Chapter 48: Some are dying of thirst, others are drowning…

Chapter 48: Some are dying of thirst, others are drowning...

No matter who was interested, Cheng Yian was his and his alone.

That night, the bed saw no rest.

In the following days, Lu Xusheng became even busier. Sometimes he managed to sleep at night, other times he vanished for the whole day. Before leaving the capital, he had to ensure a smooth handover of all duties at the Military Governor's Office. Additionally, to prevent any movements from Northern Qi in the spring, he even had to visit the nine border towns to reassure the generals and secretly arrange defenses.

On the 23rd of the twelfth month, Cheng Yian got her period.

She couldn’t help feeling disappointed, but she felt better remembering that bowl of medicine.

The couple remained busy until New Year's Eve, which was also Cheng Mingyu's birthday. The Cheng family declined all external guests, only inviting the daughters and sons-in-law of the main branch for a drink. Cheng Mingyu personally made a triangular cake for the four children.

When the steward brought the food box, Cheng Yiyan lunged forward first and snatched a plate. Cheng Yixin, leading a child by the hand, was afraid of falling behind.

"Qingyun, give me a hand!"

He Qingyun smiled and quickly followed. When the eldest son-in-law approached, the steward had no choice but to hand him a plate.

Cheng Yian, who was eating dumplings, pointed and pushed Lu Xusheng's arm.

With his martial prowess, Lu Xusheng reached out and tapped the steward's elbow, causing him to loosen his grip. The food box ended up in Lu Xusheng's hands, leaving Cheng Yiqiao, who had chased after it, came up empty.

"Consider it my gift to you this year."

Cheng Yian couldn't eat alone and shared half with her second sister.

The matriarch doubled over with laughter at the lively family gathering.

After lunch, everyone went back to their own homes to celebrate the New Year. This year, due to the elder master's incident, the Lu family's matriarch was gravely ill, dampening the festive atmosphere. Lu Xusheng and his wife stayed in the Second Mistress's courtyard for the New Year's Eve. The Second Mistress, who disliked crowds, handed out red envelopes to the younger generation and let them disperse.

On the first day of the New Year, Cheng Yian, as the managing young mistress, assisted the Second and Third Mistresses in managing the household, receiving neighbors and relatives who came to pay New Year's visits.

Cheng Family Lane was a hive of activity that day. The number of New Year's greetings for Cheng Mingyu and the matriarch piled up like a mountain. Every greeting card was sent to Cheng Yiyan for his perusal. Among the pile, Cheng Yiyan noticed the name Wei Shuting. At yesterday's banquet, the eldest and third sisters had someone to serve them dishes, but the second sister was alone. Feeling a pang of sympathy for her, Cheng Yiyan hesitated before sending the card to Cheng Mingyu's study, leaving it to his father to decide whether to meet him.

Cheng Mingyu eventually met Wei Shuting. Wei Shuting's family was of military background, and he currently held a fifth-rank position at the Five Armies Military Governor's Office. While not outstanding in the Cheng family's eyes, he was decent among ordinary aristocratic youths. After speaking with him briefly, Cheng Mingyu found him steady and instructed him to pay his respects to the matriarch.

Wei Shuting was then taken to the matriarch's courtyard.

By mid-afternoon, most guests had left, and only members of the Cheng family remained. Cheng Yiqiao was organizing a game of cards for the elderly ladies, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Suddenly, it was announced that the Young Master from the South City Marquis's residence had come to pay New Year's respects.

The matriarch understood it was Cheng Mingyu's intention.

She glanced at the stunned Cheng Yiqiao and smiled, "Let him in."

Finding the east room too noisy, they moved to the west warm pavilion to meet Wei Shuting.

The matriarch chatted with him for a while.

Though usually reticent, he became quite talkative with the matriarch.

He wasn't as gentle and honest as He Qingyun, but he was more agreeable than Lu Xusheng.

His family background was decent; it all depended on whether there was a connection.

The decision was left to Cheng Yiqiao.

The matriarch presented him with a gift and had the steward escort him out. Wei Shuting met Cheng Yiqiao in the west corridor.

Cheng Yiqiao was draped in a newly made crimson fox fur cloak, holding a freshly folded ruyi knot in her hand, leaning lazily against the corridor pillar as she looked at him.

"What brings you here?"

Wei Shuting's gaze swept over her cheeks, his face slightly reddening as he stepped forward and bowed to her, "Happy New Year, Second Miss. Wishing you a prosperous new year, with all your dreams fulfilled."

Cheng Yiqiao raised her lips in a smile, "Oh, my wish this year is for some peace and quiet, without anyone pestering me. So, I’ll take your auspicious words and hope my wish comes true?"

Wei Shuting felt a pang of bitterness in his heart, looking at the smile lingering on her brows, "If you were to choose me, no one would dare trouble you."

Cheng Yiqiao was amused and stood up straight, "You’ve got some nerve. Why should I choose you? Don’t think that just because my father let you in, he’s decided on you. He’s just being courteous to the Marquis of South City."

Wei Shuting, being quite clever, immediately followed her lead, "Yes, my father often praises Cheng Mingyu, saying he has the wisdom of Zhang Liang and the skill of Xiao He, a rare talent throughout history. If my father has any face with Cheng Mingyu, it is the Wei family’s fortune."

Cheng Yiqiao felt pleased hearing this, her eyes sparkling, "Silver-tongued."

Wei Shuting was momentarily stunned by her. The young lady was at her most charming, her face blooming like a well-tended peony.

He spoke earnestly, "Second Miss, our household at the Marquis of South City is modest. My father and mother only have me as their son, and the family estate will be ours in the future. My father’s character is surely known to your father; he’s not the type to make things hard for a daughter-in-law. If I were to marry you, he would be overjoyed. As for my mother, she’s gentle and hardly ever raises her voice, even with my father, let alone being harsh to a daughter-in-law."

"You see, no mother-in-law drama, and no one to fight us over the family estate. As for the betrothal gifts, we will do our best as the Marquis’s household, making sure you’re not outshone by anyone. If you have any requests, feel free to say them..."

Cheng Yiqiao glared at him upon hearing this, "Since when has the Cheng family ever skimped on a son-in-law, eyeing betrothal gifts?"

Wei Shuting, seeing that she was listening, nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes..."

He was well aware of the Cheng family’s wealth.

"So, don’t worry, when you join our family, all my personal wealth will be yours, and I will not touch a single penny of your dowry. If I break this vow, may lightning strike me..."

"Hey, no... why are you swearing on New Year’s Day... just talk straight."

Wei Shuting, seeing her anxious, felt his heart pounding nervously and quickly said, "I’ll listen to you, whatever you say."

What did he mean by whatever she says?

Wait, how did she get caught in his trap?

This sly man was trapping her.

"Out, out!" she tossed her handkerchief at him, feigning a push.

Wei Shuting, frightened, retreated to the other side of the corridor, "Miss Cheng..."

"Go, go..." Cheng Yiqiao turned her back to him, refusing to look at him.

Wei Shuting knew when to stop and did not persist. Keeping a distance of five steps, he bowed to her, "If you’d do me the honor, on the Lantern Festival, I’ll come to fetch you and take you to see the lanterns!"

Cheng Yiqiao, furious, spun around and shoved him out.

This time, Wei Shuting stumbled back, losing his balance and tumbling down the steps into the courtyard.

A martial artist wouldn’t get seriously hurt, but he did take quite a clumsy fall, and Cheng Yiyan, arriving moments later, quickly helped him up, shooting a glare at his sister.

Cheng Yiqiao, holding her waist indignantly, said, "Brother didn't even ask what he said?"

Wei Shuting stood up, dusted off his clothes, and apologetically told Cheng Yiyan,

"It was presumptuous of me, but I wanted to invite the second young lady to see the lanterns during the Lantern Festival."

Cheng Yiyan had done the same thing before; he had courted his wife, Lady Lu, in the same way.

But it was different when it came to his own sister.

Cheng Yiyan's double standards were evident as he stared at Wei Shuting with a half-smile,

"My sister is frail, and it's still quite cold during the Lantern Festival, so she won't be going out."

Cheng Yiqiao lifted her chin triumphantly.

Wei Shuting, of course, knew that Cheng Yiqiao wouldn't easily agree to go out, but if he didn't come, it would be considered impolite. He had to show his intention.

Without responding, Wei Shuting only said, "I apologize for the disturbance today. I hope Brother Yan Ning and the second young lady can forgive my rudeness."

Cheng Yiyan politely saw him to the door and then asked his sister about her thoughts.

Cheng Yiqiao leisurely made her way to the back courtyard, "I have no particular thoughts."

In her heart, however, she was considering Wei Shuting's words: the benefits of being a daughter-in-law, the simplicity of family relations, and whether there would be enough wealth for her to indulge in.

From New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival, banquets were held every day, with each household taking turns to host. Cheng Yian felt she had gained a few pounds from all the feasting. One night, she asked Lu Xusheng,

"Am I starting to get flabby?"

Lu Xusheng's palm roamed up and down her waist, the skin soft and smooth, making it irresistible. "No, I think it's just right."

Cheng Yian, skeptical, turned her head to ask, "Really?"

Lu Xusheng suddenly loomed over her, "Do you want me to prove it?"

Cheng Yian had already sensed his unmistakable boldness, her body tensed, not daring to move.

"Aren't you tired...?"

Even during New Year's Eve and the Lunar New Year's Day, while others were celebrating, Lu Xusheng was not. On the third day, he went to Yulin Town. He had been tirelessly on the move during this period, all for the sake of smoothly heading south on the sixteenth.

He returned from Yulin at noon today, preparing to enter the palace to see the emperor. Disgusted by his own filth, he returned home to bathe and change, and even in the bathroom, he couldn't resist having Cheng Yian once. Now, barely settled into bed at night, he wanted it again.

Lu Xusheng's breathing grew heavier, his gaze intense. "Cheng Yian, I will be gone for at least two months this time. Promise me, before I leave, let me have my way, alright?"

Cheng Yian couldn't help but laugh at his words. "You... should also take care of your body."

Lu Xusheng, while taking off her clothes, said fiercely, "In the past, limiting myself to touching you once a day was my way of taking care of my body."

Look at what he's saying.

Cheng Yian remembered how her waist was almost broken by him in the bathroom today, and now she pushed him hard.

"Then let me rest."

Lu Xusheng held her delicate shoulder blades, squeezing in. "I didn't ask you to move, just lie down and enjoy."

Cheng Yian: "....."

She was at a loss for words to argue.

After rushing back from a three-day journey, traveling day and night, he had already worn her out at noon, and now he was relentless again at night.

Was this man made of iron?

The night passed with soft murmurs.

Though Lu Xusheng had physically demonstrated that she hadn't gained weight, Cheng Yian, after attending six straight days of banquets, was really in no mood to go again. However, Ru Hui informed her,

"Tomorrow is the eighth day of the lunar month—the banquet at Marquis He's estate."

Hearing this, Cheng Yian's face fell instantly. Over the past year, the He family had stepped back from Beijing's elite circles. Now that Cheng Yixin was back, they had to host a formal banquet to announce their return. As her sister, Cheng Yian had no choice but to attend and lend her support.

She rubbed her temples and sighed, "Get the gifts ready."

At around 7 p.m. in the evening, Cheng Yixin called all the stewards together to go over the next day's banquet arrangements, ensuring everything was in order before returning to her room.

In the dimly lit eastern chamber of the main courtyard, He Qingyun was soothing their daughter to sleep.

Cheng Yixin lifted the bead curtain gently, stepped into the canopy bed, and sat at the dressing table to take off her makeup. She had sent the maids away, leaving just the two of them in the room. Noticing her return, He Qingyun looked up and gave her a gentle smile,

"Tired? Want me to give you a rub?"

He had always been so gentle and thoughtful.

Cheng Yixin told herself that she couldn't have it all. Other wives might grumble about their husbands being distant, or struggling with their in-laws, or even their husbands cheating. She didn't have any of those problems; she should be grateful.

But for some reason, she felt like something was missing. It had been a year and a half since the last time, and even that had been rushed. If not for a stroke of luck, she might not have been able to have a child.

Slowly removing her hairpins, Cheng Yixin tentatively probed,

"Cuijie's getting older; she should sleep in the west chamber. With her here, I don't sleep well..."

He Qingyun's hand paused, looking at their just-fallen-asleep child, his expression hesitant.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Cheng Yixin dropped the golden hairpin and turned to him, her eyes pleading,

"What, can't you bear to part with her?

"No..." Seeing his wife's aggrieved expression, He Qingyun felt ashamed, "Xinxin..."

Cheng Yixin walked over, ready to pick up their daughter, "Then listen to me, send her to the eastern chamber."

Seeing his wife serious, He Qingyun knew he couldn't oppose her and quickly raised his hand to stop her, "I'll do it, I'll do it, don't wake her..."

Cheng Yixin then withdrew her hand and returned to the dressing table to comb her hair. He Qingyun sighed helplessly, carefully carried the child out, and handed her to the wet nurse. The child cried a few times, and he patiently soothed her until she was settled before returning to the eastern chamber. Standing at the bead curtain, he saw that Cheng Yixin had already blown out the lamp. He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and slowly stepped inside.

The curtain was left half-open, and Cheng Yixin was already lying down inside.

He Qingyun then removed the other half of the curtain and lay down as well.

It had been a long time since the couple had slept so peacefully. Raising a child was mentally and physically exhausting. Cheng Yixin lay with her eyes open, gazing into the void, savoring this rare moment of tranquility.

Between them lay the space where their daughter used to sleep.

Now, the house was quiet.

He Qingyun scooted closer, gently squeezing Cheng Yixin's palm,

"Xin'er (a term of endearment), you've been so busy lately."

On New Year's Eve, the emperor summoned him to the palace to accompany the banquet and ordered him to paint a night banquet scene. Recently, He Qingyun had been busy with this, and Cheng Yixin was managing all the household affairs.

The New Year is the busiest time for the mistress of the house, as she has to take care of social duties both at home and beyond. Moreover, since they had just returned to the capital, there were even more connections to manage.

Fortunately, Cheng Yixin was capable.

But Cheng Yixin didn't reply. Instead, she followed his strength and nestled into his embrace, her hands clinging to his back and waist, breathing deeply at his neck.