"Wife."
"Hng."
Oh right, it's time to see the Emperor.
"Let me fix myself first."
"It does matter. Bengong will go for us, you need to rest."
Ml emphasizes the word rest.
Well, that'll be better for me.
"Mm, alright."
I replied with a yawn. Man, I still want to sleep.
In my dreams I was in my modern world, my mother was cooking and soon it became hazy as the scenery changed. I was at our school and it was the day of our chapter test. My friends were talking to me but I don't understand what they were saying. Why are they smiling? What's so funny? What did I say? Weirdly, I can see myself and my friends chatting with each other and see them in my own body.
We all made high five and got up chatting happily. I can't understand at the same time I felt like I know what they were trying to convey. This is so confusing.
The moment I woke up, I felt a little more empty than before. I don't want to talk or act as if I have a behavioral disorder. Somehow I felt lifeless. That dream, some dreams were vague and sometimes they came true, and when they do I only then did I realize it as if Deja Vu when it was already done. But that, although I don't truly believe in superstition, was there any meaning to it. I've read in one novel that when she got isekai'd it was the same to the person that she took her identity. No, no, no.
I must have been staring at nothingness for a long time for Ml came back carrying food without my prior notice that he even left. I just ate mechanically and answer his questions curtly.
"What happened?"
"..."
"Did wife wake up from a dreadful dream?"
It's not a bad dream, but it's quite heavy in the heart. What a somber feeling! I can't just show I'm this affected when I'm already down-to-earth weak as Li Jia Ying.
"..."
Even when we traveled all I can think about was the feeling I had that day. Was there even a meaning to it?
"Wife, can you please talk to me?"
"I just..."
Not like he knows what I'm referring to.
"Miss my home."
I miss my mother, miss the foods she cooked me, her voice. I missed reading, watching animes, finding new daddies, new sexy beauties with hot long legs with the colorful manhwa and manhua, playing otome game I didn't even finish all the routes in Obey Me! Gahh. My phone, my dark room, my lightsabers, my he— *cough* heavenly digital arts.
Especially my mama. If that kind of exchange really happened, well I'll be damned. That girl better gets the fvck off cause even if I have to crawl my way out I will. My mother's cute, innocent although easily fooled by me, who is kind and loving is only mine to see. I'm no saint nor am I kind enough to just let it be with someone that's not me. Hmp. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.
"..."
I closed my eyes. I must remain calm.
This emotion is getting in the way. It's better to think of something gruesome. It's bad to be this emotionally unstable. Blood. Blood. Blood... Relax Jun Xue and lull yourself to sleep.
"You are home."
He whispered a statement that I just let it be before drowning in my sleep.
***
Hmm, it feels warm. As if I'm back when my mother was taking care of me when I was sick. Yet I won't fall for such tricks again. I gradually opened my eyes.
"Hah."
As expected, I'm still in ancient times and the warmth I'm feeling belongs to the Ml. Such a tender embrace! If this was the original foolish Li Jia Ying she would have probably stuck in Ml's embrace like a leech. A person who had only experienced being bullied, and mocked once she discovered the feeling of being wanted and appreciated she would surely follow the Ml closely. Like a moth, this is a beautiful temptation. Such a pity it's me. I'm thankful for my mother's love and theoretical practice in novels and dark psychological books I've read. At most, I have a headstart. I think....
Bleurghh.
"Gahh."
Oh, shoot here we go again. Before, when I rode a bus, a train, or a horse and traveled the sea I'd never felt this. It's been half a day and I'm still vomiting for the last couple of hours.
Why haven't I fainted yet? It's better to be knocked off in times like these.
"Stop."
The Ml worriedly looked at me frowning as he help me sit properly rubbing my back which seems to make it worse.
"N-No... Let's continue to mmph! I'll stop after another wmmgphmp!"
"You're too pale."
"Th-This princess knows her bo—mmph the most."
Ah, that was a breathy struggle.
*a few hours later*
I lied. Whose body was this again? Mine? Oh.
"Stop."
Ah, thank goodness the palanquin stopped.
When I walked out, the soldiers looked at me in aghast. Oh dear, I must have looked like a grandma ready to be decayed with only her cheekbones shining in the light.
"H-How long would we arrive in your Empire?"
I whispered.
"It'll take us about a fortnight with the fastest route. Yet seeing your situation it'll take us another week or so."
"Sorry for troubling you."
"It's not troubling at all. As long as it lessens your travel sickness."
Along the way, we would stop by and rest every 1 hour or 30 minutes. This made me troubled. I want our journey to end as short as possible yet *cries (no tears)* days have passed and a week after a week there are times that it's better and times it's worse vomiting my livers out.
"Ahh~"
With this, I may die due to vomiting but, would the novel's law permit me to die like this? My body feels like it'll slump down and never would I walk again.
"Here, drink this. We are near the nearest province belonging to the Fu Empire we will stay there for the night and find you something to relieve your sickness."
"Thanking husband's kindness."
Thank goodness, there would be a bed. I laid down crouching and hugged some of my dresses that I used as a pillow. It was rough and the fabric is not as good as the blanket I have in my room even though it was cheap. Never mind, this is already considered a luxury at this time so I shouldn't be so nitpicky about it.
During our travel, my voice also became hoarse to the point I don't want to speak. Even when Ml gives me some relieving herbs and tea that I should drink I'll just dryly reply or shake my head.
He even used acupuncture on me, quite surprising. There was no such thing as acupuncture at this time. Well, it's more like experimenting with the body using needles it's the latent stage. To my knowledge, it would be presented by the Female lead Bai Ying Yue who learned it in the modern world, if so then she might have learned it from her. That's fast. It's just a month or weeks since he came into our empire. Well, it's not like I'm a surveillance camera to always watch him.
"We've arrived."
The guards opened the door and Ml got out first.
"Let me carry you."
I didn't complain and lazily crawled like a cat reaching to him.
*chuckle*
I frowned narrowing my eyes at him. Bruh, is this something to be joyful about?
"This husband is sorry. My dear wife looks like a sickly cat."
Fvck you. As if knowing I'm cursing him in my mind he laughed again.
"Don't be angry, husband will cover you."
Do whatever you want.
A blanket was draped over me to the point I can't see anything, am I a caterpillar? I'm wrapped up tightly and can only hear different voices chatting and shouting, the crisp footsteps, horses neighing, and the door opening as he was greeted by what I think is the owner of the place where we will be resting.
Up the stairs and the door opened. A second later I was enlightened.
This must be my reward for reading The 48 Laws of Power. Kidding aside.
"Down."
I told him with my cracked voice trying to stand on my own feet.
"Are you sure?"
"No."
Of course, yes.
"..."
I always stayed inside the palanquin vomiting and sleeping.
"Careful—"
"Eiiyieii—!"
Yabai!
"Bengong will just lay you on our bed."
My knees seems to be crippled. Aiyo.
I licked my lips. "T-Thank you."
"No need to thank me."
Jin Hai was as gentle as a lamb smiling as he said lays me down and kissed my forehead. I pursed my lips. Acting like a sweet husband won't sway me. Still, close contact always makes me feel awkward, especially with him.
"Husband will just get your medicine."
"Mmm."
I turned to the side trying to sit up on the edge of the bed as I heard the door close and tried to exercise my toes and knees.
If I need to bathe then I must walk properly. I can't trouble him even to that extent.
After a minute or two I tried to take a step.
Alright baby steps, baby ste—!
Thud.
"..."
This body....really.
Let me try again.
Thud.
Tsk. Then I'll just have to be on both four and walk like a dog. The wall is about five meters apart I can get to the window. Heh. Nothing is embarrassing if no one is seeing you. I'll just make it quick if not I'll slump down and pose like Marilyn Monroe.
"I've never thought I'll do this while I'm living."
If kneeling on both fours in bed, then I'm not embarrassed. "Fufufu— ah snap. This brain needs to get laid. It definitely doesn't need oxytocin."
After much effort, I can finally see what's outside the window. Of course, after another round of trembling as I pull myself up.
"Uah..."
"Much... better."
Phew.
Finally, I can stand up. Good thing the wooden window sill didn't break off when I grabbed it with all my might as I try to stand up.
"Woah, s-so this is how an ancient... province looks like. A part of the administrative... division. "
Clothes, people, scenery, and architecture totally scream I'm in a historical genre. Witnessing this live view gives a greater massive impact than watching it on TV.
I'm fascinated. My hands are itching, I want to draw.
I couldn't help but stare at everything that caught my eye and observe how these people move and communicate with each other, what they are doing— everything.
Man, if I have my pencil I would draw this view. No, the camera first before the sketch. It's also a brilliant story setting to use.
I grinned.
I better take my time watching this view before we traveled again. Ml did say that we will be traveling in a larger territory full of greeneries and it'll take time before we can see another village or city. Anyway, this is better than always seeing people having a mask until who knows when.
"Hello, ancient time."
However...
You know that feeling when you sense someone is staring at you. That's what I'm feeling right now.
I instinctively looked at a certain place and indeed a cloaked man was looking back at me. I may not see his whole face but his angle and direction point towards me.
"Wife!"
"Huh?"
I turned back just at the same time the King of Yi pulled me in his arms. Blocking my view with his body.
"What's...matter?"
"You shouldn't look out the window."
"Hm?"
"Your face."
My? Face? I frowned licking my lips and clearing my throat.
"D-Dear, no one can r-recog—nize me."
Much less I've never been outside the palace after being thrown out by that eccentric brother of mine. Who would think I'm Li Jia Ying if they've never been to the high-end banquet of the Emperor that chooses only the high-ranking officials and nobles to participate.
"Still."
"Alright..."
When I turned a bit trying to stretch my neck wanting to see the man again he was already gone as if he was never been there.
Strange guy.