Song Yaozhu's heart began to pound, and her face flushed.
Even though she already had a child, she still couldn't help feeling ashamed.
"It's not even dark yet, what's your rush?" she scolded, then added disdainfully, "You're covered in dust outside, don't get so close to me!"
Xie Liwei shamelessly pressed himself against her, his hot body making Song Yaozhu's body start to heat up as well.
"Sister~"
Although he's in his mid-twenties, he speaks softly like a whimpering puppy begging for its owner's pats.
Song Yaozhu swallowed hard. It had been a while since she finished her postpartum confinement. Although she could have sex, Granny Qin still made her rest for a while, afraid that she might develop some health problems.
Fortunately, Granny Qin took excellent care of her, and Song Yaozhu recovered very well. However, the stretch marks on her lower abdomen could not be faded. Perhaps it was because her body was still young, and the folds on her belly were recovering quickly. Although she could not return to the way she looked before giving birth, the skin on her lower abdomen became smooth and soft.
During this time, Xie Liwei had tried to woo her like today, but Song Yaozhu always felt ashamed because of the stretch marks and wrinkled skin on her lower abdomen. She was afraid that Xie Liwei would see her body like this and find her repulsive.
"Speak properly!" Song Yaozhu said, feigning anger.
Seeing her like this, Xie Liwei wondered if he would be alone in his room again today.
"Sister, you can't just abandon me after you have a child, can you? How long has it been since you last touched me?"
Song Yaozhu: "......"
She found it hard to believe that she could hear the word "favor" from Xie Liwei's mouth, as if she were an emperor with three thousand concubines in his harem.
"Unfortunately, you are the only male concubine I have in my backyard."
Xie Liwei laughed, "What, does Sister want a few more? Does Sister think I'm too old and useless?"
After saying that, he leaned over and picked up Song Yaozhu horizontally, then threw her onto the bed.
"May I serve you in bed tonight?"
Song Yaozhu blushed with embarrassment and said angrily, "I don't want to!"
Xie Li was in grave danger and pressed her for an answer: "Why?"
Song Yaozhu turned her face away and said, "I haven't fully recovered yet."
Xie Liwei was disheartened; three months had already passed. The imperial physician had clearly said that she could resume sexual activity after her postpartum confinement, but Song Yaozhu always claimed that she hadn't fully recovered.
Since she had said that, I could only suppress all my emotions.
"I'll have the royal physician come and examine you tomorrow, and prescribe some medicine to help you recover. You can't keep going like this."
Song Yaozhu knew he was worried about her, and after a long while she said, "The scar on my stomach may never fade in this lifetime."
Xie Liwei sensed the sadness in her voice, reached out and took her hand, interlocking their fingers.
"Is your older sister afraid that I'll look down on you?"
Song Yaozhu nodded rather shyly. Women dress up for those they love, and she was no exception.
If she saw disgust in Xie Liwei's eyes, she felt her heart would shatter again.
She had finally pieced her heart back together; how could she accept it shattering again?
Xie Liwei lowered his head and kissed her lips, his smile revealing uncontrollable joy.
"Sister, do you care so much about my opinion? Are you so happy with me? So happy that you've lost yourself?"
Seeing the teasing tone in his words, Song Yaozhu couldn't help but get angry and glared at him: "Is it that funny?"
After saying that, she punched him hard in the stomach.
Caught off guard, Xie Liwei clutched his stomach in pain and rolled to the side.
"Sister...how could you be so cruel, ouch~"
Song Yaozhu was initially just annoyed and punched him without thinking, but now she was frightened to see him in so much pain.
"Are you alright? I didn't use any force! Let me see!" she said, reaching out to pull Xie Liwei's belt and then untying his clothes.
Suddenly, Xie Liwei's groan turned into a low laugh.
"This time it's not me who's impatient."
Seeing that she had been tricked, Song Yaozhu snorted and slapped his chest. She didn't hold back and the slap made Xie Liwei gasp.
Well, he brought this on himself, so he has to suffer the consequences.
He sat up in bed with a jolt, wrapped his arms around Song Yaozhu's waist, and said, "Sister, what I mean is, don't take my opinion so seriously. You are you first and foremost, and then you are my wife."
Song Yaozhu turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with confusion.
"You can love me, but you can't lose the ability to love yourself because you love me. You must love yourself first, and then love me. Compared to loving me and caring about my feelings, my opinions should always come after yours. I am never as important as you. In this way, no one's gaze or words can cause you fatal harm."
Song Yaozhu's heart was pounding.
No one had ever taught her that a lover should hold back.
Yuwen Wuji used to say to her, "Wanqing, why don't you consider my feelings? Don't you love me enough? If you love me, you should put my feelings first!"
But now Xie Liwei tells her, "Compared to loving me, you yourself are the most important."
Song Yaozhu couldn't help but clutch his clothes and bury her face in his chest, letting the silk fabric absorb her tears.
She didn't piece her broken heart back together; Xie Liwei did.
"Xie Liwei!" She lifted her head from his embrace and called his name urgently.
"Yes, elder sister."
Kiss me.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Xie Liwei, having finally gotten his wish, kissed her lips, their lips and teeth intertwined, the gauze curtains fluttering.
The following day, the Ministry of Revenue indeed raised the issue of tax revenue from the cities along the canal from Jiangzhou to Yunzhou. Because of the previous rush to conscript people and the implementation of labor service in lieu of taxation, the tax revenue of several cities along the canal would be left vacant for the next three to five years.
Without the tax revenue from so many state cities, the national treasury would be very empty.
The Ministry of Revenue's memorial was presented to the Grand Secretariat, and the Grand Secretaries all looked quite solemn after reading it.
If taxes aren't paid here, it means the tax burden increases on the other side. Someone always has to make up the missing portion.
However, the farmland owned by these people was not located along the canal and was not exempt from taxation.
They already didn't have much money left. If taxes were increased again, they would rebel before the Prince of Yan even had to.
The memorial was presented to the Emperor. After reading it, the Emperor remained silent for a long time before saying, "Now, let's see within the court who has a good solution. If so, I will appoint him as an imperial envoy and personally go south to oversee this matter."
This decree stirred up a lot of people. Even those who had originally planned to try their luck to become the Grand Princess's consort were now roused and racking their brains to come up with countermeasures.
This is a chance to rise to the top in one step! Isn't it better than serving a princess?
The important thing is that serving a princess requires good looks, and most of them don't consider themselves to be that attractive.
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