36
36. Things you can't let go of...
The next day, Qiu Su woke up to a surprise to find someone else beside her. Normally, she would have been alone in bed. Pei Yuan propped his head up, looking at her with a half-smile. Seeing her face flush red, he finally smiled and asked, "My wife said a lot yesterday. Were they the truth, or just things said in anger?"
Qiu Su frowned. Those words were definitely not lies, at most just a bit exaggerated. It's just that she couldn't quite remember what she had said. Don't laugh at her forgetfulness; too many things were improvised on the spot, and who could remember what strange things they said in that state?
"My wife." Pei Yuan touched her belly, his eyes sweeping from her toes to her head and back again with a seductive gaze, before leaning close to her and saying in an extremely suggestive manner, "This child has taken up so much of my time that even you treat me badly. When he comes out, I'll have to give him a good beating."
Qiu Su stared at Pei Yuan's languid appearance for a moment, then quickly looked away, composed herself, and asked, "Aren't you going out today?"
"I won't go out; I'll stay home with my wife. She seems to be thinking about many strange things these past few days. Could you tell me about them?"
Qiu Su's expression turned slightly embarrassed. She was really too insecure; those words were actually a bit too much.
"My wife, please don't keep anything to yourself. You must ask me. We are husband and wife, and it hurts me to see you keep it all inside."
Pei Yuan pulled Qiu Su's hand to his chest, snuggling close and humming, "Wife, give your husband a massage."
Qiu Su's face felt a little hot. Looking at his half-closed eyes, she instinctively pressed her hand against his chest and gently rubbed it. Between husband and wife, shouldn't things not be so clearly defined? Isn't it too much to force everything to have a cause and an effect?
Pei Yuan squinted at Qiu Su, and taking advantage of her dazed state, leaned in and kissed her lips. It had been so long since he'd felt that touch; it felt like he'd forgotten the taste. Actually, the initial three months wouldn't have affected their intimacy at all, but during that time, either Pei Yuan was busy or Qiu Su wasn't cooperative. In short, if Pei Yuan came home late, Qiu Su was usually asleep, and when Pei Yuan occasionally wanted to, Qiu Su would make excuses. Now, their lips met, and sparks flew. When Qiu Su actively wrapped her arms around his, she couldn't help but admit, with a touch of bitterness, that she still longed for intimacy with him, longed for him to always hold her in his arms. Those things were in the past; even if it was deception, if he was willing to deceive her for a lifetime, she would still be happy.
It was rare to see Qiu Su so docile since entering the palace. Pei Yuan, who had been left out for so long, couldn't help but deepen the kiss, his hand slowly kneading and gently squeezing her fuller area. He couldn't hold it with one hand anymore; each time he tried, the fullness slipped away. Pei Yuan carefully avoided her abdomen, lying on his side with one arm around her shoulder, while his other hand, satisfied, led Qiu Su's hand down to her burning center.
Qiu Su subconsciously tried to pull her hand away, but Pei Yuan bit her lip as if punishing her, then took her hand and held it to that spot, sighing softly against her lips, "Wife, have you punished me for so long enough?"
For some reason, Qiu Su suddenly believed in the saying that husband and wife share the same fate. It was a subtle feeling, indescribable, like now, as he gently called her "wife" against her lips. That one word evoked memories of the good he had done for her in the past. Pei Yuan had told her to trust him more than once or twice. Should she try to believe, believe in the eternity he offered?
"Young Master, Miss is unwell! Young Master?"
Qiu Su squinted, savoring his passionate kiss that still made her heart race. He was always like this; even now, restrained by her body, his strength was still palpable, making even a kiss feel like a battle. Qiu Su recalled his madness, his domineering nature, his unreasonable and reckless advances before she was pregnant, and his tender words after each lovemaking session. Her body couldn't help but warm up, and the hand covering her center began to move gently.
"Young Master!" After a series of hurried knocks on the door, there was another shout, along with Huang Tao's sharp rebuke.
"Young Master, Miss is unwell! Please go and see her quickly! Oh dear, tell your dog to stay away!" Xiaoqing looked like she was about to cry, and even her voice trembled a little.
Huang Tao narrowed her eyes, holding the door shut and refusing to let anyone in. How could they be so oblivious? Didn't they see their young mistress and son-in-law weren't up yet?
"Young Master~" Xiao Qing called out with all her might. This cry not only woke Pei Yuan, but also Qiu Su, who had been lost in a daze.
Qiu Su glanced at Pei Yuan, who was hovering over her, lowered her eyes, turned away from Pei Yuan's pre-emptive position, moved his hand away from her chest, and frowned, saying, "Go take a look, I want to sleep a little longer."
"I..." Pei Yuan had just opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by the person outside the door.
"Young Master, Miss is in trouble! Didn't you say yesterday that you would stay with her? And it was only for one night!"
Qiu Su simply closed her eyes and buried her face in the pillow. Pei Yuan sighed, rolled over, and angrily put on his clothes. His movements were somewhat resentful; how long had it been since he had been able to take off his undergarments like this? Sigh, he wasn't feeling well; shouldn't he have gone to see a doctor first? Only that maid, Xiao Qing, could have come up with such a stupid idea.
Pei Yuan finished dressing, looked at Qiu Su's motionless back, and smiled, saying, "Remember, we are husband and wife."
The knocking at the door grew more urgent. Qiu Su impatiently waved her hand, pulled the blanket up, and buried herself completely inside. Pei Yuan sighed, buttoned his clothes, and opened the door. The first thing he saw was Huang Tao, her eyes blazing with anger, standing with her arms outstretched between him and Xiao Qing. Xiao Qing was on the verge of tears, while the Mountain Lord, crouching to one side and looking around anxiously, sniffled and said in a trembling voice, "Miss, something terrible has happened."
Pei Yuan suddenly felt powerless, rubbed his temples, and asked, "Have we called a doctor?"
"This servant, this servant came in such a hurry... Oh, I sent someone to fetch her on the way." Xiaoqing wiped away her tears. "Young master, please go and see her. Miss didn't sleep well all night."
Pei Yuan glanced back at the cotton curtain separating the inner and outer rooms and said to Huang Tao, "Go ask if the young mistress is up. Serve her well. I'll be back in a bit."
Huang Tao rolled her eyes without any politeness, slammed the door shut, and went inside. Pei Yuan glanced sideways. It seemed that he, as the young master, was not very authoritative. Was it because he was too gentle? Pei Yuan coldly glanced at Xiao Qing, whose face showed arrogance, and said in a cold voice, "The Pei family does not need servants who help their masters plan."
Xiaoqing's face paled, and she bit her lip, choking back a sob, saying aggrievedly, "Miss is indeed not well. She didn't sleep all night and wouldn't let me go to see the young master. I only came over on my own initiative when it was already dawn."
Pei Yuan snorted, lifted his foot and walked out. When he reached the courtyard gate, he said, "You'd better not go into this garden too often in the future. If you need anything, ask Huang Tao. I don't like reminding people a second time."
"Yes, this servant will not do it again."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a white figure pounced on her. Xiaoqing covered her eyes and screamed in fright. The Mountain Lord merely gave her leg a mock bite, smearing saliva all over her trousers before running back inside. Pei Yuan didn't stop him. Turning around, he saw Huang Tao standing at the doorway, arms crossed, grinning smugly. Qiu Su had just emerged from behind the curtain and even gave Huang Tao a light tap. Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow and continued walking.
Zhu Yuan's condition was neither particularly good nor bad, but even sitting on the edge of the bed, her lips were still a little purple. The room was warm, but also somewhat stuffy. Pei Yuan opened the outer window before lifting the curtain and going into the inner room.
"Brother Yuan!" Zhu Yuan exclaimed in surprise, putting down her needlework and sitting up. "Brother Yuan, what brings you here? Haven't you been busy these past few days?"
"It's alright." Pei Yuan moved a stool and sat down a short distance from the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"It's alright. If Brother Yuan is busy, you don't need to come all the way to see me. I see that Sister Susu is quite lonely. How is she feeling? She hasn't come over for a few days."
"It's fine. Just take good care of yourself, Zhu Yuan. Xiao Qing said you didn't sleep well last night?"
"It's a bit stuffy," Zhu Yuan said with a wry smile. "It's an old problem, but it's nothing serious. I can make up for it during the day."
Pei Yuan looked around the room. "Isn't it too stuffy? I also feel it's stuffy inside. How about we go out for a walk?"
“Okay.” Zhu Yuan smiled happily. “I haven’t been out for a long time either. It’s been quite chilly lately, so I haven’t dared to go out.”
Pei Yuan glanced at the cotton curtain, called out to Xiao Qing, and heard her muffledly say from the outer room, "My legs are not feeling well. Also, the medicine should be ready. I'll crawl to the kitchen and trouble you to look after Miss for a while, young master."
Pei Yuan's lips twitched. Zhu Yuan lowered her eyes and smiled, saying, "It's the same inside. It's too cold outside."
Pei Yuan thought for a moment, then took a cotton cloak and handed it to Zhu Yuan. He got up and went outside. Before turning around, he glanced at Zhu Yuan and saw the unconcealed sorrow in her bright eyes. Pei Yuan smiled and said, "I'll go outside and make the small couch."
"Brother Yuan, there's no need..."
“It’s been a long time since we had a proper conversation. Perfect timing, I also have something to say.” Pei Yuan said as he went out. Zhu Yuan looked down at the cotton cloak in her hand, smiled, and rubbed it against her cheek.
If there is no hope, a woman is indeed easily satisfied. Zhu Yuan smiled for a long time just looking at the cloak in her hand. It was her cloak, only it had passed through his hands, but even so, it still felt different when she held it in her hands. When Pei Yuan lifted the curtain and came in, he saw Zhu Yuan stroking the cloak in her hand with a gentle smile on her face.
"What, aren't you dressed yet?"
"Ah?" Zhu Yuan hurriedly hid the cloak to one side, then felt something was wrong and quickly threw off the covers and got out of bed. After putting on her cotton shoes and holding onto the bedpost, she turned back to retrieve the cloak she had hastily stuffed beside her pillow.
Pei Yuan quickly reached out, his gaze catching a glimpse of the dark men's robe also hidden beside the pillow. His eyes flickered slightly, but he pretended not to notice. Pei Yuan politely draped the cloak over her shoulders, and only after she had fastened the belt herself did he ask, "Can you walk by yourself?"
"It's alright," Zhu Yuan said, but her feet didn't move.
It wasn't that she deliberately refused to leave; it was simply that her health had deteriorated significantly recently. In the summer, with the help of maids, she could walk as far as Madam Pei's courtyard. But after only one season, she had become too lazy to even get out of bed. Her rapid decline began after Pei Yuan bluntly told her those things. She herself didn't know why; it was as if the light that had sustained her had suddenly gone out. If it weren't for his occasional appearances before her, she might have already died.
Pei Yuan reached out and supported her arm, softening his voice as he said, "Let's go. I've been busy lately and haven't had time to come see you. I'll come more often in the future."
Zhu Yuan's face lit up with joy. Her fingers trembled as she grasped his forearm and slowly walked out, momentarily forgetting to speak.