Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Jiang Chun reviewed everything Song Shian had said in her mind and suddenly raised an eyebrow in confusion.

She asked Song Shian, "How did you find out about the affair between County Princess Anhe and Commandery Prince Anping, and how did you determine the exact location of their trysts?"

Song Shian smiled calmly and replied, "I found out from the Crown Prince. County Princess Anhe and Commandery Princess Anping are members of the imperial clan. With influential figures like the Grand Princess and the Princess behind them, how could the Crown Prince, whose position is still unstable, not monitor these relatives' activities?"

In fact, he had learned all this in his past life.

Even if Crown Prince Li Xinghang paid attention to the movements of the royal relatives, he would primarily focus on the actions of the Princess of Xiangyang, the mother of Commandery Prince Anping, and the Grand Princess Yichang, the grandmother of County Princess Anhe. He wouldn’t necessarily focus on Commandery Princess Anping and County Princess Anhe directly.

Jiang Chun was deeply impressed by this. "No wonder the court officials unanimously agree that the Crown Prince is the ideal heir. His thinking is indeed meticulous."

"Exactly," Song Shian nodded shamelessly, not feeling the slightest guilt about letting the Crown Prince take the blame.

At this point, Jiang Chun had no further questions.

Actually, she had intended to ask about Fan the Butcher’s situation, since the original story didn’t provide much detail about this minor character, and there were many aspects she didn’t understand.

But given Song Shian’s jealous nature, she figured that if she dared to ask another question, he would likely lose his temper immediately.

Oh well, the details weren’t that important.

After all, Fan the Butcher was now Eldest Miss Cheng’s ‘sweetheart.’

Just then, Song Shian looked up at her and sneered, "I heard that at the chrysanthemum viewing banquet at the Marquis of Anyuan’s residence, you boldly declared that your husband must ‘fulfill his marital duties’ with you every day?"

Jiang Chun’s almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise. "How did you find out about that?"

This was said in the flower parlor during the banquet, and only the acquainted ladies were present, such as the wife of the Marquis of Jinxiang's heir, Lady Xiao, Lady Lu the Second Mistress, and Lady Cao. There were no elders or men around.

How did it end up in Song Shian's ears, then?

Song Shian said calmly, "The wife of Lord Xiao's heir was diagnosed with a pregnancy and sent her personal attendant back to the mansion to ask Lady Lu Shuyu to come and fetch her.

That attendant of hers is quite a blabbermouth and revealed everything that happened at the Marquis of Anyuan's household to Lady Lu Shuyu along the way.

Upon learning this, Lady Lu Shuyu even came to the front hall to tease me about it."

Jiang Chun awkwardly scratched her head.

The last time she attended a banquet at the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence, she discovered that people of the past, especially the married ladies, were not conservative at all. When they sat together chatting and laughing, they occasionally made some subtle jokes with risqué content.

Jiang Chun, who was naturally free-spirited, felt even more at ease seeing this. Today, during the banquet at the Marquis of Anyuan's residence, she even mentioned Song Shian to tease Lady Xiao.

Who knew that her "misdeed" would be revealed before it was even dark.

There was no way she would admit her mistake. She straightened her back and argued, "What's wrong? I didn't say anything wrong, my husband is truly amazing!"

Song Shian barely curved the corner of his lips, but his face remained stern as he said coldly, "As amazing as your husband may be, how could you talk about such private matters outside?"

Jiang Chun protested, "I didn't want to talk about it, but Lady Xiao teased me, saying that the reason my belly showed no signs of a child was because my husband wasn't putting in enough effort.

How could I let my husband face such an unfair accusation? So I had to tell the truth.

I didn't expect that Lady Xiao's maid named Baihe would be so talkative and tell the private conversations of the ladies to her own husband!"

Song Shian let out a soft hum. "So, should I thank you for clearing my reputation?"

Jiang Chun stood up, crawled onto Song Shian's brocade cushion, and sat down, sliding her arms around his neck.

Grinning, she said, "We are one as husband and wife. It’s my duty as your wife to protect your reputation. Why are you talking about thanks? It sounds so distant."

Song Shian reached out to push her arm away. "Just because you're being cheeky and trying to smooth things over, don't think I won’t hold you responsible."

Jiang Chun picked up on his meaning.

She gave him a sidelong glance, a look that suggested she saw through him. "My dear husband, don’t pretend. You’re not really angry, are you?

"The reason you're pretending to be angry is to get me to agree to unreasonable demands.

"Hmph, do you think I don’t know what you’re up to? You’re always coming up with mischievous plans, so cunning."

Song Shian pursed his lips.

Sometimes, being too in tune as a couple isn’t always a good thing, like now, when she could read him like a book.

But he wouldn’t admit it. He snorted coldly, "You’re the one who’s wrong, yet you're trying to shift the blame to me to hide your own mistakes. You’re really good at twisting things around."

Jiang Chun stared at him, a half-smile on her face. "Can you honestly say you’re not plotting something?"

Song Shian said firmly, "No."

Before Jiang Chun could respond, he added softly, "What I’m planning are all good things, things that will make my wife happy. Even if you don’t admit it verbally, your body speaks the truth."

Jiang Chun: "..."

She knew it all along. This man was indeed plotting something in his mind.

Since you’ve admitted it, Song Shian decided not to hide it anymore. He pouted and said pitifully, "My dear, I was mocked by Lu Shuyu today. He said he’s about to become a father, while there’s no sign of that happening on my side."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chun immediately furrowed her brows in anger: "Prince Lu has gone too far. Hasn’t he thought about how Xiao Sister only became pregnant after seven years of marriage? How can he mock you with such shamelessness?"

Song Shian replied gloomily, "Now that he’s feeling triumphant, he can’t help but show off and mock me relentlessly."

Jiang Chun truly wasn’t in a hurry for children. She was only nineteen this year, and although her body had developed well, she still enjoyed their life as a couple and didn’t want to become a mother so soon.

Regardless of whether he was putting on an act, she earnestly advised him, "You’re my family’s son-in-law. As your wife, I’m not in a rush for children, so why should you be worried?

We’re still young, and our relationship is harmonious. Children will come eventually; we just need to let things take their natural course."

Song Shian had originally intended to seize on her words to make some demands, but when the topic turned to children, it stirred up his own concerns.

His mood instantly became somber.

He looked up at Jiang Chun and asked seriously, "What if we really don’t have any children?"

Jiang Chun rolled her eyes, thinking he was worrying over nothing: "What are you thinking? We’re both very healthy; why wouldn’t we have children?"

Song Shian remained unpersuaded and insisted, "What if we really don’t have any children?"

Seeing his determination and serious expression, Jiang Chun couldn’t help but put aside her carefree attitude and seriously consider the question.

After a moment, she said, "If we don’t have children, then so be it. From my side, we can adopt an orphan from the clan to carry on the Jiang family name.

As for the Song family, I think your second sister-in-law looks like someone who will have many children.

If they’re willing to give one of their sons to you, that would be best; if not, it’s fine too. After all, we’ll still be their eldest aunt and uncle. When we pass away, they’ll certainly pay their respects to us."

This is just to reassure Song Shian.

As a modern person, Jiang Chun firmly believed that when people die, it's like a lamp being extinguished; whether anyone worships her after death didn't really matter.

As for Song Shian, he had served as the Chief Cabinet Minister for decades and was destined to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, where future emperors would pay their respects to him.

After hearing her words, Song Shian felt as if a stone had been lifted from his heart, and he immediately felt much more at ease.

According to her, even if they failed to have children due to his own reasons, it wouldn’t impact their marriage.

That’s great.

His expression brightened, and he even had the time to tease Jiang Chun: "You're really that open-minded?"

Jiang Chun lifted her chin proudly: "Of course, do you think I’m one of those shallow women who see giving birth as the most important thing in life?

If it weren't for the fact that my husband is handsome and I'm also good-looking and tall, and that our future child would definitely not be ugly, I wouldn’t bother having a child."

Adopting children in ancient times was straightforward. You just needed to find an orphan from the clan.

This way, there was no need to worry about the adopted child running back to their biological family like Liu Pozi's adopted son.

Song Shian, flattered, returned the compliment: "My wife is indeed different from other shallow women, I haven’t misjudged you."

He wrapped his arms around her slim waist, leaned in, and captured her lips, gently biting and sucking.

Jiang Chun, being very proactive, opened her lips and let his tongue in.

Their lips and teeth intertwined, their tongues entwined, and they kissed passionately, unwilling to part.

When they finally separated, a long thread of saliva stretched between their lips before reluctantly breaking.

Song Shian, growing aroused, leaned close to her ear and said hoarsely: "My wife, I want you tonight."

They hadn’t been intimate for a few days, and Jiang Chun was also craving it, so she didn’t refuse, just looked up at him and said playfully: "Alright, but just once."

Song Shian obediently replied: "Yes, I'll listen to my wife."

But when they lay down at night, he changed his mind.

Before they even started, he buried his head and kissed Jiang Chun all over, then focused on the sensitive area, treating it like a chew toy.

Jiang Chun couldn’t bear the stimulation and cried out, shivering as she climaxed.

Song Shian, still grinding, looked up at her.

Jiang Chun's thick black hair was spread half over the bed, her face flushed red, her large almond eyes misty with desire, her teeth biting her lips, her head rolling restlessly on the pillow.

What man wouldn’t be aroused by such a vivid scene?

Song Shian was no exception.

But he could still hold back.

The consequence of holding back was that he kissed, bit, and ground for a long while, torturing Jiang Chun until she was nearly at her limit, before finally uniting with her.

Jiang Chun's empty body found its resting place.

She couldn’t help but let out a satisfied sigh: "Mmm..."

This guy’s ‘equipment’ is just too impressive, making her feel a bit ‘satisfied.’

Even though they’ve been married for a long time, every time they make love, she can’t help but admire her own resilience.

It’s hard to imagine how she, a novice, managed to endure it on their wedding night.

Is this what they mean by 'great capacity allows great tolerance?'

However, while the size is quite impressive, it’s very functional.

Especially when he turned her over and pressed her onto the bed, allowing them to have full contact, the sensation was incredible, making her forget everything.

"I said only once, why did you break your word?"

After one round, just as Jiang Chun was kneeling to rest, Song Shian launched a surprise attack.

Song Shian comfortably half-closed his eyes and laughed softly while working hard, "I didn’t want to, but for the sake of our children, I’ll have to bear it."

Jiang Chun stretched her hand behind, patting his leg lightly, and scolded with a smile, "Stop pretending. You’re just indulging yourself, don’t use our children as an excuse."

Song Shian insisted, "My dear wife, don’t slander me. I truly want to have children with you."

Jiang Chun turned her head, giving him a side-eye, "Am I pretending to want to have children with you?"

Song Shian pressed his lips together, implying something, "Who knows, I can’t fathom your thoughts."

"Hiss." When he hit a sensitive spot, Jiang Chun gasped sharply. Too lazy to argue with him over trivial matters.

Anyway, when it comes to offspring, if they are meant to be, they will come. Arguing wouldn’t help. It was better to focus on enjoying the pleasure of intimacy.

They went at it again, passionately and thoroughly, and by the time they finished, it was already the third watch of the night.

Before going to sleep, Jiang Chun angrily scolded Song Shian, "Tomorrow isn’t a day off, if you keep me up so late, you won’t be able to get up for the morning court."

Song Shian buried his head in her chest and said calmly, "Don’t worry. I can take a nap at the yamen during lunchtime."

Jiang Chun still wasn’t reassured and said sternly, "Next time, only once. If you mess around again, I’ll change it from every three days to every seven days. No matter how much you act cute, pitiful, or miserable, I won’t budge!"

Seeing she was serious, Song Shian immediately gave in, "Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you. From now on, only once. Even if you cry and beg for another round, I won’t agree."

Jiang Chun patted his back lightly, laughing and scolding, "Stop talking nonsense, I would never do that."

When saying this, she felt a little guilty. After all, just a while ago, when the passion was high, she did cry and beg him to go faster.

If he deliberately teased her into arousal and then refused to give in, she might actually do that.

Song Shian seemed to think of that as well and couldn’t help but laugh, "Is that so? Was the one crying and begging just now a ghost?"

Jiang Chun nodded, "Exactly, a ghost, a beautiful female ghost. The fact that you get to be intimate with such a beautiful ghost, you’ve hit the jackpot."

Song Shian: "..."

He said speechlessly, "Stop talking, it’s late at night, aren’t you scared?"

Being a lonely soul himself, he had no taboos in his words, daring to say anything, truly admirable.

"If you don't want to talk about it, then let's not." Jiang Chun closed her mouth and, at the same time, closed her eyes, preparing to sleep.

Half asleep and half awake, it suddenly occurred to her that today was a day off. Song Shian had gone out of the city earlier to invite a martial arts teacher for her. She wondered if he had managed to do so?

She felt like opening her eyes to ask him, but her body felt as though it was under sleep paralysis; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't wake up.

Was this the consequence of talking about female ghosts in the middle of the night?

Jiang Chun, being broad-minded, thought it wasn't a big deal. If she couldn't wake up, then she just wouldn't. She continued sleeping and soon sank into a deep slumber.

The next day, just after Jiang Chun had finished her breakfast in the main courtyard, Manager Liu's voice echoed in the outer hall: "Madam, the martial arts instructor Young Master invited for you is here. He is the former chief instructor of the Imperial Guards, Yu Ancheng."

Excited, Jiang Chun stood up quickly. "The martial arts teacher has arrived? Quick, please take him to the inner study in Dangui Courtyard."

*

"Yes, Madam," Manager Liu replied and was about to depart when he heard the madam's voice from inside again, "Never mind, please take him to the inner study room in Dangui Courtyard."

"Yes, Madam," Manager Liu responded again and withdrew.

Jiang Chun turned to Madame Zhuang and complained, "My husband is really too quick this time. He went to invite the teacher yesterday, and now he's here today.

"He didn’t even notify me in advance.

"Luckily, I had a room cleaned in advance to serve as a training room and had the maids help me rush two sets of training clothes. Otherwise, I would be in a tight spot right now."

Madame Zhuang pursed her lips. Although she still wasn’t entirely in favor of her daughter-in-law learning martial arts, she couldn't really refute her son's reasoning.

Jiang Chun could only murmur softly and said, "Shian swallowed his pride and asked for help to persuade Coach Yu to come. He succeeded in inviting an outstanding master for you. You should take your studies seriously and not disappoint his good intentions."

Jiang Chun nodded vigorously. "Mother, rest assured. I will definitely study hard."

Madame Zhuang waved her hand and said to everyone, "Everyone, please return first. I need to give further instructions to the eldest daughter-in-law, lest she offend Coach Yu."

Hearing this, the others rose to take their leave.

Being from a prominent family and having been the main wife for several years, Madame Zhuang would have lived in vain if she hadn't detected the deception in yesterday's events.

Seeing Eldest Miss Cheng's confused state, it was clear she had been manipulated.

And the sole individual Eldest Miss Cheng had offended recently seemed to be Jiang Chun.

Of course, as a country girl who had just arrived in the Imperial City, Jiang Chun, unacquainted with the city, obviously didn't possess the capability to manipulate Eldest Miss Cheng.

But her son Shian did have that capability.

Unfortunately, he had to go to court today and would be working at the Hanlin Academy afterward, so she couldn't call him over for an interrogation even if she wanted to.

True, Eldest Miss Cheng had instigated Lady Zhang to provoke Jiang Chun, but Jiang Chun wasn't at a disadvantage. Instead, she thoroughly defeated Lady Zhang, resulting in her losing face.

Even if he felt resentful toward Eldest Miss Cheng for this, it wasn't right for him to undermine her reputation. It was excessive.

After all, for a woman, reputation was paramount.

Considering the bond between the young couple, Madame Zhuang felt that Jiang Chun surely knew the particulars.

So after everyone had left, she immediately asked, "Do you know what heinous act Eldest Miss Cheng committed to make Shian resort to such extreme measures against her?"

After asking, she fiercely glared at Jiang Chun and coldly said, "Don't pretend to be stupid. You definitely know the reason. Master Yu is waiting for you. Don't waste time with lies."

Jiang Chun had no intention of lying and calmly replied, "Cheng Wenyuan wanted to become your daughter-in-law, so she found a handsome and robust butcher, bought a house next to my family's home for him, and had him try to seduce me into betraying my husband and having an affair, to clear the way for her by getting me divorced."

At this point, she fixed her gaze on Madame Zhuang and sneered, "So, Mother, do you think my husband should retaliate by pairing her with that butcher?"

Jiang Chun rattled off a lot, and Madame Zhuang took a moment to process the situation after she finished.

In disbelief, Madame Zhuang said, "She had someone seduce you into betraying your husband? Is Cheng Wenyuan really so vicious?"

Jiang Chun objectively defended Cheng Wenyuan a bit, "It might not have been her idea alone; the Cheng family was likely involved as well."

Pausing, she snorted again, "But Cheng Wenyuan's desire to marry my husband is undeniable and can't be erased."

Cheng Wenyuan wanted Song Shian for himself, and the Cheng family wanted the power and wealth of the Song family. They had their own ulterior motives and took what they needed.

Madame Zhuang closed her eyes and sighed deeply, "I knew that Shian always acts methodically. He wouldn’t go so far as to ruin someone just because they offended you. There’s more to this situation."

This explanation made everything fall into place.

The Cheng family was so despicable as to scheme against his wife, trying to make her cheat on him. So, it was only right that he retaliated. The Song family isn't made of mud; we aren’t so easily bullied.

Thinking further, Madame Zhuang said seriously, "The Cheng family suffered a significant loss and will definitely seek revenge. From now on, you must take guards with you when you go out and bring more maids and older women."

Noticing that Dangui Courtyard only had four maids and two older women, she offered, "I’ll have someone call a matchmaker to buy more maids and older women for you."

Just adding people to Dangui Courtyard wasn't enough; other courtyards needed more people too, which would be a considerable expense.

Fortunately, the Ministry of Revenue had returned most of the Song family's assets. Damaged or sold items had been compensated at their value. Now, only some estates and shops had uncleared accounts.

The family wouldn't lack money to buy servants.

Jiang Chun didn't refuse. Dangui Courtyard is quite large, and six servants aren’t enough.

She smiled, "Thank you, Mother, for thinking of me and my husband. I'll make sure to serve you well in the future."

Madame Zhuang said proudly, "I have my son to serve me; I don’t need your service."

Jiang Chun pretended to misunderstand, "Oh, I didn’t realize you liked me so much. What an honor!"

Madame Zhuang was speechless.

This daughter-in-law often didn't understand what was being said and just talked nonsense. It was really too much to handle.

She waved her hand toward the door and said impatiently, "Enough, go see the martial arts master now."

As Jiang Chun was about to leave, Madame Zhuang couldn't help but add a few more words, "Master Yu is known for his fiery temper. His temper worsened after he injured his legs.

If you're going to learn from him, be more patient and avoid confronting him directly. Whether he gets angry and stops teaching or you get angry and stop learning, you’ll be the one who loses."

Jiang Chun grinned, "It's fine if Master Yu has a bad temper as long as he has real skills. I, however, have a good temper and don’t get angry easily."

Madame Zhuang's mouth twitched.

Was she delirious from a fever, speaking nonsense?

If she has a good temper and doesn’t get angry easily, then there’s no one in the world with a bad temper or who gets angry easily.

In Madame Zhuang's opinion, the martial arts master her son hired was indeed somewhat unsuitable. Master Yu was skilled, but his temper was too bad.

Jiang Chun was also quick-tempered and easily upset.

Master Yu would probably only teach her for a few days before they clashed and parted ways.