That day, after Shen Zhao and An An's three children had played happily, she saw that Lu Qi was still dealing with military affairs. Suddenly, she had the idea to be a virtuous wife. She hurriedly took her personal maid to the kitchen, wanting to "personally" make some snacks for Lu Qi.

"Madam, what brings you to the kitchen? Is there anything you need?" The head cook immediately stepped forward and asked when she saw Shen Zhao arrive.

"It's alright, you all go about your business, I'll make something," Shen Zhao said while looking at the kitchen ingredients.

Several kitchen maids and servants quickly persuaded Shen Zhao to leave. Everyone knew that the Second Master cherished this wife the most, and if there was any bump or bruise in the kitchen, all of them would be punished.

Shen Zhao was persuaded by everyone to stay away from the kitchen. The kitchen maid refused to let her in no matter what she said, but Shen Zhao was never one to make things difficult for anyone, so she turned around and went back to her own little kitchen.

After a flurry of activity in the kitchen with his personal maid, Shen Zhao brought out a plate of exquisite pastries to the study.

Behind her, her personal maid lay sprawled on the ground, utterly dejected. The cutting board was covered in flour, chestnut shells, and ruined chestnut cakes.

At this moment, the maid was thinking to herself, "Who would understand having a master who knows nothing yet is incredibly innovative!"

Shen Zhao walked in lightly, carrying a plate of freshly made, exquisite pastries.

"Husband~ take a rest, try my newly made chestnut cake." Shen Zhao placed the pastry on the desk, her voice charming and deliberately sweet.

Lu Qi put down his pen, looked up, and gazed at his wife. Shen Zhao was wearing a light red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) today, which accentuated her snow-white skin. Her eyebrows and eyes were curved, and she was nowhere to be seen as the innocent little rabbit she once was. She looked exactly like a little fox who had cultivated herself into a spirit, here to tease him.

A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, but he deliberately kept a straight face: "My lady, I'm busy right now."

Shen Zhao wasn't buying it. She walked around the desk and sat directly on Lu Qi's lap, her slender arms encircling his neck, her breath sweet as orchids: "Even if you're busy, you have to eat~ Husband, please try some, I made it especially for you." She picked up a small piece of chestnut cake and held it to Lu Qi's lips, her eyes sparkling with temptation.

Lu Qi was aroused by her soft body and fragrant scent. He opened his mouth to bite into the pastry, and then took her slender fingertip into his mouth, licking it with his tongue in an ambiguous way.

"Ouch!" Shen Zhao exclaimed, pulling her hand back as if burned, her cheeks flushing red. She glared at him angrily, "Lu Qi! You...you're a dog!"

Lu Qi slowly chewed on the pastry, watching the lively expression of the woman in his arms, both shy and annoyed, and felt a great mood. He tightened his arms around her slender waist to prevent her from escaping, and chuckled, "Pastries fed to me by my wife's own hand should naturally be savored carefully, not even... the sweetness on my fingertips should be missed." He leaned close to her reddened earlobe, lowered his voice, and said with a strong hint of teasing, "This is what you taught me, my wife... to be 'proactive'."

Shen Zhao was caught off guard and remembered that she had often "took the initiative" to tease him after they got married. She was speechless and her cheeks burned even hotter. Her pretentious big bad wolf aura collapsed instantly, and she revealed her shy little white rabbit nature.

Lu Qi adored her contrasting charm—both alluring and timid—and couldn't resist lowering his head to plant a kiss on her smooth forehead, his voice low and indulgent: "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. The pastries were 'delicious,' as if they were made by Madam herself. Thank you, Madam." He paused, a playful smile in his eyes, "However… next time you feed her, remember to be quick, otherwise… I can't guarantee there won't be any more 'accidents.'"

Shen Zhao was both embarrassed and angry, squirming in his arms: "Lu Qi! You're so bad!" But the slight upturn of her lips and the sweet smile in her eyes betrayed her good mood at the moment.