Shen Yunshu felt not only the heat burning in her hands but also a flush spreading across her face.
Xie Hengโs body blazed with a fierce fire.
Yet at this moment, he suddenly remembered something even more critical.
โWife, do you still remember? On the second day after our wedding, when I took Youran to the kitchen to find something to eat, we were blocked by Qingjian and the others behind the fake rock. Luckily, you found us first back thenโฆโ
โHm, why bring this up all of a sudden?โ
โI accidentally hugged you that day, but later when you held my hand and left, I had a dream about you that very nightโฆโ
โWhat did you dream of?โ Shen Yunshu instinctively asked, but she quickly realized he had mentioned before that he often had such dreamsโand the person in those dreams was always her.
It was too late to take back her words as he immediately answered with a grin: โIn that dream, you and I shared a moment of intimacy in the cave behind the fake rockโฆโ
So the next day, his pants were still dry when he hurried off to the temple.
โThat cave in the dream was just like it is nowโฆโ
The one saying these shameless words felt no embarrassment, but the one hearing them was already too shy to lift her head. She didnโt want to listen to him continue, but he refused to stop talking.
Fortunately, he had handed his life over to her personally, so Shen Yunshu clenched her grip tightly, restraining him: โHurry up and say it.โ
He let out a muffled grunt, his breathing suddenly heavier than before.
โWife, easy,โ Xie Heng groaned in pain, wincing at her tight grip, โIโll still need you tonightโฆโ
She wasnโt gripping hard enough to injure him, of course, but by nighttime, other parts of him would be โbroken.โ
Xie Heng always took pride in his strong waist. In the past when they were intimate, he worried about crushing her, so he let her be on top, which tested his waist strength even more.
He was light and strong in the waist and abdomen; tonight was no different, but halfway through, his waist suddenly grew sore and numb, and he couldnโt exert any strength.
Only then did he remember the doctorโs warning. He had thought he was light enough to ignore it, but he hadnโt even lasted once.
The sudden pause made her open her misty eyes: โWhatโs wrong?โ
Xie Heng didnโt want her to know his waist was failing, so he forced calm and lifted her body: โWife, come, letโs change placesโฆโ
While lifting her, he bent his knees and slipped down: โSit on my faceโฆโ
Shen Yunshu: โโฆโ
The remaining snow melted, the chill in the wind gradually softened, and new buds quietly sprouted on the branches. Blossoms were about to bloom; in the blink of an eye, spring had arrived and it was already March.
Since the last time Xie Heng came to see her, Shen Yunshu had not seen him again.
She focused on her studies to prepare for the official examination and successfully passed in March, about to move to the government office inside the Forbidden City.
Xiao Ci often came to the mansion. After Shen Yunshu understood his feelings, she deliberately avoided him, but before she moved, he found a chance to see her once.
Shen Yunshu politely refused: โLord Xiao, you are very kind, but Iโm sorry, I do not like you.โ
โWas it His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?โ he asked. โThe thief who suddenly broke into the mansion last timeโwas that him?โ
Sure enough, as the Chief of the Dali Temple, Xiao Ci easily guessed despite Shen Yunshu thinking she had concealed it well.
โHe only came that once. Please keep it confidential, Lord Xiao.โ
โLady Shen, I want to know,โ Xiao Ci said in confusion, โbesides his identity, what else does this Crown Prince have that I donโt?โ
โThough heโs not as good as you, Lord Xiao, fate has its order. I met him firstโฆโ
Seeing her resolve, Xiao Ci no longer pressed and bowed: โIf thatโs the case, I wonโt trouble you again.โ
Shen Yunshu bowed slightly in return: โTake care, Lord Xiao.โ
After Xiao Ci left, a ghostly figure appeared behind her, voice full of resentment: โHmph, Iโm not as good as Lord Xiaoโฆโ
Shen Yunshu was startled and turned to pinch that ghostโs ear: โIn broad daylight, how dare you come?โ
And by sheer coincidence, had just run into Xiao Ci?
Xie Heng, bent over by the ear, toppled onto her shoulder: โThis time I donโt have to sneak around, of course I dare come during the day.โ
He explained: โMy Imperial Grandfather no longer restricts me. Now I can come and go from the palace freely.โ
โSo you just came straight here? Arenโt you afraid your grandfather would be displeased?โ
โHeโs already allowed me out, so naturally he expects Iโd come find you.โ
Shen Yunshu suddenly put on a stern face: โYou must never come looking for me at the Shen residence again.โ
Xie Heng was stunned and straightened up: โWhy?โ
A panicked look appeared on his face: โWife, have you changed your heart?โ
โ?โ Shen Yunshu chuckled lightly and stopped teasing him. โI passed the official exam and will be moving to the Forbidden City. Youโฆโ
Afterward, Xie Heng felt happy for her but worried about their future, his upper face frowning in sorrow while his lower face smiled widelyโa very entertaining expression.
โWe can meet inside the palace now.โ
โIโm not talking about that. I mean after you pass the exam, weโฆโ
โThereโs loss before gain. Without letting go, you cannot gain anything,โ Shen Yunshu said, understanding his worries, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. โIf I can use passing the official exam to regain His Majestyโs trust in the Shen family, then we will have a chance to be together againโฆโ
He was easily coaxed; two kisses and the corners of his mouth stretched to his ears: โAlright, Iโll listen to you once more.โ
โGood boyโฆโ
The Pei residence.
After diagnosing the person in bed, the doctor told Shen Youran with an expectant look: โNothing serious. Itโs just kidney deficiency causing the delayed menses. Some tonic medicine will helpโฆโ
Shen Youran withdrew her hand in surprise: โDoctor, can women have kidney deficiency too?โ
โMen and women are the same. Excessive fatigue can cause kidney deficiency.โ
Shen Youran lowered her gaze, sighing in disappointment. Pei Huaijin had been courting her for three months. Except for a few days during her period, she had to endure his nightly attentions, to the point she had grown tired of it.
In the first two months, her period came on time, so no need to call the doctor. But this month it was late, and she thought she was pregnant. She hurriedly sent Danruo to fetch the doctor, but instead of the news she wanted, the diagnosis revealed kidney deficiency.
All because of excessive fatigue.
During the day, she managed household affairs in the morning, and in the afternoon went to Wu Yi Alley to learn from Aunt Xiao. She returned before sunset and wasnโt really tired.
So the reason for her fatigue was obvious.
Therefore, when Pei Huaijin came over as usual that night, Shen Youran pushed him away: โNot tonight. The doctor said I have kidney deficiency, and I guess youโre not much better. Letโs rest a few days first.โ
But Pei Huaijin wasnโt at all tired of this.
Probably because he knew their time together was limited, so he didnโt want to waste a single day.
โDid the doctor prescribe any medicine for you?โ
โYes, I asked him to prescribe some for you as well.โ
โThatโs good,โ Pei Huaijin expertly peeled off her clothes. โFrom now on, letโs restrain ourselves. Twice a night, how about that?โ
โTwice a night is restraint?โ
โThree times every two nights is also fineโฆโ
โI think three times a month is more reasonable.โ Shen Youran had asked the doctor and calculated the timing. On the most fertile days, intimacy had a much higher chance of conception.
Pei Huaijin grasped her smooth shoulder and turned her toward him: โAre you tired of it?โ
โA little.โ
โI feel the same. Doing it every day has lost some novelty.โ
โRight.โ She finally understood the real meaning behind his words.
โWeโve tried on the bed.โ
โHm?โ Something felt off.
โOn the table tooโฆโ
โโฆโ Wait, the direction of this conversation had clearly veered away from her original intent.
โOn the windowsillโฆ no, too hard.โ
โWhat are you talking about?โ
As Pei Huaijin spoke, his gaze scanned the room until he found a very suitable spot they had tried before.
He pulled Shen Youran off the bed and led her to the dressing tableโs bronze mirror, turned her around, and embraced her from behind: โWife, have you ever seen yourself in motion?โ
That bronze mirror had reflected many different versions of Shen Youranโlazy mornings grooming, the refined look after dressing, and the natural beauty under the makeup. But it had never reflected her moving in intimacy.
He cupped her chin and made her look at the intertwined shadows in the mirror: โYou look beautiful when you moveโฆโ
Haitang Courtyard.
Since finding out her son was ill, Lady Zhu had become deeply worried and fell seriously ill herself.
After recovering, her attitude toward Shen Youran changed, becoming more proactive and affectionate.
Hearing that her daughter-in-law no longer took contraceptive medicine and was actively trying for a child, Lady Zhu often sent nourishing meals for the couple, praying that heaven would grant them a child.
But three months had passed with no good news. The couple had emptied their strength, but pregnancy had not even been close.
Lady Zhu grew increasingly anxious: Could she really no longer rely on her son? Would she have to urge her husband to take a concubine?
The matter of a concubine was something Shen Youran had tentatively broached with Pei Yuanji before, jokingly asking if he was tired of only having her and whether he wanted to take two concubines to relieve his boredom.
He laughed, his whiskers trembling: โHow old do you think I am? Taking concubines now would be a jokeโฆโ
โWhy not? Some old men even take concubines to keep warm in bed.โ
โThatโs disrespectful to the women. I wonโt follow that example.โ Pei Yuanji thought she was joking and didnโt take it seriously. โBesides, I know you too well after all these years. Youโre as sharp as a needle, and if I took concubines, youโd be furious.โ
His words struck a chord with Shen Youran. The very thought of him taking concubines made her feel trapped and suffocated.
Seeing his disapproval, she was half relieved, half even more worried. Her husband was honest and upright; her son was young and promising. Why did heaven deny them descendants?
Could they adopt a child to raise?
That wouldnโt work either. Others would know something was wrong with her sonโs body.
Besides, an adopted child wasnโt their own, and if they couldnโt form a bond or didnโt get along, it would be more trouble than it was worth.
Lady Zhu could think of no other solution but to rely on prayer and worship. Previously, Shen Youran had prayed alone, but now that their relationship had improved, Lady Zhu asked her to accompany her to the temple to pray for a child.
Shen Youran was still uncomfortable being alone with her mother-in-law but couldnโt refuse, so she went with her to the Buddhist temple.
After praying in the main hall, Lady Zhu took Shen Youran to the Guanyin Hall, where she earnestly prayed for a long time.
But praying wasnโt enough. Lady Zhu planned to place a Guanyin statue at home for worship, so she went to consult with a master about it.
Shen Youran didnโt follow but instead wandered the temple alone.
By chance, she met Liang Xu there.
โYoung Master Liang, what a coincidence.โ Shen Youran had met him twice before at this templeโonce when he was with her, once when he was with others. So seeing him again, she naturally asked, โAre you here for worship today?โ
He nodded and glanced in the direction Shen Youran had just come from.
She had just left the Guanyin Hall, and what people sought there was obvious.
โLady Shen, are you here to pray for a child today?โ
Shen Youran smiled awkwardly.