Staggering out of Chunxi Hall, I saw a tall figure emerge from the shadows of the trees in the distance.

Xingbi raised the lantern higher and asked warily, "Who is it?"

The person strode forward, his face illuminated by the dim light.

"It's me."

Upon seeing the newcomer, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Except for Zhi Cui, who was supporting Shi Lan, everyone bowed to her.

Zhu Yi waved casually, stepped forward, and picked Shi Lan up in his arms.

Shi Lan was surprised that he would do such a thing in front of so many people. She let out a low cry and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.

Zhu Yi slightly raised the corners of his mouth, weighed the item in his hand, and heard her short breaths in his ear before taking a step forward.

Xingbi was taken aback, then quickly stepped forward to light the way. Zhicui and the others tactfully followed a few steps behind, leaving space for the two of them.

The surroundings suddenly became quiet. Her body swayed gently with Zhu Yi's movements, and her head rested lightly or heavily on his shoulder.

A gentle breeze stirred, her hair fluttered, and for a moment, Shi Lan had a sudden urge to let loose. She released his hand and instead embraced him, pressing her head against his chest. His steady, powerful heartbeat immediately pierced her eardrums and leaped into her heart.

Zhu Yi noticed her movement and immediately tightened his arms to support her steadily, allowing her to rely on him with more peace of mind.

The night is serene, and a gentle warmth flows through it.

Back at Beining Garden, after changing into casual clothes and eating a quick bite, Shi Lan leaned against a large, soft pillow, glancing sideways at Zhu Yi, who was leaning against her.

"Why did you decide to go to Chunxi Hall, Lord Marquis?"

Zhu Yi feigned ignorance and said, "How would I know? He probably has something to discuss with his wife."

Shi Lan's bright eyes flickered slightly, and she gave a soft hum. She knew that he cared about her but was mindful of filial piety and couldn't show his face, so he had to ask Zhu Xian for help. She just didn't know what method he had used to make Zhu Xian arrive at such a perfect time, which made her feel very happy.

Zhu Yi chuckled, his gaze lingering on her slightly pouting red lips. He seemed a little distracted, and his fingers, which were diligently massaging her, unconsciously slid upwards according to his heart.

Shi Lan grasped his large hand that had "touched" the hem of his shirt, glanced at him, and gave him a reproachful look that was neither a smile nor a frown.

Zhu Yi felt a surge of passion in his heart. He leaned down, pressing his slender body against her back, and said, "My wife is so eager for me, what if you get hungry?"

Shi Lan looked closely and noticed that the intricate and profound lines between his brows seemed to have faded a little, so she relented and said, "Listen to me, since your parents have passed away, we still need to be careful about these things. After the mourning period is over," she said, her cheeks flushing as she added, "I will naturally do whatever you say."

Zhu Yi rested his head on her shoulder, rubbing against her unwillingly.

Zhu Yi never considered Qian Shi as family, so the death of someone in her family had no impact on him whatsoever.

On their wedding day, Shi Lan gave him a two-week deadline. At the time, he didn't think much of it. But after these two days of being together, the flames she had repeatedly ignited were almost burning him out. Thinking back to the conditions he had foolishly agreed to, he wished he could turn back time. How could he possibly extend it to three months?

Shi Lan was also helpless. In her mind, only two people who truly love each other can have that kind of relationship.

She doesn't deny having some affection for Zhu Yi, but this affection is based on the premise that she knows he is Hao Ze's alter ego. Hao Ze has done a lot for her, and she feels a natural closeness to him, but this does not include such intimate behavior.

Zhu Yi kept pestering her, and Shi Lan didn't want to agree, but she couldn't bear to disappoint him, so she cupped his face, gently kissed him, and whispered, "Good boy."

Zhu Yi glared at her, and seeing that Shi Lan refused to back down, he simply opened his mouth wide and bit her red lips.

The pearly white teeth gently rubbed against her already delicate lips, the subtle touch sending a jolt of electricity through her heart.

Shi Lan couldn't help but tremble, clenched her fist, and lightly punched him.

Zhu Yi smiled vaguely, pressed his lips together, and pressed Shi Lan down so hard that she sank deep into the soft pillow.

As night deepened, candle wax accumulated on the candlestick by the window, and finally, with a flicker, the room was plunged back into darkness.

The soft moans and the man's rough laughter that occasionally came from inside the room gradually faded into the darkness.

The next morning, when Shi Lan woke up, her side was empty as usual.

After washing up, before breakfast was even served, Granny Ruan came to visit.

Although she still had doubts about Shi Lan, she still gave her face and let her in directly.

Hearing the voice instructing her to come in, Granny Ruan, who had been feeling uneasy, felt relieved and respectfully bowed upon entering.

Shi Lan quickly raised her hand in a gesture of respect and said, "Granny Ruan, there's no need for such formalities."

Granny Ruan looked up and saw Shi Lan smiling gently. Knowing that she wasn't being sarcastic, she straightened up from her half-bow and said, "Madam was confused for a moment and caused you to suffer. Last night, when she came to her senses, she hurriedly ordered this old servant to find this and specifically instructed me to bring it over this morning."

After saying that, Granny Ruan handed over the tray she was holding.

Zhi Cui glanced at Shi Lan, and seeing that she didn't object, she took it.

Lifting the brocade covering revealed a bright red pomegranate ornament, which immediately surprised me.

The pomegranate peel was a vibrant green, with a crack in the middle revealing plump, red pomegranate seeds inside – clearly not an ordinary product.

As for the gift, Shi Lan already had a idea when she returned last night, but she didn't expect the Qian family to go to such lengths to send her such an item.

Seeing that the maids in the room were surprised but not overly so, Granny Ruan smiled bitterly to herself.

It's infuriating to compare yourself to others. This is already one of the better items among the lady's possessions, but judging from the expressions of these maids, they're probably just pretty decorations to her.

Shi Lan wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, her smile unchanged.

“It is our duty to serve our elders, even if it is tiring. It is our filial duty to do so. On the contrary, I am flattered by the gift from Madam.”

Granny Ruan bowed and said, "Madam is soft-hearted, and some people with ulterior motives take advantage of this to stir up trouble." She quickly glanced at Shi Lan and said, "Now that the Marquis has spoken, Madam is also willing to rest. In the future, I hope that the young master's wife will put in more effort so that the atmosphere in the Marquis's mansion can be better and more upright."

Shi Lan glanced at her, quickly grasping the meaning behind her words, and the smile on her lips deepened.

Seeing this, Granny Ruan, who had been on edge, finally relaxed. "However, there are many things to do in this household. Madam's idea is to hand over the embroidery room to you first. What do you think?"

Granny Ruan spoke cautiously, saying that the embroidery room wasn't very lucrative, and in terms of importance within the mansion, it was insignificant. She was worried that Shi Lan would think that Madam Qian had just casually assigned her a task to get by.

Unexpectedly, Shi Lan nodded, and even said that she was too young to manage things well, and asked Qian Shi to take good care of her.

After leaving Beining Garden, Granny Ruan gazed at the fluttering beaded curtain of the main room, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

In the distant woods, a corner of the garment quietly disappeared into the shadows. Only after she left did the owner of that garment emerge from the darkness and turn to go to Zhiping Courtyard in a corner of the garden.