The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Jiang Guo'er lowered her eyes and remained expressionless. She deftly helped Pei Yan take off his cloak and outer robe, and then withdrew.

In the depths of winter, the well water is bone-chillingly cold.

She poured out a thick layer of soapberry and wood ash, pressed down on the outer robe that was tainted with other people's smells, and rubbed it repeatedly.

Even when the back of her hands was frozen red and her knuckles were stiff and aching, she never stopped.

Only when the unfamiliar sweet fragrance was completely masked by the scent of soapberry did Jiang Guo'er give up and hurriedly go to the kitchen to boil water.

Today is not a day off, and according to Pei Yan's habit, he should only need a simple wipe down.

But Jiang Guo'er insisted on serving him a bath.

A misty haze hung in the air behind the screen.

She took a water-soaked towel and pressed it against the man's broad, muscular back.

He wiped from her neck down to her firm waist, applying much more pressure than usual.

Pei Yan's broad shoulders were faintly visible in the warm water.

I felt a slightly impatient rubbing on my back and couldn't help but chuckle.

Is she serving him so diligently hoping to sleep with him again tonight?

After bathing, Pei Yan put on his undergarments and sat down by the canopy bed.

This outfit was sewn by Jiang Guo'er herself.

The sleeves and collar are both concealed with double stitches, and the stitching is extremely neat and delicate.

She pretended that her skills were ordinary and didn't mention it at all.

Pei Yan had already noticed, but he didn't point it out. He rested his slender fingers on his knee and said in a deep voice, "The stitches on the cuffs are crooked."

Jiang Guo'er looked down.

Where is it crooked?

That's really nitpicking.

She inwardly grumbled, but outwardly remained obedient: "This servant will dismantle and remake it tomorrow."

Seeing her so meek and submissive, Pei Yan's disgust at being provoked by Xiao Yuzhen during the day finally subsided.

He reached out and pulled the person into his arms.

Clean and soft.

My nerves, which had been tense all day, completely relaxed at this moment.

Rough fingertips probed inside her half-open blouse.

Jiang Guo'er shrank her neck and slightly backed away.

Pei Yan's slender fingers moved upwards instantly, his tiger's mouth gripping her chin and turning her pretty face back.

"What?" His voice was icy cold. "You don't want to?"

Hearing the man's cold questioning, Jiang Guo'er forcibly let down her guard, and a shy smile bloomed on her lips.

"Your Excellency is working hard outside, how could this servant dare to do such a thing?"

Pei Yan quickly recalled the image of her repeatedly washing him, and loosened his grip a little.

She probably smelled the strange fragrance he had picked up and got a little upset; she was just jealous.

He gently twitched the corner of his mouth, and then lightly kneaded her earlobe.

"Today in the palace, a palace maid who was serving tea bumped into me because she wasn't paying attention."

Jiang Guo'er pursed her lips tightly.

What kind of palace maid could afford such rare incense?

That's a lie.

Right now, the most important thing is Pei Yan's health.

If he really messes around with those filthy women outside and gets sick, who will she rely on to get pregnant?

She can endure grievances, humble herself, and be shameless.

But no one can stop her from using Pei Yan's influence to turn her life around and take revenge!

Jiang Guo'er grasped the man's thumb with her other hand, tilted her head up, and looked at him with concern in her eyes.

"The Prime Minister's health is precious; if he were outside... those women in brothels and theaters are ultimately not clean."

"If your health is harmed and the great cause of continuing the family line is delayed, how heartbroken the old lady will be."

Pei Yan's face, which had been relatively gentle just moments before, gradually darkened.

Jiang Guo'er sensed something was wrong, but she could only continue speaking despite the man's murderous gaze.

"There are plenty of concubines in the mansion, some plump and some slender. If Your Excellency is looking for something new and wants to change things up, you may simply tell Granny Qin to go and choose one."

Pei Yan's smile froze.

It turns out this woman wasn't jealous.

Or was she afraid he'd have affairs and contract diseases, ruining her grand plan to use her pregnancy to advance her career?

Pei Yan's gaze turned completely somber as he looked at her.

well.

He really didn't need to explain that sentence!

"Go to the study." Pei Yan pushed away the soft body in his arms and pointed to the door.

"On the top shelf of the bookshelf, there are several boxes stacked up. Go and pick out a spring-themed book."

Jiang Guo'er was somewhat bewildered.

Seeing her at a loss, as if she were frightened, Pei Yan scoffed, "Aren't you going yet?"

"Aren't you longing for offspring day and night? Tonight, whichever page I turn to, that's the pattern I'll follow!"

Pick the most provocative one, won't you be ashamed to death if you look at it!

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Guo'er felt not only no fear, but also a secret delight.

Has the living Yama (a notorious figure in Chinese mythology) finally decided to delve into the art of sex?

If he continues to act recklessly, she will truly be worried.

Jiang Guo'er quickly got out of bed, put on her padded jacket and skirt, and then shuffled towards the study in her embroidered shoes.

I lit the candlesticks, moved a low stool over, and tiptoed down two mahogany boxes from the top shelf of the bookshelf.

Upon opening it, one is greeted by exquisitely drawn boudoir secrets.

The male and female figures in the painting are intertwined in an extremely intricate way, with many poses that have never been seen before.

No, no!

These are all too difficult.

If such a torturous approach were used on her, she'd probably be calling for her body before dawn tomorrow.

Jiang Guo'er suppressed the heat rising on her face and carefully sifted through the books one by one.

After a full fifteen minutes of searching, I finally found an introductory booklet.

Taking it one step at a time is the safest approach.

She took the booklet back to the inner room.

Pei Yan leaned against the canopy bed, his face so dark it was almost dripping with water.

Jiang Guo'er walked briskly to the bedside: "Prime Minister, I've made my selection, please take a look."

Pei Yan snatched it away.

I flipped through a few pages at random, and suddenly my fingertips tightened.

After a long pause, the woman, her fingertips tapping heavily on one of the pages, said:

"Just this one. Strike a pose exactly as shown in the picture. If you make even the slightest mistake, you'll be in big trouble."

Jiang Guo'er glanced at it, and her ears burned.

Although I had already made up my mind to go all out.

But when she actually followed the instructions in front of him, the shame still welled up like hot water, even turning her neck red.

The night wind pattered against the windowpanes, and inside, waves of red surged, concealing the springtime passion within the room.

At midnight, Pei Yan called for the first batch of hot water.

As dawn approached, they asked for it a second time.

As dawn broke, Pei Yan, already dressed and ready, headed out for the morning court session.

Green Ivy, her eyes dark and bluish-black, came in carrying a wooden tray.

On the tray was a bowl of thick, white chicken soup, two steaming sorghum buns, and several refreshing side dishes.

Jiang Guo'er struggled to prop herself up with her elbows, feeling as if her limbs and bones no longer belonged to her.

Green Ivy quickly put down the tray and pulled over a cushion to place behind her.

"Stop moving! Sigh, being a concubine isn't something just anyone can do!"

"Your Excellency's stamina is such that even a god would have to lean on the wall to walk. Quickly, drink some hot soup to replenish your energy!"

Jiang Guo'er smiled slightly, picked up the bowl, and took two sips.

The rich chicken soup slid down my throat, warming my empty stomach and making me feel much better.

"Has anyone sent any new trial-marriage maids to the Xue residence today?"

Upon hearing this, the green ivy immediately perked up.

"Wait here, I'll go to Songhe Garden right now to ask Granny Qin!"

After saying that, he ran off in a flurry.

About half an incense stick later, footsteps could be heard outside.

Green Ivy lifted the thick curtain and came in, followed by a maid wearing a light green jacket and skirt.

Her eyes were clear, her steps were steady, and her manners were impeccable.

One glance was enough to tell that he was a completely different person from the frivolous and reckless Qiuyue.

It was none other than Xue Lingyi's personal maid, Lüyi.

Green Ripple took two steps forward, glanced at the food on the table, and sighed with heartache:

"Sister, you've worked so hard. You should drink some warm tea to soothe your throat first thing in the morning. How could you drink this leftover tea from the night before?"

Green Ivy slapped her forehead: "What a forgetful me! I was so busy serving breakfast, I'll go to the small kitchen and get a pot of hot tea right away!"

She turned and left.

Once the door was closed, Lüyi bent her knees and respectfully kowtowed.

"This servant greets Miss Murong."

Jiang Guo'er suddenly dropped the spoon in her hand, and it fell back into the bowl with a crisp sound.

"You actually recognize me?"

Luyi looked up, her eyes already red.

"It's been many years since I last saw you; you've grown even more beautiful, though you've lost a lot of weight."

"Regarding the trial marriage, my young lady has repeatedly emphasized that she trusts only you among everyone in the Pei household, and it's entirely up to you to make the decision!"