Chapter 121: Growing Passion

Chapter 121: Flames of Passion

The autumn season had a crisp bite but was not too cold. Yu Lanyi was grateful it wasn’t yet winter, or he'd be torn. It had been a long time since he and Zheng Shanci had been intimate, and Yu Lanyi was aching for it.

Zheng Shanci was still finishing his ablutions in the bathroom. Yu Lanyi hid the ointment under his pillow and sat on the edge of the bed, swinging his feet playfully. Feeling his hands were empty, he hugged the pillow and waited obediently for Zheng Shanci to come in.

When the sound of water in the bathroom stopped and the door opened, Zheng Shanci emerged in his inner robe, still wreathed in steam. His gaze immediately met Yu Lanyi’s bright, eager eyes.

Hugging the pillow, he looked adorably obedient.

Zheng Shanci’s steps faltered. His throat worked as his deep, heavy gaze roved over Yu Lanyi, settling on his waist and hips.

He restrained himself, lowering his head and averting his eyes.

Seeing Zheng Shanci come out, Yu Lanyi stopped swinging his feet and quickly tucked them under the blanket. He lay down on the pillow, pulling the covers over himself, and commanded with false bravado, “Zheng Shanci, blow out the candles.”

Normally, after washing up, Zheng Shanci would read for a while before sleeping. But this time, he obediently extinguished the candles.

Moonlight poured through the window as Zheng Shanci climbed into bed.

The two lay stiffly side by side, the air thick between them. It was still early—footsteps and voices of maids and servants could still be heard in the inner courtyard.

Growing impatient, Yu Lanyi nudged Zheng Shanci’s calf lightly.

Zheng Shanci turned onto his side and pulled Yu Lanyi into his arms. “I'll pull out tonight.”

As soon as he said this, it was as if a weight had been lifted. His breath came rough. The silken warmth of skin beneath his palm made him lower his head to kiss Yu Lanyi’s collarbone, damp and likely already flushed red.

Yu Lanyi touched his face and urged, “I know. Hurry up.”

Yu Lanyi spent the entire night in pleasure, his pleas alternating between 'faster' and 'slower.'

His pale toes flexed uncontrollably.

Long nail marks were left on Zheng Shanci’s back.

The pain only made Zheng Shanci move with greater intensity.

...

Zheng Shanci spent the night kneading pliant flesh.

By morning, when Yu Lanyi woke up, Zheng Shanci was already gone, having departed for his official duties.

The room was empty, the sunlight bright outside the window. His body felt clean and refreshed. Sheepishly, he rose and inspected himself in the polished bronze, pursing his lips at the lingering marks on the fleshier parts of his body.

He had always said Zheng Shanci was no proper scholar.

A few days later, Zheng Shanci remained busy at the Ministry of Revenue.

After breakfast, Yu Lanyi asked Wu Shi to bring Xiao Ping’an over. Wu Shi said, “Young Master, my mother-in-law is ill. I’d like to go home for a bit and return in the afternoon. The babe's been nursed.”

Yu Lanyi couldn’t very well stop her—that would be too heartless. Besides, he could make do with goat's milk. He nodded. “Go ahead. If you need any help, let me know.”

Wu Shi had taken good care of Xiao Ping’an, so Yu Lanyi treated her well. The child was adorable, but spending an entire day tending to him would surely be exhausting. Wu Shi was patient, steady, and kind-hearted—where would he find another wet nurse her equal?

Wet nurses, after all, were usually found through personal connections. Otherwise, it was hard to know their temperament, and the thought of leaving a child with a stranger was unsettling. Wu Shi had been recommended to Mr. Yu through the Duke’s household, her background clean and reliable, so Yu Lanyi had no reason to doubt her.

Wu Shi thanked Yu Lanyi. She was happy to work as a wet nurse in the Zheng household. Though the master was an official, he had no airs and treated her kindly, paying her a sufficient wage. She had worked in other noble households before, encountering both good and temperamental employers. As a wet nurse, it hardly concerned her.

She had only encountered one male master with unwholesome intentions. After she finished nursing the child and the child was weaned, the male master still wanted her to stay and continue lactating, intending for her to feed it to him.

Wu Shi immediately refused. She knew wealthy households had their share of unsavory affairs, but she never expected to encounter something like this.

Wu Shi only needed to go home briefly and didn’t have to bring much back—just some cash.

Before she even reached her doorstep, several neighbors spotted her and asked, "You're back? Your mother-in-law suddenly fainted in the fields this morning. Luckily, someone found her, or who knows what might have happened."

Hearing this, Wu Shi quickened her pace. Her husband was away in another region, so she and her mother-in-law relied on each other. When she returned home, Aunt Luo was feeding her mother-in-law herbal medicine and moved aside when she saw her.

"You're back. First, pay Aunt Luo—thanks to her covering the doctor’s fee, or the physician wouldn’t have prescribed the medicine," said Granny Yang.

Wu Shi thanked Aunt Luo and asked how much it was.

"Three days' worth of medicine, totaling three hundred coppers. Just keep a closer eye on your mother-in-law. We’re neighbors—helping out is nothing to fuss over."

Wu Shi handed three hundred coppers to Aunt Luo. Being neighbors, Aunt Luo firmly refused any extra payment. Before leaving, Wu Shi bought some sweets and meat to keep at home. Aunt Luo had a young grandson, so she brought some treats over—a gift that showed real thought.

"Since you're back, I’ll take my leave now," Aunt Luo said, taking the money and departing.

Wu Shi also had an eldest son in school; otherwise, her pay would’ve covered things. Granny Yang remarked, "How long can you stay this time? Don’t anger your employers."

"The master is kind-hearted and allowed me to stay until afternoon before returning. The young master is still very small and can’t be left alone for long."

"That’s good. Do your job well and don’t upset anyone. I’ll manage things here," Granny Yang reassured her as always. She had lost her husband early and raised her child alone. Back then, the family was too poor to afford schooling, so she sent her son to train with a boxing master. Unable to find work in the capital, he eventually went to Zhejiang.

"Some time ago, my youngest son wrote saying he’d return soon. Why hasn’t he come back yet?" Granny Yang missed her son. He only came home during the New Year. Now, apart from Dabao attending school, Xiaobao was still babbling at a young age. Earlier that day, Granny Yang had asked a neighbor to watch Xiaobao while she went to work in the fields, but unexpectedly, her body gave out, and she collapsed shortly after.

As she spoke, Wu Shi fed her mother-in-law the medicine. She was about to head to the market when she heard movement at the door. Hurrying over, she saw her husband had returned.

Yang Dalang’s face lit up at the sight of Wu Shi. He looked somewhat like a refugee, his clothes damp—likely from traveling by boat. Zhejiang’s waterways were extensive, making river travel faster than land routes.

"Husband, you’re back?" Wu Shi was overjoyed to see him.

After washing up, changing clothes, and checking on his mother, Yang Dalang sat down with his wife to talk. He brought out his bundle, which contained several round silver ingots—ten large ones, each worth ten taels, totaling a hundred taels. In just five years in Zhejiang, he had managed to save this much.

"So much money..." Wu Shi earned four taels a month as a wet nurse. Seeing her husband bring back such a sum left her both shocked and delighted.

Yang Dalang felt a weight lift from his chest at the sight of the money.

"For the past five years, I worked as a hired guard for a wealthy family. Recently, the court cracked down on corruption in Zhejiang, arresting many. At first, my employer was fine, so I kept working without worry. But then another sweep happened, and my master was taken away. The estate’s belongings were confiscated, and we got no wages. Some of my fellow guards planned to raid the estate to claim their pay. I knew it was wrong but couldn’t stop them, so I just returned to my quarters."

Yang Dalang continued, "In the end, none of those brothers came back—they were all thrown in prison."

Recounting this, he still felt spooked. He had fled by boat that very night, not daring to stay in Zhejiang any longer. The wealthy families there were being cracked down on, and the streets smelled of blood. Guards like him, who relied on these households, had no idea what would happen to them—fleeing the chaos was the only option.

Fortunately, he had only served a pampered young master, protecting him daily without committing any major misdeeds. Missing his wife and child, he had spent frugally, only occasionally treating himself to a drink. Over five years, he had managed to save up. Had he blown his earnings like his housemates—spending time in brothels and wasting money—he would have had nothing left.

Listening to her husband’s account, Wu Shi could imagine the risks. Had he joined his brothers in raiding the estate, he too would have ended up in prison. Now that he had returned safely, it was enough. A family needed a man around.

"Husband, right now, I’m working as a wet nurse for the young master of the Zheng household, earning four taels a month. Dabao is still in school, and Mother is getting older. The family needs someone here. Why don’t you stay? We can buy a bit more land, and you can oversee Dabao’s studies."

Yang Dalang nodded, no longer speaking of venturing out again. In Zhejiang, he had never slept soundly, missing his family every year. But without money, he hadn’t dared return easily. Now that his employer had been arrested and he had savings to fall back on, he decided to stay. Working the land properly and selling some of the harvest for extra income would be good.

Their savings would be saved for the children’s education.

Yang Dalang declared, "I’m not leaving. I’ll stay home to care for Mother and Dabao."

Wu Shi sighed in relief. The events in Zhejiang had spooked Yang Dalang. Many had been arrested and executed, and wealthy families implicated in corruption and land seizures had dragged hundreds into the chaos. As a mere guard, he was one of many who relied on these households for work. Now out of work, they either returned home or sought new work.

When Wu Shi saw her husband had returned, she bought some necessities with him before going back to the Zheng residence. Zheng Shanci had already returned and was playing with their child together with Yu Lanyi.

Xiao Ping'an had grown more prone to tears lately, bursting into cries at the drop of a hat. Despite being so small, his voice was sharp and loud. The instant Yu Lanyi saw his lip tremble, he knew Xiao Ping'an was about to burst into tears. Yu Lanyi immediately set him down on the bed.

Right on cue, the wailing started. Zheng Shanci, seeing this, picked up his son and gently soothed him, humming a soothing tune—one Yu Lanyi had never heard before. Xiao Ping'an's cries gradually subsided, replaced by hiccups as he stared at Zheng Shanci.

Zheng Shanci lightly rubbed his little belly.

Yu Lanyi watched his husband's actions from the side, feeling suddenly inadequate. His husband had such remarkable patience, never losing his temper even with such a cranky child. He himself lacked that kind of composure.

During Yu Lanyi's pregnancy, he'd noticed how both Mr. Zheng and his own father doted on the unborn baby. Sometimes he wondered if they cared more about the baby than him. Having been pampered all his life, he was used to being the center of attention. But after conceiving, he sometimes felt overshadowed by the baby.

Zheng Shanci had always been patient with him, even staying by his side in the delivery room, reassuring Yu Lanyi that his husband's love hadn't changed. *He loves me, and he loves our child just as much.*

Seeing that Zheng Shanci had successfully calmed the baby, Yu Lanyi reached out and brushed a finger against Xiao Ping'an’s lips. "Eating and sleeping so well—you’re the happiest one in this family."

Zheng Shanci chuckled.

At night, Yu Lanyi insisted on hearing Zheng Shanci hum before he could sleep. "If you don’t hum for me, I won’t sleep."

He flopped onto the bed and refused to budge.

Zheng Shanci gave in, humming the tune.

Yu Lanyi traced his fingers over Zheng Shanci’s Adam’s apple, feeling the vibrations as he sang. His touch wandered down to Zheng Shanci’s chin.

Zheng Shanci lowered his head and gave his finger a teasing bite.

Yu Lanyi's finger tingled from the bite.

"Zheng Shanci, you're too improper," Yu Lanyi protested, unused to having his fingers bitten.

Far from innocent, Zheng Shanci stopped humming. His fingers drifted to Yu Lanyi’s waist, where a slight arch formed delicate dimples. He longed to kiss them but feared being scolded, so the thought lingered in his mind, resurfacing now and then.

Yu Lanyi complained of back pain and asked Zheng Shanci to massage him.

With a sigh, Zheng Shanci indulged his husband, kneading Yu Lanyi’s shoulders and rubbing his back, his eyes lingering on the dip of Yu Lanyi's waist.

After a while, Yu Lanyi called for a stop. "Zheng Shanci, let me massage you too."

Zheng Shanci: "..."

"You shouldn’t tire yourself out. My shoulders and back aren’t sore," Zheng Shanci said.

Ignoring him, Yu Lanyi pushed Zheng Shanci onto the bed. Resigned, Zheng Shanci decided to humor his husband.

He removed his upper garment, revealing the contours of his back. Yu Lanyi’s face flushed, the room suddenly feeling warmer. Sitting astride Zheng Shanci’s waist, he began working the knots out of his tense muscles.

Zheng Shanci gritted his teeth through the painful pressure.

By the time Yu Lanyi finished, though the massage had been rough, Zheng Shanci felt oddly relieved afterward.

They snuggled beneath the covers, warm and content. Zheng Shanci blew out the candle and pulled Yu Lanyi into his arms to sleep.

...

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zheng Shanci had been put in charge of several workshops—a textile mill, a porcelain workshop, and a printing house. Other industries like salt and iron were managed by specialized officials, which Zheng Shanci wasn’t yet authorized to handle.

The textile mill produced fabrics for public sale, though the patterns were stale and unimaginative. With a workforce of 150, each worker produced 30 bolts of cloth per month. The fabrics made by the Ministry differed from those reserved for palace use—the imperial workshops employed over 400 weavers solely for the court’s garments.

The textile workshop under the Ministry of Revenue not only sells its fabrics but also distributes them as part of officials' salaries. Zheng Shanci first visited the textile workshop, where the manager, surnamed Hu, was said to be a relative of some official.

The position of workshop manager wasn’t an official post, so it naturally relied on personal connections. Zheng Shanci frowned slightly after just a glance. The workshop was large, but the environment was stifling, with just one window for ventilation. The looms were outdated, and as for the dyes—though he wasn’t familiar with the latest trends in the capital, spending time with Lan Yi had given him an idea of what fabrics and styles were in demand. The current colors and patterns were unappealing to the younger men and women in the capital. Even older folks would hesitate at such gaudy patterns.

Manager Hu, uneasy about the new superior, tagged along behind Zheng Shanci, obediently explaining since he had never dealt with him before and didn’t know what to expect from him.

"Lord Zheng, this is the mess area. We provide lunch, but they handle breakfast and dinner themselves."

The workshop was mostly staffed by women and men, many of whom were older. As Zheng Shanci observed, he noticed thirty or forty unfamiliar faces. After walking around twice, he saw no increase in the fabric on the tables. He touched the dyes—traditionally made from plants—but the hues were poorly mixed, overly bright and unnatural. He glanced at the dye master, who lowered his head but showed no fear.

Zheng Shanci understood the situation.

At noon, he stayed to see what the workers ate. The absence of meat was expected, but there were only five buckets of rice—far from enough for so many people. The dishes were mostly stir-fried greens, lacking oil, along with some stir-fried eggplant, also in five buckets. Nothing more.

Manager Hu explained, "Recently, we’ve been understaffed, so we’ve had to cut back on portions. Once we hire more people, the portions will increase. Besides, they don’t do heavy labor, so they don’t need as much food."

Zheng Shanci fell silent.

"If the food isn’t enough, why not buy some from outside? If you can’t hire cooks, you just neglect their meals? This affects their work—less fabric means less revenue for the court. Are you sabotaging the court’s profits, or is this some kind of scheme?" Zheng Shanci’s cold gaze fixed on Manager Hu, his tone sharp.

"Lord Zheng is right. I’ll hire cooks tomorrow."

Zheng Shanci pointed at the dishes. "And add tables and chairs. Do you expect them to eat standing up? Also, I recall the Ministry of Revenue allocated funds for meals when handing the workshop over to you. The accounts are subject to review. If the money was only enough for this, where did the rest go?"

Manager Hu flinched, hesitating before mumbling, "Lord Zheng, the workshop is operating at a loss. Some funds had to be used to repair the looms and cover shop expenses. There wasn’t much left for food."