Inside and outside the bed, where their four eyes met, there were sparks, gravity, and a hint of hidden sweetness.

After asking that question, Xiao Du came to his senses. His mind barely turned before he tentatively asked, “You mean that Crimson Moon Cloud Song?”

Yuanxi blinked her eyes and said incredulously, “You’re saying that stupid bird’s name is Crimson Moon Cloud Song…”

Xiao Du looked at her with grievance, “What stupid bird? That’s a rare tribute from the Western Regions. I spent so much effort finding it for you, and I used an entire night just to teach it that phrase—my voice went hoarse from teaching it.”

Yuanxi had been full of anger to vent, but seeing his serious explanation and thinking of that stupid parrot with such a spiritually rich name, she couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Xiao Du thought she was mocking him and was about to argue further when he suddenly realized that after their long separation, the reunited couple was sitting on a bed seriously discussing a parrot. Finding this absurd, he couldn’t help but lower his head and laugh as well. The somewhat awkward atmosphere in the room finally dissipated slowly in their mutual laughter.

After a while, Yuanxi stopped laughing, only then realizing they were sitting face to face on the bed, unconsciously very close together, creating quite an intimate atmosphere. Unable to get angry anymore, she could only put on a stern face and turn her head away, ignoring him.

Seeing the face he had missed day and night right before his eyes, with bright eyes still holding traces of laughter, Xiao Du felt as if they had never been separated. His heart stirred, and he couldn’t help but grasp her hand, saying gently, “I swear, today’s incident has nothing to do with me. It was all Uncle Feng’s own decision.”

Yuanxi looked up at him, suddenly feeling a bit petulant. She made as if to get up, “Since you didn’t intend this, quickly send someone to take me back.”

Xiao Du panicked and quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his face to her ear, “Not sending you back! There’s no reason to return a duck that’s already at my mouth!”

The warm, moist breath blowing into her ear made Yuanxi ticklish. She quickly turned her head to avoid it but couldn’t break free from his hand on her waist, only saying reproachfully, “Always using these roguish tricks.”

Xiao Du sensed her gentleness and the compromise in her words, feeling his heart bloom with joy. Taking advantage of her unpreparedness, he gently bit her earlobe, mumbling, “I’ve already done more roguish things anyway, so this doesn’t matter.”

Yuanxi felt tingly and numb all over from his kiss. Remembering that night, her face immediately flushed hot, then she said with resentment in a low voice, “If today’s incident hadn’t happened, would you never have come to find me again? I’m afraid in a few more days, you would have brought home a new bride.”

Xiao Du immediately felt very wronged and quickly explained seriously, “That day you called me shameless and said you needed time to think clearly. No matter how reluctant I was, I didn’t dare secretly run to find you again, afraid you’d get so angry you’d never speak to me again.” He paused, then grumbled in annoyance, “It’s all Luo Yuan’s fault. He was the one who suggested I write letters and send gifts, saying to use a gentleman’s method to win back your heart. I knew that boy was unreliable—I really shouldn’t have listened to him!”

Yuanxi found this strange and quickly turned back to ask, “Young tutor? Why would you ask him for advice?”

Knowing he had spoken carelessly, Xiao Du glared with dissatisfaction, “At a time like this, you’re not allowed to mention other people.” Yuanxi was about to argue—you mentioned him first—but was immediately silenced with sealed lips.

Once the passion accumulated for so long burst forth, the person before her was like a wolf that had been caged for ages, almost viciously ravaging her lips and teeth. Only when both could barely breathe did Xiao Du reluctantly release her. Seeing her flushed cheeks, misty eyes, and soft collapse into his arms, his heart felt both satisfied and delighted as he chuckled softly, “So my wife still prefers me to be a bit shameless. If I had known this, I wouldn’t have bothered trying to be a gentleman.”

Yuanxi felt her tongue was somewhat sore from his entanglement. She turned her head, panting as she scolded, “Truly shameless. How could you…” The rest of her words were blocked in her mouth. Her clothing had somehow loosened, and with his continuous conquering, her protests turned into helpless moans, drifting out the window with the room’s spring radiance, making even the withered branches in the courtyard seem to regain vitality.

The sun gradually moved west. The maids and servants outside wanted to enter several times to serve but were made to blush and burn with embarrassment by the sounds from inside, quickly turning to run away. The fierce battle inside finally ended with Yuanxi’s pleas for mercy.

Under the curling incense, layers of clothing had fallen to the floor. The cloud silk brocade on the bed was soaked through with sweat and love, clinging tightly to skin that trembled continuously from impact. Xiao Du’s bare chest rose and fell constantly as his fingertips gently caressed the neck of the person in his arms, which had been marked with red traces. Listening to her gradually steadying breath, he felt that nothing in this life could compare to this moment of her returning to his embrace. He gently rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice somewhat hoarse, “Still leaving?”

Yuanxi was drowsily nestled in his arms. Hearing his deep voice beside her ear, she felt her heart settled and peaceful. She lazily opened her eyes and reached out to embrace his firm waist and abdomen. Suddenly feeling mischievous, she gently bit his abdominal muscles before mumbling, “Not leaving anymore. You said you’d pester me for a lifetime.”

Xiao Du’s eyes darkened, feeling the bite both ticklish and tingly. The fire he had barely suppressed in his belly flared up again, so he scooped her up and kissed her fiercely, gritting his teeth, “Seems you really aren’t afraid of death.”

Yuanxi quickly laughed and pushed away his restless hands, cuddling in his arms and coaxing in a pleading tone, “No more, I’m so hungry. Let’s go eat first, okay?”

Xiao Du was stirred up by her teasing but couldn’t resist her soft pleading. He reluctantly suppressed the urge to devour her again, only then noticing the sly smile that flashed in her eyes. He resentfully pinched her chin, “After going back once, who knows what books you read to learn to be so wicked. Someday I’ll throw away all those improper books in your room.”

Yuanxi finally managed to gain the upper hand and laughed happily. Seeing his frustrated expression of unsatisfied desire, she climbed up to his neck and whispered in his ear, “This time I disappeared without explanation—father will definitely be so angry he won’t acknowledge me anymore. I’m afraid I can’t return to the Left Chancellor’s residence.” She lowered her head, her voice gentle yet resolute, “From now on, wherever you are will be my home.”

Xiao Du’s body shook violently. He turned to look into her eyes and saw that although she was smiling, there was a glimmer of tears. He understood she had staked everything to entrust herself to him. His eyes also grew warm as he reached out to intertwine their fingers, saying word by word, “Not just me—there will also be our children. This is our own home that no one can tear apart.”

Yuanxi was startled and couldn’t help but gently caress her lower abdomen, feeling a strange warmth flowing through her body. Yes, she had a husband and would have her own children. She was no longer that girl who would count icicles alone on winter nights. Heaven had finally been kind to her.

In the jade tower with gentle songs and graceful dances, outside was a scene of luxury and indulgence, but inside two people sat in silence playing chess amid the fragrant tea.

The one holding black stones was clearly at a disadvantage. Seeing a group about to be surrounded and killed by white stones, he remained calm and unhurried, only lifting his tea cup to hide the smile at the corner of his lips.

The person sitting across from him placed a stone and looked up to see this expression, also smiling, “It seems I should congratulate the Marquis. I presume your wife has returned to the residence?”

Xiao Du smiled noncommittally, his Adam’s apple bobbing. In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to thank him, only silently noting this favor in his heart.

He suddenly remembered something, his expression growing stern, “You saw him at the temple last time? Did he suspect anything?”

Luo Yuan replied, “He didn’t suspect anything. He only said I did well and would find ways to promote me in the future.”

Xiao Du sneered, “Good. Find a way to stay close to him and see what exactly he’s planning regarding his own biological daughter. Initially he insisted on taking her away, yet secretly allowed you to persuade her to return.”

Luo Yuan fingered the chess piece in his hand, his brow slightly furrowed, “I’ve always found this strange too. Even when I was teaching at the Chancellor’s residence, I vaguely felt Chancellor Xia’s attitude toward your wife was odd, as if he was deliberately concealing something.”

Xiao Du suddenly looked up at him deeply, “Speaking of which, I’ve never understood why you would help me. In terms of friendship, Chancellor Xia was at least your former employer with some connection. In terms of power and prospects, he surpasses me a hundredfold. Moreover…”

He didn’t continue, but Luo Yuan already understood. Moreover, there was the matter of Yuanxi—he should have resented him, so why would he help without any grudge?

Luo Yuan only smiled without speaking, gently picking up a chess piece. Only after the white stone fell did he say lightly, “Does the Marquis trust me or not?”

Xiao Du’s right hand tapped lightly on his knee, his gaze hesitating on the chessboard for a long time. Finally, he exhaled gently, “At this point, of course I trust you.”

Luo Yuan looked up with a serene smile, “Since you trust me, why ask?”

Xiao Du narrowed his eyes and finally laughed along with him, no longer pursuing this topic.

Neither spoke again, only concentrating on placing stones until the game was decided. Only then did Xiao Du brush his robe and look up casually, “Wenqian, you’re at that age now. You should consider taking a wife, shouldn’t you?”