The Lucky Heiress

Chapter 498: Chapter 498 Sleepless Night_1

“You should drink the hot soup, it’s indeed strengthening, made of many good ingredients. Don’t let Eunuch Gao see that I didn’t drink it, he might think that I purposely rejected you.”

Wei Ruo’s mouth twitched into a smile, her tone half-joking, half-serious.

After finishing her words, Wei Ruo turned around and entered the inner chamber behind the screen.

Wei Jinyi lowered his head to look at the nourishing soup on the table…

A moment later, Wei Jinyi poured the medicinal soup in the pot into a flower pot beside him.

He dared not drink this soup as Wei Ruo suggested. If this soup is truly a tonifying potion for that purpose, after drinking it, the arising lustful feelings could lead him to overstep boundaries with her, something he would regret for a lifetime.

He had confidence in his self-control, not fearing a bowl of tonic soup.

But when confronted with Ruoruo, he didn’t have that much confidence, as an inner demon already lurked within his heart.

Throughout the night, Wei Ruo lay on her bed, her eyes sparkling, no sleep in sight.

Knowing that Wei Jinyi was in the same room with her, Wei Ruo felt an unexpected bout of insomnia.

Amidst the summer season, the shrilling of cicadas and chirping of crickets outside became especially clear.

Wei Ruo’s thoughts drifted far away with these sounds…

I wonder if second brother drank that bowl of soup, or did he dispose of it surreptitiously.

When Wei Ruo told Wei Jinyi to drink that soup, she wasn’t lying, he could indeed drink that soup.

After consuming that nourishing soup, although it makes you feel hot and bothered, it only makes you feel soft and weak, without any aggressiveness.

If a robust person like second brother consumes it, its effects would be just like that of an aphrodisiac, making one’s spirit artificially lively in certain aspects.

Probably, Eunuch Gao also feared harming Wei Jinyi, so he chose this conservative method.

If she was transformed into a hungry tiger, and Wei Jinyi’s body couldn’t stand it, that would be a big problem.

So even though Eunuch Gao had a mission, he also had to prioritize Wei Jinyi’s physical safety. Even if he took some measures, they are quite mild.

Moreover, Eunuch Gao didn’t dare to be too explicit. If he really slipped in an aphrodisiac, they would definitely confront him the next day and Eunuch Gao wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Wei Ruo also believed that Wei Jinyi probably wouldn’t enter the inner chamber.

She didn’t know what Wei Jinyi was like towards others, but towards her, he would only blush and escape, not offend intentionally, let alone attempt anything with her when the night is still and everyone is asleep.

In fact, she was safe with him guarding outside than if she slept alone, she could sleep peacefully.

So Wei Ruo didn’t know why she was awake.

Unconsciously, scenes of interactions with Wei Jinyi floated into her mind. In her memory, his eyes, dark as black gemstones, were always deep and unfathomable, watching her.

Especially after meeting again in the Capital City, his gaze towards her was always elusive, as if hiding a multitude of stories.

On the other side of a screen, Wei Jinyi also couldn’t fall asleep.

His hearing was exceptionally sharp, he could clearly hear Wei Ruo’s breathing. From her breath, he could discern that she hadn’t fallen asleep.

Why hadn’t she fallen asleep?

Is something troubling her?

Is it because he was here?

Even though he couldn’t see her, merely sensing her in the same space and hearing her breathing and slight movements on the bed, Wei Jinyi could feel his heart beating in an unusual measure.

He clearly disposed the bowl of tonic soup, yet why did his breath grow heavy as if he had consumed the soup?

Wei Jinyi closed his eyes and started to meditate, murmuring martial arts mantra in his heart.

In this way, from dusk till dawn, both of them couldn’t sleep.

Eunuch Gao and his men were waiting at the door early the next morning. As soon as they were summoned, they entered and brought washing supplies for them to freshen up.

Due to a sleepless night, Wei Ruo had dark circles under her eyes and looked extremely tired.

Eunuch Gao couldn’t help but smile complacently upon seeing this. It seemed that the tonic soup had some effect, distressing the queen.

The prince seems normal too.

That would be the best outcome. He just hoped to leave an heir for the prince without harming him.

The next afternoon, Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi entered Hejian Prefecture’s territory. They didn’t arrive at Tongshan Temple until the third day.

The temple’s abbot, upon hearing of King Rui and his consort’s visit for worship, led his monks to wait at the temple gate.

Thereafter, Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi settled down in the temple’s Zen room.

Considering King Rui’s health, Eunuch Gao arranged for them to rest first. Once they had rested, they could visit each hall to burn incense and worship.

In the days that followed, Monks of the temple would perform several blessing ceremonies for Wei Jinyi – The Diamond Sutra, The Kṣitigarbha Sutra, Amitabha Sutra, The Sutra of the Original Vows of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, etc.

After settling down, Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi started to remain indoor.

Most of the time, they stayed inside the room and only their personal attendants and maids were allowed to attend to them.

Since Wei Jinyi was under the weather, not many had doubts about their behavior.

Down by the foot of the hill, Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi mounted the horses prepared in advance.

Both of them had disguised themselves, traveling under the identities of Xu Heyou and Wang Jin.

It was likely to be Wei Ruo’s last time using the identity of Xu Heyou. On return, she planned on disappearing this identity. Hereafter, even when she disguised herself, she would have Lin Fang make another human-skin mask for her.

The two of them galloped onwards in the open field. The breeze of summer caressed Wei Ruo’s face, filling her with joy.

She couldn’t ride horses before. Even after learning, she didn’t have an opportunity to ride freely like this.

Today, she had this rare opportunity and she could enjoy it to her heart’s content.

Wei Jinyi stayed close to Wei Ruo, knowing that she was not a skillful rider. Therefore, he kept close with her and maintained a relatively close distance.

If she encountered any accidents, he could protect her immediately.

After riding for a while, the two slowed down.

Wei Ruo was slightly panting, her cheeks blushing.

She turned her head to look at Wei Jinyi, who was riding next to her: “Second Brother, do you think we might have a chance of living this carefree and leisurely life once you have fulfilled your wish?”

Wei Jinyi didn’t answer immediately.

He didn’t want to make promises lightly without being absolutely sure, he didn’t want her to experience the feeling of being hopeful and then disappointed.

Wei Ruo also sensed Wei Jinyi’s hesitation.

Both of them were caught in the situation and unless the problem was solved, they shouldn’t be too optimistic.

Wei Ruo smiled and said, “Second brother, you and I are in the same boat now. Even if something bad happens, at least we will have each other’s company on the road to netherworld, which is better than walking alone and desolate. Don’t you think so?”

Wei Jinyi looked surprised, then a warm and gentle light flashed in his eyes.

“Ruoruo is right.”

They exchanged laughter, once again whipped their horses, and sped up.