Chapter 22 022 The One Who Contributed the Most

Chapter 22: 022 The One Who Exerted the Most Effort

Qin Yan, tall and long-legged, walked very fast. Qiao Wanyue couldn't keep up with his pace at all. Add to that the fact that she had been up half the night, and she was exhausted after just a few steps—unlike him, who had exerted the most effort yet walked the fastest.

After a short while, she stopped to catch her breath, leaning on the railing, and called out to the distant figure, "Hey, wait for me."

Qin Yan paused mid-step, only then realizing she hadn't followed. He turned back and looked at her. "What's wrong?"

They had been married for less than a day, yet the phrase most exchanged between them was "What's wrong?" Qiao Wanyue was already sick of hearing it. She retorted, "What do you think? I'm tired. Let me rest."

She was rude, but Qin Yan indulged her. His expression didn't change at all. He simply waited with her for a while, then asked, "Feeling better now?"

Qiao Wanyue glanced at him sidelong. She had expected him to lose his temper and scold her, but instead, he stayed and waited. Her irritation eased slightly, though her body was still exhausted and not recovering quickly.

"No, still tired."

Qin Yan's expression darkened. She’d walked barely a few steps and was tired; he’d rested with her and she was still tired. How could she be so delicate? He clasped his hands behind his back, looked her up and down, his gaze settling on her face. "We've only taken a few steps. How can you be tired?"

"What do you think?" The young girl was good at being sarcastic, twisting her handkerchief in her hands. "It’s all because of last night..."

Before she could finish, her lips were covered by a hand. Qin Yan narrowed his eyes and glared at her, breathing rapidly, his composure shaken. He feared she might speak of it outside.

"Careless talk. Never mention this matter outside. Also, stop reading those messy books."

He's such a prude, Qiao Wanyue thought. Last night was nothing like that.

"Last night, you wouldn't let me talk either. You told me to shut up," she remembered.

He withdrew his hand, looking embarrassed. "Think about what you were saying."

Even he felt his face flush when he recalled it. She had been... he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Qiao Wanyue pouted and made a dismissive sound. Old-fashioned, such a pretender. He had clearly enjoyed it, but was so two-faced.

She held out her hand and said indignantly, "Anyway, I'm like this because of you. If we're late for the ceremony, it's your fault, not mine."

Seeing him open his mouth to retort, the girl stood up immediately, cutting him off. "Oh, don’t talk anymore. Let's go. Help me."

She was still young, newly married into the marquis's household, and didn't understand the rules. He would let it slide for now, and deal with it once she had thoroughly studied the family regulations. Qin Yan consoled himself like this, then resignedly supported her as they walked.

Qiao Wanyue leaned against his arm. The man was tall and muscular, his body hard and bony. After a while of leaning on him, she grew uncomfortable. But she had no other choice—her legs were sore, so she let him support her.

Qin Yan was equally uneasy. She was practically leaning half her weight on him. That weight was nothing to him, but the girl's body was soft and supple, and a faint fragrance wafted from her collar, clearly tempting him. He couldn't help but recall the lingering images of the night before.

The snow-white waves, the gentle and seductive moans, the hot spring that drove one wild and out of control...

He swallowed hard and took a deep breath to forget, but the images only grew clearer, etched into his mind, impossible to shake. Qin Yan turned to her fretfully. The girl was smiling contentedly, which only irritated him more. With a sudden motion, he shoved her hand away and said coldly, "Walk on your own."

Rejected so abruptly, Qiao Wanyue's face darkened. She made a face at his back and muttered, "Stingy. If I ever spend your money, I'll worry you to death."

She didn't follow. Qin Yan turned back. "Hurry up."

With a sweet smile, Qiao Wanyue chirped, "Coming, Marquis!"

-

The Marquis's residence was truly vast. It took nearly the time it would take to burn half an incense stick to reach Madam Yang's courtyard. By the time they arrived, her heels were aching.

Madam Yang was not Qin Yan's birth mother. She was the second wife of the old marquis, married in after the first wife's death. After the old marquis passed away, Qin Yan inherited the title. It was said they got along well, sharing a harmonious relationship.

Qiao Wanyue didn't believe that. Madam Yang had a son named Qin Nuo, fifteen years old, a half-grown youth. As the mother of Qin Nuo, wouldn't she plan for her son? If Qin Yan remained childless, wouldn't Qin Nuo eventually become marquis?

Given how the world sang their praises now, who knew the truth? Take her mother, for instance—she was always scheming for Qiao Shaoan.

Before entering, Qiao Wanyue shot Qin Yan a nervous glance and said, "Later, when Mother asks me questions, if I can't answer, help me out."

She was certain Qin Yan would help her. Now that they were married, they were in the same boat. If she failed to make a good impression, it would reflect badly on Qin Yan's face. They should stand united against common enemies and create a bright future. Admittedly, she was thinking a bit far ahead, but the sentiment was sound.

Sure enough, as soon as she spoke, Qin Yan agreed with a simple nod.

They sat and waited for a while before Madam Yang arrived. Qiao Wanyue quickly rose to greet her. "Mother."

It felt so strange calling someone else "Mother." But Qin Yan addressed her smoothly and naturally, completely at ease.

Madam Yang looked kind, a smile on her face as she looked at the pair. She waved her hand and said, "Sit down, sit down. We're family. No need for such formality."

Qiao Wanyue didn't buy it. She thought to herself that Qin Yan was the most rule-abiding person. If she really took that advice, he'd surely scold her later. She wasn't stupid.

She only sat down after Qin Yan did.

During the tea ceremony, she was extremely careful and quiet. Madam Yang indeed didn't make things difficult for her, just as Qin Yan had said. She gave Qiao Wanyue a pair of gold bangles as a gift. Qiao Wanyue bit her lip in secret delight. They looked quite valuable—she needed to put them away safely.

The look of joy on her face caught Qin Yan's eye. It was particularly charming and adorable.

"DaLang, did you hear me? What are you thinking about?"

"What did you say, Mother?"

Lost in their own thoughts, both of them snapped back to attention and looked at Madam Yang simultaneously. They hadn't heard what she'd just said.

Seeing that both of them were absent-minded, Madam Yang smiled knowingly and repeated herself: "I said, as husband and wife, you must be tolerant of each other. Only by living harmoniously can your marriage last. DaLang, you should be more considerate."

"Wanyue is new to this household and there are many things she's not yet familiar with. That's fine, take it slowly. DaLang, since you have a few days off, take Wanyue around to explore. Don't just stay holed up in your study."

Qin Yan nodded. Even if he didn't show her around, she would likely explore on her own. The little girl could never sit still.

"No need to bother Marquis with that. I can manage on my own."

Madam Yang seemed genuinely friendly. Qiao Wanyue turned this over in her mind. Was she truly kind-hearted, or was she putting on an act? There was something off about her.

But no rush. With time, whether she was real or fake would become apparent.

Madam Yang took another sip of the tea Qiao Wanyue had offered and said, "You must be tired. I won't keep you for the meal. Go back and rest."

Qiao Wanyue immediately stood up, even faster than Qin Yan. "Mother is right."

Seeing Qin Yan move slowly, she shot him a look and gestured for him to hurry. She wanted to get back and rest as soon as possible. But Qin Yan seemed to ignore her hints, taking his time as he stood up and took his leave.

"I'll head back now, Mother. Rest well."

"Alright, go ahead."

They walked out side by side, their figures a stark contrast yet somehow harmonious. Madam Yang's smile immediately faded. She stared at the direction where they had disappeared for a long moment, then came back to herself, her gaze dropping thoughtfully.

-

On the way back, Qiao Wanyue's steps were much lighter. She no longer complained of being tired. In fact, she walked ahead of Qin Yan, not waiting for him, heading straight for their courtyard.

Finally back in their room, Qiao Wanyue made a beeline for the soft couch and flopped onto the bed with a sigh of relief. Finally, she could sleep. She was dead tired.

She closed her eyes, and before long, Qin Yan entered. He scanned the room and didn't see her, then peered inside. Spotting a pair of shoes by the bed, he couldn't help but shake his head. He had been wondering why she had so much energy to run ahead. It turned out she was just too sleepy.

Qin Yan had never met anyone who loved sleeping so much, nor had he ever seen such a lazy person. Qiao Wanyue managed to be both.

He walked over, sighed, then nudged her arm. "Qiao Wanyue, don't sleep yet. Eat first, then sleep."

Half-asleep, she mumbled drowsily, "I don't want to eat."

"Get up and drink the tonic."

"What tonic?" She opened her eyes.

As they spoke, a servant brought in two bowls of steaming hot tonic, set them down, and left.

Qiao Wanyue caught the smell and immediately scrambled up. "Do you drink it every day?"

"Occasionally," Qin Yan explained to her. "It's a tonic that's good for you."

After they were intimate, Lady Yang had instructed the kitchen to prepare it, saying it would nourish their bodies and prevent deficiency. Qin Yan didn't think it was necessary, but Lady Yang insisted, and since it was a kind gesture from an elder, he couldn't refuse, so he drank it.

The two stared at each other for a long moment without moving, as if waiting for the other to drink first.

Qiao Wanyue looked at the medicine, then at him, and said hesitantly, "Are you sure this is a tonic? It's black and bitter. It couldn't be poison, could it?"

"Nonsense."

"Then since it's not, why don't you drink it?"

Qiao Wanyue pushed the bowl toward him. "You drink it. You need the extra boost."

As if to prove it was a tonic, Qin Yan picked up the bowl and drank. Just then, she added: "You worked the hardest. From now on, you drink it all."

"Cough, cough."

Her bold remark made Qin Yan choke. He swallowed the medicine in his mouth and said, his face slightly flushed, "Stop talking. Just drink it."

Qin Yan drank his bowl. Since he wasn't going to drink the other bowl, Qiao Wanyue had to drink it herself. She picked it up, pinched her nose, and drank it all in one gulp. It was so bitter that her entire face scrunched up.

"I, I'm going to sleep." Finally, she could sleep.

This time, Qin Yan didn't stop her and let her go to sleep peacefully.

Qiao Wanyue slept very soundly and didn't wake until after noon. Qin Yan was not in the room; Zhu Qing said he had gone to the study.

So she left it alone and rested in her room. When hungry, she had someone bring food, which was very cozy.

They had dinner together. After eating, she went back to lying down, and he went to the study.

Qiao Wanyue thought: based on what Qin Yan said last night about being intimate only three times a month, he probably wouldn't come over today. Yes, that's right.

Being alone was so nice. She let down the gauze curtain, lay on her stomach reading a book, laughing now and then; it was wonderfully relaxing.

She was so absorbed in her book that she didn't notice someone enter. Only when he approached did she snap out of it. She lifted the gauze curtain, stuck her head out, and asked in confusion, "Why are you here?"

"Where else would I go?"

That was a strange question. Qin Yan narrowed his eyes and added, "What do you mean? Are you saying I can't come back to the room?"

"Didn't you say three times a month?"

The man sighed. "We're newlyweds now."

"In the first few days of marriage, you have to show your wife some respect; otherwise, the servants will start gossiping."