Chapter Seventy-Eight: Sleeping Together

Hearing these words, the two sisters were clearly taken aback for a moment, but once they processed what he had said, their faces were flooded with excitement and joy. Yet only a few seconds later, Chen Xia’er’s expression calmed, returning to its previous composure.

“Sir, thank you for your kindness. Meeting you tonight truly feels like a stroke of luck for us sisters, for entering this place is easy, but leaving is far too difficult.” A hint of despondency shone in Chen Xia’er’s eyes. “Please don’t try to comfort us; this is the fate of Dong’er and me, and we’ve accepted it.”

Chen Dong’er glanced at her sister, then at Qi Jun in a daze. The hope and expectation that had shimmered in her eyes earlier faded away, dissipating like bubbles after her sister’s words.

She gazed deeply at Qi Jun, then opened the door, preparing to leave.

“Oh, why don’t you two believe me?” Qi Jun sighed, darting forward and swiftly closing the door behind the sisters.

Startled by his sudden action, Chen Xia’er and Chen Dong’er looked at him with wide, bewildered eyes.

Qi Jun, undeterred, took each sister by the arm and guided them back inside. Their faces flushed a deep crimson, as if blood might drip from their cheeks, yet they quietly allowed themselves to be led to the bedside.

He pressed their shoulders gently, seating them once again at the edge of the bed, then turned and poured two bowls of tea, setting them before the sisters.

Chen Xia’er hesitated for a moment, then picked up a bowl and handed it to her sister, before taking the remaining bowl and sipping it herself.

“After crying and talking for so long, you must be thirsty. Why are you two so eager to return and face punishment? You, as the elder, should think more for your sister…” Qi Jun scolded them lightly, pouring himself a bowl of tea and gulping it down.

“We only didn’t want to disturb your rest, sir…” Chen Xia’er protested, sounding a bit aggrieved. Chen Dong’er, on the other hand, paid no attention and set down her tea bowl, reaching for another jujube cake from the tray.

“I spent silver for this, you know. If you two just leave, won’t I be at a loss?” Qi Jun, seeing the stark contrast in the sisters’ personalities, felt compelled to tease them.

“But you clearly didn’t…” Chen Xia’er tried to retort, lifting her chin in defense, but halfway through, her face reddened and she could not finish her sentence.

“Sir, you’re not going to go back on your word, are you…” Hearing this, Chen Dong’er hurriedly spat out the jujube cake from her mouth, looking anxiously at Qi Jun.

“Rest assured! It’s true, I won’t let you serve me, and it’s also true that I’ll help you escape. Ah, I just can’t bear to see girls cry…” Qi Jun reached out and tousled Chen Dong’er’s hair, then pushed the jujube cake back into her mouth.

At his words, the sisters’ melancholy vanished, their eyes once again shining with hope.

Who does not yearn for freedom? In their hearts, the sisters longed for revenge, but even more so for liberty. If they could not first achieve freedom, how could they dream of vengeance?

“Sir, are you truly sincere? You’re not just trying to cheer us up, are you…” Chen Xia’er steadied herself, nervously seeking confirmation from Qi Jun.

“Yes, yes! If you can get us out, you can have all of these!” Chen Dong’er, excited, pushed the plate forward, not even bothering to finish the jujube cake in her mouth.

“When Qi Jun gives his word, it counts. You two should get some rest tonight. I have important matters to attend to tomorrow. When I return, I’ll speak to the proprietor of Drunken Spring Pavilion about your situation.” As he spoke, Qi Jun took the plate from Chen Dong’er’s hands. “Who cares about your little snacks? Besides, they’re mine to begin with. I invited you to eat, remember?”

Chen Dong’er stopped, realizing she had become so absorbed in eating that she’d treated the place like her own home. She gave an embarrassed smile.

“If you can help Dong’er and me redeem ourselves, I swear to serve you faithfully for the rest of my life!” Chen Xia’er attempted to kneel, taking her sister with her, but Qi Jun, who hated to see women kneeling before him, quickly stood and helped them up. Unfortunately, his foot slipped on the rug and he toppled forward, pinning both sisters onto the bed.

The atmosphere froze, and Qi Jun could hear three hearts beating wildly in unison.

“Sir, perhaps we should all... squeeze in together…” After several moments of silence, Chen Xia’er broke the awkwardness, her face flushed.

Chen Dong’er, mortified, pulled the blanket over her head, but her movements beneath the covers made it clear she nodded in agreement.

“Well… I suppose that’s fine…” Qi Jun awkwardly wiped the sweat from his brow, took off his outer garments, and lay in the middle of the bed, wrapping himself tightly in the blanket like a timid bride, eyes shut, as if afraid the sisters would pounce on him.

Chen Xia’er and Chen Dong’er were bewildered by Qi Jun’s behavior, wondering if this wasn’t how they themselves ought to be lying.

They exchanged a smile, picked up the bedding from the floor, and settled in on either side of him, mimicking his posture.

As Qi Jun lay on the soft, comfortable bed, a wave of sleepiness washed over him, his taut nerves relaxing, and soon he drifted off, unaware.

At dawn, Qi Jun awoke, yawning drowsily and stretching out his arms, only to inadvertently brush against the soft, fragrant bodies beside him.

He froze, suddenly recalling he’d shared the bed with Chen Xia’er and Chen Dong’er last night, and quickly withdrew his arm.

It was then he noticed that Chen Xia’er’s left arm was curled around his neck, her cheek pressed sweetly against his left arm as she slept.

Chen Dong’er was even more dramatic, sprawled across his body like an octopus, murmuring in her sleep, a smile lingering on her lips as if she were having a wonderful dream.

On a summer night like this, it was easy to see how their initial shyness, tightly wrapped in blankets, gave way to the inevitable tossing and turning as they slept.

Qi Jun carefully lifted the jade-like arm from his neck, gently tucked Chen Dong’er’s legs back under her blanket, sat up, and quietly slipped out of bed to dress. He glanced fondly at the sleeping sisters, then softly opened the door, closing it behind him as he left.

When he reached the hall downstairs, he found Ma San, the county guard, already waiting with tea.

Upon seeing Qi Jun, Ma San gave him a knowing look.

Qi Jun, aware of what Ma San was thinking, shot him an annoyed glance and sat down across from him.

“Hey! Sir, you’re up early!” The busboy, who was wiping tables nearby, hurried over to greet Qi Jun, lowering his voice with a sly wink. “Sir, about those two last night…”

“Enough! Bring up two baskets of steamed buns,” Qi Jun dismissed him brusquely.

“I’ve already eaten, sir. Let me treat you this morning!” Ma San grinned, rising to pour Qi Jun a bowl of tea.

“Eat a bit more; we may have to head back today. Driving the carriage is hard work,” Qi Jun replied, sipping from his tea.

“I have to say, sir, you look thin but your stamina is remarkable! The busboy told me…” Ma San grinned lewdly at Qi Jun. “You know, this Drunken Spring Residence—‘drunken’ comes from ‘drunk on the west wind,’ but the ‘spring’… well, you’ve experienced that. This trip to the city has been worth it!”

Qi Jun shook his head, speechless. Only he understood the real reason behind it all.

“Here they are! Piping hot steamed buns!” The busboy soon brought two steaming baskets of buns, setting them in front of Qi Jun and Ma San.

Qi Jun, preoccupied with his true purpose, ate quickly, then made his way to the counter.

“Settle the bill. If I don’t return tonight, let the two young ladies stay in my room. No one else is allowed in.” Qi Jun placed a large piece of silver on the counter, turned, and left with Ma San.

“Ah, a man of passion…” The busboy weighed the silver in his hand, watching Qi Jun depart with a smile.