Lu Nianfu’s body instantly froze.
For three years, they had slept in the same bed night after night, and intimate moments were naturally frequent. However, they had never reached the final step, with Gu Yanchen usually ending up in a flustered state, rushing off for a cold shower.
But now, her mourning period was over.
The man’s wolf-like gaze on her clearly told her that whatever was about to happen today would be different from before.
She suddenly grabbed his arm, her voice involuntarily tinged with a hint of timidity, "N-now?"
Gu Yanchen, still drowning in jealousy, narrowed his eyes dangerously at her refusal. "No?"
Lu Nianfu’s voice was weak. "It’s not that I can’t, but can we eat first… I’m hungry."
Gu Yanchen looked at her in disbelief. "At a time like this, you're still thinking about dinner?"
The person beneath him blinked her apricot eyes, her innocent gaze as moist as a young deer's.
Gu Yanchen, his face darkening, pushed himself up and slowly smoothed her dishevelled clothes, gritting his teeth. "We'll do it tonight."
Lu Nianfu’s heart fluttered, but she immediately smiled again. She leaned in and softly whispered, "Mm," in his ear.
The sound was so faint, like the softest down brushing against her heart, sending a ticklish, electric sensation through her. This was unbearable, and Gu Yanchen’s taut heartstrings snapped completely. He pressed her down and kissed her again.
"Mmm… it's not even dark yet."
Gu Yanchen waved his hand, and the azure canopy blocked out the last remnants of twilight. "It's dark now."
He gave her no more chance to speak. Her light summer clothes were tossed out of the tent one by one. That night’s dinner was extended by a full hour, and Gu Yanchen was the only one dining.
There was no moon tonight.
The Gu residence, shrouded in darkness, was peaceful and serene.
Lu Nianfu, lying on her stomach, was utterly exhausted, wishing only to sleep until the end of time. However, her stomach rumbled insistently, disturbing her peaceful slumber. She laboriously opened her eyelids, her gaze falling upon the auspicious dragon and phoenix embroidered pillowcase.
Further up, a man in a white inner garment was reading a book. The dim candlelight softened the sharp lines of his features, making him appear tranquil and settled. Perhaps the content of the book was a bit dull, as he wasn't reading with much enthusiasm. As he turned a page, he glanced sideways, meeting her sleepy eyes.
"Madam is awake?" Gu Yanchen immediately threw down his book and asked solicitously, "Are you hungry?"
Lu Nianfu looked at his face in a daze, and the memories of before flooded back.
Beast.
She decisively kicked his leg.
She had intended to kick him off the bed, but their strength disparity was too great. Her kick, which she felt was with twelve-tenths of her strength, only caused his thigh to tremble slightly. He didn't even budge an inch.
Gu Yanchen smiled with extreme gentleness and attentiveness, lightly brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "Aunt Cui left you dinner. Shall I bring it in for you?"
Lu Nianfu felt dry and comfortable, and she had already changed into new inner garments, indicating she had bathed. Her face flushed slightly, and she decided not to argue with her stomach.
Gu Yanchen then efficiently got up and went to the kitchen. In a short while, he returned with three dishes, one soup, and a bowl of rice. Seeing her sitting on the chair, rubbing her waist, he looked away guiltily. "Wife, how about I feed you?"
Lu Nianfu ignored him and picked up her chopsticks to eat her rice herself.
Gu Yanchen sat down beside her, his hand on her waist, channeling his internal energy into his palm. Wherever his warm palm passed, the soreness and weakness immediately eased. Lu Nianfu felt so comfortable that she wanted to hum. Just as a hint of gratitude began to rise in her heart, she heard Gu Yanchen say regretfully, "What a pity about my first time, it's gone without any sense of ceremony."
Lu Nianfu slowly turned her head. "What sense of ceremony do you want?"
"At least stick a 'xi' character, and light a pair of red candles. I had everything prepared, but Madam was so impatient…"
Who was it that was so impatient that they couldn't even wait for nightfall? She took a fierce bite of rice, chewing with immense force as if venting her frustration.
Gu Yanchen scooped a bowl of soup for her. "Madam, eat slowly. Even if we're in a hurry, we won't be short of time. The night is still long, don't worry, your husband definitely won't run away."
"Cough cough…"
Lu Nianfu spat out a mouthful of rice. This man's ability to shift blame was becoming more and more masterful. She put down her chopsticks. "Gu Yanchen, say that again. Think carefully before you speak. If you answer poorly, you can pack your bags and live in the study from now on."
He had pushed his luck too far.
Gu Yanchen admitted defeat faster than anyone. "Of course it was me. Madam is overwhelmingly beautiful, how could your husband resist? Come, have some soup to cool down."
Perhaps it was because she had gone hungry for too long, but Lu Nianfu thought she could eat a whole cow. However, in reality, she felt full after just a few bites.
Gu Yanchen said, "You must be tired today. Do you want to go for a walk?"
Although there was no moon, the sky was full of brilliant stars, making it worth admiring.
Lu Nianfu, however, resolutely shook her head. "I just want to sleep."
"Tsk tsk, look how tired you are. With such poor stamina, how will you handle me in the future? It seems I’ll have to ask Ji Jin to prescribe you some tonics tomorrow?"
Lu Nianfu rolled her eyes at him. "If you know my stamina is poor, then just be more restrained, won't that solve it?"
Gu Yanchen cried out in injustice. "Am I not restrained enough? If it weren't for the fact that it was your first time, what do you think we would be doing right now?"
"Bah, pervert."
It was the beginning of their intimacy, a time of savoring new pleasures. Gu Yanchen had indeed intended to let Lu Nianfu rest well initially, but with the perfect timing, location, and circumstances, his beautiful, fragrant wife was sleeping right beside him. It would be strange if he could resist.
As a result, Lu Nianfu slept until noon the next day and still couldn't get out of bed.
The day for reconciling accounts was involuntarily postponed by another day, and she hadn't even managed to bring up one of the two important matters.
She listlessly ate her lunch, while Qingmiao was very lively. She, who usually preferred quiet, was humming a cheerful folk song.
"Qingmiao, what makes you so happy?"
Qingmiao giggled. "Doesn't my lady know? The young master said this morning that the estate has good news, and everyone's monthly salary is doubled this month. My lady, can I not be happy?"
Lu Nianfu: …
"The whole estate?"
"Yes, Aunt Cui and the others were confused and specifically asked me what the good news was. But don't worry, my lady, I'm very tight-lipped. I definitely won't tell them that this reward is because of last night…"
"Stop." Lu Nianfu's face flushed crimson. She felt too embarrassed to let Qingmiao finish and quickly cut her off.
She felt so powerless. What kind of man had she married?