Chapter 151

Zhao Ling burst into laughter and whispered something softly into Fu Tingjun’s ear. Her face immediately flushed like the evening clouds, and she shot him a fierce glare before hurrying into the inner chamber.

She didn't realize that her sidelong glance, filled with a touch of coquettish pique, was so charmingly moving that it made Zhao Ling’s heart itch. After a moment's hesitation, he followed her, pulling the sliding partition doors of the inner chamber shut behind him.

An exclamation from Fu Tingjun immediately rang out from the inner chamber, followed by low whimpers, as if her voice had been muffled by something...

It wasn't until the beginning of the hour of the Pig that the door to the inner chamber finally opened.

Having received instructions from Zheng Sanniang, Zhenzhu and Kou’er—one carrying hot water and the other carrying food—carefully placed everything in the parlor and hurried away.

Fu Tingjun was overcome with shame, pulling the thin quilt up to her shoulders. "It’s all your fault. Everyone probably knows by now!"

"Let them know, then." Zhao Ling wrung out a cloth. "I’m pampering my own wife, why should I feel guilty? It’s fine if they say nothing, but if any rumors start circulating, I’ll have a word or two with them." He sounded perfectly justified, leaving Fu Tingjun between laughter and tears. Zhao Ling reached under the quilt with the cloth. The warmth of the cloth against her sore and weary body made her want to moan in comfort, but remembering her mother’s teachings, she sat up straight and grabbed the cloth. "I’ll do it myself!"

"Let me." Zhao Ling was insistent. He kissed her forehead and whispered, "It’s all my fault... I really couldn't help myself..." His movements became increasingly gentle.

Fu Tingjun’s face felt burning hot.

During these past few days, every time he first held her, whether it was kissing or caressing, he seemed urgent and restless. He would rush through the preliminaries and head straight for the main event, not at all like the steady and calm person in her memory... It was only after he had caught his breath, during the second round, that he would slow down. Even then, he was far from steady or calm; he dared to do anything and say anything, his passion so intense that even her own sense of shame began to fade.

There was no need to mention the wedding night; she had been in great pain but had endured it, remembering the words of her Sixth Aunt. Later, she had been tossed about until she was dazed, and somehow they ended up in each other's arms again, and the fear in her heart had vanished. Although his restlessness the next day made her a bit uncomfortable, seeing how happy he was, she didn't find it particularly unpleasant... Just now, he had been just as urgent when he held her, but as soon as the memories of the pleasure he had given her yesterday surfaced in her mind, her body went soft... While it wasn't as soul-searing as what followed, it certainly couldn't be called unpleasant.

But how could she say such things to Zhao Ling?

Yet, she didn't want him to misunderstand either.

Fu Tingjun snatched the cloth and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, "I—I’m fine," then turned away to wipe herself.

Zhao Ling let her be.

Whether she was "fine" or not, it wasn't as if he couldn't feel it.

When it was good, she would silently invite him with eyes that were misty and brimming with desire. That look of wanting to speak yet holding back was so charming that every time he thought of it, a fire seemed to burn within him. But when it wasn't good, she would blush and avoid his gaze...

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh.

If he could just restrain himself a little when he first held her, his Nannan would probably feel even better.

He gave her a firm squeeze and said softly, "I’ll go bring the food in."

"No, there’s no need!" She wasn't ill or bedridden, so there was no reason to eat in bed. Fu Tingjun hurriedly said, "Wait a moment for me, I’ll be ready soon."

Zhao Ling simply wanted to be close to Fu Tingjun. Even if they did nothing but look at each other, the feeling of her being by his side filled his heart with infinite tenderness.

"Alright!" He gazed at her with smiling eyes. "I’ll help you wring the cloth."

Fu Tingjun breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn't dare refuse, fearing that another idea might pop into Zhao Ling’s head.

She had already experienced just how bold he could be.

Zhao Ling helped Fu Tingjun wring the cloth, and once she finished washing, he went to pour out the water. Fu Tingjun took the opportunity to get dressed. When Zhao Ling returned to the inner chamber, he took her hand and led her to the parlor for dinner.

Since arriving in the capital, Fu Tingjun had lived a very disciplined life. Because it was long past the usual dinner hour, she had lost her appetite. Zhao Ling secretly blamed himself. Afraid she might suffer from indigestion, he didn't press her to eat much, but served her a bowl of old hen soup with ginseng and goji berries, along with some light dishes like home-style tofu and water bamboo.

Fu Tingjun found the meal very comforting.

After dinner, Zhao Ling took her for a walk in the courtyard. "In the future, we should walk for half an hour after every dinner to stay healthy." He lamented, "It’s a pity the courtyard is so small. If we were in Zhangye or at the Nianbo Station, we could go for a walk in the streets."

"Is Ninth Master still thinking about Zhangye?" Fu Tingjun smiled and suddenly remembered something. "Do you have a way to contact the wife of Lord Wang, Wang Dan? When I was in Zhangye, Madam Wang took great care of me. Now that I’m married, I’d like to send her word."

"There are courier routes for official documents. Once my leave is over, I’ll help look into it and see who to contact," Zhao Ling said with a smile. "Fortunately, Madam Wang’s family are also military households; otherwise, it would be quite difficult to send a letter."

The two chatted idly, and seeing that it was getting late, they returned to their room to rest.

Zhao Ling held Fu Tingjun, his chin resting against the top of her head, and asked in a low voice, "What incense are you using? It smells wonderful!"

"I don't use incense." After several hours of intimacy with Zhao Ling, Fu Tingjun was a bit tired. Drowsily, she said, "I made some flower dew myself... just common fragrant plantain lily, magnolia... if you like it, I’ll make more later..."

Zhao Ling gave an "mm" in response. When he looked at Fu Tingjun again, she had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Watching her gentle, serene expression, his heart filled with adoration, and he couldn't help but press his lips to the top of her head.

...

Just as dawn broke, habit caused Fu Tingjun to wake up. She wanted to turn over, but found that the fullness of her chest was being held by a large hand, and she was sleeping in Zhao Ling's arms with his arm as her pillow.

Her face flushed slightly as she gently pulled the large hand out from her bodice... but it only drew a few dissatisfied grumbles from Zhao Ling. His grip on her fullness tightened, his thumb rubbing against the rosy peak, and his mouth pressed against her neck, sucking and kissing...

This fellow!

Fu Tingjun was both ashamed and annoyed. She grabbed his restless hand, only to hear Zhao Ling’s drowsy voice by her ear: "You’re awake!"

"Mm!" Fu Tingjun struggled to get up. "It’s getting late."

Zhao Ling exerted his strength, locking her firmly in his embrace. He bit her ear and asked, "Is there anything to do today?"

Fu Tingjun felt a wave of weakness wash over her body, and her mind went blank. After a moment, she stammered, "No, nothing in particular..."

Before the words had even left her mouth, Zhao Ling had flipped over and pinned her beneath him.

"Good then," he said, his eyes sparkling and full of energy, with no trace of his previous drowsiness. "Let’s do something else..." As he spoke, he covered her mouth with his and began stripping her clothes with busy hands.

Fu Tingjun’s eyes widened, but all her protests turned into muffled whimpers.

Zhao Ling laughed and released her lips.

She gasped for air. "It’s broad daylight..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Zhao Ling had already stripped off his own clothes and leaned down to kiss her.

She turned her head away, and his kiss landed on her cheek.

"Don't be like this," Fu Tingjun’s neck turned red with shame. "Zhenzhu and the others will be coming soon to serve us for washing. Tonight, how about tonight?" Her voice was soft and sweet, as if she were pleading with him.

His heart raced even faster.

He took her hand and guided it downward...

"I didn't sleep well at all last night!" Zhao Ling’s voice was hoarse and low, filled with an indescribable, heart-fluttering ambiguity. "It’ll only take a moment..."

"You..." That large thing was hot and firm, even twitching twice in her palm. Her heart drummed against her ribs, and she could no longer find the words to speak.

Zhao Ling took the opportunity to thrust inside...

Fu Tingjun let out an "ah" and was immediately filled with that strange sensation of fullness... Her rounded hips were cupped as that large thing moved in and out of her... Her body grew hotter and hotter... She couldn't help but think dazedly that since it had come to this, she wouldn't be able to leave this inner chamber until noon...

...

Sure enough, they didn't emerge from the inner chamber until lunchtime.

Fu Tingjun looked at Zhao Ling, who was eating lunch as if nothing had happened, and felt exasperated. "It’s a good thing there are no elders here. If there were elders at home..." she surely wouldn't have been let off so easily.

Zhao Ling only laughed at her words.

Having indulged himself for two days in a row, he felt satisfied in both body and mind.

He placed a lamb chop in her bowl. "Rest this afternoon. We’ll go see the lantern festival tonight."

Fu Tingjun couldn't really stay angry with Zhao Ling over this.

She took a fierce bite of the lamb chop, which made Zhao Ling laugh heartily.

Fu Tingjun warned him, "In a bit, we’ll each rest in our own space."

Zhao Ling winked at her. "Don't worry, I’ll go to the study to read."

Is this still the reserved and steady Zhao Ling I first met?

Fu Tingjun muttered to herself.

Zhao Ling just looked at her with a good-natured smile.

After lunch, he really did go to the study.

Fu Tingjun had Kou’er attend to him while she went to the inner chamber to catch up on sleep. After dinner that evening, the carriage Zhao Ling had hired arrived.

Seeing her confused look, Zhao Ling explained, "West Street will be crowded with people; there won't even be a place to park. Instead of having Zheng San wait there, it’s better to hire a carriage. The lantern market on West Street will be open for five days. Tomorrow we’ll go to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense, and in the evening, we’ll let Zheng San take A Sen and the others to West Street to see the lanterns while we stay home."

"We’re going out again tomorrow?" Fu Tingjun was surprised.

Zhao Ling pinched her nose affectionately. "Not only are we going to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense to Guanyin Bodhisattva, but we’re also going to White Cloud Temple to touch the monkey to ward off illness and evil, and to pray for your good health!" He said this, his gaze dimming slightly. "Ah Jun, once my leave is over, I’m afraid I won't have much time to spend with you..."

Fu Tingjun was deeply moved. she quickly took Zhao Ling’s hand. "Official duties come first. You can still spend time with me whenever you have a day off!"

Zhao Ling nodded with a smile.

Fu Tingjun then noticed A Sen standing under the eaves of the south house, pouting and looking at them unhappily.

She beckoned to A Sen. "What’s the matter?"

A Sen ran over quickly, shot a careful glance at Zhao Ling, and said aggrievedly, "Sister-in-law, are you going out?"