Ren Yaohua held the fragrant and soft Lei Pan’er in her arms, her heart warming. Thinking of her heavy ceremonial dress and jewelry, worried about making Lei Pan’er uncomfortable, she carried her to sit beside her.

“Pan’er, how did you come here?”

Lei Pan’er blinked her large eyes and said, “Daddy said you would be scared being alone here, so I came to keep you company.”

Ren Yaohua touched Lei Pan’er’s face, her heart growing even softer.

Lei Pan’er was still a child at heart after all. This was her first time seeing a bridal chamber, so she looked around curiously with some interest. Suddenly, she frowned, shifted her little bottom once, then again, and then pulled out a longan from under her bottom.

Lei Pan’er blinked, then matter-of-factly put the longan in her mouth: “Crunch—”

Wujing, beside them, hurriedly said, “Miss, you can’t eat that.”

Lei Pan’er looked at the longan she had already bitten into, then at Wujing, looking confused: “Why not? Isn’t this a longan?”

Wujing thought to herself: The ones on the bed are for “early birth of noble sons,” not for you to eat! But she couldn’t very well explain this to a child.

Xiangqin made funny faces to tease her: “Because this isn’t an ordinary longan, but one that’s been blessed before the great Guanyin Buddha!” She swallowed the words “whoever eats it gets pregnant.”

Lei Pan’er wrinkled her nose accusingly: “You’re lying to children again!”

Everyone in the room laughed.

Ren Yaohua glared at Xiangqin, stopping her from continuing to tease the child with such nonsense, and looked down to ask Lei Pan’er: “Pan’er, are you hungry?”

Lei Pan’er touched her stomach and thought for a moment: “Pan’er had some pastries before coming.” Though the pastries didn’t seem very filling.

Just then, an unfamiliar maid came in carrying a tray with a large covered bowl on it.

Lei Pan’er sniffed and jumped down from the bed, going to the table to watch the maid lift the bowl’s lid, revealing a bowl of fragrant, steaming sesame oil noodles.

Lei Pan’er turned around and looked at Ren Yaohua with longing eyes.

Ren Yaohua couldn’t help but laugh, standing up and walking to Lei Pan’er’s side: “Would you like to eat noodles with me?”

Lei Pan’er’s eyes immediately crinkled with delight.

Ren Yaohua personally used a small spare bowl to serve Lei Pan’er a portion, while Wujing served Ren Yaohua a bowl. Lei Pan’er was very well-behaved, holding her chopsticks skillfully without needing anyone to feed her, so Ren Yaohua didn’t worry about her. The two sat side by side, eating noodles.

After finishing the noodles, Ren Yaohua had the maids help Lei Pan’er rinse her mouth and wash her face, then they sat down again. Lei Pan’er hadn’t forgotten her mission of coming here, racking her brains to chat with Ren Yaohua, afraid she would be bored. But she was still a child after all, and after eating her fill, she began to feel drowsy.

Seeing Lei Pan’er yawn twice, Ren Yaohua said, “I’m not scared anymore. Pan’er, go back to sleep first, alright? I’ll have Wujing escort you back?”

Lei Pan’er hugged Ren Yaohua’s arm and shook her head, insisting: “I’ll stay with you.”

Ren Yaohua had no choice but to remove the jewelry from her body and hold Lei Pan’er. In the end, Lei Pan’er fell asleep in Ren Yaohua’s arms. Seeing that the bridal bed was covered with peanuts, longans, red dates, and lotus seeds, Ren Yaohua settled Lei Pan’er on the soft couch.

Before long, another Lei family maid came in: “Madam, the concubine has come and is outside the courtyard, saying she wants to take the young miss back to rest.”

The concubine the maid referred to was naturally Xiao Qiao Shi. Normally, on such an occasion, Xiao Qiao Shi, as a widow, shouldn’t be walking around, but fortunately, she hadn’t barged directly into the bridal chamber. Still, Wujing, Xiangqin, and the other maids were displeased.

Ren Yaohua asked, “Where is Pan’er staying now? Is she living with the concubine?”

“In response to Madam, the young miss still lives in Second Master’s courtyard,” the maid replied respectfully with lowered head.

Xiao Qiao Shi had always wanted Lei Pan’er to live with her, but Lei Ting hadn’t agreed. Today, because Lei Zhen needed to help Lei Ting entertain guests, Xiao Qiao Shi had automatically taken on the task of looking after Lei Pan’er. But later, Lei Ting had someone bring Lei Pan’er to the main courtyard to accompany Ren Yaohua, and Xiao Qiao Shi couldn’t stop it.

Ren Yaohua curved her lips slightly and said calmly to the maid, “Then let’s wait for Master to return before sending someone to escort Pan’er back. After all, it’s not very convenient for the concubine to go to the Second Master’s courtyard.” Ren Yaohua didn’t know that her current demeanor and bearing were very similar to Ren Yaoqi’s.

Xiao Qiao Shi wanted to take advantage of today to bring Lei Pan’er to rest in her courtyard, because Lei Zhen would inevitably drink alcohol, giving Xiao Qiao Shi an appropriate excuse.

However, looking at Ren Yaohua, the maid still swallowed her words. Ren Yaohua was the female head of the Lei family’s inner courtyard, while Xiao Qiao Shi was just a concubine living there temporarily. The maid knew clearly whom she should listen to. So the maid bowed her head and withdrew to dismiss Xiao Qiao Shi.

As soon as the Lei family maid left, Xiangqin said angrily, “She doesn’t even look at what her status is, coming to flaunt in front of us at this time, clearly trying to make trouble for Miss. Besides, when is it her turn to manage the Lei family’s young miss?”

Ren Yaohua was much calmer, even raising her hand to stop Xiangqin from continuing her complaints.

Outside the courtyard, the maid relayed Ren Yaohua’s words to Xiao Qiao Shi, who frowned tightly: “But it’s time for Pan’er to rest at this hour.”

The maid lowered her head: “Madam has already coaxed the young miss to sleep. Concubine, need not worry, please return to rest early.”

Hearing this, Xiao Qiao Shi couldn’t help but clench the handkerchief in her hand. She glanced at the maid and saw the dismissive look in her eyes. She pressed her lips tightly, her face darkening, and walked away without a word.

When Lei Ting returned to the inner courtyard, although his body reeked strongly of alcohol, his steps were still steady as always, and his face showed no signs of drunkenness. But when he reached the room, he still paused, then turned to go to the washroom, having servants bring hot water for bathing and changing into fresh clothes before going to see Ren Yaohua.

When Ren Yaohua saw Lei Ting enter, she immediately became nervous, having been lost in thought. Lei Ting originally wanted to speak, but seeing Lei Pan’er sleeping soundly, he walked over to look at her, then called for someone to send Lei Pan’er to Lei Zhen’s courtyard. Lei Pan’er was used to staying with her second uncle, and Lei Ting didn’t think there was anything wrong with having his brother help raise his daughter.

Ren Yaohua recalled Zhou Nanny’s instructions on how to serve her husband, ordering maids to bring hot tea, then wanting to help Lei Ting change clothes. But when she walked up to Lei Ting, she discovered he had already bathed and changed clothes, his body carrying the fragrance of soap after bathing.

“Do you… want something to eat?” Ren Yaohua asked softly.

“No need, I’m not hungry.” Lei Ting sat down beside them, accepting the hot tea Wujing handed him and taking a sip.

Gao Nanny had prepared hot water early on. Seeing Lei Ting’s return, she immediately ordered maids to bring water in to help Ren Yaohua wash and groom, and had Wujing and Xiangqin tidy up the bridal bed so their masters could rest.

After Ren Yaohua had washed off her heavy makeup, Lei Ting was already sitting on their bridal bed. Ren Yaohua stood in the middle of the room, momentarily feeling at a loss.

“You may all withdraw,” Lei Ting steadily instructed the maids.

The maids immediately withdrew without question. Xiangqin was grinning foolishly as she left and even tripped over the threshold, falling flat on her face.

“Come here.” Lei Ting extended his hand toward Ren Yaohua. Though it was a commanding sentence, his tone was very gentle.

Ren Yaohua bit her lip and slowly walked to Lei Ting’s side. After hesitating briefly, she grasped his outstretched hand.

Lei Ting’s fingers slowly moved to Ren Yaohua’s pulse point, raising an eyebrow: “Scared?”

Ren Yaohua’s face burned. Just as she was about to answer, Lei Ting moved his wrist with skillful force, pulling Ren Yaohua onto his lap.

Ren Yaohua cried out in surprise, grabbing Lei Ting’s lapels to steady herself. Looking up, she found Lei Ting watching her with a smile, his gaze burning.

Ren Yaohua immediately looked away, her heart pounding like drums, not knowing where to place her hands, her face red as fire.

Lei Ting gently turned Ren Yaohua’s face back, leaning down to kiss her lips, tenderly grinding against them. Ren Yaohua tightly gripped Lei Ting’s lapels, her wide eyes only able to see Lei Ting’s eyelashes so close before her, her mind roaring.

Lei Ting sighed softly with a smile, leaving Ren Yaohua’s lips, covering her eyes with his palm, coaxing softly in her ear: “Good girl, close them.”

Ren Yaohua instinctively obeyed, closing her eyes. Lei Ting’s hand moved away from her eyes, his lips covering hers again. But this time, before Ren Yaohua could react, he pried open her pearly teeth and hooked her tongue, forcing her to entangle with him.

The intense masculine scent filled Ren Yaohua’s nostrils, making her tremble involuntarily, her body growing softer and softer until she could barely sit upright.

When the kiss ended and Ren Yaohua regained consciousness, she somehow found herself carried to the bed by Lei Ting, with the man’s hands already unbuttoning her clothes. Frightened, she grabbed Lei Ting’s hand.

Lei Ting looked up at her, his eyes holding a deep darkness she couldn’t understand.

Lei Ting leaned down to kiss her lips lightly, then took her earlobe in his mouth. The unprecedented tingling tremors left Ren Yaohua helpless, her eyes misting with moisture. At this point, she had no energy to pay attention to how many pieces of clothing Lei Ting had undone.

Though Lei Ting wasn’t one for feminine pleasures, he wasn’t an inexperienced young man either. Knowing Ren Yaohua was nervous and fearing she would suffer later, he patiently kissed her sensitive spots, gradually making her lower her guard.

When the two were truly bare before each other and Lei Ting’s hand covered the softness of her chest, Ren Yaohua was already flushed all over, lost in desire and unable to control herself.

Seeing Ren Yaohua display such breathtakingly beautiful passion beneath him, even a saint like Lei Ting couldn’t resist, but he still pitied Ren Yaohua in his heart, so he patiently caressed and guided her, helping her body completely open to receive him.

When he found Ren Yaohua sufficiently moist below, Lei Ting finally breathed a sigh of relief. He kissed Ren Yaohua’s sensitive earlobe while grinding against her with himself. Ren Yaohua instinctively pressed closer to Lei Ting, a movement that made Lei Ting groan involuntarily and bite her lip in punishment.

The sudden tearing pain finally brought Ren Yaohua back from her desire, making her grip Lei Ting’s arm tightly.

Lei Ting had been watching her closely. Seeing her face pale slightly, he leaned down again to patiently kiss her gently. But he was struggling to endure, sweat dripping from his forehead right onto Ren Yaohua’s eyelashes, the sting making her blink hard.

Then came another wave of pain from below, making Ren Yaohua cry out involuntarily.

“Does it hurt?” Lei Ting stopped, raining gentle kisses on her face, his voice hoarse as he asked.

Ren Yaohua bit her lip. By now, she had regained clarity, looking up at Lei Ting’s restrained yet tender expression. She shook her head and raised her hands to embrace Lei Ting’s waist.

This action made Lei Ting unable to restrain himself any longer, and he began to move.

Ren Yaohua was still hurt, but she didn’t show it at all, instead holding Lei Ting even tighter.

Seeing this, Lei Ting’s heart ached for her even more. He slowed his movements while carefully kissing her sensitive spots, conducting their intimate act with such care and tenderness that he couldn’t focus on his pleasure.

After climaxing, Lei Ting withdrew from Ren Yaohua’s body, gently kissed her forehead, then ordered servants outside to bring water.

Ren Yaohua immediately tensed and grabbed his sleeve, saying softly: “Don’t, don’t let anyone in…” Having always been strong-willed, Ren Yaohua didn’t want the maids to see her current state.

Lei Ting held her hand and coaxed in a low voice: “I’ll have them put the water down and leave.”

Lei Ting indeed didn’t let the maids enter. He originally wanted to help Ren Yaohua clean up himself, but Ren Yaohua insisted on doing it herself with a red face, so Lei Ting had to let her.

After they had both cleaned up and lay back on the bed, Ren Yaohua remembered how she had tightly embraced Lei Ting on the bed earlier, feeling quite embarrassed and worried that Lei Ting might think her too forward as a woman.

Seeing Ren Yaohua sleeping rather far from him, Lei Ting reached out and pulled her into his arms. Ren Yaohua’s body stiffened, then she forced herself to relax.

“Master, Master…”

Lei Ting opened his eyes, raising an eyebrow to look at Ren Yaohua: “What did you call me?”

Ren Yaohua was confused, feeling her form of address wasn’t wrong – everyone in the Lei household called Lei Ting “Master.” But Lei Ting wasn’t old, so Ren Yaohua wondered if he thought she was calling him old.

So Ren Yaohua tentatively called: “Lord?”

Lei Ting closed his eyes, but his hand holding Ren Yaohua slipped inside her clothing, touching her waist and gently kneading: “Try another.”

Having just experienced intimacy, Ren Yaohua’s body was still sensitive. Lei Ting’s teasing made her somewhat breathless.

“Family, family head?”

Lei Ting’s hand moved upward, pinching a peak on her chest and lightly scratching: “Try again…”

Ren Yaohua couldn’t help but moan, her voice unsteady: “Great Master Lei…”

Lei Ting rolled over, pressing down on Ren Yaohua, wordlessly beginning to undo her clothing: “Want to go again?”