He lеt оut а dееp sigh. The mаid dеlivering the рastries swауеd hеr hiрs аs she movеd around him, and Zhuang Shiyang’s gаzе lingerеd on hеr grасеful, well-рrороrtiоned figurе.
Since Cоnсubine Мei becаme prеgnant, he hаd nоt shаrеd а bеd with hеr again. Аs fоr Cоnсubinе Wan, shе had bееn negleсtеd for уears and wаs hardly worth mеntiоning. Аnd evеr since Mаdаm Zhоu’s miscаrriаgе, hе hаd grоwn incrеаsingly disgustеd with her. In suсh a vast mаnor аs thе Zhuаng residеnсе, thеre was not а single person to wаrm his bed.
Lost in thought, hе suddenly grаbbed thе mаid who wаs bending over to retrieve the pastries and pulled her firmly into his embrace.
The maid was only about fifteen or sixteen years old, fair-skinned and delicate, but lacking in charm. Zhuang Shiyang had initially intended to steal a kiss, but seeing her awkward movements, he was reminded of Concubine Mei’s usual seductive allure and instantly lost interest. He released her and said, “You may leave.” He thought to himself that in a few days, he would have the steward buy a few pretty and charming maids. In the past, he hadn’t noticed it, but now it seemed his household was lacking in concubines.
The maid, released by Zhuang Shiyang, was taken aback. She had assumed that with the master’s actions, he must have taken a liking to her. She had thought that if she could please him, she might even be promoted to a bedchamber maid. She never expected Zhuang Shiyang to push her away like this, leaving her at a loss.
Seeing her standing there dumbfounded, Zhuang Shiyang grew even more irritated. His voice deepened as he said, “What are you still standing there for? Get out.”
Tears instantly welled up in the maid’s eyes, and she retreated with a flushed face. Zhuang Shiyang, feeling restless and annoyed, slammed the brush in his hand down hard.
Just then, the door creaked open again. Without even looking, Zhuang Shiyang grabbed the plate of pastries from the table and hurled it toward the door. “Didn’t you hear me tell you to get out?”
The plate shattered with a loud crash, followed by a slightly flustered, soft voice saying, “Brother-in-law…”
Hearing this voice, Zhuang Shiyang abruptly looked up and saw that the person standing at the door was none other than Madam Da Zhou.
Today, Madam Da Zhou wore a light pink gauze gown that accentuated her fair, delicate skin. Her lips were naturally red without rouge, her brows were naturally dark without pencil, her face was as round as a silver plate, and her eyes were as clear as water chestnuts. She moved with grace and elegance, adorned with a South Sea pearl phoenix hairpin that radiated brilliance and tenderness. Compared to her previous attire, she had clearly put more effort into her appearance. She was already an exceptionally delicate and petite beauty, and with such careful dressing, she looked like a celestial being.
Unlike the plain maid from earlier, although she was already a mother, she still appeared stunningly beautiful, with an alluring charm that young girls lacked. Zhuang Shiyang had long been infatuated with Madam Da Zhou, and after abstaining for so many days, the sudden sight of his dream lover nearly made him lose control.
In the end, he managed to restrain his impulse and only stood up eagerly, asking, “What brings you here?”
Madam Da Zhou smiled gently, her eyes unable to hide her concern. “I heard you haven’t been well lately, so I came to see you.”
“Lan’er… it’s you who cares about me.” Zhuang Shiyang was deeply moved by the beauty’s concern.
Madam Da Zhou lowered her head and whispered softly, “Of course I worry about you, brother-in-law.”At the moment, there was no one outside the study. Seeing her delicate, maidenly demeanor, Zhuang Shiyang felt a stir in his heart and stepped forward. "Lan'er, I truly like you." These words were half true and half false. Zhuang Shiyang had always favored gentle and submissive women. Initially, he had taken a liking to Madam Zhou precisely because she was considerate enough. But compared to the Madam Da Zhou before him now, Madam Zhou was not worth mentioning. Madam Da Zhou seemed as if she were made entirely of water, every frown and smile exuding charm. Zhuang Shiyang had never encountered a woman who stirred his heart so deeply. Even though she was Grand Tutor Zhang's favored concubine, at this moment, he felt the urge to steal a taste.
He embraced Madam Da Zhou in one swift motion. "Lan'er..." Seeing that she only struggled slightly and did not resist, his heart filled with joy, and he picked her up, carrying her toward the large bed behind the study.
After their intimate encounter, Madam Da Zhou nestled softly in Zhuang Shiyang's arms. "Brother-in-law..."
Zhuang Shiyang did not correct her form of address. In fact, this form of address carried a certain forbidden allure, making Zhuang Shiyang feel an even greater thrill of illicit pleasure. He lowered his head, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, and asked in a husky voice, "What is it?"
"Lan'er has a request to make." Madam Da Zhou looked at him, her beautiful eyes filled with hope and pity.
Zhuang Shiyang's heart was nearly melting, and he felt compelled to grant her every wish. "What is it? As long as it's something I can do, I will definitely help you accomplish it."
Madam Da Zhou smiled. "Master, please do not elevate Concubine Mei to the position of principal wife."
Zhuang Shiyang had never expected her to make such a request and was momentarily stunned. Seeing his reaction, Madam Da Zhou quickly wrapped her jade-like arms around his neck and said in a soft, pleading tone, "My younger sister, although usually a bit stubborn, is still a considerate and sensible person. If you elevate Concubine Mei to principal wife, I fear my sister will be heartbroken. Lan'er knows she has no right to say this, but I truly cannot bear to see my sister weeping day and night. I beg you, Master, to grant this wish."
Upon hearing her words, Zhuang Shiyang could not help but sigh. "Lan'er, you consider others to such an extent. You truly are a kind-hearted woman." After a moment of thought, he added, "Now, I cherish you as my very heart. Your request is something I will fulfill. I promise you, I will not elevate Mei'er to principal wife."
Madam Da Zhou revealed a smile, but her expression soon dimmed again. Noticing the change, Zhuang Shiyang quickly asked, "Lan'er, is there something else troubling you?"
"Now that you and I share this relationship, brother-in-law," Madam Da Zhou lowered her gaze and said, "Lan'er has come to admire you, but alas, I am already another man's concubine. How I regret not meeting you before I was married. Having shared this night of grace with you, I only hope that after tomorrow, you will forget this matter, and the two of us will have no further connection."
Hearing this, Zhuang Shiyang grew anxious. "How can that be? Lan'er, I want only you."
Tears welled up in Madam Da Zhou's eyes. "But our affair cannot be known to outsiders. We can never appear openly before others. Without even a token to hold onto, how can I sustain this love?"
"Lan'er." Naturally, Zhuang Shiyang could not bear to part with such a beauty as Madam Da Zhou. He spoke up, "If you wish, I will find the most unique thing in the world to serve as a token of our love. Whenever you see it, you will think of me."
Madam Da Zhou looked at him. "Do you truly mean that?"
"I do," Zhuang Shiyang declared with unwavering certainty.Madam Da Zhou finally smiled through her tears: "Why would I need the most special thing under Heaven? I just want... the most special thing in the Zhuang residence."
Seeing Madam Da Zhou smile, Zhuang Shiyang breathed a sigh of relief: "As long as you like it, anything will do."
Madam Da Zhou said playfully: "I want you to lay out all the treasures of the Zhuang residence before me, and let me pick the one I like best. Brother-in-law, would you be willing?"
As she spoke, her eyes curved like a fox's, her expression utterly captivating. Zhuang Shiyang was already entranced, unable to resist the stirring in his heart, murmuring: "Willing, willing." With that, he embraced her once more in intimacy.
Not long after, the day arrived for Zhuangshan to return to her maiden home.
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