The slender shoulder strap hung down, and the light yellow bag was neither too big nor too small, just the perfect size. Its surface was not embroidered with patterns, but adorned with white tassels made of woven white cords.
Qi Huan liked it more and more as she looked at it.
And in her heart, she decided that she could carry this little bag daily to hold her purse and handkerchief.
Enticed by Qi Huan's bag, Lu Yueming also wanted to make a couple.
As the two discussed colors and patterns, they gradually lost track of time. Suddenly, a few claps of thunder came from outside the window, followed shortly by a downpour of rain.
The raindrops jumped through the window, splashing inside. Lanxin and Huixin hurried to close the window and found a rag to mop up the water droplets on the floor.
The room suddenly darkened, and Lu Yueming lit a candle, taking Qi Huan's hand with concern, "The rain is coming down so hard, it likely won't stop for a while. Why don't you stay at my place tonight?"
Qi Huan hesitated, "I'm afraid Li Shuchen might worry..."
"I'll have the carriage driver run over and let the Young Master know."
"If the carriage driver is going anyway, why don't I just go with him?"
"Oh, right." Lu Yueming nodded in realization.
Donning a rain cloak, Qi Huan carried an oiled paper umbrella and climbed into the carriage to return home.
On the carriage, she thought to herself: She was not reluctant to leave because she missed Li Shuchen.
"Host, I remember the night you came to treat Miss Lu's illness, you slept so soundly at her place. You even said in your consciousness, 'The beds at the Lu's Residence are so soft!'"
The slap in the face came too swiftly, like a tornado.
Qi Huan covered her flushed cheeks and admitted, "You're right, a day's absence feels like three autumns have passed. I miss Li Shuchen."
"Host, you saw him just this morning, how could it be a day?"
"...Mute."
With the chatter silenced, the drumming of raindrops on the carriage roof became more pronounced.
One after another, the sounds connected, and for some reason, the pounding made Qi Huan feel restless.
She lifted the curtain of the window to look outside, and the raindrops instantly dampened her fingers.
Just as she was about to lower the curtain, a familiar carriage brushed past and came to a stop.
"Li Shuchen!"
Li Shuchen looked back, then walked towards her with an oiled paper umbrella.
"The rain is heavy, I've come to take you home.
Qi Huan, put on your rain cloak before coming out."
Qi Huan obediently nodded, and after donning her rain gear, she saw Li Shuchen offering her his umbrella as soon as she stepped out of the carriage.
"Take this, I'll carry you over."
Looking at the muddy path, Qi Huan knew Li Shuchen didn't want her shoes and socks to get wet, so she took his umbrella and waited for him to carry her.
It wasn't being coy.
It was just better for one person's shoes and socks to get wet than two.
The oiled paper umbrella wasn't large enough, so to prevent her shoes and socks from being exposed to the rain, Li Shuchen supported her back with one hand and cradled her legs with the other, lifting her onto his arm and carrying her over.
After the carriage driver from the Du's Mansion returned, they slowly made their way home. Once back, Qi Huan took off her rain cloak, and her clothes were still dry.
Looking at Li Shuchen, his black cloth shoes were covered in mud, and the darker areas showed where they had been dampened by water.
His robe also had a few scattered water stains, likely from Qi Huan's rain cloak dripping on him when he carried her, as she had wanted to remove the cloak, but he wouldn't let her, fearing she would get wet.
Now, she was completely dry and spotless, while he was drenched in water and mud.
Fortunately, before setting out, Li Shuchen had instructed Yan Wu to heat water.
The poor Yan Wu had to run back and forth several times before finally preparing the warm water.
While Li Shuchen bathed, Qi Huan went to the kitchen to make ginger soup.
The rain had gradually subsided.
Looking at the sky, Yan Wu crouched outside the bathroom door, a flicker of struggle in his eyes. Finally, he said, "Your Highness, today is Yan Jiu's birthday. Could this servant go celebrate with him for an hour and then return?"
"Mm."
With permission granted, Yan Wu was so delighted he almost leaped.
He had heard that Yan Jiu had quite a collection of fine liquors.
Yan Qinghe had gone to help out early in the morning. As for him, after delivering the Prince's lunch and washing the dishes, cleaning the toilet, feeding Heizi, and finishing the chores at home, he was about to leave when he was held back to heat the water.
Now that the Lady had returned, the Prince didn't need him.
So Yan Wu dared to voice his request.
Unexpectedly, the Prince had become increasingly easygoing, agreeing without hesitation. Yan Wu scurried off in a flash.
After he left, Li Shuchen gazed at the empty screen, his brows slightly furrowed.
When he had returned, Yan Wu had ushered him into the bathroom.
Yan Wu had taken away his soiled clothes hanging on the screen but forgot to bring him clean ones.
Looking around the bathroom, there wasn't a single cloth.
The hot water was gradually cooling, and Li Shuchen began considering how he would go out.
At that moment, footsteps approached from outside the room - it was the sound of Qi Huan passing by.
He had no choice but to call out, "Qi Huan, wait a moment."
Stopped by his call, Qi Huan stood under the eaves, puzzled, "What is it?"
"Help me get my clothes."
"Oh."
Qi Huan went inside to find him a fresh set of clothes. She returned to the bathroom door and knocked, "I'm coming in."
"Mm."
She pushed open the door, but the bathtub was blocked by the screen, concealing everything from view.
Qi Huan hung the clothes on the screen and was about to leave when suddenly the room began to tremble.
Almost instantly, a dangerous signal flashed in Qi Huan's mind - an earthquake!
Run!
After taking a couple of steps, she abruptly remembered Li Shuchen was still inside.
Turning back, she saw Li Shuchen had flashed to the front of the screen. At such a critical moment, he was actually still dressing himself.
Qi Huan panicked.
She rushed over, grabbed his hand, and ran towards the door.
Once they reached the open courtyard, the tremors suddenly stopped.
Qi Huan covered her eyes with her hand and softly said, "Okay, you can put your clothes on now."
"Mm."
The evening breeze whispered.
As Li Shuchen was about to put on his robe after donning his outer garment, he was startled to notice that the gaps between Qi Huan's slender fingers were a bit wide.
His hands fumbled slightly as he dressed.
Noticing his discovery, Qi Huan simply lowered her hand and said forthrightly, "I'll take responsibility for it."
"I wasn't trying to sneak a look at you, I just wanted to make sure you had all your clothes..."
"Oh?"
Having finished dressing, the flustered look on Li Shuchen's face faded, returning to his usual cool demeanor.
"So what did Qi Huan see?"
"Abs..."
Li Shuchen slowly curved his lips into a smile.
They waited a while longer, but there were no more aftershocks.
The night air after the rain was a bit chilly. Li Shuchen held her in his embrace.
Qi Huan hugged him back, her face against his chest, with a lingering sense of worry.
"The tremor just now wasn't severe, and the houses all seem fine, so everyone should be okay. However, I'm not sure if there will be any aftershocks?"
"Hopefully not."
After that, it was as if Li Shuchen's mouth was lit up. He said there wouldn't be any, and indeed, there weren't.
The next day.
The two went out to inquire about the news and learned that only a few old and dilapidated houses had collapsed. Although some people were injured, no one died. This was already an unfortunate blessing.
Qi Huan let out a slight sigh of relief.
However, for the next few days, the rain continued to pour incessantly, giving one an inexplicable sense of oppression.
