Chapter 16

The sun set and dusk fell. The mountains looked beautiful with the last little bit of sunset behind them.

Luo Qingzhou stood by the lakeside, enjoying the cool lake breeze while admiring the view of the mountains far away from the city.

His mind was whirling like a child’s top.

The pavilion in the middle of the lake was obscured by layers of mist. It was surrounded by red lotus flowers with huge green leaves. The lake was suffused in the glow of a crimson sunset, and it was a magnificent sight.

Unfortunately, he was the only one who enjoyed the picturesque scenery.

Two small boats were tethered along the lake shore. gently bobbing in the water that reflected the ruddy glow of sunset.

Thinking of the ethereal scene that he had seen earlier in the day, and that graceful figure standing at the bow of the ship, Luo Qingzhou felt like a lifetime had passed.

Unknowingly, the sun quietly retreated behind the vast mountains.

Night fell.

Shortly after sunset, darkness covered the beautiful landscape.

Luo Qingzhou snapped out of his daze and returned to the small courtyard.

He met Xiao Die, who was searching for him, in the garden.

Xiao Die said, “Young Master, Bai Ling is here. She is waiting for you in the room.”

Luo Qingzhou’s eyes flickered and he asked, “She’s alone?”

Xiao Die nodded.

Luo Qingzhou frowned and quickened his pace, returning to the small courtyard.

A crescent moon rose into the clear sky.

Under the dim moonlight, Luo Qingzhou saw that Bai Ling was wearing a pink dress. She stood in front of the window in the bridal chamber, just looking at him and smiling.

“Sir, you’re back.”

She smiled sweetly and greeted him.

Under the moonlight, he could see her dimples clearly. She looked dainty and cute.

Luo Qingzhou took one glance at Bai Ling before he entered the house.

Bai Ling turned around in front of the window and said apologetically, “Sir, you don’t have to wait for Young Miss. She won’t come tonight. Young Miss has her own place to stay, so she won’t be living with you. However, you have a chance to sleep with her every month.”

When Luo Qingzhou returned, he had more or less already guessed this outcome. However, he still felt a little disappointed when he heard her words.

“Why?”

After a moment of silence, he asked.

Bai Ling shrugged slightly and did not answer.

The room fell silent.

After a long time.

He said softly, “All right, I understand.”

He did not ask further.

Before he married into the Qin residence, he was already prepared to be humiliated by everyone.

His current situation was already much better than he had expected.

He should not ask for too much.

His wife was so gorgeous that she seemed unearthly. How was it possible that she would share a bed with a person of his status and live under the same roof as him?

He should have known better.

Bai Ling said apologetically, “Sir, don’t blame Young Miss. She’s not in good health and is used to living alone. It’s not that she doesn’t like you.”

Luo Qingzhou nodded and said calmly, “Be sure to take good care of her.”

Bai Ling’s eyes flickered as she stared at him for a moment. Suddenly, she smiled and said, “By the way, Sir, if you really can’t control your urges, you can ask Xiao Die to serve you. Even if Young Miss finds out, she won’t blame you.”

Upon hearing that, Xiao Die—who was standing at the side—immediately lowered her head shyly.

Luo Qingzhou remained silent.

Bai Ling glanced at the bridal bed that had just been made last night and smiled. “Sir, have an early rest. You can study here. If you need anything, just get Xiao Die to look for me. Oh right, don’t go out for the next two days. You can only go out after your visit to the Chengguo Residence with Young Miss the day after. This is the rule.”

With that, she excused herself and walked out.

Xiao Die followed Bai Ling out and saw her leave the courtyard. Just as she was about to close the door, Bai Ling suddenly turned to look at her and smiled. “Xiao Die, make sure that you serve Sir well. Sir’s body is weak, so remember to restrain yourself.”

With that, she left.

Her figure disappeared into the darkness.

Xiao Die stood at the door, stunned, before closing the door. She had a pretty blush on her cheeks as she entered the room.

An oil lamp lit the room.

Luo Qingzhou was sitting on the windowsill, reading in the dim light and moonlight.

Xiao Die stood at the door to the room, hesitating for a moment before saying in a low voice, “Young Master, don’t be sad, I will accompany you.”

When Luo Qingzhou heard this, he looked up at her. He could not help but chuckle. “Why will I be sad? Didn’t we already expect that something like this would happen before we came here? This is for the best, anyway. This way, I can focus on my studies.”

Xiao Die’s lips moved a little as if she wanted to comfort him.

Luo Qingzhou instructed, “Go boil some water. I want to take a shower tonight.”

He had been cultivating for the entire day.

His body was sticky and uncomfortable.

However, his body and mind did feel much better.

He decided to persevere and cultivate the internal cultivation method every day.

There were two big trees in the courtyard.

Tomorrow, he could make use of them to practice and temper his flesh.

Even if it was only once a month, it was good enough.

Luo Qingzhou did not want to indulge in sensual pleasures as it would wear down his resolve.

The world was too chaotic, and the hearts of people were complicated. Moreover, his wife was too beautiful. He had to work hard.

Luo Qingzhou calmed himself down and continued reading.

The moonlight was clear, and the night was silent.

After Xiao Die boiled the water, Luo Qingzhou put down the book. He carried the bathtub into the room with her, placing it behind a partition.

Then, he brought the hot water over with a basin and poured it into the bathtub.

Luo Qingzhou took off his clothes and got into the bathtub. When he was bathing, Xiao Die took a towel and helped him to scrub his back.

There was a warm steamy mist clouding the room.

Xiao Die’s face took on a deep, rosy hue. Luo Qingzhou wondered if it was from the hot steam or because she had thought of something that made her shy. Her rosy cheeks made her look enticing.

Luo Qingzhou soaked his body in the hot water and enjoyed Xiao Die’s service as she scrubbed his back. He closed his eyes and thought about the cultivation technique diagram in the Plum Blossoms Manual. Unknowingly, a stream of air rose from his abdomen and began to slowly flow through his body.

“Young Master… Young Master…”

Xiao Die’s voice suddenly sounded in his ears.

Luo Qingzhou had accidentally fallen asleep.

“Young Master, are you very tired? Get up quickly and go back to bed to sleep.”

Xiao Die took out clean clothes from the wardrobe.

Luo Qingzhou stood up with his back facing her and wore his clothes. He got into bed and said, “Xiao Die, leave the water there first. I’ll pour it out with you tomorrow morning.”

Xiao Die blushed and said, “Young Master, I… I also want to take a bath.”

Luo Qingzhou sat on the bed and looked at her. “Then you can shower here. There’s a partition blocking you so I won’t be able to see you bathing.”

“Oh,” Xiao Die muttered.

She then went to get her clothes. She walked behind the screen and started to take off her clothes.

Luo Qingzhou heard her muttering, “It’s okay even if Young Master sees me…”

Both of them spoke with the partition between them.

“Xiao Die, do you think I am good-looking?” Luo Qingzhou suddenly asked.

“Yes, Young Master is good-looking,” Xiao Die answered.

“Then do you think if I sleep with you, you’re the one taking advantage of me, or I’m the one taking advantage of you?”

“I… I guess I’m the one taking advantage of you,” said Xiao Die.

“I see. If I let you take advantage of me, how will you repay me?” Luo Qingzhou asked.

Xiao Die stammered, “I… I…”

“How about you sing a song for me?”

Xiao Die whimpered. “But I don’t know how to sing…”

“How about a dance?” Luo Qingzhou suggested.

“I don’t know how to dance either…” Xiao Die said.

“You silly girl. You only know how to serve me in bed?” Luo Qingzhou said.

Xiao Die let out a whimper.

“Hurry up and shower. I’m waiting for you to warm my feet,” Luo Qingzhou said.

He decided not to tease her anymore.

After taking a shower, Xiao Die did not put on her outer clothes. She only wore a moon-white undergarment embroidered with lotus flowers. She got onto the bed shyly and crawled under the blanket.

The master and servant slept on one end each.

Luo Qingzhou reached out and held her delicate feet. As he gently kneaded them, he said gently, “Xiao Die, do you feel much happier after coming here?”

Xiao Die shrunk under the blanket and said with a red face, “Yup. No one here bullies us. Bai Ling and the other maidservants are all very good to me.”

Luo Qingzhou said, “That’s why we have to be content with our situation now. Think about what kind of life we had in the Chengguo Residence, and then think about our current situation. Shouldn’t we be glad and grateful?”

Xiao Die pouted and said in a low voice, “But… You’re already married, yet you have to sleep alone. Young Miss…”

Luo Qingzhou interrupted, “How am I alone? Don’t I still have you?”

“I… But I’m different, after all,” Xiao Die said.

“You’re indeed different. You are much better. You can do many chores by yourself. You can wash the clothes, fold the blankets, serve tea, massage, and even sleep with me,” Luo Qingzhou said.

“Young Master, this is what I ought to do. Moreover, I… I haven’t slept with you yet. Young Master, tonight… tonight I will…”

Luo Qingzhou started to snore.

“Young Master…”

Luo Qingzhou continued snoring.

Xiao Die let out a whimper.