Chapter 35 035 He knew it; the lady had been longing for it these past few days...

Night had completely fallen. By the time Xiao Yu finally stepped through his own gate, Xiao Rong and his wife, Madam Deng, had already finished dinner at Wanhe Hall.

After hearing her son explain why he was late, Deng was a little unhappy and complained about why the Imperial Censor insisted on holding a council meeting after his shift ended.

Xiao Rong: "That's a woman's view. Doctor Fan is diligent in his duties. The third son should learn from him; it will be beneficial."

Deng immediately glared at him: "Since being diligent in your duties is good, why do you leave work on time every day? If you, as the father, were to be diligent and set a good example, it would be a wonderful story for your children!"

Xiao Rong glanced at his son watching the show from the side and continued to refute his wife: "Military officers and civil servants are different and cannot be confused. Alright, Third Brother, go back quickly, eat early and get some rest. There is an early court session tomorrow, so don't be late."

Xiao Yu was indeed starving, and strode away amidst the bickering of the two elders.

In Shensi Hall, Luo Fu sat leaning against the east side room in the front yard, holding a book she had chosen to pass the time, but the surroundings were so quiet that she was already feeling sleepy.

"Madam, why don't you go to sleep first? Third Master won't blame you," Ping An whispered, trying to persuade her.

Madam and Third Master have been husband and wife for half a year. Ping An has seen it all clearly. Before the imperial examination this year, Madam was gentle and caring towards Third Master. But after the examination, their relationship was reversed. Madam became like the outspoken, unrestrained, and free-spirited Miss Fu from the Luo family in Huangqiao Village. Third Master was still gentle and refined, but he became more observant and cautious around Madam.

The Third Master, who doted on his wife like this, couldn't bear to let her go hungry or be confined.

Luo Fu simply smiled and turned the page, saying, "It's alright, let's wait a little longer."

Xiao Yu cherished her because he had caused her a fright, but if Luo Fu continued to dwell on that incident, Xiao Yu's guilt would gradually fade, until at some point he would remember her past grievances about abandoning him. Just as a woman cares whether her husband has her in his heart, what man can truly tolerate his wife's indifference?

Therefore, if Xiao Yu treats her well, Luo Fu must reciprocate. Only through this give-and-take can the couple live a warm and loving life.

Madam was willing to wait, so Ping An went to look outside Shensi Hall to see what was happening. This time, she didn't have to wait long before Chao Sheng came running over from a distance: "He's back, he's back! I'll go prepare some water, and you can tell the kitchen to heat up the dishes!"

Luo Fu heard the commotion outside and knew that Xiao Yu needed to bathe and change first, so she continued to wait there.

After the weather warmed up, the couple washed every day. The more they washed, the shorter the time it took. Fifteen minutes later, Xiao Yu came to the next room wearing a set of moon-white silk undergarments. Seeing the weariness on his wife's face, Xiao Yu went up and hugged her, smelling the familiar fragrance of her hair, and said, "You've worked hard, my wife. In the future, if I come back later than noon, you can eat and sleep first. You don't need to wait for me."

Luo Fu buried her face in his chest, her arms wrapped around his waist, as if she missed her husband very much: "I'm willing to wait, but I've already eaten. If I'm really hungry, I'm afraid I'll scold you while I wait for you."

Xiao Yu smiled. He had experienced hunger in prison. When you're that hungry, it's really hard to be in the mood for romance.

Ping An, accompanied by a maid from the kitchen, brought a low table and food, which she placed directly on the couch in the side room.

Luo Fu knelt opposite Xiao Yu and saw that he was so focused on eating that he hardly looked at her anymore. She felt a pang of sympathy for him: "I'm afraid of going hungry when I'm just relaxing at home. You've been busy from morning till night. I don't know how uncomfortable you must be."

Mentioning this, Xiao Yu's brows furrowed with resentment again: "I wasn't busy today, I was just looking at documents, but after my shift, Doctor Fan is going to hold a council meeting..."

He went on and on about it.

Luo Fu couldn't control whether Dr. Fan held a meeting or not, but she had a way to take care of her husband. She said softly, "From now on, I'll ask the kitchen to make some easy-to-carry dried meat and small pieces of pastry for you. Just put them in your purse. When you come home late, remember to take them out and eat them first to fill your stomach, and then eat something hot when you get home."

Xiao Yu paused in his chewing, understanding his wife's unspoken meaning: now that the problem of hunger could be solved, there was no need to worry about returning home late again.

Ultimately, the lady still didn't want him to offend Doctor Fan over such a trivial matter.

With his eyes lowered, Xiao Yu pondered many things.

He went to the Censorate on the first day of the month. Of the first five days, he only attended one council meeting on the second day, and returned early on the remaining four days. Although he returned late on the sixth and seventh days, he was still able to have dinner with his wife and talk to her afterward. Only tonight, when he was excessively late, did his wife feel sorry for him.

After finishing his meal, Xiao Yu glanced at the direction of the water clock and said somewhat helplessly, "I have to get up at dawn for the morning court assembly, so I'll stay here tonight. Please forgive me, Madam."

Luo Fu not only didn't blame him, she was more than happy to accept it, because Xiao Yu was really too greedy. Except for the few days when she was menstruating, Xiao Yu would pester her at least once every night. Although Luo Fu also found it interesting, she missed the easy days when she could fall asleep as soon as she hit the bed and sleep until dawn.

"Okay, then you should get some rest. I'm off now," Luo Fu said with a hint of regret.

Xiao Yu moved his fingers, but ultimately failed to stop his wife.

Xiao Yu then became exceptionally busy.

After the court assembly on the ninth day, Xiao Yu, as arranged by Doctor Fan, went to the Ministry of Revenue with a clerk. Upon arrival, he first familiarized himself with the officials he would be dealing with, and then reviewed the files and ledgers of all the construction projects undertaken by the Ministry of Revenue from January to March of this year. This was an important but tedious task that could not be completed in a short time. As a newly appointed official, Xiao Yu examined the documents with even greater patience and meticulousness.

He deliberately lingered at the Ministry of Revenue until 4:45 PM. During this time, the Ministry of Revenue official who was accompanying him subtly advised him to stay, but Xiao Yu replied seriously, "Is the Ministry of Revenue always so punctual? We in the Censorate are diligent and it is normal for us to be busy until 5:00 PM."

The clerk who came to assist him nodded proudly, though he was suffering inwardly, he had to show on the surface that "I am proud of my diligence."

The Ministry of Revenue officials quickly offered words of praise and admiration, but in their hearts they cursed the two men vehemently.

After leaving the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Yu returned to the Censorate and went to find Fan Yan to ask about the doubts he had encountered at the Ministry of Revenue that day. The young censor was eager to learn, and the senior censor was happy to teach the younger man. The two talked by candlelight until late at night, and left the capital city just as the palace gates were closing. Not content with that, Xiao Yu also took the initiative to suggest that he go to Fan's residence the next day to continue learning.

Fan Yan readily agreed, feeling that his position as Imperial Censor had found a worthy successor.

Xiao Yu, upon returning to Shensi Hall, used exhaustion as an excuse to stay overnight in the front courtyard. The next day was supposed to be his day off, but when Luo Fu woke up, she learned that Xiao Yu had left for the Fan residence early in the morning. Chao Sheng relayed the message, but because Xiao Yu hadn't explained it clearly to him, Chao Sheng didn't know whether his third master had gone willingly or had been summoned by the diligent Doctor Fan.

Luo Fu was slightly unhappy. Normally, she could spend her time wandering around with her two sisters-in-law and older sister, but on her days off, her two sisters-in-law and older sister would be with their husbands and children. How could Luo Fu be so tactless as to go and bother them?

Luo Fu had originally planned to have Xiao Yu accompany her on a spring outing outside the city, but now that Xiao Yu had been summoned by Doctor Fan, what was she supposed to do alone?

The Fan residence.

Fan Yan entertained Xiao Yu alone because his wife had passed away, his daughter had married, and his two sons had taken their wives and children to serve as officials in other places. He was the only master in the entire Fan household. He did have two concubines who served him, but they were not qualified to appear on this occasion.

Xiao Yu finally understood why Fan Yan was so diligent. Firstly, the position of Imperial Censor meant that he was in a high position with great power and many things to do. Secondly, there was no one waiting for him at home. Even if Fan Yan returned on time, it would be deserted. Since he was alone anyway, he might as well do some serious work in the duty room.

After chatting all morning, Fan Yan was vaguely worried for Xiao Yu: "It's such a beautiful spring day, and we rarely get a day off. Yuanzhi has been keeping this old man company. Won't Lingzheng be unhappy?"

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "My wife is gentle and virtuous. Knowing that I have come to seek your guidance, she only told me not to disturb you for too long, so as not to interrupt your cultivation."

Fan Yan was relieved and stroked his beard, saying, "No need to disturb me, no need to disturb me. As you can see, my residence is quite deserted. I couldn't be happier to have a young friend like you."

During the meal, they talked about the arrival of spring, and afterwards Fan Yan took Xiao Yu to the countryside for a spring outing, to check on the people's spring plowing this year, and to talk to a few old farmers to learn about their lives.

So engrossed in his pleasure that he forgot all about home, Xiao Yu returned to his residence in the evening to have dinner with his wife, and all he talked about was Doctor Fan's words and actions.

Luo Fu: "..."

Feeling resentful, Xiao Yu moved closer to her after she lay down on the bed, but Luo Fu pushed him away and turned her back, saying, "I'm sleepy, go to sleep early."

The man who used to always pester her was unusually cooperative tonight, kissing her ear before lying down.

Luo Fu didn't pay much attention, guessing that he was tired from going out of the city.

For the next ten days, from April 11th to April 19th, Xiao Yu continued to return home late every day, mostly around 7 PM.

He was so diligent that Deng no longer felt sorry for her youngest son, but instead felt sorry for her youngest daughter-in-law. She was even more afraid that the young couple would quarrel because of this, so she couldn't help but give her youngest daughter-in-law a few more nice things in private.

Luo Fu was grateful for her mother-in-law's kindness, but her dissatisfaction with Xiao Yu grew day by day. She was only seventeen, and the couple was still newlyweds. At this time, Xiao Yu dared to make her eat dinner alone every day and either sleep in separate rooms or fall asleep as soon as she hit the bed, without any chatting or tenderness. After the honeymoon period, would the couple's relationship become as cold as ice?

Because she was angry, Luo Fu didn't go to the front yard to wait for Xiao Yu, and went to bed early.

Xiao Yu ate alone in the front yard. After taking a bath, he came to the middle yard. Unlike the previous nights when he was not in much interest, tonight he was unusually enthusiastic and shameless. When his wife told him to leave, he seemed not to hear her. When she pushed him with her hand, Xiao Yu grabbed her hand directly.

How could Luo Fu truly not want to at all?

When Xiao Yu wanted it for several nights in a row, she complained that he was greedy. But when Xiao Yu did it like a monk for several nights in a row, it was Luo Fu's turn to have trouble calming down.

She reluctantly let Xiao Yu have his way, and when her wrists were freed, Luo Fu couldn't help but hug her husband.

The couple both felt that one performance wasn't enough. After the second performance, Xiao Yu finally embraced his wife, who was still panting on the pillow, and held her in his arms. He smelled her disheveled hair, kissed her burning cheeks, and gently stroked her delicate shoulders.

"My lady, do you know how much I've missed you these past few days?"

When their breathing had returned to normal, Xiao Yu whispered in his wife's ear.

Luo Fu immediately remembered her past grievances and said sarcastically, "Really? I didn't see it at all. You come home late every day. Anyone who didn't know better would think you had someone else outside."

Xiao Yu: "Don't talk nonsense. You know the atmosphere of the Censorate. If I'm not diligent, I'll become an oddball. I had no choice but to go with the flow."

Luo Fu bit her lip, finally letting out her resentment: "You may be diligent, but you don't have to be busy until so late every day, do you?"

Xiao Yu sighed and explained, "Doctor Fan is genuinely busy, while we are mostly just pretending. But even if other officials share my dissatisfaction, who would dare to argue with Doctor Fan?"

Luo Fu's heart stirred slightly, and she looked up at him.

As if guessing what she was thinking, Xiao Yu smiled wryly: "I do dare, but Madam approves of my diligence in official duties, and I don't want to go against Madam's wishes."

Luo Fu: "...What is Dr. Fan's temper like? Will he make things difficult for you if you raise any objections?"

Xiao Yu: "Doctor Fan is upright and incorruptible in important matters, but approachable in minor matters. Moreover, he appreciates me very much. As long as I explain the reasoning clearly, I should be able to persuade him."

Luo Fu weighed the possibility of her husband offending his superiors against the possibility of not offending him and having to come home late every day. In the end, she hugged Xiao Yu tightly and supported him, saying, "Then go and give it a try. It would be best to bring a few colleagues with you."

Xiao Yu smiled silently: "Okay."

He knew that his wife had missed him a lot during this time!

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Author's Note: Our Imperial Censor Xiao is upright, but not stupid, you know. [doge]

100 little red envelopes, see you at midnight tonight~