As the Pu’er tea slid down his throat, Yan Peifeng found its flavor acceptable. His expression remained unchanged from before, and his tone grew even gentler. “Did anything catch your eye? Just have it sent to the estate and put on the account.”
Shen Yunying was his wife; anything she wished to buy could simply be charged to the estate.
Shen Yunying raised a delicate eyebrow, her lips curving into a smile. “Thank you, husband.”
Watching Yan Peifeng lift his cup to drink tea, his movements refined and elegant like flowing clouds and water, Shen Yunying couldn’t help but admire beautiful people and things a little longer. Her openly appreciative almond-shaped eyes suddenly met his deep, unfathomable dark gaze, and the air around them seemed to freeze for a moment.
Suddenly inspired, Shen Yunying turned and went into the inner room, emerging shortly after with a shallow relief ebony box slightly larger than her palm, adorned with egrets and lotus flowers. A smile played on her lips. “This is what I bought for you today.”
With that, her slender hand pressed the cloud-shaped clasp, releasing the lock to reveal a piece of light blue plain silk. A She inkstone lay quietly within.
Shen Yunying thought to herself that indeed, opportunities favored the prepared.
Purchasing this She inkstone today had been a coincidence.
Shen Yunying had accompanied Jiang Wan to many of the capital’s famous shops, including a stationery store. Jiang Wan had already begun her studies, and her sisters were around the same age, so they only bought items for elementary learning.
Shen Yunying took the opportunity to offer to pay for everything as a farewell gift. Jiang Wan was delighted and hurried to pick out the writing tools she had her eye on. Shen Yunying was amused by her adorable demeanor and, turning her head, saw Jiang Heng, who had followed them in, also wearing a smile.
Having given a gift to the younger sister, with the older brother present as well,
Shen Yunying selected a white jade Wolf Hair Brush for Jiang Heng, saying, “I hope to see your travel writings renowned far and wide in the future.”
Jiang Heng accepted the brush—this was also his wish—and waved it with a smile. “I’ll shamelessly accept my cousin’s kind gesture. If that day truly comes, you’ll share in the credit.”
It had to be said, Jiang Heng was much more interesting than Yan Peifeng.
When this thought surfaced, Shen Yunying was startled. Why had Yan Peifeng come to mind for no reason?
Her smile froze for an instant. She was now a married woman; buying a gift for her cousin but not one for her own husband might not be quite appropriate?
Shen Yunying nodded subconsciously. That was it.
This She inkstone from Wuyuan happened to be displayed on the shelf right in front of her. Although Shen Yunying didn’t love attending school, she had learned a thing or two about what was necessary.
Wuyuan She inkstones were as renowned as Duan inkstones. Their stone was tough, dense, and moist, producing ink quickly and retaining water without drying out. The one before her had golden star patterns, making it perfectly suited for a modest gentleman with inner sharpness and outstanding character.
At first glance, Shen Yunying thought, wasn’t this just like Yan Peifeng?
And so, she bought it.
To keep for a time of need.
Seeing the surprise on Yan Peifeng’s face, Shen Yunying’s eyes curved into crescents. Hadn’t it come in handy now?
Shen Yunying wasn’t foolish; though a step slow, she eventually realized that someone must have complained about her to Yan Peifeng.
Just listen to what Yan Peifeng had said earlier: “shopping” and “with a man”—those two phrases alone were enough to stir imagination. Yet he hadn’t mentioned her cousin Jiang Wan at all. At the very least, he could have said there were three of them, with Jiang Wan providing cover. Making false accusations while reporting—otherwise, she would have seriously defended herself.
However, Shen Yunying was mistaken. Yang Mingyue truly overlooked Jiang Wan. She had already formed a preconceived notion upon seeing Shen Yunying and Gao Heng conversing happily at Yuelai Tower. Moreover, the Jiang family’s carriage was parked in the rear courtyard of Yuelai Tower, and Jiang Wan had boarded early.
Shen Yunying, intending to leave early and return early, did not go around to the back. The Yan family’s carriage was parked directly at the main entrance. Gao Heng followed behind Shen Yunying, escorted her to the carriage, and waited nearby for the Jiang family’s carriage to emerge.
Thus, from Yang Mingyue’s perspective, it appeared as though Shen Yunying and Gao Heng were secretly meeting and strolling alone. As for Shen Yunying later joining Jiang Wan, they did not even exchange words before the carriages departed one after the other.
The capital’s roads were broad and crowded with people. How could Yang Mingyue, on foot, keep up with the carriages? She chased them for a street, but once the carriages entered the main city avenue, she lost track.
None of this was known to Shen Yunying, nor to Yan Peifeng.
Shen Yunying had actually bought an inkstone for herself, completely surprising Yan Peifeng. Just this one candid act shifted Yan Peifeng’s trust in Shen Yunying’s favor.
As for why Nanny Yang’s granddaughter had made such a resolute accusation, it would be investigated. Yan Peifeng had never paid much attention to the maids and servants around him, so he could not immediately guess the reason.
Yan Peifeng solemnly accepted the inkstone. As a scholar, he naturally understood inkstones. At Taishi Mansion, he had heard Old Madam Shen say that Shen Yunying was not well-versed in literature, but now it seemed that was not entirely true.
“Thank you, my lady.”
His voice flowed like a clear, tinkling spring.
The two had known each other for only three days, and their interactions were still marked by restraint and distance.
Shen Yunying secretly sighed in relief, thinking about how she and Yan Peifeng—one saying “thank you, my husband,” the other saying “thank you, my lady”—were exchanging thanks like a polite couple. This was exactly how it was.
As a newlywed couple, having experienced it once, the nighttime activities naturally began a second time.
When Yan Peifeng wrapped his arms around Shen Yunying’s slender waist, the smooth and soft sensation stirred his heart. Yet he suddenly remembered something important—he had not yet fully studied that illustrated manual of intimate arts.
Was he to retreat at the last moment?
Yan Peifeng enveloped Shen Yunying completely. In the mingling of their breaths, his wife’s crimson lips parted slightly, then suddenly clenched as her teeth bit down. The red of her lips seemed as though painted with bright rouge, and this flush spread from Shen Yunying to Yan Peifeng, making his chest burn and his gaze intense.
With just a slight lean, he could pluck it.
Yan Peifeng hesitated no longer. Theory was no match for practice; perhaps he should try a different approach—seeking truth through practice rather than relying solely on book knowledge.
Yan Peifeng came on fiercely, and Shen Yunying was forced to endure. She felt that just moments ago, Yan Peifeng had been a gentle gentleman, but in the next moment, as if spurred by some unknown stimulus, his movements became urgent and rapid, leaving her overwhelmed.
That night, Yan Peifeng kept her occupied for nearly two hours.
Unlike their wedding night, this time Yan Peifeng’s state of mind was complex. There was a competitive desire to surpass the previous encounter, as well as a sense of compensation to fulfill Shen Yunying’s duty of bearing children.
Yan Peifeng suspected that the incident involving the stroll had been a misunderstanding on his part. If he had not confronted Shen Yunying directly but instead harbored suspicions and scrutinized her every move, the thought of such consequences caused his mood to darken abruptly.
Shen Yunying was exhausted.
Her thoughts could not even function properly. For some reason, a line she had once read in a storybook surfaced in her mind: “The field is never worn out by plowing; only the ox is exhausted from the labor.”
Shen Yunying was now personally testifying to debunk this common saying.
Yan Peifeng was like an ox that never tired, forever brimming with inexhaustible energy. As for herself, this field could no longer withstand even the slightest disturbance!
Thinking this in her heart, Shen Yunying had no mind to conceal it at all. Lying on her side, utterly exhausted, she exuded an air of utter resignation.
Feeling the low pressure emanating from Yan Peifeng, Shen Yunying wished she could immediately get out of bed, leave the Princess Mansion, and return to Jingyuan Studio.
She was truly tired and wanted to go home to her mother.
Shen Yunying couldn’t understand—wasn’t Yan Peifeng tired at all?
After changing several positions, why did Yan Peifeng seem to be in an increasingly worse mood?
Did he still think she wasn’t cooperative enough?
Or was it because he had been forced to come tonight by Grandparents Yan, so Yan Peifeng actually didn’t want to engage in bedchamber matters either? But after all his restlessness, it didn’t seem that way.
Yan Peifeng was inwardly calculating how the maid’s tattling would disadvantage Shen Yunying. Looking down, he saw the person in his arms drenched in fine sweat, utterly exhausted, clearly worn out.
Tonight, he had indeed lost some control.
As desire faded, Yan Peifeng’s eyes once again became gentle and reserved, returning to the demeanor of a modest gentleman.
He raised his hand to wipe away the fine sweat at the corner of Shen Yunying’s eye. Shen Yunying didn’t move at all, only her eyelashes fluttered slightly when his fingers brushed the corner of her eye, making her appear especially pitiable.
Rarely taking the initiative to break his plans, Yan Peifeng, afraid of startling his wife in his arms, spoke with a gentleness he himself hadn’t noticed, “I’ll return for dinner tomorrow.”
Shen Yunying was still in a daze. Hearing that Yan Peifeng would come to Zhengran Residence again tomorrow evening, she instinctively retorted, “You should come again on the fifteenth.”
Yan Peifeng opened and closed his mouth, swallowing his unspoken words. A flicker of confusion passed through his eyes—could it be that Shen Yunying was too tired and slurring her words?
The amorous atmosphere within the bed curtains suddenly fell silent.
Shen Yunying hurriedly patched up her statement, explaining sincerely with her almond-shaped eyes, “Tomorrow we have to see Grandfather and Grandmother off out of the city. It’s such a long journey, I… I’m afraid I won’t be able to endure it.”
The last three words were sweetly charming and ambiguous, carrying a double meaning. Not only was she afraid she wouldn’t be able to sit still in the carriage, but also that she couldn’t endure tonight’s activities.
At this moment, her long, slender eyelashes fluttered like crow feathers, her round almond eyes filled with pleading, making it hard for anyone to refuse.
Yan Peifeng coughed lightly twice, composed his expression, and replied with a muffled “Alright.”
Yan Peifeng wanted to wash up before sleeping, but Shen Yunying couldn’t hold on any longer and waved her hand in refusal.
Yan Peifeng didn’t force her, only went to wash up himself. He opened his mouth to call Yinping and Yinzheng in to wipe Shen Yunying clean, but suddenly paused. Turning back to look at the graceful figure lying lazily on the bed, he suddenly didn’t want anyone else to see the scene inside the bed curtains.
That left only one option.
Yan Peifeng personally soaked a cloth and wiped the soundly sleeping Shen Yunying clean before getting into bed, holding her as he fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, Shen Yunying, unusually rising early without needing Yinping’s repeated urging, wanted to maintain her image as a good granddaughter-in-law in front of Grandparents Yan and not ruin everything at the last moment.
The day for the two elders to return to Fanzhou had been set in advance. Shen Yunying had prepared gifts for them to take back early on. She had never done such things before; it was Jiang Wensheng who had guided her from behind, ensuring they were thoughtful and considerate.
At the city gate of the capital.
Grandmother Yan looked at her grandson reluctantly and waved, saying, “Just see us off here. You two should head back early. If it gets any later, the summer heat will rise.”
The summer morning still carried a cool breeze, but once the sun rose higher, the air would become stifling and hot.
Grandmother Yan, concerned for Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying, urged them to return to the capital.
Grandfather Yan gazed at his tall and graceful grandson. Now that Yan Peifeng had married and established himself, he had fulfilled his duty to his son and daughter-in-law, lifting a great weight from his heart. Now, he only hoped Yan Peifeng would soon have children.
As for his grandson’s career, Grandfather Yan was not worried. Even if Yan Peifeng were only of average talent, with the Emperor and Crown Prince looking after him, he could still live a life of wealth and comfort. How much more so since Yan Peifeng was exceptionally talented and full of ambition?
He then advised, “Your grandmother and I have lived in harmony for most of our lives, and your father and the princess have also been a loving couple, with no concubines or maidservants. Yan Peifeng, no matter what the future holds, our Yan family must not produce a fool who favors concubines over his wife.”
Just as Yan Peifeng was about to agree, Grandfather Yan continued, “In the past, your indifference to women was a good thing. Today, I realize I spoke too soon. Perhaps we should have helped you overcome the allure of women earlier, so you wouldn’t be troubled by beauty in the future.”
Seeing his grandfather’s words becoming increasingly unreasonable, Yan Peifeng immediately interrupted, saying firmly, “Grandfather, you worry too much. Your grandson is content with one wife.”
Having finally encountered a quiet and composed Shen Yunying, Yan Peifeng was quite satisfied and truly did not want his rear courtyard to be filled with constant noise and trouble.
Grandfather Yan glared, exasperated, and said, “Fine, I’m old and can’t lecture you anymore.”
Then, turning to Shen Yunying with a kind and gentle expression, he said, “Granddaughter-in-law, I entrust Peifeng to your care from now on. Your grandmother is right—young ladies are delicate, and the summer heat is hard to bear. We are about to depart, so you should rest in the carriage.”
Shen Yunying’s impression of Grandparents Yan was far better than that of Grand Tutor Shen and Old Madam Shen. After spending a few days with them, she felt reluctant to part.
She nodded earnestly, “Grandfather, rest assured, your granddaughter-in-law will take good care of him.” As for resting, Shen Yunying ignored the suggestion, thinking it unnecessary for such a short while.
She looked at Grandfather Yan and then at Grandmother Yan, adding, “Grandfather, Grandmother, please take care on your journey.”
Yan Peifeng followed up, “Grandfather, I have arranged for guards and a physician to accompany you. There’s no need to rush on the return journey—take your time.”
Grandfather Yan chuckled, “Understood. You two should head back now.”
With that, he nodded to the guard captain, who shouted, “Let’s go!”
Grandparents Yan and their entourage slowly departed.
Shen Yunying and Yan Peifeng boarded the Yan family carriage to enter the city gates.
As the carriage rumbled forward, Yan Peifeng, having just parted from his family and noticing Shen Yunying’s reluctance, suddenly spoke, “Shall I take you to Taishi Mansion to visit your mother?”
Shen Yunying’s eyes lit up, her joy evident.
“But the three-day wedding leave has already ended—”
Yan Peifeng had only spoken half the sentence when Shen Yunying smiled and finished it for him, “Husband, just go to the office. I’ll chat with Mother, and it might be inconvenient if you’re there.”
Considerate, gentle, and only occasionally revealing a hint of temper in the bedchamber.
The image of Shen Yunying’s enchanting demeanor from the previous night flashed before his eyes, and Yan Peifeng’s ears began to burn. He quickly composed himself and nodded, “That works too. Since there’s nothing pressing at home, you can stay with your mother for a while. I’ll come to pick you up after work and take you back to our residence.”
Yan Peifeng was momentarily more surprised than Shen Yunying by his own offer to pick her up. When he saw Shen Yunying’s almond-shaped eyes widen in astonishment, shining as brightly as Mingzhu, he smiled slightly, as if what he had just said was the most natural thing in the world.
Shen Yunying was naturally surprised inside. Shouldn’t Yan Peifeng have said, “I’ll be at the yamen until dusk,” followed by “Madam, please do as you wish”?
Her cheeks slightly flushed as she faced Yan Peifeng, who appeared gentle and refined. Shyly, she replied, “Alright, I’ll wait for you at Taishi Mansion.”
At this hour, there were few carriages on the road, so the Yan family’s marked carriage traveled smoothly and quickly arrived at the gates of Taishi Mansion.
The gatekeeper hurried inside to report, as Shen Yunying had only returned home yesterday—no one expected her to come back to Taishi Mansion so soon.
Shen Yunying signaled Yinzheng to stop the gatekeeper, not wanting to cause a commotion. She would first pay her respects at Cihui Courtyard and then go directly to Jingyuan Studio.
Yan Peifeng did not follow her into the mansion, only watching Shen Yunying enter before heading to the yamen.
Author’s note: