It was raining heavily outside the window at night, and there was a man at home, lying beside her.

And so I gradually fell asleep.

*

Xie Yun sat in the house peeling walnuts. After peeling a small plate of the best walnuts, she felt much more relaxed.

Today, Master Cheng was talking with his daughters-in-law about the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Usually, it was Grandma Cheng who was most proud in front of Old Lady Cheng. But when it came to these things, Grandma Cheng was speechless, peeling grapes and pretending not to hear. Finally, she had a word in return, and she felt very relieved. She even had two extra bowls of porridge that morning.

After becoming familiar with Grandma Cheng's methods, Xie Yun was able to cope with it.

Cheng Lang was practicing calligraphy in the house. Xie Yun peeled a plate of walnuts, thought for a moment, walked into the study, brought it to him, and placed it on his desk.

Cheng Lang continued writing, looked up at her, and said, "Thank you."

He had no concubines, only two beautiful maids who shared his bed with him. Xie Yun had already spoken to her that day, and she was quite charming. She examined them with a smile, then rewarded them with two golden hairpins and returned them as they were. The two maids were well-behaved and didn't dare to act rashly. Besides that, they were cleaner than she had expected. It was just that they didn't sleep together often, which made Xie Yun's nanny a little anxious.

Xie Yun occasionally recalled the ecstasy of that night, and then Luo Shenyuan appeared in her mind alternately.

Cheng Lang was indeed a very charming man. Now he stood practicing calligraphy, sunlight streaming through the half-drawn bamboo curtains, falling on his shoulders. His extremely handsome face was captivating just by looking at it. His demeanor was like flowing water in the mountains, or lush bamboo forests.

Xie Yun had only heard people describe Cheng Lang in one sentence before.

The capital is full of dignitaries, but she alone is outstandingly beautiful.

She told Cheng Lang about this, but Cheng Lang just smiled nonchalantly and said, "What do you mean by stunning? You should be more stunning."

Xie Yun didn't know if he meant it, but her face flushed at his light words. Sitting before the bronze mirror, she noticed her cheeks were flushed. She thought of the Gao family's daughters, the Qinhuai patriarchs, who had surrendered to him and adored her wholeheartedly. She wondered how she could have so many admirers without some tricks.

Now he is her husband.

"What are you writing?" Xie Yun leaned over to read. "Duke Xiao of Qin held the fortress of Chaohan and the land of Yongzhou. The king and his ministers held their ground, hoping to spy on the Zhou Dynasty and sweep across the world... On the Overthrow of Qin? Why are you writing this? Do you want to discuss political views with the emperor?"

Xie Yun said, "I know the emperor doesn't like this article. He always frowns when it comes to King Qin Ziying."

"I just wrote it for fun. I'd rather discuss politics with the emperor than talk to him about the Tao Te Ching. He'll like it." Cheng Lang ate two walnuts and handed them back to her. "You should eat more."

Xie Yun bit her lip: "Cheng Lang, what's your courtesy name?" She couldn't always call him Cheng Lang.

"I don't have a courtesy name," said Cheng Lang.

"Then what should I call you? How about calling you Alang?" Xie Yun thought that since he had a single name, it would be difficult to call him anything else.

Cheng Lang heard this and a sneer curled up at the corner of his mouth. He put down his pen, walked over and gently pinched her face. His warm and bright smile was tinged with a hint of evil and romanticism. His voice was low and ambiguous: "It's better to call me husband than this. What do you think?"

Xie Yun was speechless, as if she had been seduced by him. "This..."

"I was just kidding." He quickly let her go. "I got a courtesy name later, Mulin."

This courtesy name is not very good... Xie Yun was just thinking about it when he suddenly saw a guard rushing in and handing a letter to Cheng Lang.

Cheng Lang walked over and opened it, his brows gradually furrowed.

What on earth was going on? Xie Yun really wanted to know what had caused Cheng Lang to show such an expression. However, she just sat in her seat with dignity, sipping her tea.

Cheng Lang strode over and said to her, "Go out first, I have something urgent to do."

Xie Yuncai didn't sit down with him. She walked out of the study and saw that the partition was closed. She wondered if it was some urgent matter in the court. She could actually say a few words. Next time, she would talk to him about the emperor's daily life.