Little Chen still remembered wanting to give the rabbit to Shen Yunying. The small child was remarkably generous, speaking with thoughtful consideration. “This rabbit is for you to add to your meal! I know you scholars from outside will leave soon—you can’t possibly keep a rabbit!”
As he spoke, he glanced at Madam Chen, his big eyes clearly telling his mother that a dead rabbit was better than a live one.
Madam Chen smiled helplessly, showing no reluctance to part with the rabbit meat. She urged Shen Yunying to accept it with a smile, casually recommending recipes along the way. “This is a wild rabbit from the mountains. The meat is firm and chewy. The taverns in town always buy them to make braised rabbit and roasted rabbit—no one ever says it doesn’t taste good. Please accept it, honored guest?”
Tempted by thoughts of braised rabbit and roasted rabbit legs, Shen Yunying stopped refusing. She took out a silver leaf from her purse—not heavy, worth about three or four taels of silver.
“Alright, since it’s the child’s kind intention, I’ll accept it. Auntie, there’s no need to call me ‘honored guest.’ My surname is Shen. This is my gift in return,” Shen Yunying handed the silver leaf to Madam Chen. Seeing her wave her hands in refusal, Shen Yunying smiled and said, “Auntie, there’s no need to refuse in a hurry.”
“I originally wanted to give the child a bow and arrows, but I don’t have any with me. Please take this money for him and, when you go to town another day, pick out a suitable bow and arrow set for him.”
Little Chen’s eyes sparkled upon hearing this. He grinned widely, unable to contain his excitement, staring intently at Madam Chen.
Madam Chen, hearing the money was for buying her son a bow and arrows and seeing how eagerly he awaited it, felt both grateful to Shen Yunying and somewhat guilty. Ultimately, her love for her son prevailed. She pulled Little Chen into a bow toward Shen Yunying, saying, “Thank you, Lady Shen!”
Little Chen, overjoyed at the prospect of soon having his own bow and arrows, couldn’t contain his delight, his voice soaring. “Thank you, Lady Shen!”
He then leaned closer to Shen Yunying. “Lady Shen, tomorrow morning I’ll go up the mountain to collect bird eggs—they’re this big! I’ll bring them to you as soon as it’s light!”
Little Chen wanted to repay Shen Yunying in his own way.
Shen Yunying could feel the genuine gratitude from the mother and son. Without refusing, she reached out and patted his head, smiling. “Then come with your mother tomorrow.”
Madam Chen was coming to deliver Bamboo Steamed Rice anyway; having one more child along wouldn’t be a problem.
Shen Yunying then beckoned to Yinzheng, instructing her to bring out the oil-paper-wrapped Candied Plums to give to Little Chen. “These are homemade plums for you to enjoy as a snack.”
Little Chen happily accepted them with both hands, then was led home by Madam Chen, who pinched his ear as a warning.
Shen Yunying watched the retreating figures of the mother and son, a smile still lingering on her lips.
Not far away, Yan Peifeng, who had just stepped out of the house, happened to witness Shen Yunying’s interaction with Madam Chen and her son. He noticed yet another way Shen Yunying differed from a typical young lady of noble upbringing—or rather, how she differed from the young women raised in prominent families of the capital.
That child just now still had dark stains on his face, yet Shen Yunying interacted with him without the slightest hesitation, and they got along harmoniously.
Following behind, Siqi also saw, as dusk approached, the radiantly beautiful Shen Yunying with the innocent child—a vivid splash of brightness. He couldn’t help but remark, “Madam will surely be a wonderful mother in the future.”
Yan Peifeng frowned and shot a sharp glance backward. Siqi quickly lowered his gaze, pretending he hadn’t spoken.
Yan Peifeng did not reprimand Siqi for his nonsense. What angered him was himself—he hadn’t even considered such thoughts earlier, but Siqi’s reminder made him realize he had unconsciously pictured Shen Yunying planting peach trees with a three- or four-year-old child in the Princess Mansion.
He steadied his breath and focused. The river embankment project was at a critical juncture—how could he indulge in trivial matters of the Rear Courtyard? Yan Peifeng turned and walked silently toward the neighboring room.
Siqi didn’t understand why his master was displeased. In his view, a man could manage both family and career without conflict. With a wife, wasn’t it only a matter of time before there were little masters?
Shen Yunying watched the Chen mother and son depart, then stood under the tree for a while longer, gazing thoughtfully at the thick wall of the house, before slowly leading Yinping and Yinzheng back inside.
The fleeting thought that had just crossed her mind revealed a potential way to improve marital intimacy. Yet Shen Yunying hesitated—would this really work?
On the night before her wedding, Jiang Wensheng had said that men could naturally figure such things out. Shen Yunying pursed her lips. Based on her own experience, Yan Peifeng clearly did not fall into that category.
She had instructional booklets—surely Yan Peifeng had some too? Perhaps even rare collections from the palace. Shen Yunying looked up at the sky, questioning Yan Peifeng’s learning abilities as a top scholar for the first time.
If not for this sudden trip, she would have been in the Zhengran Residence carefully studying that booklet tucked away at the bottom of her chest. But now, traveling outside, she naturally couldn’t bring it along.
Now, there was a simple method that only required a few words, and Shen Yunying felt it was worth a try.
Returning to the temporarily arranged main room, Yinping had done her best to decorate, especially the bed, replacing it with soft bedding brought from the mansion and draping it with the light, breathable Moonlight Gauze curtains.
Shen Yunying nodded inwardly. If they were to perform the marital rites tonight, it wouldn’t be too uncomfortable. She had heard from Yinping that the bed originally had only dry, hard boards.
Shen Yunying washed up early, changed into a comfortable moon-white nightgown, and climbed straight into bed.
Yinping hurriedly reminded her, “Madam, aren’t you going to wait for the master?”
“I am,” Shen Yunying blurted out. She still wanted to try her coaxing method tonight to see if it would work.
“Then why are you already in bed?” Yinping asked, puzzled, as she lifted half of the bed curtain.
Shen Yunying was taken aback, cleared her throat, and quickly got down. Lost in thought earlier, she had climbed into bed without thinking. “Yan Peifeng won’t be back until the hour of Hai, right? No need to wait outside just yet.”
She immediately thought of an excuse.
Yinping nodded hesitantly. That made sense.
Shen Yunying draped a cloak over herself and went outside to chat with Yinping and Yinzheng. Remembering the bamboo tube rice from dinner, she sighed regretfully, “If only I had brought Tongshao along. We could have learned so many skills, and we’d have delicious food back home too.”
Tongshao was one of the four senior maids, primarily in charge of the kitchen, and excelled in both pastry and savory dishes.
Yinping and Yinzheng, also won over by the bamboo tube rice, shared her regret. Unfortunately, they had no talent for cooking. Even after memorizing Village Chief Chen’s steps and precautions, they still couldn’t replicate the dish.
Before the two maids could sigh again, Shen Yunying perked up and said cheerfully, “Luckily, I know the method too. Once we’re back, we’ll have Tongshao make it for us.”
“As for bamboo, isn’t there a small patch in the front courtyard Study? What kind of bamboo was it again?” Shen Yunying momentarily forgot the variety.
“It’s Gold-inlaid Jade Bamboo,” Yinzheng added.
“Right, I wonder if it’s suitable for cooking.” Shen Yunying thought of this point again.
Time passed amidst the laughter and conversation of the mistress and her two maids. As soon as the hour of Hai arrived, two sets of footsteps sounded outside the room right on time.
Shen Yunying guessed immediately that it was Yan Peifeng and Siqi arriving.
Shen Yunying pursed her lips, stood up, and raised a perfectly appropriate smile. “Husband, you’re back.”
The wife’s voice was as clear and melodious as an oriole emerging from a valley. Yan Peifeng paused his steps, his narrow eyes falling on Shen Yunying’s loose cloak and the faintly outlined sleeping robe beneath. From her words “you’re back,” he even detected a hint of anticipation.
Yan Peifeng’s expression grew even more tense. He directly waved his hand to stop Siqi from entering the room. “Siqi, you may leave. Bring the documents written by the two gentlemen tomorrow at Mao hour.”
Siqi was momentarily confused. Just moments ago outside, the master had said he wanted him to serve with brush and ink? But who would want to work through the night when they could go back to sleep? Siqi immediately smiled and assented, quickly retreating.
At this moment, Shen Yunying, without any makeup, displayed an even more naturally adorned beauty. Her starry eyes shone brightly, gazing over without concealment. Yan Peifeng couldn’t help but think of Shen Yunying’s words about bearing children in front of his parents. Earlier, she had been so delighted even by the children in the countryside—she must truly desire a child.
Shen Yunying’s eyes grew even brighter, more dazzling than all the night pearls he had ever possessed. Yan Peifeng instinctively took a step forward, wanting to grasp her slender, smooth waist as if holding a precious night pearl.
But reason instantly returned. Yan Peifeng’s brow furrowed slightly, his handsome face stiffening for a moment. He forcibly changed direction, walking past Shen Yunying to the stand, where he took a towel to wipe his hands.
Shen Yunying slightly opened her mouth. She had just thought Yan Peifeng was coming toward her. But considering his attitude toward her, she quickly let it go.
She turned with a smile and called out again, “Husband, would you like some late-night snacks?”
Shen Yunying thought that using one’s brain was tiring and digestion was quick—she wondered if Yan Peifeng was hungry.
With the cool, damp towel in hand, the now-calm Yan Peifeng resumed his usual gentle and refined demeanor. “No need. Eating at night is not good for health. You should also eat less in the future.”
Yan Peifeng couldn’t resist adding more, nearly telling Shen Yunying to eat more slowly in the future and to mind her dining etiquette. Fortunately, he held back at the last moment.
Shen Yunying softly uttered an “oh,” then turned to have hot water prepared for Yan Peifeng’s washing. In summer, sweating was frequent, and their group had been traveling continuously. Yan Peifeng had long wanted to freshen up properly, so he followed Shen Yunying’s arrangements.
After he left, Shen Yunying sat back on the bed, feeling she had performed quite well earlier. When Yan Peifeng returned, she would continue to maintain this.
Just as Shen Yunying finished a chapter of the storybook, Yinping hurried in to report, lowering her voice, “Madam, the master will be here shortly.”
Yinping and Yinzheng knew Shen Yunying intended to spend a good night with Yan Peifeng and immediately offered enthusiastic support in both words and actions! Yinzheng found the previously read storybook for Shen Yunying to reference how the young lady within had her springtime encounter. Yinping felt this approach wasn’t very reliable, but with no other methods available, she reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, she kept an eye on Yan Peifeng’s movements, ready to report at any time.
Shen Yunying immediately closed the storybook. “Understood, you may leave.”
The storybook was of no use!
Others were like a lovesick lad and a smitten maiden, where a single meeting of eyes was a golden wind meeting jade dew, needing no matchmaker to become a pair of lovebirds.
But what about her and Yan Peifeng? They were a proper, legitimate husband and wife, yet how much genuine affection existed between them?
Shen Yunying asked herself honestly: her expectations of Yan Peifeng had nothing to do with love or romance—she simply wanted a comfortable, peaceful life together.
Yan Peifeng was also wearing moon-white silk sleepwear, crafted by the same embroiderer as Shen Yunying’s current attire—comfortable and breathable, perfect for summer wear.
Yan Peifeng strolled into the room, tall and graceful like a pine or bamboo. The moonlight trailed behind him, casting a layer of cool, ethereal elegance, making him seem transcendent and otherworldly.
Shen Yunying stared in a daze. She knew Yan Peifeng was handsome, but that didn’t stop her from being stunned once again by his striking beauty.
By the time Yan Peifeng stood before her, Shen Yunying’s mind was still lingering on the moonlight and the sight of him. Without thinking, she blurted out, “Husband, it’s time to rest.”