After preparing the bathwater, Qinghe returned to the door of the bedchamber and was about to knock, only to be stopped by Danruo.
Danruo’s face was flushed as red as her name suggested, like it had been painted with vermilion.
She shook her head at Qinghe and puckered her lips toward the room.
“Knock later.”
Qinghe was puzzled.
She pressed her ear to the door and listened, her small face instantly reddening completely.
Their Young Madam was “crying” again, but this time the voice was much softer, hoarser, as if she had no strength left.
The two little maids exchanged a glance, covered their mouths to hide their laughter, and left to wait outside.
Only when the bell rang again did they rush back, finding Langjun had already opened the door, holding the Young Madam wrapped tightly in soft quilts.
“Go tidy up the bed and send two sets of nightclothes to the purification room.”
“Yes, Langjun.”
Pei Huaijin carried the drenched figure to the purification room.
The water in the bath had cooled considerably, but luckily the heated floor tiles kept the room warm.
He first placed her gently on the soft couch, took off his own clothes, then peeled her out of the quilts and lifted her into the bath.
The sound of water splashing softly over her reddened shoulders filled the room.
Huaijin’s eyes darkened with something difficult to decipher, restraining his desires as he carefully washed her.
After two such experiences—no, three if you count the time he kissed her earlier—
Shen Youran felt as if every bone in her body had been drained of strength, utterly exhausted.
In contrast, Pei Huaijin looked in excellent spirits.
Did he never get tired?
It seemed those who persisted in exercise truly differed from someone like her, who avoided exertion whenever possible.
But now, Shen Youran had another question.
Once her breathing steadied, she hoarsely asked, “Is this your first time?”
Those words…
Pei Huaijin lowered his gaze to her tear-streaked eyes, assuming she was complaining about his inexperience.
“What? Not satisfied?”
“No, no, no…”
She dared not say otherwise.
When he had asked if she was pleased earlier in the room, she had shyly said “It’s okay,” only for him to press on again.
Now, naked and pressed against him in the tub, she feared if he lost control once more, she would be finished right there.
“I meant…you don’t look like it’s your first time.”
Huaijin: “…………”
This was worse than the first question.
His large hand squeezed her beneath the water, causing her to whimper softly.
He finally said, “Are you doubting I’ve been with other women before you?”
The woman in his arms blinked slowly, saying nothing but clearly meaning yes.
“Why such a suspicion?”
“Because…”
Shen Youran bit her lip, hesitating, “You seem very experienced in this sort of thing.”
A soft laugh escaped his throat, and his eyes softened considerably.
“I’ll take that as a compliment. But, like you, this truly is my first time…”
Shen Youran leaned against his shoulder, watching his Adam’s apple bob as he laughed, and couldn’t help but reach out to toy with it.
She asked, “Then why do you seem so practiced?”
“There are many books in my study,” he paused, “including…those kinds of books.”
Surprised, Shen Youran said, “You read those too?”
His Adam’s apple tightened, and his expression grew slightly awkward.
“I’ve merely glanced at them.”
“Just glanced?”
She was unconvinced.
“But you seem quite knowledgeable.”
“My memory’s good. After reading twice, I remember everything.”
“Unexpected.”
Shen Youran sighed.
“You look so well-bred and proper, yet secretly read those kinds of books?”
He straightened his expression.
“A lustful gentleman who does not indulge is still a gentleman.”
“I’m not well-read. Don’t lie to me.”
“Hm, I’m not.”
Danruo knocked and entered with fresh clothes, interrupting their conversation.
Thinking of Langjun bathing with Young Madam, Danruo dared not come closer.
She just hung the clothes on the screen and quickly withdrew.
The water in the tub was no longer hot, but since both had bathed earlier, this was just to wash away sweat.
After Danruo left, Pei Huaijin climbed out, quickly dried himself, dressed in clean nightclothes, then returned with a large cloth.
“The water’s cold now. Come out.”
Shen Youran had regained some strength but her shame deepened.
She hid in the water, refusing to emerge.
“No, I want Danruo and Qinghe to come help me…”
A smile glinted in Huaijin’s eyes.
“Only now shy? Isn’t that a little late?”
She submerged herself, sticking out a stubborn head.
“I want Danruo and Qinghe, or I won’t come out.”
Unexpectedly, he did not insist but readily agreed, “Fine, I’ll call them.”
So easy to persuade?
Shen Youran felt suspicious.
Suddenly recalling when he had kissed her all over while she was drunk, covering her in red marks, she surfaced a little and glanced down.
Sure enough, peaks and valleys like plum blossoms bloomed vividly.
“Wait!”
She held the tub’s edge to call him back, slowly standing up.
“You help me instead.”
Pei Huaijin wrapped her in the cloth and carried her back to the couch.
He let her sit on his lap, tore off a smaller cloth, and began drying the water droplets from her skin.
Shen Youran sat sideways, legs pressed together in his arms.
Later, he claimed it was inconvenient to dry her this way, so he lifted her hips to adjust her posture, having her straddle him instead…
Her world once again started to spin.
What was this “a gentleman lusts but does not indulge”?
Bah!
A hypocrite!
In the end, Shen Youran only remembered Huaijin having someone bring hot water to add, then washing her again while holding her.
She was no longer fully conscious and didn’t know how she was carried back to the bedchamber, only that she was so exhausted she didn’t dream a single dream that night.
When she woke, it was nearly noon.
Pei Huaijin, always an early riser, was already gone.
Shen Youran thought about returning to her maternal home today.
She needed to personally visit the Ci You Courtyard to tell her sister and then stop by the clinic to see Qingjian, so she did not linger in bed but pulled back the covers and got up.
The moment she took a step, her legs and waist suddenly ached sharply, and she collapsed to the ground.
“Ahh!!”
Danruo and Qinghe outside heard the sound.
Knowing she was alone, they rushed in to help her up.
“Madam, did you fall? Is your eyesight bothering you again?”
“No, my eyes are fine,” Shen Youran said as they helped her back to bed.
Holding her waist with one hand and pointing to her legs with the other, she winced, “Ah, my waist…oh, please rub it for me…”
One maid massaged her waist, the other kneaded her legs.
They both understood the cause of her soreness but smiled quietly and got to work without comment.
Shen Youran asked about her sister and Pei Huaian’s visit the previous night.
“Do you know why they came?”
Danruo shamefully replied, “It was my fault. I thought Langjun was bullying you, so I ran to Ci You Courtyard to ask Seventh Young Madam to come and help…”
So that was the reason.
“Danruo, Danruo,” Shen Youran laughed and cried, about to scold her for well-meaning but misguided help, when she suddenly had another question.
“Did I…make a lot of noise last night?”
“Lo—”
Qinghe blurted out before Danruo jabbed her to stop.
“Not much, not much.” Which meant it was loud.
Shen Youran buried her face in the pillow, utterly mortified.
“Your sister didn’t hear, did she?”
“No, no. When Seventh Young Madam arrived, you had already quieted down…”
“Phew…”
Luckily, she had been so hoarse by then that Langjun told her to rest a bit.
If her sister had really heard her calls, she’d have been truly embarrassed.
Danruo hurried to comfort her.
“Young Madam, don’t be shy. You and Langjun consummated your marriage; everyone’s happy.”
“Yes, yes. They say couples’ quarrels are resolved at the foot of the bed,” Qinghe chimed in.
“Since you and Langjun have made up, you won’t be returning to your maternal home today, right?”
Only then did Shen Youran lift her face.
“I am going back. Why wouldn’t I? Have you packed your things? After I visit my sister, you’ll come with me…”
The two maids were stunned.
“Young Madam, why return home? Is Langjun taking a concubine?”
“Langjun has to go on an official trip for a while. I don’t want to stay here. What if Grand Madam pressures me again about taking a concubine?”
Only then did the two maids breathe easier.
“Good that Langjun hasn’t agreed to a concubine.”
“Oh, Young Madam,” Danruo remembered something.
“The Bi Zi Yao…are you taking it today?”
“Yes!”
Shen Youran nearly forgot.
“Stop rubbing my waist for now. Go prepare a batch. I want to drink it when I return from my sister’s.”
“Yes.”
Danruo took her orders and left.
Qinghe stayed behind to continue massaging.
Feeling somewhat better, Shen Youran told her to go pack. Leaning on her aching legs, she left the room and headed toward Ci You Courtyard.
On the way, she met Pei Huaijin returning from Chunxuan Hall.
Since his trip would be lengthy, he went to inform both his mother and grandmother.
Though his grandfather was confused now, Huaijin stayed a while to talk to him.
When leaving, Grand Madam said, “I heard your mother wants a Meng Family Maid as a concubine for you. I suppose she’s eager for grandchildren. Your wife is young. If she’s reluctant to have children too soon, taking a concubine isn’t without precedent. Your grandfather and I are looking forward to it.”
“Grandmother, my father never took a concubine, and Third Uncle has never thought of adding a second wife. Our elders lead by example, which is better than mere words. I, as the younger generation, think this is good. As for children, if you want great-grandchildren, perhaps you should urge Seventh Brother more…”
“How do you know I haven’t?”
The Grand Madam sighed with a smile.
“You all keep putting it off. Your grandfather and I don’t know when we’ll get our great-grandchildren.”
Huaijin chuckled, “I’ll help you remind Seventh Brother.”
After leaving Chunxuan Hall, he thought to check if Shen Youran was awake.
They met halfway and went together to Ci You Courtyard.
Shen Youran walked unsteadily.
Noticing this, he asked, “What’s wrong with your legs?”
And he had the nerve to ask?
She shot him a glare.
“Isn’t it because of you…”
Her body wasn’t very flexible.
Last night, with him pressing, massaging, even carrying her legs, she had ignored the discomfort in the heat of the moment.
This morning, her legs felt as if they had just grown and moved on their own.
Pei Huaijin stopped and earnestly apologized.
“Sorry, it was extremely pleasurable, and I lost control. I’ve troubled you. Want me to carry you?”
Again with this!
She couldn’t stand how seriously he said such embarrassing things.
She refused the offer, instead dragging her stubborn legs and picking up the pace.
They arrived at Ci You Courtyard, where Ting Lan saw them and hurried in to announce their arrival.
At that moment, Shen Yunshu had finished the kitchen duties and was in the study with Pei Huaian, each reading their own book.
Upon hearing their elder brother and Youran approaching, the two exchanged guilty looks.
“This is bad,” Pei Huaian bit his book nervously.
“Big brother’s here to give us a piece of his mind…”
Last night, little Danruo had caused them so much trouble, dragging them out in the cold and snow to disturb the couple’s consummation.
Truly mischievous.