Chapter 97 Chapter 97 "Madam, what a refined mood." ...

The couch in the study is small, and the air inside the tent is filled with a faint, warm atmosphere.

Xie Zhiyan was very restrained. Although Sheng Puzhu cried for so long that she cried three times, her knees were red, and her palms were so weak that she couldn't hold on any longer, he still seemed to be kind-hearted and let her go after she had her fun just once.

After finishing, he stood up, wrung out the warm handkerchief himself, and wiped away the wet marks on her body with great care.

Her fingertips inadvertently brushed across the red kiss marks on her fair skin left by his bites. Sheng Puzhu's cheeks were hot, she tilted her chin up and gasped, her pair of affectionate almond eyes filled with brilliance, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

After everything was tidied up, Xie Zhiyan wiped his hands with a handkerchief, slowly bent down to pick up the clothes on the ground, and dressed himself neatly.

Sheng Puzhu slumped under the brocade quilt with half-closed eyes, his vision blurred. A quarter of an hour ago, he felt that he might die at any time because of his lack of restraint, so now he didn't even have the strength to lift a finger.

I felt so sleepy as if I had drunk too much, and my eyelids felt heavy as if they could stick together at any moment.

"It's only once, why are you so tired?"

Xie Zhiyan laughed and scratched Sheng Puzhu's blushing cheeks with his cool fingertips. Her cheeks were so delicate that they looked like begonias wilted by rain.

It was so delicate, so amusing. Xie Zhiyan slowly leaned over and spoke softly, with the relaxed tone of satisfaction, "What should we do? Madam, it seems your endurance needs improvement."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Puzhu was so angry that he didn't even have the energy to glare at him.

Does this have anything to do with endurance?

He exhausted her physical strength like that. Although she knew to hold back at first, after her body had completely accepted it, he changed the methods and postures, which was simply beyond the endurance of a delicate girl like her.

As he thought this, a feeling of dissatisfaction gradually emerged from those eyes that seemed to be able to speak.

Sheng Puzhu pursed her lips, thinking she was pretending well. She simply accepted that her physical condition needed improvement. She closed her eyes and hummed twice, her voice soft and vague, with a strong sense of sleepiness: "Well, I'm tired. I'm afraid I won't be able to get up tomorrow."

"So sleepy..."

She closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling slightly, and she looked so weak that she couldn't get up.

In short, every day you can delay is a day.

If we really can't delay it any longer, then - let's find another way.

Xie Zhiyan had sweat on his face and was wiping it with a handkerchief. How could he not see through Sheng Puju's little attempt to get away with it? He just thought it was fun and was willing to indulge her.

He fastened the last jade button on the front of his lapel and raised his hand to stroke her rosy lips.

Xie Zhiyan immediately stood up, took down the cloak hanging beside him, and without saying anything, wrapped Sheng Puzhu tightly from head to toe, picked her up horizontally, and walked straight out of the study and headed towards Yunyu Hall.

It’s just the beginning of autumn, and although it’s cool in the mornings and evenings, it’s not necessary to wrap yourself in a cloak.

Sheng Puzhu was being held, and she felt that her whole body was airtight and steaming. She struggled impatiently, and a muffled sound came out from her cloak, full of dissatisfaction.

"hot."

"I'm getting heat stroke."

Xie Zhiyan tossed the person in his arms, not stopping his pace: "You just worked up a sweat, your underwear is soaked. If you catch a gust of wind in this cool night, the cold will enter your body, and you really won't be able to get up tomorrow."

"Be good, bear with it for now."

When Sheng Puzhu heard this, the noise became even louder.

It would be best if she couldn't get up, and it would be even better if she got sick. She seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

Xie Zhiyan gently patted her soft and perky lower back through her cloak.

The force was neither too strong nor too weak, and Sheng Puzhu's eyelashes instantly became moist. She dared not struggle anymore, but her voice was still unyielding: "How dare you hit me?"

Xie Zhiyan asked: "Do you think this is called beating?"

After saying that, he clapped again, his tone teasing.

Xie Zhiyan is crazy!

Sheng Puzhu thought to himself.

She was furious and glared at him fiercely, but her watery eyes were full of ripples, a mixture of coquettishness and anger, and she looked completely devoid of any aura.

Yunyu Hall.

"Prepare water and take a bath."

Xie Zhiyan carried the person and walked directly into the inner room.

Nanny Du didn't dare to delay and hurriedly asked someone to bring hot water into the bathroom.

Sheng Puzhu was placed on a low stool next to the bathtub. Xie Zhiyan waved his hand to send the maid away and wanted to untie the tightly wrapped cloak on her body.

"My dear, I will do it myself."

Sheng Puzhu was so embarrassed that she wanted to stop it, but she found that she had no strength in her hands and feet.

She had trouble even standing still, let alone changing her clothes.

Xie Zhiyan stopped at the right time. He was so mean, he said with a half-smile: "Madam, you can also beg me."

How to ask!

Sheng Puzhu was stunned and whimpered twice: "You did it on purpose."

She looked at him with half-opened eyes, but unfortunately the cloak was too tight around her and she couldn't even pull her hands out.

Xie Zhiyan waited leisurely for a while before slowly bending down, his movements neither hurried nor slow.

"I did it on purpose."

"So, please beg me." He smiled gently, giving people the illusion of being gentle and cold.

The bathroom was filled with steam. The two people looked into each other's eyes, their breaths mingling, as if they could get wet at any moment.

Sheng Puzhu felt like she was about to be suffocated. After struggling for a while, she looked at him pitifully: "Can you please not beg?"

"No." Xie Zhiyan hugged his arms and kissed her wet eyebrows.

"Hmm."

"I beg you."

Xie Zhiyan smiled: "Madam, you relieved me, so it is only natural for me to bathe you."

The white jade is flawless, like the snow in March, without a speck of dust.

The next morning.

Sheng Puzhu narrowed her eyes and her eyelashes trembled.

She felt sore all over, even on her wrists there were red marks from his bite.

The curtains were drawn low, and the room was silent.

He carefully opened a crack and looked outside. It seemed that there was no one in the room. At this time, Xie Zhiyan should have gone to court. Thinking of this, Sheng Puzhu felt relieved.

Unfortunately, before I could breathe a sigh of relief, I saw a tall figure walking out slowly from behind the hollow screen with twined branches.

"Who is the lady looking for?"

Xie Zhiyan was dressed neatly, with his eyes lowered as he slowly adjusted his cuffs. He seemed not to notice Sheng Puju's guilty little movements, and the corners of his lips were slightly raised.

"Sir, you won't be attending court today?" Sheng Puzhu sat up resignedly, still feeling lazy.

"It seems that Madam is very disappointed."

Xie Zhiyan looked down at her and asked with a smile.

Sheng Puzhu was very disappointed and forced a fake smile on her face: "My dear, I don't understand what you are saying."

She got up reluctantly, and deliberately delayed in washing up. She ate breakfast slowly and also ate lunch at the same time.

It was not until almost noon, when the autumn sun was high in the sky, that Sheng Puzhu, who was so full that he was about to vomit, finally put down the silver chopsticks in his hand reluctantly.

The atmosphere in the room was tense. Xie Zhiyan was slowly wiping his hands with a wet towel. He asked casually, "Yesterday you said the shopkeeper was seriously injured. It's only right that Madam should personally take care of him."

"He must be someone important to the Madam who asked Shen Lang to treat him, right?"

Sheng Puzhu's hand holding the teacup suddenly froze.

It finally came!

She knew that this cunning man was always setting traps and waiting for her.

She had to go, even if she had to bite the bullet, she had to make this matter go through.

The carriage drove steadily into Zhuque Street, and the bustling Pingkangfang was full of shops of all kinds.

Sheng Puzhu calmly jumped off the carriage, raised his head and glanced at Linlang Pavilion behind the carriage, then walked into the ready-made clothing shop next to Linlang Pavilion - Nishang Pavilion with confidence.

"My dear, why don't you move?" Sheng Puzhu turned around and asked with concern.

Xie Zhiyan stood beside the carriage with his hands behind his back, his inquiring eyes scanning the shop called "Nishang Pavilion" without emotion, and then took a deep look at the closed door of "Linlang Pavilion" not far away.

She pursed her thin lips slightly, and a playful expression flashed in her eyes. Xie Zhiyan did not expose her immediately, but just followed her.

"Shuhe." Sheng Puzhu rushed into Nishang Pavilion like a gust of wind.

Cheng Shuhe, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, was checking accounts in the shop. When she heard the voice, she looked up and said in surprise, "Puzhu, how come you have time to come?"

"Shh." Sheng Puzhu hurriedly made a gesture to keep quiet. Without thinking, he grabbed Cheng Shuhe's wrist and dragged him to the corner with great force.

"Shuhe, you have to save me." Sheng Puzhu lowered her voice and spoke very quickly, "As we agreed at the beginning, if my Linlang Pavilion is discovered, I can borrow your Nishang Pavilion to cover it."

"My ancestor, are you sure?" Cheng Shuhe glanced at the tall man with a cold temperament standing not far away.

Sheng Puzhu's eyes turned red with anxiety. He nodded and said, "I can't help it. If it weren't for that mentally ill Prince An, I wouldn't have made such a big mistake."

Cheng Shuhe knew about this. Nian Yi was seriously injured at that time, and it was she who helped to invite a doctor.

"Are you sure you won't be exposed? Mr. Xie is not someone you can fool easily."

Sheng Puzhu coughed lightly and said firmly, "Isn't the most dangerous place the safest place?"

Cheng Shuhe was stunned, and after a while he murmured, "You are so brave."

Sheng Puzhu patted her hand instead, with a determined attitude: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Cheng Shuhe, who had no idea what was going on, nodded in fear.

Seeing Xie Zhiyan standing far away, Sheng Puzhu lowered her voice. "I've racked my brains all night. It's definitely too late to send the people hiding in Linlang Pavilion to Zhuangzi. Once we start investigating, they'll become even bigger targets."

"So it's better to do the opposite and directly remove the fuel from the fire."

Cheng Shuhe was convinced: "You make sense."

"Then let's make it a deal. You'll lend me your shop first."

"good."

Sheng Puzhu turned around and asked with a smile, "My dear, what do you think of my shop?"

"It's okay." Xie Zhiyan didn't say much, just sat down on the rosewood chair in the front hall of the store.

Sheng Puzhu nodded to Cheng Shuhe, who understood and left quietly in another direction.

Not long after she left, a customer came into the store.

Sheng Puzhu was not very good at introducing clothes, and the servants and old women had already left. She was in a hurry and finally managed to finish the job by herself.

Xie Zhiyan held the teacup in his hand, carelessly stroking the warm cup wall with his fingertips, and said with a smile: "It seems that Madam is not very familiar with this Nishang Pavilion?"

Sheng Puzhu smiled without any guilt: "I don't come here often."

"Really?" Xie Zhiyan looked at her for a long time.

"Yes." Sheng Puzhu affirmed.

Not long after, Cheng Shuhe came back, followed by Nian Yi.

"Madam." Nian Yi's voice was trembling, and he followed the etiquette meticulously.

Because of the broken hand, his lips were pale and his skin was almost transparent.

He was tall and thin, with his head slightly lowered. He was wearing a peach pink round-necked, wide-sleeved robe. He had a naturally well-behaved appearance, big, round eyes, and slightly curly hair on his forehead, and it was obvious that he had Hu ancestry.

"My dear." Nian Yichao thanked Zhiyan and bowed.

He spoke quietly, had a pair of exotic eyes, and a timid expression, making him look like a noble and timid Persian cat.

Xie Zhiyan stopped drinking tea, and the teacup made a heavy sound when he put it down.

Nian Yi was so frightened that he shuddered, feeling an inexplicable chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, his face was paler than at the beginning, and he wished he could curl himself up into a ball.

"My dear." Sheng Puzhu carefully observed Xie Zhiyan's expression, gently tugged at his sleeve, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "We agreed that you wouldn't be jealous."

Xie Zhiyan was so angry that he almost laughed. His eyes suddenly sank, first sweeping over Nian Yi, and finally landing on Sheng Puju.

He asked, "Can I regret it?"

"A gentleman's promise is worth a thousand gold, you can't."

Xie Zhiyan stared at the charming little face in front of him, and was unusually silent.

Sheng Puzhu was stared at like this, and the anger in his heart couldn't help but rise up.

In Nishang Pavilion, the suffocating silence lasted for a long time, so long that Sheng Puzhu's throat became dry and a tension arose in her heart that even she herself could not understand.

Xie Zhiyan said nothing more and stood up. His robe swayed with his movements without a single wrinkle.

Sheng Puzhu's heart tightened when he saw this, and he almost blurted out, "Are you angry?"

Xie Zhiyan stared at her for a long time, then said in a hoarse voice, "Something happened in the army. I should leave now."

He turned around calmly, his expression unperturbed. He paused and added, "Don't overthink it."

How could I not think about it? I was already lacking confidence.

Until Xie Zhiyan's figure completely disappeared outside the Nishang Pavilion, Sheng Puzhu seemed to have had his remaining strength drained away, and leaned softly against Cheng Shuhe: "I was scared to death."

Cheng Shuhe wasn't feeling much better either. His back was covered in cold sweat, and he looked incredulous: "This...this is considered a scam?"

"How come Xie Sanlang is so good-tempered that he doesn't even ask anything?"

Sheng Puzhu raised her hand, pressing her cold, trembling fingertips between her eyebrows, and nodded weakly, "I think... I guess I've been tricked." She gave a helpless smile, "Anyway, if I can hide it for one day, then that's it."

"What happened at Linlang Pavilion must be completely unacceptable to him. I..."

Sheng Puzhu shook her head. Whenever she thought of divorce, she felt reluctant.

Cheng Shuhe was impressed and forced himself to cheer up and said, "If I had your courage, I wouldn't have divorced you."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Puzhu could only force out a smile that was stiffer than crying.

It is late autumn now, and the grass and trees in the courtyard are dyed with layers of gold.

Xie Zhiyan didn't seem to pursue the matter, but his overly calm reaction made him look solemn and imminent.

The old lady's health had visibly improved under Shen Ce's careful care, but Sheng Puzhu did not feel completely relieved.

Ever since that day in Nishang Pavilion when Xie Zhiyan had looked at her with that unfathomable gaze, nothing had changed. He was as gentle to her as ever, though he was no longer curious about the shop. As for Nian Yi, he never even asked about her.

If there was anything abnormal, it might be that he was more ferocious and cruel in bed than before. Sometimes it was very annoying. He teased her to the extreme, but she just couldn't give in.

Only when she begged him with tears and said nice things pitifully would he be willing to satisfy her little by little.

He seemed to particularly enjoy this long and torturous process.

When she was full and pushed him away, he started to change his behavior and give her more.

Until it overflows and can't be swallowed.

Living in this excessively "normal" state every day, Sheng Puzhu felt more and more nervous. Due to her keen sense of danger, she almost instinctively chose the most conservative strategy, which was to stay at home.

From the beginning of autumn until the beginning of winter, it was so long that the leaves turned from tender green to withered yellow. The Prince of An, who was imprisoned in the Dali Temple by Lu Siqing, was released from prison, but Sheng Puju still stayed quietly in the Mansion of Duke Jingguo.

Every day she either serves her grandmother or takes care of the inner house. She is a model of virtue and is truly impeccable.

Until Linlang Pavilion secretly sent someone to tell her that the new jewelry to be produced before the New Year had been made and they needed her to decide whether there was anything that needed to be changed.

This concerns Linlang Pavilion's business next year, and Sheng Puzhu cannot refuse.

After much hesitation, she finally found an excuse and quietly left the Jingguo Mansion.

In the beginning of winter, after a cold rain, white frost appeared on the edges of the bamboo strips.

The cold winter is so chilly that even the air is cold. However, there is no charcoal basin in the study in the outer courtyard, which only makes this bone-chilling coldness infinitely amplified.

"Go ahead."

"What did you find out?"

Xie Zhiyan sat upright behind the desk, his palms pressed on the armrests of the rosewood armchair, tapping his knuckles. He did not look at the official standing below with his head bowed, but his eyes were fixed on the window as if he was distracted, with an oddly calm expression.

"master."

"I have verified that the shop run by Madam is called Linlang Pavilion."

"The first floor is used for buying and selling ordinary jewelry, regardless of social status, but on the second floor, strict rules apply, and the highest bidder wins."

Cangguan paused and continued, "Those who go up to the second floor will be personally received by a handsome gentleman. Of course, the second floor is mostly for women."

"As for the third floor." Cang Guan's knees softened and he knelt on the ground. "I am incompetent. Only a few people can go up to the third floor. The ceremonial crown made for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's wedding this year was made by Linlang Pavilion. It was... Madam who personally received him."

Cang Guan kept his head down and never dared to look up at Xie Zhiyan's expression behind the desk.

He couldn't even imagine what kind of emotions his master, who was so skilled in strategizing on the battlefield and had such swift tactics, would express when he found out that his wife had secretly kept twelve young and handsome men in Linlang Pavilion.

Cang Guan raised his hands above his head and said: "This booklet of mine records everything that Madam has done in the past few years. Please take a look, Master."

The ink on the booklet was still fresh. It was the result of an investigation that took Cangguan three months. It recorded in detail all the transactions that could be found since the opening of "Linlang Pavilion".

From the preparation to the opening of the shop, there are also the noble ladies of Chang'an who have done business with Linlang Pavilion. As for the last few pages, they focus on listing the most special group of people in the pavilion.

Twelve handsome men of different ages, unique looks and talents, including a simple portrait of each person, age and background.

"How many lovers does Princess Duanyang have in her mansion?" Xie Zhiyan asked with his eyes closed.

Cang Guan shuddered, a chill running down his spine. "My Lord, there are currently only nine people serving as concubines in Princess Duanyang's residence."

The study fell into silence again.

Xie Zhiyan's eyes were gloomy. He didn't even look at the detailed contents written in the booklet. After an unknown amount of time, he laughed very lightly.

Cang Guan shuddered and asked cautiously, "Can I have my subordinates secretly deal with these people?"

"Need not."

Xie Zhiyan tapped the list lightly with his fingertips, his eyes dim.

In fact, he had given her many chances in the past three months.

But it was a pity that his seemingly virtuous and dignified wife didn't seem to trust him. Compared to other things, Xie Zhiyan found that what he could not accept the most was his wife's distrust.

*

This year's winter came especially early.

In the tenth year of Joan of Arc, frost and snow covered Chang'an, and sunlight filtered through the glazed windows, casting a mottled halo on the desk.

On the third floor of Linlang Pavilion, the pearl curtain inside the pavilion is half rolled up, filling the room with light.

Twelve young gentlemen, their brocade clothes half-removed, were kneeling in a row, their half-naked upper bodies adorned with all kinds of gorgeous necklaces.

Sheng Puzhu was holding a red brush in her fair fingers, concentrating on the design of a new piece of jewelry. There were many styles of necklaces, but she was not satisfied with any of them.

"What do you think is missing, ma'am?"

"Let me think about it."

Sheng Puzhu took a step back and looked at each person carefully.

"I don't think it's long enough..."

“Here.”

Sheng Puzhu first used a red brush to draw long red marks on the snow-white rice paper. She didn't think it was enough, and without giving it much thought, her mind was only on how to modify this necklace. She simply raised her hand and lightly touched the tip of the red brush to the abdomen of one of the men. She smiled and said, "The gold chain will be just an inch longer, and it will be perfect."

The red mark made by the red pen on the tight lower abdomen will only make people have wild thoughts.

Immersed in his own perfect art and superb aesthetics, Sheng Puzhu was not troubled by shyness.

until--

"Bang!"

The mother-of-pearl screen fell to the ground, and Xie Zhiyan stepped on the debris, standing in front of the door in his frosted black clothes.

He didn't know how long he had been there or how much he had heard.

"lady."

Xie Zhiyan slowly raised his eyes, and there was still a smile on his jade-like face, but the smile did not reach his eyes. Instead, he revealed a strange calm before the storm.

He spoke in a low voice, word by word, "What a refined mood."

The unprecedented sense of crisis made it impossible for Sheng Puzhu to think calmly.

She tried to make amends, and come up with a perfect excuse, but her fingertips were so cold and trembling that she could barely hold the red pen in her hand. Her nerves were tense to the extreme, and her mind was filled with a buzzing blank.

"Xie Zhiyan, please listen to my explanation."

Sheng Puzhu clearly wanted to explain, but he unconsciously took a step back.

Xie Zhiyan seemed to be irritated by her instinctive action: "Why are you hiding?"

"Are you feeling guilty, or... are you afraid?"

"I don't."

Sheng Puzhu denied it and stepped back.

However, Xie Zhiyan did not give her any chance to escape. He approached step by step with a cold face.

The moment the tall body leaned down, all her escape routes were almost cut off. The handsome and cold face was close at hand, with deep and compelling brows.

"If not, then why is Madam hiding?"

"I..." Sheng Puzhu was speechless.

"You...get out."

Xie Zhiyan's gaze slashed towards the young men huddled in the corner, his voice icy.

In fact, he was good at being patient and rarely lost control of his emotions. No one dared to refute him at this moment, until they were the only two people left on the third floor of Linlang Pavilion.

"Tell me, Madam, how do you intend to explain?"

Sheng Puzhu's lips were also pale. She felt that no matter how she explained, Xie Zhiyan would probably not believe her anymore.

Instead of this, it is better to be decent.

"I have nothing to say." Sheng Puzhu raised her head, her throat hoarse and her voice thick with tears, "If you think I'm not good enough, then let's divorce."

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