Chapter 59

Chapter 59

By night, after her bath, Jiang Chun lay calmly, waiting for Song Shian to come and bother her.

If he said some sweet words to coax her, she would be able to agree to his request for marital relations smoothly.

But this guy was even calmer than her; he just lay there honestly, not making any advances, not even saying a word.

Was he playing the game of Jiang Taigong fishing—where the fish takes the bait voluntarily?

This guy was really reserved and secretive; usually, even a simple kiss was reluctant, but whenever they started, he wouldn’t stop.

The same went for marital relations; every time she brought it up, he acted like a captured wife of a mountain king, looking helplessly forced.

But when it actually happened, he wasn’t reluctant at all; he even asked for a second round, almost exhausting her to death.

Now he was playing coy again.

It really amused her to the point of anger.

When it came to holding back, her impatient nature clearly couldn’t compare with his.

She couldn’t hold it in, really couldn’t.

She lightly kicked his leg and said with a frustrated tone, “Tonight, are we doing it or not? If not, I’m going to sleep.”

Song Shian took the opportunity immediately, saying, “Since my wife desires marital relations, as your husband, I naturally must satisfy you.”

Jiang Chun gave him a dirty look and sneered, “Should I thank my husband for being so considerate and caring?”

Song Shian shamelessly replied, “Between us, no need to be so polite.”

Jiang Chun rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky, “Tch, hypocritical man.”

When called hypocritical, Song Shian promptly shut her up by covering her mouth with his.

He kissed her thoroughly without any pretense or politeness, very earnestly.

He kissed every spot that should and shouldn’t be kissed, meticulously and countless times.

Jiang Chun was kissed to the point of passion, her body twisting like a twisted pastry, humming non-stop, even pressing against his manhood.

He was initially a bit worried, afraid that he had been too rough the previous night and hurt her, so he didn’t just go ahead recklessly. He carefully checked under the candlelight.

But he found that this tough woman was perfectly fine.

So he didn’t hold back.

He held her waist and slowly united with her.

Jiang Chun couldn’t help but let out a satisfied sigh, “Mmm…”

Song Shian closed his eyes, took a breath, and then began to work diligently.

In a movie Jiang Chun had watched in her previous life, someone sincerely asked, “Is that thing really that interesting?”

She couldn’t answer it before, but now she could: it was really interesting.

Especially when the person you’re doing it with is a man who is superior in physique and appearance, patient enough to wait until you’re aroused, focused on making you happy, and willing to think up techniques.

It was just too good!

And because it was so good, every time she climbed to the peak, she felt her blood pressure rising, her limbs twitching, like she had epilepsy, feeling the risk of a stroke or heart attack at any moment.

But Song Shian had just started enjoying it, acting like a young man, not satisfied with just one round, resting for a while before dragging her into a second round.

Later, she was so dazed that she didn’t even know when it ended, not sure if she had passed out or fallen into a deep sleep.

*

The newlywed couple, having just tasted the forbidden fruit, shamelessly indulged in each other for half a month, and it was now early September.

At dinner this day, Song Shian announced a piece of news, “I’ve found out about my cousin’s situation. She’s in a very bad position. I need to go to Shaoxing Prefecture before the canal freezes over and redeem her.”

Jiang He was surprised, “Shaoxing Prefecture? That’s far south.”

But he didn’t say anything to stop him. Since he said his cousin was in a bad situation, she was probably sold into a brothel.

That wasn’t a place for humans, and since they had news of her, and their son-in-law had 1,500 taels of silver, it was only right to redeem her.

Jiang Chun didn’t voice her opinion immediately but asked Song Shian at night when they returned to the west room, “Did you ask the county magistrate for help?”

Song Shian certainly hadn't entrusted Lu Zhengheng, but he didn't want to lie to Jiang Chun either. He dodged the question, saying, "It seems like Father isn't too keen on me going to Shaoxing Prefecture, but he didn't say it outright. What about you, my dear?"

Jiang Chun pulled a long face and snorted coldly, "Of course I wouldn't be happy about you going either. In a prosperous place like Shaoxing Prefecture, there are beautiful young ladies everywhere. What if you get tangled up and don't want to come back?"

Song Shian glanced at her sideways, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Beautiful ladies are indeed plentiful in the south, but they're all as delicate as willows in the wind. Even with a lantern, you wouldn't find a female warrior like you, who can carry a big fat pig on her shoulders and still walk with ease."

Jiang Chun reached out and lightly slapped his shoulder with a "pat," laughing as she scolded, "Are you praising me or making fun of me?"

Song Shian pulled her into his arms, kissed her forehead gently, and said softly, "Rest assured, I'll be back in at most a month and a half."

The section of the Grand Canal in Qi Prefecture typically froze over by the end of October, and he had to return before then.

Hearing this, Jiang Chun couldn't shake off the feeling that he was setting up a flag, a sense of foreboding creeping into her heart. What if something really happened?

After all, this plot didn't exist in the original story. Even as the author, she couldn't predict any potential mishaps.

She rolled her eyes and made a plan in her mind. But verbally, she only nodded and said, "Well, I trust you, husband. Otherwise, I would have objected during dinner."

In Song Shian's cold, clear phoenix eyes, affection overflowed. He bowed his head and kissed her lips lightly, asking with a smile, "What southern goods would you like? I'll buy them for you."

Jiang Chun looked up at him and gave him a big eye roll, "I'm a country woman who hasn't even left Hongye County. How would I know what goods there are in the south?"

Song Shian pursed his lips, knowing she was pretending to be ignorant, but dared not expose her. He could only explain, "There are many good things in the south: rouge, silk threads, embroidered sachets, round fans, tea, huangjiu, spices, and more."

Jiang Chun furrowed her brow, pretending to ponder. After a moment, she exclaimed, "Oh!" and nestled her head in his arms. "I can't think of what I want. Just pick a couple of things for me, husband."

She then added a line that fit her character perfectly, "Just don't buy anything too expensive. After all, I'm a rough person and can't tell the difference between good and bad goods."

As soon as she finished speaking, she reached her "sinister" claws toward his waist, grabbed and squeezed a few times, and let out a wicked chuckle, "Of course, I can tell the difference when it comes to this kind of goods."

Song Shian didn't expect her to make a move on him and couldn't help but pause in breath, his eyes darkening immediately. He said in a hoarse voice, "Do you want it again, my dear?"

Jiang Chun let go quickly to prove her innocence, "No, we're talking about something serious. Don't get any funny ideas."

Song Shian scooped her up into his arms, placed her on the kang, and said with certainty, "You're thinking about it. You don't need to hide it from me."

Jiang Chun: "..."

Heaven and earth knew, after a full meal the night before, she really wasn't thinking about it at the moment.

Oh well, he would be leaving for Shaoxing Prefecture in a few days, and there wouldn't be any opportunities for intimacy then. She could bear the "thinking about it" blame.

Naturally, they ended up spending another night of wild abandon, not stopping until the third watch.

The next morning, after breakfast, Jiang Chun drove a mule cart, taking Song Shian to Hongye County to inquire at the docks about any boats heading south.

As luck would have it, there was a boat heading to Hangzhou Prefecture the day after, stopping at Shaoxing Prefecture along the way. Jiang Chun immediately pulled out two taels of silver and booked a second-floor cabin.

The open berth on the lower level was indeed cheaper, costing only three hundred wen, but with dozens of people crammed together for over ten days, the smell and lack of privacy made it neither safe nor pleasant.

After leaving the dock, Jiang Chun took Song Shian to buy some necessary items for the journey, such as hand warmers, small earthen stoves for heating food, small clay kettles for boiling water, low-smoke charcoal, and medicinal supplies for seasickness, acclimatization, and diarrhea.

Since they had bought so many things, she simply purchased a wicker box to use as luggage, stuffing all the miscellaneous items inside.

Seeing this, Song Shian couldn't help but laugh, "Why don't you just have me bring a small iron pot and some oil? Then I could cook in the cabin myself."

Jiang Chun gave him a side-eye, "You can't cook. Why bring these burdens?"

She then turned to the old man selling the wicker boxes with a smile, "I think your wicker boxes are quite nice. Give me another one. I'll use it to store miscellaneous items at home."

The old man quickly took one from his unicycle, handing it to Jiang Chun, his eyes sparkling with joy, "Lady, you have good taste. My wicker boxes are the sturdiest. They'll last you a long time."

Not satisfied with just her purchases in the county, Jiang Chun rummaged through her home after returning, packing several sets of single and lined clothes, as well as shoes and socks for Song Shian into the wicker box.

She even managed to squeeze in a thick cotton outfit with great difficulty.

Watching quietly from the side, Song Shian felt a warmth in his heart. The more she packed, the more it showed her concern for him; she truly held him dear.

He hadn't even left yet, but he was already longing for home, unable to bear being apart from her for even a moment.

For the remaining two days, the couple spent almost every moment together, and at night, they indulged in each other late into the night, their battles intense and fulfilling.

In the blink of an eye, the two days passed, and it was time for Song Shian to set off.

*

Both Jiang Chun and her father, Jiang He, went together to see him off in Hongye County.

At the dock, Jiang Chun nagged a whole list of instructions, and even Jiang He, usually a man of few words, gave several parting words.

Song Shian lowered his head and listened attentively, nodding along without a hint of impatience.

It wasn't until the boarding call sounded that he reluctantly made his way towards the deck, taking a few lingering looks back, before finally being swept into the cabin by the crowd.

After finding his own cabin, he pushed the door open, placed the wicker trunk on the floor, and leaned his back against the door, trying hard to tilt his head back to keep the tears from falling.

But, despite his efforts, tears still uncontrollably slipped from the corners of his eyes.

Ever since Jiang He had bought him into the Jiang family, he and Jiang Chun had not been apart for a single day throughout the entire year. Especially now, when they were in the midst of a honeyed phase, the sudden separation was truly hard to bear.

The thought of not being able to see her for the next one and a half months made his heart ache as if it were being cut by a knife.

But he couldn't not save his cousin.

So, he could only endure the pain of separation, hoping to resolve everything quickly and return to reunite with her as soon as possible.

“Knock knock knock.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door behind him.

Thinking it was the ship's crew coming to check the passengers, he quickly wiped his tears with a handkerchief from his sleeve, stepped back, and opened the door.

As the door opened, Jiang Chun's smiling face appeared before him.

She giggled, “Ta-da! Surprise! Are you shocked? Are you surprised?”

Song Shian was completely stunned.

After a moment of dazed confusion, he said somewhat flustered, “What are you doing here? The ship is about to leave. You need to get off now, or you won't be able to later.”

As he spoke, he reached out to push her shoulders, trying to guide her out.

But Jiang Chun promptly slapped his hand away.

Carrying her wicker trunk, she walked straight into the cabin and placed it next to his.

As she examined the cabin's furnishings, she commented, “It's a bit small, but it's just the two of us. Unlike those with families, it's barely enough to live in.”

Only then did Song Shian realize she was also carrying a wicker trunk. This didn't look like she was just here to see him off. Could it be that…

He asked in surprise, “You're coming with me to Shaoxing Prefecture?”

Jiang Chun said matter-of-factly, “Of course! How could I possibly let my heavenly, unparalleled handsome husband travel alone? I must keep an eye on you myself to make sure no one else has any designs on you.”

A true beauty could captivate both men and women. She not only had to guard against women but also men. After all, there were quite a few high-ranking officials in ancient times who preferred the company of men.

Moreover, Song Shian's current status as a government slave placed him lower in society than ordinary servants. If he were to catch the eye of someone powerful, it could lead to trouble.

Upon hearing this, Song Shian was initially pleased, but then glared at her angrily, saying in a huff, “You had this plan, why didn't you tell me earlier? You made me…”

“I wanted to give you a surprise. If I had told you earlier, would it still have been a surprise?” Jiang Chun replied confidently, then asked suspiciously, “What did it make you?”

Before he could answer, she keenly noticed the signs—his reddened eyes and damp, long eyelashes—and exclaimed, “Oh my, oh my! Why are your eyes so red and your lashes so wet?

Could it be that you were secretly crying in the cabin, unable to bear being apart from me?”

Song Shian: “……”

This woman was sometimes incredibly oblivious and at other times, unnervingly perceptive. She had seen right through him just like that.

He turned his head and wiped his eyes with the handkerchief again, then turned back, saying nonchalantly, “Don't make wild guesses. My eyes were just irritated by the strong wind on the ship.”

Jiang Chun leaned in, her eyes like two little suns scanning his face, and wrapped her arms around his neck, hanging onto him as she giggled, “Oh, it's okay to cry. There's no shame in it. I've seen you cry before...”

“You have not!” Song Shian immediately cut her off.

Jiang Chun clicked her tongue, helplessly saying, “Alright, alright, you're right. I haven't seen it.”

She understood. He wanted to save face.

Fearing she might bring up something awkward again, Song Shian quickly changed the subject, “Does father know you're coming along?”

Jiang Chun gave him a side-eye, feeling he was asking a question he already knew the answer to, “Do you think I could come aboard with my luggage without father knowing?”

Song Shian pursed his lips. So, she had discussed her plan with Jiang He from the beginning, and he had helped her keep it from him.

No wonder Jiang He had come to see him off too. If he hadn't, there would have been no one to drive the mule cart back.

This woman really left him at a loss for words.

But seeing her follow him, he was still happy, very happy.

Jiang Chun suddenly loosened her grip on his neck for some unknown reason and ran to her wicker trunk. She took out a key from her purse to open the trunk.

She began taking out items one by one, smiling as she said, "Husband, I've brought you the small iron pot with two ears and soybean oil you wanted. I've also brought white rice, millet, cured meat, and plenty of vegetables."

Song Shian: “……”

What did she mean by saying he wanted a small iron pot with two ears and soybean oil? He had only said that in jest. How could she take it seriously?

Still, it was good that she brought them. At least for the next ten days or so on the boat, she would be able to eat comfortably.

Many wealthy passengers brought their own pots, pans, grains, and vegetables on the boat to cook their own meals. Only the less particular poor folks and the lazy, ignorant scholars would eat dry rations.

He sincerely praised her, "You're always so thoughtful, my dear wife. Thanks to you, I'll be able to eat and drink well on this journey."

Jiang Chun placed the pots and pans on the bedside cabinet and stored the grains, cured meat, and other food in the cupboard.

She then put the meager two sets of clothes from the trunk into the wardrobe.

After tidying up her wicker trunk, she asked Song Shian for the key to organize the items in his wicker trunk.

Song Shian sat on the bed, watching her bustle around like a little bee, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

Thinking about the next ten days, when they could eat, laugh, talk, cuddle, and sleep together in this small cabin, his heart felt full of happiness.

He loved being with her so much that even if they did nothing or said nothing, just doing their own things and occasionally looking at her made him feel content.

After a few days on the boat, the weather was exceptionally good that day, with no wind and bright sunshine. Many passengers from the second-floor cabins went down to the deck to stroll, sunbathe, or enjoy the scenery along the way.

*

Jiang Chun, feeling cooped up, heard the commotion outside and opened the door to take a look.

She then came back to urge Song Shian, pulling him, "The weather outside is wonderful, and the scenery on the shore is nice too. Let's go for a walk."

Song Shian didn't refuse and locked the cabin door before heading to the deck with her.

Impatient with his slow pace, Jiang Chun took his hand and led him quickly towards the ship's rail.

Upon reaching the rail, she leaned on it and pointed to a mulberry forest on the shore, exclaiming rather unknowingly, "Wow, so many mulberry trees! Too bad there are no mulberries this time of year. I love eating mulberries."

A young lady dressed in silk, with her head adorned with pearls and jewels, scoffed and nudged the young man beside her, indicating Jiang Chun with her mouth.

With a sarcastic tone, she said, "Farmers plant mulberry trees to raise silkworms, not because there's a famine. Why compete with silkworms for food?"

Jiang Chun immediately turned to Song Shian and said, "Some people only know half the story. Silkworms eat mulberry leaves, not mulberries. The fact that she said that shows she's probably never tasted something as delicious as mulberries. Tsk, how pitiful."

The young lady, spoiled and accustomed to being pampered, was infuriated that a shabbily dressed village woman had called her pitiful. She stomped her foot and ordered the nearby servant women, "Go teach that rude woman a lesson."

After stepping back to the other side of the young man, she stood far away.

"Yes, Second Madam." The servant women responded and headed towards Jiang Chun.

"Han Yanqing."

Song Shian's cool voice suddenly rang out.

Han Xiao, who had been ignoring the petty squabble and enjoying the scenery along the riverbank, turned around in surprise upon hearing his name.

Could it be that someone on this boat knew him and called him by his name? What a coincidence!

Upon seeing the face of the man across from him, Han Xiao's eyes widened in shock, and a name almost slipped out, "Song..."

He bit his tongue in his haste to stop himself, causing him to hiss in pain.

At that moment, Song Shian's voice sounded again, "I advise you to call off your servant women quickly, or you'll have none left to serve you for the next seven or eight days."

Still in shock, Han Xiao didn't quite understand what Song Shian was saying.

The two groups were standing close, and in the blink of an eye, the servant women were upon Jiang Chun.

Song Shian gave Han Xiao an exasperated look and stepped back a few paces to avoid interfering with Jiang Chun.

This action amused the young lady, who laughed loudly and mocked Jiang Chun, "Your taste in husbands is terrible. Instead of helping you in a difficult situation, he's hiding far away."

Jiang Chun rolled up her sleeves, grabbed the hand of a servant woman who was pulling her, and swiftly threw her over her shoulder.

She then wrapped her arm around the waist of another servant woman and tossed her three steps away.

Immediately after, like grabbing a chick, she lifted another servant woman and flung her away.

In no time, she had taken down all five or six servant women.

They lay on the ground, groaning and moaning incessantly.

The noise was so loud that it attracted others on the deck, who gathered around at a distance, watching the commotion.

Han Xiao finally snapped out of his daze and belatedly shouted, “Everyone stop, all of you stop!”

The servant women lying on the ground: “……”

They had already stopped; they had no choice but to stop.

Han Xiao quickly walked over to his wife, Qiu Shi, and whispered a few words in her ear.

Qiu Shi, just like him, immediately widened her eyes in surprise.

Then, flustered, she said to the servant women on the ground, “Quickly come back, you’re not allowed to cause trouble for that lady.”

The servant women on the ground: “……”

What on earth is going on with the master and mistress today, actually speaking nonsense like this.

Han Xiao turned around and quickly walked up to Song Shian, speaking in a low voice, “Brother Song, would you like to talk in my cabin?”

Song Shian looked at him, then turned to Jiang Chun and asked, “What does the lady think?”

Jiang Chun, pleased that he had given her face, smiled widely and, as she adjusted her sleeves, said kindly, “Of course, I listen to my husband.”

Only then did Song Shian turn back to Han Xiao and reply coolly, “Sure.”

Han Xiao wanted to laugh but held it back, maintaining a calm demeanor as he gestured with his hand and led the way, “Brother Song, this way please.”