Chapter 34 Teaching Him

Chapter 34 Teaching Him

Cheng Yian slept until mid-afternoon, waking up to find only Qian'er, the maid who tended the stove, by her side. She had no idea that Lu Xusheng had already seen the list.

Ru Hui peeked through the curtain and, seeing Cheng Yian awake, quickly came in to set up lunch.

"Madam, you were sleeping so deeply, I didn't dare wake you. The dishes have been reheated twice, and you still hadn't woken up. I was worried that reheating them again would ruin the flavor, so I took the liberty of giving them to the matrons and maids in the back rooms. Here are some fresh dishes made just for you."

Cheng Yian nodded, still half-asleep.

As Ru Hui set up the meal, Qian'er brought a basin for her to wash up.

Since it was well past the usual mealtime, Cheng Yian only picked at her food, just enough to take the edge off her hunger before setting down her chopsticks. However, during this meal, she came up with some new ideas for Lu Xusheng's menu. After drinking some tea, she instructed Qian'er,

"Get the ink ready for me."

Qian'er set down the small tongs, washed her hands, and then picked up the ink stick to prepare the ink. Her eyes skimmed over the rice paper, but being illiterate, she couldn't make out what was written. Cheng Yian tweaked the menu a bit more, played with it for a while, then folded it up and set it aside. Her stomach still ached, so she lay down on the daybed.

Soon after, Bai Shi, the third young mistress, came in. Since Cheng Yian had asked her to help manage the household, Bai Shi had been a frequent visitor to Ningji Hall.

Bai Shi knew Cheng Yian was indisposed and didn't want her to get up. "Just rest, sister-in-law. I'll stay for a bit and then go."

Cheng Yian didn't bother with formalities, leaning back against the pillow and asking, "What brings you here, sister-in-law?"

Ru Hui fetched a brocade stool, and Bai Shi took a seat across from her. "Second sister-in-law, a matron from the Cheng family's fourth branch just came by with an invitation. I was there, so I asked around and learned that your cousin Yiqing from the fourth branch is already engaged."

Cheng Yian was taken aback, "Already?"

When the emperor arranged the marriage between the Cheng and Lu families, Cheng Yiqing was also in the midst of marriage negotiations. The aunt from the fourth branch was keen to arrange a marriage with the Lu family for her cousin Cheng Yiqing, who was smitten with Lu Xusheng. Of course, she turned down all other suitors. But the marriage ended up going to Cheng Yian, and Cheng Yiqing's reputation took a hit, making it hard for her to find a good match. This also made her resentful towards Cheng Yian.

Not long ago, when Cheng Yian returned home, there was no sign of this engagement. How could it have been settled so quickly?

Bai Shi said, "Indeed, today they sent the engagement gift box. I just instructed someone to bring it over for Ru Hui to keep."

It is customary for the family of the engaged girl to invite relatives and friends to witness the engagement and then send them back with a gift.

Cheng Yiqing, clearly mindful of the previous discord, did not invite Cheng Yian, but she still sent the gift.

"I see," Cheng Yian said, still feeling puzzled, and instructed Ru Lan to go and inquire further.

Ming Saozi, who managed the external affairs between Cheng Yian and the Cheng family, was informed by Ru Lan. After making inquiries, Ming Saozi came back personally to report.

"Miss, Miss Yiqing has been engaged to the Chu family, who are officials in the Ministry of Justice. They had met once before the winter solstice banquet, and the Chu family was very pleased with the Cheng family and wanted to form this alliance. Originally, they were going to proceed with the betrothal gifts and the formal engagement slowly, but the Chu family's matriarch fell critically ill. The Chu family asked if they could hasten the marriage to avoid any delays due to mourning."

"The fourth branch's matriarch went to discuss this with the main branch, but our family matriarch disagreed, feeling that it was too rushed and would make it seem like they were desperate to marry off their daughter, which would be disrespectful to the girl. If there were any issues, they could wait for a year. However, the fourth branch didn't listen. It's said that Miss Yiqing herself was eager to marry, so they decided to proceed, and the wedding will take place in half a month."

Cheng Yiqing, because of that incident, could no longer stay in the Cheng family and only wanted to marry quickly to put an end to the matter.

"Since she has sent the gift box, you should prepare a dowry gift on my behalf."

She then called Ru Hui, "Go to the side room and bring the newly made pair of pearl earrings and the two gold hairpins," and turned to Ming Saozi, "Take these and make a trip to the fourth branch for me."

Cheng Yiqing had also given her a dowry gift, so this was her way of reciprocating.

Cheng Yiqing didn't invite her to the engagement banquet, so Cheng Yian didn't need to personally deliver the dowry gift.

Ming Saozi waited for Ru Hui to prepare the items, then took the brocade box and left.

With all this busyness, it was soon time for dinner.

Lu Xusheng returned from the study in the front courtyard.

Cheng Yian wasn't particularly hungry yet, but considering that a grown man like him couldn't miss three meals a day, she told the nannies to prepare the meal.

Cheng Yian thought it was too chilly outside, so dinner was set up in the east chamber. As Lu Xusheng sat down, he glanced at the desk by the east wall. Cheng Yian had folded the list and placed it under a paperweight. Feigning ignorance, he sat down to eat.

Cheng Yian didn't eat much and soon set her chopsticks down.

"Why aren't you eating anything?" Lu Xusheng asked her.

Cheng Yian replied, "I had a late lunch, so I'm not hungry yet."

Seeing her lazy demeanor, Lu Xusheng spoke more sternly, "From now on, you should eat three meals a day on time. It's better for your health."

A man who had spent years marching and fighting in the army valued regular meals, while a pampered young lady like Cheng Yian seemed unaware of such concerns.

Cheng Yian, however, was quite obedient and immediately nodded meekly, "I was wrong. I'll change from now on."

She tilted her head slightly, her dark eyes like pools of water, her cheeks perhaps pale due to her period.

Usually, she would get upset at the slightest inconvenience, but today she was unusually docile.

Lu Xusheng suddenly felt like he was scolding a new recruit and couldn't help but smile to himself.

Cheng Yian also grinned silently.

In her past marriage with Fan Yulin, she had been the one in charge, with Fan Yulin mostly following her lead. But what had it brought her? Nothing but exhaustion and stress. It was better to find a mature and steady man and enjoy being cared for.

Once she won Lu Xusheng's heart, wouldn't he be even better?

Cheng Yian thought this way.

Then she watched Lu Xusheng eat with pleasure.

Lu Xusheng, being very perceptive, noticed her watching him. His chopsticks started acting up—now picking up a piece of steamed pork, now grabbing some vegetable hearts. The plate of spicy chicken was right in front of him, but he hardly touched it. Finally, he scooped up a bowl of tofu and cabbage soup and finished it in one go.

Cheng Yian was a bit dumbfounded.

Was Nanny Xu's info wrong?

Lu Xusheng, noticing her crestfallen expression out of the corner of his eye, chuckled inwardly but kept a straight face. Eventually, he couldn't stand it and ate half a plate of spicy chicken. Cheng Yian finally felt relieved.

Lu Xusheng looked at the muttering silly girl and shook his head secretly.

Every little thing showed on her face. With such little guile, no wonder she had been deceived by Fan Yulin in her past life.

After finishing dinner, Lu Xusheng returned to his study. Cheng Yian stayed in the room to digest her food, then took out the list again and added a few more details.

As the sky grew dim, a steward arrived from outside, saying that Princess Minglan had sent a food box. Cheng Yian quickly had it brought in and opened it to find a jug of deer wine.

Speaking of the previous incident, after Princess Minglan discovered she had been tricked by Lu Xusheng, she was furious and immediately went to the palace to complain. The emperor, hearing that she had brought Cheng Yian into her residence again, showed no sympathy. The matter of Lu Xusheng burning the warehouse was thus dropped.

Although Princess Minglan harbored deep hatred for Lu Xusheng, she still favored Cheng Yian. She had promised to send Cheng Yian a jug of wine, and today she delivered it.

However, along with the wine came two guards.

Cheng Yian widened her eyes, "Two guards?"

Ru Lan, following Cheng Yian's orders, personally went to the outer courtyard to receive the nanny from Princess Minglan's residence. She also gave the nanny a tip and inquired about the situation before returning.

"Yes, those two guards are tall and handsome, standing like door gods beside the stone lions at the entrance of the Lu residence. They said they were sent by Princess Minglan to protect you on your outings from now on. Even the expenses don't need to come from our Lu residence; they will be directly covered by Princess Minglan's residence. It's said that this move has been personally approved by His Majesty. Now, even our Duke of the State can't drive them away."

Cheng Yian first rubbed her forehead, then found the situation amusing.

"What about our lord?"

Ru Lan, covering her stomach, laughed, "He went to the palace to argue with His Majesty."

Cheng Yian was truly impressed by Princess Minglan. After the male attendants in her residence were forcibly dismissed by Lu Xusheng, she now sends two guards to add to Lu Xusheng's troubles. These two are really at it.

Cheng Yian placed the venison wine on the long table.

Even a simple wine jug from Princess Minglan's residence is no ordinary item. It's crafted using a silver-gilt technique, featuring a scene of Xu Gongzi enjoying spring. Xu Gongzi, with his high hat and broad belt, leans on a railing looking into the distance, his robes fluttering in the wind, very much resembling her father's style. Even a simple jug is not spared...

Is this what it feels like to admire someone? She probably could never do it in her lifetime.

The aroma was irresistibly enticing.

Her menstrual cycle wasn't over yet, how could she drink?

Cheng Yian forced herself to move the wine jug aside, found a book of poems, and reclined on the daybed to read. Unfortunately, the aroma of the wine seemed to have legs, insistently wafting towards her nose.

Cheng Yian was overwhelmed by the aroma. Well, venison wine warms the body, it shouldn't be harmful, right? Cheng Yian struggled to convince herself, slowly inching towards the wine jug, like a child sneaking a treat, carefully opened the jug, and a strong aroma of wine burst out. The aroma was too rich and authentic, making her mouth water. Cheng Yian couldn't resist anymore, immediately poured a cup, and tasted it bit by bit.

Perhaps it was because the charcoal brazier in the room was burning too fiercely, or perhaps the venison wine was too fragrant, Cheng Yian soon felt the room spinning, and she was already dizzy.

Still retaining a shred of rationality, after finishing a cup, she finally restrained herself from drinking more and reclined on the daybed for a nap.

Ru Hui, after finishing her chores, entered the room and was startled by the strong aroma of wine. She hurriedly hid the venison wine in the antechamber, turned around and saw Cheng Yian sleeping soundly, stomped her foot in frustration. She's on her period, how dare she drink wine, really childish.

At the third quarter of the hour of Xu (around 7:45 PM), Lu Xusheng returned with a dark expression.

He glanced at Cheng Yian through the curtain, saw she was still asleep, made no sound, and went into the bathroom to wash up.

Ru Hui noticed Lu Xusheng was in a foul mood, hurriedly entered the room, and woke Cheng Yian up,

"Miss, the master seems to have returned from the palace in frustration, his face doesn't look good."

Cheng Yian groggily opened her eyes, rubbed the corners of her eyes, and nodded, "I know..."

Half a quarter later, a tall figure emerged from behind the screen in the bathroom.

He was very tall, with broad shoulders and a strong waist, his body honed by the fires of battle to be perfectly proportioned, like a natural clothes hanger. He walked upright and steadily, almost without a sound, even standing still, one could feel a vibrant aura of intimidation.

This was the majestic might of the commander of the border army.

Lu Xusheng sat down opposite her, perhaps feeling the charcoal brazier in the room was too strong, he took off his outer robe, leaving only an undershirt, which lightly overlapped, slightly revealing a firm chest. Cheng Yian, watching, somehow swallowed her saliva.

"What did His Majesty say?"

Lu Xusheng's face turned pale, "Princess Minglan firmly stated before His Majesty that I was the one who set the warehouse on fire. His Majesty also knew it well. Princess Minglan threatened His Majesty that if he didn't agree to send two guards to protect you, she would go to the Imperial Censorate to make a scene. His Majesty, to protect your father, threw me under the bus."

"Pfft!" Cheng Yian looked at Lu Xusheng's gnashing teeth, her sleepiness instantly vanished.

When a man is wronged, Cheng Yian naturally offers him comfort. She cleared her throat and said, "It's okay, just think of it as having two more guards in the residence. Who am I? I stand straight and am not afraid of a crooked shadow, how could I have any thoughts about the guards? You don't need to worry."

"Look, Qiu Qing is by my side, now there are two more people to assist him, isn't that good?"

"Is it?" Lu Xusheng sneered, "Perhaps it's more convenient for Princess Minglan to abduct you."

"She won't. This time you've gone to great lengths, and Princess Minglan must be wary. She won't do anything outrageous again."

Lu Xusheng didn't speak, but he had to find a way to remove those two people.

Cheng Yian saw that Lu Xusheng was quite angry, so she reached out and tugged at his collar, slowly straightening it for him.

As she got closer, the strong scent of alcohol on her breath became unavoidable.

In fact, Lu Xusheng had noticed it as soon as he entered. He narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her, "Have you been drinking?"

Cheng Yian nodded dizzily, "Yes, I had a cup of deer wine."

Lu Xusheng's expression darkened at the mention of deer wine.

"You dared to drink deer wine?" Deer wine is a strong drink.

Cheng Yian was startled by his low tone, and she held up a small finger, "I... only had a tiny sip..."

"You just said you had a cup..." Lu Xusheng glared at her sharply.

Her face was already flushed from the deer wine, and her eyes were clearly unfocused.

Cheng Yian's eyes were slightly red, with a layer of intoxicating light in them, the corners of her eyes naturally charming without makeup, her face full of desire.

Lu Xusheng looked at her confused state and chuckled in frustration, "You're asking for trouble."

His thin lips were close to her face, not far away, easily within reach.

Cheng Yian, as if under a spell, raised her arms, grabbed Lu Xusheng's shoulders, and pulled him towards her.

Lu Xusheng sat on the brocade stool, his hands resting on his knees, his tall frame slightly bent, and her slender arms naturally encircled his neck.

Lu Xusheng looked at her dazed state, feeling exasperated, "Cheng Yian?"

Cheng Yian only had eyes for those tempting lips.

She moved closer to kiss him.

As she leaned in, Lu Xusheng frowned, clearly wary.

Her soft lips pressed against his mouth, like a feather tickling him, a sensation Lu Xusheng had experienced before. If it weren't for physical desire, Lu Xusheng generally wouldn't touch Cheng Yian, and today she was not in the right state, clearly it wasn't appropriate.

But he didn't push her away, just coaxed her in a low voice, "You're not well, don't push it."

Cheng Yian was already drunk at this point, her mind not functioning properly, her chin gently pushing forward, sticking to him even tighter. Lu Xusheng's body stiffened noticeably, feeling like she was playing with fire.

"Cheng Yi..."

Before the word 'An' could be uttered, her nimble tongue took advantage of the situation, slipping in cleverly, brushing against his teeth.

Suddenly, it felt as if an electric current ran through his body. Lu Xusheng's throat visibly gulped, the thin skin over his sharp Adam's apple rolling up and down.

His teeth didn't move, his gaze intense, he didn't speak.

Cheng Yian, seeing that she couldn't get him to open his mouth, showed a pitiful expression.

Lu Xusheng couldn't bear to see her in distress, "What do you want..."

He was clearly inexperienced, and this time Cheng Yian succeeded again. Her nimble tongue was indeed quick, slipping in swiftly. Now her soft body was pressing against him, and Lu Xusheng, worried she might catch a cold if she left the blanket, was forced to lean down. Cheng Yian's arms firmly hooked around his neck, forcing him to hover above her. She comfortably leaned against the pillow, beginning her playful pursuit.

Lu Xusheng instinctively dodged, but the nimble tongue began to sweep through his mouth. The unfamiliar sensation left his mind blank for a moment, like a newborn calf easily led. Cheng Yian easily captured her prey, with playful flicks of her tongue that could stir one's soul, sending all the blood rushing to one place, nearly overwhelming all his senses.

Lu Xusheng had never experienced such immersion before, as if being pulled into a quagmire, willingly sinking deeper.

That desire was slowly teased out by her, building up like a flood ready to burst. His hand involuntarily wrapped around her upper body, even beginning to reach into her clothes.

She moved like a skilled, fluttering butterfly, continuously teasing him. Just as Lu Xusheng was marveling at this incredibly beautiful game, the alertness from years of life-and-death situations flashed through his mind. He suddenly realized something and, without a second thought, pushed Cheng Yian away, turning to face the window, breathing heavily.

Cheng Yian was shocked by his push, looking at him with a mix of lingering desire and frustration over being interrupted, "Lu Xusheng..."

Lu Xusheng closed his eyes, took deep breaths, and forced himself to suppress that violent urge. He turned back, his eyes now calm,

"Your period isn't over yet, what are you thinking?"

Only then did Cheng Yian realize something, glancing at his lower body, she chuckled with a hint of mischief, "I see..."

Then she rolled to the other side, burying her face in the blanket, laughing.

Lu Xusheng had no way with her.

Resigned, he went to warm the bed. Without a word, he not-so-gently lifted her from the daybed and placed her into the bedding. Cheng Yian, seeing the man's fierce expression but gentle movements, found it amusing.

"Sorry..." she lightly poked his chest.

This time, Lu Xusheng harshly slapped her hand away, sternly saying, "Sleep."

The light was extinguished, and the room fell into darkness and silence.

Cheng Yian could feel that Lu Xusheng was still angry, lying stiffly without acknowledging her.

Before... at least last night he had held her in his arms, acting as her warmer, but now he showed no mercy.

Men change their faces faster than flipping a book.

Cheng Yian, with her good nature, didn't argue with him, softly asking, "Can I put my feet in your lap?"

She was cold.

Lu Xusheng, annoyed, pulled her legs over.

With her body now warm, Cheng Yian began to reflect, glancing in his direction,

"You don't like it?"

In the darkness, the man's figure was like a reclining mountain, silent.

When Lu Xusheng didn't speak, Cheng Yian was somewhat afraid of him, finding her own way to step down,

"Oh, I was too forward..."

Hearing her mutter softly, Lu Xusheng felt a pain in his chest.

"Aren't you uncomfortable? Why aren't you sleeping?"

Finally speaking up, Cheng Yian regained her courage, smiling as she tentatively asked, "Can we do this again in the future?"

Lu Xusheng flatly refused, "No."

Okay.

So he doesn’t like that.

Lu Xusheng was always a man of his word; if he said no, he meant it.

Cheng Yian felt disheartened, gazing hopelessly at the dark canopy, trying to console herself.

It’s fine; life is full of ups and downs.

He’s already great in that regard; it’s just this one thing that’s lacking.

She couldn’t be greedy and expect everything.

She began to list Lu Xusheng's good qualities in her mind.

Look, he’s powerful, handsome, and fiercely protective of her—truly the perfect husband.

Cheng Yian drifted off to sleep peacefully.

Lu Xusheng lay awake, torn between jealousy and desire. When he heard her steady breathing, he quietly slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

Cheng Yian didn’t dwell on things much. She woke up refreshed the next morning and forgot about the previous night’s events. It wasn’t until evening, when Lu Xusheng returned with a displeased look and didn’t even glance at her, that she remembered what had happened.

Lu Xusheng was sitting on the heated kang bed, reading. It was year-end, and the Military Governor's Office was preparing to distribute bonuses. The amounts would be based on the guards’ performance over the year. The civil officials under the Military Governor's Office had drafted the accounts based on military discipline evaluations, and Lu Xusheng was reviewing them.

Cheng Yian sat down gracefully across from him.

She looked up at him for a moment, then openly admitted, "Last night, I overstepped with you."

Lu Xusheng paused, slowly looked up, and met her gaze. "And then?"

And then?

Was she apologizing?

Cheng Yian started thinking about what Lu Xusheng might need.

He didn’t lack anything—except maybe money.

He’d given all his money to her, and he probably needed some for socializing. So Cheng Yian got up, went to the inner room, and returned with a ten-tael silver ingot, which she slid toward him.

"How about I make it up to you with ten taels of silver? If next time..." She trailed off, her eyes full of persuasion, hinting that she might kiss him again for another ten taels.

Unexpectedly, Lu Xusheng cut her off. "I don’t want money." What did she think he was?

His long, elegant fingers suddenly reached out, gently pressing the back of her hand before swiftly grasping her entire soft hand.

"How about my wife compensates me with something else?"

Cheng Yian eyed his half-smile warily. "What do you want?"

"How’s your needlework?"

He remembered Cheng Yian was quite good at it.

Cheng Yian blinked. "Not great?"

"After moving to Yizhou."

"It fell into even greater neglect."

"Did you embroider anything for Fan Yulin?"

Cheng Yian hesitated; of course, she had.

Lu Xusheng pulled back his hand and insisted, "I want one too."

Cheng Yian, who hadn’t done needlework in years, felt troubled. "What do you want?"

"What do women typically embroider for men?" Lu Xusheng asked without looking up from the booklet he was holding.

Cheng Yian thought for a moment and said,

"Scented pouches? Handkerchiefs?"

"Then make me a scented pouch."

Cheng Yian eyed him skeptically and huffed, "Would you actually wear it?"

Lu Xusheng had never worn anything like that. "You make it first," he said. "It can stay in the study."

His dark lashes lowered, sharpening his already stern expression.

Cheng Yian realized he was jealous of her past.

There was no way around it; she had provoked him.

The next day, Cheng Yian asked Ru Hui to bring the sewing basket, resigned to making a scented pouch for Lu Xusheng.

On her first attempt, she pricked her finger, and Cheng Yian grew frustrated.

How desperate was she to pursue a man? Now he’s taking advantage.

Cheng Yian stood up angrily and threw the list into a corner of the antique shelf.