Chapter 27: A Reunion with an Old Friend

Because the Eldest Young Master had left again,

Xu Qingyi dispelled the thought that the Eldest Young Master might be feigning illness.

As for why such an unexpected incident occurred…

She would rather believe it was because she had grown stronger.

Unlocking a new skill was always something worth celebrating.

Feeling pleased, Xu Qingyi couldn’t help but give the Eldest Young Master a kiss, one that carried a strong sense of reward.

“…” Xie Yunzhi didn’t want to know what Xu Qingyi was thinking, but unfortunately, she showed no hesitation in being completely open with him.

He believed that what he was seeing now was the truest version of Xu Qingyi.

“Such a pity…” Xu Qingyi murmured with some regret. “I forgot to bring the book, and I completely forgot about it just now.”

Xie Yunzhi froze for a moment. What book?

He suddenly seemed to understand something.

So it was because Xu Qingyi had been so eager to find him earlier—she had been looking at something. Truly…

After that, Xu Qingyi stopped speaking.

But her lips would occasionally release faint, somewhat ambiguous sighs.

Soft, so soft, they couldn’t be heard beyond the thick bed curtains.

Yet, each long and melodious sigh reached Xie Yunzhi’s ears.

Having never been in close contact with women before, Xie Yunzhi, after marrying Xu Qingyi, finally understood that women could make such daring sounds.

She was simply too unrestrained.

Knowledge was power, and tonight, Xu Qingyi was undeniably stronger.

But her physical stamina was still lacking.

While she herself might have been satisfied intermittently, Xie Yunzhi, however, was deeply immersed in frustration, nearly reaching his breaking point.

Once again, they reached the inevitable conclusion of their mismatched rhythm as a couple.

Xu Qingyi felt mentally exhausted.

If only her heart were a little colder, she could have just pulled away and left.

But unfortunately, she was too kind, always feeling that taking advantage and then running away would be quite impolite.

So, she had no choice but to push through, waiting until the Eldest Young Master was satisfied before finally collapsing.

During the time when Xu Qingyi was toying with him, Xie Yunzhi couldn’t help but think to himself: So useless. Don’t come next time.

But, when Xu Qingyi finally collapsed, he had to admit, he was indeed satisfied.

Then, the two of them lay quietly together, enjoying a brief moment of peace.

As their breathing gradually returned to normal, Xu Qingyi’s rationality came back, and she began to think in a disorganized panic, ‘Ah, ah, ah, I was too impulsive.’

It was already so late, and she called for water—it was like announcing to everyone that she was spending the night with the Eldest Young Master again.

But if she didn’t call for water, her body would feel sticky and uncomfortable.

‘Forget it,’ she thought, ‘I’ll just be embarrassed.’

It wasn’t Xu Qingyi’s style to enjoy something without acknowledging it.

With a command from the wet nurse, activity resumed quietly both inside and outside the room.

The love between the Young Madam and the Eldest Young Master was something everyone in Danhuai Courtyard loved to see.

As Zi Xiao helped the Eldest Young Master change clothes, he boldly teased, “The Young Master must be tired. The Young Madam really loves you.”

At the same time, he couldn’t help but worry—would the Eldest Young Master be able to keep up with this pace?

“Ming Yu,” he asked thoughtfully, “Do you think we should ask the physician for some tonics to help the Eldest Young Master regain his strength?”

Ming Yu seriously considered the idea. “Hmm, maybe we should ask the physician next time.”

Xie Yunzhi: “…”

He wasn’t exactly eager for that.

But he did worry a little. If Xu Qingyi continued to demand so much, it might be better for him to take some tonics after all.

He didn’t want the day to come when Xu Qingyi would call him useless.

The next morning, Xu Qingyi lazily reclined on the noblewoman’s couch.

Liu eagerly peeled grapes for her.

Su Ye was fanning her with a hand-held fan.

The clingy Heng played with building blocks on the floor, having already constructed a tall tower.

There were more than one carpenter in the estate, and everyone worked together to finish the first batch of toys.

Larger items, like the seesaw and slide, were still being installed in the courtyard.

Smaller items, like the building blocks and wooden horse, were placed inside the room and immediately caught Heng’s interest.

“Young Madam, Mr. Pei has arrived and is waiting in the outer courtyard as instructed by the steward,” the wet nurse came in to report.

“Take him inside, let him meet the Eldest Young Master,” Xu Qingyi instructed.

“Yes, Madam.”

Carrying a bundle, Pei Che arrived at the Marquis’ residence, concerned that he might not be allowed in.

However, it didn’t take long before someone led him into the inner courtyard.

Upon hearing that he would meet the Eldest Young Master, Pei Che grew particularly nervous.

At this time, Xu Qingyi had already arrived in the Eldest Young Master’s room. Sitting by the bed, she said, “Mr. Pei is here. He’ll be coming over to meet you shortly.”

Xie Yunzhi felt a soft, boneless hand rest on the back of his hand.

It seemed to be testing his temperature, briefly touching and then pulling away.

When he heard that Pei Che was coming, Xie Yunzhi began to look forward to it.

At the same time, he hoped Xu Qingyi would say a little more about Pei Che’s current situation.

But Xu Qingyi seemed unwilling to elaborate.

It made sense, though—speaking to a man who lay unconscious would indeed feel rather foolish.

“Young Madam,” Pei Che entered, and his first sight was not the General lying in bed, but the graceful and gentle woman sitting quietly by the bed.

She was undoubtedly General Xie’s wife, and he immediately lowered his head to pay his respects.

Xu Qingyi smiled, stood up, and greeted him warmly, “Mr. Pei, you’re here?”

Yesterday, the two had spoken through the carriage window, but neither of them had gotten a good look at the other’s face.

Now that they met in person, Xu Qingyi realized that Mr. Pei was exceptionally handsome.

Unlike the Eldest Young Master ‘s noble and refined elegance, Pei Che had a rugged, wild kind of handsomeness.

To put it simply, his physique was striking, brimming with raw magnetism, drawing people in at first glance.

Of course, Xu Qingyi wasn’t swooning—she simply appreciated beautiful things.

Pei Che noticed that the Young Madam was sizing him up, and he awkwardly lowered his head, saying, “Thank you, Young Madam, for allowing me to meet General Xie.”

Xu Qingyi smiled and replied, “There’s no need for such formality. You can just call me ‘Sister-in-law.’”

Xie Yunzhi: “…”

It was indeed Pei Che’s voice.

But why did it sound so bashful, lacking any of the imposing presence one would expect in the military?

Pei Che, slightly flustered, replied, “Alright, Sister-in-law. I won’t be so formal then.”

Listening to their exchange, Xie Yunzhi couldn’t help but wonder—was Xu Qingyi being a bit too familiar with Pei Che?

He was unable to move and couldn’t see, so he became unusually sensitive to sounds.

In any case, it seemed like Xu Qingyi had known Pei Che for a long time.

It didn’t feel like they were meeting for just the first or second time.

He could only chalk it up to his heightened sensitivity.

But he wasn’t entirely wrong in his observation.

Xu Qingyi had indeed known Pei Che for quite some time, but not in the real world—instead, they had become acquainted through written words.

She knew that Pei Che was a good man and had a good relationship with the Eldest Young Master, so her tone had naturally been more familiar.

“Take a look at Eldest Young Master,” Xu Qingyi nodded.

Pei Che took two steps forward and looked at the Eldest Young Master on the bed.

The once spirited General Xie now appeared much more haggard.

The days when he had worn fine clothes and rode with fiery passion on horseback now seemed so distant.

At the time, those days had felt ordinary, and they had even once complained together about the dust storms at the border.

If only they could return to the capital and enjoy their fortunes.

Now, they had returned, but everything had changed.

Pei Che felt his eyes welling up, his nose tightening. Without hesitation, he knelt before the bed and performed a military salute. “General Xie, this is Pei Che, here to see you.”

The sound of his knee hitting the floor made Xu Qingyi’s own knees ache in sympathy.

Pei Che lowered his head and said, “It’s been more than three years since we last met, and I have regrets in my heart.”

Xie Yunzhi felt a sense of relief. It seemed Pei Che had grown over the past few years and was no longer the stubborn man he once was.

“Rest assured, General Xie,” Pei Che continued. “From now on, Young Master’s martial skills will be in my hands. When General Xie wakes, you can see the results. If I fail, I will accept any punishment you deem fit.”

Xie Yunzhi thought to himself, ‘Let’s make it official then. When I wake up, we’ll see how well you’ve taught him.’

Xu Qingyi smiled and said, “Mr. Pei, please get up. I’m sure the Eldest Young Master has heard your intentions.”

Pei Che blushed slightly and replied, “Sister-in-law, there’s no need to call me Mr. Pei. Just call me Pei Che.”

He was a mere soldier and had never been addressed as “Mr.” in his life.

“Alright, neither of us need to be so formal,” Xu Qingyi said with a smile.

Pei Che nodded, though he was somewhat anxious. Had the General’s wife overestimated the relationship between him and General Xie?

Although he had served under General Xie for two years, the General was distant and taciturn, indifferent to everyone.

Pei Che didn’t feel particularly special in his eyes.

When he faced punishment, he even felt that General Xie must have hated him, especially because he had defied orders and caused General Xie to lose face.

Xie Yunzhi: “…”

Of course, he had feelings for Pei Che.

But at this moment, he had to admit, he was getting a bit annoyed.

Xie Yunzhi remembered that the lad was quite striking, with a body full of muscle—he looked like someone who could be really useful.