The warm, delicate scent of a young woman suddenly drew near, her hands fumbling clumsily all over him without any rhyme or reason.
Pei Xu took a deep breath and grabbed her slender, fair wrist.
Yun Lou was still lying across his lap, studying the silk sash at his waist and trying to figure out how to untie it, when her movements were suddenly halted. She looked up with a puzzled expression.
Pei Xu looked down at her, his clear and gentle eyes holding none of the desire a husband should have for his bride on their wedding night.
Even his voice was as calm as ever, warm and considerate as he said to her: "You were frightened today and your body is weak. It's not appropriate for us to consummate the marriage tonight."
He saw his wife stare back at him, her dark, lively eyes wide with shock, and couldn't help but find it a little amusing. He explained: "Since we are now husband and wife, once you've recovered, I will naturally fulfill my duties as your husband. But not tonight—your body can't take it."
When he said such things, his tone was gentle and clear, utterly devoid of any carnal desire.
No emotion, just a sense of duty!
Even though what he said made sense and his words were full of consideration for her, Yun Lou still felt unhappy looking at his austere, detached expression.
What! So she was the only lustful one here?!
She had always known that Pei Xu had no romantic feelings for her—that he saved her out of kindness, married her out of a sense of righteousness, and treated her well only because she occupied the position of his wife. Anyone in this role would receive the same consideration and care.
But a beautiful woman like me is right here in front of you, and you don't react at all—isn't that a bit insulting?!
Damn those bandits, damn that upright gentleman!
Yun Lou stared at him, cheeks puffed with anger, then suddenly, as if a thought struck her, she broke into a smile.
The candle flames flickered, casting shifting light and shadow across the room. Pei Xu saw his wife, who had just been frowning, suddenly give him a brilliant, blossoming smile. She leaned closer to him, her voice sweet and syrupy: "If we're not consummating, can we at least kiss?"
Pei Xu's face flushed red. "It's late. We should get some rest."
Yun Lou sighed dramatically. "You've kissed me before, but I've never kissed you. That's not fair."
Pei Xu immediately corrected her: "That was just to pass you air, not—"
Before he could finish, Yun Lou braced her hands on his thighs and leaned in to kiss him.
The warm, fragrant scent of the young woman brushed past his jaw and came to rest at his lips.
It was completely different from giving her air. Their lips were soft and warm as they pressed together, her breath spilling over him. She deliberately bit his lower lip, then, like a kitten licking his fingers, traced the outline of his lips with her soft, wet tongue.
Her eyes were open—those glistening eyes looked at him boldly yet innocently, as if inviting him to join in.
Pei Xu couldn't remember the exact moment he lost control. Perhaps it was when she murmured his name, calling him "husband," or when she pushed her nimble, soft tongue into his mouth. Whatever it was, he couldn't help himself—he grabbed the back of her neck, held her waist, and kissed her deeper.
The wedding candles crackled and danced, their sound swallowed by the gentle murmur of their movements.
He sucked and plundered almost instinctively, pressing her against his chest. Yun Lou, who had started with her hands braced on his thighs, was now seated in his embrace, his strong arms wrapped around her waist, their breaths tangled together, inseparable.
Yun Lou wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled in triumph.
The upright gentleman—not so upright after all.
That light laugh, as if coming from far away, made him stop suddenly.
Pei Xu slowly lifted his head from her soft, snow-white neck and saw Yun Lou smiling sweetly at him.
Regret and shame surged up in an instant, the haze in his eyes quickly receding. His arms stiffened, and after a long moment of steadying himself, he gently lifted her from his embrace and set her aside. His voice, hoarse with spent desire, was no longer as clear as before. He asked, "You've had your kiss. Are you satisfied now?"
Yun Lou didn't answer, only pouted and complained, "You bit my lips until they're swollen."
Pei Xu's face turned crimson. "It's... it's my fault! It won't happen again!"
Yun Lou lay down, content. "I'm tired. Time to sleep."
After all that fussing, her limbs felt weak. She'd used her inner energy during the day, and tonight she was indeed too spent to do anything more.
Never mind—there would be other nights!
Pei Xu watched as she fell asleep almost immediately, her breathing evening out into the rhythm of deep sleep. He quietly got out of bed and extinguished the candle.
The bridal chamber fell into darkness, with only a sliver of moonlight seeping through the window, revealing faint outlines. Pei Xu didn't return to bed. Instead, he sat down at the table and slowly poured himself a cup of water.
The cool water soaked his swollen lips and slid down his throat like a spring quenching the fire in his body.
It wasn't until he'd drained the entire pot that his body finally began to cool down.
In the darkness, Pei Xu felt his stubborn arousal and was both annoyed and perplexed. He'd never had any interest in matters between men and women—he'd even found it repulsive. Why today was he like this...
Or was it that the blood of that man flowing through his veins meant he was doomed to be a lecher like him?
Thinking of that person, his expression turned cold, and the disgust in his eyes grew even more pronounced.
By the time he got back into bed, Pei Xu's breathing had returned to normal.
The quilt was warm, carrying the heat of the young woman's body. As he lay down, she rolled into his arms like soft, fragrant jade, her delicate limbs draping over him like a kitten.
He'd known since the cave that she was a restless sleeper. Even when she was injured and running a fever, she'd roll toward the rain-soaked entrance. So he'd had to hold her tightly against him, day after day, from night until morning.
They had slept in each other's arms in the cave, but sharing a bed was a first. She nestled into the crook of his neck, her scent wrapping around him like a silk veil.
Pei Xu's breathing grew unsteady again.
He quickly shut his eyes and forced himself to sleep.
That night, Yun Lou slept like a baby. Even the fatigue from yesterday's loss of control over her inner energy had faded considerably.
Pei Xu, on the other hand, looked like he hadn't slept at all—or had nightmares—with dark shadows under his eyes when morning came.
He got out of bed quietly, as if afraid of waking her. But the moment he moved, Yun Lou was already awake. She just didn't want to open her eyes, so she turned over and went back to lounging.
Pei Xu dressed and went out, and she heard him quietly telling Yinyin not to disturb her.
The crimson silks adorning Pei Manor were still up, as local custom dictated they should stay for three days.
In the front hall, the two constables who had stood guard all night outside were eating breakfast. Pei Xu had arranged for Le'an to invite them in as soon as dawn broke.
The two were pleased to be treated with such courtesy and patted their chests, vowing to protect the safety of Pei Manor.
Just as they were talking, Bian Yu arrived.
Yesterday, at the banquet, he'd worn casual clothes, but today he was in his official constable uniform, a blade at his waist, looking sharp and imposing.
Bian Yu was a local of Fengping Town, around the same age as Pei Xu, but he was skilled in martial arts. His father had been a constable before him, and when his father was injured and crippled in a fight with bandits, Bian Yu had taken over his post.
Seeing Bian Yu arrive, the two constables set down their bowls and stood up nervously.
Fortunately, Bian Yu merely glanced at them without chastising them, and only asked Pei Xu: "Is your wife well?"
Pei Xu nodded. "She woke up last night. She was just a bit shaken."
"Did your wife see the faces of the bandits?"
Pei Xu's expression turned grim. "No, same as what the maid said. She was knocked unconscious in her sleep and knows nothing of what happened."
The culprits hadn't been caught and might still be on the loose within Fengping City. Under Cui Zeshi's governance, Fengping City had enjoyed prolonged peace and stability — if bandits were to storm the city, kill a couple of people, and set a few fires, his political achievements this year would go up in smoke!
Cui Zeshi had been so anxious he couldn't sleep all night, and blisters had formed on his lips. Early that morning, he'd sent Pei Xu to see if there were any new leads.
Bian Yu, with his instincts as a constable, felt that the events of yesterday were riddled with suspicious details. The conclusion that the bandits had simply turned on each other internally didn't convince him.
But there were too few clues, and he couldn't deduce anything more.
The constable who had been on night watch yesterday, a man named Zhao Er, said indignantly, "Those bandits of Bei'wu Mountain have done nothing but harm! If you ask me, we should just set the whole mountain on fire and leave those scoundrels nowhere to hide!"
Bian Yu shot him a glance. "The last person who suggested that got dismissed from his post. Want to try your luck too?"
Zhao Er fell silent.
Bei'wu Mountain stretched for eight hundred li. If they actually burned it, the disaster wouldn't stop at just the nearby villagers.
It was precisely because the mountain was so vast and deep that it had become a place where bandits gathered. In the past, more than a dozen bandit gangs on the mountain robbed and pillaged, sometimes clashing with one another, leaving the surrounding towns in constant turmoil and suffering.
Later, the imperial court dispatched troops to suppress the bandits, and many were wiped out. But Bei'wu Mountain was extremely treacherous, shrouded in year-round fog and thick with miasma. Those bandits who lived deep in the mountains could easily disappear into the terrain, making it nearly impossible to eradicate them completely.
The survivors gradually banded together, redivided the mountain's territory among themselves, and stopped acting as brazenly as before. They lay low and grew stronger, becoming even harder to deal with than they'd been previously.
After that, the court sent the Dragon Guard to suppress them several more times, but all attempts failed. It was during one of those campaigns that Bian Yu's father had become lame in one leg.
Fortunately, after several showings of force by the court, the bandits restrained themselves considerably, and the surrounding region regained its peace.
According to the latest intelligence gathered, there were now only two bandit groups on Bei'wu Mountain with any real power; the smaller dens all kowtowed to one of these two.
One group occupied the southern side of Bei'wu Mountain, calling themselves the Tiger-Fall Stronghold. Its leader was Tang Lie, a notorious outlaw once infamous throughout the martial world. He'd gathered no small number of desperate cutthroats and also taken in fugitives who were at the end of their rope.
The other group had set up camp on the eastern side, calling themselves the Linked-Fort Stronghold. It had been formed by the remnants of gangs that had been broken up by previous imperial crackdowns. They'd elected a new head whose name remained unknown, and they operated far more covertly than the Tiger-Fall Stronghold. Several spies who'd penetrated deep into their territory had returned without any useful intelligence.
Bian Yu asked, "May I see the lady of the house?"
Pei Xu replied in a calm tone, "She hasn't risen yet. Constable Bian, perhaps come back a little later."
"The bandit matter cannot wait." Bian Yu's face was expressionless as he lifted the hem of his robe and sat down. "I'll wait here until the lady rises."
Pei Xu smiled slightly. "Le'an, bring Constable Bian some tea. He may wait as long as he likes, but..." He paused, his tone turning indifferent. "He must not disturb the lady's rest."
Le'an poured tea for Bian Yu as she tried to persuade him, "Constable Bian, maybe you should just head back for now. Our lady always sleeps until the sun is high in the sky."
Yun Lou, who had just walked over from the back courtyard, thought to himself: "?"
Who's spreading rumors?!
