Chapter 82: Stay strong, well done! (1/2)
As soon as she held Han Yunyi, Han Yunxi was alarmed.
Heavens, even though they were separated by a thick layer of clothing, she could feel how cold he was, and how he trembled.
In the middle of winter, Heaven knows how frigid it was!
Han Yunxi thought the child had long lost consciousness from the chill, but when she saw his tender face, she was seized with shock again. He was still awake!
His purple lips quivered as he gritted his teeth, those dark pupils contrasting within his eyeballs like clear pools in snow. Tears glimmered at the edges of his eyes but refused to fall. Han Yunxi took in all this at a glance, including the blood seeping from the corners of his lips. Just how tightly was he clamping down his jaw? He was only six years old, but his innocent face was filled with unwavering determination. At this age, how many children still spoiled themselves in their parents’ laps? Han Yunyi already understood what was dignity and honor, what was refusing to submit!
Though he’d been stripped and laughed at, then whipped for two hours or more, he never whimpered once in pain, or cried a single peep. He didn’t even beg for mercy. In that instant, this young and stubborn face branded itself into Han Yunxi’s heart as something she wouldn’t forget for the rest of her life. She unconsciously tightened her grip on Han Yunyi to try and give him more warmth.
“Yi’er, well done!”
On the side, Han Yuqi was about to fall apart. “Han Yunxi, the antidote! Where’s the antidote?!”
Only now did Han Yunxi take out a small packet of antidote from her medicine pouch and toss it over. Han Yuqi hastily caught it and gulped it down. The poison had spread quickly, but the antidote worked fast as well. Soon enough, the itchiness disappeared from Han Yuqi’s face and neck, eventually reaching his arms and hand as well. But he was already in a sorry plight with both sleeves torn to shreds and his collar ripped. His arm, neck, and face were covered with scratch marks, many of which were oozing blood. Those who didn’t know might’ve thought he had been attacked by a rabid dog.
The calmer Han Yuqi panted for breath as he glared at Han Yunxi, who held Han Yunyi tight and returned a cold stare. She didn’t fear him at all.
“Han Yunxi, you dared to plot against this young master. You think I’ll let you off easily?” Han Yuqi stepped closer and closer.
“You wouldn’t. So I didn’t give you the antidote,” Han Yunxi said coldly. Little Chen Xiang hadn’t arrived with reinforcements yet. She’d finally found a chance to poison him, so why would she cure him so quickly? Han Yuqi was a beast that, once offended, could do anything. She didn’t have a hole in her head so she wasn’t stupid. Why would she be honest with him?
“You!” Han Yuqi gasped for breath.
“Didn’t you want to wait for the justice court’s men to arrive? If you have the guts, wait for wangfei’s sake! Otherwise, I promise your poison will flare up once every hour!” Han Yunxi warned. Though she was sitting down, the aura she emitted was impressive enough to shake all those present.
How could Han Yuqi take the risk when he’d already suffered once? He gritted his teeth. “Then we’ll wait. This young master’s not afraid of you!”
No matter who came from the justice courts, they’ll know he was the Ministry of Appointments magistrate’s grandson and that Han Yunxi was just some no-name, bullied wangfei. Who’d dare cause difficulties for him!
He’ll wait!
If Han Yunxi didn’t hand over the storehouse key today, she shouldn’t think about taking a step out of the Han house!
Han Yuqi sat down without regard to his pathetic state and kept his eye on Han Yunxi, as if fearful the storehouse key would fly away. Han Yunxi allowed him to stare as he wished while she comforted the child in her arms. Even though he was warmer now, Han Yunyi still gritted his teeth, his entire body stretched taut with tension. He recognized Han Yunxi and knew that she’d come to save him. But he didn’t dare relax. He was afraid that if he did, he’d cry.
He wouldn’t cry!
In this house, his mother was the most favored one, and the most patient one. Although he was his father’s favorite son, he’d suffered many grievances because his mother was so tolerant. He’d never cried before, so he didn’t want to cry this time, either.
“Yunyi, it’s all right. Don’t grit your teeth, just relax, okay?” Han Yunxi urged softly. She brushed her hand past Han Yunyi’s cheeks, warming up his cold little face. But Han Yunyi was unmoved. Though his open eyes reflected Han Yunxi in the pupils, he didn’t really see her. Still, Han Yunxi controlled herself and continued to urge him.
“Yunyi, be good and listen. You’re already bleeding.”
“It’s okay. Just relax, all right? Big sister is here. Big sister’s protecting you, so they won’t dare to try anything.”
“In the future, big sister will always protect you. Don’t be afraid. Everything’s okay.”
……
Her patience and perseverance finally warmed Han Yunyi’s heart. Slowly, ever so slowly, his vision of Han Yunxi grew blurrier. Han Yunxi knew that this child had bore enough and was ready to let it go.
“Good child, don’t be afraid. Big sister knows you’ve been the strongest,” she lightly touched his hair, as if caring after her own child.
“Yunyi, big sister knows you’re a brave man. You won’t cry because you’ve never cried, right?”
“Yunyi, if you’re tired, just sleep. It’s all right. Big sister’s here. I’ll always be here.”
……
Han Yunxi’s voice grew softer and softer, smaller and smaller. And Han Yunyi’s eyelid also slowly, gradually lowered. He’d finally relaxed and fallen asleep from exhaustion. When he finally shut his eyes and relaxed his jaw, a single trail of tears streaked down from the corner of his eyes…
Though Han Yunxi hadn’t taken Han Congan’s directions to heart, her own was aching at this moment. She murmured, “Yi’er, big sister wasn’t lying to you. Big sister promised your father to protect you.”
Han Yunxi was about to carry Han Yunyi inside the rooms when a few servants prepared to stop her. She kept them back with a single fierce glance, and the servants shot questioning glances at Han Yuqi. Han Yuqi disdainfully waved a hand to dismiss them since Han Yunxi couldn’t escape, anyways.