Chapter 23 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lin Rong was merely a lowly servant in a grand mansion, and had never held any important position in the inner court.

The maids in the outer courtyard were not required to read or write. In fact, the masters even hoped that the female servants would know fewer words, lest they become too knowledgeable, develop big minds, and be easily instigated to have thoughts of betraying their masters.

However, the maids and servants in the inner courtyard, in order to serve their masters more conveniently, not only had to be literate, but also had to know a little about etiquette and rules, so that they could help the young ladies and mistresses of the mansion choose clothing materials, match hair accessories, and even prepare incense for their boudoirs.

Every late spring, Lin Rong would help Granny Zhao move some stored fruits such as Buddha's Hand and Citron into the porcelain jars in Madam Pei's Buddhist hall for use in the incense room.

Only under such circumstances is Lin Rong qualified to enter the inner courtyard.

For more than ten years, Lin Rong had never been qualified to serve her master, so how could she know how to serve the young master in bed?

Not to mention managing bedroom affairs, she didn't even know how to remove Pei Zan's robes and hairpins.

Lin Rong was entrusted with this critical mission. Thinking of Pei Zan's imposing phoenix eyes and the dagger he was playing with between his fingers, she suddenly became so nervous that her palms were covered in sweat.

She awkwardly walked around the screen, her gaze fixed on Pei Zan's waist.

It is early spring, and the plains are still bitterly cold.

Spending the night in a tent, one's own silk nightgown is not enough; three layers, one inside and one outside, are necessary to keep warm.

Pei Zan casually took off an outer robe to keep warm, and was still wearing a plain, wide-sleeved shirt. Underneath was the inner garment he wore to sleep at night.

Lin Rong washed her hands, carefully stepped forward, and gently pulled on Pei Zan's plain robe with a cloud pattern, carefully untying the thin straps for him.

Lin Rong is meticulous in her work, and this applies to helping people undress as well.

She lowered her head, her red hair ribbon hanging straight down, and her soft, boneless hands moved erratically in front of Pei Zan.

The girl's delicate fingertips were slightly upturned, like lotus buds just beginning to emerge from a pond.

She tangled her clothes and struggled to unbutton them, occasionally brushing against Pei Zan's well-defined, narrow waist muscles, unconsciously rubbing and circling them through the fabric, sending a slippery, itchy sensation through her.

Pei Zan felt uncomfortable being flattered by her, his cold, lonely brows furrowed, and he gave her a chilling look.

Lin Rong buried her face in front of him. The two were very close, almost touching. Lin Rong's sweet fragrance wafted over him, and even the warm breath she exhaled enveloped Pei Zan.

It is unpleasant, and may even arouse a sense of resistance.

Pei Zan had been standing there for a long time, but Lin Rong was still struggling with the thin straps on his clothes. The two straps, which were originally easy to untie, were torn into a knot by her fuss.

Lin Rong stared blankly at her masterpiece, speechless for a long time.

Pei Zan glanced at her but was immediately impressed by Lin Rong's clumsiness. He couldn't help but scoff, "If you still can't take it apart, are you going to bite it?"

Lin Rong was taken aback, looked up, her almond-shaped eyes filled with panic and helplessness, her tone pleading: "Is it okay?"

...I actually had that thought.

Pei Zan felt a dull ache in his forehead whenever he thought of Lin Rong bending down, lowering her head, opening her mouth and sticking out her tongue to bite the knot of his robe at his waist.

Pei Zan pursed his thin lips slightly.

He grabbed Lin Rong by the collar and pulled her away a bit.

Then, with a cold face, Pei Zan twisted his fingers and broke the belt, finally taking off his outer garment himself.

Lin Rong had done something wrong, and she stood anxiously to one side.

The first attempt to serve clothes ended in failure.

By the time Lin Rong came to her senses, Pei Zan had already leaned against the low couch in the tent, preparing to go to bed.

The brocade quilt covered the man's long legs. He picked up the bronze lamp, blew it out, and was about to fall asleep.

Lin Rong was stunned. She suddenly remembered that although Uncle Feng had taken her around the military camp, he had not told her where they would spend the night.

Pei Zan went to bed, so where would she sleep?

Lin Rong glanced at the military tent.

On the left, a wooden rack held swords, quivers, and piles of black robes and armor.

On one side, a low table was piled with military documents, as well as several book boxes and clothing trunks.

There was no second bed.

At most, there was a blanket spread on the lawn, where Lin Rong could curl up and sleep.

However, the temperature difference between day and night is large in the foothills and plains, so even if Lin Rong sleeps fully clothed, she is still at risk of catching a cold.

Poor people are most afraid of cold-related illnesses. Once they develop a fever, it can spread to the forehead and penetrate deep into the lung meridian. At that point, the illness will be incurable, and they won't even be able to survive the summer. They will die within a few months.

Lin Rong cherishes her life and wouldn't joke about catching a cold.

So the young girl sat down on the edge of Pei Zan's bed, her dark eyes looking thoughtful as she asked, "Young Master, where will I sleep tonight?"

Pei Zan did not make things difficult for Lin Rong. He lifted one corner of the quilt and said, "Get into bed."

Lin Rong let out a soft "Ah," hesitatingly asking, "Isn't it a bit improper for a concubine to share a bed with her husband?"

She had thought that Pei Zan would be kind enough to give her a blanket, but she never expected that the young master would be so polite as to invite her to sleep in the same bed.

Pei Zan didn't indulge her. After listening, he simply said, "If you don't want to sleep on the bed, then sleep on the floor, whatever you like."

Lin Rong knew when to quit while she was ahead, so she gritted her teeth and quickly prepared herself mentally.

Lin Rong thanked him for his kindness, then went behind the screen to take off her clothes, wipe herself, and take off her hair. Afterwards, wearing her nightgown, she bent over and tiptoed over Pei Zan to sleep on the innermost side of the long couch.

The lights were blown out, and the military tent was plunged into a chaotic darkness.

Lin Rong lay there stiffly like a corpse.

She and Pei Zan shared a soft quilt. Under the quilt, she deliberately avoided suspicion and kept a great distance from Pei Zan, with enough space between her arms to fit half a person.

The bedding was filled with an unfamiliar sandalwood scent, as if one were in a smoky Buddhist temple, the atmosphere solemn and heavy, sending chills down one's spine.

Lin Rong had been through many sexual encounters; she wasn't stupid. Of course, she knew the hidden meaning behind Pei Zan's invitation to her to bed. She knew she would face a calamity, so she wasn't too afraid. At worst, she would just have to endure another round of bullying from Pei Zan... It would hurt a bit, but she could bear it.

Lin Rong was filled with anxiety. She held her breath and waited for a long time, but Pei Zan did not make a move. Instead, his breathing became more even and relaxed.

Lin Rong secretly opened her eyes and, by the moonlight, glanced at Pei Zan.

The man's eyelashes drooped, his eyes gently closed, and he had fallen asleep.

Lin Rong was stunned... Could it be that she had been judging him by her own petty standards? Was the young master really just looking out for her and giving her a bed, without any ill intentions?

Thinking of this, Lin Rong breathed a sigh of relief. She had been working hard for several days, and a wave of fatigue washed over her. She slowly fell asleep in no time.

However, just as Lin Rong had gotten a good night's sleep, she was awakened by a wave of heat, her body covered in sweat.

Lin Rong, still half-asleep, opened her almond-shaped eyes a crack and saw a snow-white, smooth-textured male chest.

Her mind went blank. Her gaze shifted upwards, landing on the menacing old scar. Above her narrow collarbone was the man's sharply defined jawline and his slightly protruding, pointed Adam's apple...

It's Pei Zan!

Lin Rong's head was spinning. Then she looked again and realized that her hand had somehow slipped inside Pei Zan's robe.

Lin Rong's legs went weak with fear. Her toes curled up, her knees ached, and she was just about to struggle to her feet.

Little did she know that the blanket was soft and slippery. She was too weak and became more and more flustered. Her toes couldn't bear the weight, and she accidentally slipped and knelt down, bumping into Pei Zan's waist and hips.

That's good.

Lin Rong spread her legs slightly and awkwardly leaned back onto Pei Zan's chest.

It was her impulsiveness that led her to act recklessly and end up stepping on Pei Zan's blade.

The hard stone was boiling, and it was really uncomfortable to eat.

You can't blame Lin Rong, and you can't blame Pei Zan either.

Young men are full of vigor and it's normal for them to be aroused in the early morning.

Lin Rong's sleeping posture was too absurd, and she was also afraid of the cold. She spent the whole night rubbing Pei Zan like a hot water bottle, craving food from inside and outside.

She had only loosened Pei Zan's collar and touched his skin, which was already considered as her saving face.

The two were in a slightly awkward position. Lin Rong felt a heat rising in her neck, and she gently bit her lip, feeling an overwhelming sense of shame.

But Pei Zan had her there, making it impossible for her to move an inch, and she really didn't know what to do.

Lin Rong cautiously looked up and caught sight of her young master's cold, piercing phoenix eyes. Feeling guilty, she explained, "Young master is so kind... knowing I'm afraid of the cold at night, he even... he helped me warm up..."

Pei Zan naturally knew what she meant by "warming up".

It's nothing more than using long weapons and armaments.

Pei Zan's breathing became slightly heavy, and he remained silent for a long time.

Before Lin Rong could carefully lift her leg, she escaped from his side.

A large, hot hand had already gripped her snowy buttocks, forcefully pressing her back into place.

Lin Rong: "..."

Lin Rong felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, her shoulders and back stiff, and she dared not move an inch.

The atmosphere was heavy and suffocating.

Pei Zan, however, gradually increased the force of his palm, roughly grabbing Lin Rong.

The man's strong arms were bent, covered with bulging veins. He held the petite Lin Rong hostage, forcing her to endure the torment, kneel down, and grind his lips against hers.

Then, Pei Zan gently stroked Lin Rong's delicate, fair nape, his fingertips hooking a few strands of black hair, his Bodhi prayer beads lightly tapping her shoulder, a sudden chill rising within him. He forced her to look up, his voice low and mocking.

"Lin Rong, since you are my concubine... why are you hiding from me?"

Author's Note: Okay, we'll continue on Wednesdays, but with fewer words. We'll still update at midnight every day as usual =3=

The plot unfolds slowly, so please be patient. If it's not to your taste, feel free to put it aside for now. Let me follow the outline and finish this book properly. Love you all! =3= For Lin Rong, surviving is the most important thing~