Yan Qing had not done much research into wild game, and she had never even tasted venison before. As for its supposed health properties, she genuinely had no idea.

“What is it good for?” Yan Qing asked, curious.

Shi Ting smiled, his voice low and pleasantly hoarse. “Venison is considered a pure yang food. Of all meats, it is said to be the most potent in nourishing vital kidney energy — ideal for newlyweds and the elderly whose vitality is on the decline.”

He lifted the deer leg he was holding and added, “It seems heaven itself is looking out for me.”

Yan Qing: “……”

She turned her head away and refused to engage with him, walking a few steps faster.

“Madam, wait for me.” He hurried after her.

Back at their little cabin, Shi Ting had built a fire in the courtyard and set an iron pot over it, the water inside already beginning to bubble.

Yan Qing washed the venison, cut it into several pieces, and sliced both the century-old ginseng and the lion’s mane mushroom.

The venison needed to be blanched first to draw out the blood, then added to boiling water and cooked through before the ginseng and mushroom were added to simmer over a low flame.

The broth in the pot bubbled steadily, and the two of them sat in chairs watching the sun slip behind the mountains. The orange glow spread across the surface of the water, which reflected the hazy silhouettes of the green peaks in perfect stillness.

“It’s so beautiful.” Yan Qing rested her head against Shi Ting’s shoulder and listened to the chorus of insects and birdsong all around them. There was a particular kind of peace in a mountain evening, and sitting here beside him to watch the sun set made her think of the phrase: “time passes gently, and all is well.”

“Shi Ting.” Yan Qing smiled as she spoke. “Thank you.”

Thank you for giving me this unforgettable honeymoon. And most of all, thank you for being here with me.

Shi Ting turned and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re welcome.”

His work kept him busy, and he had little time to give her more than this — but he knew that what she truly wanted was simply time spent with him, wherever they might be, whether dressed in fine clothes or eating the simplest meal.

The sun sank below the horizon, and darkness fell quickly over the land. From the pot drifted the wonderful fragrance of the simmering venison.

Shi Ting lifted the lid, releasing a wave of rich, meaty aroma.

“It smells so good.” Yan Qing gazed at the pale broth rolling and bubbling in the pot and swallowed.

“You must be hungry.” Shi Ting picked up a bowl, tore off a piece of deer leg meat, ladled in some broth, then sprinkled a pinch of green onion and cilantro over the top for flavor. “Don’t rush — let it cool a little first.”

Yan Qing took the bowl happily, raised it to her nose, and inhaled. “It’s going to taste amazing.”

Shi Ting tousled her hair affectionately and filled a bowl for himself.

The cabin had no electricity, and only a kerosene lamp burned inside. The two of them each cradled their bowls and sat lazily on the front steps.

Yan Qing blew on the surface of the hot soup, and when she turned to look at him, she found Shi Ting already watching her. Their eyes met, and both of them smiled — their smiles spreading through the rising steam like gentle ripples across still water.

The venison broth was deeply savory, the meat itself was tender and fine-grained, and the dipping sauce was flavorful without being salty. With the added richness of the century-old ginseng and lion’s mane mushroom, the simple, natural stew was extraordinarily delicious.

Yan Qing drank two full bowls of broth and ate a large piece of venison and still found herself wanting more.

“If you eat any more, you’ll turn into a little piglet.” Shi Ting laughed and took her bowl away.

Yan Qing licked her lips, her appetite still far from satisfied.

“Save a little room.” Shi Ting tapped her on the forehead with a meaningful smile. “There’s something else you can eat.”

“What other food did you prepare?” Yan Qing asked eagerly.

“Me!” Shi Ting pointed at himself without a hint of shame.

Yan Qing: “……”

Why did she keep walking straight into the traps he dug for her? She had always thought of herself as clever, yet faced with this utterly shameless man, she found herself growing stupider by the day.

Before Yan Qing’s small fist could swing his way, the man very sensibly took a step back and said with a cheerful smile, “I’ll heat the water for Madam’s bath.”

The bathroom contained a large wooden tub, and filling it required carrying water in. Shi Ting had already started heating the water during their meal.

Before their wedding, the Second Concubine, Guo Yanrong, had given Yan Qing a book — the kind a mother was traditionally meant to place in her daughter’s hands. But Yan Qing had no birth mother, and so the Second Concubine had taken on that duty herself.

The book was primarily about how a new bride should please her husband and show filial devotion to her in-laws. In a society where polygamy was still commonplace, winning a man’s favor was the survival strategy and path to advancement for many women.

When the Second Concubine handed the book over, she had also offered a few words of advice — though, not being her birth mother, she kept things brief and left much unsaid. The general message was simply to do her best to please her husband, both in the bedroom and in daily life.

But in reality, things had unfolded entirely the other way around. Since she had married Shi Ting, it had always been him taking care of her. When they were together, he cooked for her, heated her water, and made her bed. In the bedroom, he went out of his way to ensure her comfort and pleasure.

He was, by nature, a proud and distinguished man — yet in her presence, he was simply a devoted husband, a man who loved her with everything he had.

The thought made Yan Qing smile to herself, quite without meaning to.

“Is it ready?” Yan Qing lifted the curtain and found Shi Ting standing by the wooden tub, testing the temperature of the water.

He swirled his hand through it and replied, “The temperature should be about right.”

Seeing that his back was to her, and thinking of how often he had led her into his little traps, Yan Qing felt a mischievous impulse take hold. She let out a sudden cry of alarm. “Shi Ting, what is that in the water?!”

Shi Ting, unsuspecting, instinctively crouched down to peer into the tub — and in that very moment, Yan Qing gave him a firm shove from behind. The normally composed Director Shi pitched forward and plunged headfirst into the tub, his large frame sending a great splash of water cascading over the sides.

“Ha ha ha!” Yan Qing bent over with laughter, all dignity abandoned. “So Director Shi can be caught off guard after all! Ha ha ha!”

Shi Ting was soaked through from head to toe. Water dripped from his hair like a small stream, and the sight of him sitting disheveled in the tub was thoroughly undignified.

Shi Ting wiped the water from his face, his gaze carrying a dangerous glint — but the woman before him had already laughed herself breathless and hadn’t noticed at all.

“Is Madam pleased with herself?” he said through clenched teeth, the corners of his eyes tilted sharply upward.

“Delighted — absolutely delighted.” Yan Qing pulled a face at him. To witness Director Shi in such a state of embarrassment — she had no other regrets in this life.

“Then let Madam continue to delight herself.” With that, Shi Ting suddenly dropped his head and plunged it beneath the water.

Yan Qing blinked, a second too slow. She carefully peered into the tub. The surface of the water was still, only white fabric floating on top — Shi Ting had submerged himself entirely.

“Hey, Shi Ting.” Yan Qing called out cautiously. “You’ve been under a long time. Are you all right?”

Only the undisturbed surface of the water answered her.

“Shi Ting, stop fooling around. If you hold your breath any longer something bad will happen.” Yan Qing analyzed the situation with perfect seriousness. “Extended oxygen deprivation causes massive brain cell death. Are you sure you want to continue?”

Under normal circumstances, a person can hold their breath for about two minutes; trained individuals can manage longer. By now, Shi Ting had been underwater for over four minutes.

Yan Qing could wait no longer. She reached in to grab his clothing — but the moment her hand broke the surface, a hand shot up from the water and seized her wrist with unerring precision.

Yan Qing cried out in surprise, and in the next instant she was pulled into the tub. Fortunately the tub was large enough, and she was slight enough, that the two of them just barely fit.

The moment she hit the water she began to thrash, but her flailing arms were quickly restrained by two strong hands. Then the mouth she opened to scream was swiftly stopped up as well.

He shifted in the water, pinning her against the side of the tub, trapping her between his broad, solid chest and the tub’s wall.

Both of them were soaked through. As he kissed her, water droplets from his hair fell like pearls onto her face, sliding down her smooth, pale cheeks and into the water below.

“How bold of Madam.” Shi Ting suddenly gave a light bite to her soft lips, then brought his mouth to her flushed ear and murmured, “Is Madam ready to accept her punishment?”

Yan Qing’s face was flushed pink, her breathing unsteady. Hearing the warning in his tone, she quietly begged for mercy. “This humble woman dares not do it again. Please have mercy, dear husband.”

“You’re quick to beg.” Shi Ting’s dangerous eyes narrowed. “But it’s too late.”

His roguish face reflected in Yan Qing’s widened eyes, and the smile at the corner of his mouth made her heart pound with unease.

Yan Qing tried to escape, but her wrists were pinned to the rim of the tub and she couldn’t move an inch. Watching the man’s lips descend toward her, she cried out desperately, “I was wrong, I was wrong, dear husband, please—”

But Shi Ting gave her no chance to beg further. Without hesitation he covered her chattering lips, making clear through action that mistakes carried consequences.

Moonlight fell like water. The night stretched on like a song.

By the time the water finally ceased spilling over the edge of the tub and the sounds in the room gradually faded, a lingering warmth still drifted low in the air.

Yan Qing curled up like a little cat against someone’s chest. When her eyes were closed, their corners tapered long, her lashes casting a small shadow below.

She had no desire to speak. Not a single word.

“Madam.” Shi Ting’s hand moved gently against her. “Are you all right?”

All right, my foot!

Yan Qing protested in her heart, but she still didn’t want to speak, so she kept her eyes shut and continued to play dead.

“The water has gone cold. Let me carry you out.” Shi Ting stood inside the tub with her in his arms, and the water rushed and sloshed around them. Draped over the rim of the tub were their garments, half submerged; others had been scattered across the floor, the scene altogether disheveled.

Shi Ting stepped out of the tub on long legs, reaching for a bath towel as he did.

Once the two of them were dry, he pulled a thin blanket around her and gathered her into his arms.

“Madam, I have one more surprise for you.” Shi Ting noticed she hadn’t moved and couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Yan Qing finally consented to open her eyes, gazing up at him with a slightly dazed look.

“Would you like to see the stars?” He propped himself up on one arm, looking at her with a warm smile.

“I don’t want to move.” Yan Qing let out a small huff. She felt as though she might fall to pieces — even if aliens landed outside at this very moment, she wouldn’t have the energy to stir a single step.

Shi Ting tapped the tip of her nose. “Who says you have to go outside to see the stars?”

—