He exhaled deeply as a maid delivering pastries swayed back and forth beside him. Zhuang Shi Yang’s gaze fell on her shapely figure.
Since Concubine Mei became pregnant, he hadn’t shared her bed. Setting aside Concubine Wan who had been neglected for years, and Madam Zhou whom he found increasingly irritating since her miscarriage, there was no one to warm his bed in the vast Zhuang manor.
With these thoughts, he suddenly grabbed the maid who was bending to set out pastries, pulling her firmly into his embrace.
The maid appeared only fifteen or sixteen, fair-skinned and pretty, but lacking sensuality. Zhuang Shi Yang initially intended to taste this flower, but seeing her awkward movements and remembering Concubine Mei’s alluring charm, he suddenly lost interest and released her: “You may go.” He thought to himself that in a few days, he should have the steward buy some beautiful, pleasing maids—he hadn’t noticed before, but now he felt his household lacked concubines.
The maid was startled when Zhuang Shi Yang released her. She had thought the lord’s actions meant he was interested in her, hoping that if she pleased him, she might be elevated to a bedchamber attendant. His sudden dismissal left her at a loss.
Seeing her standing there dumbfounded, Zhuang Shi Yang grew angrier, his voice darkening: “Why are you still standing there? Get out!”
The maid’s eyes immediately filled with tears as she retreated with a red face. Zhuang Shi Yang felt irritated and threw down his brush forcefully.
Just then, the door creaked open again. Without looking, Zhuang Shi Yang threw the pastry plate: “Didn’t you hear me tell you to get out?”
The plate shattered with a crash, and a slightly flustered, tender voice called out: “Brother-in-law…”
Hearing this voice, Zhuang Shi Yang jerked his head up to see Elder Madam Zhou standing in the doorway.
Today Elder Madam Zhou wore a water-red gauze dress that made her fair skin appear even more delicate. Her lips were naturally red, her brows naturally verdant, her face like a silver basin, her eyes like water chestnuts. She moved with graceful elegance, wearing a phoenix hairpin with South Sea pearls that radiated brilliance while exuding endless charm. Compared to her usual appearance, she had taken more care with her appearance. She was already an extremely beautiful and petite woman but dressed this way, she looked like a heavenly immortal.
Unlike the awkward maid from before, though she was already a mother, she remained exceptionally alluring. Her charm carried a seductiveness that young girls lacked. Zhuang Shi Yang, who was already attracted to Elder Madam Zhou and had been abstinent for days, almost pounced on seeing his dream woman.
In the end, he controlled his impulse and merely stood up eagerly: “Why have you come?”
Elder Madam Zhou smiled submissively, her eyes showing unmistakable concern: “I heard brother-in-law hasn’t been well lately, so I came to check on you.”
“Lan’er… you’re the only one who cares about me.” Zhuang Shi Yang was deeply moved by the beauty’s concern.
Elder Madam Zhou lowered her head, saying softly: “Of course, I worry about my brother-in-law.”
With no one outside the study at present, seeing her girlish manner, Zhuang Shi Yang’s heart stirred and he stepped forward: “Lan’er, I truly care for you.” These words were half-true, half-false. Zhuang Shi Yang had always liked submissive women, initially attracted to Madam Zhou for her attentiveness, but compared to Elder Madam Zhou before him, Madam Zhou was nothing. Elder Madam Zhou’s entire being seemed made of water, every smile and gesture full of allure. Zhuang Shi Yang had never met a woman who moved his heart so much—even though she was Zhang Tai Shi’s favored concubine, he now felt the urge to steal a taste.
He embraced Elder Madam Zhou: “Lan’er…” Seeing her only struggle slightly without real resistance, his heart leaped with joy as he carried her toward the bed behind the study.
After their intimacy, Elder Madam Zhou nestled softly in Zhuang Shi Yang’s arms: “Brother-in-law…”
Zhuang Shi Yang didn’t correct her form of address. This title carried a forbidden quality that enhanced his pleasure in the illicit affair. He lowered his head to smell the fragrance in her hair and asked hoarsely: “What is it?”
“Lan’er has one request.” Elder Madam Zhou looked at him, her beautiful eyes full of pitiful hope.
Zhuang Shi Yang’s heart melted, ready to grant her anything: “What is it? Whatever I can do, I will make it happen.”
Elder Madam Zhou smiled: “My Lord, please don’t make Concubine Mei the principal wife.”
Zhuang Shi Yang never expected this request and was startled. Seeing this, Elder Madam Zhou quickly wrapped her jade arms around his neck and said softly: “Though my sister can be stubborn, she’s still considerate and sensible. If my lord makes Concubine Mei the principal wife, I fear it will break my sister’s heart. Lan’er knows she has no right to say this, but I can’t bear to see my sister crying every day. Please grant this wish, my lord.”
Hearing her words, Zhuang Shi Yang exclaimed: “Lan’er, you think so much of others—you truly are a kind woman.” After thinking, he added: “Now that I cherish you like my own heart, I will certainly fulfill your request. I promise I won’t make Mei’er the principal wife.”
Elder Madam Zhou smiled, but her expression soon darkened. Zhuang Shi Yang noticed the change and quickly asked: “Does Lan’er have other troubles?”
“Now that brother-in-law and I have this relationship,” Elder Madam Zhou said, lowering her eyes, “Lan’er admires brother-in-law, but regrettably I am another’s concubine. I wish we had met before I married. Now that we’ve shared one night of grace, I only hope that after tomorrow, my brother-in-law will forget this happened, and there will be no more connection between us.”
Hearing this, Zhuang Shi Yang grew anxious: “How can that be? Lan’er, I only want you.”
Tears gleamed in Elder Madam Zhou’s eyes: “But our affair must remain hidden from others, never able to appear openly before people. I don’t even have a memento—how can I sustain such a relationship?”
“Lan’er.” Naturally unwilling to let go of such beauty, Zhuang Shi Yang said: “If you like, I will find the world’s most special thing as a token of our love. Whenever you see it, you’ll think of me.”
Elder Madam Zhou looked at him: “Do you mean it?”
“I do.” Zhuang Shi Yang spoke firmly.
Only then did Elder Madam Zhou smile through her tears: “Why need the world’s most special thing? I only want… the most special thing from the Zhuang manor.”
Seeing her smile, Zhuang Shi Yang relaxed: “Whatever you like, anything is fine.”
Elder Madam Zhou said playfully: “I want you to place all the Zhuang manor’s treasures before me and let me choose my favorite. Brother-in-law, would you be willing?”
As she spoke, her eyes curved like a fox’s, enchantingly beautiful. Zhuang Shi Yang was already entranced, his heart stirring uncontrollably as he murmured: “Willing, willing.” With that, he began another round of intimacy with her.
Meanwhile, the day of Zhuang Yu Shan’s homecoming visit was approaching.