Young widow in her boudoir

His words, however, were as cold as snow.

Judging from the gradual relaxation of his brows and eyes, he was quite pleased that she had come to Su Xue Ju. The skin his fingers touched was as smooth as milk, just like the milk that Shen Xiaoxiao had been clamoring for earlier that day.

Xie Rutang did not resist when her chin was lifted. She spoke sweet words to him in a tender and charming manner: "I heard that Second Master is busy with official duties tonight and has a headache and is tired, so I came here to warm your bed."

Pei Zhiheng was moved, but he still kept a straight face and said in a gloomy voice, "You are quite sensible."

His gaze then fell on the emerald green of her earlobe.

She still wears the earrings he gave her.

So he moved his hand away and touched her soft earlobe, while the cool, slightly damp jade earring played with between his fingertips, reluctant to let go.

Perhaps it was the sweet scent emanating from beneath her clothes that filled the bed, for Pei Zhiheng's voice trailed off, "Do you like the earrings?"

Xie Rutang nodded naturally, "I like it. I wore it today, and the maids all praised me."

Pei Zhiheng touched her hair again, his large hand gently cupping the back of her head, stroking it with delicate and gentle force. His expression remained unchanged. "I picked it out for you."

Nature suits her perfectly.

Her current status is not suitable for wearing elaborate or vulgar clothing.

But Xie Rutang seemed not to understand the meaning of his words, her pure almond-shaped eyes looking at him with a moist expression.

Seeing that she hadn't heard him clearly, Pei Zhiheng cleared his throat and said, "It's nothing."

"It's late, time to rest."

He reached out and lowered the bed curtains.

What followed was a natural progression.

Everything that was bound to happen, happened. Since the relationship ended, Pei Zhiheng had been celibate for many days, giving her what he had saved up for many days, while the woman called out "Second Master" again and again at night.

Pei Zhiheng awoke from his dream as birdsong filled the air and the first rays of dawn fell upon his bed, only to find it blinding.

Pei Zhiheng sat up on the canopy bed, raised his hand to cover his face, and recalled everything that happened in the dream, including how he angrily tormented Xie Rutang.

I remember in my dream she gripped the blankets tightly, bit his shoulder hard, and complained, "No, I'm going to get pregnant again."

Pei Zhiheng lowered his hand and slowly raised his dark, indifferent eyes.

So, last night was all a dream?

Xie Rutang never came to his Suxue Residence late at night; it was all just his imagination.

As he reached for the bedding, he suddenly felt a dampness, and Pei Zhiheng's brow furrowed even more. Though it was a dream, it felt as real as if it had actually happened, even more real than reality itself.

Hongyao would still come in at this time, carrying a copper basin, to serve her master as he washed his face.

Pei Zhiheng walked to the wooden frame, and Hongyao, as usual, went forward to tidy up the bedding. But today was different; the bedding had already been neatly folded by the man.

Pei Zhiheng remained indifferent and said calmly, "Take this quilt away and throw it away. Send over a new one."

Hongyao was startled and quickly glanced at the neatly folded quilt on the bed. Her heart skipped a beat.

She vaguely guessed why, but dared not say a word.

She suddenly realized that the Second Master hadn't been to Cuiwu Courtyard for quite some time, so it was normal for him to have needs at night. Even so, Hongyao's ears turned slightly red.

Knowing that Pei Zhiheng was in a bad mood this morning, Hongyao finished setting out breakfast in the room, laid out the bowls and chopsticks, and then left the room.

After finishing their meal, they ordered the maid to remove it.

Pei Zhiheng, who had already returned to his study, still clearly remembered the pleasant sound of the jade pendant by Xie Rutang's ear with each collision in his dream last night.

Pei Zhiheng threw down his calligraphy brush, his face darkening. He tried to clear the images from his dream last night from his mind, not wanting distracting thoughts to disturb his peace of mind.

However, he also understood the principle that what one thinks about during the day, one dreams about at night; otherwise, he would not have dreamed of Xie Rutang for no reason.

Could it be that ever since he broke his vow, he has had desires from time to time? As a man, one is constantly surrounded by temptations, and one can't help but think about matters of the bedchamber and crave that soft body.

Pei Zhiheng's eyes were cold, and he pondered for a long time.

Could it be that I, too, should follow the example of other officials and take a few concubines in my room?

That way, I won't dream about that Shen family daughter-in-law every night anymore.

……

It rained again last night, and dewdrops clung to the branches, swaying precariously in the wind. Several pale pink smartweed plants in the courtyard were also wet with rainwater.

As the saying goes, "One autumn rain brings one chill," and this morning I felt even colder.

Xie Rutang had just put on his clothes when he heard that Su Yao had come to the Shen family, supposedly to see Pei Zhiheng.

She continued her needlework indoors as usual, embroidering a handkerchief on and off for several days, and it looked like she was about to finish.

Before lunch, a guest arrived at Cuiwu Courtyard.

Upon seeing that it was Su Yao, Xie Rutang put down her sewing basket and stood up from the couch. "Miss Su."

Su Yao was dressed in brocade robes, and her demeanor was graceful and poised. She possessed a dignified and gentle appearance, exactly the kind of daughter-in-law that aristocratic families preferred.

Su Yao didn't sit down immediately. Instead, she leaned over to the table to look at the handkerchief. She picked it up and examined it closely. "What exquisite work! This begonia and jade rabbit embroidery looks just like the real thing. Sister-in-law, you have such skillful hands."

Since the Mid-Autumn Festival is next month, Xie Rutang embroidered a moon rabbit, which is also in accordance with the festival.

Xie Rutang simply smiled faintly and said, "I embroider to pass the time when I have nothing to do."

Su Yao took her hand and they sat down side by side. "I heard that you're pregnant, sister-in-law. It's truly a remarkable thing. If it's a boy, he'll be the eldest grandson of the Shen family's main branch. Who would dare to slight you then?"

Xie Rutang remained calm, but he was well aware that Su Yao was testing him.

But the child in her womb was Shen Yuan's posthumous child, and would never have any connection with Pei Zhiheng of the Pei family. She knew all too well the consequences if the matter were exposed, not only would it be a disgrace to both families, but she would also be eliminated and would definitely not survive.

Su Yao won't be able to find out anything from her; she'll keep her mouth shut even tighter than Pei Zhiheng, so he doesn't need to be wary of her.

Xie Rutang smiled slightly, her eyes filled with tenderness: "Whether it's a boy or a girl, I love them both. It's just a pity that Yuan Lang passed away so early, otherwise, he could have named the child himself."

Her eyes and brows showed sadness as she spoke.

This made Su Yao, who was secretly observing her from the side, quietly lower her guard and suspicion.

It seems that this child is indeed Shen Yuan's offspring.

Although Su Yao was still annoyed that Pei Zhiheng had given that hairpin to Xie Rutang, and still held a grudge, she was finally relieved now that Xie Rutang was pregnant with her posthumous child.

As for the hairpin, it was probably just the Second Master's momentary compassion; she was simply overthinking it.

For some reason, Pei Zhiheng has not yet arranged a marriage with her, which makes her secretly anxious. Pei's mother is also putting pressure on him, forcing him to get engaged sooner.

After testing her, Su Yao couldn't sit still any longer. She was eager to see Pei Zhiheng, so she got up and curtsied to Xie Rutang to take her leave.

While Xie Rutang was embroidering a handkerchief in Cuiwu Courtyard, she heard that Pei Zhiheng had accompanied Su Yao to stroll in the garden and enjoy the scenery. It was said that this was for the Crown Princess in the palace to see. The more affectionate he was with other people, the more painful Yin Qinrong became.