Chapter Seven: The Sprain

The young county lady was in an exceptionally good mood today. Although Ke Mingxu did not let her hold his hand again, when he reached out to her, Jing Hu did not hesitate to grasp his wrist firmly.

Ke Mingxu was a scholar; when she held his hand, she felt the thin calluses on his fingers. His palm was dry yet warm. She pretended not to notice, but her heart was pounding like a drum.

His wrist felt different—somewhat cool to the touch, much like the crisp fragrance he carried. Soon, her own warmth transferred to his wrist, making it feel like she was touching a piece of exquisite mutton fat jade.

Before the gate of Fang Shixuan, Ke Mingxu could no longer go inside. The young county lady was not so reckless as to overstep; if their meeting were discovered by her mother, it would be detrimental to both her and Ke Mingxu.

Especially to the two of them.

“Brother Ke, please wait for me here. I’ll be back soon,” Jing Hu said as she took a few steps inside, then worriedly glanced back. Seeing Ke Mingxu standing straight and tall with one hand behind his back, she felt a sudden shyness and reminded him again, “I’ll be right back.”

Then she lifted her skirt and quickly stepped over the threshold, rushing into the main house.

Jing Hu wanted to give Ke Mingxu the five-poison sachet she had made for herself a few days ago. She had made only this one, originally for her own amusement, so the embroidery of the five poisons wasn’t fierce or frightening but rather charming—just like her.

She smiled as she held the sachet and left.

Time seemed to fly whenever she was with him. The infinite beauty of the sunset bathed him, making him appear like a deity.

Which celestial god up above could be half as handsome as Ke Mingxu? And what did the heavenly fairy look like? She longed to compare her own beauty with theirs.

Ke Mingxu still stood with his hands behind his back, smiling gently when he saw her emerge.

Jing Hu’s heart leapt with joy. Just as she was about to reach him, she accidentally tripped on her skirt.

“Be careful,” he said.

Fortunately, he was close enough to catch her. The fresh, pine-like scent that enveloped him suddenly filled her from head to toe, dispelling the momentary panic she had felt.

She had always loved floral and fruity fragrances, like the faint plum scent she wore today. She never knew that the aroma of pine and cypress could be so intoxicating.

Not wanting to regain her composure, she relaxed completely and fell right into his arms. “Brother Ke, I think I twisted my ankle.”

Of course, Jing Hu hadn’t really twisted her ankle; she was just playing a little trick. Besides playing mahjong and sewing, she was quite adept at pretending.

Ke Mingxu’s expression was serious as he carefully helped her to a stone bench beneath a tree in the courtyard.

He glanced down briefly but didn’t examine her ankle closely. “Young county lady, you’ve probably sprained it. Later, I’ll inform the princess consort of the commandery prince and have a doctor come to take a look.”

Jing Hu looked up at him innocently. “But Brother Ke, aren’t you a doctor?”

Ke Mingxu then crouched down and took a closer look at the ankle hidden beneath her skirt.

“I am not related to you by blood nor profession. Since I am not a practicing physician, it would be improper for me to treat your injury. However, judging by how you acted just now, it seems you may have injured a tendon or bone.”

“You’d best not get out of bed for a month.”

Jing Hu’s eyes widened in surprise. She wasn’t hurt at all, not even in pain. Why would Ke Mingxu say something like that?

Of course, since he hadn’t examined the injury, it was only natural he might misjudge.

Ke Mingxu looked into her clear, dark eyes, took in all her confusion, and transformed it into a quiet delight, unable to suppress a smile.

His smile was like the turning of spring to summer, like the light refracted on fresh green leaves after a rain.

Jing Hu’s heart suddenly raced, and her mind turned to mush.

Ke Mingxu spoke again, “I was just teasing you. I suppose the young county lady often misbehaves and feigns illness to trick your father and brothers.”

She indeed often behaved mischievously, devising various schemes to deal with her doting family, yet she always had a purpose. And they were not blind to her antics; they indulged her simply because they loved her.

Did Ke Mingxu understand why she was no different in front of him? And why he didn’t expose her but instead played along with the joke?

She found she couldn’t ponder this while with him; she would have to wait until he left and mull it over during her tedious confinement.

Jing Hu smiled sheepishly. “I shouldn’t pretend to be ill in front of a doctor. If it were my father, he wouldn’t even care whether I was truly sick.”

She felt restless sitting there, so she stood and raised her hand, shaking the sachet she had been holding in her palm before Ke Mingxu’s eyes.

She had been worried about how to find a reason to give him this sachet. Afraid he might refuse it as he had the coral flower she once gave him, her little feint had provided the perfect excuse.

“I lied to Brother Ke just now. Use this sachet as my apology.” She took the sachet back and examined it carefully.

“Though the creatures embroidered don’t quite look like the five poisons, they truly are. They will protect Brother Ke and keep him safe and healthy.”

Ke Mingxu hesitated for a moment before accepting it. “Thank you, young county lady, for your kind gift. The patterns are indeed unique—I wonder if they have any special origin?”

Jing Hu replied, “I designed them myself,” hastily adding, “and embroidered them myself as well. The work isn’t very good; please don’t laugh at me, Brother Ke.”

Her mother often taught her that sometimes it’s best to be modest; if you humble yourself, others will praise you.

Sure enough, Jing Hu noticed a flicker of surprise on Ke Mingxu’s face and chuckled inwardly.

“I didn’t expect the young county lady to be so skilled at embroidery,” he complimented her.

Jing Hu felt a sweet warmth inside and grew more confident. “Brother Ke, is there anything else you need? My fan covers, knee guards, and socks are all very well made.”

Ke Mingxu did not expect her sudden enthusiasm and was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Quickly realizing she might have been too forward—after all, he was an outsider—Jing Hu reminded herself that even though she was a little rogue, she still cared about her dignity.

“My mother often says I’m like a half-filled bottle, always eager to show off one good deed to everyone in Yanliang.”

She smiled shyly. “Brother Ke complimented my embroidery just now, and I got a little carried away. Please don’t mind.”

Ke Mingxu graciously gave her an out, “Your embroidery is truly excellent. For someone so young to do so well is commendable.”

“There’s no need to be overly modest about genuine skill.”

His tone was sincere, making Jing Hu feel even more unrestrained.

“Brother Ke, you must wear this sachet during the Dragon Boat Festival, alright?”