Qingfeng Courtyard was on fire, and the fire was not small. Half of the back row of rooms had been affected. The back row of rooms were filled with servants, but servants were also humans. Yu Wan and Yan Jiuchao quickly tidied their clothes and called Uncle Wan over to ask what had happened.
When Uncle Wan saw his Young Master’s gloomy expression, he knew that something was wrong. He thought to himself that this fire came in such an untimely manner, Young Master and Young Madam’s night together was worth a thousand gold. Even as a eunuch, he understood that men could not tolerate this.
He braced himself and said, “The back room somehow went on fire. I’m investigating the reason.”
“Put out the fire first,” Yan Jiuchao said.
“Then I’ll go first,” Uncle Wan said.
Yan Jiuchao watched him leave with a cold expression. Uncle Wan broke out in cold sweat. There had been no accidents for so many years. If there were another one or two, his position as the supervisor would probably end.
The Qingfeng Courtyard became busy.
The fire did not burn the rooms in front, but the thick smoke did not smell good. Moreover, she was worried that there would be hidden dangers. Yu Wan asked the nanny to carry the sleeping children out and went to a nearby small courtyard to rest.
She pushed Yan Jiuchao’s wheelchair and stood outside the Qingfeng Courtyard. She asked a few maidservants who had escaped from the fire.
Tao’er was the first to discover the fire. She was frightened and was still crying silently in Li’er’s arms.
Su Mu, Zi Su, and Ban Xia stood at the side in a sorry state. The few of them had suddenly rushed out of the fire and did not have time to change their clothes. They were only wearing thin pajamas. Yu Wan got someone to bring a few cloaks for them.
Fu Ling rushed in to put out the fire. She carried two large buckets of water and walked as if she was flying, leaving the pageboys far behind.
“How did you discover the fire?” Yu Wan asked Tao’er.
Tao’er cried in fear. “Su Mu found it. She woke me up… and said that something seemed to be burning behind… I opened the window and saw a big fire…”
“Aren’t you asleep?” Yu Wan looked at Su Mu.
Su Mu shook his head. “I just moved to the manor. I can’t sleep.”
Yu Wan nodded.
The fire burned through the sky of the Young Master Manor. The wind was strong tonight, and thick smoke filled half of the manor. Yu Wan bent down, untied her cloak, and put it on Yan Jiuchao.
Yan Jiuchao looked at her steadily. As she tied the ribbon, she said, “I’m not cold.”
The maidservants were envious. Young Master and Young Madam had a good relationship. The so-called newlyweds were probably referring to them. Speaking of which, Young Madam’s background was not high, but not every woman had such luck.
Su Mu’s gaze landed on the two of them. Their eyes were filled with each other, as if no one could breach in their relationship.
Su Mu looked away.
The fire was controlled, and the cause of it was also investigated. It turned out that the two old women guarding the back door had cravings and had boiled a brazier of wine in the gatehouse to drink. However, both doors were open, and the wind was too strong, blowing the sparks out. At first, the two of them did not pay attention to it and thought that the sparks would be extinguished when they flew. Who knew that they would land on the firewood outside the back room? There was withered grass on the firewood, and it was lit in a few moments.
When the two of them noticed the fire, the entire firewood shed was burning. However, the night wind was extremely strong and the back room was quickly affected.
“Is anyone injured?” Yu Wan asked.
Uncle Wan said, “A few guards put out the fire. Their arms are scalded. There are also some minor injuries. Other than that, they’re fine.”
The two old women had been dealt with by Uncle Wan. Such servants would never be hired by the Young Master Manor again.
It was already late at night when the Qingfeng Courtyard was completely cleaned up. Half of the back room was burned, and the other half was intact. However, the maidservants were frightened out of their wits. They probably could not sleep even if they stayed there. Yu Wan let them stay in the room in the front temporarily. It was still a room for three people, just like before.
After such a commotion, the two of them were no longer in the mood to sleep together. Yu Wan dragged her tired body to lie down beside him. Looking at the fatigue between his handsome eyebrows, she raised her fingertips and gently scratched his palm. “Go to sleep.”
Yan Jiuchao held her hand.
Yan Jiuchao closed his eyes when he heard her even breathing.
… .
Yu Wan slept until she woke up naturally. When she opened her eyes, it was already late in the morning. She moved her fingertips and realized that her hand was wrapped in a strong palm. She lifted the cotton blanket and looked inside. Could this fellow have held her hand for the entire night?
Yu Wan tried to pull it out, but she couldn’t.
Yu Wan smiled. They were holding hands quite tightly. Speaking of which, he had always woken up early. It was rare for him to stay in bed with her.
Yu Wan also held his hand tightly and turned to look at him. Her gaze landed on the tip of his slightly red ears and she said mischievously, “Yan Jiuchao, are you awake?”