Just as Cheng Chun was about to go to bed, the door suddenly swung open.
Cheng Chun turned to look and saw Su Xubai walking in, freshly washed. His hair was still slightly damp, clinging to his face. At first glance, he didn’t appear as refined as he had during the day; instead, he seemed somewhat untamed, adding an air of worldly charm.
Seeing Cheng Chun staring at him in a daze, Su Xubai asked, “What’s wrong?”
Only then did Cheng Chun snap out of it, quickly shaking her head. “N-nothing, it’s just that you look a bit different from how you did during the day, Fifth Master!”
Su Xubai glanced down at himself and chuckled. “Probably because I haven’t tidied up much. I don’t look as polished as usual.”
Cheng Chun listened but said nothing.
“It’s been a long day. You should rest early,” Su Xubai said as he took off his shoes and got into bed. Just like the previous night, he slept on the outer side, leaving the inner spot for Cheng Chun.
Cheng Chun tightly clutched the comb in her hand, suddenly regretting her decision. If she had known this would happen, she would have gone to bed first, rather than having to climb over Su Xubai later.
The thought alone made her reluctant to get into bed. She stubbornly stood in front of the mirror, combing her hair for a long time.
Finally, Su Xubai, lying in bed, spoke with a hint of helplessness. “Are you planning to comb yourself bald before coming to bed?”
Cheng Chun felt utterly embarrassed, but she couldn’t keep feeling this way forever. Taking a deep breath, she stood up, mustered all her courage, blew out the lamp, and climbed into bed.
Just as she was about to climb over Su Xubai, his large hand suddenly rested on her waist.
Cheng Chun froze instantly. Even in the darkness, she could faintly see Su Xubai’s gleaming eyes.
While Cheng Chun was still in a daze, she heard Su Xubai chuckle softly. Then, the hand on her waist tightened slightly, and with a swift movement, he flipped her over, pinning her beneath him.
Cheng Chun’s breath caught, and her heart raced wildly.
Su Xubai slowly lowered his head, picking up a strand of her long hair and frowning slightly. “Did you use scented ointment?”
“Y-yes… it’s osmanthus-scented ointment…” Cheng Chun’s voice trembled.
Su Xubai buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling the faint fragrance on her skin, and murmured softly, “Don’t use it anymore. It doesn’t smell good.”
“Mm,” Cheng Chun replied softly.
Su Xubai chuckled, his warm breath brushing against her neck. Her heart pounded fiercely, but she could only grip the bedding tightly beside her.
“A-chun, are you afraid of me?” Su Xubai’s voice was muffled, vibrating through her neck and into her chest.
Cheng Chun swallowed nervously, beads of sweat forming on her neck from the tension. “I… I…”
“You what?” Su Xubai seemed to be smiling. As he spoke, his lips gently brushed against her neck, sensing her nervousness. Now, he was like a tiger toying with the rabbit he had caught.
And Cheng Chun was that unfortunate rabbit, about to be devoured.
“It’s getting late, Fifth Master. You should rest early. Tomorrow… tomorrow…” The clumsy rabbit tried to struggle but couldn’t even come up with a complete excuse.
Su Xubai breathed in the faint fragrance emanating from Cheng Chun, feeling as if his bones were about to melt. His hand crept upward with restless intent, slipping beneath her blouse.
Cheng Chun’s face flushed crimson with nervousness, her entire body radiating a rosy heat. It was this very warmth that intensified the delicate, feminine scent clinging to her—a fragrance that, to Su Xubai, seemed far more potent than the poison he had once been afflicted with.
“What a coincidence—I have no pressing matters lately. Tomorrow, we can sleep until the sun is high in the sky!” Su Xubai chuckled softly, then gently pinched her soft waist. “A-chun, are you afraid?”
Cheng Chun remained silent, unsure of what to say and too timid to speak. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared fixedly into the pair of gleaming eyes in the darkness.
With every inch his hand advanced, she trembled, a single tear silently tracing its way down the corner of her eye. She was, most likely, afraid.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be careful,” Su Xubai whispered soothingly.
Cheng Chun understood what Su Xubai intended. Her mind flooded with memories of that night’s tearing pain. Though terrified, she knew she could not refuse him. As Su Xubai’s concubine, fulfilling marital duties was her obligation. “I… I’m afraid it will hurt. Please be gentle…”
In the end, Su Xubai could not resist this little rabbit. Like a young tiger that had never tasted meat, he had accidentally savored a morsel one late night and had since become obsessed with its flavor.
And now, this soft, delicate little white rabbit—cleansed and presented before him—how could he possibly restrain himself from indulging?
Moonlight streamed through the window into the bedroom, casting its glow upon the two entangled figures on the bed. Throughout the night, Cheng Chun’s soft, whimpering cries echoed incessantly. Water was called for countless times, and by the end, when Hongdou entered with a fresh basin, she could no longer see Cheng Chun.
All that was visible was a slender, jade-like arm draped over the edge of the bed, its little finger bearing a chipped nail—likely broken from clutching something too tightly. Several bruises marred the arm, probably from accidental bumps and knocks.
The night’s debauchery kept nearly everyone in the courtyard awake. Some busied themselves boiling water, others prepared bath herbs, keeping the annex brightly lit throughout.
A few elderly servants observed the scene with knowing eyes. “The Fifth Master has no sense of restraint. How pitiful for the young mistress!”
Hongdou recalled Cheng Chun’s delicate appearance. Though accustomed to rough work, her skin remained tender and fair. Though unmarried herself, Hongdou was no naive girl—having served others, she understood more than she let on. The sight of the bruises on Cheng Chun’s arm stirred a pang of sympathy within her.
The night dragged on until the first light of dawn. By then, Cheng Chun’s cries had faded into voiceless gasps, her mouth agape as she struggled for breath. Only then did Su Xubai, fully sated, wrap his arms around her and drift into sleep.
Nestled against Su Xubai’s chest, Cheng Chun had not an ounce of strength left. She lacked even the energy to open her eyes or dress herself. Her thoughts drifted back to her days helping at the herbal shop, where scholars often visited in elegant attire.
Each time, the shopkeeper would greet them with a cheerful smile, but once they left, he would mutter under his breath, “Beasts in gentleman’s clothing!”
Back then, Cheng Chun didn’t understand what it meant to be a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Now, she probably understood—it was none other than this Fifth Master Su, who held her in his arms as he slept soundly, looking every bit the scholar by day but turning into a beast worse than any animal at night.
Cheng Chun wished she could bite him, but she didn’t have an ounce of strength left. In the end, she could only lean into the embrace of this beast she wasn’t all that familiar with and fall into a deep sleep.