Fearing her son might stir up some trouble, Madam Huang quickly cut in to interrupt: “We can speak of the future later! What matters most now is that all of us enjoy a good meal and have a wonderful time!”
Hardly had her words faded when Wei Linye spoke in a low, solemn tone: “Liu Muli will not marry any other man. She belongs to the Wei family, and only.”
Madam Huang: “……”
Liu Muli: “……”
Goodness, even she was nearly stunned speechless.
Must this man—this utter brute—listen to what he’s actually saying at a time like this?
Madam Huang wore a look of deep worry. *My son, can you not exercise just a little more restraint? Must you be so glaringly bold about it?*
Fortunately, the other women elders gathered had not misinterpreted his meaning. They assumed Wei Linye was merely being old-fashioned, insisting Liu Muli remain a widow in memory of his elder brother.
“Linye, that is hardly right of you,” one chided. “Muli is only nineteen—still so young! She could yet find herself a fine husband. You’re a learned man, for goodness’ sake; how can you hold such outdated views?”
“Quite so,” another agreed. “The rest of us can keep our eyes open and seek out worthy men who might wish to take a wife like her.”
“Muli is lovely to look at, and capable as well. She would have no trouble finding a good match.”
“……”
Liu Muli watched Wei Linye’s expression grow colder and colder, the veins standing out prominently on his hand as he gripped his chopsticks.
She truly feared that in his rising anger, he might simply flip the dinner table over.
Hurriedly forcing a gentle smile, she addressed the elders: “I thank you all for your kind intentions, but I have no wish to marry. For now, I only wish to remain by my mother-in-law’s side.”
Madam Huang was deeply moved, her eyes glistening with tears.
The other women nodded approvingly, thinking what a wise investment Madam Huang had made all those years ago—paying a handsome sum to bring such a gentle, dutiful daughter-in-law into the family was money well spent.
Madam Huang thought so too. Her son had achieved great promise, her daughter-in-law was obedient and kind, and life as she knew it now was nothing short of bliss. It was a good life that many women in the village looked upon with envy.
Conversation soon turned to praising Liu Muli for her filial piety and gentle ways, lauding Wei Linye for his accomplishments, and complimenting Madam Huang on her good fortune. The atmosphere remained warm and congenial.
When supper ended, Madam Huang insisted the guests rest rather than help clear the table. She also pressed a small red envelope into each woman’s hand—nothing extravagant, just six copper coins apiece. Even so, seeing the coins brought each woman great delight. *If Madam Huang, Xiuan, or Muli should ever need assistance,* they resolved silently, *we shall most certainly come to their aid.*
…
It had to be admitted: Wei Linye’s little gesture to win over the villagers’ hearts was proving quite effective.
As they cleared the tableware, Madam Huang asked, “Linye, when do you intend to depart?”
The question caught Liu Muli’s interest as well; she lifted her gaze toward him, waiting intently for his answer.
Wei Linye felt her attention keenly. He noticed the way her eyes lit up at the question, bright with barely suppressed joy. His expression hardened, and a heavy, uneasy feeling settled in his chest. Yet he had indeed remained home long enough; it was time to set forth, or else he would never reach the capital before the bitter winter set in.
“I shall depart at dawn tomorrow,” Wei Linye replied, his voice cool and void of warmth.
*At last,* Liu Muli thought, a swell of joy rising within her, the corners of her lips curling upward. *The day has come. Soon we shall be parted for good, and go our separate ways.*
Madam Huang, however, stood frozen for a moment, tears rushing to her eyes. Before the departure date had been settled, she had fretted over his leaving. Now that the hour was confirmed, sorrow seized her, and her heart ached with reluctance.
Liu Muli’s heart went out to her. She spoke softly to comfort her, sharing amusing tales to chase away her sadness and make her smile.
Meanwhile, Wei Linye retired to his quarters to pack his things. His mood was likewise troubled, weighed down by a strange, restless melancholy.
That very night, Wei Linye came to her bed as was his way. His fingers brushed against the familiar cloth of her menstrual sash, and he let out a short, knowing scoff.
With practiced ease, his long, slender fingers untied and removed the sash, tossing it aside to the foot of the bed.
“Ali,” he murmured low in her ear, “it is already the eighth day. Any longer, and your little ruse would have run its course.”
“………”
*The brute knew! All this time, he had known she was lying!*
She had foolishly imagined her deception to be so very clever—when in truth, she had fooled no one at all.
Liu Muli huffed indignantly. “You knew the very day you returned home, did you not? You guessed it then!”
Wei Linye’s expression softened from its usual sternness into something lazy, unhurried, and dangerously self-assured. He spoke slowly, his voice rich and smooth: “Indeed, I knew. Did you suppose, Ali, that you carry no unique scent when your monthlies come?”
It was a faint, delicate fragrance—far from unpleasant—so subtle that any other person, or even Liu Muli herself, would never have noticed it. But Wei Linye was a man of obsessive nature; what was his, he must know down to every last detail, every unique quality.
Liu Muli’s eyes flew wide, her mind stuttering to a halt.
In two lifetimes, she had never met anyone so… peculiar. To have deliberately memorized the scent of her body during her courses!
“You—you pervert! Shameless, unprincipled wretch!” Her heart thudded wildly against her ribs as she hissed the accusations.
Wei Linye lay half-reclined beside her, his gaze darkening, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. “Oh? Then I suppose I ought to thank my dearest Ali for the names… in which case…”
He let his words trail off, then suddenly gripped her waist and lifted her, settling her astride his lap. His voice dropped to a low, husky caress against her senses: “…why not let me live up to those shameless names properly? What say you?”
“！！！！”
“Only over my dead body—ah!”
…
The night was deep as ink, thick and unyielding, swallowing the world whole.
Liu Muli lay bathed in a fine sheen of sweat, her hair damp at the temples. Her usually clear, bright eyes swam with misty moisture, and tears pricked and spilled at the corners, driven forth by pleasure and breathlessness.
“Will you come with me to the capital?” Wei Linye’s voice rumbled deep and rough against her ear.
“No!” The answer burst from her instinctively, even as her mind swam in utter disarray.
His grip tightened, his presence pressing so close it made her scalp tingle. Then he spoke again, each word pronounced with sharp, biting emphasis: “You are as stubborn as a mule, my lady wife…”
Liu Muli’s thoughts whirled in chaos. Her lips, flushed and rosy, parted as she retorted weakly, “Nonsense—I am not your wife!”
“Heh.” A low, dark chuckle rumbled in his chest, his tone laced with unmistakable danger. “Not my wife? We shall see. Liu Muli, do not ever dare imagine you may marry another. You are mine—and mine alone.”
Liu Muli turned her head away, refusing to bandy words with him or meet his gaze. That only served to provoke him further. Recalling what his mother had said that morning, he reached out, gripped her chin firmly, and turned her face back toward him, leaning in until his dark, fierce gaze held hers captive.
“Liu Muli… if you ever dare run off with another man, I shall hunt you down. Drag you back… by any means necessary…”
“…and then I shall lock you away, where no one will ever find you.”
Liu Muli offered a faint, disbelieving curl of her lip, unmoved and silent.
The light seemed to dim further around her. His scent and presence overwhelmed her; before she could turn away, he claimed her breath once more, stealing it away slowly, inch by inch.
“……..”
“Hush… relax for me…”