Chapter 41: How quickly worldly attitudes change, like two completely different cats

The waves gradually subsided and the hot mist dissipated a little.

Shen Zhiwei leaned against the warm pool wall, her whole body limp, too lazy to even move her fingertips. The intensity and passion just now had exhausted her strength and also dispelled the chill and strangeness that had been lingering in her heart for days.

Her husband was now beside her, his arms still loosely around her waist, his chin resting on the top of her wet hair, his breathing gradually calming down.

Shen Zhiwei closed her eyes and could clearly feel the steady heartbeat from his chest and the warmth from where their skin touched.

This isn't a bad feeling; it even feels strangely reassuring.

It was like a lonely boat drifting without a place to go, finally finding a harbor where it could temporarily dock, even though the owner of this harbor was as silent as a stone.

The maids came in at some point, placed clean pajamas, and then quietly left, so considerate as not to disturb me at all.

"The water is cold, be careful not to catch a cold." Xiao Wangqing's voice sounded above her head, with the hoarseness after the incident and the lingering hot flashes.

Shen Zhiwei nodded gently and let him help her stand up.

The warm water slid down his body, taking away the last bit of warmth. When the wind blew, Shen Zhiwei shuddered and subconsciously leaned into his arms.

Xiao Wangqing immediately tightened his arms, holding her tighter in his arms. With his other hand, he grabbed the large and thick cotton towel beside him and wrapped her from head to toe. His movements were a little hasty, but not rough.

"cold?"

"A little." Shen Zhiwei yawned and let him wipe her wet hair and body with a cotton towel. His fingertips would occasionally brush against her skin, and the fingertips had thin calluses and a clear touch.

He dried her body and took out the clean pajamas that had been prepared for her. It was a white satin robe that was warm to the touch.

He helped her put it on, tying the belt carefully.

Shen Zhiwei lowered her eyes, cooperating with his movements, her gaze fixed on his fingers that were hooked with the silk ribbon. His hands had distinct joints and his nails were neatly trimmed.

These hands had just left burning marks on her body.

Shen Zhiwei couldn't help but feel a little hot in his ears.

After putting on her pajamas, Xiao Wangqing picked up another dry cloth and wiped her wet hair.

His movements were very gentle, wrapping the cotton towel around her long hair, pressing and rubbing it bit by bit, absorbing the moisture from her hair. His fingers would occasionally run through her hair, combing out the tiny tangles, controlling the strength just right, without any pain.

Shen Zhiwei had her back to him and could feel his warm breath brushing against the back of her neck. This meticulous care made her feel trance-like, as if they were really a couple who had been together for a long time and were familiar with each other.

But her mind was still empty. Everything about him and between them was still blank.

"Alright." After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Wangqing's voice echoed above her head, and the cotton towel was removed. Her long hair, though not completely dry, was no longer dripping, and fell loosely behind her shoulders.

"Thank you, husband." "No problem, it's my job."

After a while, Shen Zhiwei was properly placed back on the bed in the bedroom. He tucked in the corners of the quilt for her, and paused as his fingers brushed her still damp hair, but in the end he didn't stay any longer.

"You'd better take a good rest." He said in a low and hoarse voice, then turned and left. His back was still straight, and for some reason he revealed a sense of fleeing in a panic.

She watched him leave, sank into the soft quilt and closed her eyes, her mind flashing through her husband's tense muscles, his restrained yet uncontrolled breathing, and the countless hurried kisses that had landed on his eyelashes, lips, and... certain places.

It feels so good.

The heating in the hall was so warm that it drove away the winter chill.

When Shen Zhiwei woke up, there was no one in the hall. She sat up with the quilt in her arms, and her nightgown slipped off, revealing a few light red marks on her shoulders and neck, indicating the absurdity and intimacy of last night.

His body was still sore, but his mind was strangely clear.

The chaos of amnesia seemed to be replaced by something more tangible. Although that thing was still shrouded in fog, it was warm to the touch and no longer frightening.

The maids came in to help her wash up, their attitude more cautious and respectful than usual. Shen Zhiwei let them do whatever they wanted, her eyes glancing at her lazy eyebrows in the mirror, without much embarrassment in her heart.

Since they were already married, physical intimacy was natural. Furthermore, her husband was a truly pleasing sight, and although his technique was somewhat clumsy, he was dedicated and not annoying.

After breakfast, she leaned on the couch by the window, flipping through a local gazetteer, when she heard subtle noises outside the hall. It wasn't Xiao Wangqing's usual footsteps, but rather something like... scratching and whimpering.

She looked up and saw a dark mass trying to squeeze in through the gap of the half-open door.

It was a pitch-black cat, not very large, with a pair of gilded eyes that shone startlingly brightly in the hallway. It seemed a little anxious, scratching at the doorframe with its claws, making dissatisfied grunts in its throat, trying to get into the hall.

A maid hurried forward and whispered to him, "Oh, why is this little ancestor here? Get out now! Don't disturb the lady!"

But the black cat refused to leave. Instead, it arched its back, bared its teeth at the maid, and raised its tail high, looking alert and unreasonable.

Shen Zhiwei found it a little funny, put down the scroll and shook his head: "Let it in."

The maid was startled and said hesitantly, "Madam, this cat has a wild temper. I'm afraid it might offend you..."

"It's okay," Shen Zhiwei waved, "You look quite energetic."

The maid had no choice but to step aside. The black cat immediately rushed in, as if granted amnesty, its footsteps light and silent. It first looked around warily, its nose twitching a few times, then looked at Shen Zhiwei on the couch.

Shen Zhiwei looked at it and felt something in his heart. The cat's eyes were not like those of ordinary livestock, but seemed to have some human nature.

She tried to stretch out her hand and hooked her fingertips towards it: "Come here."

The black cat's ears twitched, and after a moment's hesitation, it actually took a step towards her. Maintaining a reserved demeanor, it walked to the edge of the couch, and with a light leap, landed on the empty seat beside her.

It first approached her hand hanging at her side and sniffed it carefully with its wet and cool nose, then raised its head, looked at her, and made an extremely soft, almost satisfied purr in its throat. It rubbed its head against her wrist, the action natural and intimate, as if it had done it a thousand times.

Shen Zhiwei's fingertips sank into its warm, soft fur, and a strange warmth spread from the point of contact. She looked down at the dark fur ball that had thrown itself into her arms, and the corners of her lips curled up unconsciously.

"You don't seem to be shy." She scratched its chin gently.

The black cat squinted its eyes comfortably, purred even louder, and even stretched out its barbed tongue to lick her fingertips, leaving a slight tingling sensation.

At this time, the palace door was pushed open again and Xiao Wangqing walked in.

The color of his clothes today was lighter than usual, and there was less deliberate aloofness between his brows.

His eyes first fell on Shen Zhiwei. Seeing that she looked okay and at ease, a trace of relief flashed across his eyes. Then, his eyes fell on the dark ball in her hand.

Almost the moment Xiao Wangqing entered, the black cat, which had been enjoying being petted, suddenly raised its head, its fur slightly puffing out, and the purring in its throat abruptly stopped. Its golden pupils shrank into thin lines as it stared at Xiao Wangqing intently, its tail slapping the couch in annoyance.

The attitude changed so quickly, it was like two different cats.

Xiao Wangqing paused and looked at the cat, his face expressionless, neither disgust nor love. He walked to the edge of the couch and sat down on the other side of Shen Zhiwei, with the cat between them.

"Where did the cat come from?" He raised his hand and smoothed her slightly messy long hair.

"He ran in on his own," Shen Zhiwei replied while soothing the kitten, which had instantly stiffened. "It seems like he gets along well with me."

Xiao Wangqing hummed, his eyes sweeping over the cat: "There are many wild cats in the mansion. If you like, you can keep them to entertain yourself."

However, the black cat was clearly extremely unhappy with his approach. It no longer looked at Shen Zhiwei, but instead hunched its body, hissing even more loudly in Xiao Wangqing's direction, its fur standing on end, as if it were facing a formidable enemy.

Shen Zhiwei raised an eyebrow, finding it amusing. This cat was unusually affectionate towards her, yet completely hostile towards Xiao Wangqing. Could it be that the cats in this mansion also knew how to judge people and knew who their true master was?

She reached out and took the cat into her arms, gently stroking its fur: "What's wrong, don't you like your husband?"

The black cat calmed down a little in her arms, but still stared at Xiao Wangqing warily, gurgling in its throat.

Xiao Wangqing didn't seem to care about the cat's hostility. His attention quickly returned to Shen Zhiwei: "How do you feel today...are you still in pain?"

"Much better," Shen Zhiwei replied after coughing twice, stroking its tail with his fingertips. "This cat... I really like it. Why not keep it by my side?"

Xiao Wangqing glanced at the cat and said, "It's up to you. But Madam, please be careful not to get scratched."

"It's very well behaved." Shen Zhiwei lowered her head and rubbed her cheek against the cat's furry head. The black cat seemed to enjoy it very much. It narrowed its eyes and rubbed its head back against her, making a soft, coquettish sound, completely different from the way it had bared its teeth at Xiao Wangqing just now.

Xiao Wangqing watched this scene and was silent for a moment. Suddenly, he stretched out his hand, as if wanting to touch the cat as well.

Just when his fingertips were about to touch the cat's head, the black cat suddenly retracted its neck to avoid his touch, making a sharp hissing sound and showing its claws. Although it did not actually grab, it was full of warning.

Xiao Wangqing's hand froze in mid-air.

Shen Zhiwei raised her eyes to look at him, and saw that there was no anger on his face, just some helplessness.

Her heart moved slightly, and she smiled and said, "It seems that it only recognizes me. My husband should not recruit it."

Xiao Wangqing obediently withdrew his hand and twirled his fingertips on his knees: "It's just a beast, let it go."

"My husband seems to be free today?"

He looked up at the sound, his dark eyes looking at her, the emotions in them settled, leaving only a little gentle light: "Well, the trivial matters of the New Year have come to an end for the time being."

He paused, as if he had finally found a topic to talk about, and leaned forward slightly: "It's not good to be cooped up in the palace all day. If the weather is fine in a few days, would you like to go out for a walk, Madam?"

"Go out?" Shen Zhiwei raised his eyebrows.

Since she woke up, her activities have been limited to this palace and the connected courtyard, and she is still unfamiliar with the outside world.

"Where are you going?"

"There's a Meiling Mountain outside the city. The plum blossoms should be in full bloom right now," Xiao Wangqing thought for a moment and said, "Or... maybe we can go shopping in the West Market? The New Year is approaching, and the market should be quite lively."

He gave two choices, one elegant and the other secular.

Shen Zhiwei had no obsession with plum blossoms. She had seen many flowers in the past half month. The surroundings were too quiet, so quiet that it made her feel empty in her heart. Instead, it made her curious about what the lively scene was like.

"Let's go to the West Market," she decided. "It's good to listen to the voices of people."

He nodded: "Okay, I'll accompany you."

The black cat moved in her arms, glanced at Xiao Wangqing with its golden vertical pupils, flicked its tail lightly, changed its posture, buried its head in Shen Zhiwei's arms, leaving only its butt facing him.

Shen Zhiwei couldn't help but laugh out loud.

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Author's Note: Miss Shen's Diary

January 11th: Stretch out your hand for clothes and open your mouth for food.

January 12: Shen Zhiwei, oh Shen Zhiwei! How could you be so depraved? Have you forgotten the test plan we set earlier?

January 13th: Seduced by my husband, I have everything I want, I just stretch out my hand for clothes and open my mouth for food.