Fu Tingyun took a deep breath, and the turbulence in her heart gradually subsided. Only then did she feel the weight of Zhao Ling pressing on her body, heavy as a mountain.

She pushed him gently. “Get up!” Her body was so soft she couldn’t muster any strength.

Zhao Ling still had his eyes closed, his brow revealing the languor of satiation.

He murmured an indistinct “Mm,” shifting slightly to move his weight onto his shoulders, but his body still covered hers.

This man—didn’t he know there were people outside?

Fu Tingyun, her face flushed, pushed him again. “I’ll fetch water for you…”

“Wait a moment!” Zhao Ling murmured, his hand slipping inside her garment, rustling as he grasped the fullness of her breast.

The thin calluses on his fingertips scraped across her delicate skin, slightly painful yet bringing a wave of numbness.

Fu Tingyun drew in a sharp breath and called out coquettishly, “Ninth Master, get up! You’re covered in dust—it’s filthy!” She only meant for him to rise, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized they were inappropriate—he had rushed back, likely traveling day and night, enduring hardship and arriving dusty just to see her and the children sooner. Saying such things seemed too harsh… She could only say softly, “Let me help you wash up first, then I’ll attend to you…” Though they had been married for several years, there were still some things she couldn’t bring herself to say. She could only twist her waist playfully and ask in a charming voice, “All right?”

The deflated foreign object buried in her body twitched, seemingly about to rise again.

Fu Tingyun was startled.

Zhao Ling had opened his eyes, chuckling carelessly as he bit her rounded earlobe, playing with it for a moment before saying, “Later is later, now is now…” As he spoke, that object hardened again.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but inwardly groan—once he started, it would be a while before he stopped… but people were waiting outside!

“Wait, wait,” she stammered, involuntarily squirming, trying to avoid him. “Zheng San and the others must know you’re back… And there’s Youyou, Young Master Xi, and Young Master Xu… Mother Tong will bring the children to pay their respects…”

Fu Tingyun’s twisting and turning in his arms, her slender waist and soft fullness, aroused Zhao Ling immensely. He held her tightly, allowing her to struggle…

In that moment, that object became hard as iron, thrusting deeply…

Fu Tingyun’s entire body trembled. Only then did she realize her previous movements had only encouraged him, bringing herself into such a predicament… Her body melted like water, only knowing to call “Ninth Master, Ninth Master…” Her helpless gaze, like rippling water, was incomparably alluring, making Zhao Ling’s heart race so that he didn’t want to leave for even a moment… After riding vigorously for a while, he finally caught his breath and began to remove his clothes.

This appearance indicated his determination to make love to her…

How could this be allowed!

Were Yu Wei and the others expected to listen through the walls?

Fu Tingyun grew anxious… yet looking at his strong physique, her mind faltered.

Earlier, he had been so hurried that she had merely been considerate, going along with him. Now that he had aroused her passion, he withdrew like rain after clouds. Her body still lingered with the previous sensations—how could she withstand such an assault… Below, she became a complete mess, and her words of protest transformed into a series of moans…

Had she ever been so embarrassed?

Even if they stopped now, there was no way to pretend nothing had happened, was there?

Besides, she truly missed him…

Thinking this, her long, fair legs involuntarily wrapped around his waist…

Fu Tingyun’s initiative immediately filled Zhao Ling with the joy of mutual affection.

He couldn’t help but caress her beautiful skin meticulously, gently removing her clothes, tenderly sucking on her fullness… Everywhere he touched was burning and tingling, like countless ants crawling.

Fu Tingyun could no longer resist. She extended her arms around Zhao Ling’s neck, tilting her head up to capture his lips…

Zhao Ling responded to her. His chest vibrated with a few muffled laughs.

…

Fu Tingyun opened her drowsy eyes, looking at the flickering candlelight with a moment of bewilderment.

She seemed to have dreamed that Zhao Ling had returned, and then they…

At this thought, her cheeks instantly burned like fire.

Behind her came a warmth as hot skin pressed against her.

The man’s heated breath blew against her ear. “Awake?” That familiar voice she had longed for rang out in the spacious inner chamber. “Want some water?” As he spoke, a coolness came from behind as the warm body left her, and the sound of curtains rustling filled the room.

Fu Tingyun quickly turned over, her gaze falling into a pair of deep eyes filled with tenderness.

“Ninth Master!” She grabbed his waist, but immediately released her grip.

So, what happened earlier was real!

Wouldn’t everyone in the household know?

She remembered her irrepressible moans filling the quiet inner chamber… rising to the clouds again and again, then falling… yet he was never satisfied… She was too exhausted to move, finally losing consciousness in a daze…

As these thoughts flashed through her mind, she lowered her gaze in embarrassment.

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Ling caressed her face, holding her in his arms and bringing a teacup to her lips. “Be good, drink some water… You sweated a lot earlier!”

Fu Tingyun only then realized they were both still naked, which made her somewhat shy. She hurriedly reached for the teacup, saying softly, “I’ll do it myself,” her tone revealing a hint of shyness.

Zhao Ling didn’t insist. After she drank the water and set the cup aside, he held her and leaned against the head of the bed.

Fu Tingyun felt embarrassed but had to admit that this skin-to-skin intimacy felt close and comfortable.

She couldn’t help but lean on his shoulder, smelling the faint scent of soap on his body.

Fu Tingyun suddenly realized they had both been washed clean, especially Zhao Ling, whose hair had also been washed.

What had happened after she passed out?

How had she slept so deeply?

Fu Tingyun had many questions but didn’t know which to ask first. She blurted out, “What time is it now?”

Zhao Ling looked out the window and said, “Almost dawn!”

“How did I sleep for so long?” Fu Tingyun was astonished.

Zhao Ling kissed the top of her head and said, “I didn’t let them wake you.” His hand habitually grasped her fullness.

This man!

Couldn’t he behave for a moment?

Fu Tingyun grumbled inwardly, but thinking of how long he had been gone, she couldn’t bear to upset him. She nestled docilely in his arms and asked about the children: “…When did they go to bed?”

“It was too late. I didn’t want them to disturb the children.” Zhao Ling smiled, lifting the quilt and lowering his head to take the rosy peak of her breast into his mouth.

Fu Tingyun felt somewhat relieved but then began to worry about his mischief—each time lasted longer than the last… She quickly pushed him away. “I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you! Can’t you be serious?”

“This is serious business, too!” Zhao Ling raised his head, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

Fu Tingyun was exasperated.

She struggled to get up.

“No, no, no.” Zhao Ling quickly embraced her. “I promise to behave properly, all right?” He added, “Ah Qun, I’ve finally come back for a visit.”

Fu Tingyun’s heart immediately softened. Following his wishes, she lay in his arms and couldn’t help saying, “Why did you suddenly return? You gave me such a fright! You didn’t even send a message in advance so I could prepare.”

Zhao Ling gently squeezed the fullness in his hand and teased, “Weren’t you well-prepared already?”

“You rascal!” Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhao Ling held her and kissed her wildly until Fu Tingyun, breathless, begged for mercy. Only then did he relent.

“The Grand Empress Dowager will be celebrating her seventieth birthday,” he said as Fu Tingyun lay quietly in his arms, tucking in the quilt corners. “I’m accompanying the newly appointed Pacification Commissioner to the capital to present birthday gifts…”

“You received news so quickly?” Fu Tingyun was very surprised. “I heard from Third Sister’s husband that the Grand Secretariat just started discussions these past few days.”

Zhao Ling twisted his lips and said, “This idea was originally suggested by Li Xiang to Grand Secretary Chen… We knew about it early on.”

The current Emperor had ascended to the throne through the Qing Emperor’s side, making him even more mindful of righteousness. Mobilizing the entire country to celebrate the Grand Empress Dowager’s seventieth birthday was precisely a demonstration of filial piety. Once someone proposed it, the Emperor couldn’t help but be moved.

Fu Tingyun was concerned, however. “Haven’t you returned too early?”

“Wasn’t I thinking about you and the children?” Zhao Ling raised his eyebrows at her, his hand sliding down along her curves.

Fu Tingyun was both angry and amused. She slapped his hand and pretended to put on a serious face. “I think your missing the children is genuine, but missing me is false!”

“How could that be!” Zhao Ling chuckled. “Without you, where would the children come from? I miss you all!”

Seeing his playful expression, Fu Tingyun could no longer keep up her pretense and laughed along with him.

“However, I shouldn’t show my face these next few days,” Zhao Ling laughed. “That Pacification Commissioner hasn’t even left Guizhou yet!”

After Zhao Ling quelled the Miao and Yi rebellion, the Emperor established four Pacification Commissions in Guizhou to appease the Miao and Yi people, appointing four tribal chiefs as Pacification Commissioners.

“You’re being far too reckless!” Fu Tingyun was startled, the previous tenderness vanishing, replaced by alarm. “If the Emperor finds out, it would be a serious crime. Even if he doesn’t investigate now, there’s no telling when it might be brought up…” She continued, “How could you be so careless!” Yet she understood in her heart that he had missed her and the children terribly, which was why he had risked such great impropriety by secretly returning to the capital. Tears began to fall uncontrollably. “If you missed us, I could have taken the children to see you. How could you return privately?” Then, disregarding everything else, she lifted the quilt to get up. “I’ll prepare some dry rations for you. Tonight, under the cover of darkness, you can return to Guizhou. Even waiting halfway for those Pacification Commissioners would be better…”

Zhao Ling hurriedly pulled Fu Tingyun back.

Fu Tingyun stumbled and fell into Zhao Ling’s arms.

“The morning air is cold; be careful not to catch a chill.” He comforted her. “Don’t worry, the imperial edict for the Grand Empress Dowager’s seventieth birthday celebration should be issued in the next few days. I’ll stay home for two days to see you and the children, then leave. Then I’ll wait for those Pacification Commissioners at Zhang Family Bay. Nothing will happen!”

Fu Tingyun, however, sensed something suspicious.

Her face filled with alarm as she grabbed Zhao Ling’s hand. “What are you planning to do?”