Holding the soft, fragrant Lei Pan'er in her arms, Ren Yaohua’s heart warmed. Thinking of her own heavy ceremonial robes and jewelry, she worried they would be uncomfortable for the child, so she sat Pan’er down beside her.
“Pan’er, what brings you here?”
Lei Pan’er blinked her big eyes. “Daddy said you’d be scared all by yourself, so I came to keep you company.”
Ren Yaohua stroked Lei Pan’er’s cheek, her heart softening even more.
But Lei Pan’er was a child, after all. It was her first time seeing a bridal chamber, and she looked around with curiosity. Suddenly, she frowned, wiggled her little bottom once, then twice, and pulled out a longan from underneath her.
Lei Pan’er blinked, then matter-of-factly popped the longan into her mouth. “Crack—”
Wujing, standing at the side, hurriedly said, “Miss, you can’t eat that.”
Lei Pan’er looked at the longan she had already bitten into, then at Wujing, her expression baffled. “Why not? Isn’t this a longan?”
Those on the bed are for ‘having a son soon,’ not for you to eat! Wujing thought. But she couldn’t very well say that to a child.
Xiangqin made a funny face to tease her. “Because this isn’t an ordinary longan! It’s been blessed before the great Bodhisattva Guanyin!” She swallowed the rest of the sentence: Whoever eats it will get pregnant.
Lei Pan’er wrinkled her nose and accused, “You’re tricking a kid again!”
Everyone in the room chuckled.
Ren Yaohua shot Xiangqin a look, stopping her from continuing her pointless teasing. She lowered her head and asked Lei Pan’er, “Is Pan’er hungry?”
Lei Pan’er patted her tummy and thought for a moment. “Pan’er had some snacks before coming.” It just seemed the snacks hadn’t been very filling.
Just then, an unfamiliar maid entered with a tray. On it was a large, lidded bowl.
Lei Pan’er sniffed the air, hopped off the bed, and went over to the table to watch as the maid lifted the lid. It was a bowl of fragrant, steaming sesame oil noodles.
Lei Pan’er turned her head and looked at Ren Yaohua with pleading eyes.
Ren Yaohua couldn’t help but chuckle. She stood up and walked to Lei Pan’er’s side. “Will you eat some noodles with me?”
Lei Pan’er’s eyes immediately crinkled into a smile.
Ren Yaohua served a portion for Lei Pan’er into a spare small bowl, and Wujing served another for Ren Yaohua. Lei Pan’er was very well-behaved and handled her chopsticks skillfully, able to eat well without needing to be fed. Ren Yaohua didn’t need to mind her, and the two of them sat side-by-side, eating their noodles.
After they finished, Ren Yaohua had a maid help Lei Pan’er rinse her mouth and wash her face, and then the two sat down again. Lei Pan’er hadn’t forgotten her mission and racked her brains to keep Ren Yaohua company, afraid she would be bored. But she was only a child, and after eating her fill, she started to get sleepy.
Seeing her yawn twice, Ren Yaohua said, “I’m not scared anymore. Why don’t you go back and sleep, Pan’er? Shall I have Wujing take you back?”
Lei Pan’er hugged Ren Yaohua’s arm and shook her head, insisting, “I’ll stay with you.”
Helpless, Ren Yaohua could only remove her jewelry and hold Lei Pan’er. In the end, Lei Pan’er fell asleep in her arms. Seeing that the wedding bed was covered with peanuts, longans, red dates, and lotus seeds, Ren Yaohua settled Lei Pan’er on the soft couch.
A short while later, another maid from the Lei family came in. “Madam, the Auntie has arrived. She is outside the courtyard and says she wants to take the young miss back to rest.”
The “Auntie” the maid spoke of was naturally Concubine Xiao Qiao. Logically, on an occasion like this, Xiao Qiao, as a widow, should not be walking around. Fortunately, she hadn’t barged directly into the bridal chamber, but Wujing, Xiangqin, and the other maids were still displeased.
Ren Yaohua asked, “Where does Pan’er live now? Does she live with the Auntie?”
“Replying to Madam, the young miss still lives in the Second Master’s courtyard,” the maid answered respectfully with her head lowered.
Concubine Xiao Qiao had always wanted Lei Pan’er to live with her, but Lei Ting had never agreed. Today, because Lei Zhen had to help Lei Ting entertain the guests, Xiao Qiao had automatically taken on the task of looking after Lei Pan’er. However, Lei Ting later had someone bring Pan’er to the main courtyard to accompany Ren Yaohua, and Xiao Qiao couldn’t stop it.
The corners of Ren Yaohua’s lips curved up. She spoke to the maid in a calm and even tone, “In that case, let’s wait for the Master to return before sending Pan’er back. After all, it’s not very convenient for the Auntie to go to the Second Master’s courtyard.” Ren Yaohua didn’t realize that her current expression and mannerisms were remarkably similar to Ren Yaoqi’s.
In truth, Xiao Qiao had wanted to take advantage of the day to bring Lei Pan’er to her own courtyard to rest. Since Lei Zhen was certain to be drinking a lot, Xiao Qiao had a suitable excuse.
However, the maid glanced at Ren Yaohua and swallowed her words. Ren Yaohua was the mistress of the Lei family’s inner residence, while Xiao Qiao was merely a visiting concubine-aunt. She knew full well whose orders to follow. So, the maid lowered her head, retreated, and went to send Xiao Qiao away.
As soon as the Lei family maid left, Xiangqin huffed indignantly, “She should take a look at her own status! Showing up before us at a time like this is clearly meant to make things unpleasant for you, Miss. Besides, when did it become her place to manage the young miss of the Lei family!”
Ren Yaohua was much calmer and waved a hand to stop Xiangqin’s impending complaints.
Outside the courtyard, the maid relayed Ren Yaohua’s words to Concubine Xiao Qiao, who frowned deeply. “But it’s time for Pan’er to be resting.”
The maid lowered her head. “Madam has already coaxed the young miss to sleep. The Auntie need not worry. It would be best if you returned to rest early as well.”
Hearing this, Xiao Qiao couldn’t help but clutch the handkerchief in her hand. She glanced at the maid and saw the disapproval in her eyes. She pressed her lips together tightly, her face darkening, and turned to leave without another word.
When Lei Ting returned to the inner courtyard, although the smell of alcohol on him was strong, his steps were as steady as ever, and his face showed no signs of drunkenness. Still, he paused before reaching the room, then turned and went to the washroom. He had someone bring hot water for a bath and changed into a fresh set of clothes before going to see Ren Yaohua.
The moment she saw Lei Ting enter, Ren Yaohua, who had been lost in thought, immediately grew tense. Lei Ting was about to speak, but his gaze fell on the soundly sleeping Lei Pan’er. He walked over to look at her, then called someone to take her to Lei Zhen’s courtyard. Lei Pan’er was used to being with her second uncle, and Lei Ting saw nothing wrong with having his younger brother help raise his daughter.
Ren Yaohua recalled Nanny Zhou’s instructions on how to serve her husband. She told a maid to bring hot tea and was about to help Lei Ting change, but as she approached him, she realized he had already washed up and changed his clothes. He even carried the scent of soap from his bath.
“Would you… like something to eat?” Ren Yaohua asked softly.
“No need, I’m not hungry.” Lei Ting sat down to one side and took the hot tea Wujing offered, taking a sip.
Nanny Gao had prepared hot water long ago. Seeing that Lei Ting had returned, she immediately instructed the maids to bring the water in to help Ren Yaohua wash up. She also had Wujing and Xiangqin tidy the new bed so the master and mistress could rest.
By the time Ren Yaohua had washed the heavy makeup from her face, Lei Ting was already sitting on their wedding bed. Ren Yaohua stood in the middle of the room, momentarily at a loss.
“You may all leave,” Lei Ting commanded the maids in a steady voice.
Without a word, the maids immediately withdrew. As Xiangqin left with a silly grin, she tripped over the threshold and fell flat on her face.
“Come here.” Lei Ting extended a hand toward Ren Yaohua. Though the words were a command, his tone was very gentle.
Ren Yaohua bit her lip and slowly walked to him. She paused, then placed her hand in his outstretched one.
Lei Ting’s fingers slowly moved to Ren Yaohua’s pulse. He raised an eyebrow. “Scared?”
Ren Yaohua’s face burned. Just as she was about to answer, Lei Ting moved his wrist with a deft motion and pulled her onto his lap.
Ren Yaohua let out a startled cry, grabbing his lapels to steady herself. When she looked up, she found Lei Ting watching her with a smile, his gaze scorching.
Ren Yaohua immediately averted her eyes, her heart pounding like a drum. She didn’t know where to put her hands, and her face was as red as if it were on fire.
Lei Ting gently turned her face back toward him, lowered his head, and pressed his lips to hers, grinding against them tenderly. Ren Yaohua gripped his lapels tightly, her wide eyes able to see nothing but his eyelashes, so close to her. Her mind went blank with a roar.
Lei Ting let out a soft, smiling sigh and pulled away from her lips. He covered her eyes with his palm and coaxed softly in her ear, “Be good. Close them.”
Ren Yaohua subconsciously obeyed and closed her eyes. Lei Ting moved his hand away from her eyes, and his lips covered hers again. This time, however, before Ren Yaohua could even react, he parted her pearly teeth, his tongue hooking hers, forcing her to entangle with him.
An intense masculine scent filled Ren Yaohua’s senses, making her tremble uncontrollably. Her body grew softer and softer, until she could barely even sit up.
When the kiss ended and Ren Yaohua’s mind cleared, she found that she had been carried to the bed at some point, and the man’s hand was already unfastening her clothes. Terrified, she grabbed his hand.
Lei Ting looked up at her, his eyes holding a deep, dark emotion she couldn’t understand.
He leaned down and kissed her lips, then moved to take her earlobe into his mouth. A tingling, trembling sensation she had never felt before left Ren Yaohua at a complete loss, and a layer of mist clouded her eyes. At that moment, she had no energy to pay attention to how many layers of her clothing Lei Ting had undone.
Although Lei Ting was not a womanizer, he was no clueless boy either. He knew Ren Yaohua was nervous and feared she would be uncomfortable later, so he patiently kissed her sensitive spots, allowing her to gradually let down her guard.
By the time they were truly bare before each other and Lei Ting’s hand covered the softness of her breast, Ren Yaohua was already flushed red from head to toe, lost in a tide of passion she could not control.
Watching Ren Yaohua display such breathtakingly beautiful allure beneath him, a sight that would make a saint’s blood boil, Lei Ting could not hold back. But his heart ached for her, so he remained patient, caressing and guiding her, wanting her body to open up completely to receive him.
When he felt that she was sufficiently wet below, Lei Ting finally let out a breath of relief. He kissed her sensitive earlobe while rubbing himself against her entrance. Ren Yaohua instinctively pressed closer to him, an action that made him let out a muffled groan. He bit her lip punishingly.
A sudden, tearing pain finally jolted Ren Yaohua from her haze of passion. She couldn’t help but dig her nails into Lei Ting’s arm.
Lei Ting had been watching her the whole time. Seeing her face turn a little pale, he lowered his head again to kiss her patiently. But he himself was finding it difficult to endure. Sweat dripped from his forehead, landing right on her eyelashes. The stinging sensation made her blink hard.
Then came another wave of pain from below, and Ren Yaohua couldn’t help but cry out.
“Does it hurt?” Lei Ting stopped, planting light kisses on her face as he asked in a husky voice.
Ren Yaohua bit her lip. She was fully awake now. Looking up at Lei Ting’s restrained yet gentle expression, she shook her head and raised her arms to wrap them around his waist.
This action made it impossible for Lei Ting to hold back any longer, and he began to move.
It still hurt, but Ren Yaohua didn’t show it in the slightest. Instead, she held Lei Ting even tighter.
Seeing this, his heart filled with even more pity for her. He slowed his movements while continuing to place soft, delicate kisses on her sensitive spots. He conducted their lovemaking with care and gentleness, paying more mind to her than to his own pleasure.
After he finished, Lei Ting withdrew from her body, kissed her forehead lightly, and then called for the people outside to bring in water.
Ren Yaohua immediately clutched his sleeve in a panic, her voice soft. “Don’t… Don’t let them come in…” Ren Yaohua was used to being assertive and didn’t want her maids to see her in her current state.
Lei Ting took her hand and coaxed her in a low voice, “I’ll have them leave the water and go.”
True to his word, Lei Ting didn’t let the maids enter. He had intended to help Ren Yaohua clean up himself, but she, blushing, insisted on doing it herself, and he could only let her have her way.
When they were both cleaned up and lying back on the bed, Ren Yaohua recalled how she had clung to Lei Ting so tightly and felt a wave of shame. She also worried that he would think her wanton for a woman.
Seeing Ren Yaohua sleeping some distance away from him, Lei Ting reached out and pulled her into his embrace. Ren Yaohua’s body stiffened, then she forced herself to relax.
“M-Master…”
Lei Ting opened his eyes and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “What did you call me?”
Ren Yaohua paused, feeling that her form of address hadn’t been wrong. Everyone in the Lei residence called Lei Ting “Master”. But Lei Ting wasn’t old. Ren Yaohua wondered if he thought she was calling him old.
So, she tried tentatively, “My lord?Grandpa
Lei Ting closed his eyes, but the hand holding her slipped inside her clothes and began to gently knead her waist. “Try another.”
Ren Yaohua had just been through the throes of passion, and her body was still sensitive. Lei Ting’s teasing left her a little breathless.
“H-Head of the family?”
Lei Ting’s hand moved upward, pinching the peak of her breast and scraping it lightly. “Another…”
Ren Yaohua couldn’t help but moan, her voice a little unsteady. “Great Master Lei…”
Lei Ting flipped over and pressed down on top of her, moving to undo her clothes without another word. “Want to go again?”
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