“What?” Jiang Zhaoyue asked, puzzled.
Pei Jingzhou looked down with displeasure.
Following his gaze, Jiang Zhaoyue was surprised to find that she had burrowed into Pei Jingzhou’s quilt, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck and one leg draped over his waist, clinging to him like an octopus.
She looked up at Pei Jingzhou and asked, “How did this happen?”
“You should ask yourself.”
“I don’t know.”
“…” Jiang Zhaoyue was too clingy. No matter whether Pei Jingzhou wrapped her in the quilt or tied her up in it, she always managed to wriggle out, snuggle up to him, and sleep pressed against him.
On his wedding day, he had risen early, and spent the entire wedding night handling affairs at the yamen.
The next morning, he returned to perform the tea ceremony with Jiang Zhaoyue and have her name entered into the family register.
He was busy until noon, when he had lunch.
In the afternoon, he only managed to sleep for two hours in the study.
At night, he was up late again with Jiang Zhaoyue. Exhausted, he couldn’t help but fall asleep, only to wake up and find Jiang Zhaoyue nestled in his arms, her arms wrapped around him and her long leg draped over his body.
He couldn’t push her away, nor could he wake her.
Now, he didn’t want to argue with her about why she had ended up sleeping in such a bizarre position. Instead, he said coldly, “Can you let go?”
“Oh, sure.” Jiang Zhaoyue, however, didn’t move.
“What are you doing now?”
“My leg is a bit numb.”
Pei Jingzhou reached out and pushed Jiang Zhaoyue’s leg aside.
“Hey, hey, hey, slow down.” Jiang Zhaoyue hurriedly withdrew her arms, but the numbness in her right leg was intense. Instinctively, she reached out and pressed against something.
Her hand landed squarely on Pei Jingzhou’s chest.
It felt a bit soft.
A bit firm.
And warm.
The texture was indeed wonderful!
Her restless hands, beyond her control, grabbed twice.
A tingling sensation shot through Pei Jingzhou’s body and mind. He gritted his teeth and said, “Jiang Zhaoyue!”
“Ouch, my leg, it’s numb.” Knowing Pei Jingzhou was about to lose his temper, Jiang Zhaoyue pretended nothing had happened and used both hands to massage her right leg.
Freed from her grasp, Pei Jingzhou threw off the quilt and got out of bed.
Jiang Zhaoyue’s right leg was no longer numb. She looked down at her hands. Although she hadn’t intentionally pressed against his chest, those two grabs had been somewhat… involuntary.
“Someone,” Pei Jingzhou called for the maid Yingge to attend to him.
Yingge hurried in and saw that Second Master was already up, while Second Mistress was still lying in bed.
Her face was fair, her eyes drowsy, exuding a natural charm and innocence.
But!
But as a newlywed, shouldn’t she rise early to attend to her husband’s washing and dressing?
She was dissatisfied with Jiang Zhaoyue, but she was merely a lowly maid in Pei Jingzhou’s service, with little influence and unable to do anything about it.
All she could do was serve Pei Jingzhou diligently, hoping that one day he would divorce Jiang Zhaoyue.
Naturally, Pei Jingzhou had no idea what Yingge was thinking. After washing up, he left immediately.
Jiang Zhaoyue lingered in bed for a while before lazily getting up. Stepping out of the bedchamber, she saw Pei Jingzhou sitting upright at the table, drinking tea.
Today, he wore a robe the color of secret celadon porcelain, with slender crimson patterns woven into the fabric. It looked elegant yet carried a hint of joy, extremely pleasing to the eye.
Ah.
Being able to see such a stunning man every night before sleep and every morning upon waking truly brought her joy.
She smiled and called out, “Second Master.”
Pei Jingzhou stood up but didn’t look at her, his expression indifferent as he said, “Let’s go.”
“Where to?” Jiang Zhaoyue asked curiously.
“To pay respects to Father and Mother.”
Oh, right.
Jiang Zhaoyue had nearly forgotten. She nodded. “Mm.”
Pei Jingzhou walked out of Linhua Courtyard.
Jiang Zhaoyue followed him out, but as they walked, she gradually fell far behind Pei Jingzhou.
“Second Mistress, let’s walk faster,” Xiang Qiao reminded.
Jiang Zhaoyue simply stopped walking.
“Second Mistress.” It was one thing for the Second Mistress to be willful at the Chengnin Marquis Mansion, but now that she had married the Second Master of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion, she should regard her husband as her heaven. How could she throw a tantrum again? Xiang Qiao immediately felt a sense of dread.
Jiang Zhaoyue called out, “Second Master.”
Hearing this, Pei Jingzhou stopped and turned around.
“I can’t keep up with you.” Yesterday, with Pei Heng present, Pei Jingzhou had accommodated her, deliberately walking very slowly. Today, with Pei Heng absent, he no longer pretended. Jiang Zhaoyue bluntly stated the fact.
Pei Jingzhou frowned and waited.
Only then did Jiang Zhaoyue step forward to stand before Pei Jingzhou, then complained, “You’re tall, with long legs, and you walk so fast. You’re not considerate at all.”
Xiang Qiao was startled upon hearing this, secretly glancing at Pei Jingzhou.
Pei Jingzhou looked at Jiang Zhaoyue, wanting to say something but refraining, yet he slowed his pace.
Xiang Qiao was astonished, thinking to herself, “The Second Master actually… actually didn’t reprimand the Second Mistress?”
Noticing the change in Pei Jingzhou, Jiang Zhaoyue said, “Second Master, walking like this is just fine. I can keep up with you.”
Pei Jingzhou did not respond.
“Second Master, you’re so good.”
“…”
“Second Master—”
“Be quiet for a while.”
“Alright.” Jiang Zhaoyue strode forward and grabbed Pei Jingzhou’s sleeve.
Pei Jingzhou turned to look at her.
“This way, you can feel my presence and won’t end up walking too fast again.”
“What kind of behavior is this?” Pei Jingzhou pulled his sleeve back.
Jiang Zhaoyue grabbed it again.
Pei Jingzhou pulled it back.
Jiang Zhaoyue grabbed it once more.
Pei Jingzhou pulled it back again.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at Songqing Hall.
Seeing this, Pei Maokun said happily, “Look how well the young couple gets along.”
Madam Wang, however, had a dark expression. As Jiang Zhaoyue and Pei Jingzhou entered the hall, she spoke displeasedly, “As a daughter-in-law of the Guogong Mansion, every word and action should be dignified. What kind of appearance is this, pulling and tugging?”
“Mother, it was my fault for lacking propriety.” Before Pei Maokun or Jiang Zhaoyue could speak, Pei Jingzhou stepped forward, bowed, and admitted his mistake.
Hearing this, Pei Maokun was delighted.
Jiang Zhaoyue felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this.
Pei Jingzhou was the most knowledgeable and proper person—how could he possibly lack propriety?
Clearly, he was protecting Jiang Zhaoyue!
Madam Wang was inwardly furious, but since her son had spoken this way, if she pursued the matter further, she would only put him in a difficult position. She had no choice but to let Jiang Zhaoyue off.
“A little playful bickering between husband and wife is normal. Sit, sit, everyone sit,” Pei Maokun said.
Jiang Zhaoyue and Pei Jingzhou sat down to the side.
Unwilling to engage with Jiang Zhaoyue, Madam Wang remained silent, so Pei Maokun took the initiative to ask about Jiang Zhaoyue’s situation in the Guogong Mansion.
Jiang Zhaoyue replied, “Father, your daughter-in-law is doing well in every way.”
“That’s good. Tomorrow, you’ll be taking Jingzhou for the Returning to the natal home.”
“Yes.”
Pei Maokun took a booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Pei Jingzhou. “These are the gifts your mother and I have prepared. Organize them and take them to the Chengnin Marquis Mansion tomorrow.”
When did this happen?
Madam Wang was unaware that Pei Maokun had secretly prepared gifts for Jiang Zhaoyue. He truly doted on this useless girl. She seethed inwardly.
Pei Jingzhou accepted it with both hands. “Yes.”
Jiang Zhaoyue bowed to Pei Maokun and Madam Wang in gratitude.
“After breakfast, go back and prepare,” Pei Maokun said.
“Yes,” Jiang Zhaoyue and Pei Jingzhou responded.
Breakfast passed smoothly and uneventfully.
Jiang Zhaoyue and Pei Jingzhou returned to Linhua Courtyard.
“Second Sister-in-law!” The little one, Pei Heng, was waiting in the courtyard, holding a rattan ball.
Jiang Zhaoyue rubbed her forehead.
“Let’s play rattan ball!” Pei Heng dashed over to Jiang Zhaoyue.
“I’m very busy today, no time for rattan ball.”
“What are you busy with?”
“I need to sort out my dowry.”
“I’ll help you!” Pei Heng was incredibly enthusiastic.
Jiang Zhaoyue had a sudden idea: “Alright.”
Pei Heng was instantly overjoyed.
Jiang Zhaoyue turned to Pei Jingzhou and asked, “Second Master, may I see what gifts Father and Mother have prepared?”
Pei Jingzhou handed the ledger to Jiang Zhaoyue.
She unfolded it and took a look—good heavens, the Duke was truly generous, listing a long string of items like coral, ginseng, and so on. She said, “None of these need to be sent.”
Pei Jingzhou was taken aback.
Jiang Zhaoyue said, “They don’t deserve it.”
Pei Jingzhou had tolerated Jiang Zhaoyue’s eccentric and willful nature, among other things, but as a filial son, hearing her speak of his father this way displeased him: “Is that how you speak of your own parents?”