Chapter Forty: It Was You

When Ji Mingzhu realized she had crossed over, she found herself lying on a soft and comfortable bed, surrounded by elegant, antique furnishings. She closed her eyes—apparently, luck was on her side; at least, judging from the environment, this family's material conditions were quite decent.

As she waited for some minor maidservant to appear, as so often happened in tales of transmigration, a cold, quiet male voice sounded from above. "You're awake?"

This man was Ji Mingzhu's lover—Liu Yunping!

Yes, she had crossed into the body of a woman with her very own name, and moreover, this woman's actions were utterly scandalous for the era: she had eloped with her lover. The original Ji Mingzhu, having fallen into the water while fleeing, succumbed to illness and died; when she was pulled from the river, her body remained, but her soul had changed.

Ji Mingzhu sighed more than once over this elopement. Because—

The reason for eloping: unknown;
The route they took: unknown;
The destination: still unknown...

Ji Mingzhu felt dizzy, as everything was uncertain and she knew nothing. How was she supposed to survive in this world?

Liu Yunping, seeing her silent—perhaps still weak from her illness—sat by the bed and spoke softly, "Are you still uncomfortable?" As he spoke, he placed his hand gently on her forehead. His palm was rough, yet cool, helping clear the haze from her mind.

"You're a bit feverish. You'll need a few more doses of medicine. Just rest for now."

His voice was cool, but unexpectedly gentle. Ji Mingzhu gazed quietly at his handsome face, brows as if painted with ink, now tinged with worry—clearly concerned for her wellbeing. This tender care reminded Ji Mingzhu of her previous life. Before transmigrating, she had been the youngest in her family, with two older brothers and herself as the only daughter; hence the name Mingzhu, meaning "precious pearl." Now, in this unfamiliar place, anxiety and fear gnawed at her, and this gentle concern brought tears to her eyes. She held back for some time, but finally, the tears spilled down her cheeks.

Liu Yunping hurriedly wiped her tears, comforting her, "It’s all right. The Ji family won’t come after us any longer. Rest assured, I’ll always be by your side; I won’t leave."

Ji Mingzhu nestled against his broad chest, closed her eyes, and let her troubled thoughts settle. She knew she must adapt to this strange new world. Just as her heart began to calm, a sudden pain shot through her body, cold sweat breaking out across her brow. Gripping Liu Yunping’s collar desperately, she cried, “Liu Yunping, it hurts! I feel awful!”

Such searing, bone-deep pain was something she had never experienced. Her abdomen twisted in agony, leaving her gasping, unable to think of any way to alleviate the torment except to cling to this unfamiliar man and sob.

Seeing her suffering, Liu Yunping quickly fetched a pill from a wooden box and fed it to her, then brought several warming stoves, filling the room with gentle heat. A moment later, he removed her outer garments; Ji Mingzhu, overwhelmed by pain, barely noticed. Liu Yunping had her drink some water, then placed his palm against her spine, sending a gentle warmth through her body. Gradually, the pain began to ease. After a considerable effort, the agony finally faded, and Ji Mingzhu, exhausted and dazed, slipped into sleep.

When she awoke the next day, she felt light and refreshed. She found her shoes and stepped out of bed, only for Liu Yunping to enter and immediately carry her back, frowning and gently admonishing, “You’re still frail and need rest. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“I’m hungry,” Ji Mingzhu whispered.

Liu Yunping’s face brightened, and he reached out to stroke her hair. “What would you like to eat?”

When she first woke, her appetite had been poor; every day brought another bout of abdominal pain, and after a few sips of rice soup, she would lose her desire for food. Now, that she actively wanted something to eat was cause for joy.

Ji Mingzhu blinked. “I want fish soup.”

The river was frozen now, and the price of fish had soared. Liu Yunping didn’t care in the slightest, immediately sending someone to prepare the soup. When it was served, there were nine bowls—he’d had a little of every kind of fish made, in case her appetite faltered.

Ji Mingzhu sipped her fish soup happily. Heaven, it seemed, had not been entirely unkind. Though she had been sent to this unfamiliar place, she had been given a gentle husband—a truly exceptional man. His eyes were the most captivating: deep and enigmatic, yet filled with tenderness whenever he looked at her. To outsiders, he was cold as ice, but to those he loved, he was endlessly attentive—a rare and precious man.

At first, Ji Mingzhu had worried that, since they’d eloped, perhaps they’d already consummated their marriage. But the truth reassured her: Liu Yunping’s character matched his appearance, and though he was affectionate, he had clearly reserved that final intimacy for their proper wedding night.

Ji Mingzhu had no lofty ambitions. Since fate had brought her here and gifted her such a gentle man, once the scandal of their elopement faded, she’d be content to spend her days in peace with Liu Yunping in some quiet town—a tranquil, happy life.

By now, it was the third snowfall since Ji Mingzhu’s arrival. Her health had largely recovered, save for occasional mild pain. Watching the heavy snow outside her window, she realized she was not living in a private courtyard, but rather in the largest suite of the most luxurious inn in Hangzhou. Liu Yunping had gone out to buy medicine, and feeling bored, she ventured downstairs. But as a stranger in a strange land, and still somewhat frail, she dared not wander too far; she settled in a corner of the main hall, ordered a pot of hot tea, and leisurely admired the snowy scene outside.

Just as Ji Mingzhu sipped her tea and nibbled on pastries, a commotion erupted outside the inn’s doors. The thick snow was suddenly covered with a bright red carpet, and a pair of celestial beauties processed inside in two orderly lines.

Ji Mingzhu swallowed the last piece of cake with effort—what kind of spectacle was this? Had the Cannes red carpet crossed over as well?

“Master, outside is not like home. Please make do.”

“Hmph! I’ve been out nearly half a year. If I return empty-handed, won’t those old men have a good laugh at my expense!”

Ji Mingzhu could not quite describe what she felt upon hearing this voice. If Liu Yunping’s voice was deep and gentle, this one sounded lazy, yet carried a seductive charm that stirred something within.

“Master, don’t worry. With you involved, nothing in this world is beyond your grasp. Think of this as a leisurely outing—who knows, perhaps the lady will have a change of heart and return on her own?”

“Of course!”

Well, what an arrogant young lord! Ji Mingzhu found herself both intrigued and displeased by this unseen person.

A maid approached the innkeeper, tossed down a banknote, and said, “Five hundred taels. Our master is reserving the entire Tian Guesthouse. Please clear the premises.”

“This…” The innkeeper hesitated, “It’s possible, but our largest suite is already reserved by another master, and they too have paid—”