As Fu Xinci's long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her fair and delicate face became even more captivating.
Qi He, let alone his eyes, didn't even want to move his big feet. He stood there motionless, like a fool.
It wasn't until Fu Xinci urged him several times that he reluctantly went to the washroom, glancing back repeatedly.
For the first time in his life, Qi He took a "battle shower." When he came out of the washroom, wiping himself dry, he saw his wife spreading the bedding. In the flickering candlelight, his wife's figure was graceful and slender, her waist appearing impossibly small. He had always known his wife was beautiful, but today, he realized she was even more so when it was just the two of them.
Heavy breathing approached without warning, warm air misting his neck before he was enveloped in a burning embrace.
"Wife."
"Mmm."
A simple call and response, just two or three words, yet everything was understood without saying more.
The night was long, and the room was filled with spring light.
A fair, tender jade hand tentatively emerged from the bright red brocade quilt. Before the fine sweat on its palm could dissipate, it was pulled back by a large hand.
...
As the dawn light peeked through, and bright sunlight streamed into the room through the curtains, Fu Xinci vaguely opened her eyes. Her first thought was a question mark: "Where am I?"
As her consciousness returned amidst the festive red, she truly felt that every part of her body ached, as if she had fallen apart. She longed to turn over and stretch languidly to shake off the discomfort. But as soon as she tried to move, she realized she was held tightly in someone's arms.
Qi He had woken the moment his wife stirred, but he didn't move, savoring the ineffable, wondrous feeling. It felt so good to have his wife wake up in his arms. He wanted to close his eyes and enjoy it quietly.
"Mmm?" Before he had enjoyed it enough, his wife was trying to break free from his embrace. How could that be?
Fu Xinci: In a moment of distraction, the arm around her slender waist tightened even more. The hot body behind her fit perfectly against hers, startling Fu Da Niu. Memories of last night flooded back, and she recalled his "exploits." Fu Da Niu instantly shrank, wishing she could escape.
Qi He immediately sensed the slight panic in the wife in his arms. What to do? He was reluctant to let her go, but... he didn't want his wife to fear him or resent him. So, despite his reluctance, he chose to relax his embrace.
Finally able to breathe freely around her waist, Fu Xinci let out a sigh of relief. She didn't dare look back, not wanting to provoke the energetic young man. However, lingering in the same bed, even without friction, things would heat up. She needed to get dressed and leave as soon as possible. Otherwise, she would end up as prey.
Understanding this, Fu Xinci lifted the quilt, intending to sit up. The coolness of the air contrasted sharply with the warmth of the bed. Goosebumps quickly appeared on her skin. It was then that she realized she was completely unclothed. Glancing at Qi He's burning gaze sweeping over her, she grabbed the nearest sheet, wrapped herself in it, and fled to the washroom.
Qi He, who had been hoping to fully appreciate the morning "benefits" his wife was offering, hadn't expected her to move so swiftly. He only caught a glimpse before she was gone. Ah, having a wife with such high cultivation skills meant fewer benefits.
Fu Xinci paid no mind to his internal grumbling and teleported into the washroom.
Granny Yang had already prepared hot water. Fu Xinci tested the temperature, finding it a bit too high. Cleverly, she transferred some spring water from her space. Once the temperature was just right, she sank into the bath. As she submerged herself up to her neck in the warm water, she let out a comfortable sigh. Fu Xinci was unaware of how much torment her sigh caused the man in the bedroom.
Qi He also knew it was daylight. As a young man, lingering in bed wasn't proper, especially without his wife. He couldn't stand being there alone. Alas, he might as well get up.
Fu Xinci felt good with her eyes closed, soaking in the water. It was thanks to the spring water from her space that all her discomfort vanished within minutes. Granny Yang waited outside early, afraid of embarrassing the newlyweds, and didn't dare get too close to the main room. When she finally heard movement from inside, she didn't dare push the door open. Only when the young master emerged from the room dressed in simple martial attire and began practicing punches in the courtyard did she quietly enter the room. The curtains were not yet drawn, and the bedding lay in disarray on the large kang. The scent of osmanthus still lingered, causing Granny Yang, even as an experienced woman, to blush slightly.
Fu Xinci, having finished her bath in the washroom, realized she hadn't brought any clothes. Hearing Granny Yang enter, she called out to her to bring her garments. Granny Yang had already decided what the young madam would wear for the day. Hearing the young madam's summons from the washroom, she responded, retrieved a set from the wardrobe: a bright red, intricately embroidered jacket with a mandarin collar, a pair of pleated skirts with scattered floral patterns, and matching embroidered shoes.
Fu Xinci herself had designed this outfit. She had been in a good mood at the time, perfectly capturing the flamboyance of the bright red color. To accentuate the liveliness and ethereal quality of the floral skirt, she had put considerable effort into it.
When Qi He finished his punches and entered the room, still sweaty, he saw his wife already dressed in her new clothes, working with Granny Yang to smooth out the sheet draped over the kang. On the peach-colored sheet, two intertwined mandarin ducks were embroidered in the center. Fu Xinci glanced at it, and a blush immediately spread across her cheeks. Today, she wore a simple women's bun, which perfectly highlighted her gentle and charming appearance as a new bride. Qi He stared, mesmerized once more.
Fu Xinci looked up, saw his sweat-soaked body, and told him to wash up and then eat breakfast. Finally, he could legitimately sit down and eat with his wife. Breakfast consisted of millet congee and flower rolls, with fried sea fish and a small dish of preserved vegetables as side dishes. Although the meal wasn't lavish, Qi He was in a good mood and ate half a bowl more than usual. After putting down his chopsticks and washing his hands, he sat beside his wife to discuss matters.
"Wife, there are regulations at the garrison that married soldiers are granted leave, as long as it's not during wartime." Fu Xinci knew about this and asked, "How many days of leave do you have?"
"I have three days of leave."
Fu Xinci found this odd and asked, "I recall ordinary soldiers get three days, but don't the petty officers get five days?"
"Yes, petty officers get five days, but I was afraid of any potential trouble, so I proactively told the centurion that I would only take three days."