Shadow initially didn’t intend to follow, but worried that his master might lose control in his anger and rush in recklessly, he quickly followed behind, constantly checking the situation.
But before they even entered the courtyard, Hongye came out.
“Master, the young mistress is asleep, and Chunhuan is dozing in the room.”
The implication was clear: someone was inside, and entering rashly would be discovered.
Hearing this, Xiao Chengyan put his hands behind his back, not intending to leave, and said in a deep voice, “Get that girl out.”
Hongye paused, subconsciously glancing at Shadow, who nodded, indicating she should do as he said.
His master’s anger hadn’t subsided; he couldn’t just leave like that.
Soon, Hongye carried Chunhuan out. She had also lit a small amount of sleeping incense in the room—not much, but enough for the young mistress to have a good sleep.
Xiao Chengyan stepped into the room and closed the door.
There were no candles in the room, but moonlight streamed in through the window, enough for him to see everything clearly.
Xie Wanning lay on her side on the bed, her legs slightly bent under the brocade quilt, a small ball of flesh puffed up.
Half of her face was nestled in the embroidered pillow, so even sitting on the edge of the bed, he couldn’t see her whole face.
Xiao Chengyan slowly leaned down, his fingers tracing the curve of her profile. “You heartless thing, sleeping so comfortably.”
He couldn’t help but pinch the tip of her delicate nose.
Xie Wanning felt uncomfortable, her brows furrowed, and she let out a soft moan. Then she slowly shifted her position, lying down in a different spot.
She didn’t wake up.
Because of the change in position, the brocade quilt was kicked off, revealing a light pink nightgown underneath, and her slender neck and collarbone were faintly visible.
Xiao Chengyan slowly moved closer, his fingertips tracing her neck, his thin lips brushing against her nose and landing near her ear.
“I only want you to be okay, but this time… you provoked me first.”
He whispered, his voice hoarse with suppressed desire.
Just then, Xie Wanning tilted her head back slightly, her lips touching his chin, causing Xiao Chengyan’s eyes to surge with emotion.
A moment later, she pulled her arms from under the quilt and unconsciously wrapped them around his neck.
…
Xie Wanning suddenly opened her eyes and sat up abruptly.
Looking at her familiar surroundings, she let out a long breath, her terrified expression slowly calming down.
It was all a dream!
She had dreamt of Xiao Chengyan, and in the dream, she was with him…
Xie Wanning covered her eyes, not daring to continue recalling the dream. She wanted to get out of bed, but as soon as she moved her legs, she felt something was wrong.
Xie Wanning threw back the covers, saw the messy scene, and quickly covered herself again.
Her heart suddenly raced, her hand covering her lips trembled slightly, and when she looked up, she didn’t see Chunhuan in the room. Her heart jumped into her throat.
“Xiao Huan… Xiao Huan…”
she called in a low voice. A moment later, Chun Huan came in with hot water.
“Miss, you’re awake.”
“Xiao Huan… where did you go?”
Xie Wan Ning’s voice was filled with fear. Seeing something was wrong, Chun Huan quickly put down the hot water and went over, whispering, “I saw the time was almost up and thought you were about to wake up, so I went to get you some hot water. What’s wrong?”
Xie Wan Ning grabbed her hand, her voice trembling, and asked, “Where were you last night?” Chun
Huan was puzzled, but still said, “I was in your room the whole time.” ”
You didn’t go out?”
“No.”
Chun Huan shook her head. Seeing her expression, she said, “Don’t worry, Miss, I was guarding inside. Hong Ye was outside. No one could enter our courtyard.”
“Miss, did you have a nightmare?”
Xie Wan Ning was truly panicked. She looked at Chun Huan, beckoned her closer, and whispered a few words.
Chunhuan wasn’t frightened after hearing this. Instead, she chuckled softly and said, “Miss, don’t be afraid. This is called Spring Tide.”
“What?” Xie Wanning looked puzzled.
Chunhuan leaned closer and whispered in Xie Wanning’s ear, “Before I came, Granny Zhang told me that women sometimes think about sex like men, and they even dream about it. When they wake up, it feels like they’ve really had sex.”
“This happens about a few days after your period ends. Counting your last period, that’s about right.”
Xie Wanning’s face flushe d red, and her voice was barely audible. “But…but I’ve never done this before.”
“That’s because you haven’t had sex before, so naturally you won’t. Before you got married, Granny Zhang was afraid you’d be too shy, so she didn’t tell you these things, but she told me privately.” After
saying that, Chunhuan whispered again, “Miss, Granny Zhang said that women are very likely to conceive during this time. If you really want a child, this is an opportunity.”
Xie Wanning’s face burned even hotter at these words, but what Chunhuan said made perfect sense, and she really had to consider it.
She calmed herself down for a while before saying, “Xiaohuan, help me wash up.”
She knew it would be evening anyway, so she needed to get herself clean first.
After a peaceful breakfast, Xie Wan Ning was discharged from the hospital and went to Madam Xiao’s room. Hong Ye was relieved to see that she hadn’t suspected anything.
Xie Wan Ning had only intended to go to Madam Xiao’s room to curry favor and then return, but unfortunately, she ran into Aunt Yue who was there to pay her respects.
Aunt Yue was a little younger than Madam Xiao; although she was in her early thirties, she still had a youthful appearance and wore fashionable clothes.
Xie Wan Ning noticed that Madam Xiao’s expression darkened as soon as she saw Aunt Yue, so she lowered her head and remained silent, pretending to be invisible.
Aunt Yue didn’t leave after paying her respects, which greatly annoyed Madam Xiao. Over the years, she had become too tired to argue with Aunt Yue and only hoped that she would die soon.
Unexpectedly, Consort Yue was not arrogant at all; instead, she knelt before Madam Xiao.
Madam Xiao, far from being pleased, frowned deeply. “What are you doing?”
Consort Yue said softly, “Madam, please forgive my rudeness, but I truly have a request to make of you.”
Madam Xiao sneered, “You think you can ask me for something?”
Consort Yue lowered her head, leaning slightly to show weakness. “It was all my fault before, I know I was wrong. I only beg Madam to consider that Consort Liu once bore a child for the eldest young master and ask the renowned physician to treat her.”
“Didn’t you get her a doctor? Why come to me?”
Madam Xiao’s anger flared instantly upon hearing Consort Yue mention Consort Liu.
Before she could say anything else, she heard Concubine Yue say, “The previous doctor was incompetent. I heard that Madam knows a highly skilled physician who even came to our manor yesterday, so I mustered up the courage to come and ask for his help. I’m doing this for the sake of the young master’s offspring, Madam.”
Xie Wan Ning understood immediately upon hearing this.
Concubine Yue’s real intention was not what it seemed; she had come to support Madam Liu.
Madam Xiao wasn’t stupid; she naturally understood the hidden meaning in Concubine Yue’s words, but she didn’t delve into it.
In her view, it didn’t matter who got hurt in the infighting between two lowly concubines.
But Concubine Yue wasn’t content with just controlling the Marquis’s favor; she was also meddling in her son’s affairs—that was truly going too far.
“Your eyes and ears are quite sharp. You must have had someone watching my every move in this courtyard, right?”
Madam Xiao’s voice was cold and sharp. Concubine Yue hurriedly said, “This concubine wouldn’t dare. I really only found out by chance.”
“Ha, what a coincidence. It seems the Marquis has really spoiled you all these years. As a concubine, you dare to inquire about the trivial matters of the mistress’s courtyard. Do you really think this Marquis’s mansion is your own domain?”
Madam Xiao’s expression hardened, and she immediately ordered, “Granny Qi, drag her away and slap her twenty times. Make her kneel in the ancestral hall. No one is allowed to let her out without my permission.” Concubine
Yue didn’t have time to plead before Granny Qi covered her mouth and dragged her away.
Xie Wan Ning witnessed the end of this farce. Madam Xiao suddenly called her name, “Wan Ning!”
“Daughter-in-law is here.”
Xie Wan Ning walked up to her and answered with her head down.
“Raise your head!”
Madam Xiao’s voice was cold and sharp, and Xie Wan Ning had no choice but to obey.
Their eyes met, and Madam Xiao’s eyes were as cold as frost, revealing ruthlessness.
Xie Wanning’s heart pounded like a drum.