Sorry I’ve been gone for so long! Life has been busy. But I’m back now and will start posting once a week again ✨
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The study fell silent for a moment.
A blush spread from Jiang Li’s cheeks down her neck, her earlobes flushing crimson.
Huo Jue watched her quietly, hooking his fingers around hers and gently kneading her fingertips. His voice was soft. "Tell me, A Li what exactly do you think I was imagining?"
His expression was calm, his tone perfectly serious.
"Maybe I misunderstood," Jiang Li wondered. "Perhaps he didn’t think I was eager to have his children."
After a pause, she said, "It’s nothing. I overthought."
Huo Jue gave a faint "Mm," played with her hand a moment longer, then picked a candied cherry from a white-and-gold porcelain dish and fed it to her.
Jiang Li, her mouth still bitter from the medicine, instinctively accepted it.
But after the cherry entered her mouth, Huo Jue’s finger didn’t withdraw. Instead, it gently traced her soft tongue.
Jiang Li looked up in a daze, meeting his darkened gaze. Sensing something, her breath hitched.
His slightly calloused fingertip slowly retreated, pressing lightly against her teeth.
Then he leaned down, his nose brushing hers, his tongue replacing his finger to tangle with the cherry on her tongue. The fruit was slowly crushed, its sweet crimson juice trickling from the corner of her mouth—only to be licked away by him.
Jiang Li tightly shut her eyes, her dark lashes trembling. Her hands braced against the table behind her, her heart pounding wildly.
That feeling—as if she were about to be utterly consumed—washed over her again.
It wasn’t unfamiliar. Whenever they were intimate, his deep, fathomless gaze felt like a cage, trapping her so completely she couldn’t escape, could only bite her lip and gasp under his intensity and fervor.
In those moments, Huo Jue felt like a stranger to her—different from the man she thought she knew.
Jiang Li tilted her head back, her breathing growing more ragged, nearly suffocating. Her lower back bumped against the table with a scraping sound, making her heart jolt.
"Is every married man like this—insatiably hungry?"
They’d been intimate just hours ago, yet he seemed perpetually unsatisfied. She truly feared he might lose all restraint right here.
It wasn’t that she was unwilling, but the time and place were entirely inappropriate. Not to mention there were people waiting outside the study.
Instinctively, she pushed against him. "Huo… Huo Jue, you… mm… should get back to your studies."
Her voice, soft and sweet , escaped between kisses only to be swallowed again, much like the honey-soaked cherry.
Huo Jue felt the fire in his belly burn even fiercer. But remembering how exhausted she’d been that morning, he held back.
He released the trembling young woman in his arms and gently wiped the moisture from her lips. "About having children—wait a little longer, A Li."
Jiang Li: "…"
---
Tao Zhu and He Zhou stood guard outside. Hearing the scrape of furniture from within the study, they exchanged a glance, then expressionlessly lowered their eyes, focusing on their own noses while subtly taking a few steps farther down the corridor.
Tao Zhu calculated the time and decided she’d need to arrange for the kitchen to prepare some medicinal meals for her mistress later—something nourishing.
As she pondered which tonic would best replenish yin energy, the study door suddenly opened. Jiang Li hurried out and said to Tao Zhu, "My lord needs to continue studying. Let’s go back."
Tao Zhu promptly agreed, pretending not to notice Jiang Li’s swollen lips and flushed, peach-blossom cheeks.
Though she knew He Zhou wouldn’t look directly at his mistress, she still positioned herself between him and Jiang Li, helping her into her cloak before walking back along the corridor with her.
Snowflakes drifted into the corridor, a few landing on Jiang Li’s face.
She touched her cheek—still burning.
Biting her lip, she stole a glance at Tao Zhu. Seeing her composure unchanged, as if she hadn’t noticed anything amiss, Jiang Li relaxed slightly.
"Has Physician Fang’s medicine for my sister been prepared and delivered to the east courtyard?"
"Yes. After I fetched the herbs, Nanny Tong came to the main kitchen, prepared the decoction herself, and took it to Madam Wei."
Relieved, Jiang Li nodded. Nanny Tong was always meticulous; her sister should feel better after taking the medicine.
After drinking Physician Fang’s prescription earlier, Jiang Li had felt warmth spread through her organs and lower abdomen—quite comfortable. Though the medicine was bitter as gall, its effects were excellent. Surely the tonic for her sister would be just as effective.
Walking slowly back, Jiang Li’s cheeks had finally cooled by the time she reached the main quarters.
Settling on the soft couch, she suddenly remembered something and studied Tao Zhu carefully. "In a couple of days, Suyi and the other three will arrive to serve here. If you wish to return to my sister’s side, I can speak to her tomorrow. Or if you miss your family, I can arrange for you to visit the Duke of Dingguo’s residence."
Tao Bi had already been sent back to the Duke’s residence yesterday. Given the strict rules there, she probably wouldn’t even qualify as a third-tier maid anymore.
But Tao Zhu was different—steady, reliable, and thorough. With her by her side, Jiang Li felt much more confident.
Truthfully, if Tao Zhu chose to leave, Jiang Li would miss her dearly.
But regardless of her feelings, Tao Zhu belonged to the Duke’s residence and would have to leave eventually. In a household like that, returning offered far more prospects than staying here. She had been a second-tier maid in Wushuang Courtyard; going back might earn her a promotion to first-tier.
Jiang Li had assumed Tao Zhu would be pleased to hear this.
To her surprise, the moment she finished speaking, Tao Zhu’s eyes reddened. With a thud, she knelt and kowtowed. "This servant wishes to stay by your side, Madam. Please don’t send me away."
Jiang Li hurried forward to help her up. "Get up, please! Just speak—no need to kowtow to me."
But Tao Zhu refused to rise. "If Madam doesn’t agree, I won’t get up."
Jiang Li had never seen the usually steady Tao Zhu act like this. It was almost amusing. "If you want to stay with me, I’d be delighted. But if you stay, you’ll be separated from your family at the Duke’s residence. Think this through carefully."
Tao Zhu nodded firmly. "This servant has thought it through. I want to follow you."
She was a hereditary servant of the Duke’s household. As a daughter, she’d never held much status at home—her parents focused most of their attention on her brother. Now that her brother and sister-in-law had two sons, her position had diminished further.
Tao Zhu could tolerate all that. What she couldn’t bear was how her brother and sister-in-law, noting her beauty, were determined to push her into the Duke’s bed. They’d even spent money pulling strings to get her into Wushuang Courtyard.
After years there, nearing nineteen without becoming even a concubine or chamber maid—not even a senior maid—they’d hatched another plan: to marry her off to the head steward’s paralyzed nephew, hoping to forge ties with the steward.
If the Duke hadn’t selected her to serve Madam Wei in Tong’an, she might already be wed to that man.
Seeing Tao Zhu’s resolve, Jiang Li didn’t press further. "Then I’ll speak to Nanny Tong tomorrow to have your contract transferred here. When you wish to marry later, I’ll return it to you."
Tao Zhu kowtowed heavily, her voice choked. "Thank you, Madam."
---
That Tao Zhu chose to stay naturally pleased Jiang Li.
She was now learning to manage the household accounts—daily expenses and allocations, personnel assignments and appointments, and provisions. Everything had to be overseen.
Jiang Li had handled accounts at the tavern before, but managing a small tavern was nothing compared to running a household. There was so much to learn. With Tao Zhu’s assistance, she’d at least have someone to consult when difficulties arose.
The Huo residence now had many more people than back in Ruyi Garden.
Over twenty people had come from White Water Village alone. Besides the four maids attending Jiang Li, the rest either served Huo Jue or worked as guards.
Flipping through the account books, Jiang Li felt a headache coming on.
Prices in the capital were at least double those in Tong’an. The daily expenses of the household were staggering. Without finding ways to generate income, even the largest fortune would eventually be depleted.
Jiang Li knew Wei Huan had provided them with ample silver, but she was reluctant to use it. She didn’t want her sister to lack funds for tipping servants when she returned to the Duke’s residence.
Jiang Li’s gaze fixed on the account books, her brow furrowed in thought.
After selling the tavern in Tong’an, Yang Hui Niang planned to lease a new shop in the capital to reopen Yang’s Tavern.
For a thriving business, location was crucial.
Perhaps she should take some time to explore the capital’s streets and alleys, and study what kinds of taverns or eateries were profitable here.
The thought made her wonder: her mother and Jiang Ling had set out several days ago. Where were they now? With the New Year approaching, the roads were likely difficult.
Lost in thought, Jiang Li didn’t notice Huo Jue entering the room. She remained frowning in contemplation until he gently took the account book from her hands.
Setting the book aside, Huo Jue pulled her into his lap. His hand brushed her furrowed brow. "What’s troubling you so?"
Not wanting to distract him during his crucial exam preparation, Jiang Li downplayed it. "Just wondering how far Mother and A Ling have gotten, and whether their journey is going smoothly."
Huo Jue watched her. Her eyes had flickered just now—clearly, something else was bothering her.
But since she didn’t wish to share, he didn’t press. Instead, he followed her lead, speaking gently. "They should reach the capital in a little over half a month. Don’t worry—with Chief Sun and the Duke’s guards escorting them, they’ll be fine."
Before leaving Tong’an, Huo Jue had specifically hired the Longsheng Escort Agency to protect Yang Hui Niang and Jiang Ling. A few of the Duke’s guards had also remained. With so many protectors, the journey should be safe.
Jiang Li nodded slightly.
The chief of Longsheng Escort had years of experience traveling to the capital, and the Duke’s guards were all highly skilled. With them along, she felt reassured.
"Mother said once she arrives, she wants to find a place to reopen the tavern. I was thinking that once things here settle down in a few days, I’d go look for suitable shops."
Huo Jue’s gaze stilled at her words. Neither agreeing nor disagreeing, he simply asked quietly, "Are we short on funds, A Li?"
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