“Young General, Young Madam, it’s time to eat.”
A knock sounded at the door.
Su Qing’er panicked, pushing him away and stepping back several times.
“Understood. You may leave for now. No one is to come in without my orders,” Chen Jinghan said, still lingering in the moment, dismissing the servants but clearly wanting to be close to Qing’er a little longer.
Blushing, Qing’er quickly protested, “Husband, this… this isn’t proper.”
Ha!
Chen Jinghan laughed heartily, stepping closer. “Wife, we are already married. How is this improper?”
Her hands trembled slightly as she stammered, “B-But it’s still… daytime.”
Chen Jinghan nearly choked with laughter. So that’s what was bothering her. He bent down to whisper in her ear, “That’s easy. We’ll do it tonight.”
“You!” Qing’er felt as if she wanted to sink into the floor. Raised on the classics, she had never imagined such words could be spoken so freely.
Seeing her anger, Chen Jinghan had a sudden idea. He took her hand, playfully letting her tap his mouth to stop his mischievous words.
But Qing’er couldn’t bring herself to do it. Having just seen the scars covering him, she simply couldn’t bring herself to hit him.
Looking at Chen Jinghan’s face full of mischief, she realized she had been tricked again. Infuriating!
She thought, With my wit, I can’t possibly lose to him!
“Ouch!” she cried, a grimace of pain crossing her face.
Chen Jinghan hurried to support her, asking repeatedly, “Wife, what’s wrong?”
“Perhaps the ointment just applied to you touched a sore spot. It hurts badly—I can’t move,” Qing’er said, watching his reaction carefully.
Chen Jinghan panicked, about to call a doctor, when Qing’er quickly stopped him. “It’s my hands—no need for outsiders to see.”
“Oh, right! How could I forget? What do we do then?” Chen Jinghan wiped the sweat from his brow and carried Qing’er to the bed, questioning her about every spot.
He asked about her arms—she said it hurt. Her stomach—she said it hurt. Her legs—still hurt.
A lifetime of minor injuries gave him some knowledge of medicine. He was pondering what ointment might work when Qing’er suddenly giggled.
“Wife, what’s wrong?” he ran over to her.
Qing’er said nothing, only laughed.
Only then did Chen Jinghan realize she had been joking; nothing hurt at all. Her earlier complaints were all a ruse.
“Ah, wife, you trickster!” he laughed and tickled her. Qing’er couldn’t resist, wriggling on the bed.
In the tussle, Chen Jinghan accidentally touched her chest. Immediately, he pulled back his hand.
Qing’er turned away, covering herself with the blanket, fearing he might push further.
Chen Jinghan got off the bed and sat properly at the table. After a while, restraining himself, he said, “Wife, let’s eat first.”
“All right.” Qing’er went to wash her face with cold water, so the servants wouldn’t notice anything.
The couple walked to the dining hall, one after the other.
Along the way, Qing’er felt as if the servants were whispering about her. She regretted tending his wounds in broad daylight. If they gossip, my lifelong reputation might be ruined.
Chen Jinghan, walking ahead, noticed she lagged and stopped to wait. When she caught up, he gently took her hand and continued walking.
“Husband, let go! They’re all watching!” Qing’er blushed furiously. Holding hands in front of the servants was far from proper.
But Chen Jinghan strode confidently, refusing to release her. The surrounding servants grew more numerous.
Qing’er, realizing she couldn’t persuade him, shouted with sudden strength, “Chen Jinghan, let go!”
“Wife, don’t be angry. Don’t be angry. I’ll let go—see? I’ll let go.” Chen Jinghan, cheerful as ever, released her hand and gestured for her to go first.
Seeing his mischievous grin, Qing’er cursed herself. Why am I so impatient? Now everyone in the mansion will think I’m a tigress, keeping a mighty general in check!
Sigh—her reputation!
With no choice, she forced herself to walk forward, maintaining proper decorum in front of the servants.
By the dining hall, her face was stiff with composure.
Several maids helped serve the dishes. Chen Jinghan dismissed them, saying he wanted a quiet meal with his wife.
The maids quickly left.
Chen Jinghan went to the door. Once the room was empty, he carried a plate full of the best dishes to Qing’er. “Wife, all of these are the finest. Try them.”
But Qing’er had no appetite, still troubled by earlier events. She asked, “Husband, why did you act so flamboyantly outside just now? Won’t this give me a bad reputation?”
Sitting beside her, Chen Jinghan’s expression turned serious. “Wife, I am often away. At home, some servants might not care enough. If I were away at war and someone mistreated you, I’d be heartbroken. Better that they already think you hold me in check. Even if they respect me, they won’t dare neglect you.”
“Husband, you think so far ahead…” Qing’er was touched. Since their marriage, he had always considered her in everything, truly an exemplary husband.
Chen Jinghan added, “Husband and wife are one. Since you are mine, I will do my utmost to protect you. Not a single injustice shall come to you.”
That night, as usual, Chen Jinghan laid the bedding on the floor. Qing’er bit her lip, hesitated a moment, then whispered, “Husband, the floor is cold. Come up to sleep.”
“Wife, you mean it?” Chen Jinghan couldn’t believe his ears. Upon confirmation, he cheerfully carried the bedding to the soft bed.
It was his first time sleeping on a proper bed. Soft, warm—he had never been so comfortable.
By candlelight, Qing’er’s face glowed with delicate beauty. Chen Jinghan planted several kisses on her cheeks. Seeing no resistance, he gently removed her clothing, caressing her jade-like arms and neck, slowly exploring downward, venturing into unknown territory.
Such flawless beauty stirred every ounce of his tenderness. Beneath the crimson canopy, a night of passion unfolded.
Even a mighty, decisive general could not resist. There was nothing he couldn’t attempt, his fingers entwined with hers, radiating utmost gentleness.
The long night repeated in endless cycles, lovers entwined in the canopy, blissful beyond measure.
The world had nothing so intoxicating. Chen Jinghan recalled past battles, yet none compared to the satisfaction of tonight.
Passionate intimacy, gentle tenderness—truly, a warrior suited a delicate wife, and under the canopy, the lovers slept entwined.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window.
Cui’er came three times to urge them, but there was still no movement.
“Young General, Young Madam, in two hours the Master and Madam will return from the city. You need to be ready to welcome them,” Cui’er fretted, pacing anxiously.