“Husband, you’re teasing me again! There are so many people outside!” Su Rou struggled hard, trying to get down from his lap.
Chen Jinghan, however, held both her hands firmly and whispered in her ear, “Wife, there are people all around. If you make too much noise, everyone will hear. If you stay still and behave, I won’t do anything.”
“You scoundrel!” Qing’er’s eyes widened. No matter how much she tried, she had no way to fight back—his strength was too great, pinning her so securely she couldn’t move an inch.
Since he was so resolute, she had no choice but to obey, sitting quietly on his lap, letting him do as he pleased.
Chen Jinghan gazed at her delicate, soft body, catlike in its pliancy, and couldn’t resist planting gentle kisses on her red lips.
“Husband… mm…” Qing’er had hoped he would restrain himself, but he became even bolder. In the carriage, he was shameless, and she twisted and turned, trying to slip from his embrace for fear of being seen.
Uh-oh.
Suddenly, Chen Jinghan paused, his expression oddly tense. Qing’er seized the opportunity, slipping down from his lap and sitting at a distance.
Chen Jinghan hunched over in his seat. Seeing his unusual demeanor, Qing’er grew concerned and edged closer, asking softly, “Husband, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“I…” Chen Jinghan hesitated, unable to speak.
Qing’er’s worry deepened. She wished she could immediately summon a doctor.
Seeing her anxious face, Chen Jinghan couldn’t help laughing. He stopped her and whispered something in her ear, calming her instantly.
Qing’er buried her face in her hands, wishing the ground would swallow her. She realized she had accidentally touched a sensitive spot while struggling—Chen Jinghan’s strange expression had nothing to do with illness, but rather a mix of pain and pleasure.
“You had to be so reckless! Serves you right,” she murmured, lightly scolding him.
Chen Jinghan’s smile grew wider. His wife was captivating even when angry—her fiery beauty made his heart ache with desire.
He leaned in deliberately, wrapping one arm around her waist, expecting Qing’er to rest her head on his shoulder. But after a long moment, she showed no such intention.
With a sigh, he rested his heavy head on her delicate shoulder.
“Husband, again!” Qing’er exclaimed, half laughing, half exasperated. This mighty general of war resembled a spoiled, lazy cat more than a hero.
The familiar scent on him brought Qing’er a strange sense of comfort. She lightly stroked his hair as one would tease a cat.
A fragrant aroma drifted into Chen Jinghan’s senses, indescribably pleasant. He had long wanted to ask his wife what perfume she used—it smelled heavenly.
Blushing slightly, Qing’er shook her head. “I never use perfume. Husband, you must be mistaken.”
“Impossible. It’s your scent.” Chen Jinghan lifted her sleeve to sniff, finding no perfume, yet the aroma lingered.
Curious, he leaned closer to her neck and discovered—it was her natural fragrance. Qing’er carried a subtle, intoxicating scent of her own.
It was more delicate than gardenias, with a faint chill that lingered, unforgettable.
Overcome with desire, he nibbled lightly on her fair neck.
Qing’er, weakened by his teasing, snapped back to reality only when sounds from outside reached her. She quickly adjusted her clothes, preparing to step out of the carriage.
Back at home, her in-laws and Aunt Wang entered first.
Chen Jinghan followed closely with Qing’er, leading her into the dining hall.
The meal was already laid out.
Aunt Wang scanned the table, noticing it was mostly vegetarian with very few meat dishes. Her expression immediately fell, and she sat down with a frown.
After General Chen and Lady Chen took their seats, Chen Jinghan and Qing’er sat on either side, ready to serve.
“Father, Mother, Aunt, please enjoy. Qing’er instructed the kitchen to prepare everything this morning,” Chen Jinghan said, always mindful of protecting her reputation.
“Well done, Qing’er,” General Chen said, heartened. His son had found a virtuous wife; life would be easier from now on.
Lady Chen glanced at the dishes and stirred the plates, displeased. “Qing’er, you just arrived and don’t know our tastes yet. Everything’s so bland! If it weren’t for your aunt being here, people would say we’re stingy hosts. What a shame!”
Aunt Wang chimed in, “Exactly! The Chen family is an official household. Such meager dishes—what would people think if word got out?”
Qing’er felt unjustly accused. She had only instructed the kitchen; she hadn’t chosen the menu. The head chef, being older, knew the proper standards and hadn’t required her input. Yet, seeing mostly greens and few meats, the two elder women scolded her, leaving her hands trembling, unsure how to respond.
She had never endured such unfair treatment in her own family!
Chen Jinghan, eager to defend her, picked up some greens, eating cheerfully. “Mother, Aunt, you don’t understand. These choy hearts are rare and precious! On the battlefield, we couldn’t get these. Sometimes my brothers would catch mice to cook! This is a luxury compared to that.”
General Chen, seeing the injustice toward his daughter-in-law, summoned the chef to ask what had happened.
It turned out the chef had been drunk the previous night and had forgotten the family’s return, so hadn’t bought ingredients. When Qing’er had sent Cui’er to order the dishes, he was still muddled, thinking it was only the young couple dining.
The chef intended just to serve whatever was at hand.
Now the truth revealed, General Chen decided to dock the chef’s monthly pay as a warning.
Sweating profusely, the chef kowtowed in relief upon hearing it was only a fine.
Qing’er felt guilty and wanted to defend him, but Chen Jinghan’s glance stopped her.
With the battlefield explanation, Lady Chen and Aunt Wang had no further complaints, quietly eating their meal.
Though illiterate, Lady Chen knew her husband’s temper; pressing further could provoke him, leading to serious consequences.
After all, Qing’er had already shown her grace today. In the future, she would hold full sway, just like kneading dough.
Years of enduring as a daughter-in-law had finally allowed her to rise to mistress. Lady Chen, who had made her own daughter-in-law endure hardships, now let Qing’er experience them too.
Qing’er chewed the bland rice, tasting nothing but chalk. She didn’t understand why her mother-in-law bore such hostility toward her. By family background, the Su and Chen families were equally matched; by looks, she was not unattractive; by education, she had studied for years. Yet here she was, unfairly tested.