It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 23

Jun Mo Ran’s fingers twitched slightly, suppressing the urge to reach out and comfort her.

After the fright she had suffered yesterday, he had expected her to come pleading for revenge—yet she was here only to apologize.

Thinking back to last night—the softness of her lips and the lingering warmth of her tongue—a ripple stirred in his heart.

But his expression remained unchanged. He turned, calmly scooping water into the pot, his voice even as he asked, “What mistake have you made? ”

Shen Qing Li was at a loss for words. Did he really want her to list them out one by one? How could she possibly speak of such an incident again?

Seeing her standing there speechless, Jun Mo Ran lowered his gaze and said softly, “If you are truly concerned about what happened yesterday, I can take responsibility.”

In this dynasty, a woman’s reputation was of utmost importance, especially for noble families.

There had been past cases where a drunken nobleman had stumbled into a young lady’s arms at a banquet. Though it was an accident, with so many witnesses, the young lady’s reputation had been ruined. Her engagement had been broken off, and in the end, the nobleman had to marry her to make amends.

Hearing this, Shen Qing Li’s heart trembled with shock. How could she possibly let him take responsibility? She wouldn’t dare—not even in her wildest dreams.

Setting aside the fact that she was already a woman who had been rejected in marriage, he had made it clear from the beginning that he had no personal feelings for her. Even last night, in such a situation, he had decisively turned her away. There was no way she would entertain any improper thoughts.

“N-no, that’s not it. I just… I only wanted to sincerely apologize for offending Your Highness yesterday.”

Jun Mo Ran’s half-lowered eyes lifted, his voice no longer as gentle as before. “Offend? ”

He straightened and stepped toward the doorway. Shen Qing Li suddenly felt a chill from him and instinctively took a step back—only to stumble over the threshold behind her.

“Ah—”

Before she could fall, Jun Mo Ran swiftly reached out, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her back against his firm chest.

“Be careful.”

His palm was scorching hot—even through the layers of fabric, she could feel the searing warmth against her skin.

She looked up, only to find herself reflected in his deep gaze. In this moment, his eyes held nothing but her.

Once she was steady, Jun Moran released her and stepped back half a step, maintaining their distance.

The atmosphere in the kitchen grew somewhat… ambiguous. Shen Qing Li was at a loss for words.

Then—

Gurgle.

A loud rumbling sound echoed in the kitchen.

She swore—she wasn’t even that hungry! And her stomach had never made such an earth-shattering noise before!

…Could she not maintain a shred of dignity in front of him?

Despair filled her heart. Fine. Perhaps it was best to take her mother and move far, far away. She would never see him again—what did it matter what impression she left behind?

Jun Mo Ran calmly lifted the lid off a nearby food container.

Unhurriedly, he took out the neatly prepared porridge and side dishes, his voice light. “The breakfast was already prepared. We were only waiting for you to wake up.”

Shen Qing Li, resigned to her fate, sat down and slowly ate the porridge.

He sat beside her, his voice low. “You did not offend me. Yesterday was due to the effects of the drug. You are a woman—this matter was far more unfair to you. Don’t dwell on it too much.”

She lowered her head, saying nothing more, focusing on her meal.

As she sipped her porridge, a bright, crisp piece of pickled radish suddenly appeared in her bowl.

She looked up.

Jun Mo Ran’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Plain porridge is rather bland. Try some side dishes. See if they suit your taste.”

Shen Qing Li glanced at the radish before lowering her head again, continuing to eat.

Whatever he placed in her bowl, she ate without question.

Before coming to apologize, she had been nervous. He was difficult to predict, and she wasn’t sure whether he would suddenly turn cold again.

After all, she had heard stories—of a maid who had once tried to seduce him while he was drunk, only to be sent straight to the military camp to serve as a comfort woman.

It was fine—he didn’t blame her at all.

Not only that, but he even seemed a little concerned.

Could it be that her father and him shared a bond she wasn’t aware of?

She didn’t dare to overthink it. Maybe they had known each other as children, had some connection, and with her father’s friendship as well, it made sense that he treated her a little differently.

That was the only explanation that made sense.

Breakfast was soon finished. Shen Qing Li picked up the food box, ready to take it to Chun Hua.

Before stepping out of the kitchen, she glanced back and saw Jun Mo Ran squatting by the stove, flint in his hand as he was starting a fire. The flickering light cast shadows on his sharply defined features.

Was he heating water for her?

Although he was of royal descent, he had spent time alone at the borderlands, handling everything himself. She had even tasted his cooking before—it was average, but still far better than anything she could make.

She quickly carried the food box back, planning to return and help. She couldn’t just let him take care of everything for her.

As Shen Qing Li entered the room, she found Chun Hua still in bed.

She called out a few times, but there was no response.

…Something felt off.

Walking closer, she noticed Chun Hua’s flushed face and heavy breathing. She reached out and touched her forehead—she was burning hot.

She must have caught a chill from yesterday’s rain, having not changed into dry clothes in time.

Shen Qing Li hurriedly wet a cloth and placed it on Chun Hua’s forehead, then got up to fetch some hot water from the kitchen.

By the time she arrived, Jun Mo Ran had already lit the fire. The wood crackled in the stove, and he sat nearby, stoking the flames with a fire poker. It was rough work, yet every movement of his carried an effortless grace. Watching him, she couldn’t help but think—this man seemed more like an immortal being than a mere mortal.

Seeing her enter, Jun Mo Ran raised an eyebrow. “Here to help?”

Shen Qing Li instinctively nodded.

He chuckled. “And what exactly can you help with?”

Though she had lost her father, she still had money. Even if she was living under someone else’s roof now, she had never truly suffered.

The maids around her were all handpicked by her mother, and she had never had to lift a finger for anything. Still, she at least knew how to boil water and make tea.

“I can heat water,” she said, stepping forward to place the kettle beside the stove.

Jun Mo Ran frowned. “This is boiling water. Have your maid fetch it instead.”

Since when did she handle such chores?

Shen Qing Li quickly explained, “She’s running a fever. Could I trouble Physician Xiao Yang to take a look at her?”

She had seen Physician Xiao Yang staying here earlier in the morning.

Jun Mo Ran gave her a glance and nodded. “Go back first. I’ll have the hot water sent to your room soon.”

She  gave a quick bow and ran back to her room.

At the kitchen door, Jun Mo Ran spoke lightly, “Tell Physician Xiao Yang to go and check on her.”

“Understood.” She heard a rustling sound come from the nearby trees, but no one appeared.

Back in her room, Shen Qing Li changed the cloth on Chun Hua’s forehead and set the bowl of porridge from the food box beside the bed.

“Chun Hua, Chun Hua, have some porridge—you’ll feel better.”

Half-conscious, Chun Hua was helped up. Seeing her mistress holding the porridge to her lips, she murmured, “I’m so useless… I’ve made Miss take care of me instead.”

Shen Qing Li smiled. “Then drink more porridge and get better soon, so you can take care of me instead.”

Chun Hua’s eyes reddened. She took a few sips but soon shook her head. “Miss, I’m so tired… I really can’t eat anymore.”

Shen Qing Li set the bowl aside, tucked Chunhua in, and let her rest. Chun Hua, already feverish, soon drifted back into sleep.

Before long, a voice came from outside—it was Physician Xiao Yang.