371: Unwavering affection

On the third day, he made a special trip to Hundred Herbs Hall to visit Jiang Yumei.

The backyard of Hundred Herbs Hall was filled with various medicinal herbs. Their lush green leaves stretched out under the sunlight, still glistening with morning dew that sparkled like crystals.

A faint medicinal fragrance permeated the courtyard. Unlike the bitterness found in ordinary pharmacies, this scent was mixed with a subtle, ethereal fragrance of orchids and iris—the scent of the incense Jiang Yumei habitually used.

As soon as Situ Jun stepped into the courtyard, he saw a figure in plain clothes squatting by the herb garden, carefully tending to several rare Spiritual Plants.

Jiang Yumei was dressed in a moon-white long dress, her long hair simply tied up with a wooden hairpin. A few stray strands fell by her cheeks, making her features appear even more elegant and refined.

Her movements were gentle and focused as her fingertips brushed over the leaves of the herbs, her eyes filled with a deep appreciation for living things. Compared to her usual calm demeanor when handling medical records, she seemed more grounded and full of life.

Hearing footsteps, Jiang Yumei looked up. A flash of shock crossed her eyes, which then transformed into an irrepressible joy, though that joy was quickly covered by a layer of faint shyness.

She stood up and brushed the dirt off her skirt. Her voice was soft but carried a trace of an imperceptible tremble:

“You... why are you here?”

Situ Jun stepped forward slowly, his gaze falling on her slightly thin face, and a wave of guilt rose in his heart.

Ever since the two of them had become intimate when Situ Jun was serving as a deacon at the shop, he hadn't visited her for a long time.

“I haven't visited you in a long while, and I was worried.”

Situ Jun's voice was low and gentle. He looked at her with burning eyes and continued:

“Yun Niang is pregnant, so I wanted to ask you for some prescriptions to stabilize the pregnancy, and also... to see you.”

A faint blush appeared on Jiang Yumei's cheeks. She lowered her eyes and said softly:

“Sister Su's health is important. I've already prepared the medicinal ingredients for stabilizing the pregnancy and was just about to send someone to the City Lord's Mansion.”

Saying that, she turned and led Situ Jun toward the house:

“Come inside and sit first. I'll pour you a cup of tea.”

The interior was simple and elegant. A large medical desk sat by the window, neatly arranged with medical books, pulse pillows, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. A curio shelf in the corner displayed various medicine jars. The air was filled with a warm blend of medicinal fragrance and incense.

Jiang Yumei poured a cup of clear tea for Situ Jun. A few tender green tea leaves floated in the water, emitting a faint, fresh aroma.

“Try this. This is Spiritual Tea I brewed with morning dew. It can clear the mind, reduce internal heat, and nourish the spirit.”

She handed the teacup to Situ Jun. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed his palm, causing both of them to pause. Jiang Yumei quickly withdrew her hand, the blush on her cheeks becoming more pronounced.

Situ Jun took the teacup. A warm sensation traveled from his fingertips, spreading up his arm and into his heart.

Seeing Jiang Yumei's slightly awkward appearance, the guilt in his heart grew even stronger:

“Yumei, during this time, I have wronged you.”

These words were like opening Pandora's box; Jiang Yumei's eyes instantly turned red.

She turned her face away, looking at the herb garden outside the window, her voice carrying a hint of a sob:

“It's not that I feel wronged. Since I took the Divorce Letter and moved out of the Qian Family, I've been looking after this Hundred Herbs Hall and studying medicine. Life has been stable. It's just...”

She paused and turned her head, her gaze filled with deep longing and a hint of reproach:

“It's just that you haven't come to see me all this time. I thought...”

“Thought I had forgotten you, didn't you?”

Situ Jun finished her sentence, his voice tinged with shame as he said:

“My heart for you has never changed. It's just that lately I've been busy with Cultivation and reorganizing Northern Frontier City, as well as planning for East Lin City, so I neglected you.”

He set down the teacup, stood up, and walked over to Jiang Yumei, gently taking her hands. Her fingertips were slightly cool, with thin calluses from years of refining medicine, yet they were still delicate.

“Now I have the ability to protect you. From now on, I won't let you endure loneliness alone anymore.”

Jiang Yumei's tears finally fell uncontrollably, sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto their joined hands.

She didn't pull away, letting him hold her. The longing, grievance, and concern accumulated over many days all burst forth at this moment.

“Situ Jun, do you know? Every time I see others in pairs, I think of you. I think of the day we met, and that time we refined medicine together...”

Situ Jun felt a pang in his heart and pulled her tightly into his embrace.

Her body was slender and soft, carrying a faint medicinal scent that settled his mind.

“I'm sorry, Yumei. I came too late.”

He lowered his head and kissed the top of her head gently, his voice tender and firm:

“From now on, I will make it up to you. You'll never have to suffer or wait again.”

Jiang Yumei leaned against his chest, feeling his steady and powerful heartbeat. The unease and fear in her heart gradually dissipated.

She reached out her arms and hugged his waist tightly, as if trying to make up for all the time they had missed.

“I thought we could never go back. You have a noble status now, and you have Sister Su and the others by your side, I...”

“In my heart, you are just as important as they are, irreplaceable.”

Situ Jun interrupted her, cupped her cheeks, and gently wiped away the tears from her face with his thumbs:

“I have never forgotten the vow from that day. No matter how my status changes or how the world turns, you will always be one of the most important people in my heart.”

His gaze was deep and sincere, as if filled with the stars and the sea, causing Jiang Yumei to momentarily lose herself.

She looked into his eyes, and all the doubt and unease in her heart faded away, leaving only overflowing love and dependence.

She took the initiative to stand on her tiptoes and kiss his lips.

It was a kiss filled with tears and longing, gentle and lingering.

Situ Jun's heart jolted, and he immediately took the lead, deepening the kiss.

As their lips and teeth met, the longing and concern of many days intertwined, turning into the most fervent affection.

His kiss was gentle yet domineering, carrying a strong sense of possessiveness. As their tongues tangled, they conveyed the longing and love they had both suppressed for so long.

Jiang Yumei's whole body trembled slightly as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, responding to his kiss. Her breathing gradually became hurried.

Her cheeks flushed, her eyes grew hazy, and she was completely immersed in this long-awaited tenderness.

The medicinal fragrance in the room merged with their intertwined breaths, becoming increasingly rich and sentimental, making one forget all the disputes and troubles of the world.

After an unknown amount of time, the two finally separated slowly. Both of their cheeks were flushed, and their breathing was somewhat ragged.

Situ Jun picked her up in his arms, walked to the soft couch in the inner room, and gently laid her down.

The furnishings in the inner room were equally simple but exuded warmth. A pot of blooming spider plants sat by the bedside, full of green vitality.

“Yumei,” Situ Jun leaned over to look at her, his eyes filled with an affection so thick it couldn't be dissolved, “I know you've suffered a lot during this time. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

Jiang Yumei's cheeks were crimson, her breathing rapid, and her eyes shimmered with tears, looking like a peony moistened by spring rain—delicate and enchanting.

She reached out to caress his cheek, her fingertips gently tracing his features. Her voice was soft and seductive to the bone:

“I don't want your compensation. I only want you to be safe and sound. As long as I can be by your side, it is enough.”

Situ Jun lowered his head and kissed her lips again. This time, the kiss was even more gentle and lingering.

His hand gently stroked her hair, his movements tender and full of sentiment.