Chapter 53
Wang Shuhuai went into the study without saying a word.
A carrier pigeon arrived from Jiangnan. The letter mentioned that some officials had colluded with wealthy families to falsify accounts. They concealed a hundred people and wrote them down as fifty, trying to fish in troubled waters. Wang Shuhuai wrote back to tell Qin Guang and others how to deal with it. After writing the letter, he raised his eyes casually and saw an extremely unique silk lantern, on which was embroidered a graceful woman catching butterflies among flowers.
He could not remember when Xie Yunchu had given it to him, but he still remembered the moment she stood beside the antique display cabinet with a lantern and peeked in. It was lively and lovely.
Moving my eyes to the windowsill, I saw a pot of lush green calamus growing freely and tenderly... The neatly stacked books were clearly classified and arranged... There were traces of her everywhere here.
The soft light of the lamp diluted his sharp facial features. He leaned back unconsciously, casually supporting his long legs and leaning lazily on the armchair. His eyes were fixed on the box on the bed opposite, which contained all the past letters from home, the children's doodles and the unopened letters in the past two months.
That feeling is hard to describe.
I tried not to think about it, but I kept thinking about it unconsciously.
Even though I haven't opened the letter, I always keep it with me.
There was a strange emotion at work in my heart. I kept trying to erase it, but it kept growing wildly and madly, eventually occupying my entire chest, causing a bitter and sore pain.
In the past, she could always understand what he wanted with just a glance, she knew where the book was when he only had to say the title, and she would cook different dishes in different ways every ten days.
He was used to being taken care of by her in every detail.
Only when a habit is broken do people realize the value of the habit itself.
Wang Shuhuai took a deep breath, stood up and found the unopened letters, went to the desk, and read them page by page.
"On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Laba Festival, the Empress gave Laba porridge to all the nobles' residences. The young mistress took the young lady to drink a bowl of it in the morning. Not long after, the grandmother felt unwell and tried hard not to vomit...it was so painful to endure."
"It's the eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month. It snowed heavily today. Grandma didn't go out. She took my sister to make a snowman in the yard. Grandma almost slipped and fell. The nanny was so scared that she asked Dr. He..."
"Grandma is in a better mood today, but she is still very thin. Madam Ming came to the mansion and slept with Grandma for two days. She also cooked for Grandma to change her taste..."
"It's the end of the year, and the shop is doing a booming business. Grandma is busy doing the accounting until late at night..."
Wang Shuhuai read it word by word, his deep eyes gradually became blurred, as if a huge tide was flooding over him, and he almost suffocated.
After the most difficult first three months, Xie Yunchu is now able to eat and sleep well. Wang Yining saw that she had lost a lot of weight and had been depressed for several months, so she took her to a hot spring villa outside the city to relax on the second day of the second month, the day when the dragon raises its head.
The climate in the hot spring villa is pleasant, with green grass everywhere and blooming flowers. It is much warmer than the mansion. Pregnant women find it inconvenient to walk if they wear too much, but they may catch a cold if they wear too little. It is really comfortable to live here, and her complexion has improved significantly after two days.
Wang Yining has two daughters. The eldest daughter, Yao Jing, is five years old, and the younger daughter, Yao Xing, is three years old.
Sister Ke is almost one and a half years old, which is the right age for her to play with her aunt.
Yao Jing got a hydrangea from somewhere and started kicking it in the yard. Yao Xing followed behind her sister to grab it. The two girls were running around like the wind. Ke Jie followed behind the two little aunts with a grunt. After all, she was young and could not keep up with the little aunts' pace. She fell down and got up again, enjoying it very much.
Wang Yining sat aside and looked at it curiously.
"This tenacity is like Shu Huai's when he was a child."
Xie Yunchu smiled, "When Second Master was a child, he also ran behind others?"
Wang Yining immediately shook her head, "No, he loves to watch others play, and occasionally he would go into the woods or climb up a tree to squat. No matter what he suffered, he never cried. Even though my second sister-in-law gave birth to many children, she never took care of them. All the children were raised by wet nurses."
Sister Ke'er, with her tiny arms and legs, was accidentally tripped by Sister Xing. Her little mouth pouted and she showed signs of crying.
Wang Yining quickly picked her up and comforted her. Xie Yunchu sat under the corridor, stroking her belly and shaking her head.
"Don't be too spoiled. Children grow up by falling."
Wang Yining blamed Xing'er for being reckless. Xing'er was unhappy and pointed at Xie Yunchu's slightly bulging belly and said,
"She's in the way. Let her play with her brothers and sisters."
Sister Ke didn't understand what was said and just looked at her mother blankly.
Wang Yining simply brought her back and told the maid to bring wet wipes to wipe her hands and the tears on her chubby face. "Look, here comes another lively and lovely little Fuwa."
When Ke Jieer smiles, she looks exactly like the Fuwa in the New Year pictures.
Sister Ke didn't understand what was being said, but she knew that people were praising her and she giggled.
Wang Yining asked her whether she liked a younger brother or a younger sister, but Ke Jieer didn't understand and just smiled foolishly.
Wang Yining teased her, "Your mother has a younger brother now. From now on, she won't make clothes for Ke'er or play with her anymore. Will Ke'er cry?"
Sister Ke vaguely understood what he meant and glared at her, and Wang Yining laughed.
"As expected of a girl from the Wang family, she is not someone who is easy to get along with."
Speaking of the girls from the Wang family, Wang Yining thought of Wang Shuqin and Wang Shuyi, "By the way, where are they?" She looked around.
Wang Yining likes lively occasions, so when she invited Xie Yunchu, she also brought Wang Shuqin along. Later, Jiang said that Wang Shuyi had withdrawn from the relationship and was in a bad mood, so she asked Wang Yining to bring her over to relax, so the two sisters came to the villa together.
The maid standing at the corner of the corridor came over immediately and knelt down, saying, "In reply to Madam, the second young lady is feeding the fish by the pond, and the third young lady has gone to the woods opposite."
Wang Yining stared, "What is she doing in the woods across the street?"
The maid smiled bitterly and replied, "Someone just delivered the message, and the Third Miss went over."
Wang Yining and Xie Yunchu looked at each other, both feeling uneasy.
The hot spring villa has geothermal energy, and the bamboos sprout early and grow densely, like the humming tail of a phoenix, quiet and pleasant.
Wang Shuyi stood shyly in the pavilion, embarrassed to glance at Liu Zhuo outside the pavilion.
After not seeing each other for a month, Liu Zhuo looked visibly more haggard. He had taken off his bright and luxurious brocade robe and was only wearing a half-new brown gown. Standing under the blue sky, his slender figure looked very thin.
"Why are you here?" Liu Zhuo had just sent someone to deliver a letter to her, saying that he wanted to see her. Wang Shuyi was a little worried about him, so she followed the maid to the pavilion.
Liu Zhuo looked at her anxiously and guiltily, with a sour smile on his face.
"After breaking off the engagement, I always wanted to apologize to you in person, but unfortunately I never had the chance. I happened to know that you were outside the city, so I found a way to ask Master Yao to come in."
Liu Zhuo's eyes fell on her cheek, but he restrained himself and looked away.
Wang Shuyi looked at the young man's painful expression and felt a little pity for him.
"Mr. Liu, this matter has nothing to do with you. You don't need to apologize to me. We... can only be destined not to be together."
After hearing this, Liu Zhuo felt a sharp pain in his eyes and quickly lowered his eyes. His expression was obviously not as confident as before.
Wang Shuyi asked again, "By the way, what are your plans next? I heard that the Shen family is rich, will you take charge of the business in the future?"
Liu Zhuo shook his head firmly, "I won't go, I plan to continue to take the imperial examination. Shuyi, you..." The thoughts that had been suppressed in his heart for a long time couldn't help but burst out, but thinking of the disparity in their family backgrounds, he held back the words when they came to his lips.
She was not young anymore, and he didn't know when he would be able to pass the exam. Could she afford to wait? She might not be willing to wait.
He can't delay the girl.
When Wang Shuyi heard his affectionate word "Shuyi", her cheeks suddenly turned red. No one had ever called her like that before. It was as if she was his priceless treasure. Tears slowly seeped out of her eyes. If that hadn't happened, they would have been a harmonious couple, just like her second brother and his wife.
Wang Shuyi suddenly felt reluctant and said, "You must do well in the exam."
After hearing this, Liu Zhuo seemed to be injected with great courage and nodded vigorously, "I'll listen to you."
Wang Shuyi's cheeks flushed. She glimpsed from afar Wang Yining standing in the pavilion on the opposite bank and waving at her. Wang Shuyi became anxious, fearing that her aunt would scold her, so she quickly fled with her skirt lifted. Liu Zhuo looked at her back reluctantly, then bowed from a distance to Wang Yining and Xie Yunchu in the pavilion, then mounted his horse and rode away.
Wang Yining was about to scold her niece, but when she heard that the man was Liu Zhuo, she held back.
Xie Yunchu looked at Wang Shuyi's flushed face, her eyes dodging like a deer, and knew that she also had some feelings for Liu Zhuo. At least she was not staring at Xiao Huaijin like she did in her previous life.
Wang Yining pulled Wang Shuyi aside to ask what happened. Meanwhile, Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuqin were discussing what to eat for dinner. Wang Shuqin said that she had caught a few fish in the afternoon. The two of them were laughing. Ke Jie'er couldn't catch up with the aunts and came to play with her mother. Wang Shuqin saw her rushing towards Xie Yunchu. She hurriedly leaned over to catch her, hugged the child and sat her on her lap, then turned around and chatted with Xie Yunchu again.
After Wang Shuyi was interrogated by her aunt, she heard laughter from the other side. From her angle, she saw that Wang Shuqin was almost touching Xie Yunchu's shoulder. Wang Shuqin's hairpin was rubbed crooked, and Xie Yunchu smoothed it for her. It can be seen that the two have a close relationship.
Wang Shuyi felt very uncomfortable after seeing this.
When did Xie Yunchu have such a harmonious relationship with Wang Shuqin, even giving way to her, a proper sister-in-law.
Taking advantage of the time when Xie Yunchu went back to his room to change clothes before dinner, she chased him to the hallway of the east wing and called out to him.
"Second sister-in-law."
Xie Yunchu took Chunqi's hand and turned around. Wang Shuyi stood there with her handkerchief twisted, looking pitiful. In the past, whenever she was wronged, she would seek comfort from her sister-in-law. Xie Yunchu always treated her like a real sister. Today, she saw Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuqin being intimate, and she felt a huge gap in her heart. Wang Shuyi had endured it for so long, and she planned to ask for clarification today.
"Second sister-in-law, how did I offend Second Sister-in-law? Why has Second Sister-in-law been so disrespectful to me over the past year?"
Xie Yunchu was stunned. She didn't expect Wang Shuyi to suddenly catch her and ask her about this. She said calmly, "Miss, are you asking me why I don't flatter you and coax you like I did in the past, and worship you like an ancestor?"
Wang Shuyi was hesitant and at a loss after hearing this. "Sister-in-law, if you have anything to say, please tell me clearly. You are my sister-in-law, and I don't want to be estranged from you."
Xie Yunchu raised the corners of his lips slightly, "Since you insist on asking, then I will tell you, I treated you well in the past, and I treated you as a relative, but you took my kindness for granted. When your purse was old, you asked me to sew it for you. When you wanted to eat something fresh, you asked me to cook it for you. You relied on me, your sister-in-law, for everything. When you needed me, you remembered that I was your sister-in-law. When you didn't need me, I would stay away. Tell me, if it were you, would you be willing to associate with such a person?"
Wang Shuyi's face turned blue and red, with shame and embarrassment intertwined in his eyes, "Did I treat my sister-in-law like this before?"
Xie Yunchu sneered, "Since you know I'm good to you, count carefully what you've done for me?"
Wang Shuyi couldn't remember what she had done for Xie Yunchu. In the past, it was her sister-in-law who took care of her.
She shook her head, tears about to burst out, and choked, "Sister-in-law, I was wrong, please forgive me, I won't do this again..."
She liked Xie Yunchu, who was gentle and generous, knowledgeable and capable, and was always happy to be with her. She admitted that she felt jealous when she saw Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuqin together.
This is her sister-in-law.
Wang Shuyi's eyes were firm.
Xie Yunchu smiled indifferently, "I don't blame you. I was nice to others, but they didn't give me back. It's not their fault, it's my fault. I should have recognized the ruthlessness of others in time and stopped before it was too late. I can't say whether I forgive you or not, but I really don't want to associate with you anymore."
Xie Yunchu turned and walked into the hall.
Wang Shuyi took two steps and held onto the door frame, crying, "Sister-in-law..."
Xie Yunchu walked further and further away without any hesitation.
On the day Wang Shuhuai took office as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, many of his colleagues took him out for drinks. Among them was the Crown Prince's brother-in-law, the eldest son of the Duke Gao's Mansion, Gao Zhan. He was spotted by Yao Shizi on the way and Yao Shizi stopped him, "Today, don't try to snatch Shuhuai from me. I want to take him to a place."
Gao Zhan and Prince Yao were at odds with each other, and everyone knew it. He stood on the other side of Wang Shuhuai and glared at Prince Yao.
"The military pay for our garrison this month is a little late, and I need to discuss serious matters with Shu Huai." Gao Zhan was the deputy commander of the Yulin Guard at the time and usually accompanied the emperor to the Eastern Palace.
Prince Yao served as an judge in the Military Governor's Office, in charge of military discipline. Although the Imperial Guards were directly under the emperor, day-to-day affairs were actually under the jurisdiction of the Five Armies Military Governor's Office. Prince Yao, who was in charge of military discipline, often abused his power for personal gain and caused unpleasantness with Gao Zhan.
"Official duties are important, but now that we are off duty, Shuhuai should also take care of his wife and children," Prince Yao ignored Gao Zhan and pointed to the outside of the city, saying to Wang Shuhuai, "My niece-in-law and Ke'er have been staying at the villa for a few days. She is not feeling well and it is not easy for her to travel back and forth. You can come with me to visit her at the villa. You can just stay there for the time being. It is just outside the west city gate, not far away."
Gao Zhan narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, and looked towards the west city gate with a half-smile, "Since you are going to the villa for a spring outing, I can accompany you."
When Prince Yao heard this, his scalp tingled. "This is my villa. What does it have to do with you?"
Gao Zhan divorced Yang Xiyan years ago. Prince Yao now looks at Gao Zhan as if he were the god of plague, fearing that he might have some feelings for Wang Yining.
Gao Zhan was thick-skinned to begin with, and now that he was alone, he had no scruples anymore. "Prince Yao and I were classmates, so why can't you even give me this little bit of face?"
Prince Yao ignored this scoundrel and pulled Wang Shuhuai towards the Zhengyang gate.
Wang Shuhuai could have refused, as he was a new official with too much official business to attend to, but his feet would not obey his will and he let Master Yao pull him onto the horse.
The villa was indeed not far from the west city gate, and it only took a quarter of an hour to get there by horseback.
As soon as you enter the woods, the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers fill your face, making you feel relaxed and happy.
Although the capital city is still chilly, this place is warm and comfortable. The hot spring villa is worthy of its name, with curling smoke and lush trees.
All the way, Prince Yao chattered with Wang Shuhuai and asked him about his achievements in Jiangnan. Wang Shuhuai responded absent-mindedly.
Prince Yao noticed and glanced at him and asked, "Shu Huai, are you worried about something?"
Wang Shuhuai was stunned, then smiled and replied, "No."
The sunset had just begun when the two men left the yamen. When they arrived at the villa, dusk was all around and smoke was curling up. Wang Yining and the others had already finished their dinner and went back to their rooms to rest.
Prince Yao first took Wang Shuhuai to see Wang Yining. Wang Shuhuai greeted his aunt. Wang Yining praised Wang Shuhuai.
"Brother Huai is great. He has become a third-rank minister at such a young age. He really brings honor to our Wang family."
Prince Yao reminded him bluntly, "You are a member of our Yao family now."
Wang Yining rolled his eyes at him, then looked his nephew up and down, and said in a serious tone, "You didn't even come home on New Year's Eve. You are so cruel. As an elder, I must reprimand you for this. Your wife is pregnant, and you don't even care about her."
Wang Shuhuai's throat was a little dry, and he lowered his head to admit his fault, "The fault is mine, I will leave it to my aunt to decide."
Wang Yining snorted, "How can I punish you? You might be annoyed with me. Okay, I won't delay any longer. We don't have any rules here. I will accompany your uncle to have dinner first, and then go to the East Guest House to visit Chu'er."
Wang Shuhuai and Master Yao went to the dining hall to eat first. Master Yao ordered his personal servant to take Wang Shuhuai to the guest house. Along the way, Wang Shuhuai walked slowly and steadily. When they arrived at the entrance of the hall, they saw a dim yellow light from afar. Wang Shuhuai asked the servant to stay and walked in alone.
The gatekeeper saw the surprise on his face and wanted to report it, but Wang Shuhuai waved his hand to signal her to leave.
He walked into the courtyard with his hands behind his back.
A long breeze blew, and the quiet courtyard stood silently. Through the transparent glass window, one could see figures moving back and forth inside. There was a vague figure leaning near the bed, and a maid had her back to the window frame, blocking her face.
At the corner of the window, a child climbed up, saw something and stretched out his little arms to grab it, but the maid's sleeve was pulled by her and she was forced to lower her waist, revealing the flower ornament on her soft and beautiful hair and a small piece of snow-white forehead.
A pair of slender arms stretched out, pressed the child down and held him in her arms. Ke'er leaned in her mother's arms with her dark eyes open, rolling around.
Wang Shuhuai looked at his daughter with a gentle smile on his lips.
After a while, the maid walked away, and he saw Xie Yunchu clearly. The light from the lamp cast a layer of warm light on her cheeks, making her facial lines look extremely soft.
Wang Shuhuai's heart skipped a beat.
Xie Yunchu moved down and let the child lie down on her side facing him. He stretched out his elbow and placed it above her head, coaxing his daughter to sleep.
Ke Jie'er looked up at her mother without moving, her watery eyes showing a crystal smile, and gradually closed her eyes in the gentle tone of her mother's voice.
Wang Shuhuai's eyes were fixed in shock, and he never entered the house.
She still held the small note of cooperation between mother and daughter under her sleeve. The silk gauze had already turned yellow when she stroked her palm.
The strong spring breeze blew away a thin blue cloud under the sky, and it seemed that there was a silver moon embedded in the sky, adding a touch of brightness to the dark blue sky.
After the child fell asleep, the wet nurse took the child to the west room. Xie Yunchu stood up and stood with his back to the window.
Her back was very slender, and there was no sign of pregnancy at all.
She walked lightly and steadily, quickly leaning against the bookshelf and turning around, leaving him with a clear profile.
It was only two months since they last met, but it seemed like a lifetime ago. Her beautiful face fell into his eyes without any obstruction, a small tuft of hair resting on her chest. She found a book, leaned against the bookshelf, and bent her waist in an undulating arc, her posture lazy and casual.
Today she was wearing a light green gauze gown embroidered with roses. The fabric was extremely close fitting and wrapped around her slender figure, revealing her slightly bulging belly. She was tall and slender, with drooping feathers and pink cheeks. Her face looked so focused that it gave her a bright beauty.
As if she saw something, she pursed her red lips, revealing a hint of surprise and a bit of coquettishness.
But it was this face that made his throat roll and his breathing disordered.
The scarlet official robe fluttered wildly in the night.
The desires in my heart grew one after another, and a kind of sadness that seemed to have tasted the sweetness of food lingered between my lips and teeth.
He suddenly hated himself.
Wang Shuhuai closed his eyes deeply, exhaled slowly, and raised his eyes again. The lights in the room were off, and it was pitch black and he could not see anything. She seemed to have disappeared out of thin air, and only the wind lantern under the corridor was swaying in the night wind. He could not see anything and could not touch anything. He seemed to be isolated from her, and the tingling feeling came up clearly again.
Xie Yunchu had a dry mouth recently and had to drink water every night. After becoming pregnant, she had a very shallow sleep. After taking a short nap, she woke up again and subconsciously opened her mouth and called out softly,
"Chunqi, pour me a glass of water..."
She slowly supported herself on the bed and sat up, still half asleep and with her eyes still closed.
She vaguely heard footsteps approaching, and a large hand stretched out from behind her waist and lifted her up. Xie Yunchu was startled and was about to speak when her lips hit something hard and the teacup was already at her lips.
"Second Master?" She looked at the vague outline in the night in surprise.
Yesterday, Prince Yao came back and told her that Wang Shuhuai was promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. She was sincerely happy for her husband.
Wang Shuhuai's throat was a little hoarse, and after a while he squeezed out two words, "Open your mouth."
The big hand behind her still stayed behind her waist, supporting her gently.
Xie Yunchu held the cup and drank water. Wang Shuhuai watched her slowly raise her long neck and raised the cup in coordination. After she finished drinking, he put the cup aside and handed her an embroidered handkerchief. Xie Yunchu could not see the handkerchief clearly but felt that he was handing her something. She raised her hand to take it and touched his hand.
Cold and tough.
Xie Yunchu pulled the embroidered handkerchief over and wiped it casually.
Wang Shuhuai let her go and sat on the edge of the bed without moving.
The bunk bed was against the wall and the curtains were so thick that they could hardly see each other.
After drinking the water, Xie Yunchu wanted to go to the toilet again. She tilted her head and peeked out. Wang Shuhuai looked at her with a heavy gaze and asked impatiently, "Everyone is asleep, what are you doing?"
Xie Yunchu looked at her tall husband and felt a little embarrassed. "I'm going to the toilet."
Wang Shuhuai paused and stretched out his hand to her, "I'll take you there."
Xie Yunchu was a little surprised, but without saying anything, he ordered him, "Go light the lamp, the lamp is on the tall table by the window..."
Wang Shuhuai stood up and went over, but he couldn't find the burning device, so he turned back.
"No. I'll help you."
Xie Yunchu was pregnant and didn't dare to look for him in the dark, so she took his strong arm and slowly moved out of bed.
Wang Shuhuai was in front and Xie Yunchu was behind. Wang Shuhuai led her and walked very slowly.
After coming out of the inner bedroom, the light from outside came in dimly. Wang Shuhuai helped her to the bathroom steadily. The toilet was at the back. Xie Yunchu stood behind the screen and looked at Wang Shuhuai awkwardly.
"Go and call Chunqi."
Wang Shuhuai didn't tell her that he had put the man down and looked straight ahead, "I am your husband, I will help you go."
There is no doubt about this.
Since Wang Shuhuai said so, Xie Yunchu could only let him do what he wanted.
The two of them walked forward together. After Wang Shuhuai helped her sit down, he turned around and went behind the screen to wait for her.
After a while, Xie Yunchu was fine, but she didn't dare to walk too much. She was pregnant, so she didn't dare to be careless, so she called him softly, "I'm fine."
Wang Shuhuai helped her out and even took the initiative to pour water for her to wash her hands. After some trouble, the couple returned to the bed. Xie Yunchu was a little tired and got on the bed first. She saw that Wang Shuhuai was still wearing his official uniform and asked, "Aren't you going to wash?"
In the evening, a servant brought a bundle, and Xie Yunchu knew he was coming.
Wang Shuhuai sat there without moving, with no intention of getting up.
Xie Yunchu was unsure of what he was thinking, "By the way, I heard that Second Master was promoted to the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. I congratulate Second Master."
In his previous life, Wang Shuhuai was promoted to the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue two years after he returned to Beijing. In this life, due to the incident caused by Liu Qiliang, his promotion was brought forward.
Of all the congratulations, this one was the most indifferent, as if it was what he should have been.
Wang Shuhuai really wanted to know what he should do to touch her heart.
"You should know that I have returned to Beijing a long time ago." His voice was hoarse and cold, like a rock in winter.
This shows that he is dissatisfied with her coming out for the spring outing.
Xie Yunchu heard his hidden meaning and his tone changed, "Second Master, I came to the Villa on the second day of the New Year, and you came back to the mansion on the third day."
"Second Master, do you mean that I should go back and serve you?" Xie Yunchu said with sarcasm in his tone.
Wang Shuhuai didn't want her to serve him. "Why are you running around when you're pregnant?"
Xie Yunchu said, "The baby is three months old and the pregnancy seems to be stable. The capital is really cold, and my aunt's place is warm and pleasant, which is suitable for pregnancy. She also borrowed a thick and large carriage from the eldest princess. The carriage is very stable, and I am safe. That's why I left the house."
"Second Master, you can't be unhappy just because I'm not waiting for you at home? I'm pregnant and it's inconvenient for me to travel, so how can I go back and forth?"
Wang Shuhuai held his breath in his heart, and he moved his tall body to the bed, almost bullying her, supporting her with his hands, breathing close to her, and said word by word, "The news of my return to Beijing was sent back to the mansion on the first day of the new year."
He was so close that his gloomy eyes almost pressed down on her head.
Xie Yunchu was somewhat puzzled. "My aunt had already discussed this with me, and I couldn't go against her will. Besides, the Second Master never came home when he returned to Beijing, and he usually left early and came back late. I have already asked Nanny Lin to take care of your daily life, so whether I am here or not will not affect you."
Wang Shuhuai didn't wait for her to finish before saying, "You weren't like this before."
She would not go out alone, and would not leave him at home knowing that he would come back.
Xie Yunchu's breath stagnated slightly, and silent embarrassment spread like a net around the two of them.
Xie Yunchu was silent for a moment, his tone helpless.
"Second Master, are you trying to restrict my freedom?"
"You know that's not what I meant."
His tone was soft and slow, with a captivating power.
His breath moved closer, almost touching her face.
Xie Yunchu's eyebrows were heated by him, but he sat there motionless from beginning to end.
Wang Shuhuai looked at his silent wife, the dim light in his eyes suddenly dimmed, and he asked in a hoarse voice,
"Do you have me in your heart?"
Xie Yunchu's eyelashes trembled slightly, unexpectedly,
His breath was like cotton wool, floating and sinking on the bridge of her nose and eyebrows, causing a tingling sensation. Her throat was sticky for a moment, and she whispered,
"Second Master, are you still angry about the last time you took a concubine? At that time, I had just gotten pregnant and Second Master wanted it badly. I couldn't bear to see Second Master suffer so I came up with this idea. At that time, I didn't know that Second Master didn't want to touch other women. Since you are unhappy, I will not take a concubine in the future."
"Answer me..." He interrupted her.
The dark pupils were like a deep lake, surrounded by stone walls, with no way out.
The bunk bed was against the wall, with a soft pillow placed at Xie Yunchu's waist. Her body was held between the wall and Wang Shuhuai's chest. The more she didn't move, the closer he would get. His palms gently covered her back, stroking it slowly, and then gradually climbed up, finally holding her neck, forcing her to look at him.
Xie Yunchu lowered his eyebrows and decided not to argue with this man. "You are my husband. I am worried about your safety when you are away. I am happy for you when you get promoted. We are husband and wife and share the honor and disgrace..."
"You know that's not what I meant..." He clenched his teeth, smelling the sweet scent he had been longing for, as if he had grabbed the long-awaited nectar, and repeated this sentence almost word by word through his teeth.
Being able to face this step head on has consumed all his life's reserve.
He felt distressed and heartbroken seeing how hard she went through with her pregnancy. Even if it was just a lie, he hoped to get the answer he wanted so that he could stay with her without hesitation.
The man's slender spine was slightly bent like a full bow, his jaw was as tight as a string, and his eyes were fixed on hers, waiting for her answer.
He pinched the back of Xie Yunchu's neck, and the front of her clothes was forced to press tightly against his chest. She felt his vigorous heartbeat, his disordered breathing, and the suppressed strength of his stretched arms. His sharp eyes were filled with harsh scrutiny, forcing her to raise her neck.
He was like a trapped beast, wandering on the edge of a cliff, but she remained as firm as a mountain.
She let him do what he wanted, her face remained unchanged, her tone was crisp and indifferent.
"No."
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