Zhao Ling burst into laughter and whispered something in Fu Tingyun’s ear. Her face immediately flushed crimson, and she shot him a fierce glare before hurrying into the inner chamber.

Little did she know that her sidelong glance, tinged with coquettish reproach, was so enchantingly alluring that it made Zhao Ling’s heart itch with desire. After a moment’s hesitation, he followed her inside and closed the latticed door behind him.

A startled cry immediately came from Fu Tingyun within the chamber, which then seemed to be muffled by something, turning into soft whimpering sounds…

It wasn’t until the early hours of the night watch that the door to the inner chamber finally opened.

Following Madam Zheng’s instructions, Pearl and Kou’er approached cautiously—one carrying hot water and the other bringing food. They carefully placed everything in the hall before scurrying away.

Fu Tingyun was mortified with embarrassment. She pulled the thin quilt up to her shoulders and complained, “This is all your fault! Now everyone probably knows!”

“So what if they know?” Zhao Ling replied, wringing out a washcloth. “What’s there to be ashamed of about cherishing my wife? If they say nothing, so be it. But if any gossip spreads, I’ll have words with them.” His righteousness left Fu Tingyun caught between laughter and tears.

Zhao Ling’s hand, holding the warm washcloth, had already slipped beneath the quilt. The hot cloth against her tender body felt so soothing that she almost moaned aloud. Remembering her mother’s teachings, however, she sat up straight and reached for the cloth. “I’ll do it myself!”

“Let me!” Zhao Ling insisted firmly. He kissed her forehead gently and whispered, “It’s all my fault… I truly couldn’t resist…” His movements became increasingly tender.

Fu Tingyun’s face burned hot.

These past few days, every time he first embraced her, whether kissing or caressing, he seemed impatient and restless, barely going through the motions before rushing to the main event, nothing like the steady, composed person she remembered… Only after his initial urgency had subsided and during their second encounter would he slow down. Even then, his behavior was far from calm and collected—he dared to do and say anything, so passionate that even she felt less shy in response.

Their wedding night was indescribable; she had been in great pain, but remembering her aunt’s words, she had endured it. Later, she became dazed under his ministrations, somehow finding herself embracing him again, her fears dissolving like smoke. The next day, though his eagerness had made her somewhat uncomfortable, seeing him so joyful, she hadn’t felt particularly distressed… Just now, when he held her, he was still urgent, but as memories of yesterday’s pleasures floated through her mind, her body had softened… Though not as soul-stirring as what followed, it certainly couldn’t be called unpleasant.

But how could she possibly tell Zhao Ling this?

Still, she didn’t want him to misunderstand.

Fu Tingyun took the cloth from him and whispered, barely audible, “I I’m fine,” before turning away to wipe herself.

Zhao Ling let her be.

Whether she was enjoying herself or not, he could sense it perfectly.

When she was pleased, she would invite him silently with eyes misty with desire, her delicate, hesitant manner making his body burn like fire whenever he recalled it. When she wasn’t comfortable, she would blush and avoid his gaze…

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh.

If only he could control himself better during their initial encounters, his dear one would probably enjoy it more!

He embraced her tightly and said softly, “I’ll bring the food in.”

“No, no need!” Fu Tingyun quickly responded. She wasn’t ill or bedridden—what reason was there to eat in bed? “Wait for me a moment, I’ll be ready soon.”

Zhao Ling simply wanted to remain close to Fu Tingyun, even if they did nothing at all. Just watching her, feeling her presence beside him, filled his heart with boundless tenderness.

“All right!” He gazed at her with smiling eyes. “I’ll wring out the cloth for you.”

Fu Tingyun sighed with relief.

She dared not refuse, fearing what new ideas might spring into Zhao Ling’s mind.

She had already experienced just how bold he could be.

Zhao Ling helped Fu Tingyun wring out the cloth. After she finished washing, he went to pour her some water, and she seized the opportunity to dress herself. When Zhao Ling returned to the inner chamber, he took her hand and led her to the hall for their evening meal.

Since arriving in the capital, Fu Tingyun had maintained a very regular lifestyle. Having missed the usual dinner hour, she had lost her appetite. Zhao Ling silently blamed himself, but fearing she might get indigestion, he didn’t urge her to eat. Instead, he ladled her a bowl of ginseng and wolfberry chicken soup and served her some simple dishes like home-style tofu and water bamboo.

Fu Tingyun ate comfortably.

After dinner, Zhao Ling took her hand for a stroll in the courtyard. “Walking for half an hour after dinner every day will strengthen your body,” he remarked, then added wistfully, “It’s a pity the courtyard is so small. If we were in Zhangye or Nianbo, we could walk along the streets.”

“Does Lord Nine still miss Zhangye?” Fu Tingyun smiled, pressing her lips together. Then she remembered something. “Do you have a way to contact Lady Wang, the wife of Official Wang Dan? When I was in Zhangye, I received much kindness from Lady Wang. Now that I’m married, I’d like to send her word.”

“There are postal routes for official documents. When I return from leave, I’ll make inquiries about whom to contact,” Zhao Ling said with a smile. “It’s fortunate that Lady Wang’s natal family also belongs to the military household registry; otherwise, delivering a letter would be quite difficult.”

They chatted idly until noticing the late hour, then returned to their room to rest.

Zhao Ling held Fu Tingyun in his arms, resting his chin on top of her head, and asked softly, “What fragrance are you wearing? It smells wonderful!”

“I’m not wearing any fragrance,” Fu Tingyun replied drowsily, having grown tired after hours of intimacy with Zhao Ling. “I made some floral waters… just from common cape jasmine and magnolia… If you like it, I can make more in the future…”

Zhao Ling murmured in agreement. When he looked at Fu Tingyun again, she had fallen into deep slumber.

Gazing at her gentle, peaceful expression, his heart swelled with tenderness, and he couldn’t help but press his lips to the crown of her head.

…

At the first light of dawn, out of habit, Fu Tingyun awoke. Just as she was about to turn over, she discovered a large hand cupping her bosom, and realized she was sleeping in Zhao Ling’s embrace, using his arm as a pillow.

Her face reddened slightly as she gently tried to remove the large hand from inside her collar… This only earned her a few dissatisfied murmurs from Zhao Ling. His grip on her fullness tightened, his thumb caressing her rosy peak while his lips suckled at her neck…

This fellow!

Fu Tingyun felt both embarrassed and annoyed. She grabbed his restless hand, but then heard Zhao Ling’s sleepy voice in her ear: “You’re awake!”

“Mmm!” Fu Tingyun struggled to rise. “It’s getting late.”

Zhao Ling exerted his strength, however, holding her firmly in his embrace. Nibbling her ear, he asked, “Do we have any plans today?”

Fu Tingyun’s body felt weak, her mind blank. After a moment, she stammered, “N-nothing in particular…”

Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Ling had already flipped her over, pinning her beneath him.

“Good,” his eyes sparkled brightly, fully alert, showing no trace of his previous drowsiness, “then let’s do something else…” With those words, he sealed her lips with his own, his hands busy removing her clothes.

Fu Tingyun’s eyes widened in surprise, but all her protests were reduced to muffled sounds.

Zhao Ling smiled as he released her lips.

She panted heavily: “In broad daylight…”

Before she could finish, Zhao Ling had already removed his clothes and was bending down to kiss her lips again.

She turned her head away, so his kiss landed on her cheek instead.

“Don’t do this,” Fu Tingyun’s neck flushed red with embarrassment. “Pearl and the others will be coming soon to help us wash up. Tonight, can we wait until tonight?” Her voice was soft and sweet, as if gently pleading with him.

His heart pounded even harder.

He took her hand and guided it downward…

“I couldn’t sleep well all night!” Zhao Ling’s voice was hoarse and deep, conveying an indescribable intimacy that made her heart race. “It won’t take long…”

“You…” That massive thing was hot yet supple, and it pulsed twice in her palm. Her heart pounded like a drum, leaving her speechless.

Zhao Ling seized the opportunity to thrust forward…

Fu Tingyun let out a gasp as she was immediately filled with that strange, swollen sensation… Her round buttocks were cupped in his hands as that massive thing moved in and out of her body… Her body grew hotter and hotter… She vaguely thought to herself that, given how things were going, she had little hope of leaving this inner chamber before noon…

…

Sure enough, they didn’t emerge from the inner chamber until lunchtime.

Fu Tingyun looked at Zhao Ling, who was eating his lunch as if nothing had happened, and couldn’t help feeling exasperated. “It’s fortunate there are no elders at home. If there were any elders present…” They would surely not have let her off so easily.

Zhao Ling merely smiled at her words.

After two consecutive days of such indulgence, both his body and mind were thoroughly satisfied.

He placed a piece of lamb rib in her bowl. “Rest a bit this afternoon. Tonight, we’ll go see the lantern festival.”

Fu Tingyun could hardly stay angry with Zhao Ling over this, could she?

She bit into the lamb rib fiercely, making Zhao Ling laugh heartily.

Fu Tingyun then admonished him: “Later, we’ll rest separately.”

Hearing this, Zhao Ling winked at her. “Don’t worry, I’ll go read in the study.”

Was this still the reserved, steady Zhao Ling she had first met?

Fu Tingyun muttered to herself.

Zhao Ling simply gazed at her with a good-natured smile.

After lunch, he went to the study.

Fu Tingyun asked Kou’er to attend to him, while she went to the inner chamber to catch up on sleep. In the evening, after dinner, the carriage Zhao Ling had hired arrived.

Seeing her confused expression, Zhao Ling explained: “West Street will be packed with people, without even a place to park. Rather than having Zheng San wait there, it’s better to hire a carriage. The lantern market on West Street will be open for five days. Tomorrow, we’ll go to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense, and in the evening, we’ll let Zheng San take A Sen and the others to see the lanterns on West Street. We’ll stay home and watch the house.”

“We’re going out tomorrow as well?” Fu Tingyun asked, quite surprised.

Zhao Ling tapped her nose affectionately. “Not only are we going to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense to the Goddess of Mercy, but we’ll also go to Baiyun Temple to touch the monkey statue for warding off illness and evil, and to bless you with good health!” His expression darkened slightly as he continued, “A Yun, once I return from leave, I’m afraid I won’t have as much time to accompany you…”

Fu Tingyun was deeply moved. She quickly took Zhao Ling’s hand. “Official duties come first. You can still accompany me on your days off!”

Zhao Ling nodded with a smile.

Fu Tingyun then noticed A Sen standing under the eaves of the south room, pouting and gloomily watching them.

She beckoned to A Sen. “What’s wrong?”

A Sen ran over quickly, casting a cautious glance at Zhao Ling before saying dejectedly, “Sister-in-law, are you going out?”