Jiang Yu’s lips parted in astonishment.
During their intimate moments, Pei Xiao would occasionally whisper sweet nothings, but today, Jiang Yu sensed a trace of anger in his tone.
In the three years they had been together, he had always spoken gently and softly—she had never seen him upset.
Jiang Yu observed him discreetly.
Pei Xiao still wore his usual smile as his gaze swept over her fair, rosy skin. “Does Yu’er truly not want her husband? Yu’er promised me…”
“Tonight, we’ll plant many, many plum blossoms.” He embraced her from behind, leaving bluish-purple marks on her porcelain-white neck.
“I… I… Let’s talk tomorrow, tomorrow!” Jiang Yu’s body went weak, and her voice grew softer with each word.
“Tomorrow?” Pei Xiao’s deep, magnetic voice whispered by her ear as his hand trailed downward from her abdomen. “Then tomorrow, can we plant them here?”
A wave of electricity surged through her, and Jiang Yu trembled, nodding in response.
Her mind went blank, and she could only offer a vague excuse.
“Very well, but Yu’er must keep her word.”
Pei Xiao found it hard to resist her obedient demeanor and shook his head helplessly.
Then, he removed the White Jade Bodhi he always wore on his wrist and wrapped it, coil by coil, around Jiang Yu’s slender wrist.
The cold Buddhist beads slithered like a spirit snake against her skin.
A shiver ran through Jiang Yu’s heart, and she withdrew her hand. “Husband… why are you tying me up?”
Pei Xiao lifted his gaze, his dark eyes unfathomable, and teased nonchalantly, “If Yu’er tries to brush me off again tomorrow, her husband will tie her hands and feet and punish her severely.”
“I wouldn’t!” Jiang Yu paled in fright, frantically trying to remove the beads from her wrist.
But the more she struggled, the tighter they became.
Pei Xiao held her hand and sighed softly.
Such a delicate kitten, so easily frightened and fragile—how would she endure in the future?
“I was only teasing.” Pei Xiao’s tone shifted as he kissed the red marks on her slender wrist through the cold beads. “This is your husband’s amulet. Wear it so you won’t have nightmares at night.”
His voice, gentle as a spring breeze, soothed the ripples in Jiang Yu’s heart.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yu stammered tentatively, “Husband, tonight… could you stay in the study?”
“How could I disobey my wife’s orders?” Pei Xiao ruffled her hair, then got up with his pillow and bedding, reluctantly heading out of the bedchamber.
As the door cracked open, a gust of night wind swept in.
“Put on something warm!” Jiang Yu called out, watching his lean figure depart, her reminder coming out of habit.
Her soft voice reached Pei Xiao’s ears halfway. He straightened his back and turned around.
Jiang Yu’s almond-shaped eyes glistened with unshed tears as she curled up in the blankets, sweet and soft like a kitten.
A doting wife like her was addictive—once touched, it was easy to lose all reason…
Pei Xiao’s throat moved. “Yu’er, don’t forget about tomorrow.”
Jiang Yu quickly turned over and lay down, mumbling a vague “Mm.”
She would deal with tomorrow when it came—surely her husband wouldn’t actually imprison her, would he?
Pei Xiao said nothing more. His footsteps faded into the distance, and the oppressive atmosphere in the room seemed to dissipate along with them.
Jiang Yu breathed a sigh of relief, gazing absently at the bed curtains as she reminisced about the past three years…
The Jiang and Pei families had arranged a marriage between their children since infancy.
Three years ago, Jiang Yu traveled from Gusu to the capital to marry into the Pei family at the Grand Tutor Residence.
That very night, thieves broke into the Pei residence, and a great fire consumed half the estate.
The shock of the event left Jiang Yu with hazy memories of that night.
After lying unconscious for several months, she awoke to find Pei Xiao constantly at her bedside, caring for her day and night.He traveled to the border to seek medicine for her illness, chanting scriptures day and night for her swift recovery, until Jiang Yu awoke…
Her husband was no ordinary man; within three years he had risen to a high position, yet he remained attentive and considerate toward Jiang Yu, fulfilling his duties diligently.
Over time, Jiang Yu gradually developed feelings for him and grew closer.
But a series of nightmares shattered this facade of marital harmony.
Jiang Yu was almost certain they weren’t dreams—they were fragments of her lost memories.
It seemed their wedding day held hidden secrets.
So, did she truly know the man sharing her bed?
“Yu’er!”
Pei Xiao’s voice suddenly came from outside the door, carrying a chill.
His tall figure cast a mottled shadow on the window, ghostlike in its distortion.
Jiang Yu shuddered, immediately closing her eyes tightly and pressing her lips together.
Pei Xiao glimpsed through the window the rigid-backed figure on the bed—clearly feigning sleep.
“Yu’er…” Pei Xiao bowed his head in prolonged silence toward the door.
“The medicine for your headache is ready. Remember to drink it.”
Jiang Yu remained unresponsive. Pei Xiao had no choice but to crack the door open and slip in a food container. “Drink it while it’s warm. Don’t let it cool.”
Jiang Yu muffled a response from under the quilt, “Husband, you should rest early too.”
“It’s fine. I’ll watch over you until you sleep. If you need tea or water, just call for me.”
The door creaked shut.
Jiang Yu’s heart was in turmoil.
Her husband always treated others with spring-like warmth, and she had always seen him as pure and noble like a jade-faced Buddha. Could he really be the man from her dreams?
Jiang Yu couldn’t jump to conclusions. Recalling recent events, she realized the nightmares began after returning from the Princess Manor.
Tomorrow, she would revisit the Princess Manor to investigate properly…
Meanwhile, as the door gap closed, the faint candlelight vanished.
Pei Xiao stood abandoned in the darkness, drawing out a rusted copper lock to secure the door.
But the iron chain felt too cold—it might frighten his little kitten.
He plucked Jiang Yu’s favorite Rose of Sharon, threading the blossoms through the chain to create a vibrant display.
Leaning down, he kissed the petals and whispered, “Sweet dreams, Yu’er.”
Only when the room’s occupant breathed steadily did he retreat to the courtyard.
Deep night had fallen, palace lanterns flickering unpredictably between light and shadow.
Pei Xiao concealed himself beneath dappled tree shadows, his gaze locked on the delicate silhouette against the window paper. “Qian Ren, who has Madam been associating with recently?”
The guard bowed in report: “Your Excellency, Madam only visited the Princess Manor to meet with Princess Ruiyang and her daughter.”
“Princess Ruiyang?”
In that case, had Princess Ruiyang done something to make Jiang Yu so distraught?
Some filthy flies simply didn’t know when to stop meddling…
“Yes!” The guard clasped his hands. “After all, Princess Ruiyang and Madam are distant relatives. They maintain close ties and frequently interact…”
“Yu’er is only my wife!” Pei Xiao leisurely interrupted the grating words.
What nonsense about relatives?
Jiang Yu had long belonged to him.
And to him alone.
“Madam isn’t feeling well. Send people to watch over her discreetly.” Pei Xiao narrowed his eyes, emphasizing, “I mean… no one is to disturb Madam’s peace.”
“Understood!” The guard replied with trepidation, clasping his hands. “What about Princess Ruiyang’s side…”
“What do you think?” Pei Xiao lifted his long lashes, the warmth in his eyes receding like the edge of an abyss being slowly unveiled—bottomless and dark.
Hah!
What fate awaits meddlesome flies?
“Tomorrow I’ll personally deliver her a grand gift!”