The dim candlelight on the small table swayed gracefully in the occasional night breeze that blew in, sometimes crackling with sparks that made this quiet summer night seem even more serene.

Fu Tingyun felt her entire body aching and tender as she lay on top of Zhao Ling, not wanting to move even a finger. But thinking of Zhao Ling’s tired appearance when he returned home, she felt a pang in her heart and forced herself to raise her head.

“Don’t move!” His arms tightened around her waist as Zhao Ling’s lazy voice came from above her head, “Let me stay inside a bit longer…”

Fu Tingyun blushed and said softly, “I just want to move to the side… so I won’t be pressing on you…”

“No need! With your weight…” Zhao Ling said authoritatively, his hand caressing her waist, “You seem to have lost a lot of weight…” his tone carrying a hint of fondness.

Unable to move, Fu Tingyun said softly, “Where have I lost weight? I feel I’ve gained some compared to before…” She had been expecting Zhao Ling to return in March, and since the New Year, she had been binding her body and avoiding fatty meats. Her already curvaceous figure had become even more exquisite, making even Yu Wei, who served her closely, envious… Hearing Zhao Ling say this, she felt somewhat proud inside, though she wouldn’t admit it, and responded casually to him.

Zhao Ling wasn’t quite sure.

Fu Tingyun was his only woman.

What left the deepest impression on him from their wedding night was how her body was as pure and smooth as fine jade, while his head felt like it was filled with paste, knowing only to charge forward with his blood boiling, not knowing afterward how he had gotten through it. Only that intense pleasure remained etched in his mind to this day… It took more than a month for his emotions to gradually calm down, and then Fu Tingyun became pregnant… Later, he went to Guizhou… When he returned, he could barely control his emotions, and Fu Tingyun began to boldly respond to him, but then he left for Xuanfu…

The thought flashed through his mind.

Zhao Ling couldn’t help but caress her beautifully curved spine inch by inch, his gaze involuntarily settling on Fu Tingyun’s bare shoulder.

In the candlelight, her round shoulder gleamed with a warm luster like mutton-fat jade.

The intense pleasure of their wedding night appeared again in his mind.

His heart stirred, and his manhood buried inside her began to rise again.

“You…” Fu Tingyun immediately felt his change.

“Shh!” Zhao Ling’s hot breath already brushed against the skin of her neck.

Fu Tingyun was momentarily stunned… her fair earlobe was already in his mouth.

“Be good…” Zhao Ling mumbled into her ear, gently nibbling on her delicate earlobe.

A tingling pleasure ran from her spine to her limbs.

Fu Tingyun drew in a sharp breath, involuntarily trembling, and said urgently, “Don’t, don’t do this… you’ve been traveling day and night from Xuanfu… Tomorrow morning, you still have to go to the palace to see the Emperor, it’s best to conserve your energy…”

This was already the second time.

She caressed his shoulder painfully, “Aren’t you going to stay at home for a few days?” Her voice was a bit hoarse, “We have plenty of time ahead…”

Hearing this, Zhao Ling suddenly raised his head.

In the lamplight, it seemed as if flames were burning in his eyes.

“Then, then promise me, one day at noon you’ll let me see…” his hand tightly gripped her waist, preventing her from moving, yet making her feel his arousal even more.

Fu Tingyun knew what he meant, and her face grew hot as she bit her lip.

In broad daylight… to lie naked before him… this, this was too indecent…

“Darling…” Zhao Ling’s deep voice sounded somewhat pained, with a hint of pleading.

Fu Tingyun’s heart immediately softened.

She turned her face away and softly made an “mm” sound.

Hearing her response, Zhao Ling laughed delightedly, flipped her over beneath him, and began to move vigorously.

“You…” Fu Tingyun widened her almond eyes, but soon let out a soft moan from the swelling inside her, involuntarily arching her body.

“I just asked you to let me see…” Zhao Ling laughed cheerfully by her ear, “I didn’t say I’d stop this time…”

“You rascal…” Fu Tingyun clenched her teeth, but Zhao Ling thrust into her, making her involuntarily moan “ah” and wrap her legs around his firm waist…

Looking at her increasingly radiant face, Zhao Ling couldn’t help but chuckle triumphantly in her ear…

…

In her drowsy state, Fu Tingyun felt movement beside her.

She turned over, murmuring, “Don’t… I’m so tired…”

From above her head came Zhao Ling’s hearty laugh: “Little lazy one, I’m going to the palace. I won’t be back today, so don’t worry about the noon matter…”

Before he finished speaking, Fu Tingyun jerked awake.

She quickly opened her eyes to see Zhao Ling already dressed in his bright red court robes, standing by the bed looking spirited.

“How can you be so energetic!” Fu Tingyun yawned, muttering softly.

Zhao Ling smiled, bent down, and gently kissed her forehead.

The fresh scent of soapberry wafted toward her, refreshing Fu Tingyun’s spirits.

“Be good!” He sat on the edge of the bed, gently tucking her scattered black hair behind her ears, and said softly, “It’s still early, rest well. I’ll be back for dinner.”

Fu Tingyun nodded.

Zhao Ling stroked her face before rising and leaving the inner chamber.

Outside, there was a commotion, which quickly disappeared.

All around was quiet, completely silent.

Fu Tingyun closed her eyes but couldn’t fall asleep.

Her body was sore and aching… the air still filled with the distinctive scent after lovemaking… her skin seemingly still retaining Zhao Ling’s burning warmth…

She decided to get up and called for Yu Wei, who was on night duty.

Yu Wei entered with a beaming face, helped Fu Tingyun wash up, opened the window, replaced the bedding, and brought a pot of honeysuckle tea.

The slightly cool morning breeze blew in, bringing the fresh fragrance of green leaves.

Fu Tingyun drank a cup of tea, and her spirits gradually improved.

Ah Sen came to pay his respects, his eyes looking around.

Fu Tingyun found it amusing and said, “What are you looking for? The Ninth Master went to the palace early this morning.”

Hearing this, Ah Sen couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. He sat down with a grin at Fu Tingyun’s side and brazenly asked, “What did the Ninth Master say about my matter?”

Having been picked up by Zhao Ling, who was like a father, brother, teacher, and friend to him, and even having been given the “Zhao” surname, it was natural for him to hope for Zhao Ling’s blessing on his marriage.

At the ten-li pavilion, people from the Ministry of Rites had welcomed Zhao Ling, which was an official matter. She, as a woman, couldn’t intervene. After a brief encounter with Zhao Ling, they returned to Lijia Hutong. It wasn’t until a quarter past the hour of the Dog (around 7:15 PM) that Zhao Ling returned. Seeing Youyou nodding off like a pecking chick and Xiege sound asleep, Zhao Ling merely stroked the children’s heads before having them taken away by the servants. Ah Sen and the others had only greeted him briefly before everyone retired.

As for Fu Tingyun… since they had met until now, they hadn’t yet discussed what had happened to each other during their separation.

She couldn’t help but inwardly exclaim “Oh no,” her face slightly reddening, and making an effort to appear casual, she said softly, “I haven’t found a chance to tell the Ninth Master about your marriage yet!”

Ah Sen misunderstood, thinking Fu Tingyun was afraid Zhao Ling wouldn’t agree and wanted to find a suitable opportunity to discuss it.

He couldn’t help but say, “Sister-in-law, what if the Ninth Master doesn’t agree?” His tone was full of worry.

Fu Tingyun could only comfort him: “The Ninth Master is an open-minded person. Don’t worry, let me speak with him first.”

Ah Sen nodded somewhat helplessly.

Youyou and Xiege came to pay their respects to her.

Xiege usually slept with Fu Tingyun, but yesterday he had been taken by the wet nurse to spend the night with Yu Wei. Seeing Fu Tingyun, his mouth turned down, and he reached out his little hands toward his mother: “Mother, hold, hold!”

Youyou, however, looked around like Ah Sen, opening her almond eyes that resembled Fu Tingyun’s: “Mother, I dreamed of Father yesterday. He stroked my head, and I wanted to talk to him, but Madam Zhou carried me away…”

This child, so confused she couldn’t tell dreams from reality!

Fu Tingyun smiled, holding Xiege, and said to Youyou: “Your father has gone to the palace and will return in the evening to have dinner with us.”

Youyou made an “oh” sound and pulled Ah Sen: “Second Uncle, are you going to school today? Let’s go hit jujubes together!”

Every time Zhao Ling wrote home, he would ask how the children were doing, yet the children weren’t attached to him.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but sigh at the sight.

Perhaps this was the price paid for a successful official career.

She instructed Youyou: “If you knock down all the jujubes now, there won’t be any left to eat by the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Youyou stuck out her little tongue in embarrassment.

Ah Sen then said, “It’s just for practicing accuracy. We won’t hit jujubes; we’ll hit the pomegranate flowers in the courtyard instead.” As he spoke, he glanced at Fu Tingyun.

Seeing this, Youyou dared not speak and followed Ah Sen in looking expectantly at her mother.

Fu Tingyun had to say, “Why don’t you place a small bowl on a stool and aim at that? See who has better accuracy, wouldn’t that be better?”

Youyou happily pulled Ah Sen out of the hall.

Xiege pointed at the purple clay teapot on Fu Tingyun’s table containing honeysuckle tea: “Eat bun, eat bun…”

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh: “What’s wrong with you? Thinking about food every day.” She instructed Yu Wei to go to the kitchen to bring some food.

Just as Yu Wei went out, she met Jin Yuanbao and Yang Yucheng coming with their families to pay respects to Zhao Ling. Yu Wei returned to report this.

Fu Tingyun went out to welcome them to the hall. After exchanging greetings, everyone sat according to rank, and then Fu Tingyun said, “The Ninth Master went to the palace early this morning and said he would return for dinner. Why don’t you all stay overnight? It’s rare to have such a lively gathering.”

The two had just come to visit and agreed with a smile.

Fu Tingyun instructed Yu Wei to prepare guest rooms, and the wet nurses took the children to play in the side room.

Lady Mo sent a steward to inquire about Mo Yan’s daily life in Xuanfu.

Fu Tingyun had just sent away the Mo family’s steward when a steward from Qin Yufei’s household delivered a card: “…inviting the Ninth Master to a small gathering at their mansion tomorrow.”

Zheng San received the card, but before he could deliver it to Fu Tingyun, a steward from Lin Chi arrived: “…hosting a banquet at Penglai Pavilion tomorrow noon to welcome Master Zhao back.”

Zheng San arranged for the two stewards to sit in the hall of the south wing, then He Xiulin sent his attendant: “…when would Master Zhao have time? Our master wishes to visit!”

For a time, people came and went, making the household as busy as a marketplace.