Chapter 84 Night Talk Between Husband and Wife

Chapter 84: Pillow Talk

At his words, the sparkle vanished from Jiang Wanrou's eyes. She clutched Lu Feng's sleeve, her dark eyes silently pleading, yet she remained silent.

Lu Feng pulled his crumpled sleeve free and said sternly, "Listen to me."

History had its female generals like Qin Liangyu, and now there was Liu Yuenu, who raised a banner in rebellion. Lu Feng was open-minded and didn’t share the emperor’s many prejudices against women—but that applied only to others. His wife should stay quietly within the household.

Moreover, this place was nothing like the capital. It was a rough crowd, and Jiang Wanrou’s beauty was too conspicuous. Every time someone glanced at her, he felt the urge to pluck out their eyes.

Lu Feng didn’t speak much, but every word he said held authority. Jiang Wanrou gave up her hopes and muttered, "Staying in the general’s mansion every day is so boring."

Lu Feng countered, "Was the rear palace of the prince’s manor not boring?"

"It’s different!"

Jiang Wanrou counted on her fingers, "Back in the Duke’s residence, I was the principal wife. The household was large, with constant comings and goings, and I was so busy I barely had time to sit. The Prince of Qi’s residence was quieter, but then His Majesty bestowed so many Beauties. Huai Yi was frail, and the two little ones needed constant care—how could I ever feel bored?"

Her words were partly true but mostly exaggerated. In reality, after giving birth to Huai Yi, Jiang Wanrou had gradually secured her position in the household. Managing domestic affairs had become second nature, and she spent most of her days indulging in flower-viewing and opera. Life in the Prince of Qi’s residence was even more comfortable—food, clothing, and daily necessities were all handled by the imperial household office, and the Beauties sent by the emperor had never even met Lu Feng. She wasn’t the least bit tired.

But Lu Feng took it to heart.

He squeezed her soft hands and sighed softly, "You've endured so much."

She had borne him children and managed the household, yet now, with a single imperial decree, she had to leave her young ones behind and follow him to this harsh frontier. He had failed her.

Jiang Wanrou had only meant to pretend hardship in front of Lu Feng, but now that he took it seriously, she felt a little guilty. Burying her face in his chest, she whispered, "I haven't endured anything."

"Being with you means I haven't endured anything."

A trace of tenderness surfaced in Lu Feng’s dark eyes. Just as the atmosphere turned sweet, Jiang Wanrou hesitantly added, "Though… it would be even better if I could go out and see the sights."

Lu Feng: "..."

He tapped her forehead lightly with his knuckles and warned, "Behave."

Outside, aside from commoners struggling to make a living, there was only harsh winds and blowing sand. She would catch cold from just bathing—how could he possibly let her go out? Even with an escort, it was out of the question.

Jiang Wanrou whined but eventually relented. Feeling restless, she invented reasons to bother Lu Feng, complaining that he had tapped her too hard and now her head hurt, demanding that he massage it for her.

Lu Feng obliged, but she wrinkled her dainty nose, now saying it was too light, now too heavy—never satisfied. He wasn’t fooled by her act, but he indulged her anyway, patiently coaxing her all the way until they reached the general’s mansion, by which time Jiang Wanrou’s mood had mostly improved.

With Ling Xiao away at the front lines, it was Lu Qingling and her daughter who greeted them. Years apart had turned the once-naive and pampered young lady into a poised and mature woman—though the sight of family overcame her composure, and she threw herself into Jiang Wanrou’s arms, weeping.

Her daughter cried behind her, and the maids shed tears as well. Reunions were supposed to be joyous, and Jiang Wanrou couldn’t fathom why they were crying. To keep up appearances, she covered her face with one hand and pinched her thigh hard with the other, managing only to redden her eyes. Fortunately, Jintao was sharp-witted, shedding tears nonstop, making the scene look convincing.

"All this weeping—what kind of behavior is this?"

Lu Feng, having settled his subordinates, returned to find the group in tears and frowned so deeply he could have crushed a fly. At his sharp rebuke, Lu Qingling’s sobs halted abruptly, her tears welling up but not daring to fall.

She took a step back, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "This younger sister has acted improperly. I beg Eldest Brother—ah, no, I beg Your Highness for forgiveness."

Lu Feng reprimanded coldly, "Do you behave like this in front of Ling Xiao? Rash and ill-mannered—how can you uphold the dignity of a general’s wife?"

Lu Qingling bowed her head and murmured, "Your Highness speaks rightly. I understand."

As the only daughter of the Duke’s household—even if just an illegitimate child—Old Madam Zhao had treated her as her own. Lu Qingling had feared nothing since childhood except her eldest brother, Lu Feng. In her youth, it hadn’t been so bad—men and women were kept separate, and at most she faced occasional reprimands. But after Lu Feng married...

Jiang Wanrou's reputation when she married into the family was far from respectable. From top to bottom in the Lu household, except for the confused old matriarch, no one liked her—Lu Qingling least of all. She revered Lu Feng, her brother whom she regarded as a god, yet he had married a notorious illegitimate daughter. She detested Jiang Wanrou utterly, always making trouble and scowling, refusing to acknowledge this "Elder sister-in-law."

As the young lady of the household, Jiang Wanrou, still lacking firm footing, couldn’t use seniority to suppress her. So she devised a plan—using Lu Feng to rein her in. Lu Feng showed no mercy in punishment, regardless of gender. Once, when Lu Qingling came to Jin Guang Courtyard to pick a fight, Lu Feng "happened" to overhear and had her punished with five cane strokes for "disrespecting her Elder sister-in-law." It wasn’t severe, but it sufficed to scare her into never daring to act out again.

Over the years, the relationship between the sisters-in-law gradually improved. By the time Lu Qingling married and became a mother, she had apologized several times in letters for her past immaturity. Jiang Wanrou graciously let bygones be bygones. To this day, Lu Qingling remained unaware of Jiang Wanrou’s maneuvering, still thinking her a kind, virtuous "dear sister-in-law."

Now that Lu Feng was both the Prince of Qi and her elder brother, his presence was even more intimidating, and Lu Qingling feared him all the more. She couldn’t help but sneak glances at Jiang Wanrou. Jiang Wanrou smiled knowingly, took Lu Feng’s arm, and gently chided, "Husband, little sister is just happy to see us. Don’t be so stern."

"Look at you, scaring the child. What a pretty girl, come here and let your auntie take a closer look."

With Jiang Wanrou present, the atmosphere couldn’t stay cold for long. The little girl, named Ling Yun, had just turned five and had a three-year-old brother who was too young to meet guests. Jiang Wanrou placed the gold necklace she had prepared in advance around the girl’s neck, and the group shared a simple meal. Fine wine and dishes—a full twenty-eight dishes—though not as refined or extravagant as those in the capital, were far better than the food they’d had on the road. It was clear Lu Qingling had put in great effort.

Lu Feng spoke little, asking only a few brief questions before calmly instructing, "Ling Xiao has a hard time guarding the border. As his wife, you must be virtuous and diligent, managing the household and serving your husband dutifully. Do not disgrace the Lu family’s reputation."

Lu Qingling nodded cautiously. "Yes, I shall serve my husband as diligently as Elder sister does."

Lu Feng chuckled softly and shook his head. "Even half as well as her would suffice."

In his heart, Jiang Wanrou was perfection itself—no woman in the world could compare to her. If Lu Qingling could emulate even a fraction of her virtues, it would be a blessing.

Jiang Wanrou poured him a cup of wine and teased, "What kind of elder brother are you? Ling Xiao has it hard, and my dear sister Qingling has been managing this vast general’s estate alone—that’s no easy feat either. Little sister, don’t be afraid. Has Ling Xiao bullied you? Tell me everything, and I’ll stand up for you."

Lu Qingling flashed Jiang Wanrou a grateful smile, revealing her little canine teeth. "Thank you, sister-in-law! He wouldn’t dare bully me!"

It was clear Lu Qingling was genuinely happy and truly fond of Ling Xiao. The general’s household was simple—Ling Xiao had lost his father young and his mother in adolescence, with no concubines around. Unlike the capital, there were no intricate social webs to navigate. Jiang Wanrou had envied Lu Qingling’s freedom on the journey, but now she realized that only she knew her own struggles.

Lu Qingling was a year younger than her and had been pampered in the household for over a decade, once a delicate beauty with porcelain skin and jet-black hair. The harsh frontier winds had taken their toll—even with powder on her face and luxurious silk robes, Jiang Wanrou’s sharp eyes noticed the slightly sallow skin on her neck and the slightly brittle hair, making her appear more worn than women of her age in the capital. Only when she smiled, revealing those little canines, did Jiang Wanrou recall her former self.

Yet she was so happy, her eyes shining brightly whenever she mentioned Ling Xiao.

***

Jiang Wanrou alternated between refilling Lu Feng’s wine and serving him dishes, sharing heartfelt words with Lu Qingling, and amusing little five-year-old Ling Yun in between. The welcome feast left everyone content. After the banquet, Lu Feng readied the troops to move out while Jiang Wanrou sorted through their luggage in the bedchamber. By the time they finished, dusk had already fallen.

Lu Qingling was generous, offering an entire eastern courtyard to Jiang Wanrou and her husband. The bedchamber was warmed by a charcoal brazier, and after a comfortable hot bath, Jiang Wanrou was letting Jintao dry her hair when Lu Feng pushed the door open.

"You’re finally back."

Jintao tactfully withdrew. Jiang Wanrou, her black hair loose and damp, flung her arms around Lu Feng’s neck.

"I’ve waited so long for you."

Lu Feng frowned as he touched her wet locks. "You’ll catch cold with wet hair."

Jiang Wanrou clung to him. "Not sleeping yet. I want to talk to you."

It hadn’t struck her during the journey, but now that they were at the general’s estate, Jiang Wanrou suddenly realized they weren’t here for a family visit—Lu Feng was here under imperial decree to oversee the war.

He would leave tomorrow.

The front line was about thirty kilometers away. On horseback, it was a day’s round trip. But during the feast, Jiang Wanrou had asked Lu Qingling—Ling Xiao hadn’t returned to the estate in two months. The longest stretch had been half a year.

Little Yun’er, having not seen her father for so long, didn’t even fuss, saying in her childish voice, "Daddy… takes a long, long, long time to come back."

At the feast, Jiang Wanrou had pitied Lu Qingling’s hardship. Now it was her turn, and she ached for herself. Ling Xiao had once been Lu Feng’s deputy, sharing his temperament. She already anticipated long stretches of solitude.

She had followed him all this way, yet though they were so close, they couldn’t meet. The thought ate at her.

Lu Feng had received Ling Xiao’s military report—a pyrrhic victory. The Turkic army attacked fiercely, and though the first city could have been abandoned, Ling Xiao had paid a heavy price to hold it, boosting morale. Lu Feng fretted over the front lines, itching to ride out tonight.

But Jiang Wanrou clung to him—soft, warm, her dark eyes brimming with devotion—and Lu Feng’s sternness melted.

No wonder they say romance saps a hero’s vigor. Lu Feng sighed inwardly. Fine—just one more night to indulge her.

He ran his fingers through her damp hair, then abruptly scooped Jiang Wanrou up and carried her toward the bed.

"Not yet—wait—I need to talk to you—"

Jiang Wanrou flailed her legs uselessly, not even shifting Lu Feng an inch. They collapsed onto the bed in a tangle, Lu Feng burying his face in the snowy hollow of her neck, tickling and teasing her until she squirmed.

"I’m not gagging you."

At some point, her silken nightgown had slipped halfway down, revealing milk-pale skin gleaming in the candlelight, honey-gold in the shadows. After a month of restraint, Lu Feng trailed kisses from her ear, down her neck, past her collarbone, leaving a trail of marks and glistening dampness in his wake.

Dazed with want, Jiang Wanrou suddenly gasped, "No!"

"The lamb membrane."

There was no hidden compartment like in Jin Guang Courtyard—nothing here. This barren place, the grueling travel—if she conceived now, it would be disastrous!

She’d conceived Huai Yi on their first try, and after Lu Feng coaxed her into taking contraceptive medicine, she had barely stopped before conceiving twins. The physician had warned her—healthy women got pregnant easier! She was highly fertile!

With desire burning between them, Lu Feng's throat bobbed as he rasped, "Have someone bring it."

He had never intended for her to bear children again, and now was certainly not the time.

Jiang Wanrou locked her arms around his neck, her cheeks flushed with indignation. "Don't you dare!"

Leaving aside whether the general's estate even had such things, how could she face Lu Qingling after their first night here if servants were sent to fetch... that? She’d die of shame!

Lu Feng paused briefly before murmuring in her ear, "Relax. I’ll keep it out."

Jiang Wanrou gave him a dubious look. Could he really hold back? Lu Feng was leaving tomorrow—all she wanted tonight was to curl against him and murmur.

Like reminding him to be careful in all things, urging him to eat well, talking about Ling Xiao and Lu Qingling, and little Xiao Yuner, whom she had met today. The girl was sweet-mannered and pretty—she wondered if their own Pearl would blossom into such a darling too.

Then she’d sulk just enough to wheedle him into visiting her as often as possible when he had time.

Jiang Wanrou envisioned a tender scene—the lamplight guttering as they whispered farewells. She had so much to say to Lu Feng.

Her beautiful eyes wide, she gazed up at the sharp line of his jaw and murmured, "Husband, I’ve missed you. Can’t we just—mmph—"

*Can’t we just talk...*

The words never made it out. The heat in Lu Feng's dark eyes intensified—she had missed him, and he had missed her too.

What Jiang Wanrou considered "missing" was reluctance, embraces, and whispered words. Lu Feng's approach was far more direct—two becoming one, inseparable.

He took her without preamble, and Jiang Wanrou’s vision whited out...

From then on, Lu Feng took full control, reducing Jiang Wanrou to shattered moans. After a night of indulgence, she awoke the next morning to find the other side of the bed cold—he was already gone.

Gritting her teeth, she seethed at his antics, recalling how infuriating he had been the night before, dulling the ache of his departure.

Lu Feng had always been a man of his word—until last night, when Jiang Wanrou learned that a man's promises in bed were not to be trusted!

At first, he had sworn, *"I’ll keep it out,"* and yet not once had he kept his word! In the end, he coaxed her, *"True, I’ll follow through. You won’t conceive."*

And though he *had* followed through... but the *way* he did it...

"Jintao."

Jiang Wanrou called out, instructing Jintao to discreetly prepare a dose of medicine for her.

It was so deep—who knows if he cleaned it properly?

Lu Qingling had assigned dozens of maidservants to the courtyard. Though not a large number, with Jiang Wanrou as the sole mistress, they were sufficient. After breakfast, served by two young maids, she rummaged through her luggage and retrieved a piece of exquisite mutton-fat jade.

She’d given the girl a gift yesterday, but the boy still needed one. When she had given birth to Huai Yi and Mingzhu, the general’s household had sent two large chests of gifts. Since traveling light was necessary, she’d packed only the finest and most valuable items.

More gifts never hurt—Jiang Wanrou always observed proper etiquette. Dressed neatly, she was just about to seek out Lu Qingling when she suddenly heard a clamor of footsteps.

Puzzled, she asked, "What is that noise?"

A maidservant behind her, her hair in twin buns, bowed and replied, "Princess Consort, it's the working women arriving. They’re commoners, unused to formal manners. I’ll tell them to quiet down to avoid disturbing you."

"Working women?"

Jiang Wanrou grew even more perplexed. "Does the general’s estate not have indentured servants? Why hire from outside?"

When employing help, she herself always prioritized those bound by life contracts, followed by family-born servants, and only as a last resort considered those on temporary or redeemable contracts. Outsiders were unreliable—she avoided temporary hires.

The maidservant answered, "Madam employs these women to make clothing and footwear for the soldiers at the front. Most of them are military families, so they work with greater care. They also earn wages to support their households. It was Madam's idea."

"I see."

Three days apart, and you see them with new eyes. Jiang Wanrou also thought it a fine idea—until a question struck her: "But how... are these garments transported to the front?"