Chapter 36 - Bashful Thoughts
The tapestry embroidered with golden threads depicting the "Many Sons and Grandsons" was eventually hung on one wall, easily seen upon lifting one's gaze.
After a round of laughter, Lady Pei intended to keep her niece for dinner. Dou Qingyue, however, didn't want to witness just how affectionate her cousin and his wife were to each other. She covertly coughed behind a handkerchief, attracting Lady Pei's repeated concerns.
Under the watchful eyes of her aunt and cousin, Dou Qingyue boarded the carriage for her return journey. As the carriage curtains fell, her expression turned gloomy.
The carriage trundled away from Furong Street. The maid sitting in the carriage cabin asked, "Miss?"
Dou Qingyue, twirling the brocade handkerchief nervously, mused, "Do you think my cousin has noticed? Otherwise, why would he look at me so strangely?"
Feeling guilty, she waited for the maid's response. After pondering for a moment, the maid, looking rather puzzled, questioned, "Did he?"
It was so obvious!
Setting aside others, given how intently Dou Qingyue felt about Pei Xuan, not to mention his strange looks, even a slight frown from him would lead her to introspect for a long time. Over the years, her understanding of her cousin was no less than that of her own aunt.
Growing more anxious, she muttered to herself, "I hope cousin doesn't think I'm deliberately causing trouble."
"......"
The maid was rendered speechless, thinking to herself: Are you perhaps doing good deeds? Such a large embroidery with all kinds of baby figures; anyone with eyes can see it daily, seeing so many festive chubby babies, and probably worry themselves sick over the matter of having children.
Dou Qingyue swept away her worries with a laugh, "Anyway, I'm not the one who's troubled. Why should I care about others' well-being?"
Her tone changed, and the maid wisely bowed her head.
...
Pei Xuan stared blankly at the wall. Footsteps sounded behind him, bringing him back to reality.
"Is it beautiful?"
"It's not."
To say it wasn't beautiful was honest. His cousin was frail and relied on constant care. Embroidery is meticulous work and consumes energy. She wasn't skilled at it; her work was barely presentable, even worse than the craftsmanship of the least skilled embroiderer in the mansion.
Moreover, the theme "Many Sons and Grandsons" was one Pei Xuan didn't appreciate. The thought of hundreds, if not thousands, was just tiring.
He wasn't in the mood for roundabout talks. Fearing that Cui Ti might get upset by his frankness, he took her hand and walked outside. Pei Xuan was vigilant, leading the way.
The night was calm, stars shining bright, and lanterns illuminated the Pei Mansion. Sounds of insects and birds echoed, creating a unique ambiance.
Pei Xuan was initially preoccupied with the thought of Cui Ti's dream where she fell into the lotus pond. After walking for a bit, he realized that thinking about other things during such a scenic moonlit stroll would spoil the moment. Glancing at Cui Ti's rosy face, he couldn't help but laugh.
Her laughter, unexpected and out of place, wasn't because of the melodious sounds of crickets. Cui Ti wasn't a child, nor was she naive, so she kept her mouth shut, not taking the bait.
Seeing her "not falling for it" demeanor, Pei Xuan felt even more that he had found a treasure. Suddenly thinking about the dream his wife had, he thought: The version of me in her dream must really be a dimwit, pushing away the reachable moon.
In his opinion, the most romantic and touching elegance in the world is to embrace the bright moon and be intoxicated by it.
Nobody acknowledged his joy, but his bright demeanor made Cui Ti's curiosity peak, "What are you laughing about?"
"I'm laughing at how fortunate I am."
Cui Ti paused, then nodded seriously, "Indeed, you are very fortunate."
Everyone has their own destiny. Some are born in barren lands, while others are nestled in lush comfort. Some are born into royal nobility, living in magnificent palaces, feasting on gourmet dishes. Yet, there are those who seem forsaken by heaven and loathed by people, with barely a roof over their heads and no place to call home.
Pei Xuan's fate was too good. He had a father who was the Prime Minister with unmatched influence, a mother from a prestigious family, and innate talent from a young age. He never experienced being unrecognized for his abilities. During his career, he served under two emperors, both of whom were wise rulers.
Furthermore, he himself was commendable, caring for the masses and upholding the country. His journey to success was particularly smooth.
In her previous life, by the time Cui Ti passed away, he had already become the most sought-after official in Da Zhao. Presumably, in a few years, he would be ennobled and might even become the Prime Minister.
With this thought, she shot Pei Xuan an annoyed glance.
Sensing her mood, Pei Xuan chuckled, "My greatest fortune is to have married the best girl in the world. Both of us mutually consented and complemented each other."
"Who said I consented?"
"You did."
His words, carried by the evening breeze, entered Cui Ti's ears, stirring a tingling sensation within her. Her ears turned red, but thankfully the darkness hid her blushing.
She chuckled to herself. Not only was Pei Xuan favored by the heavens in his career, but his love life in this lifetime was also smooth sailing. She was the one who fell for him first; he was simply delivered to her, waiting for her response.
Calling him the chosen one wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Compared to him, Cui Ti felt pitiable.
Perhaps because she was so unfortunate in her previous life, the immortals granted her a spiritual vision in this one, allowing her to see the 'husband' who had loved her from the very beginning.
She stared intently at Pei Xuan. Just as observing a beauty under the light of a lamp, admiring him under the moon had its own charm. The pale moonlight highlighted Pei Xuan's elegance and grace.
It felt as if he could see right into her heart, drawing her entire soul towards him.
The two stopped in perfect sync.
The air was thick with the sweetness of honey, mingling with an exotic aroma.
Bai Tang quietly tugged at Hao Zhong's sleeve, leading their group away without a sound. The patrolling guards were called away by Rao Liang's soft voice.
With no one around, seven or eight rabbit lanterns illuminated the dark night. Pei Xuan turned his face away in slight embarrassment, hooking Cui Ti's pinky as they continued to walk.
The way she acted, as if hesitating to kiss, was so amusing. Cui Ti had prepared herself to receive her affection, yet the person opposite her only had a tiny bit of courage.
In his past life, Pei Xuan's restraint was even more pronounced.
Back then, not understanding her heart, she had thought Pei Xuan didn't have feelings for her. In reality, however, he had been smitten with her from the very first glance. Sharing the same bed for three years without consummating their marriage, Cui Ti couldn't help but feel pity for the naive young man from their previous life.
Because of that, she wanted to tease the love of her life even more in this life.
She asked knowingly, "What... were you trying to do just now?"
Pei Xuan stumbled a bit but quickly steadied himself, his face turning red. "Nothing."
She swallowed, her bright and expressive eyes looking at the rabbit lantern in the distance, thinking, 'Oh no.' Now, whenever she saw a rabbit, she would be reminded of a soft and cuddly bunny.
It had been just a day since they consummated their marriage, and the vivid memories were still fresh in her mind.
Warmth spread across her face and her fingertips heated up. Cui Ti, with a mischievous glint, uttered, "Oh," and just then, she stepped on a small stone. Pretending to be tripped by the stone, she fell into the familiar embrace she had missed.
Pei Xuan was quite alarmed. In an instant, all his romantic thoughts vanished. Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, he asked urgently, "Are you okay? Did you twist your ankle?"
He tried to take off Cui Ti's shoes and socks to check. Cui Ti, not wanting him to discover her ruse, dodged, looking as shy and timid as a deer startled in the woods.
Pei Xuan's heart fluttered. After a moment, he realized that his wife was trying to get close to him. Reflecting on it, he was slightly annoyed at himself for not being more intuitive.
"Are you sure you're not hurt?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you tired?"
Cui Ti nodded eagerly, looking very much like a little chick pecking at grains.
The scholarly M'lord Pei Xuan also wanted to be the gallant hero who would lift his beloved without a word. This thought kept pushing him, seemingly giving him newfound strength. He took a deep breath and said, "My wife, get on my back!"
She was slender and delicate. As she approached, Cui Ti hesitated, worried she might be too heavy for him.
Pei Xuan, noticing her hesitation, became a bit self-conscious, thinking about the saying that scholars are good for nothing. 'Yes, I am a scholar, but who says I can't handle this?'
"Get on!"
It was clear he meant it.
With a mixture of amusement and exasperation, Cui Ti climbed onto his back.
Last night, under the influence of the intoxicating fragrance, her consciousness had blurred. How she ended up in Pei Xuan's arms, she couldn't clearly recall. With her chest pressed against his slender back and the faint scent of him wafting into her nose, she felt like Pei Xuan's eighteen years of nourishment had gone to waste.
Bai Ge was tall, but in reality, he was rather lean.
She wrapped her arms around Pei Xuan's neck, asking, "Am I heavy?"
Pei Xuan replied, seemingly missing the point, "I won't drop you, Cui Ti. Rest assured."
"..."
Was that what she was asking?
Never mind!
With her head nestled against him, confident that Pei Xuan couldn't see her expressions, Cui Ti grew a bit bolder. A soft laughter emerged from her throat, "I know, at that moment, you wanted to kiss me, didn't you?"
"..."
Pei Xuan remained silent, but his breathing grew noticeably quicker.
Tonight's "my wife" seemed different from the one he saw during the day. The night emboldened hearts. She turned her head slightly and sneaked a quick glance from the corner of her eye. The enchanting, peach-blossom face of Cui Ti was imprinted in her mind.
She suddenly felt an overwhelming joy.
Cui Ti knew she was being sneaked a look at and felt a flutter of nervousness. In a coy voice, she said, "You're not allowed to look back at me."
Pei Xuan's response was straightforward.
The mansion was vast, the path long. Tiny beads of sweat formed, resembling the delicate dewdrops of spring that glistened and broke. No matter how she dressed in men's clothing, her true nature as a dainty lady shone through. Her scent was crisp and pure, particularly inviting.
A silent, moist kiss landed on the side of her neck, causing Pei Xuan's heart to flutter and race.
Their breathing grew heavy.
Neither spoke.
In the dim moonlight, the shy Cui Ti dared only to lightly tease the person she had pined for across two lifetimes.
She was willing to offer him her most loyal and unwavering heart.
However, given Pei Xuan's reserved nature and adherence to decorum, how could she expect him to make the first move?
She intended for Pei Xuan to slowly make up for the grievances she bore in her past life.
The evening breeze understood human sentiments, coming gently and departing just as softly. Cui Ti's cheeks were so flushed they seemed ready to bleed. "Do you like it?"
Pei Xuan's throat felt as if it was ablaze, making his voice hoarse. "Yes!"
The person behind him seemed content, lifting her face, attempting to let the night wind dispel the heat from her cheeks.
Upon returning to the courtyard, the sweat on Pei Xuan's forehead hadn't dried. He dawdled, sitting down to sip tea, occasionally stealing glances at the dreamily distracted Cui Ti. Setting her tea cup down, she used her gaze to dismiss the others.
"My wife."
Cui Ti looked up in response, "Hmm?"
Her innocent gaze contrasted sharply with Pei Xuan's swirling thoughts. The sticky sweat on her body was making her increasingly uncomfortable, reaching a point where she couldn't bear it any longer. With sincerity, she asked Cui Ti, "Would you like to bathe?"
The servants had already prepared hot water for a bath in the cleansing chamber, a fact initially unknown to Cui Ti. It was Bai Tang who whispered in her ear, hinting at Pei Xuan's intentions.
She cherished the intimate moments of married life and enjoyed seeing Pei Xuan in difficult situations, especially when Pei Xuan awkwardly tried to get close to her.
Pei Xuan was a mere mortal, not a saint. Her repeated invitations were met with silence, the initial spark of enthusiasm dimming with each attempt. Feeling that her advances were perhaps too forward, Pei Xuan became hesitant to proceed.
"Shall I carry you there? And once you're done, you can call me?"
Cui Ti slowly nodded in agreement.
With a twinkle in her eyes, Pei Xuan took Cui Ti's arm and led her into the steam-filled chamber.
Two bathtubs, one large and one small, stood with hot water sprinkled with petals of various colors. The water was pleasantly warm. The steam gave Pei Xuan a flushed complexion. As she waited for Cui Ti to make the first move and after a prolonged silence, Pei Xuan decided to make one last effort.
"Cui Ti, should we..."
"What?"
Cui Ti's heart skipped a beat, recalling Bai Tang's whispered words - "A couple that hasn't bathed together hasn't truly experienced intimacy."
The mere thought made her feel weak.
Seeing the blush on Cui Ti's face, Pei Xuan, seizing an opportunity, took the sachet from her waist and tossed it into the single-person tub, saying, "My wife, the water on the left seems dirty. Let's bathe in this tub together."
The words "let's" and "this tub" made Cui Ti want to cover her blushing face. After a moment, she burst out laughing, amused by the situation.