20 – The Couple’s Relationship Warms Up
If it weren’t for Fu Qingzi drinking contraceptive medicine, she might have genuinely believed that Yin Zhen was blaming the road for his own shortcomings.
Qiao An felt helpless in the kitchen. Who could tell her why soy sauce in the Qing Dynasty was so much darker than in modern times? Could it be that this was concentrated, while modern versions were diluted with more water?
Qiao An quickly added more water to remedy the situation. Otherwise, if the color turned out too unappealing, her Azi would surely refuse to eat it.
As soon as the braised dish was ready, Qiao An took out a food box and placed some extra portions inside, planning to give them to Su Peisheng later.
The rest was set aside to cool before being sent to the front.
“Fu Qingzi,” Yin Zhen called softly.
Fu Qingzi, who was practicing calligraphy with a brush in hand, paused and looked up at Yin Zhen, a faint, almost imperceptible smile gracing her delicate and charming face, lending her a touch of gentleness. She pursed her lips and uttered a syllable from her throat, “Hmm?”
Yin Zhen’s face flushed red once again.
Fu Qingzi: “…” Why is he acting so strangely?
Fu Qingzi lowered her gaze back to the paper. Her calligraphy still needed more practice—it was too rigid, lacking a certain softness.
At that moment, Yin Zhen suddenly turned around and sat down behind her. His large hand gently enveloped her delicate one holding the brush, guiding it to write the characters “Yin Zhen” on the paper.
A flicker of helplessness flashed in Fu Qingzi’s eyes, and her enthusiasm for practicing calligraphy waned.
Seeing Fu Qingzi put the paper away and set it aside as if it were nothing, Yin Zhen’s expression stiffened slightly.
After an unknown length of time, it was Qiao An who entered and broke the awkward silence. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Qiao An hesitated at the doorway, unsure whether to step in or retreat, but ultimately braced herself and walked in.
As soon as Qiao An entered, the aroma of the braised dish filled the air, making Fu Qingzi’s mouth water. However, with Yin Zhen present, she restrained herself.
Fu Qingzi glanced at Yin Zhen, who appeared indifferent and unwilling to even look at her, and couldn’t help but frown slightly. Why was he being so temperamental again?
Fu Qingzi extended her hand toward Yin Zhen, the bell on her wrist jingling softly with a crisp sound. She didn’t know which evening Yin Zhen had placed it on her wrist, and since he never mentioned it, she never asked, letting things take their natural course.
Yin Zhen mimicked Fu Qingzi’s earlier behavior, pretending not to notice.
Fu Qingzi pondered carefully, wondering what she had done to upset him. Perhaps… her gaze drifted to the inconspicuous paper beside her…
She sighed softly. It was an unintentional act, so why had he taken it to heart?
Only then did Fu Qingzi, in front of Yin Zhen, carefully straighten the paper, deliberately leaving the characters “Yin Zhen” visible, before cautiously placing it in a box nearby.
Yin Zhen’s expression visibly softened, and he regarded Fu Qingzi with much more favor.
The tactic of giving a slap followed by a sweet date was something Fu Qingzi had mastered perfectly.
Fu Qingzi tentatively extended her hand toward Yin Zhen again, and this time, he grasped her smooth, fair, and delicate hand in return.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Fu Qingzi’s lips.
Qiao An: “…” There was really no need to flaunt their affection so openly in front of her.
Fu Qingzi’s favorite was braised duck heads. As soon as she took a bite, Yin Zhen wore a strange expression, as if to say, “Fu Qingzi, how could you eat something like this?”
Fu Qingzi looked up at Yin Zhen’s handsome face, which bore a hint of disdain, and a smile played on her lips as she whispered, “I love eating this.”
Yin Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly, as if making an important decision or coming to terms with something. After a long pause, he finally looked at Fu Qingzi’s smiling face.
Fu Qingzi truly didn’t want to bother with him. Just because he looked down on her, he wouldn’t eat it anymore?
Just when Fu Qingzi thought Yin Zhen wouldn’t touch it, he naturally picked up a duck head from the plate, his tone carrying obvious uncertainty: “Is it really that delicious?”
Fu Qingzi gave a slight nod. “Truly.”
Only after hearing Fu Qingzi’s words did Yin Zhen bring the duck head to his mouth, taking a tentative bite. It seemed quite good.
Qianjin, as if catching the scent again, kept trying to dart inside, while the Thirteenth Prince chased desperately behind, his voice occasionally drifting in: “Qianjin, wait for me, wait for me!”
Qianjin headed straight for Fu Qingzi, completely ignoring Yin Zhen, wagging its tail and panting at her, its hindquarters swaying left and right. If it were a person, one could only describe it as fawning.
Seeing Fu Qingzi, the Thirteenth Prince blushed with embarrassment, standing frozen, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
Fu Qingzi subtly nudged the frantically wagging Qianjin beside her with her foot, then turned her gaze to the Thirteenth Prince. Her eyes gentle, she smiled softly and said in a tender voice, “What your fourth brother enjoys, I imagine you would too.”
Qiao An clicked her tongue and shook her head from the side. Since when had Fu Qingzi become so gentle? It was downright eerie and annoyingly unfamiliar.
Yin Zhen’s dark eyes fixed directly on Fu Qingzi. So she knew he liked it?
Yin Zhen gave a light snort. She was quite good at guessing others’ preferences.
He then kicked Qianjin with great displeasure. Who was its master, anyway? This ungrateful creature.
Qianjin immediately bared its teeth at Yin Zhen, then obediently rolled over in front of Fu Qingzi, letting out a low whimper. If Fu Qingzi weren’t genuinely averse to dogs, Qianjin would actually be quite endearing.
Only then did the Thirteenth Prince sit down beside Yin Zhen, quietly reaching out to take a duck neck.
“My Lord, your dog needs training. It bared its teeth at you just now,” Fu Qingzi picked up the tea from the table, took a small sip, and said calmly.
Fu Qingzi was also reminding Yin Zhen not to pretend he hadn’t seen it—Qianjin had indeed bared its teeth at him.
“Do I need you to remind me?” Yin Zhen’s gaze carried a hint of pressure, his tone slightly cold.
The corner of Fu Qingzi’s lips curved, carrying a trace of barely perceptible provocation as she teased, “I was afraid you might have missed it.”
A soft chuckle escaped Yin Zhen’s throat. How could he not see through Fu Qingzi’s little schemes? She probably wanted to use his hand to get Qianjin out, while also making him lose face.
Fu Qingzi thought: Hmm, having a husband who’s too clever isn’t necessarily a great thing. At the very least, it makes it hard to play petty tricks.
Yin Zhen placed his large hand on Fu Qingzi’s head, giving it a gentle pat. A pleasant curve formed at the corner of his mouth as he said, “Hmm, patting Qianjin’s head is still more comfortable.”
Was he treating her like a dog?
Fu Qingzi’s expression turned slightly awkward. She shot Yin Zhen a resentful glare with her phoenix eyes. All eight hundred of her little schemes had been completely played out by Yin Zhen!
What was clearly an annoyed expression appeared charmingly coquettish in Yin Zhen’s eyes.
The Thirteenth Prince silently averted his gaze. This didn’t seem like something a child like him should be watching.
Qiao An glanced at this awkward little bean. Be good, you still have a few years before you can marry, but you’re not a child anymore. Watching more of this might help warm up marital feelings.
Watching others is fine, but don’t watch your fourth brother and sister-in-law—it might hasten the possibility of you and your future wife divorcing.
After seeing off the Thirteenth Prince, Yin Zhen returned to the Main Courtyard. Fu Qingzi glanced at him with a hint of surprise on her face—was he planning to stay here for good?