In a corner of the study, the copper clepsydra dripped incessantly from its multi-tiered shelf, like a spring night's drizzle falling from the eaves—tick-tock, tick-tock—each drop urging time forward.
Pei You'an was accustomed to late nights, and his study had always been a place of quiet reflection. But now, his thoughts grew restless as he recalled the woman's parting glance and her whispered reminder. He lifted his gaze once more to the water clock.
The floating marker in the copper vessel had risen to the hour of Hai.
For most, this would be considered late, but it was still early by his usual standards for retiring.
Eventually, he rose, extinguished the lamp, and left the study for his bedchamber.
A dim, golden light seeped through the doors and windows of the bedroom. He softly dismissed the maids and elderly servants still on night duty, then gently pushed the door open and entered the inner chamber, his eyes falling upon the half-drawn bed curtains.
Behind the warm, fragrant screen, the beauty lay motionless, presumably already lost in dreams.
As he had done the previous two nights, he entered quietly, removed his belt and outer garments, bathed, and then approached the bed with care, trying not to disturb her.
She lay on her side facing outward, one arm bent beneath her cheek like a tender bamboo shoot, her wrist pale and skin flushed, her sleeping posture graceful. A faint, warm fragrance drifted from her, filling his chest with its subtle allure.
His breath hitched involuntarily, and he held it, turning to extinguish the lamp when Jiafu stirred slightly on the bed, her eyes slowly fluttering open.
Pei You'an paused. "Did I wake you?"
Jiafu shook her head. "I couldn't sleep."
Pei You'an climbed into bed, lying on his back beside her. "Still thinking about today? I didn’t mean to scold you. I was just anxious when I didn’t know where you’d gone, so my words came out harsher than intended."
Jiafu gave a soft hum. "I don’t blame you, Cousin."
Pei You'an turned his head to glance at her, then added after a moment, "On your first night here, I remember telling you—if something’s on your mind, talk to me. If you don’t speak, how can I know what you’re thinking?"
"Cousin, can I really ask you anything?" Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
"Of course," he affirmed.
"Cousin, do you... look down on me?"
Her whisper reached his ears.
"I always make you angry, and I did those things before..."
Her voice trailed off.
Pei You'an replied, "Mistakes are meant to be corrected. I don’t look down on you."
As if to reassure her, he reached over and gently tugged the quilt to cover her exposed shoulder and neck, which had grown cool from the night air.
"Enough of these thoughts. It’s late—sleep now."
His voice softened further in coaxing.
Silence settled within the brocade curtains, broken only by the sound of their breathing.
"Cousin, may I ask you one more thing?"
Her voice reached him again after a pause.
Pei You'an didn’t open his eyes, merely uttering a vague sound of acknowledgment.
"If you don’t look down on me... then do you dislike me?"
Pei You'an opened his eyes and turned to look at her.
Jiafu’s hair fanned across the pillow, her chin tucked beneath the quilt, leaving only half her face visible. Her eyes, unblinking, fixed on him.
"How could I? I told you, don’t overthink things."
"Then why... have you ignored me these past two nights when you returned?"
The warm, delicate fragrance within the brocade curtains seemed to grow even more intoxicating.
Pei You'an’s voice turned slightly hoarse. "I thought you were asleep..."
Her lashes fluttered, then slowly lowered like a pair of butterfly wings resting upon blossoms.
Pei You'an stopped mid-sentence, leaving his words unfinished.Newly wedded and sharing a bed, yet he had not touched her for two consecutive nights.
He had initially thought she did not wish for his touch, but now he realized it might have been a misunderstanding. She was just a little girl, after all—understanding nothing, only smiling at him when happy, crying before him when sad, and clinging tightly to him when afraid. So innocent and inexperienced, how much grievance could she truly endure? No wonder her mind had wandered, leading to today’s incident.
Since he had married this girl, protecting her was a given. And if within his power, he ought to make her happy as well.
After a moment of hesitation, Pei You’an finally reached out, gently drawing her into his embrace, just as he had done on their wedding night.
Her body was soft as if boneless, smooth as fine jade. The moment she nestled against him, their forms melded seamlessly. Without her needing to do anything, he was soon ready. Yet recalling the initial difficulty on their wedding night, he knew she might still be too tender to bear it. Holding her close a while longer, he let his palm glide over her skin—plucking strings, playing a melody—slowly, steadily, until tremors coursed through her, her cheeks flushing crimson. By then, he too was aching with restraint before finally loosening her garments and pressing down.
Soon, that same urgent need for release from their wedding night surged through him again. Pei You’an knew it was trouble and quickly withdrew slightly, closing his eyes. In his mind flashed phrases like “guard the dantian,” “circulate breath to the heels,” and “gather and condense gradually…”
But before he could settle on how to proceed, he felt her delicate arms winding tightly around his neck, her fragrant lips brushing his ear as a voice, half-sob, half-moan, whispered, “Cousin…” The sound pierced his soul, sending shivers down his spine. Unable to resist any longer, he reached his climax before her once more.
Pei You’an’s heart pounded like a drum in his chest, his body drenched in sweat. As he slowly returned from the heights of pleasure, he saw her curled beneath him, eyes shut, looking utterly docile. Guilt washed over him, and he murmured hoarsely into her ear, “Have I disappointed you?”
Jiafu’s face was flushed, her starry eyes half-lidded as she shook her head reassuringly. “Don’t be sad, Cousin. A’fu is already very happy…”
She sensed his mood. Knowing this was not something a man would boast about, she naturally sought to comfort him.
Besides, it wasn’t a lie.
She truly didn’t care. He had been frail as a child, and such lingering weakness was understandable. At this moment, beyond pity for him, she genuinely felt nothing but joy.
Pei You’an fell silent, saying no more. He only stroked her head before rolling off her.
The lamp in the room went out.
Jiafu relaxed completely, finally daring to wrap her arms around his waist, pressing chest to chest as she nestled in his embrace. She soon drifted off to sleep. Hazily, unsure of the hour, she suddenly felt a weight upon her, stirring her slightly awake. Yet her mind remained foggy with dreams, her eyelids heavy and glued shut, resisting all efforts to open them. Still struggling, she felt her legs being parted, followed by the intrusion of something scorching and unyielding.
“Cousin…”
Before Jiafu could finish her drowsy murmur, her lips were sealed in the darkness.
She was soon roused fully from her slumber.
By Pei You’an.She had merely fallen asleep, yet in the brief span before she awoke, he had transformed into a different man. Gone was the composed demeanor that had seemed to tease her earlier—his grip was now rough, sometimes even painful against her delicate skin, and his movements at her waist carried a fierce intensity, as if determined to shatter her into pieces.
Jiafu endured it at first, but as she was thrust from the pillow to the corner of the bed, her spirit scattered, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
This ordeal lasted until the rooster’s crow. By the time he released her, she lay limp amidst the disheveled bedding, utterly spent and motionless.
Throughout, Pei You’an had gritted his teeth in silence, not uttering a single sound. Only when his ragged breaths gradually steadied did he close his eyes, exhaling deeply as he held her pliant, exhausted form against him.
Jiafu slept like the dead, waking in shock to find the day already bright and the man beside her long gone.
Pei You’an’s wedding leave had ended today, and he must have returned to court duties. Jiafu sat up, clutching the quilt, and called for her maids. When Tanxiang entered, she confirmed that the master had left early, instructing them to let the mistress sleep in while he paid respects to the old madam on her behalf.
The memory of his relentless torment the previous night sent heat rushing to Jiafu’s ears and her heart pounding. She also recalled the wound on his forehead from her doing—though his official hat could conceal it at court, there was no hiding it from the old madam and Madam Xin this morning. She wondered uneasily how he had explained it. Bracing her still-aching legs, she rose to wash and dress before hurrying to the old madam’s quarters. As she approached the courtyard, she unexpectedly encountered Pei Xiuzhi emerging from within—likely having just visited the old madam. The moment he spotted her, he halted, his gaze fixed intently on her, unable to look away.
Pei Xiuzhi had been hiding in shame and illness these past days, and this was the first time Jiafu had seen him since her marriage four days prior. His face was sallow, his eyes dull, the once-dashing young master now a shadow of his former self. Even his fine jade belt and luxurious robes couldn’t conceal his haggard state.
Jiafu paused only briefly before continuing forward. When he failed to greet her, she ignored him entirely, walking past with Tanxiang and Muxiang trailing behind.
“Fumei…”
A trembling whisper reached her ears.
Jiafu pretended not to hear and kept walking.
“Fumei…”
Pei Xiuzhi called again.
Tanxiang and Muxiang exchanged a glance before quickly following their mistress.
Jiafu stopped and turned, finding Pei Xiuzhi staring at her with a lovesick, heartbroken expression.
Had she not lived a past life, his pitiable state might have stirred sympathy.
But Jiafu knew better. The first man from her past life was nothing but a wretched creature—both despicable and laughable.
“Second Brother, though I once called you ‘cousin,’ a woman’s allegiance shifts to her husband’s family after marriage. I am now your elder sister-in-law. If you choose not to address me as such, so be it—but my given name is not for you to use.”
Pei Xiuzhi’s lips quivered faintly.
“We are family now, bound to cross paths often. Show me respect, and I shall return it tenfold. Remember my words today, and I will consider this a momentary lapse.”
Without another glance, Jiafu turned and entered the courtyard.
OpenNovel