Volume One, Chapter 14: The Young Master Is Not Necessarily Yours Alone

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Since marrying Qingchen Shi, Mrs. Liu had constantly endured humiliation and discomfort, yet she understood that husband and wife were one flesh—sharing both honor and disgrace.

She quickly stepped into the room, first paying deep respects to Prime Minister Shi, then spoke with a concerned tone, “Father, please do not let anger harm your health. Your daughter-in-law will certainly counsel my husband properly.”

Seeing Mrs. Liu enter, Prime Minister Shi suppressed his anger and admonished gently, “Do you realize that in these past days of your unconsciousness, the person most worried was your wife? She has been tirelessly attending to you day and night. If you have any conscience, you should know whom to care for.”

“I hold high hopes for you, but understand that I have more than one son, and the family cannot halt progress simply because you are distressed. A man destined for great deeds cannot be so lost in childish emotions. Think carefully—if I see you like this again, you may as well forfeit your position as the young master of the Shi family.”

Qingchen Shi’s handsome, pale face seemed to be genuinely touched by his father’s words, showing deep remorse. His voice weak and feeble, he replied, “Yes, Father. Your son will heed your advice and strive to recover swiftly.”

Prime Minister Shi, mindful of his son’s recent illness, refrained from further harshness, simply snorted coldly and swept out of the room.

Mrs. Liu, standing nearby, took the medicine bowl from the maid behind her as Qingchen Shi’s gaze fell upon her. She hurried to his bedside, sat down, and scooped a spoonful of medicine, blowing on it gently before offering it to him.

Qingchen Shi weakly turned his head aside, though in truth he was masking his disgust. He had been unconscious but not dead. He knew full well how Mrs. Liu had ordered rough treatment and cursed him at his bedside during that time. Now, seeing her hypocritical display, he found her repulsive.

Yet his father was right. For a family to thrive, it must rely on strong alliances—especially when this alliance had cost the life of his most beloved. It could not be wasted.

He must extract greater benefits from Mrs. Liu, or else it would be a betrayal of Yunxi’s sacrifice.

Seeing his refusal to show any courtesy, a flash of resentment crossed Mrs. Liu’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself and softly coaxed, “Husband, you must take your medicine properly. Otherwise, how will your body ever recover?”

As if genuinely moved, Qingchen Shi turned to her, eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you for your care these days, my lady. Now that I am awake, let me take the medicine myself. You must also take care of your health.”

With that, he took the bowl from her hand and drained it, then instructed his attendant Que’er, “See my lady out, then prepare hot water for me. I need to bathe and groom myself.”

After Yunxi’s death, Qingchen Shi had immediately assigned her two most capable attendants, Que’er and Fengxun, to serve him.

It was both to protect them on Yunxi’s behalf and to soothe his own heart. Seeing them nearby was as if Yunxi had not truly left.

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Thinking of Yunxi, an unbearable bitterness spread through Qingchen Shi’s chest. He took the diary from beneath his pillow and continued to read.

The last time he had read only ten pages before his blood surged violently, causing him to cough blood and lose consciousness.

Yet this diary left by Yunxi was like a death ledger, irresistibly compelling. She had harbored so many unspoken affections for him.

“Today, Qingchen Shi unexpectedly returned home at noon. He discovered that I never dared to eat lunch while at the academy. He tenderly embraced me and vowed never to betray me in this life.

“My heart was filled with joy, and I believed in his promise—that he would never forsake me…”

Qingchen Shi gazed at the familiar script, feeling Yunxi’s silent emotions through each line. Had she loved him from so long ago?

His thoughts drifted back to the dilapidated ancestral home, where he had been a mere inconsequential illegitimate son, living alone in the rundown house, tending to the ancestral shrine for his father.

He still vividly recalled the evening he came home and encountered a woman in strange attire. Though her face bore some dirt, her eyes shone with confidence and composure. She asked if she could rent a room in the house, promising to pay.

Lost in memory, his expression softened, his eyes staring blankly ahead, a faint joyful smile unconsciously curling his lips.

Suddenly, the scene shifted—Yunxi’s clear eyes transformed into a fiery sea of despair and resentment.

Qingchen Shi felt his blood boil once more. He quickly closed the diary, unwilling to read further.

If only life were like the first meeting… but now it was too late, everything was too late.

He pressed his thumb repeatedly to the corner of his eye, trying to hold back the surge of bitter tears. Forcing himself to rally, he knew well the resolute, pitiless look in his father’s eyes today. He must live well and with honor, lest Yunxi’s sacrifices be in vain.

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Yunxi had helped him rise from illegitimate son to legitimate heir, ultimately chosen as the young master among all the Shi sons. How could he let their joint efforts go to waste so easily?

Every day he lived from now on would be for Yunxi. He believed she would want him to live well.

—

At the Duke’s residence,

Gu Nanxiao gazed down at Yunxi, who had fainted again on the bed. Contentedly brushing the sweat-damp hair from her forehead, he lifted her into his arms and headed toward the bath barrel.

Seated together in the warm water, Gu Nanxiao closed his eyes in comfort, already planning to take the little lady to the prince’s hot spring estate for a couple of days on the rest days.

Suddenly, a commotion arose in the courtyard. A woman stood barred at the gate, loudly calling into the study, “Cousin, it’s Jiao Jiao! Let your people in—I’m here on behalf of Great-Grandmother.”

Upon hearing it was Shen Jiao Jiao, Gu Nanxiao’s brow furrowed sharply. He had already clearly rejected her, so why had she followed him here?

It must be by order of the Empress Dowager. Gu Nanxiao’s headache deepened, knowing well that once his imperial grandmother made a decision, she would not relent until achieving her goal.

He knew Mo Yu would never let the woman in, so he remained unhurried. He carried Yunxi out of the bath, leisurely drying them both before wrapping her in fresh brocade coverings.

Yunxi stirred lazily like a sleepy cat, wrinkling her brow briefly before turning and falling back asleep.

Gu Nanxiao smiled indulgently, continuing to dress. After fastening his jade belt, he pushed open the study door and stepped out.

Seeing Gu Nanxiao finally emerge, Shen Jiao Jiao suppressed her impatience, quickened her steps to his side, and called softly, “Cousin~”