“I don’t understand!”
Wei Chenheng’s stern face was covered with frost, his voice cold as he said, “The Wei family’s etiquette involves bullying a frail woman in front of everyone the day after her wedding?”
“Heng’er!” Old Madam Wei was so angry she couldn’t speak. For twenty-five years, Wei Chenheng had been completely obedient to her, yet now he dared to talk back because of a mere concubine.
“Heng’er, we weren’t bullying her. How can you say that? I was teaching her proper etiquette!”
“No need. I’ll teach my own woman myself.”
Beneath the man’s eyes, a faint red tint concealed a bloodthirsty ferocity. “If this happens again, no matter who it is, I won’t show mercy!”
Seeing things develop this way, Ning Wanwan shrank in Wei Chenheng’s arms, not daring to speak. She had only wanted to borrow a knife to kill, to diminish Second Aunt Wei’s arrogance, never intending to drive a wedge between Wei Chenheng and his mother.
After saying this, Wei Chenheng carried her out with a cold expression.
The main hall had already descended into chaos.
Second Aunt Wei cried, “Sister-in-law, this little vixen has only been in the manor for one day and she’s already causing unrest. Look how she’s corrupted Heng’er!”
Second Uncle Wei: “It’s all your fault! Why did you have to talk about teaching etiquette? Wouldn’t it have been fine if she just drank the tea? Why did you have to make such a fuss!”
Second Aunt Wei defended herself: “I was only doing what’s best for our Wei family.”
Cousin Gu Qingyi: “Yes, Aunt. Look at Heng brother – he’s like a completely different person! Could it be that woman used some kind of seductive witchcraft…”
“All of you, keep quiet!”
These people’s endless chatter gave Old Madam Wei a headache. But after this commotion, her heart grew even heavier.
If she were just an ordinary woman from the pleasure quarters, that would be one thing. But she was a spy personally selected by Chancellor Ma and sent to Wei Manor – what good intentions could she possibly have?
What she feared most was that her son would become deeply entangled and ruin himself.
What kind of place was the Pavilion of Intoxicating Sounds? It was the most famous pleasure house in Great Jin City, filled with young girls carefully selected by traffickers to be trained as Yangzhou “thin horses” (courtesans).
Besides learning needlework, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and boudoir etiquette – these respectable skills for managing a household – the girls also studied spring palace paintings, singing tunes, and various seductive arts.
Chancellor Ma had deliberately chosen Ning Wanwan from the Pavilion of Intoxicating Sounds, adopted her as his goddaughter, and sent her to Wei Manor precisely to humble the Wei family.
What does it matter that your Wei family holds military power and has rendered great service? It can’t withstand my advice to the Emperor – just a few words from me and your Wei family is dismissed.
Want to become the Emperor’s son-in-law? No chance!
The Wei family only deserves to marry a woman from the pleasure quarters.
Thinking of this, Old Madam Wei turned pale as her headache flared up.
Seeing this, Gu Qingyi quickly shouted: “Quick, call a physician to examine the Madam!”
…
Meanwhile, Wei Chenheng had already carried Ning Wanwan back to their room, gently placing her on the bed.
This time his movements were tender, without the roughness of the previous night. But when their eyes met, Wei Chenheng prepared to examine her injuries.
“Ah?”
“Let me check your injuries.” He pressed his lips together, explaining: “I don’t mean anything else.”
“Even if my husband did mean something else, your wife wouldn’t be afraid.”
Seemingly amused by her, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
Wei Chenheng had sharp eyebrows and a tall nose bridge, appearing stern when not smiling yet refreshingly gentle when he did. Seeing the blue and purple bruises on her knees from being punished to kneel by Second Aunt, the man felt a pang of heartache.
“Does it hurt?” His rough, large hand gently ruffled her hair, both his movements and voice exceptionally tender.
A blush quickly spread across her cheeks, making her delicate face even more charming.
“With my husband here, it doesn’t hurt.”
Watch how my cheesy sweet talk wins you over!
The man’s eyes softened with emotion. He stood up, retrieved a bruise-relieving and pain-soothing ointment from the nearby cabinet, and returned to the bedside.
Dipping his finger in the ointment, he silently applied it to the bruises on her knees.
The young girl’s delicate brows furrowed tightly, her face paling slightly.
“Are there any other places?”
The girl nodded shyly, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, “My body hurts too…”
The man paused, his expression turning serious, and said, “Let me see.”
Blushing, the girl removed her clothing.
The bruises covering her body stood out starkly against her fair, tender skin, looking particularly distressing.
Wei Chenheng couldn’t bear the sight. He lowered his head and lovingly kissed her cheek.
“Sorry, I’ll be gentler next time.”
“Husband, you may do whatever you wish to this humble wife.”
Her face was flushed so deeply it seemed about to drip blood.
Wei Chenheng suppressed the fire burning within him, took out the bruise ointment, and quickly changed the subject, “Let me apply the medicine for you.”
But as the man continued applying the ointment, things began to take an unexpected turn.
Within the warm mandarin duck curtains, a fierce battle ensued.
…
Afterward, Wei Chenheng stood before the bed, adjusting his attire, his entire demeanor calm and restrained.
The young girl lay lazily, unwilling to move.
The man extended his dry, warm hand with slight calluses, directly covering the girl’s naked, delicate form with the quilt, not daring to look further.
“I’ll have someone bring in a basin of water to clean you.”
“Husband, please don’t…”
The girl’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her eyelashes slightly lowered, and a shy blush already coloring her cheeks. In her current state, she would be laughed at if the servants saw her.
“There’s no need to be shy. I’ll help you clean up.” The man added, as if casually remarking.
Ning Wanwan buried her blushing face in the quilt until she heard movement at the door. The maids had already prepared the water. The man personally helped her clean up, carefully reapplied the ointment, then had her put on her inner garments and sleeping trousers before waving for the two maids to enter the room.
“This humble servant Dong’er pays respects to Consort Wan.”
“This humble servant Chun’er pays respects to Consort Wan.”
The two young girls dressed in green ruqun each greeted Ning Wanwan.
“You’re new to Wei Manor and lack close attendants. From now on, these two will serve you closely.” The man’s brow relaxed, and he added, “I personally selected them. You can rest assured.”
Upon hearing this, Ning Wanwan quickly bowed slightly, “Thank you, husband.”
She hadn’t expected Wei Chenheng to be such a thoughtful person.
The two maids, seeing this, hurried forward to assist Ning Wanwan with dressing and grooming, then instructed the kitchen to set out breakfast: three meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, and one soup, all relatively light. Having been hungry for a full day and night and completely exhausted, Ning Wanwan ate a great deal.
Wei Chenheng stayed by her side, watching her eat, a faint smile gracing his handsome face as he said dotingly, “Is it delicious?”
“Very delicious.”
She took a bite of osmanthus cake, then felt her posture was improper and bashfully lowered her head, “Husband must find this amusing.”
In Wei Chenheng’s eyes, this was merely the charming shyness of a young maiden, utterly adorable.