Chapter 9 Inspires My Wife, I Will Enlighten Her

Zeng Zhengqing took a deep breath and tried to appear calm as he said, "Last night when you were sleeping, you kept kicking your legs and kicking the blanket to the side. I was afraid you would catch a cold, so I stopped you."

He paused for a moment, then added, "In the future, don't say those kinds of things so casually."

"Oh," Qingduo said awkwardly, biting her lip.

"It's getting late, I have to go to the shop today." Zeng Zhengqing got up, and seeing Qingduo get up as well, he said, "You can sleep a little longer."

“No,” she answered decisively, “I need to help my husband get dressed and see you out.”

Qingduo unfolded her robe, and after Zeng Zhengqing slipped his arm in, she first straightened the collar, then pulled the sleeves inch by inch until they were completely fitted, and then smoothed out the wrinkles.

Zeng Zhengqing's gaze followed Qingduo's every movement. It wasn't the first time he'd been dressed, but this was the first time he felt strange. The previous two mornings, she hadn't had this thought, but this morning she acted like a dutiful and virtuous woman. She was patient and focused; the touch of her fingers on his body sent shivers down his spine.

And Qingduo's smile looked as if it had been measured with a ruler and neatly pasted onto her face. Zeng Zhengqing pursed his lips, feeling a chill run down his spine.

He thought about it carefully and realized that he had had this feeling since yesterday. When did it start? Yes, it started when they were having dinner at his father-in-law's house. During the meal, she kept serving food to herself and her father-in-law.

Before returning to her parents' home, she only cared about indulging in her own feast and never took care of others.

Did her father-in-law instruct her to be respectful, virtuous, and gentle? That's possible.

With his doubts somewhat resolved, he asked, "Did you have a nightmare last night?"

"No," Qingduo replied casually, taking the sash and tying it around his waist. Then, remembering something, she excitedly exclaimed as she continued tying it, "Husband! I dreamt of my mother last night! This is the first time I've dreamt of her since she passed away!"

"Oh? What did she say to you?"

“Tell me…” Qingduo paused, thinking to herself, “I can’t tell you what I’m saying.” She continued, “That’s not important. What’s important is that my mother is in excellent health. Before, when she was sick and I got into trouble, if she wanted to discipline me, she would pick up the feather duster and I would run away. She would be out of breath after chasing me for a couple of steps. But last night, she was able to keep chasing me non-stop!”

Zeng Zhengqing chuckled, thinking to himself that it was indeed the case, but he wondered why his mother-in-law was chasing after her to hit her. He smiled and said, "No wonder Madam kept kicking her legs."

Qingduo smiled shyly and said, "Mother looks radiant, that's wonderful. Although I was so scared I kept running around, I was really happy for her!"

Zeng Zhengqing's heart softened upon hearing this. He gazed into Qingduo's bright, dark eyes, and couldn't help but reach out to pat her head, saying softly, "Seeing you so happy makes your mother-in-law feel gratified."

He saw the joy in her eyes, but it was only for a moment. Soon her eyes lost their sparkle, and a measured smile returned to her face. Qingduo clasped her hands together in front of her and said in a measured tone, "Husband, be careful in everything you do, and come back soon."

That's so strange!

Zeng Zhengqing frowned and took a deep breath. He was about to ask what was going on, but then he thought that his wife was unconventional and had her own reasons for doing things. She was straightforward, frank, and naive, and he figured it wouldn't be long before she told him the whole story.

With that in mind, he said no more and nodded, "Alright."

Just as he was about to turn out of the courtyard gate, he looked back and saw that Qingduo, who had been standing loosely, suddenly straightened up when she saw him turn around. She raised her hand to wave, but then withdrew it. She was flustered and finally bowed gracefully.

Zeng Zhengqing sighed inwardly, unable to understand what she was planning. He could only say, "Go back."

He really couldn't handle this kind of treatment.

*

Heading north along Angxi Arch Bridge, you'll reach Beiwazi, the largest amusement park in Wuzhou City. Walking down Zhong'an Lane to its south, you'll find Zeng's bookstore, "Qingyuan Bookstore." In front of the bookstore is the Xueshi River, and the bridge over it is called "Longmen Bridge," both names derived from the Wuzhou Examination Hall located on the opposite bank.

With a steady stream of students across the street and a bustling commercial street nearby, it's no wonder that Qingyuan Bookstore is thriving.

As Zeng Zhengqing was carefully reviewing the accounts of the past few days, someone pushed open the door and entered, laughing, "I thought you and your new wife would be inseparable, but I didn't expect you to come to the shop today."

Zeng Zhengqing didn't even look up. He knew who it was just by hearing the voice. He said, "I'm not as carefree as you, Liu Gongzhi. You have parents and brothers to support you, so you can live a carefree life. And where are you going to idly wander off to?"

Hearing Zeng Zhengqing's words, he retorted, "You're wrong. How could I not worry? I just came from my family's pawnshop and passed by your place. The shopkeeper told me you were here, so I came to see you."

"Oh? I've been looking at you in a completely different light after just a few days. What are you doing there?"

"I'm going there..." He sat down casually and chuckled, "I'm going there not as the young master, but as a buyer, to find treasures!"

Liu Gongzhi's original name was Liu Ke, and Gongzhi was his courtesy name. He was the second son of the owner of the "Hebaolou" pawnshop. He had a very close friendship with Zeng Zhengqing. Although he did not like to go to his own shop, he loved to stroll around the Zeng family's Qingyuan Bookstore.

He studied it for a while and said, "Hey, why aren't you smiling?"

Zeng Zhengqing wrote: "As expected, what's so funny?"

Liu Ke pointed at Zeng Zhengqing and scolded him, "Won't your new wife find you boring, so rigid and serious?"

Zeng Zhengqing looked up and replied, "With your unrestrained and dissolute behavior, won't your sister-in-law find you ridiculous?"

Liu Ke said nonchalantly, "I don't care what she thinks! Anyway, she can't control me!"

Zeng Zhengqing dipped his brush in ink, glanced at Liu Ke sideways, and remained silent. Liu Ke said awkwardly, "That's right! What kind of look is that? Don't you believe me?"

"It's nothing." He lowered his head and continued writing.

A screeching sound rang out, and Zeng Zhengqing frowned. Just as he was about to tell him to be quieter, a large face suddenly appeared in front of him. Liu Ke dragged a chair to sit in front of him, craning his neck and asking mysteriously, "Have you seen your father-in-law?"

"……nonsense."

"Your father-in-law is Tang Li!"

He didn't want to repeat himself, so Zhengqing said, "So what?"

"Didn't you ask him to draw a picture for you?"

"No."

“Fool! Ever since Tang Li stopped painting, his paintings have been fetching thousands of taels of silver. Now that you’re his son-in-law, you’re in a prime position to have the advantage. Why don’t you ask for one of his paintings and invite me to your home to admire them!”

"don't want."

"Why not? To tell you the truth, I only rushed over today after receiving a letter saying that the shop had acquired a painting by Tang Li called 'Ten Thousand Green Mountains,' only to find it was a fake. What an idiot."

Upon hearing the painting's title, Zeng Zhengqing's mind stirred. He put down his brush and repeated, "A painting of ten thousand green hills?"

“Yes, legend has it that he painted this when he passed the imperial examination with top honors, a time of great success. His brushstrokes are elegant and his spirit is boundless; it is truly exceptional. I just don’t know where the original is,” he leaned closer, forcing Zeng Zhengqing to lean back, “I just can’t see ‘Ten Thousand Green Mountains’. I’d like to see some of his other paintings, Yuanbai. We’ve known each other for so long, but when have I ever asked you for anything? Only this…”

Zeng Zhengqing pointed his pen at his forehead, forcing him to back away: "We haven't known each other for long, only half a year since I moved to Wuzhou. In these past six months, every time you and your wife quarreled, who took you in?"

Liu Ke knew that once he made up his mind, it would be difficult to change it, so he could only sigh and say, "Alas, why didn't my parents arrange a marriage between me and Tang Li when I was young!"

He caught a glimpse of Zeng Zhengqing's cold gaze and said with a grin, "I was just joking."

"This is no laughing matter."

"Yes, yes, I was wrong. Sigh, it's just that I haven't been able to find any good paintings lately. I went to Pang's Painting Studio and there wasn't anything that caught my eye!"

"If you want to buy calligraphy and paintings, why don't you come here to choose?"

Liu Ke's smile was somewhat ambiguous. He said, "Do you have this thing here?"

He casually tossed a booklet in front of Zeng Zhengqing, who flipped it open, glanced at it, and then slammed it shut with a strange expression. Liu Ke, seeing his expression, burst into laughter.

Hidden among the broad leaves of banana trees, a woman sits atop a jagged rock, her face as beautiful as a spring peach, her clothes half-undone, being embraced and kissed by a man.

This is a book of illustrations depicting erotic scenes in the bedroom.

Liu Ke laughed so hard he could hardly breathe: "Zeng Gumu, Zeng Gumu, you're a married man now, why are you still acting like a shy young woman getting married for the first time when you see this! Hahaha!"

Zeng Zhengqing pushed the album forward: "Take it!"

Liu Ke wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes. He loved to tear away Zeng Zhengqing's composure and see the changes in his inner emotions. This time, he had a small success. He stood up unsteadily and said with a smile, "Although this is not a painting by a famous artist, the background is serene, the style is simple and ancient, and the figures are natural. It does have a certain charm."

"It's nothing valuable. Since Yuanbai likes it, I'll reluctantly part with it and give it to you. I hope you'll appreciate it and savor it." With that, ignoring Zeng Zhengqing's refusal and noticing his friend's astonished expression, he quickly left.

Zeng Zhengqing stared at the erotic illustrations in his hand, which he was about to return to Liu Ke. He instinctively felt his fingers burning as he touched them. Just as he was about to throw them into the spittoon, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind, and he stopped.

He stood still, thought for a while, and then stuffed the picture book he had just dismissed into his pocket.

*

After taking a bath, Qingduo returned to her bedroom and found Zeng Zhengqing sitting by the bed, holding a book, but his eyes were fixed on a point in front of him, rather than the book.

She followed his gaze and saw nothing but candles; she didn't see anything interesting about them, so she asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Zeng Zhengqing seemed to have returned to his body. He was startled at first, then glanced at her and looked away, saying, "Hmm, I'm not sleepy yet."

"Then you'll blow out the candles in a bit!" Qingduo said cheerfully, lifting the blanket to crawl inside, but Zeng Zhengqing grabbed her arm.

"Madam, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Qingduo blinked her eyes and asked curiously.

Zeng Zhengqing's face flushed red. He took out a booklet from his pocket and handed it to Qingduo.

Qingduo took it and asked curiously, "What is it?"

Once opened—

The booklet was like a spark on a firecracker fuse, burning all the way along the point of contact, about to ignite Qingduo's entire body.

Startled, she threw the picture book away.

Good heavens, this is actually a fire-avoidance diagram I drew myself!