Caught in a Secret Rendezvous.
One had to admit, she was truly bold.
That day was her brother-in-law’s wedding banquet. As the Young Mistress of the household, she naturally had to receive and welcome guests.
Yet she had chosen that very day to arrange a meeting with him—was she not afraid of being discovered? The guests coming and going in the mansion that day were all aristocratic and influential families of Jingcheng, and there might even have been members of the imperial clan.
If the affair were exposed, both he and she would be utterly disgraced, left with no place to bury their bodies.
During these days, listening to Yan Huaixiao pour out his grievances, he had learned quite a bit about the marriage between Yan Chiyun and Pu Wange. Perhaps due to his own bitterness, Yan Huaixiao answered every question, unexpectedly sharing many casual remarks without suspecting his curiosity.
Yan Huaixiao explained that Yan Chiyun and Pu Wange had been betrothed early on, not out of mutual affection but due to ancestral ties.
Though married for many years, they had always treated each other with formal respect. Yan Chiyun left early and returned late, while Pu Wange busied herself with household affairs. Sometimes they wouldn’t even see each other for a month, so distant they hardly seemed like a married couple—more like colleagues cooperating out of necessity.
Yan Huaixiao said he had no interest in romantic entanglements and did not wish to follow the elders’ arrangements, precisely because he feared ending up in such a cold, indifferent Marriage Alliance. What meaning was there in that?
They had been married for nearly four years without any Offspring. Now, with the family pressing for heirs, they had grown somewhat closer. But once a child was born, they might revert to their previous state.
He also mentioned the scene of their wedding. Because his elder brother was highly favored by the Emperor, that day, aside from the aristocratic families, even the Crown Prince from the Eastern Palace attended—truly a grand and honorable occasion.
Thinking of this, Cheng Wenque couldn’t help but wonder: on Yan Huaixiao’s wedding day, would someone from the palace also come? Even if not, the various aristocratic families, out of respect for the Yan Family’s status, would surely come to offer congratulations.
If it were not Yan Huaixiao’s wedding but that of another member of the Yan Family, he could have followed Yan Huaixiao around, indirectly having him make introductions.
But this time, as the groom, Yan Huaixiao naturally wouldn’t have time for him. Although he was staying with the Yan Family as a guest, he held no real status. Approaching others on his own might invite disdain and ridicule.
So on this day, whether to keep Pu Jinyu hooked or for other reasons, he had to take the risk and meet with her, offering some “benefits.”
This would also be an opportunity to probe the relationships and networks among the aristocratic families of Jingcheng, to see which were close to the Pu and Yan families, and whether they could be of use to him in the future for maneuvering.
Through their interactions these past days, he had roughly discerned some of Pu Jinyu’s habits.
Outwardly, she appeared dignified, noble, generous, and proper, but at her core, she was dissolute and unrestrained.
Things went more smoothly than he had imagined. Without much effort, he had won her favor.
Since she had arranged to meet him that day in advance, she must have made all the necessary arrangements to prevent any leaks. After all, the status of the Yan and Pu families was high, and aristocratic Marriage Alliances were no trivial matter. She would absolutely not allow the slightest mistake that could plunge her into mortal peril.
It must be understood that a woman’s reputation was far more important than a man’s—almost more precious than life itself. Once compromised, it would be utterly ruined, making life worse than death.
Even if she sought illicit pleasures, she would not destroy herself.
With this thought, Cheng Wenque felt slightly reassured and carefully burned the letter to avoid leaving any evidence.
Before Yan Chiyun finished bathing, Pu Jinyu had already received Cheng Wenque’s reply, discreetly delivered by a young maid. He agreed, saying that staying at the Yan Family was already an imposition, and he would follow the young mistress’s arrangements in all matters.
These were all polite formalities, their deeper meaning understood only by the two of them.
When Yan Chiyun emerged, she was sitting on the bed waiting for him.
Originally, he still had to go to the study to handle official duties. There were far too many cases involving gambling dens, and even though the officials at the Northern Pacification Office were quite capable, when it came to issues of tax evasion and concealment, he had to personally review almost every ledger to avoid any oversights.
But seeing the young woman obediently waiting for him on the bed, recalling how she had scratched his palm and urged him to bathe, saying she would wait for him, Yan Chiyun paused for a moment. For the first time, he set aside his official duties and did not go to the study.
The subordinate who had been waiting outside the study earlier, seeing his master return to the inner chamber, tactfully led the others away and withdrew.
Pu Jinyu hadn’t expected Yan Chiyun, who had clearly been about to go to the study, to change his plans at the last moment.
Seeing this, she curved her lips slightly toward the man.
As Yan Chiyun sat down beside Pu Jinyu, the young maids extinguished most of the candles as usual, bowed their heads, and quietly left.
The moment Yan Chiyun drew near, she rose slightly, leaned closer to him, and knelt halfway on the bed to massage and knead his shoulders.
As the young woman approached, he caught the faint, rich fragrance, mingled with the scent of rouge.
At first, he hadn’t been fond of the smell of cosmetics, but through his recent closeness and time spent with Pu Jinyu, he had not only grown accustomed to it but had even come to like it somewhat.
He couldn’t quite tell whether he had grown fond of the scent of rouge and powder because of her, or if he only liked the rouge and powder she wore.
The young woman silently massaged his shoulders for a while. Yan Chiyun couldn’t see her face, but he could smell her fragrance and feel her soft hands.
Pu Jinyu’s hands appeared small and slender, delicate and boneless to hold, yet they were surprisingly strong, kneading his shoulders with a comforting touch.
Before long, Yan Chiyun turned sideways, pressed the back of her hand, and patted it gently to signal that it was enough.
Pu Jinyu withdrew her hand and was about to spread the bedding and lie down when the man reached out, pressed her shoulders, and began to knead them for her, just as she had done for him.
Pu Jinyu paused, clearly not expecting him to do this.
Her frame was slender, but his palms were large.
The moment his palm touched her shoulder, she felt the warmth unique to a man.
The strength of a martial artist went without saying, but he controlled his force with gentleness, inexplicably easing the stiffness in her shoulders and back, spreading waves of comfort slowly through her.
While massaging her shoulders, Yan Chiyun observed her profile. Seeing her brows and eyes relax imperceptibly, the corners of his lips also lifted uncontrollably.
“Comfortable?” he asked, inquiring about the pressure.
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she gave a soft hum of agreement.
The man who received her response chuckled softly. It wasn’t loud, but in the quiet of the inner chamber, it was clear enough for her to hear.
Just as Yan Chiyun switched hands to massage her other shoulder and neck, she suddenly turned to face him.
Yan Chiyun’s movements halted. He looked at her small face, examined her exquisitely made-up features, and finally fixed his gaze on her pupils, for within them, his own reflection was mirrored.
Through the dark, moist eyes of the Pu woman before him, he saw his own focused gaze upon her, indirectly and cleverly glimpsing the subtle stirrings of emotion he himself had not easily noticed.
If even he could perceive it, she must have noticed as well, right? Whether she had or not, she too was now looking intently at him.
Her hand suddenly reached out to take his, guiding it to caress her face.
Just as in previous days, when he returned home late at night and she was still awake, she had asked if she could touch his face, and he had agreed. Now, on this day, she was leading his hand to trace the contours of her own face.
The face beneath his palm was truly delicate, smaller than his hand, with exquisite features and evenly applied cosmetics outlining a perfect, dignified countenance.
Beneath this proper and restrained facade, however, lay an unusual boldness and allure.
She guided his fingertips to linger over the bridge of her nose and the curve of her brows, then released his hand.
Yan Chiyun began to caress her of his own accord, tracing her nose, her brows, the blush of her cheeks, following the same rhythm she had used when touching him that day.
Pu Jinyu obediently closed her eyes, and he gently stroked her long, thick lashes.
As his fingers moved, they brushed against some of the cosmetics. She truly loved applying rouge—so much that even the lightest touch left a trace on his skin.
Pu Jinyu allowed the man to examine her closely. She wanted him to remember this face—the face of Pu Wange.
In her previous life, she had spent over a decade with him wearing her elder sister’s appearance, and until her death, he had hardly ever truly looked at her. Unlike this life, where they were so intimate and he had even shown her considerable care.
He only knew her as Pu Wange, the legitimate daughter of the Pu Family, not as Pu Jinyu, the Outer Chamber Daughter born of a concubine.
But that was enough—more than enough. Yan Chiyun did not need to know who she truly was, and she could not let him see her original appearance.
If all went smoothly, once she had left the Yan Family and the Pu Family behind and departed Jingcheng, she could live again as Pu Jinyu, under her own name and face.
As Pu Jinyu pondered this, the man drew closer. Mimicking her actions from that day, he pressed a warm kiss between her brows.
Pu Jinyu’s fingers twitched slightly, and behind her closed eyelids, a flicker of amusement stirred. After his brief, fleeting kiss, she opened her eyes.
Then she took his hand again, guiding it downward along her cheek.
When his touch reached the area near her heart, Yan Chiyun’s gaze deepened.
The young woman’s every move was daring beyond measure, yet her posture—half-kneeling on the bed—was perfectly proper. Her voice was soft, but her words were strange and provocative. “This is your reward,” she whispered.
A reward?
A reward for what? For caressing her face so skillfully, for doing it so well?
Yan Chiyun’s eyes darkened as he pondered her words, his gaze never leaving her face.
He felt that sense of contradiction she evoked, that elusive and unsettling strangeness, rising within him once more.
In that moment, a question surfaced in his mind: Was she truly Pu Wange, the legitimate daughter of the Pu Family, known throughout society as cultured, proper, and dignified?
He thought not. She seemed more like a bewitching spirit wearing Pu Wange’s skin.
Elusive in her essence, she was dangerous yet captivating, stirring his heart with both unease and delight.
Noticing that the candles outside had not been fully extinguished, he used his free hand to remove the jade hook holding the bed curtains in place.
Layers of soft silk gauze hung down, obscuring the intimate scene within, leaving only blurred silhouettes visible. The two had not yet lain down.
Inside the curtained canopy, the light instantly turned dim and dusky, though it remained much brighter than before.
Yan Chiyun felt a growing warmth, stirred by the way she held his hand and guided his movements.
The young woman before him wore loose undergarments that had not been fully removed. Her dark hair cascaded down to her waist, swaying with the movement of her wrists.
How did she know so many tricks? She faced him directly, holding his hand, letting him watch as she guided him to draw closer to her.
In that brief moment, his breathing grew increasingly heavy and fervent.
Pu Jinyu lowered her lashes, her pearly teeth lightly biting her moist, full lips. He could see the faint marks left by her teeth on her lips.
Just by looking at her lips, he longed to kiss her—the taste of her lips surfaced vividly in his mind.
Pu Jinyu kept her eyes downcast, naturally noticing the man’s rising ardor.
The hidden amusement in her eyes grew deeper.
This Yan Chiyun, the head of the Yan Family, who had always been aloof and untouchable, radiant as the moon after rain—wasn’t he now entirely under her guidance? Changing gradually according to her whims.
Her Legal Mother had spoken of him as lofty and unattainable, claiming only her legitimate elder sister was worthy of him.
But was that truly the case?
His change was because of her, not her elder sister.
In the past, when she had assumed her elder sister’s identity and consummated the marriage with him in a proper, restrained manner, he had never shown such transformation—his breathing had never been so heavy.
And now, he no longer needed her to guide him by the hand; he was already drawing closer to her of his own accord.
Pu Jinyu tilted her delicate face slightly upward. He saw her slender, fair neck and her slightly parted lips. She panted softly, just as she had in the past, with a delicate, breathless quality.
Seeing this, Yan Chiyun’s eyes darkened. He leaned down, intending to kiss her.
But at the moment he drew near, she pushed him away, one wrist resisting his approach.
He paused, studying her intent. Before he could fully understand, he realized what she wanted.
She took his free hand and guided it to touch and caress his chest.
The young woman did not speak. She looked up at him, silently conveying what she wanted him to do.
Yan Chiyun was not a slow-witted person; how could he not understand?
As she desired, he guided her hand through his white inner robe, leading her to explore his chest and trace the contours of his abdominal muscles.
Pu Jinyu felt he had caught on. She stopped guiding his hand, since both of the man’s large palms were now occupied.
Her eyes followed the path his hand traced as he guided hers.
Yan Chiyun was not only exceptionally handsome in appearance—his physique was equally captivating.
She had always felt aversion toward matters of love and men, but now her gaze was involuntarily fixed on his abdominal muscles. Their pleasing form sparked a flicker of interest in her.
Yan Chiyun guided her hand repeatedly over his chest, abdominal muscles, and the lines of his veins.
Seeing her focused, unwavering gaze fixed intently on him, his heart gradually felt fulfilled.
Her pleasure further amplified his own.
“Are you satisfied?” he asked her.
Pu Jinyu’s fingertips paused slightly. She raised her eyes to meet his, finding them filled with a light laugh. She did not answer.
After a moment of locked gazes, she broke free from his guidance, struggled free from his restraint, and ventured elsewhere on her own.
Yan Chiyun watched as she drew closer, his eyes fixed on her hand.
Perhaps it was because her hands were truly too slender and beautiful, making him feel that he was ugly and hideous, unworthy of being with her.
But feelings cannot deceive.
This time, he actually had the thought to extinguish the candlelight, and indeed spoke up. When he opened his lips to discuss it with her, he realized his voice was low and hoarse.
“Shall we put out the candle?”
Pu Jinyu smiled inwardly. Why put out the candle? She wanted to admire the changes in his expression.
To see how this lofty man, whom her Legal Mother said only her legitimate elder sister was worthy of matching, was being toyed with in her hands.
It was just a pity that she couldn’t let others see his debased state.
She watched him without speaking, her movements also coming to a halt.
This meant she was unwilling.
What else could Yan Chiyun do but comply with her? He leaned down and gently pecked her lips, a gesture of compromise.
Pu Jinyu finally did not stop.
Both were drawing closer to each other.
But Yan Chiyun was more uncomfortable because, after all, their situation was different from last time. Last time, at least it was an “even match,” with both sides holding control over each other.
But this time…
Just as he was about to follow suit, seeking the same, Pu Jinyu suddenly took matters into her own hands.
She lowered her head, her long hair cascading to the sides of her face. With this movement, her face was no longer visible. He smoothed her hair, tucking it behind her ears and back.
Holding the back of her head to bring her closer, his forehead pressed against hers.
It was already unclear whose forehead was hotter, but in any case, it was very warm.
He lowered his gaze, seeing the tip of her nose, and…
Why was she so bold? Where did these tricks come from? He truly couldn’t keep up.
He saw so clearly, so intimately, the closeness between him and her.
It was truly unbearable, and her movements were so slow. Whenever Yan Chiyun tried to regain control, she would sense his intention and immediately pause.
She looked at him, her beautiful round eyes lacking any aggression yet somehow fierce.
He smiled helplessly, signaling that he would let her take the lead and not move.
Only then was Pu Jinyu satisfied.
“…”
The process was somewhat tortuous, and it was clear she was struggling a bit.
She paused multiple times to rest, and Yan Chiyun endured it again and again, to the point where his face flushed crimson.
He couldn’t help but pant along with her, even more heavily than she did.
Yan Chiyun’s voice was as clear and smooth as snow. Usually, even when cold, it was pleasant to hear, let alone now, tinged with desire, uniquely captivating to the ear.
But Pu Jinyu had no mind to appreciate it. She felt somewhat out of control and decided to go all the way, rising directly.
With both hands resting on the man’s shoulders, she occupied the higher position, looking down and commanding him in a muffled voice.
Yan Chiyun complied with her arrangement, supporting her slender waist and helping her.
Even so, it was still difficult.
Large teardrops welled up in the corners of Pu Jinyu’s eyes. She felt like giving up.
With just a slight hesitation, he keenly saw through her intention to abandon the task halfway, finding it both amusing and exasperating.
However, Yan Chiyun did not make things too difficult for her. He accepted the mess she left behind and tried to tidy it up, but as soon as he began, she wrapped her arms around his neck, sniffling.
Yan Chiyun leaned closer, soothing her gently a couple of times. Unable to see Pu Jinyu’s face clearly, he didn’t know how she was reacting. He pondered for a moment.
In the end, he held her by the waist and lay down, restoring their usual closeness.
They had truly delayed for too long—she was uncomfortable, and he was in pain.
Yan Chiyun, while taking her comfort into account as much as possible, continued this intimacy…
Even so, she still began to cry.
She cried quite intensely, clinging to him, looking especially pitiful.
He reached out to wipe away the tears on her face, which had become murky from smeared rouge, and spoke to her softly, clumsily using words he had never spoken before to comfort her.
“…”
The next day, Pu Jinyu was awakened by footsteps outside. Someone was speaking—it seemed to be a woman.
The moment she opened her eyes, memories of the previous day gradually returned. She recalled that last night’s intimacy had lasted for a long time. Later, she was both sleepy and exhausted, barely managing to bathe and painstakingly apply her makeup before collapsing onto the bed and falling asleep instantly.
Unexpectedly, she had slept until the sun was high in the sky.
Siyan, hearing movement from the inner chamber, walked inside. Yan Mingxi, who had come to visit, followed her in and called out, “Sister-in-law.”
“Why has my sister-in-law come over?”
Pu Jinyu’s voice was slightly hoarse as she spoke. Siyan helped her dress, during which the intimate marks on her body were inevitably revealed.
As her personal maid, Siyan was already accustomed to such sights, but Yan Mingxi, after all, was an unmarried young lady. She blushed instantly, her eyes darting away. “Sister-in-law, I… I have something to discuss with you.”
She hadn’t expected Pu Jinyu to still be resting. She had just asked Siyan when she might wake up, and before Siyan could reply, sounds came from the inner chamber.
“What is it?”
Faced with Yan Mingxi’s shyness, Pu Jinyu remained unperturbed as she adjusted her silk shawl and smoothed her long hair to one side.
“Sister-in-law, please finish dressing first. I’ll wait for you in the outer chamber.” She hadn’t yet figured out how to broach the subject.
“Very well. Siyan, have someone bring tea and fruit for my sister-in-law.”
“Yes.”
Sitting before the bronze mirror, Pu Jinyu noticed that the marks on her body were more numerous than usual. It had been a long time since she had been intimate with Yan Chiyun, and the sudden consummation had left her feeling somewhat sore.
“Have you been too tired lately? Should I find a physician for you?”
Pu Jinyu had been busy preparing for Yan Huaixiao’s wedding banquet in recent days, hardly getting a proper night’s sleep.
And yesterday, she had…
Thus, when Yan Chiyun woke up this morning and saw her still sleeping deeply, he instructed those nearby not to disturb her and sent word to Madam Yan that she would not be able to attend to her for breakfast.
Upon learning that Yan Chiyun had returned home yesterday and that the two had been up half the night, requiring water, Madam Yan naturally understood. A short separation felt like a new marriage, after all, and it was all for the sake of the Yan Family’s offspring. She harbored no dissatisfaction.
Moreover, Pu Wange had always been a well-mannered and respectful daughter-in-law, never negligent in her duties over the years.
Pu Jinyu shook her head. “No need.”
She knew her own constitution well—it was merely mental fatigue. After resting for so long, she was already feeling much better.
She asked Siyan if she knew the purpose of Yan Mingxi’s visit. Siyan whispered that it seemed to be about Cheng Wenque.
“Oh?” Pu Jinyu showed a flicker of interest.
“I’ve heard that recently, the Fourth Young Miss has been trying to speak with that Master Cheng but has been politely refused each time. She also heard that you often help Master Cheng acquire items, so she likely wants to seek your assistance.”
Pu Jinyu smiled faintly but did not respond. She picked up a pearl hairpin and toyed with it in her hand—it was one Cheng Wenque had gifted her not long ago.
Just as Siyan had said, Yan Mingxi had indeed come to seek her help, hoping to learn about Cheng Wenque’s preferences so she could send him gifts and draw closer to him.
Pu Jinyu had not yet eaten breakfast. The young maidservants laid out the dishes on the table, and Yan Mingxi also accompanied her in eating a little, though she ate very little, chattering away nonstop the entire time.
During a pause when she grew tired of talking and stopped to take a sip of tea, Pu Jinyu suddenly and directly asked,
“Does my little aunt have a liking for Master Cheng?”
Her words instantly flushed Yan Mingxi’s face crimson. “Sister-in-law, you… what are you saying?”
Even though there were no outsiders present, this was far too direct!
“I just…” The words “I don’t” rolled on the tip of her tongue but never came out.
She took a deep breath and leaned in to whisper to Pu Jinyu, “Is it that obvious?”
Seeing Yan Mingxi’s expression as if facing a great enemy, Pu Jinyu inexplicably felt like laughing—and indeed, she did laugh. Smiling, she asked Yan Mingxi in return, “What do you think?”
Anyone in the Yan Family with eyes could see that she fancied Cheng Wenque. The fourth young lady, born into the highest-ranking family in Jingcheng, chasing after a young man from a humble background was more than enough to draw attention.
“Alright.” Yan Mingxi pursed her lips, her face growing even redder with embarrassment. “I suppose it is a bit obvious.”
Steeling herself, Yan Mingxi said, “Since you’ve noticed, Sister-in-law, I won’t hide it from you. I do like him—I liked him from the very first glance.”
Liked him from the very first glance? Pu Jinyu leisurely continued eating her meal. “Was it because of Young Master Cheng’s appearance?”
Cheng Wenque’s appearance was exceptionally outstanding, even rivaling Yan Chiyun’s in all of Jingcheng.
His looks resembled her sworn brother’s. In the past, her sworn brother had been a highly sought-after figure in the village, with many farming families coming to inquire about his marriage prospects.
Later, she was forced to leave the village and never learned how he was doing. Perhaps he had already married and had children—she just didn’t know who he had married.
“The first glance was indeed because of his appearance.” She felt that, in all of Jingcheng, her elder brother’s looks were already exceptionally fine, but she never expected that her third brother’s friend would be so handsome as well.
More importantly, although Cheng Wenque came from a humble background, he was courteous, neither servile nor overbearing, refined, and incredibly diligent. Even her mother had praised his conduct as commendable, which made her even more drawn to him.
In short, whenever she thought of him, everything about him seemed perfect, and she couldn’t help but reveal a foolish smile at the corner of her lips.
“Later… it wasn’t just because of his appearance.”
Yan Mingxi was eloquent in her heart, but when she opened her mouth, she stammered and couldn’t articulate her thoughts clearly. In any case, her face was flushed, red as if it were about to drip blood.
Yan Mingxi had never been hostile toward her, and as a sister-in-law, she was decent enough.
Seeing her like this, Pu Jinyu didn’t want to dampen Yan Mingxi’s spirits, but thinking about what she herself would have to do in the coming days, she decided to offer a subtle reminder.
“Young Master Cheng comes from a humble family. Even if he passes the Imperial Examination, you and he would still be mismatched.”
After all, the Yan Family was of such high status that even ordinary noble families could hardly measure up.
“What does his family’s humble background have to do with him? I don’t think it matters much. It’s just that he wasn’t born into a wealthy family. If he had been born into a prosperous household, then… then perhaps I wouldn’t even like him. How could he choose his own birth? I don’t think we should judge someone based on their family background…”
What she liked was the Cheng Wenque of the present, who hailed from Lanling.
Hearing her mention birth, Pu Jinyu’s memories were unconsciously drawn further back.
In her memories from years past, her mother’s concubine loved to talk about birth, because the concubine had wanted a son, but she was not one.
In order to use her as a stepping stone into the Pu Family, the concubine bribed the midwife to report that she had given birth to a boy.
From a young age, she was raised as a boy. As soon as she could run and jump in her childhood, she was made to disguise herself as a man, pretending to be someone she was not, all to please her biological father and encourage him to visit more often.
Every time her biological father, Lord Pu, came and went, her concubine mother would gaze at her face and murmur, “If only you were truly a boy?”
As a young child, she was deeply attached to her concubine mother and did not understand the true meaning of the disdain and regret in her words. She listened to her mother’s evasions and believed them wholeheartedly.
The words her concubine mother spoke were truly sweet, saying things like if she were a boy, her future path would not be so difficult.
Her mother claimed to pity her for being a girl, and a beautiful one at that. As an Outer Chamber Daughter, a woman had no status and would only be ostracized, bullied, and criticized behind her back. That was why she had her Disguised as a Man.
Recalling all these past events, Pu Jinyu felt nothing but profound foolishness. The pace of her chewing slowed further as thoughts of her concubine mother’s false affection made her stomach churn with disgust. It was truly nauseating.
She sneered inwardly. What her concubine mother had ever worried about was not her daughter’s smooth path in life, but her own road to wealth and luxury.
In recent days, she had handled the letters sent by her concubine mother with indifference—reading them and then burning them, never sending a reply, nor sending money or food as she had in the past.
She would never again show the slightest kindness to this woman who was unworthy of being a mother.
In her previous life, her concubine mother had used her so thoroughly, abandoned her countless times, and even cursed her for dying young after her death. How utterly vicious.
The more she reminisced, the less Pu Jinyu could eat. She set down her bowl and chopsticks.
“Sister-in-law, you… what’s wrong?” Yan Mingxi also noticed her complexion didn’t look quite right.
Pu Jinyu suddenly snapped back to attention and smiled, saying it was nothing. “Perhaps it’s because I just woke up and am still a bit sluggish.”
“Oh, I see.” Yan Mingxi said that if she wasn’t feeling well, she should have someone check on her to avoid any problems.
Pu Jinyu reassured her and urged her to continue.
Perhaps because Pu Jinyu had always been understanding and a good listener, Yan Mingxi poured out all her worries like beans from a sack.
On the surface, Pu Jinyu listened, occasionally meeting the other’s eyes and responding, but in truth, her mind was wandering, thinking about matters concerning the Pu Family.
Her rebelliousness had stirred the hatred of her Legal Mother. Now, posing as her Legitimate Elder Sister, her Legal Mother would not dare to take real action against her, though she might occasionally scold her. But crossing the line was out of the question.
That day, when her Legal Mother, in a fit of rage, had struck her and forced her to kneel, Yan Chiyun had nearly discovered it. After that, she certainly wouldn’t act recklessly again.
Unable to move against her, her Legal Mother would surely target her weakness—her concubine mother—subjecting her to all sorts of harassment behind her biological father, Lord Pu’s back.
But even if her concubine mother tried to influence Lord Pu with Pillow Talk, he would not confront her Legal Mother on her behalf. In his eyes, an Outer Chamber Concubine with no maternal family backing was utterly insignificant.
Her concubine mother should also experience the harsh life she had endured in her previous life, to understand just how unbearable it truly was.
But this was not enough, far from enough.
“…Sister-in-law, do you like my elder brother?”
Yan Chiyun had just returned from General Yan’s quarters and reached the doorway when he heard Yan Mingxi ask Pu Jinyu such a question.
He instinctively halted his steps, raising a hand to stop the young maid beside him from offering greetings. His gaze turned inward, past the gently swaying beaded curtain and jade screen, fixing on the seated figure of the young woman.
“What?” Pu Jinyu asked, slightly puzzled.
Why had the topic suddenly shifted to her and Yan Chiyun? Weren’t they just talking about Cheng Wenque?
“Sister-in-law, you and my elder brother have been married for over three years. Do you like him?”
Like? What kind of question was that? Of course she didn’t like him.
Yan Chiyun was indeed young and accomplished, exceptionally outstanding, but for her, there was no feeling of affection. Having lived a second life, her heart had long grown still, unable to stir any ripples again.
Just as Pu Jinyu was about to change the subject, her gaze shifted, and from the corner of her eye, she suddenly caught sight of a man’s figure in the nearby bronze mirror.
Her eyes paused for a moment. She lowered her gaze, then raised her lashes, smiling faintly as she said to Yan Mingxi, “My husband is outstanding, so naturally I am deeply fond of him.”
Yan Mingxi was not surprised by Pu Wange’s answer, as if it were only natural.
After all, her elder brother was the foremost among the young masters of Jingcheng, and now he also held significant power. Very few noblewomen did not admire him. If it weren’t for the marriage alliance already arranged between the Pu and Yan families, someone would likely have openly come to inquire long ago.
Even with the marriage alliance, some had privately and discreetly tried to sound out their mother’s intentions, hoping the engagement between the Pu and Yan families would fall through so they could take advantage.
Knowing that their mother had thoughts of taking a second wife, even prominent noble families had indirectly inquired on behalf of their legitimate daughters.
“Sister-in-law, you’re fortunate—able to stay together for a long time with someone you deeply admire and bear children. But I…”
In truth, Pu Jinyu understood everything Yan Mingxi said. Even if Cheng Wenque passed the Imperial Examination and secured an official position, it was highly likely that her father and mother would not agree.
After all, his family background was indeed too humble. She didn’t care about his family background, but that didn’t mean her father and mother wouldn’t. Moreover, the biggest issue now was that Cheng Wenque didn’t like her.
At first, he was polite, but now, for some reason, he avoided her intensely, making excuses that he needed to focus on his studies to prepare for the Imperial Examination.
What could she do when he said that? Chase after him? She… she already had.
Yan Mingxi poured out her grievances endlessly. Pu Jinyu feigned a sigh, saying, “What use is it that I deeply admire Yan Chiyun? He does not care for me.”
Hearing this, the man outside the door furrowed his brows slightly, “…”
Did she really think he didn’t care for her?
“Sister-in-law, you…” Yan Mingxi had thought her fourth sister would correct her on this statement.
Unexpectedly, she offered comfort instead, “Sister-in-law, don’t be too upset. Actually, elder brother is equally indifferent to everyone. Besides, haven’t you and elder brother been quite… intimate lately?”
She recalled the red marks she had seen on Pu Jinyu’s body earlier in the inner chamber.
It was simply unimaginable that someone as cold and restrained as her elder brother would leave such heavy marks. It must have taken considerable force to leave such obvious traces, right?
Thinking of this, Yan Mingxi felt somewhat awkward. Awkward as she was, she couldn’t help but glance curiously at Pu Jinyu, who had already covered herself up, so she couldn’t see anything.
“It’s all just for the sake of offspring,” Pu Jinyu continued, pretending to smile bitterly.
“Sis—” Before she could finish, Yan Mingxi caught sight of a tall figure entering from outside the door and immediately changed her words in a hurry, “Elder brother…”
“Elder brother, why have you come here?”
Wait, this was elder brother’s courtyard. Yan Mingxi nearly bit her tongue, smiling awkwardly, “Elder brother, you’re back.”
“Well… I have something to do. Sister-in-law, I’ll take my leave now.”
She had no idea when her elder brother had returned or how much he had overheard. If he knew the purpose of her visit…
He would surely reprimand her!
Yan Mingxi was close to Yan Huaixiao and had always been afraid of Yan Chiyun. After awkwardly uttering a few words, she slipped away as if her feet were greased.
Pu Jinyu called out to her, but she dared not respond.
She turned to meet the man’s gaze, curtsied in greeting, and said with a smile, “Has my husband had breakfast yet?”
Yan Chiyun looked at the smiling face of the woman before him, recalling the words he had just overheard—she praised him as outstanding, saying she adored him immensely. Why couldn’t he feel it?
Even during the nights, in those passionate moments, he hadn’t truly sensed her joy toward him.
Often, when he spoke to her, she would respond half-heartedly or ignore him altogether.
Was this immense affection? He felt even a hundredth or a tenth would be too much. The affection she spoke of always carried an inexplicable coldness and distance. He couldn’t pinpoint what was strange, but it felt somewhat off, leaving him unsettled.
“My husband?”
Pu Jinyu had already guessed why the man was staring at her without speaking, but she continued to pretend.
Yan Chiyun felt his emotions stirred by her few words. He simply replied that he had eaten and then led the way to the study.
Pu Jinyu’s gaze followed the man’s retreating figure for a long time before she finally looked away.
After these interruptions, she no longer felt like eating. She instructed the maids to clear the meal and then told Siyan to summon the stewardesses for their reports.
The wedding banquet was the day after tomorrow, and Madam Yan had repeatedly emphasized that nothing must go wrong.
Even though this was likely the final stage of her managing the Yan Family’s affairs, she was determined to play her part flawlessly to the end, leaving no room for error, lest all her efforts go to waste.
Back in the study, Yan Chiyun sat at his desk, brush in hand, but his thoughts drifted from time to time, wandering outside.
The study was adjacent to the inner chamber. Although Pu Jinyu outside deliberately lowered her voice, his hearing was exceptionally sharp, allowing him to catch her soft murmurs as she conversed with the stewardesses.
He thought of her words, wondering why she believed he didn’t care for her? And why she claimed to adore him immensely, yet he couldn’t feel it? If it were truly immense, how could he not sense it?
At night, on the bed, Pu Jinyu was indeed passionate, but her passion gave him the impression that she wasn’t doing it because she liked him. Instead, it seemed she wanted to do it and thus chose him as the partner.
If it were someone else, would she seek out another if she desired it?
At this thought, his expression darkened instantly. What was he thinking? How could he suspect Pu Wange of committing adultery?
Impossible. Not only was she not that kind of person, but their marriage also involved the relationship between their two families. How could she possibly seek someone else simply because she desired it?
This was utterly absurd. He shouldn’t think this way—it was disrespectful and dishonorable to her. Yan Chiyun silently berated himself.
As for offspring, at the beginning, he and she had indeed engaged in frequent consummation for the sake of having children.
But now…
The more he thought, the more tangled his thoughts became. Frowning slightly, he pinched the bridge of his nose, unsure what had come over him.
In broad daylight, he was sitting in his study, surrounded by official duties, lost in wild thoughts and troubled by emotions.
All because of a few words she said…
Enough.
Yan Chiyun forced himself to refocus, pouring his attention into the heavy pile of official dossiers before him.
Pu Jinyu had just finished listening to the stewardesses reconcile the accounts when a maid from Madam Yan’s side came to summon her, saying there were guests at home and requesting her presence in the front hall to accompany them in conversation.
The wedding banquet was approaching, and those who couldn’t attend or didn’t wish to come would send their congratulations in advance, requiring much hospitality.
Pu Jinyu closed the account book, instructed Siyan to keep an eye on the storehouse courtyard, and then headed to the front hall.
This visit kept her busy until after dinner before she could return.
Although Yan Chiyun was at home, he had many official duties and couldn’t free himself. Moreover, today’s visitors were female family members, so he didn’t appear for dinner.
When Pu Jinyu returned, he was still in the study.
After asking Siyan and learning that he had already eaten, Pu Jinyu went to bathe first.
By the time she came out, Yan Chiyun was still occupied. After reviewing the newly presented accounts for a while, she went to rest on the bed.
Yan Chiyun naturally heard the commotion outside.
For some reason, he felt his mind was still unsettled. Until he sorted it out, he didn’t want to face her directly, lest she notice.
He wanted to ask her straightforwardly, but he feared the answer might not be what he wished to hear.
Just like last time, when he helped her bathe, she avoided him, not letting him see her appearance after removing her cosmetics.
Pu Jinyu had always known her boundaries. Perhaps her thoughts aligned with his—even the most intimate husband and wife should maintain appropriate boundaries and distance.
He couldn’t overstep too much, lest he provoke her aversion.
She said he held no affection for her and didn’t care for her. Perhaps his actions hadn’t made her feel his affection.
If he paid more attention to her in the future, she likely wouldn’t say such things to his younger sister again. In fact, not only she but even his younger sister agreed with her, indicating his shortcomings were indeed somewhat apparent.
Since it was his dereliction of duty as a husband, and he hadn’t done enough, he would need to be more mindful in the future.
Thinking this, Yan Chiyun’s mind finally settled slightly.
When he left the study to bathe and go to bed, Pu Jinyu had long since fallen asleep.
She lay facing outward, still burying her head under the quilt, so he could only glimpse the loose, dark ends of her hair.
After lying down, the person beside him remained still. She didn’t draw near as before, nestling into his embrace, because she had already fallen asleep, her breathing long and gentle.
After waiting a while and not receiving her approach, he thought of what she had said to his fourth younger sister that day.
In the end, he turned over, extended a long arm, wrapped it around the lady’s waist, and pulled her into his embrace.
Pu Jinyu was alert. Even though she was very tired, the moment she was pulled over, she opened her eyes slightly.
Noticing her gaze, Yan Chiyun looked down.
The woman in his arms was drowsy, her brows slightly furrowed, clearly very tired. Seeing her sleepy state, the corners of his lips unconsciously lifted.
Unable to resist, he leaned down and gently kissed her brow and eyes, pulled over the thin quilt, patted her fair wrist lightly, and silently soothed her to sleep.
Pu Jinyu paused slightly, found a comfortable position in the man’s embrace, buried her head, and fell asleep.
Yan Chiyun felt her closeness, and his heart grew even more comforted, following her into dreams.
“…”
The next day, even more people came—several families, and not just female family members. Pu Jinyu was extremely busy, and Yan Chiyun also set aside his official duties to come out and receive the guests.
That night, much like the previous day, Pu Jinyu bathed first and went to sleep on the bed.
After hearing his subordinates’ reports, Yan Chiyun entered the inner chamber. She was already asleep. After bathing, he held her to sleep as he had the day before, and kissed her before falling asleep.
Pu Jinyu felt the kiss on her brow. She didn’t open her eyes or make a sound.
On the day of the wedding banquet, both rose early, truly facing a sea of people.
Having lived through a lifetime, Pu Jinyu handled it all with practiced ease and grace.
Madam Yan was in the front hall chatting with the wives of several high-ranking officials. The duchess on her left praised Pu Jinyu for the day’s arrangements, calling her virtuous and capable.
Hearing this, Madam Yan was immensely pleased and replied with a smile, “Indeed, I truly adore this daughter-in-law, Wange. With her here, I feel an indescribable sense of leisure.”
The others chimed in, exchanging subtle and perfectly timed compliments among themselves.
Amid the bustle, time flew by. Nearly everyone from the Yan Family had gathered, and it was time to fetch the bride. Yan Huaixiao, dressed in his wedding attire, led the bridal escort to the Li Family.
Cheng Wenque was also among the escort. By status alone, he would not have qualified to join, but as a guest residing with the Yan Family and having once done Yan Huaixiao a favor in the past, Yan Huaixiao had insisted to Madam Yan on reserving a position in the bridal escort for him, hoping to elevate his standing.
To this, Madam Yan offered no objection and simply nodded in agreement.
Before setting out, Cheng Wenque glanced back and caught only a glimpse of Pu Jinyu’s busy figure. She was leading a noblewoman inside, chatting and smiling with a young maid in tow.
The thought of meeting her alone later, in a private chamber, filled him with unease.
He had known and imagined that the Yan Family’s wedding banquet would draw a large crowd, but he hadn’t expected it to be this immense, nor that the attendees would all be powerful and influential court officials—people far beyond his own reach.
Only today did he truly grasp the height and grandeur of the Yan Family’s standing.
Once the bride was fetched and they returned, he would have to slip away from this crowd to meet the Yan Family’s young mistress, alone.
This thought frightened him, filled him with anxiety, and made him tense.
Pu Jinyu, of course, noticed Cheng Wenque’s gaze, but she did not look back, wary of revealing any flaw.
Yan Chiyun’s excellence had placed her under constant scrutiny; every word and action was observed. For now, she could not afford to make a mistake.
After guiding guests to their seats and exchanging a few pleasantries, Pu Jinyu headed to the dining hall. Passing through the octagonal gate, she encountered Yan Chiyun, who was returning after escorting guests to see General Yan.
Even before they drew near, their eyes met first.
As they came face to face, he stopped and looked at her, softly asking if she was tired.
Pu Jinyu said she wasn’t, though in truth she was exhausted. She had been standing all day, talking incessantly—her back ached, her throat was dry, and she was utterly weary. Yet, she had to force a smile.
“You can sneak a little rest when you can,” he unexpectedly told her.
Pu Jinyu gazed at the man’s face. He was so tall, and the deep purple brocade robe made him look dashing and captivating.
“What if someone catches me slacking off?” she asked with a meaningful smile, thinking of what lay ahead.
Seeing her smile as she had in the inner chamber of the courtyard, Yan Chiyun felt a stir in his heart. He raised his hand and gently brushed her cheek.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Pu Jinyu felt the intimacy of his touch in broad daylight, before others.
His fingertips did not linger long on her cheek. Smiling, he added, “I’m here.”
Pu Jinyu looked at his face, which seemed brighter and more relaxed when he smiled, softening its usual coolness.
With a hint of shyness, she lifted her lips, lowered her head, and murmured an acknowledgment. In truth, her eyes were brimming with swirling intrigue.
Not long after, the bridal escort returned swiftly. From the side, Pu Jinyu watched as Yan Huaixiao led a dense crowd, welcoming the bride through the gates.
Though he claimed not to be pleased, his Etiquette was impeccable in every detail, without any Omission.
In front of others, Cheng Wenque dared not look at Pu Jinyu.
But he could sense that she seemed to have glanced at him—very discreetly, yet because he had been paying close attention, he still noticed it.
When Yan Huaixiao’s good friend appeared, Yan Chiyun didn’t know why, but he recalled the scene he had glimpsed at the return banquet that day and instinctively looked toward Pu Jinyu.
However, before he could turn his gaze, she had already withdrawn the glance she had cast toward Cheng Wenque.
Thus, Yan Chiyun did not witness any interaction between her and Cheng Wenque.
Not seeing the scene from that day’s return banquet again, Yan Chiyun’s mind settled slightly.
Pu Jinyu watched as Yan Huaixiao and the Li family’s young lady bowed to the heavens and earth and went through the wedding rituals.
Everything proceeded in an orderly manner. After escorting the bride to the bridal chamber, on the way back, she “accidentally” twisted her ankle.
Siyan saw her squatting on the ground, lips pressed together in pain, and hurriedly helped her up, bending down to examine the injury. “I’ll go find a physician for you.”
“No, there’s no need to alarm anyone. I just stepped on an uneven stone slab.”
The path by the moon gate was paved with bluestone slabs arranged with gaps in between, guiding the small stream beside the artificial hill to flow through, creating a murmuring green pool—a very picturesque sight.
Pu Jinyu said, “Today is my brother-in-law’s wedding day. We can’t call for a physician—it’s inauspicious. The main events are almost over, but there are still guests to attend to. I’ll go back to my room to apply some ointment. You go to the Front Hall and keep an eye on things for me.”
“But your ankle… Are you really all right?”
Pu Jinyu smiled. “It’s not a severe sprain—no damage to the bones or tendons. It might just be a bit of skin broken. You’re my personal maid. If I’m not there, you must oversee the banquet for me.”
Siyan was Yan Chiyun’s person, more vigilant than Jing Chun, so she needed to be sent away.
“But…” Siyan was still hesitating, but Pu Jinyu cut her off directly, issuing a command. “Go quickly.”
“There are still many guests waiting in the Front Hall. Don’t delay matters.”
“Also, I’ve arranged a play in the courtyard by the lakeside pavilion. After Mother-in-law’s guests finish dinner, bring them over to watch the play and relax. I’ll go there after applying ointment and changing clothes. If Mother-in-law asks about my whereabouts, tell her I went to arrange the play.”
Arrange a play? Siyan was puzzled. Had there been any play arranged these past two days? She had been by Pu Jinyu’s side and hadn’t heard of any play being arranged. What was going on?
“Go quickly.” Pu Jinyu did not explain further.
Although Siyan had doubts, she didn’t press for details, thinking perhaps Pu Jinyu had assigned someone else to handle it. After all, there were many preparations for the wedding, and she had been focused on the storeroom and accounts those two days, not constantly by her side.
“Yes.”
Pu Jinyu only took one young maid back with her, sending the rest with Siyan.
Returning to the courtyard, she had the young maid massage and apply ointment for her, then changed her dress and went out.
When she left, she again took only one young maid with her. Bypassing the long corridor, she slowly walked to the side of the lakeside pavilion, where Pu Jinyu stopped and took the round lantern from the maid’s hand.
She instructed her, “Go to the Front Hall and find my husband. Tell him I’m arranging a play in the rear courtyard, but I accidentally twisted my ankle earlier. Ask him to come find me later to help.”
The young maids serving in the Yan Family courtyard rarely questioned orders and would do as their masters instructed.
“Yes.”
After the maid left, a faint smile gradually curled at the corner of Pu Jinyu’s lips.
The wedding procession dispersed. Cheng Wenque had no deep connections with those aristocratic disciples, so he left after the meal. Seeing him depart, the others did not press him to stay, merely exchanging polite pleasantries.
Following the letter he had received the day before, he arrived at the side chamber by the lakeside pavilion at the appointed time to wait.
Originally, he had some concerns, but he never expected Pu Jinyu to calculate the timing so precisely. From the wedding banquet to his departure and arrival here, it all fell exactly at the right moment, instantly putting his mind at ease.
Since she had arranged everything so accurately, there should be no mishaps, nor would anyone discover them.
Cheng Wenque did not light the candles, waiting quietly in the darkness.
Amidst the darkness, hearing the sound of his own heartbeat, he felt both nervous and apprehensive. Would Pu Jinyu come? Would she toy with him?
But before long, he heard voices outside. Though he couldn’t make out the words, he faintly recognized them as human voices. He quickly rose and pressed his ear against the door to listen.
It was her voice. She had indeed come.
Had she sent the little maid away? Or had she instructed someone to stand guard? He had no way of knowing.
Logically, he would not have been so bold before, meeting with someone in their own home—it was far too dangerous. But Pu Wange’s status was different from that of the daughters of merchant families or Female Officials. He had no choice but to take the risk.
Fortune favors the bold. Having come this far, he had to gamble.
Just as Cheng Wenque was lost in thought, the door creaked open.
Even in the dim light of the room, Pu Jinyu could clearly make out the figure and face of the man inside the Inner Chamber, aided by the moonlight and the lanterns hanging under the eaves by the doorway.
When he remained silent, he truly resembled her sworn brother, especially now, half-hidden in the interplay of light and shadow, which softened his scholarly demeanor and made her momentarily lose herself in thought.
She raised her eyes to look at his face, thinking of her sworn brother from her past life, who had genuinely cared for her. She allowed herself to indulge, letting her thoughts sink slowly into the memory, a faint ache rising in her heart.
Cheng Wenque had no idea what she was thinking, only feeling that her gaze was too fixed and distant.
The door was still open at this moment.
But he dared not speak rashly. Instead, he turned his face and body slightly, gesturing for her to come inside.
The moment he moved, the resemblance vanished. Pu Jinyu snapped back to reality, a faint smile curling at her lips as she lifted her skirt and stepped inside.
Cheng Wenque immediately closed the door and latched it shut.
Hearing the sound of the latch falling into place, the smile on Pu Jinyu’s lips deepened.
Cheng Wenque had never been so nervous before, perhaps because he was in the Yan Family, the foremost noble household in Jingcheng, and the person he was secretly meeting was the Young Mistress of the Yan Family.
He looked over and saw only the gentle silhouette of the young woman.
She had changed her attire. In the morning, she had worn a bright rosy dress, but now she was clad in a pale aqua gown. She lowered her head, adjusting the round lantern she had placed, her long hair tied up in a paojia bun. He noticed she was wearing the hairpin he had given her.
The nape of her neck, exposed and pale, appeared delicate and slender. Under the faint glow of the lantern, he could even see the fine downy hairs.
How old was the Young Mistress of the Yan Family, Pu Wange? He wasn’t sure of her age, but he had the vague impression that she might be younger than him.
But was that possible? According to the information he had gathered, Pu Jinyu was supposed to be older than him, yet her figure and silhouette now seemed remarkably youthful.
Even with her hair tied up, from behind, she still looked like an unmarried maiden.
Cheng Wenque’s mind wandered nervously, filled with chaotic thoughts.
Suddenly, Pu Jinyu turned around. She had already set down the lantern, and he saw her exquisitely made-up face.
“Why don’t you come over?” she asked softly.
Cheng Wenque didn’t know what to say. He looked at the round lantern, wanting to ask if they could extinguish it. If someone noticed the light and came to investigate, it would be troublesome, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Yet Pu Jinyu seemed to know what he was thinking. She picked up a cup of tea and directly splashed it onto the candle, extinguishing the flame and even staining the round lantern shade.
After the only source of light went out, the room was left with only the hazy glow of moonlight.
She smiled and reached out toward the man. Cheng Wenque’s nervousness intensified. He looked at her outstretched wrist and remembered the first time he had given her cosmetics—how she had slowly rubbed her fingertip over the surface of the brocade box.
Taking a deep breath, he walked toward her.
Pu Jinyu watched her prey gradually approach, her serene eyes fixed on him.
Even in the darkness, she could still see the tension in his expression.
But there wasn’t much time left.
She walked over until she stood before him.
Cheng Wenque caught the scent emanating from her. At first, it seemed faint, but then he found it strangely alluring. Yet when he tried to savor it further and figure out what felt off, the fragrance vanished.
She smiled at him, her hand sliding down his arm, pinching his sleeve, and gently pulling him to follow her.
Cheng Wenque did follow, but… he was deeply uneasy at that moment.
Because the place Pu Jinyu was leading him to was the bed.
She was being so direct!
His original intention was not to become entangled with her so quickly or deeply, as from the start, he had only wanted to string her along, offering some ambiguous benefits to make her his fallback option.
But now, it was truly happening too fast.
How could she be so forward right from the start? How could she…?
When arranging this secret rendezvous tonight, he had indeed considered that something might happen between a man and a woman alone.
But he had gambled, thinking she wouldn’t be so bold. He also had his own strategies prepared, intending to stall for time and engage in conversation during their private meeting.
He had planned to handle her the same way he had dealt with the daughters of merchants and minor officials he had encountered in Lanling before. But he never expected this young lady to be so impatient.
Even without turning around, Pu Jinyu could sense his nervousness just from the way she was pulling Cheng Wenque forward.
This weak and cunning fool wanted to use her as a stepping stone, thinking she was oblivious and unaware? How timid—he was already scared before anything had even begun?
She curled her lips into a cold smile, unseen by the man behind her.
They soon reached the bedside. She sat down first, then smiled at the man standing beside her. Releasing his sleeve, she patted the bed lightly, signaling for him to come sit.
The pace was truly too fast, beyond his expectations. Cheng Wenque’s mind raced as he tried to figure out how to tactfully delay things.
After all, Pu Wange was the legitimate daughter of a prominent family in Jingcheng—she wouldn’t be easy to fool.
He needed to offer her some benefits, but not too many. How could they jump straight to the main event? That wasn’t good. If she obtained it too easily, her interest in him might diminish significantly.
Only what is unattainable is the best, the most tantalizing.
“What’s wrong?” she asked softly, feigning confusion.
Pu Jinyu had no time to dawdle with him. Calculating the hour, the main show had to begin soon—otherwise, what would happen if the audience arrived and found nothing to see?
“Young Madam, we—”
“You’re unwilling?” Pu Jinyu asked again, staring at his expression.
In the darkness, vision was diminished, amplifying other senses. Cheng Wenque felt as if sitting on pins and needles under her direct gaze.
“I… I am naturally willing—” Before he could finish, she interrupted him once more.
She stood up. “If you’re unwilling, then let’s forget it.” Pu Jinyu advanced by retreating, turning to leave directly.
Cheng Wenque hadn’t expected the situation to change so quickly—she was actually about to leave just like that, her tone turning icy cold in an instant.
Startled by her, he instantly grabbed her hand. “No, no… That’s not what I meant.”
She remained silent, still poised to leave.
Should he step forward and embrace her?
He absolutely could not ruin the current situation. Cheng Wenque steeled himself, stepped forward, and wrapped his arms around her from behind, following the line of her arm. “I… I didn’t mean that.”
He absolutely could not let Pu Wange go, or else all his efforts from the past days would be wasted.
The young woman being embraced from behind wore a cold smile on her face.
She said nothing.
Unable to guess her thoughts, Cheng Wenque could only hold her tighter.
“I just thought the time was too short. What if you feel unwell?”
What if she felt unwell? He was afraid something might go wrong, yet he phrased it so nicely.
Pu Jinyu calculated in her mind the time it would take for the maid to reach the Front Hall and for Madam Yan to bring people over.
Cheng Wenque’s words carried a double meaning, and Pu Jinyu understood it—was he trying to tell her he was still a virgin?
“Then let’s not waste any more time.” She suddenly turned around and pushed him directly toward the Bed.
Cheng Wenque was shocked once again; he never imagined Pu Jinyu could be so strong.
While he was still anxiously pondering her silent thoughts, she suddenly turned and pushed him down.
Caught off guard, he fell onto the Bed, with her looming over him in a dominating position.
Cheng Wenque had never experienced such boldness before. His nervousness began to spill out. “Young… Young Madam.”
“Call me Wan’er, will you?” She pressed her slender finger against his tall nose bridge.
This was the Legal Mother’s pet name for her elder sister when she was still alive.
Cheng Wenque felt her lean down, coming very close. He caught the scent on her—light, different from before, but more pleasant. He grew somewhat warm.
Pu Jinyu looked at the man beneath her, a captivating, daring smile curling at her lips.
Her finger slid downward, touching his lips. Cheng Wenque instantly understood her meaning and nervously opened his mouth. “Wan… Wan’er…”
“Louder, please.” She said she liked hearing his voice and asked him to call her name several more times.
With his body and thoughts both subdued by her, Cheng Wenque obeyed, stumbling through several calls of “Wan’er.”
“Mmm.” She smiled, her lips curving. “Que Lang, from now on, call me that. I like it very much.”
Her fingers began to slide downward again, past his chin and along his throat.
Watching him part his thin lips as if unable to endure it, Pu Jinyu leaned down, then shifted to lie on the inner side of the bed, propping her head up with one hand. Her fingers, like agile snakes, slipped open his collar and effortlessly loosened his waistband.
Cheng Wenque grew so nervous his breathing turned rapid.
Pu Jinyu admired his wretched, beast-like appearance in the darkness, recalling the white dog she had once raised in the village. Cheng Wenque’s skin was as pale as that dog’s, but his expression at this moment was not even as pleasing as its licking.
After unfastening his waistband, Pu Jinyu took his hand and placed it on her silk shawl, urging him to undo it.
Cheng Wenque clenched his fist hesitantly, but Pu Jinyu told him not to hesitate. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Someone will be here soon.”
He finally moved, clumsily removing her silk shawl, his gaze fixed on the collar of her dress.
Pu Jinyu took his hand as she herself shed her outer garment, revealing her snow-white, fair wrist.
“Que Lang.” Her fingers began to wander again.
Everything had been gentle at first, but suddenly, her touch grew firmer, pressing against his tense abdomen.
Cheng Wenque involuntarily gasped, letting out an uncontrolled, stifled groan.
Pu Jinyu, as if startled, quickly said she wanted to take a look and leaned down. But just as she lowered her head, he tried to stop her and accidentally brushed against her hairpin. The pin fell, and the lady’s long hair cascaded down.
Unable to see her face now, Cheng Wenque was about to utter a short word but remembered her instructions and changed it to “Wan’er.”
“Don’t you—” His fingers had not yet touched her shoulder, and his words remained unfinished.
Bang!
The door was suddenly pushed open with great force, slamming back against the wall.
Cheng Wenque was so frightened that he instantly gripped the edge of the bed tightly and looked outside.
When he saw the tall, slender figure standing by the door, his face instantly lost all color, and his mind went blank.
Pu Jinyu also rose and lifted her face at that moment. She looked straight ahead and caught sight of a pair of dark, sinister eyes.
[Author’s Note]
Here it is! There will be another update tomorrow. This chapter randomly drops a Luck-piecing red envelope. [Rainbow fart]
Recommending a friend’s great upcoming novel～
“After Marrying Up” by Cao Deng Daren
Chasing Wife in the Crematorium｜Marriage Before Love｜Both Pure
Honest and beautiful peasant girl × Cold and restrained noble son
To repay a hunter for saving his life, the Prince of Zhao arranged for his eldest legitimate son, Wei Yan, to be betrothed to the hunter’s daughter.
Five years later, the Prince of Zhao passed away, but this blind, arranged childhood marriage was upheld.
Everyone knew that the Prince’s heir, Wei Yan, was as elegant as an orchid and jade, a peerless beauty among the noble sons of the capital.
His future was bright, yet he had to obey his father’s command and marry a rustic village woman.
A flaw on a white jade—Wei Yan became the laughingstock of the noble circles, and even the old princess felt sorry for her son, finding fault with her daughter-in-law everywhere.
After marriage, although Wei Yan was quiet and cold, he never mistreated Lin Wan, and the two treated each other with respect.
Lin Wan gradually let down her guard. Her parents had passed away early, and now her only family was this newlywed husband.
However, apart from the monthly marital duties, Wei Yan never stayed in the bedchamber at other times.
On the rare occasions of tenderness, it was only in bed when Wei Yan would trace the small mole behind her ear and gently kiss it.
At those moments, Wei Yan was no longer aloof and unapproachable. He would call her “Wan Wan,” just as Lin Wan’s late family had.
One day, Wei Yan’s childhood sweetheart and cousin came to visit. The old princess deliberately avoided Lin Wan to entertain the cousin.
The old princess held her niece with heartache, secretly cursing Lin Wan for being shameless and stealing her niece’s marriage.
While delivering a fruit platter, Lin Wan accidentally overheard this but didn’t mind it.
It wasn’t until she escorted the cousin out of the mansion that Lin Wan happened to see the familiar small mole behind the cousin’s ear.
Upon learning that her cousin’s name contained the character “Wan.”
Everyone called her Wanwan.
It was only at this moment that Lin Wan realized Wei Yan merely saw her as a substitute for her cousin. Bound by a gentleman’s promise and the wishes of their elders, he could not defy filial piety.
Wei Yan’s affection for her had all been a lie.
Heartbroken and disillusioned, Lin Wan proposed a divorce to Wei Yan.
She hoped he would stop her, perhaps still harboring some attachment to her.
Yet, Wei Yan merely glanced at her indifferently, swiftly signed the document, and severed all ties with her.
Five years later, Wei Yan and Lin Wan crossed paths in a border town.
At the time, Lin Wan was looking after her godson and, in a moment of carelessness, lost the child.
The child wandered off in the bustling market, crying out for “Mother,” and happened to encounter Wei Yan.
Meeting her ex-husband, Lin Wan offered no pleasantries. She simply reached out her hand and said to Wei Yan, “Give me back the child.”
Wei Yan’s phoenix eyes turned icy as he asked coldly, “Yours?”
Lin Wan nodded. “Mine.”
For years, Lin Wan had been unheard from. Wei Yan had not seen his ex-wife in a long time, and upon their unexpected reunion, he discovered she had started a family and had a child.
Hearing the child’s piercing cries of “Mother,” Wei Yan’s usual composure vanished entirely.
Beneath his sleeves, his knuckles tightened slightly, a surge of dark resentment rising within him.
…When had she married another husband?