Chương 461: Joy, Happiness, and Pain

The next day, the sun was high in the sky.

Liu Ce had already gotten up and gone to the front yard to discuss matters with Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and others.

With spring plowing just around the corner, seeds, farm tools, and oxen must be allocated in all prefectures and counties without any mistakes.

Fang Xuanling held a stack of account books and reported on each item one by one. Liu Ce listened attentively and asked a few questions from time to time.

He left quietly, careful not to wake Cai Zhenji, and even tucked the blankets in for her and placed a glass of warm water by the bedside.

At noon, Cai Yan had someone prepare some food, all of which were light and easy to digest: millet porridge, steamed eggs, several side dishes, and a bowl of red date and longan soup, which she said would replenish qi and blood.

Cai Yan and the maid carrying food arrived at the courtyard where Cai Zhenji lived.

She pushed open the courtyard gate, where the maids were sweeping the yard. When they saw her arrive, they quickly bowed.

Cai Yan waved her hand, signaling them to be quiet, and then pushed open the door and went inside.

The room still carried the scent of last night; the red candles had burned out, and a layer of white wax was piled on the candlesticks.

The curtains were half-drawn, and sunlight streamed in through the gaps, casting a golden dappled pattern on the floor.

Cai Yan had her maid place the food box on the table, then waved for her to leave.

The maid understood immediately, and quietly slipped out, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.

Cai Yan walked to the bedside and looked at her younger sister, Cai Zhenji.

Cai Zhenji was still asleep, curled up in the quilt, with only her rosy little face showing.

Cai Yan knew this was how she looked after being pampered by her husband; her skin was supple, her cheeks were flushed with a faint pink, and even her lips were fuller than usual.

Her hair, black and shiny, was spread out on the pillow, making her skin appear as white as jade.

Cai Yan couldn't help but laugh when she saw her younger sister like this.

It was the same when she first married Liu Ce.

When I woke up, my whole body felt like it was falling apart, and I didn't even want to move a finger.

She sat on the edge of the bed, quietly watching her younger sister, her heart filled with emotion.

Back in Zhuo County, Zhen'er was just a little girl, always bouncing around and following Liu Ce around asking all sorts of questions.

In the blink of an eye, she's grown into a young woman and married the man she loves most.

A moment later, she reached out and gently brushed aside the stray hairs on Cai Zhenji's forehead, softly calling out:

"Zhen'er, Zhen'er, it's time to get up. The sun is high in the sky, if you don't get up soon the sun will be shining on your bottom."

Cai Zhenji groggily hummed, turned over, buried her face in the pillow, and mumbled:

"Don't make a sound... let me sleep a little longer..."

Cai Yan was both amused and exasperated, and nudged her again: "Get up and eat. You didn't eat much last night, aren't you hungry?"

Cai Zhenji slowly opened her eyes, first looking around blankly, then she tried to move her body and felt that her whole body was falling apart, every muscle was protesting.

Then her gaze fell on her sister's face, she froze for two seconds, then let out an "Ah!" and pulled the blanket over herself, wrapping herself up completely, leaving only her eyes showing as she timidly looked at Cai Yan.

Cai Yan was amused by her reaction and laughed out loud: "Alright, alright, I've been through the same thing. What's there to be shy about in front of me? Get up and eat."

Cai Zhenji, hiding under the covers, said in a muffled voice, "Sister... when did you get here?"

"I've been here for a while." Cai Yan reached out to pull the blanket up.

"Come out quickly, don't stay suffocated."

Cai Zhenji slowly lowered the blanket, revealing a flushed face.

She tried to sit up, but as soon as she moved, she hissed, her brows furrowed, and she slowly leaned against the headboard, grimacing.

Cai Yan looked at her, suppressing a laugh, and propped up the pillow for her, then pulled the blanket up a little higher.

Cai Zhenji leaned against the headboard, looking weakly at her sister Cai Yan, with an expression that said, "I finally understand," and said with a smile:

"Sister, now I know what your lives are like—happy, joyful, and painful at the same time."

Cai Yan smiled and nodded, saying, "Good to know."

Cai Zhenji sighed and tried to move her arms again, but they felt like they were filled with lead, and she could barely lift them.

She looked at Cai Yan pitifully, "Sister, I'm exhausted, my whole body feels like it's falling apart. Please feed me."

Cai Yan smiled and tapped her forehead: "You little rascal, alright, open your mouth."

She turned around, took out a bowl of warm red date porridge from the food box, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and brought it to Cai Zhenji's lips.

Cai Zhenji opened her mouth and obediently ate.

The porridge was cooked until thick and creamy, with the sweetness of red dates mixed with the aroma of rice. It melted in your mouth, warming you from your throat all the way to your stomach.

She squinted, looking completely relaxed.

"Is it delicious?" Cai Yan asked.

"It's delicious," Cai Zhenji nodded, "much better than what we used to make in our manor."

"Of course," Cai Yan said with a smile.

"The chefs in the Prince's mansion are renowned chefs that my husband invited from all over the country. You'll be able to eat like this every day from now on."

Cai Zhenji opened her mouth and ate, chewing twice, then mumbled, "Sister, you're so good to me."

"Silly girl, you're my sister. If I'm not good to you, who will I be good to?" Cai Yan scooped up another spoonful and brought it to her lips.

"Eat more, it'll help you recover. You'll have your share of tired times later."

Cai Zhenji blushed again and muttered softly, "Sister, you've learned to make fun of me too."

Cai Yan smiled but didn't say anything, continuing to feed her spoonful by spoonful.

"Sister," Cai Zhenji said after taking a few bites, then suddenly asked, "Is brother-in-law... always this amazing?"

Cai Yan was taken aback, then understood what she meant. Her face flushed slightly, but she still nodded and said, "Yes. So you need to train your body properly in the future, otherwise you won't be able to handle it."

Cai Zhenji suddenly realized, recalling her older sisters' earlier advice to "strengthen her stamina": "No wonder you all told me to run more! So that's why!"

"What else did you think?" Cai Yan said with a smile, "You think we're just bored and have nothing better to do than let you exercise for fun?"

Cai Zhenji pouted: "I thought I'd be doing some heavy work in the future... turns out it's this kind of 'heavy work'."

The two sisters looked at each other and smiled.

Cai Zhenji took another spoonful, then suddenly remembered something and asked softly, "Sister, where is my husband?"

"He went to the front yard for a meeting." Cai Yan scooped up another spoonful.

"Before he left, he specifically told you to rest well and not get out of bed, and that he would come to see you again tonight."

Cai Zhenji blushed again, lowered her head, twisted the blanket, and remained silent.

Cai Yan looked at her younger sister's timid, submissive demeanor and felt both amused and sorry for her.

She put down the bowl, reached out and touched Cai Zhenji's hair, and said softly, "Zhen'er, this is your home from now on. If anything happens, tell your sister, don't keep it to yourself. Your husband is a good man, he will treat you well."

Cai Zhenji nodded, her eyes slightly reddening, and whispered, "Sister, thank you."

"Silly girl, what are you thanking me for?" Cai Yan patted her hand with a smile.

"As long as you're doing well, I'm happy. Besides, we're sisters, so there's no need for thanks."

Cai Zhenji wiped her eyes and opened her mouth again: "Sister, I want to eat more."

Cai Yan smiled and scooped up another spoonful, feeding it to her.

Cai Zhenji leaned against the headboard, looking at the sunlight outside the window, feeling warm inside.

She finally understood why her sister always smiled so happily.

Because they each have someone they can entrust their lives to.

...