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Chapter 58 – Pleasure
“Good sister, let me try one more time…”

Pei Shang hadn’t done something like this in a long time.

The night was deep and heavy with dew. The cold of Jiangnan wasn’t as biting as that of the capital, but it carried a quiet, penetrating chill.

His ears ached from the cold. He couldn’t tell if it was because his heart was racing too fast or the night air was too sharp.

The eastern wing where Pei Shang resided was a fair distance from the western wing. At night, wooden bolts locked the doors, and without someone opening them, it wasn’t easy to cross over.

It had been a moment of hotheadedness that made him decide to come. Standing before the arched gate and seeing the tightly shut door, the excitement that had surged in his chest suddenly cooled.

He had been presumptuous.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, a mix of emotions he couldn’t describe. After all, it was already late at night—around 10 PM—and at dawn he would be returning to the capital. Just four hours left.

Perhaps, there was plenty of time in the future. There was no rush for this one night.

Pei Shang exhaled; the warm breath met the cold air and instantly turned into a cloud of white mist.

“And where exactly were you planning to go?”

Just as he was about to turn around, the door behind him creaked open. Yanyue, rubbing her numb ears, strode over quickly. As she spoke, her eyes practically shot fire, and she stomped her feet twice more for warmth.

She shot Pei Shang a sideways glance. “Come along. As expected, Miss predicted this exactly.”

Under the heavy curtain of night, Pei Shang followed behind Yanyue, a barely concealed grin spreading across his face.

Yanyue led him quite a distance. Hearing his deliberately light, stealthy footsteps behind her, she couldn’t help but have a head full of black lines (i.e., be exasperated).

“Miss already sent me to open the door for you. Is all this sneaking around still necessary?”

Pei Shang tiptoed, looking every bit guilty.

Hearing her words, he just chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head to cover his embarrassment. “Well… it’s not the same, is it?”

He had always snuck around before; tonight was the first time he was doing this openly. Of course, it wasn’t the same.

Seeing his look, Yanyue didn’t bother to say more. Shaking her head, she led Pei Shang to Yu Mingyao’s door and quietly withdrew.

She had walked several steps away before she finally heard that fool mutter, “Th-thank you…”

His stammering was completely unlike his usual self.

Yanyue shook her head again. After all, she was simply following Yu Mingyao’s instructions. Still, it was uncanny—how had Miss predicted that her future husband would show up tonight?

As for that, Yu Mingyao would have said: “It’s just understanding.”

What they shared most between them was understanding.

Though Pei Shang had visited a woman’s chambers by night before, this time was somehow different. Even before reaching the lattice door, his heart was a tangled mess, his hands unsure where to rest.

Because of a quarrel they had had days ago, they hadn’t seen each other in some time.

Thinking of that, Pei Shang’s heart ached—both sour and bitter. This unspeakable feeling made his heart jump wildly as he pressed against her door.

It took a long time before he even knocked—and when he did, the knock was weak and hesitant.

Inside, there was no response for a long while.

Pei Shang mumbled under his breath, turned away, shoulders slumped. But just then, the lattice door creaked open. A pair of delicate arms reached out and yanked him inside.

Caught off guard, dazed, he found himself dragged deeper into the inner room as soon as the door was shut behind him.

All that filled his senses was her fragrance; nothing else could fit in his mind. By the time he regained his wits, Yu Mingyao had already pulled him onto her carved pearwood bed adorned with begonia blossoms.

A woman’s bed was not to be touched lightly by any man—only a husband held that privilege.

The thought made Pei Shang’s ears flush bright red.

“Yao-meimei, you always indulge me so.”

As he spoke, his voice grew plaintive. Nights like this—he wouldn’t have another for over a year, not until they married. Only then could he once again enjoy such intimacy.

And if, after marriage, she had a child, she’d probably be busy coaxing the child instead—who would still pamper him like this?

The more Pei Shang thought, the redder his eyes became, tears welling but not falling.

Seeing him like this, Yu Mingyao was puzzled. What had she done to make him so downcast?

Thinking it over, it could only be the upcoming journey—he simply couldn’t bear to part. She had no idea that Pei Shang had already planned how they’d live after marriage in great detail.

“What’s there to be sad about? Didn’t I already have Yanyue open the door for you?”

She cupped his face in her hands, her expression serious. “Tell me, who upset my Shang-gege like this? I’ll go teach them a lesson.”

Pei Shang, red-eyed, refused to meet her gaze. Stubbornness welled up in him. He pursed his lips tightly, saying nothing.

Yu Mingyao could only tug his sleeve and sit him down beside her, pulling him into her embrace.

“After this parting, I’ll belong to you, and only you. Isn’t that worth rejoicing over? You and I will share the same table and pillow, supporting each other through life. Why be sad?”

She deliberately softened her voice to that sweet, coquettish tone he could never resist, whispering into his ear. Sure enough, Pei Shang shuddered all over and instinctively pushed her a few inches away.

After they separated a little, he belatedly realized: “I…”

Before he could finish, Yu Mingyao couldn’t help herself.

“Fool.” She grabbed his collar and kissed him.

This kiss was different from their last—no longer light and tender.

After seven or eight days apart, and with imminent separation ahead, both harbored a burning desire that could only be quenched through deeper contact.

At first, Yu Mingyao led the kiss, but when Pei Shang lifted his chin and opened his mouth, their tongues met—and everything changed.

Men were all the same—they’d always seize the advantage.

Yu Mingyao, clutching Pei Shang’s collar, was soon breathless.

The man above her was as fervent as if he hadn’t touched a woman in eight lifetimes.

Pei Shang’s scent had a sharpness to it, like pepper—slightly pungent but warm, unlike anything she had smelled before.

Just as Yu Mingyao tried to pull back and catch her breath, Pei Shang gripped her chin and leaned in again.

A loving couple, engaged and soon to be parted, finally expressed their long-held affection.

Two hours passed in a flash, and Pei Shang finally understood what true earthly bliss was.

She held the reins of his desire.

Afterward, the two lay languidly under the covers, sharing one pillow. Pei Shang, possessive as ever, clung to her. Yu Mingyao closed her eyes to rest, sleep gradually overtaking her.

“Did you remember what I told you?” she murmured absently.

Pei Shang propped his head on one hand, gazing earnestly at the woman he loved.

His beloved—her face like a begonia blossom, her cheeks fair as snow, her beauty pierced straight to his bones.

There would never be a girl more beautiful than her.

Stroking her hair lazily, he replied, “I remember, my little wife. For the next year and a half, I won’t ogle pretty maidservants, won’t get too close to serving girls. Even if someone invites me to hear music, I won’t let other women take liberties with me.”

“If Mother tries to put someone in my room, I won’t allow it—I’ll refuse.”

“I’m yours. Only yours.”

As Pei Shang spoke, his gaze never left her sleeping face. He didn’t think these promises were excessive or that she was too jealous.

On the contrary, he was utterly content—it felt just right.

“Good brother.”

Yu Mingyao’s heart and body felt thoroughly soothed by his words. Tonight hadn’t been in vain after all. Smiling slyly, she wrapped her arms around Pei Shang’s neck, pulling him down again.

She whispered in his ear, as if joking, “Did you enjoy yourself just now? There’s even more pleasure than that—but I’ll only give it to you on our wedding night. If you dare try it with someone else… I’ll ruin you.”

Her last words were uttered through gritted teeth. Yet Pei Shang, feeling her soft hand’s touch, instantly perked up.

“Good sister, let me try one more time.” He bit her earlobe.

—

At dawn, Pei Shang and Xie Zhuoguang’s group were set to depart. Pei Shang had snuck out around 10 PM; by the time he returned to the western wing, it was nearly 3 AM.

For Xie Zhuoguang, those two-plus hours felt like a lifetime. Sitting at the table nearest the door, his face was cold and solemn.

No one could know the torment in his heart.

He had clearly—clearly decided to step aside for them. But how could those two so completely trample on his feelings?

So utterly heartless?

She knew he still cherished her. Pei Shang knew of his feelings for Yu Mingyao. Yet one treated him as nothing from their past life, and the other as nothing more than an old friend.

Then what was the point of him backing away?

Those two-plus hours—possibly the longest stretch of both his lives—left Xie Zhuoguang feeling like the blood in his veins had frozen solid, as cold as ice.

He tried desperately to stop his imagination, to avoid speculating too much. But…

It was too long. Far too long!

If it had only been one or two quarters of an hour, he could have told himself they simply wanted to secretly see each other to ease their longing. Pei Shang merely had a title over him—his defeat wasn’t so deep.

But it wasn’t two or three quarters. It was two or three full hours.

Nothing could be more despairing.

In that time, what could they have done? He shut his eyes, not daring to think.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, footsteps sounded outside—light and cheerful, drawing near.

Xie Zhuoguang could bear it no longer. He shot to his feet and pushed open his door.

Across the corridor, he and Pei Shang locked gazes from afar.

Even from a distance, Xie Zhuoguang saw the smirk of provocation curling on Pei Shang’s lips.

They stood off in silence for a long time. Eventually, Pei Shang—despite Xie Zhuoguang’s murderous glare—walked cheerfully back to his room.

As he passed Xie Zhuoguang, he even whistled twice.

Bastard!

Catching a faint scent lingering on Pei Shang, Xie Zhuoguang wanted to kill someone.

—

As always, it was best to set out early when traveling. By dawn’s first light, they had already reached the dock.

Compared to the grand procession that had come before, today’s send-off was sparse—only Yu Mingyao, her brother Yu Jinnian, and Yanyue.

Behind them, Li Qing and Cheng Qing directed servants loading luggage.

Xie Zhuoguang stood to the side, watching Pei Shang sweet-talk Yu Mingyao in farewell.

Yu Jinnian stood two or three feet away from his sister. Normally, he couldn’t stand seeing any boy get close to her.

Casting his gaze over, Xie Zhuoguang saw Yu Jinnian simply staring at the sky, ignoring the affectionate scene before him.

“It’s getting cold—remember to dress warmly. If you still get seasick, I had my brother prepare you the best remedies. There are several kinds—try them all.”

Pei Shang nodded eagerly, his eyes practically glued to Yu Mingyao.

Having just shared their feelings and at the height of their passion, it was naturally hard to part. The same words were exchanged over and over again, making Xie Zhuoguang’s face grow colder as he refused to glance their way.

“The hour’s nearly up—say what’s important.”

Yu Jinnian glanced at the two and, to Xie Zhuoguang’s hidden hope, only said that.

After more reluctant farewells and lingering emotions, parting still came in the end.

Pei Shang stood at the ship’s stern, waving frantically at Yu Mingyao.

The ship gradually sailed off, shrinking into a black dot. The people onboard grew blurry, faces indistinguishable.

Watching the disappearing vessel, Yu Mingyao finally couldn’t hold back her tears.

A deep sorrow surged in her chest, growing heavier the more she thought about it.

Her stifled sobs made Yu Jinnian’s heart ache as well. No matter how close a sister was, once she had a husband in her heart, she seemed like an outsider.

Swallowing his discomfort, he gruffly said, “It’s fine. In a year and a half, we’ll see him again.”

That would also be the time he’d escort his sister to be married.

The wedding was set for spring—March, when the spring light would be at its best.

Just one year and three months away, it would be Yu Mingyao’s time to wed.

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