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

Pei Yan moved very lightly, his boots making almost no sound when they hit the ground.

He stood by the window, the moonlight casting a long shadow, still wearing that dark red brocade robe with a round collar, though the collar was a little loose.

He glanced at the scissors in her hand.

"What are you doing? It's me."

Jiang Guo'er didn't move.

It's not that I don't want to let go, but my fingers are so stiff they feel like they don't belong to me.

Pei Yan walked over, reached out and grasped her wrist, gently pressing it down.

The scissors fell to the ground with a "clatter".

His thumb unconsciously rubbed the protrusion on the inside of her wrist bone.

The pulse beneath the skin was beating fast and erratically.

What was that woman doing in bed just now?

He couldn't even have a moment's peace in his study!

Pei Yan glanced at her, lifted the covers, and went straight to bed.

Jiang Guo'er was still confused.

Until an arm reached out from behind and pulled her into a tight embrace.

She shuddered as a hot chest pressed against her back.

He instinctively tried to pull away, but the arm only tightened its grip.

Pei Yan rested his chin on the top of her head, the vibrations of his chest traveling against her back.

"Don't move. I got up before dawn today... I've been busy all day... I haven't even had time to drink a cup of tea."

Her voice carried a hint of weariness she had never heard before.

Jiang Guo'er was stunned for a long time.

She didn't know why he came, what had happened, or what was going on at the new house.

My mind is a complete mess, but my body is more honest than my brain.

The effects of the drug hadn't completely worn off, but being held tightly in his arms, her body heat began to surge again.

She tried to control her breathing, but her eyes wouldn't cooperate.

I secretly watched him using the little light that shone through the tent.

His jawline was taut, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

As if possessed, I raised my hand, extended two fingers, pinched his face, and twisted it hard.

Pei Yan: "..."

Jiang Guo'er pinched his nose and pulled his ear again.

The series of movements were fluid and natural, yet not particularly forceful.

Pei Yan's head tilted slightly as she tugged at it, but the lines between his brows relaxed a little.

"What exactly do you want?"

"...I don't believe it." Jiang Guo'er's voice was muffled, with a slight nasal tone. "It must be a dream."

Pei Yan didn't say anything, but found it amusing.

The candlelight reflected in his eyes, and beneath the ice, something seemed to be quietly melting.

Are you happy today?

Jiang Guo'er blinked, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "Happy."

His tone was very confident.

But as she laughed, her eyes welled up with tears.

"I'm so happy!"

Tears slid down his cheeks, ran down his nose, and dripped onto his sleeve.

She looked up at him, smiling brightly, but tears streamed down her face.

They had already endured it for so long.

He endured being harassed by hooligans at the side gate, he endured being slapped by Pei Zhang in the study, and he endured it by the well.

But today, listening to him and Lingyi's wedding ceremony, watching him lift Lingyi's veil, watching him and Lingyi drink the nuptial wine...

She thought that was it for tonight.

He came by climbing through the window.

All her patience shattered into dust at that moment.

"I feel unwell." She sniffed, her voice both delicate and aggrieved.

Pei Yan's breath hitched.

"Where do you feel unwell?"

She grabbed his hand and intertwined her fingers with his.

Then he placed his palm on his chest, through a thin layer of his undergarment.

"here."

Pei Yan froze completely.

Beneath the fingertips are soft undulations and a heart beating rapidly.

He originally just wanted to come over and hold her while she slept.

Xue Lingyi said that she was in the inner room when she was bitten by a poisonous insect, and a large rash appeared on her body.

After the medicine was applied, her body became even more mottled, making it unsuitable for consummating the marriage.

He not only showed compassion, but also gave Lvyi and Lvluo a good scolding on the spot.

"How could there be poisonous insects inside? It must be because you didn't clean properly!"

But I felt inexplicably relieved.

Like a fish that has been swimming under the ice for a long time, finally finding a crack and rushing in.

He wanted to see Jiang Guo'er to see if she was hiding under the covers crying.

She did cry.

Beneath the thin layer of fabric, this young body was excessively supple.

When you place your palm on it, it feels warm and smooth, even more tempting than the finest jade.

Pei Yan's Adam's apple bobbed up and down seven or eight times.

Following your heart's desire, start from your heart, and slowly move your palms outwards, pressing them together and drawing them in...

The curtains fell down, obscuring the candlelight.

The next day, the sky was bright.

Jiang Guo'er was awakened by a bird's chirping outside the window.

She propped herself up and glanced at the light filtering through the window paper—the sun was already high in the sky.

Finished!

On the first day of the marriage, the Prime Minister must bring his wife to pay their respects to the Dowager Lady; this is the custom!

She threw off the covers and sat up, frantically reaching for her clothes.

The person next to her was also woken up by her; their eyes were half-closed, and their voice was still hoarse from not being fully awake.

"What's the rush?"

"Your Excellency! We're late!"

Jiang Guo'er grabbed his round-necked robe and, with trembling hands, tried to tie his belt, making a mistake each time she tried three times.

Sweating profusely, he muttered to himself as he tied the knot:

"You didn't go to your bridal chamber on your wedding night, but came here instead... What if someone finds out?"

He muttered again, "It's all my fault for being careless yesterday... Sigh, I should have advised you to go back no matter what!"

Pei Yan leaned against the bedpost, watching her flustered appearance, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Do you know you were wrong?"

"I know, I know, I know!"

"According to the regulations of the government, a concubine who neglects her duties should be punished."

Jiang Guo'er bit her lip and didn't dare to talk back. She silently tied her sash properly.

Pei Yan glanced down at the tied ribbon, and the corners of his lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

"My lady has been bitten by poisonous insects and has developed a rash, so we cannot consummate our marriage. Otherwise, I wouldn't have condescended to come to your side room."

Jiang Guo'er paused.

poisonous insect?

She checked the inner room no less than ten times, leaving no corner unchecked. How could there be poisonous insects?

"How is Madam now? Should we call a doctor? Is it serious?"

Her tone was unusually urgent, even more so than that of her husband, Pei Yan.

Pei Yan glanced at her, said nothing, straightened his clothes, and went out.

When they returned to the inner room, they ran into Xue Lingyi leading Lüyi, walking gracefully from the direction of Songhe Garden.

Xue Lingyi, dressed in a dark blue jacket with a floral pattern, smiled and gave a curtsy.

"Your Excellency is awake? I have already paid my respects to the Old Madam. I told her that Your Excellency had a hard night's work, so I dared not disturb you and asked her to rest a little longer."

Pei Yan was slightly taken aback.

Xue Lingyi continued, "The old lady praised me a few times and urged me to produce an heir for the Prime Minister as soon as possible, and I agreed to all of them."

Surprisingly thorough.

Not only did he fulfill all the proper etiquette, but he also kept his overnight stay at Jiang Guo'er's place a complete secret.

Pei Yan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "You've gone to so much trouble, Madam."

He paused for a moment, then added in a low voice, "Jiang's service was inadequate; she will be fined half a month's wages."

Xue Lingyi was slightly surprised, but didn't dare to ask any further questions.

"Does Your Excellency have any plans for today? If not, I've prepared a chessboard; how about we play a few games after breakfast?"

"Alright."

When Jiang Guo'er arrived, she saw the two sitting opposite each other at the rosewood chess table in the flower hall.

Xue Lingyi played white, and Pei Yan played black. The black and white pieces crisscrossed on the chessboard, and the sound of each piece being placed was crisp.

The two chatted casually.

When Xue Lingyi recounted her experiences in Jiangnan, Pei Yan occasionally chimed in with a few words, but his joy was palpable.

Their chess skills were surprisingly evenly matched.

Jiang Guo'er and Lü Yi stood side by side behind him, ready to refill his tea and water at any time.

Watching them play chess and chat, I couldn't quite describe the feeling in my heart.

While Xue Lingyi was changing the tea, she secretly slipped a few pieces of silver into her sleeve.

Jiang Guo'er was flattered and quickly stuffed it back.

She failed to protect Lingyi, how dare she accept her money!