Su Xiaoqi's body was sore all over after last night's vigorous activity.
Fortunately, she had spatial spiritual medicine to support her. When the soreness became unbearable, she indulged herself and took a pill. A warm current enveloped her body, making her feel utterly comfortable.
Shen Yun, aware that he hadn't been gentle enough the first time, spent his remaining time, aside from reading and studying by the window, attentively by her side, showing great concern.
He asked if she was tired, if her body still ached, and even offered to give her a massage.
His technique was something else; when he kneaded Su Xiaoqi's shoulders and back, it felt incredibly comfortable, like a Thai massage she had enjoyed at a modern spa. She felt on the verge of ecstasy.
"Mmm..." Su Xiaoqi, lying on the bed, let out a contented sigh.
The soreness and fullness in her body were relieved. No wonder so many people in modern times enjoyed going to massage parlors now and then.
Who knew that as his hands kneaded her shoulders, they inexplicably moved to her waist.
"Ah... so ticklish." Su Xiaoqi was easily tickled and giggled, twisting her body to prevent Shen Yun's hands from touching her.
"Wife, weren't you tired here yesterday?" Shen Yun's voice was deep and his expression serious.
Su Xiaoqi thought about it and agreed; before taking the medicine, her waist had indeed ached terribly.
But what was with Shen Yun's hands? Was he massaging her?
She felt as if he was pressing her down to rub her.
His fingers seemed to carry sparks, and wherever they touched, a patch of heat flared up, as if catching fire.
Su Xiaoqi murmured softly, her eyes hazy.
...
Shen Yun was quite satisfied, thinking that his day of reading had not been in vain.
As the book said, true beauty could be found within its pages.
"Husband..." Su Xiaoqi realized with a start that in less than a day, Shen Yun's skills had improved greatly.
Yesterday he was like a novice, but today he was an expert, his kneading and massaging done with just the right touch, captivating her.
Thus, what was once once became twice. After it was over, Su Xiaoqi had melted into a puddle, allowing Shen Yun to carry her.
The two of them went to the hot spring pool behind the room.
This was a pool Su Xiaoqi had specially built for herself, for the convenience of taking hot spring baths.
Now, however, it had benefited Shen Yun.
They had originally gone to the hot spring pool to soak and stretch their muscles, but someone couldn't help himself...
The first time, Su Xiaoqi felt surprised; the second time was still okay, though she was a bit tired. By the third time, she couldn't even stand up, her entire body limp like a puppet, allowing Shen Yun to do as he pleased.
Once again collapsing into Shen Yun's embrace, she gritted her teeth in annoyance: "Aren't you supposed to be a noble gentleman, are you not indifferent to desires... Mmm..."
Su Xiaoqi murmured, but before she could finish, Shen Yun covered her mouth.
He sounded like a sated cat, his voice hoarse, his expression languid: "Wife, this is the bridal chamber night I owe you. Naturally, I must serve my wife well."
"Bah... I don't need you to serve me. You clearly only care about yourself..."
"Then, wife, are you not..."
"Shen Yun, that's enough." Su Xiaoqi's face flushed with shyness, and she lowered her head, burying herself in Shen Yun's embrace, not daring to look up.
"Heh heh!" Shen Yun chuckled, his laughter full of satisfaction.
He and his wife were finally truly together. With the right time, place, and people, it hadn't been easy!
If he could get his wife pregnant, then he would truly be at ease, without constantly worrying about when his little wife might suddenly disappear.
A trace of unease welled up in Shen Yun's heart, and he tightened his grip on Su Xiaoqi.
While the two were acting wildly in the room, Wang Ning'er had recovered, and her elder brother had come to pick her up.
Guo'er came to relay the message. Su Xiaoqi was still limply nestled in Shen Yun's arms, her eyes closed in rest.
She wanted to get up, but her body wouldn't obey.
Seeing this, Shen Yun proactively helped her dress.
However, he couldn't do anything about her hair since she had a guest to meet.
He had to call for Zicao, who was skilled at hairstyling.
The room was a mess, with the lingering scent of "bitter millet water."
Zicao, though inexperienced, had been trained to be a concubine in her previous household and had learned such skills.
She understood the situation immediately, blushed slightly, but quickly composed herself and began styling Su Xiaoqi's hair.
After Su Xiaoqi tidied herself up and arrived at the reception hall with Shen Yun, she heard a clear and pleasant voice say:
"I am already investigating this matter; Mother need not worry."
When Su Xiaoqi walked in, she saw the speaker, who appeared to be in his early twenties, wearing a snow-white silk robe with dark embroidery and a round collar.
He had deep eyes and clear brows, with handsome features.
However, his skin was too pale, not a healthy white, but rather tinged with sickness.
He must be Wang Enze, the second young master of the Wang family, whom Guo'er had mentioned would come to pick her up.
His eyes fell on Su Xiaoqi as she entered the room.
At first glance, he only saw a woman of fair skin and beautiful features, with large, expressive peach blossom eyes.
A proper smile played on her lips, and she exuded a fresh aura, yet not lacking the natural charm of a married woman.
This must be Madam Shen, the owner of Liuyuan.
And walking beside her was a young man in his twenties.
He too was gentle and handsome, and they held hands, looking like a loving couple.
Without a doubt, Wang Enze recognized him – Shen Yun, this year's top scholar, who had been appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.
"Mingyi greets Scholar Shen and Madam Shen."
Su Xiaoqi had not yet received an official title from the Emperor, so she could not be called Madam. Thus, everyone referred to her as Madam Shen.
"Greetings, Minister Wang," Shen Yun said, bowing deeply.
Wang Enze was twenty-seven years old and had been in the imperial court for six years.
He currently served as an imperial censor in the Censorate, a seventh-grade official.
Although his rank was lower than Shen Yun's compiler position, because censors in the Great Liang Dynasty could directly memorialize the Emperor and impeach any government affairs or officials, it was a very troublesome department.
It was also a department that absolutely could not be offended lightly.
"Scholar Shen is too kind. I am here today to thank Madam Shen for saving my younger sister," Wang Enze said, pointing to a rosewood chest behind him, which contained their thank-you gift.
After Shen Yun exchanged pleasantries with him, Su Xiaoqi took the opportunity to have their return gifts prepared.
"Madam Shen, can I come visit you in the future?" Wang Ning'er asked Su Xiaoqi expectantly as she was about to leave.
Su Xiaoqi smiled lightly, "Of course. We are currently staying at Mao'er Hutong. When the Scholar's Mansion is renovated, we will move there.
I will send you an invitation to visit then."
"Oh, I'll be waiting," Wang Ning'er replied happily. Having realized Su Xiaoqi's kindness, she wanted to be her friend.
As Su Xiaoqi saw them off at the second gate, she expected Wang Enze to bring up the matter of Wang Ning'er falling into the water again.
However, he didn't ask anything until they got into the carriage, which made her suspicious. She couldn't help but glance at Shen Yun.
She saw that he was looking thoughtfully at Wang Enze.
After the carriage started moving and slowly drove out of Liuyuan, Shen Yun finally spoke, "This man's aura is contained, appearing calm on the surface, but he has great depth within. I fear he will be extraordinary in the future."
Su Xiaoqi gave him a thumbs-up, thinking, *You are indeed accurate.*
Currently, the attention was on the Grand Secretary Yang Wanqing, but in a few years, it would be on the Second Grand Secretary Wang Chengyi.
And standing behind Wang Chengyi was this seemingly frail young man.