TPMCS(rebirth) 31 - What did Ali think I wanted to do?

The November night was cold as water.  

Jiang Li’s long, fair legs broke out in goosebumps the moment they were exposed to the chill. With a start, she sat up, her face flushing crimson. "W-what are you doing?"  

Huo Jue didn’t answer. Instead, he pushed aside the bed curtains, took a candle from the side table, and brought it closer to examine her skin.  

Her inner thighs were rubbed raw in several places, some spots even bleeding. Though not severe, it was clearly painful.  

His lips pressed into a thin line. After tucking the blankets securely around her, he set the candle down and said simply, "I’ll get medicine," before leaving the room.  

Now fully awake, Jiang Li sat waiting in bed.  

He returned quickly, holding a delicate green porcelain jar. "Lie down," he instructed. "I’ll apply this for you."  

Though her cheeks were still warm, she obeyed without protest. The moment the cool salve touched her skin, the burning pain eased.  

Once finished, Huo Jue carefully helped her back into her undergarments and smoothed the blankets over her. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he smirked. "What did you think I was going to do just now?"  

Jiang Li yanked the covers over her head, her muffled voice indignant. "Nothing! Don’t ask!"  

Beneath the thick quilt, her face burned even hotter.  

Could she be blamed for misunderstanding?

Since their wedding, he had claimed her every night with a hunger that bordered on desperation, as if he wanted to dissolve her into his very bones. With that kind of history, how could she not assume the worst when he suddenly reached for her?  

Huo Jue waited until her embarrassment subsided before gently pulling the blanket down and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Fine, I won’t tease you. Sleep now. No more riding for the next few days."  

After blowing out the candle, he shed his outer robe and slipped under the covers, pulling her firmly against him.  

Exhausted, Jiang Li nestled into his chest and soon drifted off.  

But as his fingers combed through her hair, his dark eyes turned icy, recalling the way Taobi had lingered by the stables earlier, teapot in hand, her shy glances unmistakable.  

---  

Jiang Li slept deeply but woke to an unpleasant discovery.  

Her monthly courses had arrived.  

Ever since her near-drowning, the first days of her cycle brought discomfort—not debilitating pain, but enough to make her restless.  

Feeling the dampness between her legs, she panicked at the thought of staining the inn’s bedding—or worse, Huo Jue’s clothes. Abandoning modesty, she nudged his chest.  

The moment her fingers touched him, his eyes flew open. "Does it still hurt?" he asked, catching her hand.  

She shook her head. "No, it’s… my bleeding started. Could you call Taozhu or Taobi for me?"  

Dawn had yet to break, leaving the room in darkness. Huo Jue lit the candle, studied her for a moment, then went straight to their luggage. Within moments, he produced a long strip of cloth.  

Jiang Li’s cheeks flamed. *How did he even recognize this?*  

In their culture, menstrual blood was considered unclean. Her mother had warned her to keep her distance from Huo Jue during these days, lest she bring him misfortune.  

Seeing him handle the cloth so casually, she protested weakly, "Don’t touch that! Men aren’t supposed to—it’s bad luck."  

Huo Jue merely tucked soft paper into the strip. "I’m not afraid."  

Before she could argue, he scooped her up and efficiently fastened the cloth himself.  

Jiang Li was mortified but powerless against his stubbornness.  

Since their marriage, she’d learned that beneath his gentle exterior lay an unyielding possessiveness. When it came to her, he insisted on doing everything himself—even tasks like this, which should have been left to her maids.  

Now, those elegant scholar’s fingers, usually occupied with brush and ink, deftly tied the cloth’s strings, his gaze focused and intense.  

Jiang Li wanted to disappear.  

After setting aside the soiled undergarments, Huo Jue cupped her face, his dark eyes searching. "Does your stomach hurt?"  

Afraid he’d fuss over her with medicine, she quickly lied, "No, it’s fine."  

He studied her silently before leaving to summon the maids.  

Taozhu and Taobi arrived promptly. As they tidied the bed and discovered the stained sheets, Taozhu glanced outside. "We’ll be traveling all day. I’ll sew more cloths for you."  

Uncomfortable with the idea of Huo Jue returning while they worked, she gathered the materials to take to her own room. Had she known he’d not only seen but *handled* the cloths earlier, she might have fainted on the spot.  

Once Taozhu left, Taobi poured tea for Jiang Li and asked casually, "Since you’re unwell, will His Excellency still share your room tonight?"  

This was Jiang Li’s first cycle since marriage, and she hesitated. "I… suppose so?"  

Taobi bit her lip. "Forgive me, but… may I speak freely?"  

Jiang Li nodded.  

"The old matrons in my former household said a woman’s monthly blood is foul—if men come near it, they’ll fall ill. Even the Duchess would send His Grace to another room during her courses, lest she bring him misfortune."  

Jiang Li traced the rim of her teacup and murmured, "I see."  

---  

After breakfast, the party departed the inn.  

Huo Jue abandoned his horse, sent the maids to another carriage, and joined Jiang Li instead.  

Cradling the warming pan he’d given her, she chided, "You don’t have to do this. I’m not made of paper—I won’t collapse from a breeze."  

But secretly, she was delighted.  

Seeing her smile, Huo Jue’s dark gaze softened. He pulled her into his arms. "I hold you every night. I know exactly how sturdy you are."  

Though embarrassed by his open affection, Jiang Li soon relaxed against him. The carriage’s rhythmic sway lulled her to sleep—until a sudden thought made her jerk upright.  

"Wait! Tonight… let’s sleep separately."  

His hand stilled on her back. "Why?"  

Knowing he’d ignore any mention of superstition, she fibbed, "I sleep better alone during my courses."  

Huo Jue’s eyelids lowered, then lifted. "As you wish."  

---  

That evening, they stayed not at an inn but a tidy two-courtyard house on the city outskirts.  

Learning they’d remain for two days, Jiang Li sighed in relief. Her discomfort usually lasted five or six days, but the worst passed within the first two. A stable bed was far preferable to bouncing in a carriage.  

After her bath, she extinguished the lamp and climbed into bed. Huo Jue came to reapply her salve before retreating to the adjacent room.  

Though his departure tugged at her heart, she hardened her resolve.  

Yet as she lay in the dark, bundled in thick quilts, she couldn’t sleep.  

The room was warm, the bedding plush—but without his arms around her, it felt *cold*.  

Just as she tossed restlessly, a slender figure emerged on the corridor outside Huo Jue’s room.  

Dressed in sheer peach silk and carrying a paper lantern, Taobi paused outside his door and knocked.  

A cool voice answered. "What is it?"  

Adjusting her flimsy robe, she simpered, "Your Excellency, I have something to report."  

A pause. Then: "Enter."  

Taobi’s heart leaped. *He’s not indifferent to me after all!*  

She had made her interest obvious these past days. Now, with her lady indisposed, the opportunity had finally come.  

Men had needs, and His Excellency was clearly vigorous—why else would he call for water twice each night?  

The door creaked open, then shut.  

Outside, snow began to fall, silent and thick.  

---  

Jiang Li stared at the unfamiliar bed canopy, then gave in to longing.  

Wrapping herself in a cloak, she took a lamp and stepped into the corridor.  

The wind howled, driving snowflakes onto the walkway, where they melted against her skin.  

The courtyard was eerily quiet. If Huo Jue was already asleep, she wouldn’t disturb him.  

*How ridiculous—first insisting on separate rooms, now crawling back like a clingy child.*  

But as she turned the corner, she froze.  

The door to Huo Jue’s room swung open abruptly. A disheveled figure stumbled out—and collided with her.  

Jiang Li staggered back, her lamp clattering to the ground.  

When she looked up, Taobi’s painted face was deathly pale, her eyes wide with terror.  

"M-My Lady!"  

---

Author's Note: Thank you for waiting!  

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TPMCS(rebirth) 30 - Slow traffic

<Upon learning that Jiang Li and Huo Jue would be staying for dinner at Zhu Fu Street, Yang Hui Niang decided to close the tavern early.  

Just as she was about to ask Jiang Li what she wanted for dinner, she overheard a few young women whispering secrets in the kitchen. Being no stranger to such matters, Yang Hui Niang smiled knowingly and left to buy meat and fish from the market, planning to prepare a nourishing soup for the newlyweds.  

Meanwhile, Jiang Li had been teased relentlessly by Zhang Yingying and Liu Yan in the kitchen, emerging with cheeks so flushed they could have dripped blood.  

At dinner, her mother enthusiastically served both her and Huo Jue large bowls of the fortifying soup, claiming it would "replenish their energy," which only made Jiang Li even more self-conscious.  

Stealing a glance at Huo Jue, she found him completely unperturbed, even thanking Yang Hui Niang with a faint smile and complimenting the soup.  

Jiang Li: "..." So it was just her overthinking things.  

Yang Hui Niang, pleased by Huo Jue's praise, piled more stir-fried lamb kidneys onto his plate.  

As the saying goes, a mother-in-law grows fonder of her son-in-law with each passing day—and that was exactly how she felt now.  

Her son-in-law wasn't just handsome and scholarly; most importantly, he treated A Li well. Few men would accompany their wives back to her family home on the very first day of marriage.  

She had once opposed the match, but now she couldn’t help feeling grateful to the Zhang family. Otherwise, her stubbornness might have cost A Li this happiness.  

With Huo Jue, A Li had no in-laws to contend with, only a refined and understanding elder sister. Such a family dynamic was nothing short of ideal.  

Her only concern was Su Yao in the capital.  

Su Yao had never gotten along with A Li, and now, as the daughter of a marquis, she wielded considerable influence. Even if Huo Jue became the top scholar in the imperial exams, offending the Marquis’s household was unthinkable.  

With this in mind, Yang Hui Niang couldn't help but advise, "You’ll be leaving for the capital next month. Once there, you must remain composed and avoid unnecessary conflicts—especially you, A Li. The capital isn’t like Tong’an. Even a falling flowerpot might hit an official or two. You must tread carefully in everything."  

Jiang Li, who hadn’t heard a word from Huo Jue about their impending move, was taken aback. "We’re going to the capital next month? Then... will you and A Ling stay in Tong’an?"  

Seeing her daughter’s confusion, Yang Hui Niang chuckled. "Who said we’re staying? The Yang Family Tavern is our ancestral business. I’ll need to settle matters here before joining you in the capital."  

During her visit to Ruyi Garden, Huo Jue had already discussed this with her. When he left for the capital to take the imperial exams, she and Jiang Ling would accompany them.  

The capital boasted the Imperial Academy and Lushan Academy, both far superior to Zhengde Academy—ideal for Jiang Ling’s education.  

Moreover, Huo Jue had no parents, and Madam Wei would return to the Duke’s residence upon their arrival, leaving no elders to oversee household affairs. If anything happened, there’d be no one to turn to.  

Thus, after Huo Jue’s earnest request, Yang Hui Niang agreed after only a brief hesitation.  

Her only reluctance was leaving behind the family business. But as the saying goes, "A tree may wither when transplanted, but a person thrives." If necessary, she could always bring the tavern to the capital—who knows, maybe all of Shengjing would fall in love with Yang Family’s wines!  

At her mother’s words, Jiang Li’s budding melancholy dissipated. She glanced between Yang Hui Niah and Huo Jue. "Can’t we all leave together?"  

Huo Jue set down his chopsticks and replied gently, "Of course we can."  

But Yang Hui Niang immediately objected, shooting Jiang Li a reproachful look. "Nonsense! Of course not! The spring exams begin in early February. I won’t be ready to leave until December. The journey to the capital takes at least a month, and any delays could jeopardize the exams. Stick to the original plan—you two leave next month."  

Her reasoning was sound, especially since it concerned Huo Jue’s exams. Jiang Li had no choice but to abandon the idea of traveling together.  

---  

By November, the temperature in Tong’an had plummeted. The city’s pear and apricot trees stood bare, their fallen leaves carpeting the ground in gold.  

On the third day of the month, Jiang Li rose early, drowsily sitting before her bronze mirror as Tao Zhu and Tao Bi attended to her toilette.  

These two maids had been assigned to her by Nanny Tong—Tao Zhu was steady and composed, while Tao Bi was lively and cheerful. Over time, Jiang Li had grown fond of them and come to rely on their service.  

Pursing her freshly rouged lips, Jiang Li asked, "Where is the young master?"  

Tao Zhu replied respectfully, "The young master left before dawn to inspect the carriages and horses."  

Jiang Li hummed in acknowledgment and didn’t step out until after breakfast.  

Today marked their departure for the capital, and the residents of Zhu Fu Street had gathered to bid Huo Jue farewell, wishing him success in the exams and a triumphant return.  

By the time Jiang Li emerged, the street was packed.  

Yang Hui Niang, Jiang Ling, Zhang Yingying, and Liu Yan were all there. At the sight of them, Jiang Li’s eyes welled up. This was her first time leaving Tong’an, her mother, and her brother, and the thought filled her with reluctance.  

Yang Hui Niang, equally emotional, handed Jiang Li a package of candied fruits. "Snack on these during the journey. Don’t be sad—we’ll join you in the capital soon."  

Jiang Li blinked back her tears and murmured a soft agreement.  

After a prolonged farewell, the carriage finally began moving as the sun climbed higher.  

Their entourage included several passenger carriages and a contingent of mounted guards from the Xue family—elite, towering men whose imposing presence drew stares from onlookers.  

Jiang Li shared a carriage with Tao Zhu and Tao Bi. Once inside, her spirits dampened. Even Tao Bi’s jokes failed to lift her mood, and silence soon settled over the compartment.  

Jiang Li closed her eyes, a hollow sense of uncertainty creeping in—like stepping onto a tightrope, suspended between the familiar and the unknown.  

The feeling was sudden and, admittedly, a little melodramatic.  

After moping for hours, she finally sniffled and lifted the carriage curtain, searching for Huo Jue.  

He rode a chestnut stallion at the head of the procession. The moment she peered out, he turned, sensing her gaze.  

Her eyes were red-rimmed, her expression damp and forlorn.  

Huo Jue paused, then tugged the reins, steering his horse toward her window. "Would you like to ride for a while?"  

Jiang Li glanced at his mount. "I don’t know how."  

"That’s all right. We can share a horse."  

The idea intrigued her. She’d never even touched a horse, let alone ridden one.  

Huo Jue halted the carriage, opened the door, and lifted her onto the saddle.  

The moment she settled in, she gripped the reins in white-knuckled terror, afraid she might topple off at any second.  

Huo Jue mounted behind her and murmured, "Relax. I’ve got you. You won’t fall."  

Only then did she ease slightly, leaning back against his chest, enveloped in his faint, woody scent.  

Suddenly, her dangling feet found solid ground.  

She turned to look at him, studying his face for a long moment before smiling. "Make the horse go."  

Her voice was soft and sweet, laced with laughter and a hint of unspoken reliance—but the earlier despondency was gone.  

Huo Jue glanced at the downy wisps of hair at her forehead, then flicked the reins. The horse broke into a gentle trot.  

The afternoon sun was mild, the autumn breeze crisp and refreshing.  

Fields and orchards stretched endlessly on either side of the road, with distant mountains rising in layered peaks.  

Watching the pair ride ahead, Nanny Tong chuckled. "A Li is so easily cheered up. I doubt these two will ever quarrel."  

Wei Huan fanned herself with a peony-painted silk fan, smiling without comment.  

---  

Jiang Li spent the entire afternoon on horseback. Huo Jue indulged her, but by the time they stopped at an inn for the night, she discovered the price of her enjoyment.  

Tao Zhu, standing guard outside the privacy screen, heard several hisses from the bath and asked, "Madam, do you need assistance?"  

Jiang Li, submerged in water, ignored the stinging pain on her inner thighs. "N-no, I’m fine. You may retire. You and Tao Bi must be exhausted."  

Tao Zhu didn’t dare leave. She remained at her post.  

About half an hour later, the sound of water sloshing signaled Jiang Li’s exit. She emerged in plain sleeping robes.  

Spotting Tao Zhu, she raised an eyebrow. "Why are you still here? Where’s Tao Bi?"  

At the mention of Tao Bi, Tao Zhu lowered her eyes, suppressing a flicker of irritation. "She went to fetch tea for you, Madam."  

Jiang Li accepted the explanation without suspicion.  

After tucking her in, Tao Zhu slipped out quietly—only to nearly collide with Tao Bi, who trailed behind Huo Jue with a teapot.  

Tao Zhu masked her displeasure and bowed.  

"Where is Madam?"  

"She just retired," Tao Zhu replied, then added carefully, "She seems... unwell."  

Huo Jue’s expression tightened. Without another word, he strode past them and into the room.  

Tao Bi moved to follow, but the door slammed shut inches from her nose.  

Flustered, she hesitated, unsure whether to stay or leave.  

Tao Zhu scoffed under her breath, touching the teapot—stone-cold, as expected.  

She shot Tao Bi a frosty glare and walked away without a word.  

---  

Inside, a single candle flickered weakly by the bed.  

Behind the lilac bed curtains, a slender figure lay curled beneath the covers.  

Huo Jue drew the curtains aside, letting in a sliver of light. Jiang Li turned to face him, her usually rosy lips pale.  

"Where does it hurt?" he asked quietly, reaching to feel her forehead.  

Jiang Li caught his hand. "I’m fine."  

He held her gaze until, after a pause, she mumbled, "Just... some chafing on my legs. It’s nothing serious. It’ll heal in a couple of days."  

Understanding dawned on his moon-pale face. He climbed onto the bed, pulled back the covers, and deftly removed her undergarments.  

"Let me see."  

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TPMCS(rebirth) 29 - Huo Jue, it turns out you are so jealous!

Huo Jue lingered in bed with Jiang Li for nearly half an hour longer than intended.  

When Jiang Li finally rose from the bed, her face was flushed crimson. As a newlywed, sleeping in so late—past the height of the morning sun—would have drawn criticism even among common folk, let alone noble families. Though Huo Jue had no living parents, only an elder sister, propriety still demanded she pay her respects early.  

Just as she reached to draw back the bed curtains, Huo Jue pulled her back into his arms, her back pressed firmly against his chest. She lowered her head, nudging his encircling arm, and murmured, "It's already late. We should go greet Sister Wei in the west courtyard."  

Huo Jue rested his chin on her slender shoulder, inhaling the scent of her hair. "A-Jie said we shouldn’t visit before noon. She also told us not to fuss over formalities—to live as we please in this household."  

Jiang Li fell silent, letting him hold her, feeling the faint brush of his nose against her earlobe as he breathed her in.  

After a long, quiet moment, Huo Jue suddenly whispered, "A-Li, do you want to know about my past?"  

Jiang Li paused, then shook her head.  

Over the past few months, neither Huo Jue, Wei Huan, nor Nanny Tong had hidden much from her. Wei Huan had even spoken openly about her and Huo Jue’s childhood. Though Jiang Li was innocent, she was far from foolish.  

From Wei Huan’s words, she could guess their family had once been illustrious. But why such a prominent family had vanished overnight, why siblings born of the same parents bore different surnames—one "Wei," one "Huo"—and why Wei Huan publicly went by "Madam Wei" instead, Jiang Li surmised it was a past too painful to revisit.  

"If remembering hurts you, then don’t speak of it," Jiang Li said softly, turning her head to smile at him. "Knowing or not, I will always care for you—and for Sister Wei and Nanny Tong."  

Huo Jue had lived through his vengeance in a past life. The massacre of the Huo and Wei clans no longer stirred his heart. But if Jiang Li didn’t wish to hear it, he wouldn’t bring it up.  

After breakfast, Jiang Li styled her hair into a married woman’s chignon, adorned with the blue jade hairpiece Wei Huan had gifted her, and accompanied Huo Jue to the west courtyard.  

Unable to attend the wedding in person, Wei Huan had risen early to prepare red envelopes for the newlyweds—a tradition from the Wei family, where elders inscribed blessings and tucked gold inside.  

Once the envelopes were ready, Wei Huan retreated to the ancestral shrine in a converted side hall, guarded by Xue Wu’s trusted shadow guards.  

Kneeling before the dark wooden memorial tablets, she lit three sticks of incense and smiled.  

"Grandfather, Grandmother, Granduncle, Grandaunt, Father, Mother… A-Jue is married now, to a kind-hearted girl who once saved his life. Had you met her, you would have loved her."  

She spoke at length before bowing deeply and planting the incense in the burner.  

Meanwhile, Nanny Tong waited in the corridor with a lavender cloak. As Wei Huan emerged, she draped it over her shoulders. "The young master and A-Li have arrived. They’re waiting inside."  

---  

Jiang Li and Huo Jue had been seated properly for some time when Wei Huan finally returned.  

Her complexion was brighter than usual today, even her typically pale lips tinged with color.  

Settling into an armchair, she accepted their tea with a smile. "Why so early? I told you to come after noon."  

Jiang Li knew Wei Huan was being considerate. "I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d visit sooner. It’s been two months since I last saw you and Nanny Tong."  

Wei Huan lifted the teacup lid, amused. "Still calling me 'Sister Wei'?"  

Blushing, Jiang Li corrected herself, echoing Huo Jue’s address: "A-Jie."  

Wei Huan laughed, handing her the red envelope. "I won’t wish for early heirs—you’re still young. There’s time for children later. For now, I wish you and A-Jue a lifetime of harmony."  

The envelope reminded Jiang Li of last night’s puzzle.  

Twice, Huo Jue had withdrawn before completion.  

New to marital intimacies, she had wondered if it was discomfort or inexperience. Now, Wei Huan’s words hinted at deliberate caution.  

Back in their chambers, Jiang Li studied Huo Jue. "Last night… was it because you also think I’m too young for children?"  

Huo Jue stilled, meeting her gaze. Her cheeks were pink—a rare boldness for someone so shy.  

He led her to the heated daybed. "Partly. But also because I don’t want anyone between us. Not for years yet."  

Jiang Li blinked. "Our child wouldn’t be 'anyone.'"  

Rather than argue, Huo Jue said gently, "If we had a child, you’d divide your heart. I want all of it—every thought, every glance."  

Jiang Li nearly laughed. The idea of the aloof, disciplined scholar—the pride of Zhu Fu Street—jealous of his own unborn child was absurd.  

But his expression was deadly serious.  

"Goodness," she teased, "I never knew you were so possessive!"  

Huo Jue didn’t deny it. Had she not always adored children, he might have refused them altogether. The thought of sharing her affection was intolerable.  

Suppressing the intensity in his eyes, he changed the subject. "Would you like to visit your mother and A-Ling this afternoon?"  

Jiang Li hesitated. "But returning home on the first day breaks custom."  

Tradition dictated newlyweds wait three days.  

Huo Jue dismissed it. "It’s fine. We’ll visit again then."  

As he left to arrange gifts, Jiang Li watched his retreating figure, smiling.  

He loved her more than she’d ever imagined.  

---  

After a nap, they arrived at the tavern to find Huo Jue had also invited Zhang Yingying and Liu Yan.  

Yesterday’s tearful bridesmaids were now brimming with curiosity.  

No sooner had Jiang Li exchanged pleasantries with her mother than the girls dragged her to the kitchen for secrets.  

Yingying elbowed her. "On behalf of Zhu Fu Street’s maidens—is Huo Jue as cold in private as he seems?"  

Jiang Li’s face burned. "A-Yan! Scold her! She’s unwed!"  

Liu Yan, the most proper of the three, averted her eyes. "I… may also be curious."  

Jiang Li was speechless.  

"Come on," Yingying wheedled. "Joy shared is joy doubled. We won’t tell."  

Finally, in a whisper, Jiang Li admitted, "H-he’s not cold."  

She refused further details, despite relentless pestering.  

While the girls chattered, Huo Jue browsed Jiang Li’s old calligraphy practice in her childhood room.  

Amidst stacks of diligent penmanship, one yellowed sheet caught his eye—two names, marked with circles and crosses.  

Under Jiang Li’s name, nearly every mark was a cross, save one lonely circle. At the bottom, she had written:  

"If Huo Jue stops loving me, I don’t think I could blame him."

Huo Jue exhaled. "Silly A-Li."  

---  

Author's Note:

Baby Huo: "I knew it. My greatest obstacle in this world would be my own father."

---

Cultural Nuances: 

   - Red envelopes (红封): Traditional gifts of money in celebratory contexts, symbolizing blessings.  

   - Three-day return (三朝回门): Custom where brides visit their natal home three days post-wedding.  

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TPMCS(rebirth) 28 - Ali, let me calm down

 The cool early autumn breeze brushed against the window as a withered yellow leaf spiraled down from the phoenix tree in the courtyard, landing beside a pair of pink embroidered shoes.  

Tao Zhu and Tao Bi stood quietly by the moon gate of the eastern courtyard, a fair distance from the main chamber, where no sound could be heard. Tao Bi twisted the handkerchief in her hands, her gaze drifting yet again toward the closed doors.  

“It’s been two hours since Young Master Huo went in. How is he not out yet? He drank all day and barely ate anything—he must be starving by now.”  

Tao Zhu shot her a sidelong glance, her tone sharp. “Madam sent us here to serve the young mistress. Why are you so concerned about Young Master Huo? Whether he’s eaten or not is none of your business.”  

The two had originally been maidservants in the Duke’s residence before being assigned to Wushuang Courtyard to serve Madam Wei. After moving to Ruyi Garden, they were transferred to the eastern courtyard to attend to Huo Jue. Now that Jiang Li had entered the household, they had been reassigned to serve her under Nanny Tong’s orders.  

Back then, the Duke had made it clear—once they entered Wushuang Courtyard, their sole mistress was Madam Wei, and they were to obey only her. Now that Madam Wei had instructed them to serve the young mistress, she was their sole priority. Everyone else came second.  

Tao Bi flushed at Tao Zhu’s bluntness and glared. “We served Young Master Huo for some time—is it so wrong to care for an old master? Must you always speak with hidden daggers? You’re insufferable!”  

Tao Zhu smirked coldly. “Don’t take me for a fool. I know exactly what’s on your mind. Remember your place—a servant should know her limits. Don’t let ambition blind you. Our families’ contracts are in Madam Wei’s hands. If you drag me down with you, I’ll tear your mouth apart myself.”  

Tao Bi’s face paled, then reddened. She opened her mouth to retort when the doors of the main chamber suddenly swung open.  

Both maids stiffened, their eyes darting upward to see Huo Jue standing there, clad in red robes, his hair loose and his expression cold.  

“Prepare the bath.”  

---  

Inside the bridal chamber, the flickering glow of the dragon-and-phoenix candles cast a hazy light.  

As the door opened, the night breeze slipped in, lifting a corner of the bed curtains to reveal a slender, snow-white arm resting on the mattress.  

Jewelry lay scattered across the floor—red agate, warm white jade, golden hairpins, and the dazzling phoenix crown. The evidence of what had transpired in this room was unmistakable.  

Tao Bi and Tao Zhu carried in the bathwater, their eyes respectfully lowered as they set down the tub. Normally, if the master did not explicitly request their assistance, they were to bow and withdraw.  

But Tao Bi, emboldened, lifted her gaze. “Young Master, Young Mistress, would you like this servant to—”  

Before she could finish, Huo Jue cut her off without so much as a glance. “Out.”  

Reluctantly, Tao Bi bowed and retreated with Tao Zhu. As she closed the door, she stole one last glance inside—only to see the usually aloof young master part the bed curtains, his jade-like profile softening with a tenderness she had never witnessed before.  

Her heart fluttered wildly.  

Though a servant, she was no common maid—she had been raised in the Duke’s household, her status no less than the young mistress’s. So why was she the one carried in a grand procession as Huo Jue’s wife, while Tao Bi couldn’t even dream of becoming his concubine?  

---  

The door clicked shut.  

The red silk bed curtains enclosed an intimate warmth, the air thick with lingering traces of passion.  

Jiang Li lay beneath the covers, her fair skin flushed and marked. When the maids had entered earlier, she had frozen like a quail, too embarrassed to move or make a sound. If not for the sticky discomfort clinging to her body, she would have postponed bathing until morning.  

Sensing the curtains being drawn aside, she lifted her lashes to find Huo Jue gazing down at her.  

Seeing her finally meet his eyes, he smiled faintly.  

His bride’s eyes were rimmed red, her nose and lips slightly swollen—clear signs of having been thoroughly loved.  

And Huo Jue knew he had been rough.  

At first, he had held back, wanting to be gentle, but control had slipped away—for both of them.  

Leaning down, he gathered her into his arms. “Let me carry you.”  

Jiang Li wanted to insist she could manage, but her limbs felt like melted wax. Resigned, she buried her face against his chest as he carried her to the bathing chamber.  

The warm water soothed her instantly, and she sighed in relief as she sank in.  

Huo Jue took up a cloth, his movements practiced and gentle as he washed her.  

Jiang Li blinked in surprise. He didn’t seem the least bit unfamiliar with this—as if he had done it countless times before.  

She opened her mouth to ask, but the intensity in his darkened gaze and the faint redness at the corners of his eyes made her promptly shut it again.  

All she wanted now was to return to bed and sleep for an eternity.  

Once dried and dressed in fresh undergarments, Huo Jue asked, “Are you hungry? Should I call for food?”  

Jiang Li was hungry, but even the thought of lifting chopsticks exhausted her. She shook her head. “No need.”  

Nodding, he carried her back to bed before retreating to the bath for his own wash.  

Jiang Li closed her eyes, drifting until a strong arm pulled her close. Calloused fingers tangled in her hair, stroking the silken strands with quiet reverence.  

Huo Jue seemed to adore her hair—its inky darkness, smooth as satin.  

Half-asleep, she made a mental note to brew Polygonum multiflorum wine tomorrow. It was good for keeping hair dark and lustrous.  

“A Li.”  

His voice, soft yet weighted, roused her slightly. Expecting him to say more, she forced her eyes open, but he remained silent. With a quiet sigh, she nestled deeper into his embrace and slept.  

Huo Jue watched her peaceful face for a long moment before closing his own eyes.  

But his dreams were restless.  

He found himself back in that grim mansion outside the palace, its main hall converted into an icehouse. At its center lay a crystal coffin.  

Clad in a heavy black cloak, a dark horsetail whisk draped over his arm, he stood before the coffin, staring at the girl who had slept there for far too long.  

“A Li,” he murmured. “Wake up.”  

But she did not stir.  

The scene shifted.  

This time, he was the one lying feverish and unconscious. Yet somehow, a sweet, stubborn voice pierced through the haze, tugging him relentlessly from the darkness—chirping like the magpie that used to perch outside his study, chattering ceaselessly.  

He hadn’t wanted to wake up. But that voice refused to let him go.  

“What’s your name? How did you get so hurt?”

“Don’t worry—even if your face is ruined, I’ll have A Ling teach you to read. Once you’re literate, finding a wife won’t be hard. The girls in Tong’an care more about talent than looks.”

“Oh! Your wounds look much better now!”

“...Actually, you’re quite handsome! I think you’ll find a wife even if you stay illiterate.”

The magpie had prattled on without pause.  

Even in his coma, her words had seeped into his consciousness.  

The day he finally woke, his gaze had instinctively sought the chair beside the bed—where a little girl with twin buns sat.  

Spotting his open eyes, she had blinked before declaring imperiously, “Hey! I’m Su Yao. I saved your life, so you owe me. From now on, you’re my child groom!”

Huo Jue had frowned.  

That wasn’t the magpie’s voice.  

Just as he dismissed it as a hallucination, the familiar tones floated in again—from the tavern next door.  

By then, he could walk. Drawn by that voice, he pushed open the wooden gate to the courtyard—  

And saw a jade-carved girl hugging a giant watermelon, her back to him as she called out, “A Ling, open the door! This melon’s too heavy—I can’t hold it much longer!”

Hearing his footsteps, she turned—and the watermelon slipped from her arms, splitting open on the ground.  

The door across the yard swung open just then, and the girl hastily gathered her stained skirts and darted inside.  

Huo Jue had stared after her until the door closed, her wide, dewy eyes lingering in his mind.  

Not just a magpie, he had mused. A skittish little deer, too.

---  

Jiang Li stirred in Huo Jue’s tight embrace. Though the night was cool, she felt flushed, her skin damp with sweat. Somewhere in the darkness, she thought she heard him murmur her name again—hoarse, half-lost in dreams.  

With a sleepy hum, she nuzzled closer and whispered, “Mm.”

When she next opened her eyes, the sun was high.  

For a dazed moment, she forgot where she was—then jolted upright at the realization. I’m a bride now!

Except she couldn’t move.  

Huo Jue had her locked against him, his breath warm against her ear, his lips brushing her lobe.  

Memories of the previous night flooded back, and her face burned. Carefully, she tried to pry his arm from her waist—  

Only for a sigh to rumble above her, followed by his low, strained voice.  

“A Li. Don’t move. Let me... calm down.”  

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