Chapter 56 They kissed several times.

As Wei Qin gained power and became the emperor's favorite, Jiang Yinyue, who slept early and rose late, had no chance to say more than a few words to him.

"Father, have you fallen out of favor with the Emperor?"

The emperor summoned Wei Qin every day, keeping him until the third watch of the night before letting him go. The civil and military officials saw this and were jealous. Among the officials' wives, there was much discussion. Some said that Jiang Song was using his son-in-law to consolidate his favor, while others said that Jiang Yinyue was a lucky charm for her husband.

Jiang Song, who was teasing the canary, snorted, "What do you mean by losing favor? Your father is a pillar of strength."

Jiang Song's past experience of being entangled with the Eldest Princess made him associate the word "favor" with male concubines, which made him feel somewhat disgusted. As for being favored, why should he compete with his own son-in-law for it?

To be precise, even His Highness the Crown Prince has fallen out of favor.

"Taolue will arrive in the capital in the next couple of days, perhaps even tonight. Make preparations for his welcome."

Sensing her father's suppressed joy, Jiang Yinyue unconsciously raised the corners of her lips, "I dreamed about my brother."

"What has it become?"

"I won't tell you."

Jiang Song picked up a nut he had been feeding to the canary and smashed it on his daughter's forehead.

Jiang Yinyue covered her forehead, glared angrily, then looked at the caged bird her father had bought at great expense. As her father entered the study, she stepped on a stool, opened the birdcage, and said, "Go."

The canary chirped a few times and then took flight.

A moment later, a furious shout erupted from the mansion: "Jiang Niannian!!"

The little girl in the drafty cotton-padded jacket hummed a tune, listlessly leaning on the railing of the back room, gazing in the direction of the palace.

Hongmei came over carrying a tray. "Miss, a shop selling mint cakes has opened in the city. Would you like me to go and buy some?"

Let's go together.

The two walked along the bustling streets at dusk. As they approached the newly opened pastry shop, Jiang Yinyue sighed, "There are so many people."

"Yes, it seems to taste very authentic."

The response was low and deep, not Mei Hong's voice. Jiang Yinyue turned to look at the white-haired old man standing behind them. Surprised, she did not forget her manners and bowed to the old man, saying, "This junior greets Grand Tutor Cui."

Grand Tutor Cui Shengzhi smiled deeply, “What a coincidence, Jiang girl. Shihan mentioned you in her letter, saying that you two have a very good relationship, like sisters.”

That voice was exactly like Cui Shihan's, who was far away in Yangzhou; it was truly authentic.

The girl was merely imitating her elderly father.

But would a high-ranking official like Cui Taifu, a first-rank official, also stand in long lines to find delicious food?

As if guessing Jiang Yinyue's doubts, Cui Shengzhi stroked his beard and smiled, "Shihan likes mint cake, so I'm extending my affection to her."

Jiang Yinyue felt a strange mix of emotions. She could imagine the proud and sensitive girl's reaction to those words—disdain mixed with secret delight.

If one did not revere one's father, why would one repeatedly imitate his way of speaking and tone of voice?

"This junior is being presumptuous. May I ask if the Grand Tutor has any plans to bring back Princess Huaijin?"

Cui Shengzhi's hoarse voice carried a hint of a sigh, "The Cui residence is her home, and she can return home anytime, but only if she can disregard gossip and act like you."

Being jokingly referred to as a puppet used to summon spirits is undoubtedly a form of harm, albeit without profanity, to a child. At that time, Cui Shihan was depressed all day long, feeling inferior, withdrawn, and melancholic, which was almost developing into a mental illness.

When Grand Tutor Cui sent his young second daughter to Yangzhou, it was out of guilt and a painful decision. What loving father doesn't love his own flesh and blood?

Good things come to those who wait.

The old man agreed, saying, "Yes, good things often come with difficulties."

When it was Jiang Yinyue's turn, there was only one mint cake left in the shop. Jiang Yinyue calmly ordered a few other snacks and nodded goodbye to the old man behind her.

Cui Shengzhi stared at the last piece of mint cake and smiled brightly in the golden light of the setting sun.

What a good child.

Cui Wei, the commander of the Shenji Battalion, stood on horseback in the distance, gazing at the departing woman until his vision merged with the radiant glow of the setting sun.

**

Upon returning to her residence, Jiang Yinyue heard that Wei Qin had returned early and earnestly corrected him, saying, "He didn't return early; it's almost 7 PM."

The doorman nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, yes."

The son-in-law leaves early and returns late, which everyone in the household has become accustomed to.

Jiang Yinyue returned to the backyard like a sparrow. Upon seeing the man leaning against the second-floor veranda, she couldn't help but beam with joy. She lifted her skirt and ran up the wooden stairs, exclaiming, "You're back!"

Wei Qin looked at the paper bag in her hand, "What did you buy?"

"dessert."

Jiang Yinyue handed the paper bag to Hong Mei and leaned against the railing next to Wei Qin. "If you finish your shift on time tomorrow, could you please bring me some mint cakes on your way back?"

Which one?

Jiang Yinyue gave the store name and address, not caring whether Wei Qin made a promise or not. He never broke his promise, no matter how busy he was.

Hongmei withdrew at the opportune moment, leaving the young couple alone.

With no outsiders around, Wei Qin raised an arm, put his arm around the person beside him, and pulled her closer.

The two nestled together as the night gradually unfolded.

"Have you been concerned about the recent rumors about me, Miss?"

Amid the discussions, there was a constant stream of curses, not only accusing him of repaying kindness with enmity and betraying his benefactor, but also of being heartless and fickle, and of letting down Miss Tao Qi. However, these were all criticisms made behind his back, buzzing like mosquitoes.

"Many people admire you, and I admire you very much too."

Wei Qin lowered his eyes and met the woman's gaze.

The woman's admiration was evident in her eyes and brows. She generously offered her affirmation, her eyebrows arched and her eyes sparkling. "No one is perfect. Who can be affirmed by everyone? No one can. As long as you can do your best without shame or regret, that's enough. Lord Wei, just keep moving forward with a clear conscience. Ahead lies a bright spring and a world full of beautiful flowers."

Wei Qin's fatigue vanished with the sound of her sweet voice.

Light emanated from the mist.

"Huh?" Jiang Yinyue suddenly dusted off the top of her head.

"how?"

As Wei Qin looked up, he subconsciously raised his hand to shield his wife from view.

A squirrel peeked its head down and then darted away.

Jiang Yinyue, who had been hit by a pine nut, removed Wei Qin's hand and laughed, recalling the experience of being hit on the head with a nut by her father that morning. "By the way, my brother is coming back."

Wei Qin, who had not yet met his brother-in-law, leaned against the railing. He had heard that his brother-in-law was a cold and aloof general who might not be easy to get along with.

Seeing his exhaustion, Jiang Yinyue said gently, "You must be very tired. Come inside and rest."

"I'm worried that my elder brother won't like me."

"No, my brother said that whoever I like, he likes too."

Wei Qin didn't think so. He had heard people say that Jiang Taolue was a notorious jealous man in his youth. Even though he was on good terms with the Crown Prince, he still often got jealous of the Crown Prince because of his sister.

Seeing Jiang Yinyue approach, Wei Qin raised his arms, which were clasped together, and pulled her between his arms and chest. He tightened his grip on her waist, lifted her up, and leaned her backward using the strength of his waist.

"Ah!" The young woman, who had been forced to lean forward and lost her balance, immediately hugged the back of the man's neck and lay on his chest. Perhaps she was in a good mood because she was about to be reunited with her brother. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, she became playful, stood up on her tiptoes, and giggled as she nestled in Wei Qin's neck.

Wei Qin lifted her up and sat her on the railing, took off a pair of delicate little gold-embroidered shoes, and held them on his fingertips.

Jiang Yinyue immediately became obedient, gripping the railing tightly with both hands, afraid of falling. "Carry me down."

Wei Qin put down the gold-embroidered shoes and arranged them neatly. Then he straightened up, grabbed her calves and spread them apart, leaning between her knees.

As the last rays of sunset shone on his forehead, the man, his phoenix eyes half-closed, gazed at the woman bathed in the glow of the sunset, and changed his grip from holding her calf to pinching her waist.

"Have you missed me these days, Miss?"

Jiang Yinyue looked around to make sure no one was watching before forcing herself to reply, "Do you miss it?"

"Yeah?"

You don't believe me?

Wei Qin shook his head, and a suspicious faint mark appeared at the corner of his mouth once again.

Jiang Yinyue immediately raised two index fingers and pressed them against the corners of his slightly upturned mouth to maintain this hard-won smile. "I told you, as long as you smile, you can have whatever you want."

Wei Qin initially dismissed the promise made in the small Yangzhou house as a joke, but as he became engrossed in her earnest gaze, he also began to take it seriously.

The last rays of dawn were swallowed by the night, and lanterns were lit one by one, but the courtyard of the rear building remained dark.

The maids, having received instructions from Hongmei, did not dare to come in and disturb her.

The man and woman, their eyes locked, had their vision partially obscured by the darkening night, but the person in front of them remained exceptionally clear.

"Smile."

"Smile!"

"Grand Secretary Wei is handsome. He should benefit those around him, so that I can also enjoy his beauty and find pleasure in his appearance."

Jiang Yinyue gently guided him, and his small feet, clad in silk stockings, unconsciously stepped on Wei Qin's leather belt, stabilizing his slightly swaying body.

Wei Qin asked in a hoarse voice, "Can you really have the wind and rain at will?"

"Yes." Jiang Yingyue released his lips and made all sorts of funny faces.

Wei Qin coughed to the side, forcing a smile that felt strangely awkward, but he still tried to raise his lips slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.

In an instant, the ice melted, the warm breeze dispelled the heat, and a thousand cliffs displayed their beauty.

Jiang Yinyue stopped making faces and couldn't take her eyes off the person. She realized that some people could look so beautiful when they smiled. "You should smile more often."

"Miss, it's time to deliver on your promise of the storm I've been asking for."

"Tell me about it." Jiang Yinyue, with an air of certainty, raised her head, brimming with confidence.

Wei Qin pointed to his lips.

Jiang Yinyue, who was stealing glances out of the corner of her eye, lost her momentum. Apart from the two times she fed him medicine in an emergency, she had never kissed him on her own initiative.

"Change to another one."

"no."

How could you do this?

How am I?

Jiang Yinyue stepped hard on his leather belt, looking serious, and poked his chest with her index finger, saying, "Young people should be moderate and not greedy."

This was the teaching that Madam Jiang gave to Jiang Song when she was still alive. Jiang Yinyue imitated her, and her tone was almost identical to that of her grandmother.

Seeing his wife's flip-flopping and self-righteous act, Wei Qin gripped her waist, lifted her off the railing, and pressed her against the opposite wall.

"Huh?"

Before Jiang Yinyue could react, the dark figure in the night stole her breath.

"Hmm..."

Wei Qin kissed her urgently, and a large hand slipped inside her jacket, stirring up trouble.

Jiang Yinyue was both anxious and afraid, repeatedly pulling away Wei Qin's extremely aggressive hand, worried that someone would enter the courtyard, especially worried that her brother, who might return to the mansion at any time tonight, would see this scene.

Her brother had a fiery temper and wouldn't allow anyone to "bully" his sister like that. However, after not seeing her for many years, she wasn't sure if his temper had softened; it was probably still as fiery as ever.

"Don't......"

The young woman, who had been imagining all this, kicked her feet, which were not touching the ground, but Wei Qin held her under her armpits and lifted her higher and higher.

Her padded jacket was rolled up, revealing a section of her soft, white belly.

Wei Qin bent down and kissed him.

Jiang Yinyue felt itchy and twisted her waist, constantly looking at the moon gate in the courtyard. Feeling guilty, she always felt that someone would walk in at any moment.

"don't want."

"Is Miss's promise to weather the storm so easily? You've broken your word."

Provoked, Jiang Yinyue snorted, "I won't go back on my word. I'm just worried that my brother will be returning to the manor soon and might see this!"

"We'll see."

"......"

Wei Qin pressed the person against the window, leaned in and covered that stubborn little mouth with his lips, sucking and nibbling.

Her lips were numb with pain. Jiang Yinyue hugged Wei Qin's back, showing weakness and yielding, soothing Wei Qin's emotions, and letting him pry open her teeth.

"Ouch, it hurts."

Wei Qin pulled away, calmed his breathing, and hummed in response, the tone rising slightly with a hint of suggestion.

Jiang Yinyue honed her ability to back down little by little during her confrontations with Wei Qin. She gave a soft hum, cupped Wei Qin's jaw, and gave him a few kisses.

"Is that okay?"

"not enough."

Jiang Yinyue took a big bite.

The man's thin lips became engorged with blood.

The night breeze brushed against the dampness on his lips, bringing a cool sensation. Wei Qin turned his face away, and the faint lines at the corners of his lips became even more noticeable in the night.

Unfortunately, the young woman, who was keeping a close watch on the moon gate out of a guilty conscience, was not caught.

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Author's note: 50 small red envelopes~