Morning Glory Hall.
When Fourth Madam returned, Fourth Master had just finished washing his feet and was about to lie down.
"Has the gathering ended so soon?" Since they had encountered each other, Fourth Master pulled the quilt over his disabled leg and spoke to his wife while sitting on the edge of the bed.
Under the soft lamplight, Fourth Master wore white underwear, his entire body seemingly enveloped in a faint halo.
Fourth Madam acknowledged with a sound and began to feel restrained.
She wasn't accustomed to facing Fourth Master like this.
After eight years of marriage, the number of times they had shared a bed was few—only three to five times each month.
The matter traced back to when she had first married into the family.
Before her marriage, Fourth Madam had known about Fourth Master's physical condition; the Duke's Manor had explained everything clearly when they came to propose the marriage. Though she felt somewhat troubled about marrying a hero with a disabled leg, she also admired the unwavering loyalty of the Lu Family men. So, Fourth Madam concealed her concerns and told her parents she was willing to marry.
On their wedding night, it was her first time seeing Fourth Master. He lifted her bridal veil with a crutch, and when she met his resolute and handsome face, Fourth Madam fell for him at first sight.
Despite her fondness, she was still nervous when it came time to consummate the marriage. When Fourth Master's disabled leg touched her, Fourth Madam felt a bit afraid. Fourth Master likely sensed her stiffness, and the act was left unfinished.
As they spent more time together, Fourth Madam grew less afraid of Fourth Master's leg. However, Fourth Master had limited mobility and was proud; he wouldn't allow her to help him even if he fell, and in intimate moments, he was prone to giving up on himself. Fourth Madam was timid, strictly adhering to propriety and unsure how to take the initiative, so the marriage remained unconsummated.
"It's late, let's sleep."
After a brief silence, Fourth Master spoke.
Fourth Madam nodded.
Fourth Master lay down. Fourth Madam washed her face, combed her hair, and washed her feet. The maids extinguished the lamps and withdrew. Fourth Madam climbed to the inner side of the bed and slipped into her own quilt.
The night was quiet, but Fourth Madam's heart raced unusually fast.
It was the Lantern Festival today, so Fourth Master had come to stay in the Back Residence. It might be several more days before he returned to maintain appearances.
Being such a couple, Fourth Madam didn't resent Fourth Master. She understood clearly that Fourth Master liked her and wanted her too, but he was too afraid of appearing vulnerable in front of her. Rather than both of them sleeping restlessly here, it was better to sleep apart, each in their own bed.
Fourth Madam didn't resent him, but she harbored grievances. If Fourth Master had been a little braver, treated her more like family, and worried less, they would have consummated their marriage long ago and perhaps even had children by now. If that were the case, how could she have endured so many lonely, sleepless nights? How could she have been secretly mocked by the young maids? How could she have shed so many tears?
Admiring him, aching for him, resenting him, yet yearning for him.
All these emotions brewed in her heart—how could Fourth Madam possibly sleep?
She turned over, facing her man.
Fourth Master lay with his back to her, just like every other night they shared the bed.
So close, she could reach out and touch him.
Images of Lu Cong, Lu Ze, Second Madam, and Third Madam flashed before her eyes one after another. The words of the two young maids, mingled with sympathy and mockery, echoed in her ears. Fourth Madam closed her eyes, suddenly threw off her own quilt, slipped into Fourth Master's, and embraced him tightly.
Fourth Master's entire body stiffened.
Fourth Madam knew he was still awake. She pressed closely against his back, one hand reaching over to stroke his handsome, resolute face, now clean-shaven. "Fourth Master," she said, "Mother spoke with me tonight."Fourth Master's breath was like the wind, his heartbeat like a drum. Such a wife was like a seductress who had leaped through the window, on the verge of shattering his reason.
His voice was hoarse: "What did she say?"
Fourth Madam's face burned as she pressed her forehead against his broad back: "Grandmother said, since the heir has married, we elders must not fall behind the younger generation in matters of heirs."
Fourth Master closed his eyes in anguish. It was all his fault, making her bear the pressure of producing an heir.
He also understood his wife's meaning—she wanted to try.
Fourth Master grasped her hand and cooperatively turned over. He lifted his wife's face, his lips burning like fire.
These matters had always followed their natural course—the difficulty lay ahead.
Missing most of a leg meant missing support, making it hard for Fourth Master to maintain balance.
In the past, Fourth Madam would wait foolishly out of shyness, but tonight she didn't wait. She pressed down the attempting Fourth Master and took the initiative instead.
Fourth Master looked at his wife in the dim light with disbelief: "Xiuzhi!"
Fourth Madam covered his mouth, her voice trembling: "This is what Mother taught me. Don't speak."
Fourth Master clenched his fists. The Underfloor Heating System beneath the room seemed to suddenly increase in temperature, so hot that beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Xiuzhi!" She was so delicate, so clumsy, her strength so slight it felt like she was punishing him in various ways. Fourth Master could no longer restrain himself. He gritted out her name through clenched teeth, ignoring her gasp and retreat, his large hand branding her.
On the Lantern Festival, the bright moon hung high.
The masters had retired for the night. The maid on night watch, Di Cui, skillfully tidied the room, closed the door, and lay down in her bedding. Before she could fall deeply asleep, she was suddenly awakened by broken sobs. Di Cui listened carefully—it was indeed Fourth Madam crying. Di Cui sat up uneasily. Had Fourth Master upset Madam again?
If Fourth Master had left, Di Cui could have gone in to comfort her mistress, but now it was absolutely impossible.
The crying continued for a while, then ceased.
Di Cui couldn't intervene, nor could she sleep, her heart aching for her mistress.
By the third watch, Di Cui heard Madam crying again, this time longer and more pitiful.
Di Cui cursed Fourth Master vehemently.
Wicked Fourth Master, foul Fourth Master—someday he should be paid back by Madam's retribution!
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