Chapter 66

Chapter 66: The boundary between "unwilling" and "willing" could be crossed in an instant.

Qin Chongli had found Jiang Wu and Du Yinsui acting rather strangely lately. It seemed to start from their departure from Qifeng Town. Jiang Wu, who used to constantly hover around Du Yinsui, had inexplicably grown much quieter.

Meanwhile, Du Yinsui… appeared to have eaten something odd. She kept laughing to herself for no reason—no one spoke to her, nothing amusing happened, yet she’d suddenly giggle. It unsettled Qin Chongli.

The most frustrating part!

Du Yinsui used to diligently submit her calligraphy practice sheets. Recently though, she’d become terribly lax—those daily assignments needed constant reminders, yet she still failed to hand them in. Sometimes when urged… she just laughed! Her laughter made Qin Chongli hesitate to press her further.

What lazy student laughs when told to study? Truly baffling!

Too wary to confront Du Yinsui directly, Qin Chongli asked Jiang Wu to supervise the slacking girl. Though Jiang Wu agreed, Du Yinsui—likely overhearing—chuckled again, making Jiang Wu’s face tighten with displeasure…

Eight days since leaving Qifeng Town! What on earth had Du Yinsui eaten? Some laughing potion?

Even Chu Xiulan, prompted by Qin Chongli, learned nothing new. She only knew Jiang Wu’s time of the month had arrived, requiring them to brew medicines gathered from doctors during their journey.

Jiang Wu’s condition brought suffering not just during its onset, but also arrived irregularly. The first occurrence happened on the tenth day of their exile, back in Li Village. Months had passed since… They’d escaped the exile convoy, consulted countless physicians, accumulated baskets of herbs before this second episode.

The deposed Empress truly was cruel—she’d administered such chilling medicine even while believing Jiang Wu was her biological daughter. Had she known Jiang Wu wasn’t hers, who knows how much worse his suffering might have been? His cold constitution proved difficult to regulate, potentially affecting future offspring.

But perhaps…

Chu Xiulan fanned the small medicine stove, stealing a glance at Jiang Wu.

Perhaps Jiang Wu… might never need to father children.

How strangely life unfolded.

During their early exile, Chu Xiulan had thought: since the Emperor arranged their marriage, Jiang Wu and Du Yinsui couldn’t wed others—staying together seemed reasonable. Yet as Du Yinsui regained health and grew remarkably capable, accomplishing so much for them, Chu Xiulan began doubting whether the marriage mattered to Du Yinsui at all. Indeed, Du Yinsui later wished to leave.

Though they’d ultimately escaped together… Chu Xiulan now considered her initial view naive. But these past few days hinted at new possibilities.

While Chu Xiulan’s questions yielded no answers, she sensed Jiang Wu’s flustered irritation.

Tsk tsk…

Certain questions seemed better left unasked. Chu Xiulan dared not probe further, let alone Qin Chongli.

However!

Studies remained non-negotiable!

After enduring eight days of Du Yinsui’s incomplete assignments, Qin Chongli finally resolved to enforce discipline that evening!

Though their carriage had slowed recently, Yuzhou’s small size meant they’d nearly reached its border with Yizhou. That night, they rested in Luhu—Yuzhou’s southernmost city.

Unlike their usual practice of picking any decent inn, Du Yinsui specifically asked some locals upon entering town, then guided their carriage to Luhu’s largest inn.

Qin Chongli felt a bit anxious. Here it came, after disdain for study, could Du Yinsui be heading toward indulgence and extravagance? No, she had to continue studying diligently. However…

"Why are the rooms on different floors? Even if you stay on another floor, you must come to write!" Qin Chongli discovered on reaching the second floor that Du Yinsui had chosen a room on a different level.

"Write, write…" Du Yinsui nodded absently.

Just as Qin Chongli’s mood improved and he was about to plan the night’s study, Du Yinsui suddenly changed her mind: "Rest today, write tomorrow. I’ll write ten sheets, twenty even."

When something unusual happens, it must be suspicious. Qin Chongli squinted: "Ten sheets, twenty sheets… have you written the daily five lately? Handing in three is already diligent for you!"

"I will truly write, truly write," Du Yinsui said seriously.

Determined to be a strict teacher that night, Qin Chongli picked up his writing materials, set to follow Du Yinsui and the little one to the third floor. Then…

He was pushed rudely into the door. "I will write, I’ll hand in ten sheets tomorrow," Du Yinsui took the materials from Qin Chongli, pulling Jiang Wu and vanishing up the stairs.

"Mother, forget it," Chu Xiulan turned away coldly when her father-in-law looked for help, carrying the little one and slipping into the next room alone.

Qin Chongli: "…"

Late at night, without his daughter-in-law, how could he politely urge those two to study! Fine, he would see if those ten sheets really appeared the next day!

The trouble of missing daily calligraphy sheets started with Du Yinsui’s extra chatter that day.

The mood was right, she had thought about it, and agreeing to the "want" was possible. Who expected her period to come so suddenly? Du Yinsui’s quick comment on "knowledge" left Jiang Wu embarrassed for eight full days.

Forget helping with writing, Du Yinsui sometimes felt it was polite of Jiang Wu not to hit her.

Du Yinsui wasn’t good at soothing people; she had offered food, brewed medicine, and whispered soft words at night. Yet Jiang Wu, who usually spoiled her endlessly, ate sternly, drank the medicine with closed eyes, and at night wrapped himself tight in blankets, not even showing his head, let alone speaking to her.

Hmm… he was very angry.

Maybe because Jiang Wu’s anger was rarely seen, but whenever Du Yinsui recalled that night, she couldn’t help laughing. So he got even angrier…

They couldn’t stay stuck in that day’s embarrassment and anger.

Du Yinsui decided to untie that "knot" today. Leaving everyone else on the inn’s east second floor, she took Jiang Wu to the west third floor.

Jiang Wu, less "worldly" than modern Du Yinsui, entered unknowingly and sat by the table, still meaning to "supervise study," while Du Yinsui’s plans were plain to see.

But that night, learning did happen. Yet the learning content, the learners, and the outcome were nothing Jiang Wu imagined when he entered.

Clearly, he hadn’t "wanted" today at all! No… maybe he hadn’t wanted it initially today.

How did she get sidetracked by just a few words from that person?

Du Yinsui said, "Alright, alright, you weren’t thinking about it, I was. Happy now?"

This left Jiang Wu, who’d been stammering "wasn’t thinking" in embarrassment, frozen in place.

When Du Yinsui took his hand and suggested they "learn something else today," warmth shot from his fingertips straight to his heart. Jiang Wu found himself unable to refuse.

The line between "not wanting" and "wanting" could vanish in an instant.

But…

Someone forgot Jiang Wu learned frighteningly fast, and mimicked even better.

Though Du Yinsui had lived through modern times and the apocalypse without firsthand experience, she knew enough to teach once.

Yet her student proved alarmingly clever—grasping everything in one lesson. After a single practice session, he surpassed his teacher entirely.

The night stretched endlessly, and newfound pleasures couldn’t be satisfied just once.

When the inn’s rooster crowed at dawn, Du Yinsui finally snapped. Between sessions, she shoved both man and clothes straight out of the blankets.

Even with their stamina, an entire night was too much!

Du Yinsui nearly blacked out the moment she pushed him away.

After dozing briefly, she opened her eyes to find the sky barely light.

Her exhaustion had eased slightly from the short rest. Having just sternly banished someone hungry for more, Du Yinsui’s heart softened again.

Especially when she sat up and saw him dutifully practicing calligraphy at the table—guilt pricked her.

A novice tasting intimacy for the first time, unable to resist repeating it… was natural.

Du Yinsui’s body still ached faintly. Jiang Wu surely felt the same.

Banished from bed yet still writing her assignments despite discomfort… Du Yinsui’s conscience twisted.

"Stop writing," she murmured from beneath the blankets. "It’s not like I’ve turned in assignments regularly. Let’s skip today too."

Jiang Wu’s brush paused mid-stroke. He turned toward the bed: "You’re awake?"

Du Yinsui nearly laughed. Obviously—did he think she’d sleep-talked earlier?

"Don’t write. Come rest, anyway—" Her words died as the air lightly carried a suggestive scent.

"Then I’ll just—" Jiang Wu set down his brush.

"No, no, no!" Du Yinsui frantically waved him off, flattening herself and stealing all blankets. "Keep writing! Finish yesterday’s, then do today’s, tomorrow’s, and the day after’s!"

Seriously? A few words exchanged and he already "wanted"…

After a whole night, could he let her rest?

She’d messed up—eight days ago, she never should’ve provoked Jiang Wu.

That faintly bitter yet sweet scent had been perfect. Why couldn’t she have just enjoyed it?

But humans grow greedy—she’d pierced that fragile barrier.

Now look…

Du Yinsui cocooned herself tightly, pretending to sleep.

Ink fragrance soon drifted nearby, mixed with faint disappointment.

That guy really was…

Hiding her grin in the blankets, Du Yinsui shook with silent laughter.