Chapter 213: Husband
In the study of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Zhu Junan quietly bent over his desk, practicing calligraphy by tracing characters. Chen Yanyun sat nearby in a Grand Preceptor's Chair, sipping tea. After a while, a eunuch entered carrying a small box and said with a smile, "Lord Chen, we couldn’t find seeds for this water lily, so we had someone dig up the roots from the lotus pond. Please take good care of them."
Chen Yanyun accepted the box with a smile and handed it to Jiang Yan beside him.
Zhu Junan looked up curiously and asked, "Minister Chen, why are you planting water lilies? My mother says they’re difficult to grow and require special care from skilled gardeners. Why don’t I send two gardeners to your residence to plant them for you?"
That would be presuming too much on imperial favor. Chen Yanyun stood and replied, "Your servant thanks Your Majesty. It’s just a whim of my wife’s, so there’s no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself with such a gift."
Zhu Junan smiled. "Oh, very well." He then showed Chen Yanyun the characters he had traced and said, "When you were still the Director of the Office of the Directorate of Instruction, you wrote a copy of 'Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng' for me to trace. What do you think of my handwriting now?"
The young emperor handed him a sheet of Chengxintang Paper, his eyes filled with anticipation. Just then, the eunuch attending him brought in a plate of chestnut cakes and another of osmanthus-glazed lotus root, saying cheerfully, "Your Majesty didn’t eat much at lunch, so this servant had the Imperial Kitchen prepare some snacks..."
Zhu Junan frowned slightly, his delicate brows knitting in impatience, and pointed to the side table. "I’ll eat them sooner or later—just leave them there!"
He was still young and couldn’t truly participate in state affairs. His days were spent mostly eating, drinking, and, at most, practicing calligraphy. Chen Yanyun recalled Zhang Julian’s instructions: "Indulge him more. The Emperor is young and needs others to humor him."
Chen Yanyun nodded and said, "Your handwriting is already excellent. There’s no need to keep tracing the copies I wrote for you."
Zhu Junan brightened at this and pulled him over to his desk. "It’s not just yours—I also have copies from Minister Zhang and Minister Wang. I heard Ye Xian’s seal script is exceptional. Last time he visited the Grand Imperial Dowager, I specifically asked him for a practice sheet. But my favorite is still 'Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng.' Wang Bo was only fourteen when he wrote, 'Sunset clouds fly with a solitary duck; autumn waters merge with the vast sky in one hue.' Do you think my scholarship will be that advanced by the time I’m fourteen?"
Chen Yanyun glanced at the scattered practice sheets strewn across the desk, and a sudden chill ran through him.
He replied, "Your Majesty possesses great strategic vision. Scholarship is no longer of primary importance."
Zhu Junan nodded earnestly. "You’re right, Minister. My mother often teaches me the same—not to become obsessed with calligraphy... But Feng Chengshan brings me memorials approved by the Grand Secretariat every day for vermilion endorsement. I just want my handwriting to look better." Without waiting for Chen Yanyun to respond, he continued, "I’m still young and afraid I won’t do well. My mother says that though my father only reigned for a few years, he was diligent and devoted to governance. I want to be like him."
Chen Yanyun lowered his gaze. It was true that Feng Chengshan presented memorials to the Emperor daily, but they were nothing more than discarded, useless documents. No matter how carefully Zhu Junan endorsed them in vermilion, no one would ever see them.
Zhu Junan sighed softly. "Why am I telling you all this? Look, the sun has already set outside. Why don’t I arrange quarters for you to rest in?" In the past, when Chen Yanyun stayed late assisting him with his studies, he never returned to Wanping.Chen Yanyun excused himself on the grounds of family matters, and Zhu Junan did not press him to stay, changing his clothes to pay respects to the Empress Dowager instead.
By the time Chen Yanyun stepped out, Chen Yi, who had been waiting outside, immediately draped a cloak over his shoulders.
As they descended the steps of the Qianqing Palace, Jiang Yan noticed Chen Yanyun’s grave expression and couldn’t help but ask, “Third Master, is something troubling you?”
Chen Yanyun replied indifferently, “Nothing is amiss. I was merely admiring His Majesty’s fine calligraphy.”
He could imitate the handwriting of every minister in the Grand Secretariat. Yet no one had ever paid attention to his habit of collecting calligraphy samples—even Zhang Julian dismissed it as if humoring a child. Though Zhu Junan was young, he was far from the timid figure he appeared to be…
An orphaned mother and son, the Empress Dowager and the emperor, yet the court was divided by factions. Surviving in such precarious circumstances was no easy feat—what a pity that the title of Son of Heaven remained but an empty honor.
Pondering the implications of Zhu Junan’s actions, Chen Yanyun closed his eyes and leaned back in his sedan chair.
Morning court, handling Grand Secretariat affairs, and now accompanying the emperor in calligraphy practice—he was utterly exhausted. He wondered how Jinchao was doing at home. In the past, when he assisted Zhu Junan with his studies, he would stay late without returning. But now that Jinchao was waiting for him, he felt compelled to go back. Besides, he had promised her he would return that evening…
Jinchao noticed Chen Xuanqing’s discomfort and considered taking her leave first. However, Madam Chen insisted she stay for dinner, saying, “You haven’t spent much time with Third Master’s children. It would be good for you to get closer to them.” Left with no choice, Jinchao remained to chat with Madam Chen.
Chen Xi seemed to cling to Chen Xuanqing, staying quietly by his side without a word. Chen Xuanqing, on the other hand, avoided speaking to Gu Jinzhao the entire time. Noticing his stiffness, Madam Chen assumed it was due to awkwardness around a stepmother close to his own age and said with a smile, “I’ve heard Jinchao excels at needlework. Xi Jie’er has yet to learn—perhaps she could study under you?”
Chen Xuanqing replied coolly, “If she must learn, why not hire a professional embroideress? Why must she be the one to teach?” Gu Jinzhao had once gifted him a scented sachet embroidered with a pair of crooked mandarin ducks. At a single glance, he had felt nothing but disdain and tossed it into the brazier to burn.
Chen Xi looked up at her brother.
Jinchao smiled. “I fear my skills are inadequate. The Seventh Young Master must worry I’ll teach Xi Jie’er poorly.”
Madam Chen frowned. Chen Xuanqing had always been measured in his words—why was he speaking so thoughtlessly now? Since his arrival, Gu Jinzhao had done nothing improper, speaking only with courtesy. What was he so hung up on?
“You’re now a seventh-rank official,” Madam Chen said, suppressing her anger. “You should mind your words! At your age, your father already carried himself with grace—no one could fault his conduct.”
Chen Xuanqing clenched his fists inside his sleeves and said quietly, “Yes, Grandmother, I understand.” What could he say? That this woman had shamelessly pursued him, fought with others out of jealousy over him, and even once publicly slapped a maid?
For two whole months, he had been compiling the late emperor’s biography at the Imperial Academy alongside the Hanlin Chancellor and several senior academicians. As the least experienced among them, he dared not slacken in the slightest, buried under relentless work. When he heard his father had remarried, he hadn’t even asked who the bride was—only to find out it was Gu Jinzhao…
How could it be Gu Jinzhao?Jinchao took a sip of tea and smiled, "If Xi Jie'er doesn't mind, feel free to come find me anytime."
Chen Xi tugged at Chen Xuanqing's sleeve and glanced at her brother. Seeing that he no longer objected, a small smile appeared on her face.
By the time dinner was finished, night had completely fallen. Madam Chen had Luo bring two horn-shaped glass lanterns. Chen Xuanqing walked ahead first, while Jinchao deliberately left at a different time. Halfway along the path, she saw him waiting by a nearby pavilion, holding up a warm yellow lantern. Tall and graceful, his expression was serene.
Jinchao remembered how in her past life, she had loved this warm and gentle aura about him most—something she'd never seen in anyone else.
Unfortunately, that warmth and gentleness had never been directed at her.
But thinking about it now, there was nothing to regret.
She intended to walk past without acknowledging him, but Chen Xuanqing spoke up, "What exactly are you trying to do?"
Jinchao sighed and stopped. "Seventh Young Master is overthinking things. You and I have long since become irrelevant to each other. The past is like smoke—I don't remember it... and I hope you don't either."
Chen Xuanqing replied coldly, "Nothing would please me more. Whatever schemes you have, don't do anything that would harm the Chen Family or Xi'er."
Jinchao could still detect the faint disdain in his words. She smiled slightly and said nothing more, walking past him.
Beyond the bamboo grove was a brick-paved path lined with pine-oil lamps on both sides. In the distance, a blue-curtained carriage stood parked at the entrance of Osmanthus Hall.
Third Master Chen had already returned.
Jinchao entered the western chamber and saw him resting on the daybed by the window with his eyes closed. He hadn't changed out of his court robes, only removing his official hat.
...Had he fallen asleep waiting for her?
Jinchao dismissed the servants and quietly approached the daybed. She had intended to wake him so he could freshen up, but then changed her mind—she hadn't had a proper chance to look at him yet. She sat on the other side of the daybed, propping her elbow on the heated bed table as she studied him. His eyebrows were thick yet gently arched, his eye sockets deep, his nose straight, and his lips well-shaped—especially when he smiled, exuding an air of refined elegance.
The candlelight cast half his face in shadow.
Seeing how soundly he slept, Jinchao recalled that he had risen at dawn—he must be exhausted. She hesitated to wake him.
Then she noticed Third Master Chen's eyelashes flutter... was he waking? She drew back and waited, but there was no further movement. Leaning in again, she found his eyes already open. Before she could speak, he swiftly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.
Caught off guard, Jinchao tumbled against him, her entire weight pressing onto his chest. She could feel the rise and fall of his breathing, the faint scent of incense lingering on his court robes. Annoyed but unable to protest, she said, "Third Master, you could have said something if you were awake..."
Chen Yanyun lazily hummed in response but kept a firm grip on her wrist.
Jinchao's face flushed red. She tried twice to pull herself up, only to be gently tugged back down each time. Gritting her teeth, she asked, "Don't you find me heavy?"
Chen Yanyun didn't feel like speaking and merely shook his head.
After a moment's thought, Jinchao said, "You should let me up. Change out of your court robes first—they must be uncomfortable."
Chen Yanyun considered this, then asked, "Did it look good?"
"What?"
He paused. "This morning when I left, you were staring dumbfounded. Wasn't it good-looking?"
Only then did Jinchao realize he was talking about his court robes...Thinking of the kiss from this morning, Jinchao felt even more uneasy in this position. She said, "Of course it's nice... but you should let me get up now..."
Third Master Chen spoke slowly, "Do you know you shouldn't casually lie on top of a man like this? I can't let you up just yet..." With a roll, he covered her body, leaning close to whisper by her ear, "Jinchao, when I left this morning, you helped me dress. Now help me undress..."
Jinchao immediately felt that thing pressing against her as his warm breath brushed her earlobe, making her face burn with heat.
Apart from their wedding night, they hadn't... Third Master Chen had always been considerate of her.
Well then... Jinchao reached out to first undo his leather belt, Ribboned Seal, and the ties of his crimson robe... After fumbling for what felt like forever without success, Third Master Chen couldn't hold back any longer. He kissed her cheek and asked, "What's wrong?"
Jinchao whispered, "It seems... it's tied in a knot..."
Third Master Chen closed his eyes briefly and smiled wryly, "My dear lady, never mind." He straightened up and elegantly removed his clothes himself. When Jinchao tried to get up, his knee pinned her legs down. By the time he finally rose, before she could sit up, he had already scooped her up horizontally and carried her into the inner chamber.
She panicked and tried to scramble up, but Third Master Chen pressed her down into the wormwood mattress. Suddenly remembering the pain from that night, Jinchao couldn't help but whisper, "Third Master, you woke so early this morning... and have been busy all day..."
"Your husband isn't tired, don't worry," Third Master Chen murmured. "Jinchao, every night you lie beside me, I haven't slept well... Have some mercy on me." Moreover, she was quite restless in sleep, constantly tossing and turning at night. When he held her in his arms she could sleep peacefully, but then he was the one who couldn't sleep well...
With one hand pinning both of hers, Third Master Chen used his other hand to undo her outer jacket and undergarments, planting kiss after kiss. Jinchao felt burning hot yet strangely weak. As their breathing grew increasingly ragged, in her dazed state she only heard him whispering comforting words by her ear: "It's alright, it won't hurt this time."
...
The brocade quilt on the canopy bed was in disarray, accompanied by rapid panting and rustling sounds. A slender hand emerged from the quilt only to be quickly caught by another and pulled back. By the end, things had gotten somewhat out of control. Past the point of caring about embarrassment, Jinchao found that after pleasure came pain again. Gripping his arm with all her strength - so firm it was like trying to move stone - exhausted and frustrated, she whimpered almost tearfully, "Third Master, enough..."
"Hmm, what should you call me?" he asked softly. "If you say it right, I'll stop..."
She had to guess now... Jinchao nearly sighed, "Husband..."
"Good girl," he praised, stroking her sweat-dampened hair. "One last time - your husband keeps his promises."
By the time candles were lit again in the room, it was already late evening. Mama Wang brought in hot water, and Chen Yanyun carried Jinchao to the bathing room to wash. Half-conscious, Jinchao felt herself being placed back on the brocade quilt, then gathered into someone's arms as they carefully smoothed her hair to examine her.
Utterly exhausted, she fell into deep sleep like this.
PS: Such a hefty chapter - 4,000 words! I've pushed it to the maximum scale - everyone must agree this is proper meat, not just meat broth!
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