Chapter 46: A Short Separation Feels Like a New Marriage

Chapter 46: A Short Separation Feels Like a New Marriage

"All of this, for me?"

Jiang Wanrou was dressed in a water-red satin nightgown. During her postpartum period, she was more sensitive to the cold than the heat. Cuizhu had placed a charcoal brazier in the corner of the room, making her cheeks flush with warmth. Her dark, glistening eyes blinked, not resembling a woman who had just given birth, but rather like an innocent sixteen-year-old girl.

Unfortunately, she could only be looked at, not touched. Lu Feng, lying on the inner side of the bed, didn’t even lift an eyelid, simply replying, "Mm."

A sudden windfall, and one bestowed by the emperor himself—Jiang Wanrou was happy, of course, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that this gold felt too hot to handle.

She gently tugged at Lu Feng’s sleeve, chiding, "Don’t read so late at night, you’ll strain your eyes."

"You’ve been away for so long. Let’s talk as husband and wife for a while."

She needed to find out what was going on.

Lu Feng put down the history book in his hands and looked at his wife, whose face was glowing with health, his expression slightly resigned. "Go ahead," he said.

Jiang Wanrou had just given birth and couldn’t bathe. She couldn’t stand the sticky feeling of sweat all over her body, so she had Cuizhu wipe her down with warm water. She wasn’t in a state to be intimate, and she had thought that after Lu Feng saw the children, he would return to his own courtyard. But as the sky darkened, he unexpectedly came to Jinguang Courtyard.

Since he had come, Jiang Wanrou couldn’t very well send him away. She had someone fetch another blanket, and they shared the bed but not the same quilt—a first in several years.

The room was lit by the charcoal brazier and candles, with a large night pearl placed by the bed, illuminating the room brightly. The bed curtains were half-drawn, and inside the carved bed, Jiang Wanrou carefully studied Lu Feng’s face.

When he had first returned, he had been dusty and unshaven, looking like a wandering swordsman from the martial world. After he returned from the palace, Jiang Wanrou immediately had someone prepare a bath for him. Now, cleaned up, the man’s thick eyebrows, straight nose, and thin lips were striking. He wore a thin black satin nightgown, revealing a firm and powerful chest.

There was a sharp, cold handsomeness to him.

Jiang Wanrou suddenly felt her mouth go dry and reached out to adjust his collar.

"Don’t provoke me."

Lu Feng shot her a warning glance and lightly swatted her hand away.

"I just wanted to help you adjust your clothes," Jiang Wanrou said, feigning innocence, not admitting that it was her own lust acting up. Lu Feng’s looks were undeniably striking, but his aura was too intimidating, often causing people to overlook his appearance.

Jiang Wanrou didn’t enjoy intimacy—it was too painful. Lu Feng didn’t have any particular preferences; back then, he didn’t talk much, just focused on the task at hand. But his stamina was formidable, and it was always a struggle for her.

She preferred facing him or straddling him, so she could see his face clearly. She could watch the sweat drip down his cheeks, see his Adam’s apple bob, and the veins on his forehead bulge. Lu Feng was undoubtedly handsome, and in those moments, he was especially alluring. Jiang Wanrou found that looking at his face made the pain feel a little more bearable.

She sighed inwardly: If only it could always be like this—no need for intimacy, just admiring Commander Lu’s masculine beauty. It would be a heavenly existence.

Jiang Wanrou’s gaze was too obvious, making it hard for Lu Feng to ignore. He put the history book aside and said to his wife, "You’ll have to endure a little longer. Not now."

He was struggling too.

Jiang Wanrou: "..."

If it weren’t for the current circumstances, she wouldn’t dare to tease him like this.

Jiang Wanrou restrained her restless hands and shifted her gaze away from Lu Feng’s muscular chest, pouting, "They say a short separation feels like a new marriage. You’ve been away for so long, and now you’re acting so distant with me."

Lu Feng looked down at her, his dark eyes calm and unreadable. "Shall we get reacquainted then?"

Before Jiang Wanrou could react, Lu Feng leaned in, his weight pressing down on her suddenly. His breath brushed against her neck, hot and intense.

Their gazes locked, and Jiang Wanrou’s eyes widened in surprise. She stuttered, "Husband, the imperial physician said it’s not safe now."

"Not safe, yet you still tempt me?"

Lu Feng’s voice was deep and husky, making her ears tingle.

She instinctively recoiled, still protesting her innocence, "I didn’t, husband, you’re wronging me!"

Before she could finish, his lips captured hers firmly. His kiss was passionate and demanding, with a hunger that seemed to consume her.

...

Outside, the candle was half-burned, its wax pooling on the silver candlestick. Lu Feng released Jiang Wanrou, her cheeks flushed, a faint strand of saliva glistening on her lips, which now looked as if they were painted with the finest rouge, glowing and alluring.

Finally, his wife was compliant. Lu Feng nodded in satisfaction and picked up the history book again.

Jiang Wanrou gazed at Lu Feng in disbelief. If not for the gentle rise and fall of his chest, she would have thought it was all a hallucination.

She bit her lip, feeling a mix of numbness and pain, wincing in discomfort.

She thought to herself with a sigh, Lu Feng was truly a man of focus. With such beauty before him, he was still engrossed in his book!

She lay down, deciding not to push her luck. After a while, Lu Feng spoke calmly, "Speak."

"What?"

Jiang Wanrou looked puzzled, "Speak... about what?"

Lu Feng glanced at her, "Didn’t you want to talk?"

Jiang Wanrou: "..."

She awkwardly replied, "Never mind, I’m afraid I’ll disturb your reading."

"It’s fine."

Lu Feng crossed his legs, set the book aside, and leaned back against the headboard, saying, "It’s just for leisure. This is a newly revised history from four years ago, more engaging than the old, with added annotations and stories for interest."

"Originally, I got it for you."

Clearly, he had left it untouched, the cover probably unopened.

He sighed softly. Well, the child was already born; in the future, the child could learn. There was no need to force her.

Jiang Wanrou stiffened, fearing he might bring up old grievances or suddenly take an interest in explaining a passage. Lu Feng’s voice was rich and pleasant to listen to, but during her pregnancy, his readings often made her drowsy, and she had to deal with his occasional pauses and questions.

Lu Feng was a man who couldn’t tolerate ignorance, but the books he read were too obscure. She often only half-understood, leaving the couple staring at each other in mutual frustration.

For a while, she even suspected that the so-called "nurturing the child in the womb" was just an excuse. Was he perhaps using it as a way to point out her lack of literary knowledge?

Now, with her belly flat, Jiang Wanrou feared he might fall back into his "teacher" mode. She quickly spoke before he could, "Husband, have you seen the two children?"

A softness appeared in Lu Feng’s otherwise indifferent eyes, "Yes."

He said, "They’re beautiful."

Jiang Wanrou wasn’t sure what beauty he could see. Newborns looked like hairless red monkeys, all red and wrinkled, not at all attractive.

She had taken a look earlier; the two children’s eyes were squinted, and they didn’t react much to poking and prodding. The wet nurses praised the bond of blood, saying the little ones only cried when they opened their eyes, but were quiet and well-behaved in their mother’s presence.

Jiang Wanrou couldn't help but think of Huai Yi. When he was just born, he wasn't particularly handsome either. She was so upset upon seeing him that she nearly cried. Both she and Lu Feng were considered exceptionally attractive, so how could they have a child who wasn't as attractive?

After about a month or two, the shriveled child seemed to have been transformed by a magical touch, suddenly blossoming into a snow-white doll, with two dark eyes like shiny black grapes.

Jiang Wanrou smiled and said, "We must throw a grand celebration for the full moon of these two little ones, not too far behind the one we held for their older brother."

When Huai Yi was born, Lu Feng had just taken over the Forbidden Dragon Bureau. Due to his ruthless and aggressive demeanor, no one in the court dared to cross him. For the full moon of his only son, all the nobles in the capital sent lavish gifts, and even the emperor himself graced the occasion. Holding Huai Yi, she greeted guests as the lady of the Lu household, marking her first formal introduction into the capital's noblewomen's circle.

Lu Feng nodded, "Of course, I will personally write the invitations."

Every year, Lu Feng would personally write the invitations for Huai Yi's birthday. Now it was the turn of the two little ones, and he couldn't play favorites.

Jiang Wanrou hurriedly said, "And Huai Yi, since you weren't home this year, his birthday celebration was rather modest. We must make it up to him when we can."

At that moment, she resembled a mother hen guarding her chicks. Lu Feng couldn't help but chuckle and teased, "You, as a mother, really keep things fair."

"Of course," Jiang Wanrou said indifferently, "They are all my own flesh and blood; how could I favor one over the other?"

Lu Feng was momentarily stunned, then smiled gently and said, "You're right."

He was wrong. He was loyal to the Great Qi and to the throne. The emperor trusted him more, and he naively believed he was the most favored son.

Today, he was dealt a harsh blow. It turned out, he had never truly considered him.

The emperor had twelve sons, the youngest being just over a year old. Among the princes who had left the palace to set up their own households, Prince Gong had fallen, but there were still the virtuous Prince Xian, the skilled Prince Ying, the clever Prince Min, and the literary Prince Jing. Among the adult princes, the ninth was clever and knew how to charm, the tenth excelled in his studies and had a photographic memory, the eleventh's mother was the emperor's favorite concubine, and the twelfth was the emperor's son born in his old age.

Lu Feng knew he had a leg disability and also understood his awkward position. Back then, the Duke of Lu had asked him whether he wanted to be a prince or the eldest son of the Lu family. He thought for a night and chose the Lu family.

Back then, he had no ambitions. The Duke of Lu was brave and upright. He had been taught by famous teachers since childhood, and as an adult, he went to the battlefield, guarding the borders with the soldiers. At that time, he had only one thought in mind: to achieve great deeds and serve the court.

If it weren't for that fool Qi Xuan acting smart, Lu Feng's temperament wouldn't have changed, and he wouldn't have had the thought of competing for that position.

He was in charge of the Forbidden Dragon Bureau, and the emperor had secretly helped him many times, which he knew. He thought this was the emperor's tacit approval. He also had the blood of the emperor, so why couldn't he do it?

As for the result, the winner takes all, and he accepted it.

If Prince Gong had stimulated Lu Feng, planting a seed in his heart, today's conversation between father and son in the Hall of Mental Cultivation had turned that seed into a towering tree.

That position, he was determined to get it!

...

Lu Feng's expression was calm, but his emotional changes couldn't hide from Jiang Wanrou, his closest companion. She suddenly reached out and gently touched his forehead.

"Don't frown, or you'll get wrinkles here from too much frowning."

"You'll look fierce."

Lu Feng chuckled, "I am fierce."

Jiang Wanrou replied, "My husband is not fierce, he is the kindest person in the world."

After saying that, even she couldn't help but laugh.

She wriggled closer to him, "Let me massage your head. You've been away for so long, it's a good time to see if my skills have improved."

Jiang Wanrou's hands pressed on the man's temples, a vital point for anyone, especially martial artists, who are most wary of exposing this area. Jiang Wanrou didn't know this, and the first time she massaged Lu Feng, she was almost thrown out by him.

At this thought, Jiang Wanrou felt resentful and started muttering, dredging up past grievances.

"You were so harsh back then, scowling, and you even squeezed my wrist until it swelled..."

"After all my goodwill..."

As she spoke, she noticed no response. Glancing down, she saw the man, eyes shut tight, already asleep.

Usually, she fell asleep first, while Commander Lu stayed up late. His eyelashes were dark and long, and seeing this opportunity, Jiang Wanrou's hands itched to take a chance and touch the tiger's whiskers.

Her hand was halfway there when she suddenly noticed the faint shadows under his eyes. She changed her mind and tucked the blanket around him.

She didn’t ring the bell but quietly rose, slipped on her embroidered shoes, blew out the candles, and draped a black cloth over the night pearl.

A good night's sleep.

***

Jiang Wanrou’s postpartum recovery was agonizing, worse even than her pregnancy.

First, she couldn’t bathe or wash her hair, only letting Cuizhu wipe her down with warm water. After a month, Jiang Wanrou felt like she was going rancid, and it was a miracle Commander Lu could stand it.

Second, she had to avoid rich or spicy foods. She had developed a taste for spicy food during pregnancy and could still enjoy the chef's spicy tofu even with a big belly. Now, it was nothing but chicken soup or fish soup, all in the name of nourishment, but the mere smell made her nauseous.

Thirdly, postpartum recovery. During her pregnancy, she’d been meticulous, secretly securing palace remedies from the imperial physician to apply to her belly.

After giving birth, her belly was suddenly flat, without a single stretch mark, unlike most women post-childbirth.

But her skin was slightly loose, not as firm as before.

Jiang Wanrou couldn’t stand it. She was only in her early twenties, and as a young lady, she’d kept her flaws hidden. After marriage, she’d been pampered, glowing and radiant. Having been a celebrated beauty for five years, she couldn’t stand the sight of her sagging belly.

She badgered Commander Lu to find her some experienced matrons from the palace. The emperor was indiscriminate, with a harem of three thousand beauties, and the concubines battled fiercely. The matrons knew every trick in the book, and they used them all on Jiang Wanrou.

The most effective was a matron’s massage technique, pressing and kneading, which helped expel the lochia while tightening her skin and slimming her waist. The matron whispered in Jiang Wanrou's ear, "Madam, don’t underestimate this old servant. The Xi Beauty, mother to the eleventh prince and eighth princess, stayed in favor thanks to my technique."

"Madam, your skin is as white as flawless jade, even lovelier than Xi Beauty! With my touch, you’ll become irresistible, and Commander Lu will be utterly bewitched!"

Whether Commander Lu was bewitched or not, she didn’t know, but she was already in agony from the matron’s massage. Jiang Wanrou endured the pain and gritted her teeth, "Matron, be gentle."

The technique was effective, but it was also truly painful!

The matron said with a knowing look, "Endure the pain to rise above. Madam, you’ll thank me later."

With another hard press, Jiang Wanrou’s face contorted in pain. She thought to herself that she was already at the top and didn’t need to endure this pointless pain.

She was truly scared and tried many other methods, but none were as effective as the matron's, so she had to continue using her. The turning point came during one massage session when a small incident occurred.

Commander Lu returned.

Since returning to the capital, Commander Lu seemed to have much more free time. In the past, he never returned to the mansion during the day, but now he was often seen there. When Commander Lu entered the mansion, the matron was applying her strength, and Jiang Wanrou let out a scream.

By then, she was already out of energy, and the sound was a mix of a scream and a moan, very similar to the sounds Jiang Wanrou made at certain times.

Commander Lu’s expression darkened, and he instantly drew his long sword. The sandalwood peony-carved screen outside was split into pieces by the sharp sword wind, revealing Jiang Wanrou in disheveled clothes and the terrified matron.

Six eyes met, and the matron knelt and crawled to beg for forgiveness. Commander Lu walked over with a murderous aura, his dark eyes scanning Jiang Wanrou from head to toe, then pointing the sword tip at the matron.

"How dare you disrespect Madam."

The matron was too scared to speak coherently, and it was Jiang Wanrou who managed to put on her clothes and calmly explain, soothing the furious Commander Lu.

Later, during a night conversation, Lu Feng told Jiang Wanrou that aging, sickness, and death are beyond human control. He advised her not to worry too much about her looks. Instead, he gave her a stack of books to read in her spare time, emphasizing that reading could enlighten her mind and she should stop pondering over trivial matters.

Jiang Wanrou nodded along, but inside she was rolling her eyes. Men, they talk sweetly, but if she were as plain as salt, Lu Feng wouldn’t even glance at her, let alone discuss the importance of physical appearance with her.

Moreover, she was only in her twenties. He might not care, but she did!

Jiang Wanrou sought out the old nanny again. After the incident, the nanny was terrified, and Jiang Wanrou felt much more at ease. Initially, she worried that the nanny’s lighter touch would be less effective, but after a month of massage, her waist was as slim as a teenager’s.

Having given birth, her bust was fuller, and her old clothes had to be loosened. A month later, Jiang Wanrou appeared before everyone in a fitted, bright red gown, embroidered with clusters of luxurious peonies, with a matching peony hair ornament. Her thick, black hair was styled high, adorned with dazzling gold hairpins with dangling pearls and large pearl earrings, radiant and charming.

Today was the full moon celebration of her two children and also the day Jiang Wanrou returned to the public eye after her postpartum confinement.

The children were precious and would only be brought out briefly. The main focus was on the social interactions among the adults. Lu Feng hosted guests in the front courtyard, accompanied by the Second Master and Third Master, while Jiang Wanrou entertained female guests in the rear courtyard, assisted by her sisters-in-law.

It was still early, and not all the guests had arrived. Jiang Wanrou chatted with familiar ladies and returned to the back room to double-check the seating arrangements and drinks, reviewing the guest list. Suddenly, her gaze stopped at a name.

Jiang Wanying.

Pei Zhang had just returned to the capital after achieving great merit. The Emperor bestowed many rewards upon him but, considering his youth, did not promote him. Instead, he was allowed to teach the royal princes.

Being a teacher to the princes could lead to significant opportunities, and Lord Pei became the talk of the town in the capital. For both personal and social reasons, Jiang Wanrou could not overlook Jiang Wanying.

She wondered if Jiang Wanying would attend.

With a quick stroke of her pen, she arranged Jiang Wanying’s seat in a position that was not too far back but somewhat secluded, and instructed, "Arrange it this way."