Chapter 318: Heart Involuntarily Soaring

Chapter 318: Heart Involuntarily Soaring

Xiao Huai walked towards Tang Shuyi’s bedroom with his new clothes, his steps measured. He thought if she were to call out to him now, he would change elsewhere. It might be a bit awkward, but it was of no consequence. Pursuing someone required a thicker skin.

Fortunately, he reached the bedroom without hearing her voice. His lips curled up involuntarily; it seemed the lady was not without feelings for him.

Standing in the center of the bedroom, he surveyed his surroundings. Despite the heavy and solemn rosewood furniture, the room was brought to life with delicate decorations. The chairs and brocaded couches were adorned with many exquisite cushions that looked utterly comfortable at first glance.

He thought to himself, how his wife shared his tastes! Look, they both enjoyed the finer things in life.

His gaze finally rested on the spacious step-up bed. The bed was at least two meters wide - lonely for one, but just right for two.

The thought brought a flush to his face. He stopped himself and began changing clothes, laying his robe on the bed, his eyes inadvertently flicking to the wardrobe. Indeed, it was large enough to accommodate his attire as well…

Imagining his future life after moving in, Tang Shuyi, sitting outside, felt a stir in her heart. Traditionally, a woman’s boudoir was off-limits to other men, and although she and Xiao Huai were married, it was in name only. Their relationship was merely budding.

But they were both adults; certain events were inevitable. It seemed she should prepare herself mentally.

She took a sip of tea to calm the unusual emotions swirling within her, not allowing herself to wander in thought, letting things take their natural course. After all, her feelings towards Xiao Huai were not of dislike, but rather fondness.

At that moment, Cuiyun entered, carrying two exquisite boxes, "Madam, the jade you requested to be carved is ready."

"Let me see." Tang Shuyi reached for the boxes, opening one to reveal an elegant white jade coronet etched with cloud and thunder motifs, quite imposing. The other contained a jade pendant carved with patterns matching the coronet.

"It’s beautiful," Cuiyun remarked with a smile.

Tang Shuyi examined both items, nodding in agreement, "They are indeed beautiful."

"Madam, could you come here for a moment?"

Xiao Huai’s voice called from the bedroom, causing Tang Shuyi’s heart to leap. She sensed that Xiao Huai was behaving rather unusually today.

Nevertheless, she rose to her feet and entered the room. There she saw Xiao Huai standing before her bed, his head bowed as he fiddled with his belt, his clothes laid upon her bed. The pale green bedsheet contrasted starkly with the black robe placed upon it.

"I can't seem to fasten this belt properly. Madam, could you assist me?" Xiao Huai said at that moment.

Tang Shuyi looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile, set her jade crown and jade pendant on the table, then walked over to him, and looking up, she said, "Only today did I realize the Marquis is so scheming."

Exposed, Xiao Huai felt somewhat embarrassed, but he feigned composure and said, "Madam understands me best."

Tang Shuyi was amused by his brazenness and, smiling, bent her head to tie his belt. In this moment, their proximity was so close they could hear each other's heartbeats and certainly each other's breath.

Xiao Huai shifted his arms, intending to embrace her, but ultimately restrained himself. He had already taken a significant step forward today; he couldn't overstep.

Listening to his heartbeat, Tang Shuyi's own heart started to race uncontrollably, and her cheeks flushed with the quickening pace. She hastened her movements, quickly securing the belt, and then immediately took a step back.

Xiao Huai's heart also pounded fiercely, and to prevent himself from acting inappropriately, he too stepped back. At that moment, his eyes caught the jade ornaments on the table, and his heart soared involuntarily.

"Are those for me, Madam?" he inquired.

Tang Shuyi hummed in affirmation, turned to take the jade pendant in her hand, and stepped forward to fasten it at his waist. Glancing back at the jade crown, she hesitated whether to place it upon him, when Xiao Huai spoke, "Madam, please put it on me."

"Alright." She was curious to see how her design would suit him.

Xiao Huai sat on the edge of the bed, and Tang Shuyi, holding the jade crown, positioned herself between his legs. She first removed the crown from his head, then gently set the white jade crown atop it.

Their closeness was too intimate, the position too suggestive; Tang Shuyi's hands trembled slightly. And Xiao Huai, gazing at the woman nearly pressed against him, inhaling her subtle fragrance, had no desire for restraint. Feeling her place the crown upon him, he wrapped his arms around her waist and gently drew her to sit upon his thigh.

Their eyes locked, their breaths intertwined, Xiao Huai's face loomed closer, and Tang Shuyi's hands clutched at his clothes involuntarily.

Xiao Huai raised his hand to stroke her head, and his face drew nearer...

"Mother...ah..."

Xiao Yuzhu burst in, then, like a gust of wind, rushed out again. The intimate atmosphere inside the room instantly dissipated, leaving only awkwardness.

Tang Shuyi stood up from Xiao Huai's lap, took a few steps back, and said, "This jade crown makes the Marquis even more handsome."

Xiao Huai rose to his feet, smiling at her, and said, "I thank you for the gift, Madam."

Suddenly so polite to each other, they both found it amusing and couldn't help but laugh. Then Tang Shuyi turned to leave, with Xiao Huai following closely behind. Outside, Xiao Yuzhu was nowhere to be seen, while Cui Zhu and Cui Yun looked guilty.

Observing that both their mistresses had entered the bedroom, the two maids did not dare to approach and stood guard at a distance. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yuzhu suddenly ran over and burst into the bedroom before they could stop her.

"Miss said she had something to discuss with the young master and went to the front courtyard," Cuicloud reported.

Tang Shuyi nodded calmly and then seated herself in a chair, with Xiao Huai settling next to her. After taking a couple of sips of tea, Tang Shuyi remarked, "Lady Yang is planning to visit tomorrow; I wonder what she intends to say."

"Perhaps to plead for leniency," Xiao Huai suggested.

Tang Shuyi nodded, "But her pleas will be in vain with me. The affair between Yang Taishi and Yuan Fei is something that if we could uncover, so could others. The reason it has remained secret for so many years is simply that they had no sworn enemies."

If not for Yang Taishi and Yuan Fei plotting against them, they would have had no cause to investigate the pair. If she were Lady Yang, she would seek a permanent resolution.

"How to proceed shall be at the madam's discretion."

Xiao Huai often deferred to Tang Shuyi in certain matters, mainly because he trusted in her capabilities. Since she was adept at handling them, there was no need for him to offer unsolicited advice.