Chapter 44 - You'll Be Punished
The newlyweds, both radiant with joy, sneak moments of leisure, exchanging glances filled with romantic words that outsiders can't understand. After receiving a few more glances than they'd like, Cui Ti snuggles into Pei Xuan's embrace, her face blushing, her ears burning.
The sunlight casts upon her soft red earlobes. Pei Xuan, lowering his head, adores his cuddly Cui Ti.
He loves it even more when his wife lives freely. As cautious as she used to be, now when she's with him, being a bit coquettish and a tad spoiled seems just right.
Like a sunflower that orbits the sun, she beams with a smile every day, unaware of the world's sorrows.
Knowing that his wife isn't too fond of her cousin, Pei Xuan decides to keep his distance from her henceforth to avoid unnecessary family disputes.
"Watch the road, don't look at me."
Cui Ti is exceedingly shy. A laugh escapes from Pei Xuan's throat as he holds her, trying to tread carefully with each step.
Da Zhao emphasizes the importance of propriety between men and women. It's rare even for a typical married couple to hold hands in public; mutual respect is the ideal form of love people seek.
In broad daylight, many servants of the Pei mansion witness M'lord's profound affection for his young wife. Their faces express surprise, and their minds can't help but wonder.
In the past, no one realized that M'lord could be so infatuated. But after meeting his young wife, it seems even the hardest wood can bloom.
Prime Minister Pei, usually a figure of authority, was now stealthily hiding behind a blossoming tree, brushing his recently grown short beard. Once Pei Xuan had walked far enough while carrying his beloved, he asked, "How often does she laugh like this?"
The steward shook his head.
His master, M'lord, was the epitome of a noble gentleman, more composed than most of his peers. In his words, he lived like a little saint, untouched by worldly desires. Good as that might be, it lacked vivacity and romance.
Young men of this age are usually busy doing foolish things, indulging in luxuries, boasting about their achievements, and at most, achieving a **title, only to be praised by others for honoring their ancestors.
And Pei Xuan?
With Pei Xuan's profound knowledge and abilities, he could already serve as a tutor to the crown prince. Despite appearing gentle, he had always known his boundaries since childhood, maintaining a certain distance from others.
He often showed warmth, but rarely brilliance. Frequently rational, seldom foolish.
The steward knew some details about how the young mistress was awakened from her unconscious state. M'lord, in his desperation, believed in the most ludicrous of explanations. This showed just how important the young mistress was in his heart.
Pei Rufeng seemed lost in thought. It wasn't until his daughter's figure disappeared from sight that he waved his sleeve, "Let's go back."
The memory of Pei Xuan's anxious face when Cui Ti was unconscious a few days ago was still fresh in Prime Minister Pei's mind. He had his reservations. Being too engrossed in love could be a hindrance. Sometimes a good thing could turn bad.
However, after witnessing his daughter's smile today, he felt that maybe this was alright.
He had already deprived her of a typical woman's life. He shouldn't further deprive her of the right to love someone based on what might or might not happen in the future.
Servants passing by the mansion saw M'lord carrying the young mistress towards them from afar. With mutual understanding, they moved aside in advance, allowing Pei Xuan to proceed unhindered back to the inner courtyard.
At that time, Bai Tang was playing cards with Hao Zhong and Rao Liang. She was losing miserably, her forehead plastered with several strips of white paper. If she kept losing, there would be no more space to stick new ones.
At first glance, the scene was hilariously comical, reminiscent of the quirky white ghost from folklore.
The gentle breeze made the white strips on Bai Tang's forehead sway. Intent on reneging on her losses, she suddenly called out, "M'lord!"
Pei Xuan, puzzled by the sudden call, asked, "What is it?"
Everyone around hastily rose to pay their respects. Bai Tang, quick to speak, asked, "M'lord, would you like to join us in a card game?"
"No."
"Then, we won't disturb you further."
She disrupted the card game, pulling along the two dazed players and making a hasty exit. Cui Ti, with her sharp hearing, caught Rao Liang complaining about Bai Tang's trickery. She nestled into Pei Xuan's embrace, laughing softly, "You really won't play?"
"Well..." Pei Xuan made a swift decision, "I won't play with them, but I'll play with you."
She looked at him seriously, "I've never dabbled in such things. Will you teach me?"
By conventional wisdom, Cui Ti, being blind, would not be accustomed to card games, having spent her time in a neglected and dilapidated southern courtyard prior to her marriage.
However, sometimes, conventional wisdom is meant to be challenged.
Though Cui Ti was unfamiliar with cards, Bai Tang, always seeking diverse experiences, often snuck out to watch others play during their more challenging years. While she was no expert, she was well-versed in the basic rules. Having heard Bai Tang's frequent discussions about it, Cui Ti had never played, but she was at least familiar with how to.
Conveniently, a nearly new deck of cards was scattered on the stone table under the tree. Pei Xuan carried Cui Ti inside, bending down to pick up the cards.
One eager to teach and the other willing to learn, the refined M'lord Pei Xuan spent the entire afternoon engrossed in the game.
Cui Ti sat cross-legged on the bed, her slender fingers holding a card out for him to see.
Pei Xuan, acting as her eyes, saw the card and his eyes lit up with glee, "My wife, you've lost again."
"..."
Losing wasn't a pleasant feeling. Cui Ti, persistent, asked, "Are you sure you looked closely?"
"I did." He said smugly, "My card is bigger than yours. My wife, when you lose, you must accept your punishment."
Cui Ti pursed her lips, a hint of disappointment in her eyes, "You learned from me, yet I always seem to be the one losing."
Blushing, Pei Xuan leaned in and planted a resounding kiss on her cheek, "Perhaps I'm just luckier than you."
She kissed him blatantly this time. Silently, Cui Ti counted in his heart, "the eleventh time". His toes curled up slightly, and he too wished to kiss her back with equal fervor.
Kissing right on Xing Guang's collarbone felt the best.
She had myriad thoughts and distractions in her heart, her mind not quite present. Unexpectedly, it was in this absentminded moment that she won.
"So, did I lose again?"
With a dry throat, Pei Xuan replied, "No, I lost."
She took the cards from Cui Ti's hand and showed them to him, proving she wasn't lying.
Joy was unmistakable in Cui Ti's eyes. His voice gentle and tender, "Come here, I need to punish you."
At the words "punish you", vivid and heated scenes flashed across Pei Xuan's mind, her ears suspiciously turning red.
Just a few days ago, she was a scholar with a clear mind. Yet in such a short span of time, every time she saw Cui Ti, she couldn't help but imagine him, overcome with emotion, his eyes glistening with tears.
She felt tainted.
Her heart was tainted.
Those moments that had etched into her heart day and night, impossible to forget, always unexpectedly surging up and disturbing her peace. Pei Xuan swallowed, preparing herself for the impending kiss.
Cui Ti's eyes were sharp and clear. Seeing the languid and timid way she held the rabbit in her arms made him feel shy. But behind that shyness, excitement bubbled even more.
Softly, he draped his arms around her, hearing her slightly erratic breathing, a great satisfaction arose in his heart, "Xing Guang, why won't you look at me?"
Pei Xing Guang avoided his gaze, looking far from the gentleman he often portrayed himself as. His simple attire had a few white pear blossoms embroidered on the chest, and the jade belt around his waist clicked open with practiced ease.
The crisp sound filled the elegant and tranquil room. Cui Ti was momentarily stunned, then his face turned beet red. He tried to come up with an excuse, but after a brief struggle, he honestly said, "Alright, perhaps I went a bit too far."
It was just a kiss, after all, not something that required disrobing. His explanation was soft and gentle, like peach blossoms drifting with the flowing water, meandering into Pei Xuan's heart.
In their youthful passion, things could get out of hand. With courage, he looked at her downcast eyes and said, "I don't mind."
Cui Ti's smile was radiant.
He liked Pei Xuan's indifference.
"So, can I kiss you?"
"..."
Though they had been intimate before, Pei Xuan still straightened his back, his young face carefully hiding his eager nervousness.
This version of Pei Xing Guang, even after days and nights of indulgence, was even more enchanting.
His tightly pressed lips, flushed face, frequent swallowing, including that deceptive Adam's apple designed to entice everyone, constantly teased the suppressed love and desire within Cui Ti.
He was madly in love with Pei Xuan.
The delicate pear blossoms on his attire were pushed aside, revealing a finely crafted collarbone. Cui Ti smiled teasingly, "Shall I really kiss you?"
In that moment, Pei Xuan's face went through a series of changes, looking both wronged and innocent, "My wife, you..."
His voice came to a sudden halt.
Tilting her head back, her hands instinctively on Cui Ti's back, time seemed to stretch infinitely, like viscous honey extending endlessly, each inch filled with its inherent tenacity and sweetness.
Just like Cui Ti himself.
To love him meant to admire without reservation.
His sweetness could leave one dazed, even driven to madness.
Slight beads of sweat formed at Pei Xuan's temples.
Cui Ti shyly released her, observing the mark he left on her, his brows lifted with delight, "Is it wrong for us to keep doing this?"
Nightfall was still far off, yet such thoughts surged within.
She couldn't help it.
It took a moment for that tingling sensation at Pei Xuan's crown to gradually fade. She looked at Cui Ti, "What's wrong with it? Are you in the wrong, or am I?"
Holding her waist, Cui Ti leaned in, soft and pliant, "If we stay indoors all the time, will Bai Tang and the others laugh at us?"
"No, they won't."
She declared confidently, "Others would envy to find someone who makes them not want to leave home."
Forget about leaving home; they didn't even want to leave their bed. Compared to the years they had spent together before marriage, these post-wedding days were filled with novelty.
All brought to her by Cui Ti.
"Don't you like it?"
"I do."
She liked it too much, hence the struggle to resist.
Cui Ti's chest swelled with emotion, overflowing feelings piling up within. Standing straighter, he shyly whispered into Pei Xuan's ear.
From the look in his eyes, it seemed he was playfully complaining.
The afternoon stretched endlessly. Birds of paradise gathered in twos and threes on trees, while the rabbits in the courtyard, out of boredom, started fighting in their cage.
Bai Tang yawned, stretching lazily. Nearby, Hao Zhong and Rao Liang, both red-faced and breathing heavily, immersed themselves in a friend's cherished collection.
"How do you find it? Interesting, right?"
She suddenly spoke, startling the two. The book they were engrossed in fell to the floor, conveniently opening to a page titled 'The Fox Spirit Battles the Northwest Wolf.'
Hao Zhong and Rao Liang were stupefied. Before Bai Tang could react, both scrambled away in a panic.
While tranquility permeated the Pei residence, the Earl of Xining's mansion located on Peony Street was in chaos.
The letter of reproach reached the Earl of Xining. Reading his admirable son-in-law's implicit ridicule regarding his lack of proper guidance to his daughter, his lips trembled, "Where's Cui Dai? Bring her to me at once!"