The Sickly Senior Sister Ran Away After We Got Intimate - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Do Not Indulge Her Any Longer in the Future

Oh no, I seem to have displeased Eldest Senior Sister.

Thinking back, since she was twelve, Wen Yingyi had sent her away to live in the room next to Xiang Qingqing on the grounds that she had grown up. It had been two years since she had been in such close physical contact with her.

He Chen suddenly felt a wave of stifling air stuck in her throat—she couldn’t breathe it out or push it down. An inexplicable sense of discomfort spread rapidly, overshadowing the pain of her wounds.

She couldn’t fathom Wen Yingyi’s anger: was it because she was covered in filth and had soiled the bed, or was she displeased that He Chen had ruined the medicinal fields just to catch a rabbit?

But she knew that at this moment, for Wen Yingyi to let her lie there peacefully while only showing a hint of displeasure was already exceptionally tolerant.

Since she started living alone, Wen Yingyi seemed to have grown colder toward her. It turned out that time truly could quietly build a barrier. At this thought, a pang of bitterness welled up in her heart.

Wen Yingyi had always been cold and detached, rarely showing joy or anger. She was the same even when caring for He Chen as a child. How could she suddenly feel pity just because He Chen was injured? He Chen mocked herself inwardly; she was overthinking after all.

She stared blankly at Wen Yingyi’s sickly, haggard face. Instinctively, she raised her hand, wanting to smooth the furrow in the other’s brow. Just as her hand reached out, she heard Wen Yingyi say coldly, “Don’t move,” as her hand was caught in Wen Yingyi’s grip.

Only two words, yet they were as biting as a winter gale and as sharp as an ice pick, instantly piercing her heart. A chill spread through her entire body; her heart ached inexplicably, and the stifling feeling in her throat grew heavier.

He Chen hung her head, surveying the bedchamber. The layout was still the same as it was two years ago—clean and elegant, accompanied by a faint scent of herbal medicine.

Is that a winter quilt?

Her gaze landed on a winter quilt that hadn’t been put away in time, and her brows furrowed slightly. In the scorching heat of summer, why would one need a winter quilt?

Before He Chen could think further, she was drawn in by the familiar scent Wen Yingyi brought as she drew closer, and her thoughts were pulled back.

Unwittingly, her eyes brimmed with tears. She didn’t know what was wrong with her; she hurriedly turned her head away, and in the next moment, tears escaped and slid down silently.

She blinked her eyes to let the remaining tears fall and said softly, “It’s fine, Senior Sister. I don’t really feel the pain.”

Wen Yingyi froze slightly upon hearing this. Seeing He Chen’s reddened eyes and wet lashes, she felt a bit at a loss. Reflecting on her words and actions just now, she couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh, her mouth opening and then closing. She picked a few strands of soft rabbit fur from He Chen’s hovering palm and then gently wiped her hand clean.

So she got up this early just to catch a rabbit. She’s nearly at her coming-of-age ceremony; how can she still be so mischievous?

After the bandaging was finished, Wen Yingyi stood up with her back to He Chen. She looked at Xiang Qingqing with an unreadable gaze and said coldly, “Help her back to rest.”

Immediately, she instructed the medicine boys, “Yunli, Chaoling, you two go to the medicinal fields. From the other fields, transplant some herbs of the same species to replace the ones in Junior Sister He’s plot.”

Yunli and Chaoling looked at each other in shock, wanting to speak but hesitating.

They wondered: Isn’t this the kind of task that offends the other senior sisters? Even though it was the Eldest Senior Sister’s command, the hands doing the work would be theirs. They hadn’t even officially been apprenticed into the inner sect yet; if they offended people now, would they have any good days ahead?

Chaoling, being quick-witted, was the first to react. She patted her stomach and replied, “Yes, Eldest Senior Sister. Yunli and I will go after lunch.”

She had her own calculations. While the Hall Master was in secluded meditation, all affairs in the hall were managed by Wen Yingyi. It was clear the Hall Master relied heavily on her, and it was highly likely she would succeed the position in the future. Weighing the pros and cons, she knew whether it was better to offend the other sisters or the future Hall Master.

“The two of you help Second Senior Sister escort Junior Sister He back now, then head to the fields.”

Though Wen Yingyi didn’t say it explicitly, her tone implied that transplanting the herbs was more urgent. She fetched a medicine bottle and handed it to Xiang Qingqing.

She glanced at the person lying on the bed out of the corner of her eye before saying slowly, “For massage use.” She pursed her lips as if hesitating, then added, “Also, Second Senior Sister, do not indulge her any longer in the future.”

Indulge her?

Facing this sudden accusation, Xiang Qingqing was stunned. Words of defense reached her lips, but meeting Wen Yingyi’s frost-cold face, she forced them back, leaving only a confused, “Huh?”

She felt wronged inwardly. She wasn’t the only one who spoiled the Little Junior Sister. You were the one who raised her for twelve years; if she’s like this today, isn’t it thanks to you? We only added a few bricks to the wall; how did it suddenly become our fault?

Despite her inward complaints, Xiang Qingqing forced a smile and responded softly, “Yes.”

The moment He Chen heard that Wen Yingyi wanted to hand her over to Xiang Qingqing’s care, she was filled with reluctance. Having grown up by Wen Yingyi’s side, she was only used to her care. The thought of someone else looking after her made her feel incredibly awkward for some reason. She said decisively, “I don’t want to—”

Her sudden outburst drew everyone’s gaze. She had to cough twice to hide her guilt and then argued seriously, “That… Second Senior Sister is busy with her affairs. She… she has no time for me. Besides, I’m afraid of bothering her studies. Let’s not.”

He Chen spoke while shooting a pleading look at Xiang Qingqing for help.

Xiang Qingqing took the hint and followed up, “Eldest Senior Sister, I… I’ve been busy reviewing for the monthly exams lately. Master is about to come out of seclusion, and I am dull-witted. There are still many things I don’t understand, and it will take a lot of time. I’m afraid I won’t be able to take good care of Junior Sister He.”

After speaking, Xiang Qingqing’s tense nerves relaxed slightly. This was the most she had spoken to Wen Yingyi since joining the sect. She didn’t understand why, for such a minor injury, it had to be Wen Yingyi. Taking care of the little sister was within her capability, and she was healthy and easy-going—how was she inferior to Wen Yingyi? Yet the little sister insisted on pressing her warm face against someone else’s cold backside.

He Chen followed up, “Exactly, Eldest Senior Sister. In my condition, it’s hard to hold a pen or a book. You’ve always been a quick learner, and your knowledge is far above ours. By staying with you, I can learn more. Why not… why not just let me stay?”

He Chen’s abacus was clicking too loudly. Everyone present knew what she was planning: she wanted Wen Yingyi to care for her and help her pass the monthly exams. Hearing this, the others felt their scalps tingle. The room fell into an uneasy silence. They glanced at Wen Yingyi out of the corners of their eyes; seeing her expression remained unchanged, they breathed a sigh of relief.

They sighed inwardly; after all, she was the one Wen Yingyi raised. Only she would dare to speak like that.

In the height of summer, the weather was sweltering. He Chen’s residence faced the evening sun, making one feel sticky and uncomfortable; she needed to wash every day. She thought about her injury—if she stayed with Xiang Qingqing, she would inevitably have to ask for help with washing. The thought of being exposed before someone else made her shiver, and her brow furrowed.

But if that person were Wen Yingyi, she felt it would be fine. At this thought, her furrowed brow relaxed slightly. One had to choose someone familiar and trustworthy, and only Wen Yingyi was most suitable. Most importantly, Wen Yingyi was naturally cold-bodied. She had experienced it—in this season, hugging her to sleep was far better than a bamboo wife.

Wen Yingyi remained silent. It was inappropriate to let He Chen stay during this period. She felt her body undergoing a quiet change and feared it was a sign of the gu-poison acting up again.

After much deliberation, she spoke slowly, “Since Second Senior Sister is busy, send her to Third Senior Sister. She is clever and well-learned; she is more than capable of caring for and teaching Junior Sister He.”

“That… that won’t do—” In her desperation, He Chen suddenly sat up.

“Sss—” The sudden movement aggravated her waist.

Beads of sweat began to form on Wen Yingyi’s forehead. A strange, warm current was wandering through her body, and her breathing was becoming erratic and difficult to suppress. She only wanted to send the people away quickly, so she asked in a heavy voice, “Why not?”

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