei Xuan's face turned beet red instantly, awkwardly touching her burning ears. She wanted to say something, but Cui Ti couldn't hear. Pei Xuan swallowed, suddenly understanding the previous Cui Ti.
So, this is what it feels like to do 'naughty' things behind someone's back.
Her fingertips trembled, holding back the urge to touch Cui Ti, and every touch extracted a trace of sweetness from her soul.
A soft affection reflected in the corner of her eyes.
No wonder my wife, after unlocking her spiritual vision on their wedding night, pretended to be blind to her.
One could see, the other couldn't. The thrill of "I thought you couldn't see, but in reality, you can" was both secretive and tantalizing, striking a chord similar to the present moment.
The only regret was that beneath the joy was an overwhelming worry.
"Pei Xing Guang, you can do this!"
With a face full of determination, she cheered herself on.
She wanted Cui Ti to feel her love, even in this deep slumber.
She loved her.
She desired her.
Any ghostly entities that dared to threaten her Cui Ti, she would not allow it!
Pei Xuan's gaze was firm. Looking down, her obstinate and beautiful face flushed again, hazily capturing the enticing fruit with her lips.
The room grew subtly warmer.
...
Bai Tang, in a state of distraction, dragged a stool to sit in the courtyard. Counting on her fingers repeatedly, it was already the third day. Half of the seven-day period was nearly over!
Her lady hadn't awakened yet!
She was one of the few who knew that Pei Xuan had personally intervened to save someone. Initially, when she heard from the expert about the "sleep to cure sleep" method, she thought he must be a fraudster trying to lead M'lord astray.
But the lady indeed had her fever recede, and even her crying changed its tone.
Just half an hour ago, as Bai Tang approached the room with a nourishing soup, she heard Cui Ti's faint cries, which made her knees weak, and she dashed away.
It's the third day.
What on earth is happening?!
The expert's expression was always inscrutable, and with each day, his attire became more and more extravagant. Bai Tang neither understood nor dared to ask, fearing offending him and losing the opportunity for treatment.
She wanted to ask, "And then what?"
The local doctors were of no help, and even the imperial physicians from the palace were at a loss. Was their lord really expected to work tirelessly day and night beside the bed?
This was like taking advantage of a naive person!
One couldn't even coax a donkey this way!
Bai Tang was so distressed that her eyebrows knitted together, wondering whom their lady had offended.
A small worker, Xiao Hong, who tended the gardens outside, surely didn't have the power to do this. There must be others in the shadows, harboring ill intent.
She shuddered at the thought. The method of "sleep to cure sleep" sounded absurd, but she genuinely hoped the heavens would show favor to the lady.
Cui Ti had suffered too much. Just as life was becoming sweet, Bai Tang sighed and fervently prayed for her mistress's wellbeing.
Pei Xuan emerged from the room once again, her temples wet with sweat.
The prepared nourishing soup was handed to her, and she gulped it down, her complexion gradually improving.
At this critical juncture, they were grasping at straws. No one dared to jinx anything at this moment.
With each day that Cui Ti remained unconscious, the atmosphere in the house became more and more tense.
After finishing the soup, Pei Xuan turned to go back to the room, but her mother held her wrist, "I know you're anxious, but can you endure this? Can Cui Ti?"
Both were women. Lady Pei was heartbroken that her daughter-in-law's strange ailment hadn't improved, causing harm to her body.
There needed to be time for recovery.
Pei Xuan nodded slowly, somber and reticent.
As the seven-day deadline approached, the once spirited and vivacious Pei Xuan's eyes began to lose their luster.
She sought Ning He Huan once more.
Seeing her increasingly gaunt figure, Ning He Huan casually offered some words of encouragement.
Unable to get any definitive consolation from him, Pei Xuan, out of sheer desperation, almost wore out the pages of several books over consecutive days.
The beautiful Cui Ti slept without waking, yet it wasn't as if she was completely unaware.
She was conscious.
Pei Xuan could feel her reciprocation.
But she just wouldn't awaken.
With a troubled brow, suppressing the rising bitterness in her chest, Pei Xuan gritted her teeth and walked briskly towards the bed.
"You rest first, I'll go out for a walk."
"Mmm."
Cui Ti sat in front of the candlelight, responding neutrally.
The room was left with only her. She was trapped in an oppressive cage, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.
She lost the Pei Xuan from her memories, the one who loved her, unable to find her way home.
This isn't her home.
The people here aren't the ones who love her.
She can't see with her eyes. The beauty she once experienced has turned into fleeting illusions. Cui Ti felt a deep pain in her heart, tears spinning in her eyes.
"Xing Guang..."
She cried as if her heart was breaking.
Pei Xuan placed a soft pillow beneath her waist. An unnamed anger surged in his heart, a mix of pity and anger, burning his throat hoarse.
"My wife, I'm here, open your eyes and look at me. Your Xing Guang is right here."
"Xing Guang..."
Pei Xuan gazed at her, wiping away her tears.
"I have no other solutions. The royal physician doesn't know, the family doctor doesn't either. I've sought many experts, but none can explain.
"Cui Ti, the deadline of seven days is approaching. You can't keep sleeping."
In the dead of night, a blaze suddenly burst into Cui Ti's dream within a dream.
The flames raged like a wildfire, and in this dream within a dream was a Pei Xuan she had never seen before.
He was fierce and relentless, never backing down.
Deep into the night when the world was asleep, Ning Hehuan leisurely sat up from her bed, walked to the window.
Gazing at the sky filled with stars and moonlight, she smiled, "In this lifetime, can things finally come together?"
She then opened the door to the stable in the courtyard and released the donkey tied to a stake.
The chubby donkey joyfully shook its plump body.
Hehuan, the carefree wanderer, mounted the donkey and rode away.
The flames raged on with an intensity that threatened to collapse the old house. It burned Pei Xuan like a madman and made Cui Ti scream, breaking through the two layers of dreams.
The room was brightly lit.
With a face dripping wet, Pei Xuan slowly raised his head.
"Cui Ti?!"
Not caring about his present disheveled state, he greeted her with a radiant smile, "You're awake! You're really awake!"
"..."
Cui Ti's tear-streaked rosy face emerged from the nightmare. Seeing the ecstatic Pei Xuan, her voice was hoarse and filled with disbelief, "Xing Guang?"
"Yes! I am Xing Guang! I am your Xing Guang!"
"Xing Guang..."
Tears rolled down Cui Ti's face, filled with sorrow.
Mid-cry, she suddenly became aware of her current situation.
Her waist was propped up high, and her legs were entirely held in someone's grasp. Stunned, she stuttered, "What... what are you..."
What are you doing?
Pei Xuan was caught off guard, unable to brazenly say he was rescuing her.
Though, in truth, he was.
Look, Cui Ti had awakened!
His eyes sparkled with excitement, "My wife, let me explain!"
His inexplicable excitement combined with a suspicious look on his face was right in front of Cui Ti. A realization hit her, and she let out a gasp. Wanting to pull the covers over her, all she managed to do was kick the air futilely.
A sharp pain shot through her head.
Cui Ti's face turned pale with pain.
Pei Xuan guiltily set her down, his face displaying the look of someone caught red-handed.
So, should he still explain?
In an instant, he leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Cui Ti, decisively giving her cheek a kiss, "My wife!"
The lively and spirited move left Cui Ti stunned and overwhelmed.
Is this truly her Xing Guang?
Her Xing Guang... was he always this sweet?