Chapter 33 033 Stirring Things Up

Chapter 33: A Little Stir

Although Qin Yan smelled another scent on her, Qiao Wanyue refused to admit it. Qin Yan never liked her going to Feiyun Manor to visit, and if he found out, he would surely scold her.

So Qiao Wanyue lied through her teeth, lifting her head to say no, "You smelled wrong. I just wandered around the streets with Su Su. I must have accidentally picked up some other scent."

At this moment, the two stood under the eaves, where servants could pass by at any moment. It was not a good place to talk. Qin Yan stepped back, creating some distance to make it look less intimate.

His deep eyes scanned the surroundings. Just then, he saw a maid from Lady Yang's courtyard passing by. His eyes narrowed, and he said flatly, "We'll talk about it back inside."

Walls have ears—they both understood that. He mustn't let another man's scent cloud his judgment and act beneath his dignity.

Qin Yan walked ahead, his tall and straight back exuding authority and charm. She watched for a moment, then quickly followed his steps, wondering: Did he believe her, or was he waiting to settle the score later?

The young girl trotted to his side, her delicate fragrance mingling with the other scent as it rushed toward him. Qin Yan frowned in irritation but slowed his pace so she could keep up.

Qiao Wanyue glanced at him, bit her lip anxiously, and after pondering for a moment, said, "Thank you for defending me just now, Marquis."

Actually, she was a bit touched. She had only been married to Qin Yan for a month, still getting used to each other's temperaments and habits. And Lady Yang was his stepmother—they had lived together for decades. If closeness and distance mattered, he should have sided with Lady Yang. She never expected him to stand by her without even asking, which was truly surprising.

Thinking back to that scene, Qiao Wanyue believed it came down to trust.

Yes, trust.

Qin Yan looked straight ahead, his expression indifferent. "We're married. Saying thank you is too polite between us."

"Even married couples should say thank you," she insisted.

Qin Yan turned his head. The soft light playing across his face made his features even more striking. Qiao Wanyue glanced at him, then dropped her gaze again, taking small steps to keep up with his pace.

"Sister Lin was that frugal? She didn't spend any money in half a year?"

Qin Yan paused slightly, then quickly regained his composure. "Yes, Ah Zhen was frugal. She didn't spend recklessly."

After saying this, he looked at her expression, half expecting her to feel guilty about spending money extravagantly. But instead, Qiao Wanyue tsk-tsked regretfully and said, "What a pity. Sister Lin should have enjoyed herself more. Look, someone else ended up benefiting."

The man beside her frowned. Those words were really harsh.

"What someone else?" Was she referring to herself?

"Me, and everyone else in the Qin family. Look at the second and third households—who among them is frugal? Mother talks about thrift, but the moment I said we should stop drinking the tonic, she immediately disagreed. 'Frugality' only applies to me. It must have been the same with Sister Lin in the past. She cared about you, so she definitely wouldn't have told you."

But she wouldn't hold back.

Seeing her getting more and more outrageous, Qin Yan immediately said, "Nonsense."

"Suit yourself."

In front of Lady Yang, he defended her and helped her, but in private, he always had to lecture her. Qiao Wanyue silently called him an idiot. Since ancient times, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law had been at odds; those who got along well were rare.

He still didn't get it—if that wasn't stupid, what was?

Qiao Wanyue didn't want to deal with him. She hitched up her skirt and ran back, leaving him far behind.

Qin Yan narrowed his eyes at her. Was she angry? What did she have to be angry about? He should be the one who's angry.

-

It was nearing the ninth lunar month, and the weather was still a bit hot. The window was open, but the door was closed.

Qin Yan stood at the door a moment, then raised his hand to knock. "Qiao Wanyue, open the door."

If they didn't clear things up today, he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. And there she was, knowing he would come, yet shutting the door—didn't she want him to come in?

Qin Yan glared at the closed door in anger, and the smell of another man on her only made him angrier. The smell of a man—how close did she have to get to pick up another guy's scent?

No one answered from inside. Qin Yan knocked again. "Qiao Wanyue, open the door."

"Wait a moment."

A voice replied from inside, and then Qin Yan heard frantic splashing. She was taking a bath.

Why take a bath now? What's she trying to cover up?

Qin Yan grew anxious. He pushed hard against the door, but it was bolted from the inside and wouldn't budge. He called for Chang Sheng to come over and, without a word, drew the knife from Chang Sheng's belt and began to pry the door open.

Qiao Wanyue was washing in a hurry. Suddenly hearing the noise at the door, she paused and realized what was happening.

Who would have thought? The Marquis would stoop to such low tactics—prying open a door. Today's an eye-opener.

Qiao Wanyue panicked and quickly stood up from the bathtub. Just as she stepped out, the door crashed open. Startled, she jumped back in and clutched a towel tightly to her chest, glaring furiously at him.

"Qin Yan, have you lost your mind? A marquis, breaking down doors!"

The others didn't dare come in. Chang Sheng tactfully closed the door, leaving only the two of them inside. Seeing she was still in the tub, Qin Yan went to close the window first.

"Why didn't you open the door?"

His accusatory tone grated on Qiao Wanyue. "I was taking a bath! How was I supposed to open the door? Didn't I tell you to wait?"

She had spent a long time at Feiyun Manor and did have a smell on her. She hadn't had time to wash before he noticed.

The tall man stood by the bathtub, staring hard at her, making the tub seem small and her feel awkward.

His eyes darkened, and his throat went dry instantly. He looked away and said, "Why are you taking a bath?"

Because she felt guilty—Qin Yan knew that, but he wanted to hear her say it.

Her small face was flushed from the steam, her skin tinged pink, her eyes watery and innocent as she gazed at him—seductive and tempting.

The young girl's voice was soft as she said, "Let me get dressed first, then we talk."

Really not the right time to talk.

Qin Yan went out to wait for her. Qiao Wanyue quickly got up, not even drying off before yanking on her clothes. In her rush, she even tied her inner garment's sash wrong without noticing.

She took a deep breath and went out, pretending to be calm.

"Marquis, what do you really want?"

"Tell me, why are you taking a bath?"

He turned around and asked again.

She hesitated. "I got sweaty on the way back. A bath makes me feel better."

"Fine, I'll ask you one more time—where did you go today? Tell me the truth. You know I can send someone to investigate."

She groaned inwardly. This guy wouldn't let it go—he'd asked several times. Looks like she couldn't hide it today.

Qiao Wanyue cleared her throat and finally admitted, "I went to Feiyun Manor."

Sure enough, she went to Feiyun Manor, as he had guessed. Only a place like Feiyun Manor, where all sorts of riffraff crowd together, could pick up someone else's scent.

Qin Yan's chest was tight with anger, stifling and unbearable. Qin Yan thought: She's the lady of the marquis's residence, a married woman, yet she went to a place like Feiyun Manor. She was far too reckless.

Moreover, God knows how many half-naked men she must've seen today.

His strong chest rose and fell heavily, his clothes stretched taut, the hidden power seeming ready to burst forth at any moment. Qiao Wanyue glanced at him, swallowed nervously, and said, "I only popped in for a second and came right back out. Really."

"Didn't I tell you not to go there? Why did you go?"

"I just messed around a little. I won't go next time."

Qin Yan, still seething, acted like he didn't hear her and kept on, "Those men with their bare upper bodies and dirty thoughts—do you know what they think of you?"

Remembering that time before they got married when she was harassed, Qin Yan now felt he should've broken that guy's hands.

Qiao Wanyue got annoyed by his nagging. She lifted her chin defiantly and retorted, "It's cold now, so they've got clothes on. And with so many people, who would notice me?"

"All of them wore clothes?"

He was grilling her. What was his deal?

"A few weren't wearing any."

"You looked at them?"

His questions were meticulous, and Qiao Wanyue caught a different note in his voice. She gave him a subtle glance.

"I didn't look."

The man gritted his teeth, catching her shifty eyes. "Honestly, did you look or not?"

"I looked, I looked!"

She suddenly raised her voice. He kept asking, so she got fed up and told the truth. Qiao Wanyue had never met anyone so persistent, asking so many nitpicky questions. So annoying.

She deliberately snapped at him: "I was bored at home, so I went out for a little thrill. It's not like I did anything immoral. I already admitted I was wrong. What more do you want?"

"Seeking a thrill?"

He got even more infuriating. Qin Yan almost ground his teeth as he spoke. A decent married woman, going to Feiyun Manor for thrills. Next time, what would she do?

After blowing off steam, Qiao Wanyue calmed down a bit. She stubbornly lifted her face to meet the man's dark eyes, then shrank her neck guiltily.

"What thrill? I never said that. Are *you* looking for thrills? Where'd you go? Spring Breeze Pavilion or the Joyful House?"

Turning the tables on him—that was so like her.

Qin Yan let out a cold laugh. His gritted-teeth expression carried a hint of menace.

"Qiao Wanyue, you're something." She sure knew a lot.

Perhaps due to the pent-up frustration lately, and provoked by her words, Qin Yan suddenly wanted to do something different. He tugged at his collar, then undid his belt with both hands, his voice husky. "You like thrills, don't you? Very well."

The tone of his voice suddenly changed. Qiao Wanyue found it strange. She tilted her head and glanced at him sideways, her pupils widening. She blinked and asked, "What, what are you doing? Why the hell are you taking your clothes off all of a sudden?"

The light was bright, his movements clear. The texture of his skin quickly came into view—defined muscles, prominent veins, a body radiating strength.

He had a great physique, not frighteningly bulky, just the right mix of strength and sexiness, very masculine.

Qiao Wanyue immediately guessed what he intended, but it was too thrilling. It was still daytime.

She shyly turned away, pointing towards the window. "It's, it's not dark yet."

"Daytime's perfect. Even more thrilling."

Oh my god, she just couldn't get away from the word 'thrill' today.

"Come on, take a look."

The man approached, a dangerous aura accompanying him. The feeling of being stared at like prey was uncomfortable, like she was his prey, ready to be devoured at any moment.

She swallowed and turned to flee. But as soon as she turned, her hand was seized tightly by the man. As she yelped in surprise, he lifted her onto the table.

Qin Yan grabbed her hand and tempted her, "Aren't you curious? Want a closer look?"

Every night she would sneak a glance, thinking he didn't notice. Well, now with good daylight, let her get a real good look.

"No, no, Marquis, please don't."

Even as she said this, her eyes had already dropped downward. She gasped in shock. What a sight.

Qin Yan enjoyed her reaction. His lips pressed against her ear, his hand guiding hers, saying, "If you get me off, I'll let you go."

Qiao Wanyue looked at him, then at it, and figured it would be impossible. It was like an iron pestle; how the hell was her hand supposed to get that done?

"Forget it. Don't be impulsive. My hand will hurt."

The man chuckled, leaning forward, deliberately pressing against her. "Then what does my lady suggest?"

Qin Yan had gone mad today. This wasn't like him. Qiao Wanyue thought so.