Chapter 42 - The Sixth Day
"Is this a dream?"
"No."
Cui Ti remained silent for a while. Under Pei Xuan's gaze, she involuntarily curled her toes and moved her hand. Her voice hoarse, she stammered, "You first..."
Her face flushed red, "First, wipe your face with a cloth, and then cover me up."
Pei Xuan, realizing the situation, felt embarrassed too. In a flustered manner, he wiped off the moisture from his face. Catching a glimpse of Cui Ti's soft and tender figure, a warmth surged in his heart. He hurriedly wrapped her up with a brocade quilt.
Cui Ti peeked out from under the blanket, her eyes studying him. At this moment, she felt weak all over. Clearly, she had been through a lot. She couldn't believe that this was something Pei Xuan could have done. Amidst her embarrassment, a flurry of confusion arose, "What happened?"
Switching to the matter at hand, the rapidly beating heart of Pei Xuan gradually calmed down. He gently said, "Can I lie down and talk?"
She was also very tired.
Wanted to lie down and talk.
No sooner had he spoken than Cui Ti pulled the thin quilt over her face, initially showing a cute, intact head. Now, only a pair of dewy eyes and a smooth forehead could be seen.
"As you wish."
Pei Xuan, utterly exhausted, didn't stand on ceremony with her. Moreover, she had been reckless in recent days, doing many discourteous things. One more wouldn't make a difference.
The bedding next to her sunk, and a familiar fragrance enveloped her senses. Realizing her exposed state, Cui Ti's legs tensed up. She pondered for a while but ultimately couldn't resist her deep longing, despite the aching, she rolled into his embrace.
In the quiet depths of the night, not even a cat's meow was heard. Stars twinkled, and the moon silently shone. Pei Xuan briefly explained the ins and outs, causing Cui Ti's face to flush once again.
She asked, "Which day is it today?"
"It's already the sixth day."
Cui Ti's eyes hinted at her understanding. "No wonder," she muttered, realizing why every move felt so unbearable.
Six days. She had been asleep for six days, and Xing Guang...
She dared not dwell on it further: "Such an absurd proposition, how could you believe it?"
Pei Xuan held her close, allowing her to comfortably nestle into his embrace. Their legs intertwined affectionately. Playfully, she teased Cui Ti's foot with her toes, causing the latter's breath to become erratic.
The excitement of having her back hadn't entirely faded.
She whispered, "When I first heard about it, I too thought it was ridiculous. But then I thought, a sage traveling to me in the middle of the night surely isn't just to mock me. If they truly had this intention and had the capability to save you, why not entertain them once?
"If this sage could unlock your spiritual eyes in a dream, and such a bizarre event has occurred, what else can I not believe or dare not believe?"
Recalling the hardships they'd faced, Cui Ti felt a residual fright. She clutched the corner of Pei Xuan's robe, sharing with him her dream experiences, including the feelings of neglect.
"In the dream, you became a different person. I wasn't in your heart."
"That's why it was false."
Pei Xuan skillfully massaged her aching waist, distracting Cui Ti from the fears of her dream. His touch was so exquisite that she couldn't help but let out a suppressed moan.
"Cui Ti..."
Cui Ti looked at her timidly, her body about to melt into a puddle. She hesitated, "We really can't continue... I... I can't take any more."
Her words were firm in refusing, but Pei Xuan, with a furrowed brow, feigned disappointment, "Is that so?"
"Xing Guang?"
Cui Ti couldn't bear seeing that expression on her face. After a moment of internal conflict, she relented in a soft voice, "Alright, alright."
Unable to tease her further, Pei Xuan wrapped her in a tight embrace and laughed heartily.
Hearing her laughter and realizing she was being teased, Cui Ti's face turned beet red, burying her face in Pei Xuan's neck, hiding from the world.
In just six days, it felt as though they had survived a calamity. The exhaustion from the ordeal seeped into their bones.
The two embraced and drifted to sleep.
Though Cui Ti had 'slept' for several days and nights, she hadn't rested for even a moment.
The same went for Pei Xuan.
The candle burned throughout the night, and they didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky.
Cui Ti awoke first, her eyes filled with enchanting allure as she gazed at her beloved 'husband'.
Having 'lost' him in her dream made 'finding' him in reality even more precious. She greedily traced his features with her eyes and noticed Pei Xuan had lost considerable weight. Despite having a physique that hardly gained weight, when she lost weight, it was noticeable. Dark circles were evident under her eyes, clearly showing her sleep deprivation.
Unwilling to disturb her, Cui Ti focused on Pei Xuan's lips, unexpectedly recalling how she had awoken the previous night.
So, it could happen like that too?
She was taken aback, feeling a tingling sensation. She cautiously leaned in, foreheads touching, feeling the gentle breath from Pei Xuan. Her heart raced erratically, her body felt weak and tingly, overwhelmed with a peculiar pleasure.
It felt so good. Cui Ti brushed her lips against Pei Xuan's, repeatedly murmuring her name.
Perhaps Pei Xuan sensed her intense emotions. When Cui Ti leaned in for another secret peck, she got caught in the act.
"Stealing a kiss?"
"No."
Pei Xuan chuckled lightly, "So, it's a rightful kiss?"
Cui Ti's eyelashes fluttered, "Do you hear it?"
Hear what?
The sound of her restless heartbeat.
The young Mistress Pei, who had been in a deep slumber for six days, finally awoke.
The vast Pei residence once again resumed its former peaceful atmosphere. After having breakfast, Pei Xuan supported Cui Ti as they walked to the small courtyard where Ning Hehuan resided.
A servant from the courtyard was about to report to them, "M'lord, the sage has left, and the donkey that was tied in the stable is also gone."
"Someone broke my curse; I must leave."
"Leave?"
Dou Qingyue's face was filled with urgency, "Senior, you don't plan to help me anymore?"
The woman cloaked in a black cape let out a chilling laugh, "This is your second chance, what more do you expect from me? My arch-nemesis is about to arrive; I have no time to waste with you. Fend for yourself."
"Senior!"
A blinding light shone and then faded away, leaving Dou Qingyue alone in her surroundings. She stamped her foot in frustration.
Damn it!
She had been evaded by that blind man once again!