Chapter 3.1

“You don’t have any acupuncture marks,” Yuhu said, pushing the blanket down to his waist. Her smooth hand glided along his firm chest. Though not bulging with muscles, it was also not slack or soft. Each muscle was well-defined, contracting powerfully, unlike her father’s belly, which had sagged into a flabby mess after forty. She was very curious about a man’s body. Since no one had told her to act shy when seeing her husband’s body, she naturally looked openly. As long as she knew that she shouldn’t look at other men’s bodies, it was all right. Besides, they had been intimate; it made no sense not to look. Alas, he had taken advantage of her, making it hard to think of him as anything but her husband.

Qi Tianlei wrapped his arms around her slim waist. Sunlight streamed in, casting a silver glow, illuminating the gauzy curtains, and revealing her full beauty to him.

“Yes! Brother Liu is indeed skilled in medicine.”

“Hey!” She hit his chest.

“Are you angry?” He kissed her lips, again and again.

“One day, I’ll get tired of your evasions and strangle you,” she said, wrapping a lock of her long hair around his neck, her eyes threatening.

Qi Tianlei laughed deeply. Flipping over, he pressed her beneath him, lightly tapping her nose.

“Tell me, after five days in the Qi family, what do you think of this place?”

“A grand mansion filled with odd people and repulsive faces.”

“That bad?”

Evidently sharing her view, he laughed again. His chest vibrated against her snow-white body. “You’re very clever. Once you improve your literacy, not only will no woman in the world compare to you, but even men will pale in comparison.”

“Nonsense, there’s a well-known beauty in Yangzhou whom no one can match,” she said.

“Isn’t that you, Miss Du Bingyan?”

“Uh—uh—no—not just me!” Yuhu blinked rapidly, took a breath, and continued, “The rumors about me are false. There’s another young lady who is the epitome of a noblewoman, skilled in everything, as gentle as moonlight, and as beautiful as a celestial being. You’d kick me aside and be completely smitten by her.”

Her earnest speech was met with a bemused look from her husband. He propped his head on one hand, stroking her cheek with the other.

“Do you know what your other great virtue is? You don’t envy others; you double down on praising their good points. If all women were like you, the world would be at peace. A woman’s ugliest trait isn’t her appearance; it’s a jealous heart that can’t stand others’ happiness. A woman’s greatest beauty doesn’t lie in her looks but in the kindness and charm that emanate from her heart.”

That was too profound! This man could turn beauty and ugliness into philosophy! She laughed, “All I know is if you were ugly and sickly today, it would take a lot longer to get along with you, and it would be doubly hard to love you.”

So honest!

“Has Brother Liu won your heart?” His eyes held no worry, only confidence and pride. He knew she was his! This arrogant man.

She laughed and replied, “Too many hearts already vie for his attention; why add mine to the mix? I’d rather find a man nobody wants and devote my heart to him.”

“Thank you, dear wife, for your compassion! Such a kind heart!” He laughed heartily, once again capturing her lips until she could barely breathe. She murmured, “I thought you were very gentle. Sickly people are usually weaker, aren’t they?”

“Are you trying to probe my secrets again?”

“For someone so skilled at evading questions, how could I succeed? You can always pick what to tell me.”

“I’d rather talk about your future work with Shizhao first.” His expression suddenly turned serious, showing how much he cared, even a hint of jealousy.

Yuhu curiously looked at him.

“Not happy? It’s normal! No husband would want another man near his wife. Why not directly oppose the Grand Madam? Or do you have a better plan?”

“If I die, everything in the Qi family will fall to Ke Shizhao. He’s been diligent with the business for four years and ruthless with others. The Grand Madam is also a strong-willed person who greatly appreciates him. If I’m not mistaken, the Grand Madam plans for him to marry you after my death, continuing the Qi family business.”

“The Grand Madam would think so far ahead? Even about me?”

Qi Tianlei gave a cold smile.

“Did you forget the Grand Madam told the Du family that if I died, you’d return to them? But she’s grown quite fond of you and wouldn’t let you go easily. She’d quickly find you a suitable match to ensure everything’s secure.”

“Then where would you be?” Yuhu cried indignantly.

“In a coffin,” he answered with a laugh. “A top-quality purple sandalwood coffin, with such rich burial goods that grave robbers would loot it within three days, causing a huge commotion.”

“Tianlei!” She covered his mouth, not letting him speak further, but she clearly saw the sorrow in his eyes. Her eyes reddened. “You won’t die!”

“Of course not. I don’t plan to let another man see this beautiful body, especially that scoundrel Ke Shizhao!” He pulled her hand down, his gaze soft and intoxicating.

“You don’t need to worry about me being bullied by him. I can protect myself.” When necessary, she’d find a way to beat him to the ground!

“Before that, let’s visit Daiyun Mountain!”

“Daiyun Mountain?”

“The tall mountain west of Quanzhou, with its peak covered in white clouds all year, like wearing a hat. The clouds change colors with the weather, creating a rainbow-like spectacle. You’ll love it. We’ll go for ten days, and I’ll teach you about the business. Besides, outside, you’ll have the chance to understand me better.”

That sounded good! But would the elders allow it?

“Aren’t you afraid the Grand Madam and mother will strongly oppose?”

“They won’t. As long as they believe I don’t have much time left, they won’t make things difficult and will go along with my wishes.”

It seemed being “sickly” had its only advantage. Yuhu softly asked, “What if you ‘suddenly’ recovered completely one day, with no illness or pain? What would people think—”

Qi Tianlei’s indifferent response took her by surprise, “There’d just be another truly dead Qi Tianlei.”

This was no small matter! She nearly jumped up.

“What do you mean? Could it be—”

“No! I didn’t imply anything.” Qi Tianlei quickly seized her lips, letting the sudden surge of passion engulf their thoughts!

Tomorrow… Yuhu drowsily thought, no matter what, she must find out what he meant by those words. Tomorrow was a crucial day! He couldn’t keep her in the dark… The Qi family was indeed strange!

As Qi Tianlei anticipated, the Grand Madam readily agreed to his request, considering it a relaxing break for Yuhu before she joined the business operations; it would be even better if she became pregnant during this period. Naturally, Liu Ruoqian, the doctor, had to accompany them.

They planned to depart the next day. While heading back from the front courtyard to the new garden, Qi Tianlei, knowing her love for sweet plums, dragged Liu Ruoqian to carry several buckets of them to the new garden, intending to take them along in the carriage. Yuhu had to wait alone in the pavilion on the Nine-Curved Bridge. Despite her repeated assurances of her strength, the two men absolutely refused to let her help, insisting she stay and keep watch. She was to prevent any servants or idlers from approaching the cellar, as seeing the young master displaying such strength might be shocking. Besides, it would be unseemly for the master to be sneaking around.

For the love of pickled plums, she had to keep watch.

Honestly, those two brothers sometimes didn’t seem like adults, always engaging in childish activities. It was rare to see such people growing up in a grand mansion like this.

She idly looked up at the blue sky, just as she began to enjoy the peace and quiet, her body tensed. Lowering her gaze, she saw Ke Shizhao approaching with a sly, charming smile.

He must have seen her alone and decided to flirt with her! Good! She wanted to see just how shameless he could be. Today, she’d give him a chance to reveal his true nature.

She never had a good impression of these aristocratic sons, and Ke Shizhao embodied all the traits she despised.

“Cousin-in-law, enjoying the scenery alone? I just saw Liu Daifu and Cousin walking off together. Why did they leave you here by yourself?” Ke Shizhao said, fanning himself in a feigned genteel manner. He was dressed in all white, looking quite the noble young master, likely captivating many girls.

By comparison, Tianlei, who also liked wearing white robes, had an air of elegance and clarity, while this man’s demeanor was fake and deceitful. His shifty eyes revealed his untrustworthy nature, making him utterly repugnant.

Yuhu glanced at him indifferently, unwilling to engage.

Ke Shizhao blocked her with one hand on the pillar behind her, twirling his fan provocatively in front of her, trapping her in a corner.

“Don’t you think being this close is inappropriate?” she asked coldly, raising her eyes to meet his.

“Who would dare speak ill of me? Did you see yesterday who’s destined to take over the Qi family?” Ke Shizhao arrogantly replied, moving even closer to her, inhaling her scent shamelessly.

“So, you don’t respect your cousin and think I’m easy to bully!” She lowered her head, targeting his hand. If he dared to go further, she planned to create an “accident.”

Unfortunately, she didn’t get the chance. A furious female voice called from behind them, “Brother Shizhao!”

Ke Shizhao’s eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly masked it with a smile, turning to face the girl.

“Xiaoqiao, what are you doing in the back courtyard?”

Xiaoqiao? Fang Dama’s eldest granddaughter. Yuhu crossed her arms, observing them. Ke Shizhao approached the girl, sweet-talking her. They seemed very close, the girl infatuated with him. Within moments, she was pleading with him, and Ke Shizhao quickly displayed his masculine authority, while Fang Xiaoqiao shot Yuhu a challenging look before throwing herself into Ke Shizhao’s arms.

It seemed Fang Xiaoqiao was another of Ke Shizhao’s conquests. How unfortunate! But what did that challenging look mean?

Yuhu was still pondering.

But Fang Xiaoqiao’s appearance spared her from Ke Shizhao’s harassment. After exchanging a few words with Yuhu, he was pulled away by Xiaoqiao!

The Fang sisters were all alike, arrogant and disregarding the masters, acting as if they were the ones in charge.

“Yuhu!”

Qi Tianlei’s voice called from the new garden’s gate; her spirits lifted as she saw her husband and Liu Ruoqian each carrying two buckets of plums. She lifted her skirt and ran to them!

It didn’t matter; Ke Shizhao couldn’t touch her!