Chapter 104 The Fisherman Never Goes Sick! ...

The night seemed both very long and very short.

Shen Lingyue lay drowsily on Pei Jinghuai's back, slowly leaving the swaying bamboo forest with his steady steps.

A bluish-green mist, like the shell of a duck egg, rises from the horizon, and a thin veil of fog hangs from the forest floor. Fine spiderwebs cling to the branches, and a drop of morning dew falls lightly from the tip of a leaf, rolling back and forth like a scattered string of beads.

The early birds chirped incessantly, and a squirrel peeked out from its grain-storing tree hole, its small, beady eyes darting left and right. Its bushy tail brushed against the tree trunk, rustling softly, creating a symphony of the early morning.

...How come it feels like I only took a nap and it's already dawn?

She muttered a few words of dissatisfaction, her lips brushing against his earlobe, her babbling incoherently, like a hungry and sleepy kitten whimpering and whining.

Pei Jinghuai steadily supported her calves, returning to the courtyard without disturbing anyone, and tucked her into the empty bed that had been empty all night. He stood by the bed for a while, then couldn't resist bending down to kiss her face.

Shen Lingyue felt a slight itch, dodged left and right, and slapped his face.

Where did these mosquitoes come from, disturbing my peaceful sleep!

Pei Jinghuai seized the opportunity to grab her hand and kiss it again. It smelled sweet, and she smelled of the same bath soap as him, inside and out.

Staring at her sleeping face, which looked like she was frowning and unhappy, Pei Jinghuai chuckled twice and stretched contentedly.

In a good mood, he ate breakfast alone, changed into a smart outfit, and before leaving, solemnly instructed Qingchan: "Keep your voices down in the yard and let her sleep until she wakes up naturally."

"Yes, son-in-law."

Qingchan watched Pei Jinghuai stride out as if nothing had happened. At the courtyard gate, she took the longbow and quiver that Ping An handed her. A moment later, she could hear the sound of horses neighing in the distance.

I sneaked into the room for another look, and there she was, her young lady wrapped in a blanket, fast asleep, oblivious to everything around her. Every strand of her hair and fingertips looked utterly exhausted.

Qingchan was shocked, Qingchan was moved, and Qingchan was filled with awe.

The son-in-law's stamina is terrifying!

...

Pei Jinghuai led his horse, carrying a bow, and strolled leisurely towards the foot of the mountain in the northwest. He even made a point of wandering around Pei Jingyi and Yan Yi's courtyard and imitating the call of a cuckoo twice.

He silently counted to thirty in his mind. The courtyard gate opened a crack, and the movement was very light. The old and heavy door panel did not make any sound.

Pei Jingyi walked out neatly dressed, glancing at him with apparent displeasure. "What are you doing making a fuss so early in the morning?"

"Don't you get up pretty early too?"

Pei Jinghuai, with a hint of wanting to compete with him, nimbly mounted his horse and raised an eyebrow at Pei Jingyi in a defiant manner, "Big brother, shall we go for a ride in the mountains and hunt some game to add to our meal?"

Pei Jingyi: ...He knew it, here we go again.

Question: I have a younger brother who has always had a strange competitive streak towards me since we were little. What should I do? Urgent, waiting online.

Pei Jingyi slightly raised his usually indifferent peach blossom eyes, said "Wait a moment," and turned to enter the courtyard.

Soon, the sound of two horses' hooves disappeared into the forest, one after the other.

call out--

Pei Jinghuai effortlessly shot a rabbit, then turned to Pei Jingyi, who was half a step behind, and mocked, "Are you still half asleep, or haven't you eaten enough?"

Pei Jingyi's gaze drifted into the distance, his mind still preoccupied with Yan Yi. Last night's commotion had lasted quite a while, and she was exhausted when he carried her back to her room; he even had to help her change into her nightgown.

As for the two small pieces of cloth, each the size of a palm, and the thin rope that had been torn to shreds and stained with her scent, he secretly stuffed them into the bottom of the wardrobe.

At that time, she had tears on her face and pitifully begged him to stop pestering her. She also said in a fit of pique that she would burn all these bad things in one go.

Pei Jingyi, of course, would not grant her wish; he would have to find a proper place to hide it.

Pei Jinghuai's voice pulled him out of his memories. Pei Jingyi's expression was indifferent as he drew his bow and shot an arrow towards the treetops in mid-air.

A little sparrow fluttered and fell to the ground.

“Naive.” He shook his head at his foolish younger brother and spurred his horse in another direction.

Pei Jinghuai scoffed and continued deeper into the forest, when suddenly he heard a familiar, devilish laugh coming from halfway up the mountain.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

...

Shen Lingyue slept until the afternoon, but still felt exhausted and had no energy at all.

She forced herself to sit up, leaning haphazardly against a small mountain of pillows and blankets, and asked Qingchan while yawning, "Has my sister-in-law come looking for me?"

"No." Qingchan winked mischievously. "I went to the kitchen to inquire. The eldest young mistress hasn't even been called for breakfast or lunch. She's probably catching up on sleep in her room, just like you, Miss."

Her face was burning, and Shen Lingyue buried herself in the quilt again, burying her eyes like an ostrich and ordering her to get some snacks.

She feels like she could eat a whole cow right now!

That damned Pei Jinghuai, he really has no intention of letting her off the hook.

Shen Lingyue struggled to move her legs into a suitable position, grimacing as she rubbed her still trembling inner thighs.

Sigh, she underestimated the irresistible allure of the new skin for dogs... She's really made herself too full now.

After Qingchan brought her some snacks to fill her stomach, she and Shuangxu used all their skills to massage her entire body.

Shen Lingyue finally got out of bed, trembling, and walked out of the room, beginning to officially enjoy her hot spring resort trip—

"Chirp!"

"Chirp~"

Two furry figures, one red and one white, leaped onto the wall, and the scarf rushed over like a small cannonball.

Shen Lingyue immediately sensed something was wrong. Before she could even call for a stop, it knocked her flying and she fell on her bottom with a yelp.

Ignoring her aching back and buttocks, she pressed one hand firmly against the fox's muzzle, her eyes fixed intently on the other side.

"Wow, Weibo," she murmured. "Did you go into the mountains and bring back a fairy wife for yourself?"

Under the sunlight, the snow-white fox sat gracefully on the wall, its fluffy tail swaying gently in the wind, surrounded by a halo of holiness.

And those black agate-like eyes, the full eyeliner, the naturally upturned smile at the corners of her mouth... she's an absolutely stunningly beautiful fox!

"Chirp chirp!" The scarf seemed to understand, and it nestled proudly in her arms, then excitedly stomped on her belly and bounced twice.

Shen Lingyue: ...Stop! You're going to make Mommy throw up.

"Qingchan, quickly go to the kitchen and call two chickens, one braised and one steamed, as a betrothal gift for our scarf."

She rubbed the back of the scarf a couple of times and said with a smile, "Don't worry, our family can afford to support a fairy. I'll definitely win you over with a beautiful wife!"

...

In the evening, Pei Jingyi and Yan Yi came over to have dinner together.

Congratulations to my brother and sister-in-law on the birth of your wonderful son and wife.

Pei Jingyi solemnly congratulated Chen Lingyue, carrying his and Yan Yi's gift—a beggar's chicken wrapped in lotus leaves—and shook it twice.

Shen Lingyue was amused by his lame joke and immediately replied, "Congratulations, congratulations! When we have children in the future, they'll have to call you uncle and aunt."

When she met Yan Yi's gaze, the first thing she noticed was the other's fair and radiant face, and then the high-necked, long-sleeved shirts that they had both chosen, which completely covered their necks.

Yan Yi blushed first from being stared at, and gave her a reproachful look, as if she was embarrassed and annoyed.

The more shy she became, the more excited Shen Lingyue got. She chuckled twice and squeezed next to Yan Yi, her tone extremely serious, "Did you sleep well last night, sister-in-law?"

Yan Yi secretly pinched her and huffed, "I...slept just as well as you."

Shen Lingyue's smile grew even brighter. If it weren't for Pei Jingyi's presence, she would have already pulled Yan Yi into the quilt to whisper secrets.

She couldn't resist leaning close to Yan Yi's ear and whispered, "How about it? Doesn't this blue moon-shadow gauze I picked suit you perfectly?"

A blush spread across Yan Yi's face, disappearing below her collar, as if she had been teased. She stammered, trying to change the subject, "I'm so hungry, let's hurry and have someone set the table."

Pei Jingyi was used to the two of them always huddling together as soon as they met, but today Shen Lingyue seemed absent-minded. While whispering to Yan Yi, she secretly glanced at him several times.

He thought for a moment, and then suddenly realized.

...He said that A-Tan didn't have that much courage; he was just led astray by his younger siblings.

However, he likes this kind of "badness" very much and hopes there will be more of it in the future.

...

The four of them were having a meal in the courtyard. In the open space not far away, Scarf was chasing each other's tails and playing with the fairy fox that it had led down the mountain. When they got tired of playing, they would go to the large bowl full of shredded chicken and take a few bites, making excited noises.

Yan Yi fell in love with the fairy white fox at first sight. She was so distracted while eating that she couldn't help but keep looking at the person opposite her.

With a hint of envy on her face, she said to Shen Lingyue, "You've really made Weiboer more and more clever; she even knows how to find herself a pretty companion."

"The love of beauty is something even foxes have."

Shen Lingyue had a sudden inspiration, and she winked at Yan Yi, then said in a high-pitched voice, "Your Majesty, I really am a white fox!"

Yan Yi instantly understood, and couldn't suppress the upturned corners of her lips. She quickly took a sip of fruit syrup to cover it up.

Pei Jinghuai and Pei Jingyi sat to the side, looking at each other in bewilderment. Was this some kind of code they couldn't understand?

"Hey, what color do you think the scarf would be if it had a baby fox with Little White?"

Shen Lingyue's mind jumped around quickly. She chewed on her chopsticks and pondered, "Pure white or pure red would both look good, but what if a mixed color were to be produced?"

Pei Jingyi calmly replied, "Red plum blossoms in the snow and ice silk illuminated by fire have a unique charm."

Shen Lingyue was filled with respect. As expected of the eldest brother, reading a lot is indeed useful!

She immediately decided, "Once Xiaobai has her baby, I'll arrange for a pair of scarves to be given to you on behalf of Weibo."

Yan Yi nodded with a smile, then said, "The name 'Xiao Bai' is too casual. Couldn't you have chosen a nicer one?"

Shen Lingyue blinked, "Actually, 'Weibo' doesn't sound that great either..."

You can't exactly call a white glove, can you?

She started daydreaming, "How about calling her Xiaoxue, Xianxian, Xiaoxue Xian, Xiaobai Xian?"

Shen Lingyue called out each name to the fairy fox one by one, finally raising her head when she called out to Little White Fairy, squinting her eyes at her, and chirping, "Chirp~"

"Ahhh, I'm dead..." She clutched her chest and exaggeratedly collapsed onto Pei Jinghuai. "A beautiful woman acting cute, who can resist that?"

Then look at the scarf, it's already lying on its back at Little White Fairy's feet, looking exactly like a licking fox!

The next second, Little White Fairy raised her head aloofly, and her four pink paws stepped over her without mercy, leaping away lightly.

The girl in the scarf jumped up and scurried after him.

Shen Lingyue covered her face. She couldn't bear to look at the silly boy. How could he possibly find a fairy wife on his own?

...

Tonight is the time for the best friends' hot spring beauty tea party. The two "ruthlessly" left their annoying husbands behind and asked someone to prepare the largest hot spring pool in the middle of Yuquanzhuang in advance so that they could take a bath in peace.

Shen Lingyue had finished bathing in her own courtyard beforehand and was about to go out to meet Yan Yi when Pei Jinghuai suddenly grabbed her from behind, pulled down her collar without saying a word, and sucked hard on her shoulder, leaving a red mark.

"What's wrong with you?" Shen Lingyue was shocked. She pinched his side several times and said angrily, "You knew I was going to the hot springs with my sister-in-law, and you still dared to leave a mark on me..."

"Is that not allowed?" Pei Jinghuai looked aggrieved and abandoned as he pulled open his shirt. "You were clinging to me and nibbling on me for ages last night... I only kissed you once, and I haven't paid you back yet."

When Shen Lingyue looked up, she saw the "evidence" of her madness last night: a dense array of hickeys, with a mischievous heart-shaped outline sucked around the center.

"Cough...didn't you promise me that yourself?" Shen Lingyue said, her voice both unreasonable and defiant. "You pretended not to hear me when I told you to stop...I even think I haven't eaten enough."

She quickly buttoned the top button, patted the dog's head twice, and said, "Listen to me, tonight we'll each do our own thing. You can also go find your older brother to take a bath together."

"With him?" Pei Jinghuai curled his lip in disgust. "What's the point of dating two grown men? It's kind of disgusting..."

Besides, he didn't want Pei Jingyi to see his "marks of love" all over his body. With Pei Jingyi's photographic memory, he would definitely laugh at him until he was eighty years old.

Shen Lingyue finally managed to get rid of the clingy dog ​​and arrived at the hot spring pool next to Chengxintang. Seeing that Yan Yi was also dressed warmly, she instantly felt much better.

Who doesn't have a large, destructive animal that likes to bite? I understand.

The two entered the hot spring and leaned against the edge of the pool, which was made of long bluestone. They let the warm water flow gently over their bodies, as if they were having a natural spa treatment.

With a towel draped over her forehead, Shen Lingyue sighed contentedly and splashed water with her leg. "Finally, I can have a proper vacation."

But she was quiet for only three seconds before the dog sneaked over to Yan Yi's side and began to massage her shoulders.

"Am I right? Isn't it exciting to go out and have fun?"

Yan Yi knew she couldn't escape, so she picked up a purple grape soaked in spring water from the plate and stuffed it into her mouth.

"Is the point that we're out having fun? It's all about your... little tricks."

Yan Yi's face became even redder from the steam, and her mind kept replaying those scenes that were driving her crazy.

Pei Jingyi... he's so wicked.

She had clearly hidden that small bundle of clothes, but he secretly found it and hid it in his wide sleeves.

He would wait until she was completely aroused and letting him do whatever he wanted before suddenly taking it out and coaxing her in a gentle, persuasive tone, explaining what the small piece of cloth was for and where the thin string should be tied...

"A-Tan, can you teach me how to use this?"

Yan Yi was already very shy. It was the first time she had ever seen these things in person, yet she still had to demonstrate them to him one by one, as if she were dressed up as a beautiful gift and then personally guiding him to slowly unwrap the package.

"Good boy, you can take it off now."

...

She dared not think any further, and lowered her head to stare at the water's surface, but it was as if the mist had created an illusion, and she actually saw Pei Jingyi's image in the water's reflection.

The moon in the sky is so far away, and the moon in the water keeps swaying, breaking into countless colorful shadows.

He held her gently from behind, praising her beauty, goodness, and obedience, which made her heart flutter. She subconsciously followed his rhythm and completed one perfect answer after another.

...

When they parted, Pei Jingyi waited on the western path to take her back.

Yan Yi slowly walked to his side, letting him hold her small hand in his palm, and the two walked slowly under the moonlight.

Her face was still flushed, and she whispered, "It's just a few steps, how could I possibly get lost?"

"Yes, I can't find my way back, so I have to let A-Tan lead me."

Pei Jingyi reached out and put his arm around her waist, and the two figures on the ground pressed tightly together, as if they had become one.

Yan Yi stepped on his shadow with every step, as if she were playing some kind of chasing game.

She looked up at him quickly, then mustered her courage and emphasized, "I made plans to go out with my siblings tomorrow, so I need to get some rest tonight. I can't, I can't do anything reckless again."

"Whatever you say." Pei Jingyi readily complied, his fingers on her waist tightening slightly as he whispered in her ear, "Is your back still sore? Shall I massage it for you again later? And..."

He magically produced a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve, his voice clear and gentle, like the most intimate whisper between lovers, "I need to apply the medicine again tonight to feel more comfortable."

...

The next morning, they left the village and found a small river with abundant water flowing along the direction of the hot springs. The terrain along the river was flat, making it perfect for horseback riding, fishing, and picnicking.

Although Yan Yi had already learned to ride a horse, she had little interest in the sport. She simply rode a gentle mare that Pei Jingyi had chosen for her, slowly strolling along while watching Shen Lingyue and Pei Jinghuai race back and forth as if in a competition.

After running around enough, Shen Lingyue took a liking to the bow and arrows that Pei Jinghuai had hung on his horse and clamored to learn how to use them.

Pei Jinghuai shook his head, a hint of boasting in his voice, and refused, "No, you can't draw my bow."

Shen Lingyue refused to believe it, snatched it away, and pulled it backward with all her might—

It remained completely still.

"You just laughed, didn't you?" she glared at him fiercely. "I saw it, your mouth was stretched all the way to your ears!"

Pei Jinghuai quickly coaxed her, "When we get back to the Marquis's mansion, I'll find the one-stone bow I used when I was eight years old and let you practice with it."

The bow that was used when she was eight years old... Shen Lingyue was hit with a critical strike of 10,000 points.

"Yan Yan, go back and draw one for me."

She ran to Yan Yi with the bow in her arms, striking a pose as if she were drawing a bow with her hand behind her back. "Just like this, and draw a pair of giant eagles in the sky!"

Hmph, who isn't a hero from The Legend of the Condor Heroes?

Shen Lingyue completely used Yan Yi as a human camera. Whenever she found a beautiful scene, she would ask Yan Yi to draw it, and she would also have to include the two of them in the drawing, pretending to take a group photo.

"I've been eating a lot lately, and I can even feel my double chin now," Shen Lingyue muttered, cupping her face in her hands. "Remember to manually beautify it for me, okay?"

“Okay, let’s add this one of splashing water by the river…” Yan Yi noted in her notebook, then was startled when she counted, “There are already thirteen to draw.”

The next second, Pei Jingyi's cool voice came, "A maximum of three. Sister-in-law, you can choose for yourself. If you really can't choose, then I won't draw them."

Shen Lingyue: ...This Yan Yan is such a stingy little devil.

However, she also realized that drawing so many pictures at once was indeed tiring, so she took Yan Yi's hand and massaged it, and said with a smile, "I know, just draw whichever one you think is easy, I'm not picky, any one is fine!"

At noon, they set up a simple stove by the river. Pei Jingyi and Pei Jinghuai speared a few fish, skewered them on tree branches, and grilled them. They were exceptionally tender with just a little salt.

"Do you think this counts as hot spring fish?" Shen Lingyue's imagination ran wild. "It expands and contracts with temperature changes, no wonder the fish meat is so tender and has such a pleasant texture."

She called out to Pei Jinghuai, who was standing by the river, "Let's fish here this afternoon, and have grilled fish for dinner."

Pei Jinghuai looked to his side and asked, "How about we team up in pairs and have another competition?"

Pei Jingyi stared intently at the river surface, his movements swift as lightning, quickly spearing a fish. The fish's tail thrashed wildly in mid-air, splashing water droplets all over Pei Jinghuai's face.

He leisurely enjoyed watching his silly younger brother spitting wildly, and replied with a smile, "Then you're doomed to lose."

...

Four figures sat in a row by the river.

Chen Lingyue focused his energy in his dantian, seized the opportunity, and suddenly lifted the constantly swaying float upwards.

The fishing line swung through the air in a semi-circular arc, revealing an empty hook.

"We didn't catch anything again." Shen Lingyue clenched her fist in anger. "I clearly felt a fish bite the hook just now."

Damn it, why is fishing in real life even harder than starfishing?!

"It must be because your breathing is too loud and disturbed my fish."

Shen Lingyue skillfully shifted the blame, then picked up her small stool and moved it five or six meters away.

Pei Jinghuai didn't dare to say a word. Only after she had walked far away did he lift the fishing line and, like a thief, quickly picked off a palm-sized fish and threw it into the bucket.

In just a short while, Shen Lingyue came up with a number of reasons for not being able to catch any fish: the fish was too big and got off the hook, the fish was too small and slipped away, the bait was no good, the location was no good, the feng shui was bad...

Anyway, no matter what the fault is, it's always someone else's fault. There must be a reason why she can't catch a single fish!

A few meters away, Pei Jingyi and Yan Yi had a very fruitful harvest, one fish after another, filling their buckets to more than half full.

He suppressed his smile and asked Pei Jinghuai, "Shall we continue?"

If this continues, I'm really worried that my sister-in-law won't let him into the house tonight.

Pei Jinghuai: "...Compare!"

Even if he's all alone, he'll turn the tide!

...

Shen Lingyue rubbed her hands together, carefully selected a propitious spot, and cast her line with all her might.

She's determined not to believe this nonsense today.

A fisherman never goes home empty-handed!

I waited and waited, and suddenly the float on the water surface was pulled downwards, and then the fishing line was pulled by a huge force.

Shen Lingyue was so excited that her voice was hoarse, "Pei Jinghuai, come and help me!"

She tried with all her might but couldn't budge the fishing rod; it must be a big one!

Pei Jinghuai quickly came over to help, and the pressure on Shen Lingyue instantly decreased.

But she soon sensed something was wrong.

She knew Pei Jinghuai's strength better than anyone. Even he struggled so much to pull the fishing rod. What kind of big fish had he caught this time?

Before she could figure it out, a large shadow slowly rose from the water and gradually approached the shore.

Shen Lingyue's pupils constricted, and she hurriedly took several steps back, forcefully closing her eyes and frantically waving her hands behind her.

"Yan Yan, don't come any closer! It's a corpse!!"

-----------------------

Author's Note: [Shrug] I was locked out four times last night, and I was editing until after 2 AM. I was even dreaming about Shenhe!

I've heard everyone's voices, but as you know, it's not that I won't write, but rather that I'll write slowly, deliberately, and with high quality...

What's so interesting about hot springs? [doge emoji] Wouldn't it be better to unlock new scenes next time?