Bai Yujing said with a smile, "I haven't digested the mung bean cake that Wenyin brought me yet, so I don't feel thirsty right now."
"It's alright. I'll place the tea here first. If you feel thirsty, you can drink it anytime."
Seeing that she was about to leave after putting down her teacup, Bai Yujing gently persuaded her to stay: "It's been a long time. My dear wife, why don't you sit down and chat with me?"
"That suits me perfectly."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled faintly and sat down leisurely in the chair next to her.
She initiated the conversation: "After so many days apart, how is your life studying in the county town? Is the Tu Jijiu treating you well?"
"Everything is fine, my dear wife, how about you?"
"I am also doing quite well, but I need to go to the private school to teach and answer questions recently, so I'm afraid I won't be able to stay by your side often."
"Don't worry about the household chores; I'll discuss them with Mother."
"good."
After a long while, they remained silent facing each other.
Bai Yujing gently stroked the jade hairpin in his arms through his clothes, finally unable to suppress his curiosity, and asked softly, "My beloved wife, that jade plum blossom hairpin... did you give it to Wenyin?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled calmly and readily admitted, "That's right, I do have a special fondness for my cousin Wenyin, so I gave her that jade hairpin."
"Don't you feel any affection for it at all?"
Jiang Huaiyu gently shook her head, her tone calm: "I have never had a strong interest in jewelry and jade ornaments, and whether I like them or not is not important to me. Therefore, it seems more appropriate for me to transfer this jade hairpin to someone who truly cherishes it. I hope my husband will forgive me for taking the liberty of giving it away."
Upon hearing this, Bai Yujing involuntarily withdrew her hand, which had been about to retrieve the hairpin.
"I understand. So, what do you cherish?"
"My husband need not worry too much about me. I have never asked for anything. In my spare time, I only wish to immerse myself in the sea of books."
Bai Yujing smiled and replied, "In that case, how about I bring you some interesting books next time I come back?"
Jiang Huaiyu did not refuse, but instead smiled and nodded: "Then I will thank my husband for his kindness in advance."
Why be so polite between us?
...
Night fell.
After washing up, Bai Yujing and Jiang Huaiyu returned to their cozy bedroom.
After a long separation, the two were immersed in tender affection.
In reality, Bai Yujing always harbored a lingering doubt that she couldn't shake off.
During this long month, he returned home very few times, but every time he stepped into the house, he always felt that his wife seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.
Although he still appeared as gentle and quiet as ever, he felt something was off inside.
This feeling gave him a strange sense of contradiction, both distant and close.
Even the jade plum blossom hairpin that he had carefully chosen, believing to be perfectly suited to Jiang Huaiyu's temperament, did not elicit any liking from her.
He felt deeply frustrated and could only transform this inner turmoil into motivation, pouring it all into "farming".
It wasn't until late at night, when Jiang Huaiyu's body felt as if it had been disassembled and reassembled, that he finally stopped.
Exhausted, Jiang Huaiyu fell into a coma. In the moments before she did, only one thought remained in her mind:
Could it be that Heaven took pity on her loneliness and misery in her previous life and decided to repay her double in this life?
For three consecutive nights, each night was intensely passionate, like a raging storm.
Jiang Huaiyu even began to fear the arrival of night. She deliberately delayed going inside and even changed Feng Yun and Huiyi's afternoon classes to the evening, on the grounds that the night was cooler.
However, this arrangement caused Feng Yun and Hui Yi to complain endlessly, yawning incessantly under the dim candlelight.
Although Bai Yujing had seen through her intentions, she did not expose her. She waited for her in the courtyard every day on time, and even thoughtfully added extra academic tasks for Feng Yun and Huiyi.
Helplessness and sorrow flickered in Feng Yun and Hui Yi's eyes, tears welling up but failing to fall.
It was as if their uncle and aunt had been deliberately tormenting them these past two days, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
As a woman with rich experience, Yang observed their expressions and gradually gleaned some insights. She couldn't help but tease them with a humorous tone.
"Oh dear, you two newlyweds, after being separated for so long, the joy of your reunion naturally surpasses even your wedding night, and you wish you could be together every moment. But don't you see what time it is? If you have something to say, go back to your room, close the door, and talk it out slowly!"
"It's heartbreaking to see these two kids; their eyes are all dark and tired from staying up so long!"
Yang's words revealed her deep pity for the two children.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Jiang Huaiyu's face as she gently said to Feng Yun and Huiyi, "Let's stop here for today. We'll continue our studies tomorrow."
Feng Yun and Hui Yi seemed to have been granted a pardon, and were relieved. They were led away by Yang Shi, who held their hands on either side of them affectionately.
After they left, Bai Yujing gently extended a hand to Jiang Huaiyu, saying, "Madam, it's late, we should go back to our rooms to rest."
Jiang Huaiyu involuntarily broke out in goosebumps, and her cheeks instantly flushed a bright red.
Back in the room, the two sat side by side on the edge of the bed. Jiang Huaiyu noticed Bai Yujing's body temperature and subtly moved a little distance away from him.
"My husband has been staying at home for several days. When will he set off to return to the county town for further studies?"
"Is Madam kicking me out?"
Jiang Huaiyu's cheeks flushed slightly. "How could I dare? However, considering that my husband will be facing the imperial examinations next year, his studies should be his top priority at this time."
Bai Yujing suddenly burst into laughter, grasped her hand tightly, and said, "I understand what you mean, Madam. There's no need to worry. I will handle things carefully. Madam is going to teach at the private school tomorrow, so how could I not know the importance and urgency of the matter?"
Hearing him say that, Jiang Huaiyu finally felt relieved.
Although the tenderness and affection between the couple did bring her unprecedented warmth and sweetness, the daily grind was too much to bear.
The two took off their outer clothes and lay quietly on the bed. Bai Yujing indeed did not disturb her again.
The summer night was unbearably hot and humid. He extinguished the candle and gently fanned himself, bringing a touch of coolness to Jiang Huaiyu.
Jiang Huaiyu felt incredibly comfortable and was about to close her eyes contentedly when a pang of sadness suddenly welled up in her heart.
With her back to Bai Yujing, she said softly, "Husband, please rest."
Bai Yujing thought he had disturbed her sleep, so he quickly put down his fan and gently comforted her, "Madam, go to sleep. I will accompany you to the private school tomorrow morning."
"Is my husband coming along too?" Jiang Huaiyu suddenly opened her eyes.
Bai Yujing said softly, "Tomorrow is the first day of teaching, and we don't know how things will go. How about I go there to help you manage things and serve you?"
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