Since the Sixth Month, it had been continuously drizzling, and Zhao Huanxi returned home for his ten-day leave looking noticeably thinner. Yin Furen felt heartbroken, but he himself seemed in good spirits because Xu Nian’an was about to return.

“It looks like the rain won’t stop in the next few days. Why not extend your leave for a few more days? According to Nian’an’s letter, she should be arriving in the capital tomorrow,” Yin Furen suggested to Zhao Huanxi, hoping to keep him at home to recuperate properly.

Zhao Huanxi nodded. “I’ve already taken two days off.”

Looking out at the rain being blown sideways by the wind, Zhao Jiazhen said worriedly, “The wind seems strong these days. I wonder if Di Mei’s boat will be able to set sail?”

Yin Furen reassured her, “These passenger ships travel between the capital and various places year-round. The captains are seasoned and can read the weather. If it’s unsuitable for sailing, they won’t sail. There’s no need to worry.”

At night, Zhao Huanxi held Xu Nian’an’s pillow. Despite the occasional rumble of muffled thunder outside, he quickly fell asleep.

By early the next morning, the rain had intensified.

Suppressing the anxiety in his heart, Zhao Huanxi prepared to go to the dock to pick up Xu Nian’an.

Yin Furen stopped him, saying, “With rain like this, the boats might not have sailed. Let’s send a servant to check if any ships have arrived before you go.”

Noticing her younger brother’s pale complexion, Zhao Jiazhen added, “The heavy rain and mist over the river make it unsuitable for sailing. Di Mei is likely delayed by a day.”

Hearing their reasoning, Zhao Huanxi relented. He agreed to send a servant to check first. If other passenger ships had docked as usual, he would then go to pick up Dong Jiejie.

Xuan Jie’er was well aware of her Xiao Jiu’s fear of thunder. Noticing his uneasy expression, she asked, “Xiao Jiu, do you know how to play chess (chinese chess)?”

Zhao Huanxi replied, “A little.”

Xuan Jie’er said, “I don’t know even a little. Could you teach me?”

Zhao Huanxi: “……” Suppressing the anxiety brought on by the thunder, he said, “Alright.”

And so, the two of them played chess. Zhao Jiazhen watched from the side, while Yin Furen kept an eye on Zhao Huanxi as she handled household affairs, all the while waiting for news from the servant.

About an hour later, Jinyin hurriedly arrived with Zhiyi, who had been sent to inquire at the Bian River dock.

Zhiyi was drenched and pale-faced. Upon seeing Yin Furen and Zhao Huanxi, he dropped to his knees with a thud, his lips trembling as if he was about to cry.

Yin Furen, alarmed by his appearance, hurriedly asked, “What happened? Why do you look like this?”

Unable to hold back his tears, Zhiyi sobbed, “Taitai, San Yé, it’s bad news. San Nainai’s boat has capsized.”

Yin Furen froze in shock.

Zhao Huanxi shot to his feet, knocking over the stool.

Xuan Jie’er, still holding a chess piece, gaped in disbelief.

It was Zhao Jiazhen who reacted quickly, demanding, “What happened? Speak clearly!”

Zhiyi explained, “Xiaode was waiting at the dock for the boat to arrive. There were others waiting as well, and Xiaode was chatting with them when suddenly someone came running from afar, shouting that a boat had capsized on the river. Everyone at the dock ran over to see what had happened. From a distance, Xiaode saw a boat overturned on the river. Upon inquiry, One learned that a passenger boat had collided with a large barge. Someone mentioned that the passenger boat was coming from Zhuo County, and Xiaode…”

Before he could finish, Zhao Huanxi dashed out.

Yin Furen, overwhelmed with panic, felt her scalp tingle and her limbs go weak. She muttered, “Oh heavens, what do we do? What do we do?” Then, as if snapping out of it, she called out, “Qianhe, quick! Go to the front yard and gather all the guards who can swim. Follow San Yé to the Bian River immediately! And tell the stables to prepare a carriage, hurry!”

The rain poured relentlessly, and bolts of thunder tore through the heavens, briefly illuminating the gloomy earth.

Zhao Huanxi, riding alone on horseback, raced madly toward the Bian River, defying the storm as if his life depended on it.

“Dong Jiejie, wait for me. I’m coming to save you. You must wait for me…”

A fear gripped Zhao Huanxi’s heart, a terror a thousand, ten thousand times worse than the thunder around him. Compared to losing Dong Jiejie, nothing else in the world mattered.

He only wanted Dong Jiejie to be safe.

In the carriage heading toward the Bian River, Yin Furen was like an ant on a hot pan. She kept repeating, “How could something like this happen? What are we going to do? Oh, Nian’an…”

“If the boat capsized after colliding with a barge, the people on the barge would have had to rescue others. Besides, Mother sent ten guards with Di Mei, and surely some of them know how to swim and will protect her,” Zhao Jiazhen, though clutching her handkerchief so tightly her fingers had turned white, forced herself to remain calm and tried to console Yin Furen.

Xuan Jie’er kept lifting the curtain to peek outside, urging the coachman, “Faster, go faster!”

The group, frantic with worry, finally arrived at a riverside not far from the site of the shipwreck. When Yin Furen stepped out of the carriage, she saw many people lying on the shore. Some alive, some dead, and the air was filled with cries of grief.

She hurried forward to check, with Zhao Jiazhen catching up behind her to hold an umbrella for her.

Xu Nian’an was not among the rescued, nor were Xu Moxiu, her maidservants, or the guards.

The mother and daughter moved closer to the riverbank, where they happened to see one of the guards dragging someone out of the water. Others on the shore helped pull the person up.

Yin Furen scanned the scene but did not see Zhao Huanxi. She quickly asked the guard, “Where is San Yé?”

The guard wiped the rain off his face and pointed toward the middle of the river. “He’s over there.”

Yin Furen was stunned. She quickly exclaimed, “How could he go into the water? He can’t swim!”

The guard replied, “Don’t worry, Furen. San Yé just learned how.” With that, he turned and headed back toward the site of the shipwreck to continue rescuing people.

Yin Furen stood frozen in shock. Suddenly, she heard a loud splash. Looking closely, she saw that Xuan Jie’er had kicked off her shoes and jumped into the river.

The young girl was an excellent swimmer and darted forward swiftly as soon as she entered the water.

Thinking of her daughter-in-law, whose fate was still uncertain, Yin Furen could do nothing but anxiously watch from the shore, her heart gripped with worry.

Zhao Huanxi swam awkwardly toward the site of the shipwreck. They had arrived too late. €side from those already rescued, no one else was there. When someone drowns, the body does not float to the surface immediately, it takes some time.

The large barge, however, was still afloat.

Hearing that some survivors were on the barge, Zhao Huanxi climbed aboard and looked at each person one by one, but Dong Jiejie was not among them.

He described Dong Jiejie’s appearance to the survivors, asking if they had seen her. But these people, having just escaped death, were dazed and unable to give clear answers.

Zhao Huanxi felt his mind growing hazy, teetering on the edge of collapse.

When the barge began moving, heading toward the dock, Zhao Huanxi jumped back into the water.

The accompanying guards, fearing for his safety, followed him into the water.

“Dong Jiejie—Dong Jiejie—” Zhao Huanxi cried out, his voice trembling as the barge disappeared into the distance. The rain-shrouded river became eerily empty and silent.

As he called out, his eyes anxiously scanned the water’s surface. He was torn between the dread of seeing someone and the greater terror of seeing no one at all.

His heart felt as though it had stopped. His chest was hollowed out, the pain so unbearable that he wished he could die on the spot.

“San Yé, there’s no one here anymore. Let’s go back to the shore and think of another way,” one of the guards urged, noticing that Zhao Huanxi’s state seemed increasingly unstable.

“I won’t go! Dong Jiejie isn’t on the shore, so I won’t go! Dong Jiejie!” Zhao Huanxi shouted, swimming aimlessly in the middle of the river. Desperately, he even dove underwater.

Thankfully, the guard realized something was wrong and pulled him up just in time.

When Xuan Jie’er swam over and saw her Xiao Jiu in despair, with no other survivors in sight on the river’s surface, she became anxious as well.

She glanced across to the other side of the river and suggested, “Could they have been rescued on the other side?”

Zhao Huanxi, reminded by her words, turned to look across the river. Indeed, the river had two banks. While the site of the wreck was closer to the side he had come from, who could say that the survivors had to be brought to that shore? In the chaos of the situation, in a desperate scramble to survive, there might not have been time to judge distances properly.

“Yes, the other side, the other side…” Zhao Huanxi muttered, swimming toward the opposite shore, with Xuan Jie’er and the guards following him.

For someone who had just recently learned to swim, it was already a huge challenge for him to cross the Bian River. When he reached the shore, he looked around, but the bank was empty. The blow was too much, and with his energy completely spent, he collapsed, fainting on the spot.

The guards quickly carried Zhao Huanxi, sending one of the stronger and better swimmers across to the other side to inform Yin Furen. The rest of the guards stayed with Zhao Huanxi and began heading back toward the residence.

On the shore, Yin Furen and Zhao Jiazhen anxiously waited. The rain was so heavy that they couldn’t make out what was happening in the middle of the Bian River. All they could see was that the barge had sailed away, but Zhao Huanxi and the others still hadn’t come back up.

Yin Furen was torn with worry for both her daughter-in-law and her son. Her heart felt like it was being seared in oil.

Zhao Jiazhen silently wiped away her tears with her handkerchief. If her sister-in-law was truly gone, not to mention the rest, but her foolish younger brother might not survive this.

Just as the two women were lost in helpless thoughts, they suddenly heard a voice behind them.

“Mom, San Jie.”

Yin Furen’s eyes went wide with surprise. She turned around to see Xu Nian’an, along with Xu Moxiu and their maidservants and guards, standing there, looking perfectly fine and watching her.

“Nian’an.” Yin Furen had been holding back for a long time, but the moment she saw her daughter-in-law, she could no longer contain herself. She rushed forward, crying, and embraced her tightly.

“Di Mei,” Zhao Jiazhen also wept.

Xu Nian’an was utterly confused. “Mom, San Jie, why are you both like this?”

“The rain was heavy today,” Zhao Jiazhen explained, wiping her tears. “Mother asked Zhiyi to wait for you at the dock, but he came back saying that a passenger boat from Zhuo County had been capsized by a large barge. It really frightened us to death! Thankfully, you’re safe. What exactly happened?”

After comforting Yin Furen, Xu Nian’an replied, “My younger brother and I had just gotten off the boat and, finding no one to greet us, heard that a passenger boat from Zhuo County had overturned and people were being rescued and bring to the shore, so we came to see if we could offer any help. Where is Sanlang? Is he at the academy?”

Yin Furen pointed toward the river. “He went into the water to look for you and hasn’t come up yet.”

Xu Nian’an was shocked. “How could he go into the water? He can’t swim!”

“If something happened to you, how could he care about that?” Zhao Jiazhen said. “The guards mentioned he just learned how to swim.”

“How can this be possible?” Xu Nian’an rushed to the riverbank, intending to call Zhao Huanxi back, just as she spotted a guard swimming across from the opposite bank.

“Taitai, San Gu Nainai, San Nainai,” the guard reported as he climbed ashore, “San Yé fainted on the opposite bank. Ke Da and the others have already carried him and Xuan Jie’er back to the Guogong Residence.”

The three of them were alarmed beyond measure.

Xu Nian’an instructed Xu Moxiu to hire a carriage and return home on his own, while she, Yin Furen, and Zhao Jiazhen boarded the carriage, hurrying toward the Guogong residence.

Halfway back, they encountered Ke Da and Xuan Jie’er. They brought the barefoot Xuan Jie’er and the unconscious Zhao Huanxi onto the carriage.

Upon returning to the manor, there was a flurry of activity—boiling ginger tea, summoning the doctor, and administering a warming and calming remedy to Zhao Huanxi. Only after he drank the medicine did things settle down.

Hearing from the doctor that Zhao Huanxi was not seriously harmed, Yin Furen left Shenhui Courtyard with Zhao Jiazhen and Xuan Jie’er, saying she would have dinner sent over to Xu Nian’an and Zhao Huanxi so they could rest well and discuss any matters the next day.

Xu Nian’an stayed by Zhao Huanxi’s side until nightfall, but he still hadn’t woken. She had a light dinner alone, asked the maids to store the rest in the warming cabinet, then washed up and went to bed.

She didn’t know how long she had slept when, in a drowsy state, she felt someone gently touching her face.

She drowsily opened her eyes slightly and saw Zhao Huanxi lying on his side, facing her, his eyes brimming with tears.

“Dong Jiejie, you’re fine… You scared me to death.” Seeing her awake, Zhao Huanxi stretched out his arms, pulling her tightly into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

Thinking about how he had jumped into the Bian River to save her despite not knowing how to swim, Xu Nian’an reflected that, if it had been her, she might not have had such determination and courage. Her heart ached, a sour feeling rising within her.

She held him and said, “Let’s dock Zhiyi a month’s allowance. It’s all his fault for mishearing and reporting back hastily, scaring Mother and all of you.”

“I won’t punish him,” Zhao Huanxi said hoarsely, his voice choked with emotion. “If he hadn’t misheard, and the worst had actually happened, I wouldn’t be able to go on living either.”

Xu Nian’an gently patted his back and soothed him, “Don’t cry. See? I’m perfectly fine. Are you hungry? You didn’t eat lunch or dinner, you must be starving. Let’s get up and eat something.”

“I won’t.” Zhao Huanxi clung to her tightly, burying his face in her fragrant hair, unwilling to let go for even a moment.

Xu Nian’an allowed him to hold her for a while. When his stomach eventually began to growl, she urged him again to eat. Only then did he get up and eat some of the food stored in the warming cabinet.

While Zhao Huanxi was eating, Xu Nian’an brought out the gift she had carefully prepared for him, hoping to cheer him up. However, after the scare he had endured that day, Zhao Huanxi had no interest in anything else. Once he finished eating, cleaned his mouth, and washed his face, he pulled Xu Nian’an back to bed.

Only by holding her, feeling her solid presence in his arms, could his still-frightened heart finally find peace.

Outside, the soft rain drizzled steadily, its gentle patter on the canna flowers beneath the window creating a soothing rhythm.

The two of them lay in each other’s arms under the quilt, silently listening to the sounds around them.

Occasionally, faint thunder rumbled in the distance. Xu Nian’an suddenly realized something, he didn’t seem to be reacting to the thunder at all.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but tilt her face up to look at him and asked, “You are afraid of thunder anymore?”

Zhao Huanxi froze for a moment, even he hadn’t noticed this change himself.

As the faint thunder rolled outside, he felt no fear but instead an overwhelming surge of sorrow and lingering dread. He tightened his arms around Xu Nian’an once more, his voice trembling. “Dong Jiejie, promise me—promise me you’ll never die before I do. Thunderstorms have been my nightmare since I was seven, but losing you would be even worse. It would be unbearable, I’d go mad.”

Xu Nian’an remained silent.

Unable to wait for her response, Zhao Huanxi loosened his hold slightly, looking at her with worry. “Dong Jiejie, please promise me.”

Seeing his reddened, tear-soaked eyes, Xu Nian’an hesitated briefly before nodding.

Though she agreed, Zhao Huanxi didn’t feel joy. Instead, a wave of guilt washed over him. He avoided her gaze, murmuring, “Dong Jiejie, am I being selfish? Asking you not to die before me is just pushing the pain I fear onto you. I…”

Before he could finish, Xu Nian’an leaned forward and silenced him with a kiss.

Zhao Huanxi blinked, momentarily forgetting how to respond.

Xu Nian’an slowly released him, gazing into his eyes as she softly said, “You treat me so well, I’m willing to bear that pain for you.”

Zhao Huanxi stared at her, unmoving.

Though they were speaking about a heavy and sorrowful topic, something strange and profound stirred within him. In that moment, he seemed to truly understand what love was, to realize just how deeply Dong Jiejie loved him.

A surge of emotion welled up, making him want to cry, but he couldn’t bring himself to cry in front of Dong Jiejie again. So instead, he leaned forward and kissed her.

Xu Nian’an reached out, her hand gently caressing his face as she responded to his kiss. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer.

Breaths grew heavier, and after a slight rustling of the quilt, Zhao Huanxi pressed Xu Nian’an beneath him. His fervent kisses trailed from her lips down to her neck, leaving a path of warmth in their wake.

Xu Nian’an’s cheeks were flushed red, and a fine layer of sweat gradually appeared on her forehead.

“Dong Jiejie.” After a series of kisses, his skin burned, and he called her in a soft, tender voice, his eyes asking for permission.

Xu Nian’an gazed at the youth, whose spring-like beauty was unmatched, her eyes filled with longing. She shyly nodded in response.

The rain had stopped and the wind had died down outside the window, leaving the ground scattered with fallen petals. Crystal-clear raindrops slowly dripped down the smooth banana leaves.

The bell hanging on the door finally came into use.

Xu Nian’an slowly finished washing behind the screen and emerged, only to find that Zhao Huanxi had already changed the sheets and bedding on the bed.

When he turned around and saw Xu Nian’an standing by the screen, he quickly walked over, lifted her carefully, and gently placed her on the bed. With a look of guilt on his face, he softly asked, “Dong Jiejie, does it hurt a lot?” He had noticed the blood on the sheets.

“A little, but it’s fine. It’ll get better with rest. It’s getting late, you should sleep too,” Xu Nian’an replied.

“En.” Zhao Huanxi got into bed and lay beside her, his eyes shining as he gazed at her.

Xu Nian’an felt a little embarrassed under his intense gaze and asked, “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Zhao Huanxi hugged her and said, “Dong Jiejie, we’re really husband and wife now.”

“Yes ah, how does it feel?” Xu Nian’an asked him.

Zhao Huanxi blushed, his gaze tender and affectionate, and he said, “There’s nothing in this world more joyful than being a true husband to Dong Jiejie.”

Xu Nian’an’s cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly pressed her hand over his mouth, saying, “No more talking, sleep.”

Zhao Huanxi obediently nodded and closed his eyes.

Xu Nian’an calmed her thoughts, lowered her hand from his mouth, and closed her eyes as well.

Before long, he murmured in her ear, “Dong Jiejie, I’ll read more books from now on, so I won’t let you feel the pain again.”

Xu Nian’an, her mind a little drowsy, took a while to process what he had said. When she finally understood, she was immediately filled with anger and embarrassment. She covered his face with the quilt and scolded, “You’re becoming more and more shameless. I punish you, no more being a true husband to me.”

“Dong Jiejie, I’m sorry. I won’t say such things again,” he begged, holding her in the blanket.

Xu Nian’an tried to struggle, pushing him away, but as they tumbled and wrestled, she realized he had gotten aroused again.

She stopped, glaring at the young man whose long hair was disheveled and whose face looked like a beautiful jade. “Sleep!”

“Oh,” Zhao Huanxi, eager but mindful of her pain, forced himself to hold back.

Both of them, their faces flushed and hearts racing, eventually fell asleep, the moment left unspoken.