While Caiyan was taking a shower, Zhao Wu moved all the burning charcoal from the grill to a charcoal brazier and into his room.
Caiyan came out of the washroom wrapped in a thin cotton handkerchief.
Zhao Wu stared wide-eyed at the expanse of white exposed outside the cotton cloth.
Caiyan walked to the bedside, took off the cotton handkerchief from her body and stuffed it into Zhao Wu's hand, then quickly crawled into the quilt.
In Zhao Wu's eyes, her fair skin was incredibly delicate, and just one glance made his blood boil.
"Sister Yan'er, wait for me, I'm coming right now." Zhao Wu quickly undressed in front of the bed.
The sound of running water from the washroom had barely faded a few moments before Caiyan saw Zhao Wu emerge naked.
"Brother Zhao Wu, you, you're too fast!" Caiyan couldn't help but chuckle.
Zhao Wu was a simple man who didn't talk much. He simply lifted the blanket and covered himself with it.
The charcoal fire inside was too strong, and the two people, immersed in pleasure, were completely unaware that the blue quilt had slipped off their bodies at some point.
The two were like a newlywed couple reunited after a long separation, entwined together, freely expressing their longing for each other.
As the night wind rose, the mottled window frames creaked against the windowsill, their sound blending with the heavy breathing inside.
Both of them had to be careful about their words and actions and conceal their true thoughts at all times while at the Su family's residence.
The room was simply furnished, but it was like paradise to the two of them.
No more living in fear or hiding.
The two were like birds trapped in a cage; once they flew out of the cage, they frolicked freely.
Only when the third watchman's drum sounded outside did the two reluctantly call it quits.
...
At dawn, the north wind that had been blowing all night stopped, and the first light of dawn in the east was tinged with red.
Jiang Shuyue, knowing that today was the day to go to the imperial palace, got up early to wash and get ready.
Qiuju and Lan'er had been waiting in the outer room for a while. When they heard the noise inside, they hurriedly went in to serve them.
Qiuju asked, "Miss, it's sunny again today. If it stays sunny for a few more days, the snow in the yard will melt away soon."
Lan'er couldn't help but laugh and said, "After the snow melts under that osmanthus tree, there will definitely be a lot of cat poop underneath."
Jiang Shuyue glanced back at Xue'er, who was curled up on the small couch, and instructed Lan'er, "I'm not home, so take good care of it. Also, light a charcoal brazier in the room at night."
"Isn't Miss taking me with her? I heard that the other young ladies bring two maids to serve them. Xue'er has Sister Mei'er to take care of her, so I'll go and serve Miss."
"Xue'er is more attached to you, I'll be back soon," Jiang Shuyue comforted gently.
The little girl liked excitement, but Jiang Shuyue didn't want to be too flamboyant.
Lan'er was not unhappy because her mistress did not take her out. She opened the wardrobe and took out the red fox cloak that Xiao Jingzhao had given her.
"It's even colder outside the city, Miss, please don't catch a cold."
Looking at the gorgeous and exquisite cloak, Jiang Shuyue frowned slightly. "Isn't this too conspicuous?"
"No, everyone knows that Miss is one of the richest people in the capital. It wouldn't be appropriate for her to dress too plainly."
Qiuju took the cloak and placed it on the coat rack by the entrance.
Jiang Shuyue put on the white jade hairpin that had been prepared in advance, with a ruby inlaid on it.
She changed into a moon-white dress with subtle embroidered patterns.
Lan'er was amazed by Jiang Shuyue's ethereal beauty.
"Miss, you really know how to coordinate your outfit. The red fox fur cloak you've paired with it is stunning in its simplicity, even more beautiful than the plum blossoms on the branches."
"You're at a loss for words when it comes to praising people. Lan'er, you should read more of Miss's storybooks. Our Miss is as beautiful as a fairy, a beauty that could topple kingdoms. How can a single plum blossom compare?"
"Sister Qiuju is right, I will definitely read it carefully."
Jiang Shuyue was amused by the two girls' words.
She said to Qiuju, "Have you read the wedding handbook I wrote for you?"
Qiuju blushed immediately. "I would never dare to neglect what you have instructed, Miss."
She not only read the wedding manual prepared by the young lady, but also the fire-avoidance diagram that Gao Mu bought.
The young couple haven't had a moment's rest these past few nights, studying late into the night to unlock the secrets of fire avoidance.
Jiang Shuyue pretended not to see Qiu Ju's blushing face.
"It took me a lot of time to write that booklet. You should show it to Lan'er and Mei'er another day, so they won't be completely clueless when they get married."
"Miss, I'm still young, there's no rush to get married." Lan'er thought the marriage manual was a guide to avoid trouble, and refused with a blush.
Qiuju nodded. "When we return from outside the city, I will show it to Mei'er and Lan'er. It's a guide to daily care for women written by Miss. Unmarried girls also need to learn it."
Lan'er suddenly realized that she had misunderstood.
"Miss, please continue with your work. I'll go get the breakfast."
Watching Lan'er's departing figure, Jiang Shuyue raised an eyebrow, "This little girl has someone she likes. I wonder which young man in the manor it is."
It was rare for Qiuju to see her mistress gossiping like this, so she thought for a moment and said, "Mei'er made shoes for Cangyun, and Cangyun used a month's salary to buy jewelry for Mei'er."
She thought for a moment and said, "I went out of the manor with Miss during the day, and I really couldn't tell who Lan'er was close to."
Just as the master and servant finished their breakfast, a maid came in to report that a palace carriage was waiting outside.
Jiang Shuyue was surprised. Princess Yonghe was so thoughtful that she actually sent a carriage to pick her up.
Lan'er stood there, holding spare clothes, shoes, and socks, stunned. "Miss, where should we put these things?"
Jiang Shuyue didn't even look up. "According to the original plan, put it in the carriage driven by Gao Mu."
Jiang Shuyue walked to the small couch and gently rubbed Xue'er's fluffy head in her hands.
"Xue'er, be good at home, Mommy will be back soon."
Qiuju was already used to her young mistress's strange nicknames.
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