Chapter 323: Once You’re Mine, You Cannot Touch Another Woman

Chapter 323: Once You're Mine, You Cannot Touch Another Woman

After chatting for a while, Tang Shuyi went to bathe and rest. But she had barely settled into the bath when a commotion arose outside. Frowning, she instructed Cuizhu, "Go see what's happening."

Cuizhu complied and stepped out, only to find Xiao Huai standing there. She hastily bowed, "Duke."

Xiao Huai hummed in acknowledgment, "Is the lady bathing?"

"Yes," Cuizhu replied.

"Then we'll wait until the lady has finished bathing," he said, taking a seat by a chair.

Cuizhu noticed his still-damp hair and surmised something must have happened. After another respectful bow to Xiao Huai, she turned back into the bath to inform Tang Shuyi, "The Duke is here, and his hair is wet; something must have happened."

Tang Shuyi's brows knitted slightly, then she rose. Cuizhu and Cuiyun hurried to help her dry and dress, and shortly after, she emerged from the washing room to find Xiao Huai wrapped in a cloak, his hair wet and carelessly tied, looking somewhat disheveled.

"What's the matter?" Tang Shuyi asked as she walked over, then turned to Cuiyun and said, "Bring over a handkerchief."

Xiao Huai reached out to pull her to sit beside him. Seeing this, Cuizhu and Cuiyun hurriedly left the room. Tang Shuyi asked again, "What has happened?"

"My lady, it's truly dangerous for me to stay alone in the study!" Xiao Huai grasped Tang Shuyi's hand, his face displaying a hint of grievance.

Tang Shuyi: "......"

What's this about? You, a commanding general, are afraid of staying in the study due to danger? Who would believe such a thing?

At that moment, Cuiyun brought over a handkerchief. Tang Shuyi took it and began to dry his hair. It was quite strange; their relationship had progressed rapidly just moments ago, and now they suddenly seemed like an old married couple. This development was indeed indescribable.

"What exactly happened?" Tang Shuyi asked again.

Being tended to by the woman he liked, Xiao Huai was thoroughly enjoying it. His earlier anger had vanished like smoke, and he said, "A maid from your courtyard claimed you sent her to bring me a sedative tea, and she lay on my bed while I was bathing."

Upon hearing his words, Tang Shuyi's face immediately darkened, and she stopped wiping his hair. Xiao Huai turned to look at her and, seeing her displeased expression, quickly said, "I was disheveled because I had just finished bathing. I had no physical contact with her."

"Pfft."

Tang Shuyi, originally upset by the situation, was now amused by his words. She raised her voice and called, "Someone come here."

Cuizhu and Cuiyun quickly entered. She then said, "Cuiyun, go to the study and see who used my name to send soup to the duke."

Upon hearing this, Cuizhu and Cuiyun were shocked. They exchanged glances and immediately left. Outside, Cuizhu asked, "Who could it be?"

Cuiyun snorted, "It must be that wench Qingling. I've caught her sneaking glances at the duke several times before."

Saying so, she strode towards the front courtyard, followed by several sturdy maids. In a short while, they reached the courtyard of the study. The soldiers guarding the gate recognized her as the lady's head maid, but they still interrogated her.

They were aware of the incident inside, and now even if a strange fly entered, they would scrutinize it closely. Cuiyun understood their duty and patiently answered each question before entering the courtyard.

There, she saw a woman lying on the ground, clad only in an undergarment and pants. Upon closer inspection, Cuiyun recognized her as Qingling. Not far off, several servants in heavy cotton-padded jackets were rubbing their hands while gazing at Qingling.

The servants all knew Cuiyun and greeted her eagerly: "Miss Cuiyun."

Cuiyun smiled at them and said, "You've all worked hard."

The servants quickly responded with courtesy, and Cuiyun turned back, her face cold as she looked down disdainfully at Qingling, who was nearly fainting from the cold, "You really are something, aren't you!"

Upon hearing her voice, Qingling struggled to crawl towards Cuiyun, shivering as she spoke, “Sister Cui... Cuiyun, I realize my mistake. Please implore the lady to forgive me.”

She truly acknowledged her error. Previously, she noticed that Xiao Huai and Tang Shuyi had not shared a room and deduced there must be issues between them. Gradually, she harbored some aspirations, thinking if she took advantage of the situation, she might ascend to become a concubine, thereby altering her fate.

Although she harbored these thoughts, she was initially too apprehensive and found no opportunity. Xiao Huai’s study was particularly inaccessible. But in recent days, witnessing the growing rapport between Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai, she realized she had to act before they fully reconciled, lest her opportunity slipped away.

Hence, today she brewed a soothing decoction, even adding some aphrodisiac herbs. She hoped that if today’s events turned favorable, she would transform her fate tomorrow.

But to her dismay, Xiao Huai didn’t immediately consume the brew, and contrary to her expectations, he remained indifferent even upon finding her in such a state on his bed. He even callously ordered her to be thrown into this frigid courtyard, where she was nearly frozen to death.

Naturally, Cuiyun was indifferent to her pleas. If today’s incident was allowed to succeed, it would only complicate matters between their masters.

“Take her away,” Cuiyun instructed the robust matrons behind her.

Upon hearing her command, the burly matrons grabbed Qingling from the ground and dragged her away. Qingling sobbed pitifully, but who would care?

Back in Shi'an Courtyard, Tang Shuyi helped Xiao Huai dry his hair, then brought over a brazier to completely dry it. Xiao Huai couldn’t help but internally exclaim how different life felt with a wife, watching her bustle about for him.

Once Tang Shuyi had casually tied his hair with a ribbon, he embraced her and suggested, “I should move in here, to avoid others coveting what’s mine.”

Tang Shuyi tugged at his collar and laughed. The more she interacted with him, the more she realized just how shameless this man could be, daring to say anything.

Caressing his chin, she laid down a condition, “If you’re to be mine, you must not touch another woman under any circumstances.”

Xiao Huai chuckled, his lips grazing her ear as he whispered, “Naturally, I will heed my lady’s every command.”

Tang Shuyi, resting her head against his chest, laughed, then after a moment, she declared, “I’m very pleased with you like this.”

Xiao Huai lowered his head, their lips meeting as he murmured, “I will strive to do better.”

Tang Shuyi, tantalized by his advances, responded to his kisses, continuing until they were interrupted by a commotion outside. They embraced, steadying their breaths. After a while, Tang Shuyi gently pushed him away, “There are blankets in the cabinet, help yourself and lay them on the couch.”

Xiao Huai: “……”

Even after all this, he’s still not allowed in the bed?

Seeing his perplexed expression, Tang Shuyi pecked him on the lips and teased, “Yuzhu is still residing here.”

With that, she pushed him away and walked out. Resigned, Xiao Huai went to fetch the bedding from the cabinet. Such were the inconveniences of ancient times, even a simple evening bath could cause quite the commotion with servants carrying water and changing it out.