Тhe water wаs slightlу warmer thаn skin tempеrаturе, thе stеаm filled with fragrаnce, and the warm, soft hаnds bеhind him... it was sо cоmfоrtаblе that Сhеng Сhi сlоsed his еyes.
Thе skin еxрosed to thе sun had tannеd to a hоnеу соlоr, уet the skin bеnеath his сlоthеs remаined сlеar-teхturеd and fаir as jade.
Zhоu Shaojin cоuldn’t hеlр but roll uр her sleevеs аnd сomраrе thе соlor оf hеr arm with Сheng Сhi’s... it seemеd just a shаdе dаrker thаn hеr skin... Zhоu Shаojin pursed hеr lips and smiled.
Sensing somеthing unusual, Cheng Сhi half-oрenеd his еyеs, taking in Zhou Shaojin’s playful expression.
His heart stirred, and he sat up, turning to hook his arm around Zhou Shaojin’s neck.
Caught off guard, Zhou Shaojin stumbled and fell into Cheng Chi’s embrace.
The water quickly soaked through her clothes.
“Shao Jin, I’m sorry,” Cheng Chi looked into her eyes, his gaze filled with guilt. “I thought I’d finish the work quickly, but it turned out to be more complicated than I imagined. I wasn’t even by your side when you gave birth…”
“I’m fine!” Zhou Shaojin gazed at his handsome face, her heart pounding wildly, her mind muddled by the steam, unable to think clearly. “Mother took good care of me, and so did Second Sister-in-law. When I gave birth to Yun Ge’er, she stayed with me in the delivery room and even taught me how to breastfeed… And Sister, she rushed over as soon as she got the news… Madam and Father also sent over many tonics like ginseng, bird’s nest, and snow fungus… They said they’d bring Younger Brother to see me for Yun Ge’er’s hundred-day celebration…”
Her voice grew softer and softer… Cheng Chi’s face drew closer and closer to hers… her heart beat faster and faster…
Finally, Cheng Chi kissed the red lips he had dreamed of.
Soft, gentle, like tender steamed egg custard, making Cheng Chi close his eyes, unable to resist devouring her fiercely…
Zhou Shaojin felt as if all her strength had been sucked away by Cheng Chi, until the edge of the wooden tub pressed painfully against her chest. Only then did she snap back to reality, struggling to push him away.
Cheng Chi lingered for a few more breaths before letting her go.
Zhou Shaojin blushed and said, “The wooden tub… it’s pressing against me…”
Cheng Chi laughed heartily.
Joy instantly lit up the corners of his eyes and brows, illuminating his face.
“Then take a bath with me,” he said, standing up and pulling Zhou Shaojin into the wooden tub.
“No, no!” Zhou Shaojin thought of her still-wet clothes.
“Why not?” Cheng Chi said, raising an eyebrow. The usual coldness and aloofness were tinged with a hint of mischief, making his face even more vivid.
Uncle Chi is really beautiful!
Zhou Shaojin gazed at him, somewhat entranced.
Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow, feeling as if a little beast were about to leap out of his heart.
He swiftly stripped off Zhou Shaojin’s wet clothes and tossed them to the floor, until the coolness of the water against her skin made her realize what was happening.
“No, no!” Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed crimson as she wrapped her arms around her body, now clad only in a deep purple bellyband embroidered with large pink hydrangeas.
What would the maids think when they came to clean up and saw her like this?
How could she ever face anyone again?
But she and Cheng Chi had been apart for so long, and he had worked so hard in Kaifeng. If she refused him now, wouldn’t that make him unhappy?
Torn between conflicting thoughts, Zhou Shaojin hesitated as Cheng Chi leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers and asking in a low voice, “Shao Jin, I longed day and night to return sooner. Did you miss me?”
His deliberately lowered voice was rich and husky, carrying a faintly intoxicating allure.Zhou Shaojin was utterly lost in it. She murmured foolishly, "Yes. I think of Uncle Chi every day." As she spoke, tears silently fell, "I wonder what Uncle Chi is doing? Does he think of me? Is he burdened by official duties? Does he stay up all night..."
That infatuated gaze was like aged wine, making Cheng Chi feel slightly intoxicated even before drinking.
"Silly girl!" He held her tightly in his arms and leaped toward the flower valley.
A muffled "Hmm!" was caught in Cheng Chi's throat, but the pain made Zhou Shaojin widen her eyes.
Cheng Chi chuckled softly, covering her eyelids with his palm, and whispered into her most sensitive ear, "Close your eyes!"
Zhou Shaojin blushed crimson.
She was afraid to see the teasing look in his eyes.
As if he could see through the ** in her heart for him.
But with her eyes closed like this, the sensations beneath her grew even clearer.
Swollen and full, a bit painful... reminding her of that firm bulge when he was calm.
If he was excited, wouldn't it be even more astonishing?
Zhou Shaojin's face burned, her body half-melted, like duckweed clinging to him, rising and falling with his movements, sharing his joy and his madness... until she could no longer bear it, clutching his strong, powerful arms and whimpering softly.
"Shaoji, Shaoji." Cheng Chi's anxious voice sounded in her ear.
She looked up dazedly, like a lost kitten, stirring his heart uncontrollably. Unable to resist, he bit her ear and asked, "Darling, are you uncomfortable?"
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
The swelling inside her withdrew.
She shook her head.
Where had Uncle Chi gone...
She spread her arms toward Cheng Chi, calling out sweetly, "Uncle Chi."
Cheng Chi's expression darkened slightly.
But seeing Zhou Shaojin throw herself into his arms like a young swallow returning to the nest, clinging tightly to him, an indescribable agitation surged from the depths of his heart.
"Shaoji," he called her softly, thrusting deeply into her body, "Who am I?"
Zhou Shaojin's body tensed, panting dizzily, "Si Lang... Zi Chuan... Uncle Chi..."
"Uncle Chi?" Cheng Chi's breathing grew rapid and heavy.
"Uncle Chi..." Zhou Shaojin moaned dreamily.
The one who protected her, loved her, cherished her...
Fragments of the past flashed vaguely through Cheng Chi's mind.
Perhaps, in her heart, he had always been her Uncle Chi—regardless of seniority or romantic love, he was simply the one who stirred her heart.
A slow smile spread across Cheng Chi's lips. He placed a cloth beneath her and laid the limp Zhou Shaojin over the wooden barrel, entering her from behind.
Zhou Shaojin shuddered, nearly making Cheng Chi lose control.
Cheng Chi gently patted her snow-white, peach-like, upturned bottom, kissed her smooth, rounded shoulder, and roamed freely within her.
Without the warmth of his embrace and unable to smell his familiar scent, Zhou Shaojin felt a bit afraid. She urgently called out, "Uncle Chi."
Cheng Chi responded softly in her ear, murmuring, "I'm right here," and whispered, "Close your eyes, I'm inside you."
His gentle voice soothed her tension.
She could feel him even more intensely... her face gradually flushed again... her heart slowly calmed... lost in the moment.Cheng Chi affectionately stroked her hair, which felt heavy from being dampened.
She was far stronger than he had imagined.
Alone, she helped him honor his mother; alone, she bore his child; alone, she endured the long, endless nights... Like resilient bedrock, weathering every storm, she was always there waiting for him.
He buried himself deeply within her, greedily inhaling her scent.
With him, Shaojin no longer dwelled on the past.
They would grow better and better together.
They would hold hands and grow old together...
"Shao Jin!" he called her name, taking her earlobe into his mouth.
Zhou Shaojin had long lost all sense of place.
She answered him with soft, incoherent murmurs.
Her delicate voice, like that of a kitten, stirred a restless itch in Cheng Chi's heart.
※
By the time they tidied up and headed to Tingxiang Courtyard, the kitchen had already discarded the vegetables twice.
Yun Ge'er wore large teardrops on his face, hiccupping while listlessly nursing from his wet nurse.
Zhou Shaojin, who had been practically dragged over by Cheng Chi, dared not even glance at Old Madam Guo, wishing she could vanish into a crack in the ground.
Old Madam Guo suppressed a smile and gestured toward the kang table. "Sit down and eat!"
Cheng Chi calmly took his seat.
Zhou Shaojin, however, felt as if sitting on pins and needles.
As if connected by an invisible bond, Yun Ge'er spat out the wet nurse's nipple and burst into loud cries.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly took Yun Ge'er into her arms and whispered to Old Madam Guo and Cheng Chi, "I’ll go feed Yun Ge'er!" before fleeing the room.
From inside, Old Madam Guo’s faint voice followed, "At least my grandson’s food supply is still intact?"
What did that mean?
It took Zhou Shaojin a moment to understand.
Blushing furiously, she ducked into the adjacent side room.
Cheng Chi, however, remained composed, as if discussing the weather, and instructed the maids to serve the meal.
Old Madam Guo burst into hearty laughter.
Zhou Shaojin felt her entire body steaming with heat.
"As long as you two are loving and devoted, I am at ease," Old Madam Guo said in a slightly louder voice than usual. "At my age, all I wish for is a peaceful household, harmony among descendants, and filial daughters-in-law... What you have is good, very good. The foundation of a peaceful home lies first and foremost in marital affection..."
The elderly lady spoke with both humor and sincerity.
The flush on Zhou Shaojin’s face gradually faded.
Cheng Chi said, "Early tomorrow morning, I must enter the palace with Minister Zhang to see the Emperor. Later, I need to visit Minister Song’s residence. Also, I’d like Shaojin to prepare some medicinal herbs for me. Old Master Song has been stationed at the embankment these days, and though he is advanced in years, he seemed unwell upon returning. I’ll take the opportunity to check on him."
Old Madam Guo, being elderly herself, could empathize deeply. She quickly asked, "Is it serious? Has a physician been consulted?"
"A physician was called, but only a traveling one," Cheng Chi replied with concern. "I fear we must request a royal physician to examine him."
"Then go quickly," Old Madam Guo urged. "I still have some fine gastrodia tuber here. You can take it along when you go."
Setting aside her embarrassment, Zhou Shaojin helped Cheng Chi prepare the medicinal herbs for Old Master Song after feeding Yun Ge'er.
Cheng Chi took her hand and said, "You see, Mother is delighted to see us like this, isn’t she? I wasn’t wrong, was I?"
Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Shaojin gave him a sharp elbow nudge and said, "If you ever do this again, I... I... I’ll sleep separately from you!"Cheng Chi watched her feign a threat, unable to hold back a laugh as he embraced her and kissed her for a long while.
The attendants nearby all lowered their heads and quietly withdrew.
Cheng Chi received two more playful punches from Zhou Shaojin.
The two of them playfully tussled for a while before finally calming down.
Zhou Shaojin hesitated and asked, "Should I go with you to see Grandfather Song?"
After all, Grand Secretary Song had helped them a great deal.
"Are you tired?" Cheng Chi knew that Zhou Shaojin preferred staying at home, doing needlework or copying scriptures, and hadn’t even considered asking her to socialize. He said, "If you’re tired, stay home and rest with Yun Ge’er. Grand Secretary Song and our family are practically old friends—I can manage on my own!"
※
Dear readers, an extra update for candymaqiong!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Updates will still be around 10 PM.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel