Chapter 28 Phoenix Tower: From Distant to Intimate, From Strangers to Husband and Wife

Under the cold moonlight, a tall and slender man emerged from behind the sandalwood screen wall engraved with the words of a gentleman. The warm and gentle candlelight in the bedroom illuminated the man's face, which exuded a desolate and cold aura, dispelling some of the chill. His clear and dark eyes reflected the golden candlelight.

The light in his eyes suddenly dimmed, as if stars had fallen, and the entire courtyard was suddenly left with only the pale moonlight.

Jiang Yunjin's breath hitched, and he stopped in his tracks in the courtyard. His long shadow on the stone slab overlapped with the shadow of the forsythia tree, showing a hint of unease.

He waited a moment before taking a step, his steps slow and almost inaudible, and gently pushed open the door.

The bedroom was so dark that he could hardly see anything. Relying on his familiar memories from the past twenty years, he slowly walked to the bamboo curtain.

Behind the bamboo curtain was complete darkness. Through the gaps, one could vaguely see the brocade curtains draped down and pulled tight, but it was impossible to see what was happening inside.

The very faint breathing coming from inside the room was uneven, unlike that of someone who is asleep.

He always seemed to be able to tell very easily whether she was asleep or not.

Jiang Yunjin twitched his fingers slightly at his sides, pursed his lips, and lowered his eyelids, as if deep in thought.

Looking at accounts for a long time can cause eye strain and irritation, and the dim candlelight can further irritate the eyes.

Jiang Yunjin hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not lift the bamboo curtain. He quietly walked into the bathhouse, where the lights were off. He bathed by the moonlight without lighting a lamp.

The familiar scent of bath soap lingered faintly around the man's handsome nose. A vein throbbed on his forehead, and his chest heaved more violently. He abruptly closed his eyes.

He opened his eyes again after an unknown amount of time, his gaze still filled with dark, swirling emotions. He picked up the bucket of cold water beside him and poured it very gently into the bathtub.

Behind the bamboo curtain, Cui Yiluo lay in the tent, her icy eyes staring at the curtain, appearing even more chilly in the night. He seemed to be spending more time in the bathhouse tonight than before, even the sound of the water was extremely soft.

A moment later, Cui Yiluo heard the bathroom door open and close, followed by very light footsteps. He then quietly lay down on the couch. Tonight, she had her back completely turned, keeping him out of her sight and unable to see his expression in the darkness.

The darkness amplified her hearing, making the man's breathing clearer than in the daytime, sounding heavy and deep beside her ear.

Suddenly, a very soft rustling sound rang in his ears, made by him turning his head slightly to the side.

A heavy gaze fell on her back, and Cui Yiluo couldn't help but hold her breath.

The bedroom was quiet in the dark night, with all the doors and windows tightly closed, and even the occasional whooshing sound of the wind blowing outside could not be heard.

He didn't make any further move, he just turned to look at her, but he knew perfectly well that she was asleep. What did he want to do by looking at her now?

After an unknown amount of time, another rustling sound rang out, and he turned his face back.

Cui Yiluo bit her lip silently, her gaze darkening.

In fact, he didn't need to explain the accounting issues to her at all.

He was meticulous in his planning, and the cautious player had already calculated the possible moves before even placing a piece.

He probably already knew that even if he handed over the accounts of the main branch to her, the old lady would find an opportunity to take them back within a few days.

Ming Gu's words were harsh, but Cui Yiluo knew perfectly well that she hadn't said a single wrong word.

-

But Cui Yiluo hated wasting her time on people and things that shouldn't be spent. Since she didn't have any accounts to look at, she had other things to do.

In a few days it will be the Empress's birthday banquet, and the Jiang family members have been invited to attend. They should present gifts according to the rules to show their respect.

The next morning, Jiang Zhaoyue invited her out again. The Emperor doted on Consort Qiong and had treated the Empress with utmost respect for many years, but no one dared to be careless in presenting gifts to the Empress.

Jiang Zhaoyue and she spent the whole day looking at almost all the treasures in Shengjing City before finally making their choice.

The carriage drove around the city all day before stopping again in front of the Jiang residence.

The carriage door was pushed open, and Jiang Zhaoyue jumped down from the carriage, lifting her skirt. She loudly ordered the gatekeeper to call the servants to unload the mountain of brocade boxes from inside the carriage.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, Jiang Mingxun's voice suddenly rang out: "A-Yue! Why did you buy so much stuff?"

Jiang Mingxun had just finished his shift and returned home on horseback when he saw servants carrying three or four brocade boxes into the mansion. The boxes were so tall they almost covered his head, and he exclaimed in surprise.

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed another person behind his younger sister. He composed himself and greeted her gently, "Cousin."

Cui Yiluo was slightly taken aback when she looked at the indifferent-looking man sitting on the horse next to Jiang Mingxun.

Why is Jiang Yunjin back so early today?

Officials usually finish their shifts at 5 PM, which is when they return home for dinner. However, Jiang Yunjin is always preoccupied with official duties and has never finished his shifts on time. Therefore, in the half month since their marriage, they have only dined together a handful of times.

The man on horseback had a calm gaze, looking directly at her.

The moment their eyes met, Cui Yiluo seemed to casually look away.

Jiang Yunjin's eyes darkened, and he frowned slightly.

"This wasn't all bought by me; my cousin bought some too."

Jiang Mingxun clearly didn't believe Jiang Zhaoyue's words: "Who else would buy so much stuff besides you? Your older brother is right here, don't try to pin it on your cousin."

As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Yunjin's reaction, only to find that Jiang Yunjin's expression was inexplicably even more somber than before, and his gaze was fixed on the person not far away.

Jiang Mingxun looked in that direction and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Cui Yiluo stepped forward, her smile as gentle as ever. She nodded slightly and looked at Jiang Mingxun politely, saying, "Second cousin, some of these things are indeed mine."

From beginning to end, his gaze never strayed from Jiang Mingxun's side.

Jiang Yunjin's eyes grew even more somber.

Jiang Mingxun's gaze swept over his elder brother, whose face was ashen, and his cousin, who was all smiles, without changing his expression. Suddenly, he raised his voice and said, "Brother, you've had a long day. Why don't you give me the horse reins? I'll take your horse to the side gate, and you and your cousin can go back to your room through the main gate. Don't be late for dinner."

Jiang Yunjin seemed slightly taken aback by his sudden words, but after some thought, he did not refuse. He handed the reins to his younger brother and nimbly dismounted.

Jiang Mingxun accepted it, his smile carrying a hint of deeper meaning.

Jiang Yunjin dismounted and turned slightly towards Cui Yiluo. Just as he was about to take a step, he heard her suddenly speak.

Cui Yilu smiled, but her eyes, which were usually brimming with shimmering light, were now calm and still. "Husband, please go back first. I have something I want to discuss with my aunt."

Her voice and demeanor remained gentle and kind, as if everything was still the same as before.

Jiang Yunjin looked at her for a long time, but didn't say anything, only giving a soft "hmm".

By the time Cui Yiluo returned to her room, it was already completely dark.

Seeing that Jiang Yunjin was no longer in the bedroom, Cui Yiluo breathed a sigh of relief.

Lilan, who was standing to the side, was dutiful and always knew what she was thinking. Without her having to say anything, she took the initiative to report: "Miss, the eldest young master waited in the dining hall for quite a while. The people in the small kitchen reheated the dishes again and again, but the eldest young master did not order the meal. It was not until you sent someone to say that he would stay at the second madam's place to eat that he ordered the meal to be served."

Cui Yiluo calmly fiddled with the hibiscus flowers on the small sandalwood table next to the partition in the room. "But I ran into him at the door just now. He thought I was going back to my room for dinner, so he naturally waited for me as a matter of courtesy."

Lilan said in a strange tone, "The eldest young master is truly a person who abides by the rules."

Cui Yiluo fiddled with the petals, but did not respond.

Lilan continued, "The things you bought today have already been put into the storeroom. But you're not usually extravagant, so why did you buy so much today?"

Cui Yilu smiled, a hint of mockery in her expression: "Fortunately, it wasn't put on my tab."

She can't control the accounts under his name, but she can still spend the money. She's his wife in name only, so the expenses are naturally recorded under the name of the first wife.

Jiang Yunjin couldn't possibly question her directly over such a small amount of money. He was always frugal, but even if he was dissatisfied, he wouldn't openly argue with her.

Then I'll just have to bear with it.

No matter what they felt inside, they still maintained a respectful and dignified demeanor on the surface, after all, they were a couple who treated each other with the utmost respect.

They were husband and wife, but they were never intimate; there was only estrangement between them.

In fact, Jiang Yunjin strictly adhered to the rules and would not take concubines. His wife would only be her. Although he would never hand over the family business to her and he was always on guard against her, it didn't matter. She had never been chosen by anyone without reservation.

Whether it's her parents or her aunt who treats her best, the inner workings of a prestigious family are complex, and there are many more things to consider. In fact, she can understand Jiang Yunjin's actions very well.

Anyway, she was already the young mistress of the Jiang family, and could live a life of comfort and ease, her life being many times better than before. She no longer had to carefully save money, no longer had to spend most of her savings to ask a guqin master to teach her, and no longer had to go to great lengths to build good relationships with people just for a little convenience.

Aside from having to abide by the rules she loathed, Cui Yilu hesitated and felt lost for a moment. Was this really what she wanted?

Cui Yiluo lowered her calm, turbulent eyes as she looked at the alluring yet ultimately withering hibiscus in her hand.

For the next two nights, she kept all the lights off. Without the candlelight, she felt more comfortable lying on the couch. Besides, Jiang Yunjin didn't seem to care and never asked her why she had left several lamps on before but hadn't left any now.

Moreover, Jiang Yunjin has been leaving early and returning late these past two days. It was probably just a coincidence that he returned home on time that day. Cui Yiluo could guess what he was busy with. In the past two days, the criticism and doubts about the Second Prince have been getting louder and louder.

But on the third night, he suddenly returned to his room ahead of schedule.

Cui Yilu heard the sound of the door opening and closing. Just as she took her gaze off the book, she saw the man lift the curtain and enter. His dark eyes met hers, taking in the surprise on her face.

Hidden in the darkness, they now have nowhere to hide under the bright candlelight in the room.

Their eyes met, and Cui Yiluo no longer avoided his gaze as before. Looking into his deep, dark eyes, she skillfully smiled and asked, "Why are you back so early today, my husband?"

He stood tall and straight by the bamboo curtain, not taking another step closer, and replied, "If there's nothing else, I'll come back first."

Cui Yiluo responded smoothly to the next sentence: "Then, husband, please go take a bath first. Have you ordered anyone to bring in water?"

Jiang Yunjin looked at her and said, "I have already given the instructions."

Cui Yiluo's smile remained unchanged, as if she were a virtuous wife, and she said, "Then my husband, please go quickly."

Jiang Yunjin's eyes flashed with a dark light, and he softly said, "Okay."

As Jiang Yunjin stepped into the bathroom, the smile on her face slowly faded, and a look of doubt appeared in her eyes.

In the past, even if he had no official duties to attend to, he would stay in his study. Moreover, with the matter of the Second Prince still unresolved, how could he have nothing to do?

Cui Yiluo suddenly remembered that when she paid her respects in the morning, Old Madam Jiang had subtly suggested that she keep the matter of having children in mind. At that time, she replied that her husband left early and returned late every day, and she was afraid that she was willing but unable to do so.

Did Old Madam Jiang really take this to heart and go to Jiang Yunjin about it?

Jiang Yunjin is the only son of the first wife, and he must leave offspring to continue the family line. Moreover, as the head of the Jiang family, the family also needs an heir. Therefore, even if he has no romantic feelings for her, he will still work with her to continue the family line.

Cui Yiluo looked towards the bathroom, where she could hear the soft sound of water. She frowned slightly. Jiang Yunjin's unusually early return to his room tonight—could it be that he really intended to continue the family line? After all, they hadn't had sex in a long time.

If she remains childless, Jiang Yunjin, for the sake of the Jiang family's prosperity, will likely propose a divorce and remarry. He cannot abandon the Jiang family just to take responsibility for what happened back then.

But tonight...

Cui Yiluo bit her lip and finally extinguished the candles in the room. Jiang Yunjin was in the bathroom, so she didn't want to go too far and ignored the area in front of the bathroom.

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped after a while. Jiang Yunjin came out of the bathroom and looked at the candlelight in front of him, his breath catching slightly.

Author's Note: [doge] Almost there, almost there! My cousin still doesn't know about the accounts.

[Heart] Thank you to the lovely people who irrigated with nutrient solution: Caijin x1, 50556140 x2, He Qingyi x1