Chapter 97: What Happened to the Trust Between Husband and Wife?

Chapter 97: Where’s the Trust Between Husband and Wife?

"*Tuoba Xiao!*"

Jiang Congyan was seeing red at the chaos before her.

The man was still moving a cabinet, pondering where to place it. Hearing her voice, he turned and said with a grin, "Good, you’re back. Come see how we should arrange these things. I’ll set them up for you. We’ll also need new bed curtains—pick whatever fabric you like..."

Jiang Congyan clenched her fists at her sides, itching to punch that infuriating grin off his face.

"What are you doing? Who gave you permission to trash my room? Where’s my original bed?"

Tuoba Xiao set down the wooden cabinet, dusted off his palms, and walked toward her. "*You* agreed to it."

"Huh?"

"Your birthday gift," the man drawled, smug as a cat.

Jiang Congyan sucked in a sharp breath. She never expected this straightforward man to pull such a fast one on her. She had blindly agreed without realizing the implications, sensing something odd but failing to press further.

"Your old bed was falling apart. Isn’t it perfect timing to replace it now?" the man continued.

Jiang Congyan opened her eyes and rubbed her throbbing temples. "That bed was reinforced later. As long as you don’t..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced at the ridiculously huge bed.

"Even if you wanted a new bed, you could’ve just made one the same size as before. Why did it have to be this big?"

Tuoba Xiao walked over, hauled her against him, and said in a put-on wounded tone, "It’s not big—it’s just right. I always thought your bed was too small. I could barely stretch my arms and legs."

Jiang Congyan glared at him. That was nonsense. The original bed wasn’t huge, but it fit the two of them just fine—there just wasn’t much extra space. The officials who prepared her dowry hadn’t anticipated that the Prince of Mobei would be built like a brick wall.

"You’re a princess—a promise is a promise. You already agreed. No take-backs."

Jiang Congyan: "...*Fine.*"

He was using her own words against her.

This was entirely her fault for being careless. Given the man’s temperament, there was no way he’d let her refuse now. She could only mumble a vague acknowledgment.

The furniture did need rearranging. Her original layout had everything in its place, but the new bed took up twice the space, forcing a complete reorganization.

She didn’t call any maids to help, instead standing aside and putting the man to work like a pack mule. His height and strength meant he could move furniture that normally required two people—might as well use him.

Jiang Congyan directed him to move things here and there, giving him the runaround if she wasn’t satisfied. Tuoba Xiao suspected she was deliberately tormenting him, but the thought of the spacious, sturdy bed—and the convenience it would bring—made him grin and bear it.

After an entire afternoon of rearranging, the bedroom was finally set. She then had A Fei and the maids come in to clean the dust.

When it came time to make the bed, A Fei hesitantly approached her. They didn’t have bedding large enough—should they layer two sets for now and have new ones made later?

Jiang Congyan: "*Fine.* That’ll have to do."

Winter days were short, and darkness fell early. It was practically pitch-dark before dinner time.

Jiang Congyan thought of Lan Zhu and called A Fei over. "Later, take a few jars of skin cream to Lan Zhu. Be careful to stay under his radar—don’t let Tuoba Wuxi notice. If it’s too risky, just come back."

"Yes."

A Fei was well aware that the Sixth Prince had it out for her lady. When he was away on campaigns, Lan Zhu and Qiu Liju often visited, but since his return, they’d stopped coming around.

"Ugh, the Sixth Prince is truly a domineering jerk."

In the evening, during dinner, Tuo Baxiao had his eyes glued to her.

Jiang Congyan slightly tightened her grip on her chopsticks. The punishment of abstinence was over, and tomorrow was his birthday again. She knew he would surely take the chance to have his way tonight.

After the meal, Jiang Congyan went to freshen up.

Tuo Baxiao had moved his large bathtub back as well. At first, she thought he was going to pester her for a shared bath again, but surprisingly, he didn’t?

Was he actually behaving? Impossible. Suspicious, Jiang Congyan lay down on the bed, pulling the blanket tightly around herself.

The bed was ridiculously huge—it could easily fit five or six people. If not for the blanket covering her, she could’ve sworn she was on the floor.

She opened her eyes and glanced around, noticing secret compartments by the bedside. Just as she was about to explore them, she suddenly heard the man’s footsteps and snapped her eyes shut.

Then the man got into bed.

She could feel the sturdiness of the bed—there was hardly any creaking, and the slight dip was barely noticeable, as steady as standing on solid ground.

Tuo Baxiao knew she wasn’t asleep; her breathing alone gave her away. He didn’t call her out on it, instead pressing his face close to hers.

Jiang Congyan couldn’t see, but she could feel his hot breath sweeping over her, accompanied by what seemed like a smug chuckle.

At that sound, she opened her eyes to find his face hovering half a foot above hers, his jade-green eyes pinning her with his gaze.

“Don’t go too far,” she muttered half-heartedly.

Tuo Baxiao thought she looked like a helpless rabbit in a wolf’s clutches, still pretending to resist fiercely.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have fun too.”

Jiang Congyan: "..."

Why did that sound so familiar? Hadn’t he said the same thing before his campaign?

Remembering what happened last time, she shrank back, trying to retreat, but the man pulled her into his arms and pinned her down.

...

"Tuo Baxiao, you bastard..."

"I am a bastard."

The girl trembled all over, her lashes wet with tears, her dark hair splayed across the bedding behind her. Seeing this, the man’s breath caught as he brushed aside the strands at her neck and kissed her...

After restraining himself for months, plus the time away on campaign, Tuo Baxiao wished he could make up for all the lost time. But while he still had energy, the person in his arms couldn’t take it anymore.

He knew she was exhausted, but was it any easier for him?

Jiang Congyan truly didn’t want any more. Fatigue and drowsiness were secondary—the main issue was that that bastard’s tricks seemed even more skilled now, with more variety. It wasn’t painful, and once or twice was fine, but for too long, she just couldn’t handle it.

She was absolutely certain Ruo Lan wouldn’t have given her such manuals—it had to be God knows where that bastard learned them from.

In the end, she had no choice but to compromise. "Just... stop tormenting me, and I’ll give you a birthday gift."

Hearing there was still a birthday gift, Tuo Baxiao’s face lit up as he propped himself up on his arms beside her. "What gift?"

He had previously said she didn’t need to give him anything, assuming she hadn’t prepared anything. Now, hearing this out of the blue, how could he not be thrilled?

"Promise me first, then you'll get it." This time, she played it safe.

Tuo Baxiao feared she might trick him with an excuse—what if she randomly pointed at a cup and claimed it was his gift? He’d be left empty-handed.

"Tell me what it is first." He sized up whether it was a fair deal.

Jiang Congyan stayed silent.

"Promise me first." She pressed.

"What if you're lying?"

"I’m the one worried you’ll go back on your word."

...

Some marital trust this was.

"It really is a gift, no tricks. Your loss if you don’t." Jiang Congyan turned her head away, done with his antics.

Seeing she didn’t seem to be deceiving him, Tuo Baxiao reconsidered—even if she was, he could always demand double compensation later. She’d have no leg to stand on, and he’d have free rein.

Confident he’d come out on top, the man withdrew. "Fine, I’ll let you off tonight."

Jiang Congyan sized him up warily. "Swear it?"

"Of course."

"Hands off."

"..." Tuo Baxiao coughed and reluctantly removed his hand from her.

Jiang Congyan cocooned herself in the blanket before pointing toward the wardrobe. "The second cabinet, where the winter clothes are stored. Go get it yourself."

So she’d actually gone through the trouble.

Tuo Baxiao’s curiosity got the better of him as he rolled out of bed. Unfazed by the chill, he strode over bare-chested.

Opening the wardrobe, he found a black satin robe embroidered with golden patterns neatly folded in the center, accompanied by a gold belt hook and a men’s hair crown—clearly meant for him.

No trick—it really was a gift.

Tuo Baxiao lifted the robe, gave it a shake, and held it up—the length was perfect.

He wasted no time slipping it on.

Once dressed, he returned to the bed and spread his arms. "Well?"

Jiang Congyan, half-asleep but mustering the energy, managed a bleary-eyed glance at him.

It was a Han-style robe, layered with black on the outside and vermilion underneath. The inner red collar and cuffs peeked through, adding a vivid contrast to the solemn black outer robe—subtle but bold. The hem was embroidered with golden motifs of the sun, moon, and mountains, above which a majestic eagle soared.

Black naturally conveyed dignity, and on his tall, broad-shouldered frame, the wide-sleeved robe radiated authority—like a conqueror surveying his domain.

Jiang Congyan blinked, taking it in. "You clean up nice."

Tuo Baxiao was satisfied.

He ate up her praise.

Fine feathers make fine birds, and while Tuoba Xiao was naturally handsome and striking, aside from his royal attire, he usually didn’t pay much attention to his clothing—just simple robes paired with trousers and boots. Yet his tall, muscular frame and strong aura lent even ordinary garments an extra touch of charm. Now, dressed in the custom-fitted robes she had commissioned, his handsomeness was truly amplified.

Tuoba Xiao walked to her dressing table, checking himself out from side to side in her mirror.

Huh. Not bad at all, he thought.

"Alright, it’s so late now. I want to clean up and sleep," Jiang Congyan said, yawning as she watched the man still admiring himself.

Tuoba Xiao dove onto the bed, planting a firm kiss on her lips. "I really like your gift."

With that, he fetched a basin of hot water to help her wipe down.

It was freezing outside, and she was afraid of catching a chill, so this would have to do.

Once everything was tidied up, the man dove back under the blankets with her, pulling her close.

Jiang Congyan didn’t push him away—his chest was as warm as a furnace, making him the perfect human space heater.

Mustering the last of her strength, she rested her hand on his waist.

"Tuoba Xiao, happy birthday."

That alone almost set him off again.