"If you're not tired, let's do something tiring."
Lu Yu moved closer to Shen Xuan, her warm breath tickling the side of Shen Xuan's neck.
Shen Xuan instinctively flinched, his eyes darting around, unsure where to look.
These past few days, the two had experienced intimacy for the first time and found it intoxicating. Not only did Lu Yu desire it, but Shen Xuan also did.
Lying on the bed, Shen Xuan's eyes were misty, his face flushed. He glanced at Lu Yu, then closed his eyes, implicitly agreeing.
Lu Yu found Shen Xuan utterly irresistible, especially when Shen Xuan unintentionally displayed his innocent charm, which further ignited Lu Yu's passion.
Pressing down, with the experience of the past few days, the two became increasingly synchronized. Instead of the careful probing of the first two days, they plunged into a storm of passion.
The bed curtains were pulled aside, and a red tide rolled within, yet it did not affect the slowly setting sun outside.
Shen Xuan's limbs felt weak under Lu Yu's intense assault, and he retreated step by step. Unable to resist, he clutched the quilt tightly, clenching his fists.
Eventually, he couldn't even hold his fists, letting out a muffled groan, leaving behind some moisture, and retreating to the side.
By the time it was over, the sun had long since set. Lu Yu got out of bed to light a candle, but Shen Xuan gently stopped her.
"Don't bother, let's sleep."
After the tempestuous storm, Shen Xuan's entire body felt soft, his voice even softer, almost causing Lu Yu to lose control again.
Shen Xuan was truly exhausted. After saying this, he fell asleep immediately.
Hearing Shen Xuan's steady breathing, Lu Yu quietly got out of bed, lit a candle without disturbing Afu, and went to fetch a basin of hot water to clean Shen Xuan.
Shen Xuan's private area was overused today and was slightly swollen. Lu Yu took out the ointment she had prepared earlier and gently applied it.
She then embraced Shen Xuan and fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, Shen Xuan woke up late again. By the time he woke up, Lu Yu had already gone to the medical clinic.
His body felt no stickiness today, and there was no stinging sensation. Instead, there was a cool, refreshing feeling, likely from the ointment his wife had applied.
Thinking of this, the scene of himself sleeping soundly on the bed, with Lu Yu sitting beside him, bending down to meticulously apply medicine, flashed in his mind, causing him to blush.
"Young Master! I'm coming in," Afu called out after knocking on the door.
"Come in," Shen Xuan quickly got out of bed and tidied his appearance.
"Young Master, the family head said a group of young servants will be arriving today, purchased by the family head. He wants you to discipline them at home this afternoon, so you don't need to go to the medical clinic today." As he said this, Afu playfully winked at Shen Xuan.
"The family head said she will return early today to accompany you," Afu said with a giggle before leaving.
Shen Xuan was left alone in the room, blushing at the thought of this.
At noon, Shen Xuan was painting in the small study when he heard a commotion in the courtyard. He figured it was the young servants his wife had bought. He put down his brush and pushed open the door to go to the courtyard to see.
"Xuan'er!"
Shen Xuan followed the sound and was surprised to see Gu Yi had also arrived. "Yi'er, why are you here?"
Seeing Shen Xuan's surprised expression, Gu Yi lowered his head and shyly whispered into Shen Xuan's ear, "I came with Miss Zheng."
Wow! In just one day, Gu Yi had changed so much. Yesterday, he was unwilling to discuss Zheng Yu with him, but today he could accompany her with a shy expression. What progress!
Shen Xuan was about to ask more when he saw Zheng Yu walking over from a distance.
Zheng Yu bowed and said with a smile, "Brother-in-law, these are the young servants Lu Yu selected. I had nothing to do today, so I brought them over."
As Zheng Yu spoke, she took out a stack of papers from her sleeve and handed them to Shen Xuan. "These are their deeds of sale. Please keep them safe."
"Thank you, Miss Zheng." Shen Xuan took them with both hands and handed them to Afu, signaling him to put them away.
"Then I won't disturb you any further. Goodbye." After the previous rumor incident, Zheng Yu dared not linger at Shen Xuan's place alone when Lu Yu was not around.
"Miss Zheng, I won't be going back yet." Seeing Zheng Yu look at him, Gu Yi linked his arm with Shen Xuan's and generously gave Zheng Yu a sweet smile. This was the first time since they met that Gu Yi looked directly at Zheng Yu without any reservations.
Zheng Yu was momentarily stunned by the smile and, after a pause, reacted with an uncertain smile.
Seeing Zheng Yu leave, Gu Yi turned around, shaking Shen Xuan's arm, and said playfully, "Xuan'er, hurry and settle the newly arrived young servants. I have some questions I want to ask you."
"Alright, let Afu take you to my room to wait for me. I'll be right there."
"No need. I'll go with you. Afu can help you by your side."
Seeing Gu Yi's insistence, Shen Xuan smiled and took Gu Yi and Afu to the backyard.
The brought-back young servants stood in a neat row in the courtyard. These were all honest individuals Lu Yu had chosen from the slave market. They had no families outside and no attachments, making them reliable.
Seeing the group approach, the servants immediately fell silent, standing there nervously, none daring to look up.
"This is the master husband. You must not be presumptuous from now on. Be respectful. Do you understand?"
"Afu's demeanor has some style to it," Shen Xuan said with a chuckle as he and Gu Yi watched Afu direct the servants from behind.
After speaking, Afu turned and saw the two looking at him and smiling. He scratched his head sheepishly. "Young Master, I'm finished speaking."
Shen Xuan nodded. "He is my personal attendant. From now on, you will all be under his command. Remember, once you enter this household, you must not have divided loyalties. Everything must prioritize the household's interests. Do you understand?"
"We understand!"
Seeing their loud and synchronized voices, Shen Xuan continued, "I have nothing more to say. Work hard, and go to the places Afu has arranged for you now."
Some swept the courtyards, some tended the gardens, and some were in the kitchen to start fires and cook. Everything was meticulously arranged by Afu.
Shen Xuan personally led Gu Yi to his room, thinking Gu Yi had something important to ask him. He stared intently at Gu Yi, waiting for his question.
Being stared at, Gu Yi became embarrassed to ask and stammered, changing the subject.
Seeing Gu Yi like this, Shen Xuan had a premonition but didn't press the matter, pretending to have forgotten and steered the conversation to other topics.
The two chatted animatedly in the room, discussing Shen Xuan's new paintings and poems.
The teapot was out of tea. Shen Xuan went to call Afu to bring some fresh tea. Just then!
Gu Yi accidentally touched a book hidden in a crevice. Thinking it was a book Shen Xuan had left there while reading, he pulled it out.
The cover was plain, with no words on it. Gu Yi opened it curiously, having never seen such a book before.
"Don't!"
Shen Xuan turned around and shouted as he saw Gu Yi about to open the book that had somehow appeared in his hands.