My rigid, jealous husband has fallen for me, even though I'm a hopeless romantic.

Chapter 21 Good medicine tastes bitter

The carriage stopped abruptly, and Wei Dongning, who was not properly seated, leaned forward uncontrollably.

If Gu Peiyan hadn't reached out and pulled her back, she probably would have been thrown off balance.

"You sit still, I'll go out and see what's going on."

"it is good."

Gu Peiyan lifted the heavy curtain and stepped out, frowning as she asked the driver, "Why did you suddenly stop?"

"Young master, this... I didn't mean it." The coachman pointed awkwardly to the woman standing in front of the carriage: "This girl suddenly stopped in front of the carriage and asked us if we could give her a ride."

"Just take me to the Zhong family's house in the south of the city. I can sit outside the carriage." The woman standing under the carriage looked at Gu Peiyan with a pleading expression.

Upon hearing that she was from the Zhong family, Gu Peiyan pondered for a moment and asked, "The Zhong family of the south of the city, what is your relationship with Lord Zhong Hongwei?"

"You know my father?"

Seeing that Gu Peiyan hadn't replied for a long time, Wei Dongning thought it was a tricky matter, so she also crawled out.

When she recognized who was in front of her, her voice was full of surprise: "Yueyue?"

"Ningning!" Zhong Shuyue was even more surprised.

Unexpectedly, the carriage she casually flagged down belonged to Wei Dongning, the woman she had once shared a drink with.

It seems they are quite destined to be together.

Gu Peiyan originally wanted Wei Dongning to go back to the car to avoid her catching a cold.

But hearing their conversation, I couldn't help but be surprised: "You know each other?"

“Yes, let her in.” Wei Dongning waved to Zhong Shuyue: “Yueyue, come quickly.”

Knowing that they knew each other, and that the woman in front of her was the child of her future boss, Gu Peiyan did not say anything to refuse.

He straightened up, ready to get off the carriage, leaving the space inside for them.

Wei Dongning grabbed Gu Peiyan, who was about to leave; "Where are you going?"

"I'll have Xiao Fu come over; it's not appropriate for me to be here."

Zhong Shuyue is not yet married. If he were present, it would definitely damage her reputation if word got out.

“That makes sense. Then go find Qianrong.”

Wei Dongning also realized what was happening and let go of his hand.

After Xiao Fu was transferred to the carriage in front, the carriage creaked and groaned as it drove forward over the snow.

Wei Dongning shoved the hand warmer she was holding into Zhong Shuyue's hands: "Quickly hold this and warm yourself up. How did you end up so far away by yourself?"

"I sneaked out to play by myself, but I got lost because I went too far."

Zhong Shuyue also felt extremely embarrassed when she mentioned this incident.

She knew she had no sense of direction and hadn't planned to go far.

Somehow, it ended up like this.

"You're quite brave. Aren't you afraid of running into bad people? It's freezing cold here, and there are dangers everywhere."

Zhong Shuyue felt a chill run down her spine as she thought about it: "You're right, I'll definitely bring someone with me next time."

Xiao Fu quietly poured hot tea for the two of them, completely agreeing with what her young mistress had said.

Not to mention the slippery roads in the snow, a young girl going out alone, dressed so elegantly, could easily be targeted by someone with malicious intent, and her safety could not be guaranteed.

Fortunately, it was her young lady who I met.

However, Xiao Fu was also very curious about how they met.

Miss Zhong was raised by her maternal grandparents since childhood and only recently returned to Beijing.

There haven't been any poetry gatherings or literary events recently, so they shouldn't have met before.

During a break in the chat, Zhong Shuyue sneezed loudly.

Perhaps it was because I was outside for too long and caught a cold.

To prevent her illness from worsening, Wei Dongning decisively directed the driver to take the car to the nearest hospital.

After parking, Gu Peiyan, who was sitting in the back car, walked over with a worried expression.

A warm, large hand covered her forehead: "Is there anything that's bothering you?"

“It wasn’t me,” Wei Dongning said, blushing slightly as she met Zhong Shuyue’s teasing gaze. “It was Yueyue. She seems to have caught a cold.”

Wei Dongning and Gu Peiyan were not used to being so intimate in front of outsiders, so after confirming that she was not sick, Gu Peiyan withdrew her hand with relief.

The clinic was filled with the smell of Chinese medicine, and Wei Dongning sniffed unhappily.

But it's not so bad once you get used to it.

Despite the cold weather, quite a few patients still come to the clinic to get their medicine.

It took a long time before it was Zhong Shuyue's turn.

The doctor took Zhong Shuyue's pulse and found that apart from a slight cold, there were no other problems.

He prescribed her two doses of medicine and then let her leave.

Gu Peiyan pressed Wei Dongning's shoulder and made her sit opposite the doctor: "Please take a look at my wife as well, sir. She also caught a chill today."

The doctor placed his hand on Wei Dongning's pulse and then asked her to stick out her tongue for a check.

Without asking any questions, he picked up a pen and quickly wrote down a prescription on a piece of paper, then instructed, "Do not overindulge in cold or raw foods."

Wei Dongning silently complained to herself about Gu Peiyan's unnecessary actions.

Now she'll have to take medicine every day, just like Yueyue.

Wei Dongning's expression was full of sorrow, which Gu Peiyan couldn't ignore even if she wanted to.

"If you take good care of your health, at least your hands won't feel uncomfortably cold when you go out."

Wei Dongning understood his good intentions, but the medicine really didn't taste good.

Back in the carriage, Zhong Shuyue held up the medicine packet with a bitter face: "Ningning, I really don't like taking medicine, it's so bitter."

"Good medicine tastes bitter, Yueyue."

It's unclear whether Wei Dongning's words were meant to comfort Zhong Shuyue or herself.

In a sense, they can be considered sisters who have gone through thick and thin together.

"My life is more bitter than this medicine."

Zhong Shuyue's eyes were brimming with tears; she looked extremely pitiful.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Zhong residence, and Wei Dongning accompanied Zhong Shuyue as they got out.

Gu Peiyan's carriage was a little slower than theirs.

Just as Zhong Shuyue was holding Wei Dongning's hand, reluctant to let go, Qian Rong stepped forward and interrupted the two.

"Young Madam, this is the maltose you just asked me to buy."

Wei Dongning was stunned for a moment.

She didn't remember making Qianrong do that.

That means it can only be Gu Peiyan.

Zhong Shuyue took the candy: "Thank you, Ningning, you're so thoughtful!"

"Go back now, and remember to take your medicine on time." Wei Dongning smiled and waved to her before turning back to the carriage.

Gu Peiyan had already sat back down, holding another bag of maltose in her hand.

After Wei Dongning was seated, Gu Peiyan placed the bag in her hand: "I bought this especially for you. I know you don't like taking medicine, so this is perfect for reducing the bitterness."

"Oh, you're quite thoughtful."

“Miss Zhong is your good friend, so I asked Qian Rong to buy some for you.”

Wei Dongning picked up a piece of maltose and put it in her mouth. The maltose melted on her tongue, and the sweetness spread throughout her mouth.

"This candy is quite sweet."

"Then don't eat too much, it's bad for your teeth."

Wei Dongning rolled her eyes.

Gu Peiyan can really ruin the atmosphere sometimes.

She decided not to talk to him again until she got home, lest he drive her crazy.

The two returned to the Gu residence in silence, and Gu Peiyan whispered a few words to Qian Rong.

When Qianrong returned, he was carrying a bowl.

Steam was still rising from above.

Before Qian Rong could even get close, Wei Dongning smelled a familiar scent.

"Gu Peiyan, were you sent by heaven to torment me?"