With wind blowing into the room, the curtain was lifted. Gu Tingye strode into the room. Cuiwei gave her obeisance to him and dismissed herself. Minglan wanted to stand up, but was pressed back by Gu Tingye. Seeing her pale face, he said softly, “Just rest here, don’t stand up.”
Minglan didn’t insist then and only called Xiazhu over to help Gu Tingye get changed. As Minglan leaned on the bedside, she saw the cheerful look on the man’s face. Clearly he was in a good mood. Then she asked with a smile, “Master, why are you so joyful today, is it because...?”
Gu Tingye stood there straightly. The dark red gem on his purple golden official hat looked dazzling and the embroidered robe and the jade belt made him look ever more handsome and graceful. He turned around and saw the expectant look in Minglan’s bright eyes.
Then he laughed and taunted, “I wasn’t promoted, nor did I make a fortune!”
Minglan who had been seen through laughed bashfully and leaned on the bed listlessly again. After Gu Tingye had changed into a set of green leisure wear embroidered with silver threads, he waved his hand to dismiss Xiazhu. Having sat beside Minglan, he touched the warm bag on Minglan’s belly and asked, “Still hurt?”
Minglan shook her head softly, saying, “I just have no strength right now.”
Gu Tingye rubbed Minglan’s cheek while approaching to Minglan. She could feel his face still a bit hot due to the sunlight outside and his stubble quite rough while he used his face to rub her smooth and tender cheek. After a long while, they both sighed and spoke at the same time with completely different contents,
“We should have babies later.”
“We should have babies sooner.”
After that, they both looked at each other in shock, with surprised and amused expressions in their eyes. Gu Tingye said first, “Stupid girl. You should nurse your body first. There’s no hurry to have babies right now. We have plenty of time.”
Hearing that, Minglan blushed right away, her fair cheek now super rosy. Then she said, “That’s not right. I’ve heard from the experienced women that once a woman gives birth to a baby, she wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable during her period.”
“Is that so?” Gu Tingye seemed to doubt her words, “I thought having a baby at a young age was bad for women.”
“Who told you that?” Minglan couldn’t help laughing, “The elders always say that as long as a woman’s condition is well, giving birth to children won’t cause any harm.”
It had to be admitted that although Gu Tingye was wild on bed, he was very thoughtful in some aspects. Ever since Minglan started to nurse her body according to Old Madam He’s prescription, she had requested implicitly that they should stop having sex for a few days every month. She wanted to get pregnant after two courses of drug treatment. When Minglan had made that request, she had felt a bit uneasy. After all, in this ancient time, everyone said it was better and a blessing to have a baby early. Little had she known that Gu Tingye would agree with her without any hesitation and even told Minglan to take care of her own body repeatedly.
“I only want to be a widower for once. You have to stay with me for several decades.” Gu Tingye had joked that at that time.
As a result, except for the few non-sex days, Gu Tingye got extremely passionate every night and they had crazy sex till every midnight.
Having heard Minglan said that, Gu stopped frowning and massaged Minglan’s little hands while comforting her, “You still should be careful, during my wandering days...” He paused and said with pleasure, “I heard that some of the wives of the farmers could even give birth to children when they were fifty.”
Hearing that, Minglan who got ashamed and angry pinched the man’s arms violently. However, his strong muscle only made her fingers numb. Then she pretended to be enraged and scolded, “Aren’t you ashamed?”
After the couple teased each other for a while, they finally remembered what they had talked about in the beginning. Minglan asked why he was happy again and Gu Tingye replied with a joyful look, “Momo Chang is coming tomorrow.”
“Gosh, finally.” Minglan put her palms together and said smilingly, “If she still doesn’t come, I’ll go invite her.”
Ever since Gu Tingye had gone back to the capital, Momo Chang had moved to the Cat Ear Alley from the countryside with her widowed daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Back when Gu Tingye held the wedding ceremony, it was still a few months away before she finished the three-years mourning for her son. Thus, she refused to come to the wedding, fearing that she might destroy the happy atmosphere.
“Momo Chang’s scruples are totally unnecessary. We won’t mind that.” Minglan had always looked up to this Momo Chang.
Gu Tingye laughed and said, “Momo is from the country, people back at her hometown are very particular about customs and she is a stubborn person. It makes no difference if she comes a few days earlier, so I just agreed to her. If I’m not in the mansion when she arrives, you can keep her here for a while.”
Minglan smiled and agreed. They sat next to each other and chatted for a while. Then Danju came in to report, “Qiuniang is here.”
Gu Tingye was surprised to hear that, his heavy eyebrows knitted again.
Minglan pushed the man away to tidy her clothes and hair which got disheveled due to their intimate moves. Then she ordered, “Let her in.” With that, she wanted to get off the bed, but was pushed back by Gu Tingye.
Qiuniang carried a small bag and walked over slowly in a yellow cotton jacket. She saw Minglan lying on the bed and Gu Tingye sitting on the side of bed with his hands on his knees. Then she lowered her head and gave her obeisance. Minglan smiled and asked Qiuniang to sit.
“What are you doing here?” Gu Tingye asked patiently.
Qiuniang, with a tender look on her face, tilted her face and raised her head, saying softly, “The weather is getting hotter and hotter. Master, I know you cannot stand the heat, so I’ve made some summer clothes for you. Here are a few sachets, in which I have put your favorite lignum aquilariae resinatumas well as rosin and felon herb for repelling the mosquitoes.” On these words, she opened the small bag and stepped forward. However, Gu Tingye didn’t move a bit, which made Qiuniang feel quite embarrassed.
Minglan sensed the awkwardness in the air and tried to ease the tension, “Danju, bring the bag to me, I want to see her needlework... Also, go check if the lunch is ready.” Minglan felt it was better if fewer people could see Qiuniang being like this.
Danju took over the bag and put it on the table gently before leaving the room reverently.
Qiuniang stared at Gu Tingye’s peaceful look in a daze and said in a soft voice, “Master... I...”
Gu Tingye also stared at Qiuniang. Minglan looked at his handsome side face, finding him being lost in thought. He said slowly while looking into Qiuniang’s eyes, “Have you made those things for Rong too?”
Qiuniang was quite taken aback and said after a brief pause, “I…I…I planned to make some for her after I made those for you, Master.”
“Having you made any clothes for Madam ever since you arrived at our mansion?” Gu Tingye asked again.
Qiuniang stood up right away and knelt to Minglan, saying in panic, “It’s my fault. These days I have been engaged in transcribing the Buddha book and only found time to make those for Master.”
Since there was no maid in the room, no one helped Qiuniang up. Minglan could only smile and comfort her, “It doesn’t matter. The most important thing for you is taking care of Rong. You can get up now.”
Qiuniang, not daring to stand up, moved her knees toward Gu Tingye and wanted to say something. However, Gu raised his hand to interrupt her and asked abruptly, “Have you given obeisance to Madam this morning?”
Qiuniang answered at once, “Of course I have. I would never forget my duties.”
“Then why didn’t you give this bag to Madam this morning?”
Qiuniang, unwilling to believe what she had just heard, suddenly raised her head and only found a reproachful and even a bit scornful look in Gu Tingye’s eyes. She opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a word. Her eyes were completely red and her tears were about to drop at any time.
The room was deadly quiet. Minglan felt extremely awkward and really wanted to run away. However, Gu Tingye was sitting on half of her dress, which made her unable to move. So she could only turn away her head and picked Book of Mountain and Sea, pretending to read.
With wind blowing into the room, the curtain was lifted. Gu Tingye strode into the room. Cuiwei gave her obeisance to him and dismissed herself. Minglan wanted to stand up, but was pressed back by Gu Tingye. Seeing her pale face, he said softly, “Just rest here, don’t stand up.”
Minglan didn’t insist then and only called Xiazhu over to help Gu Tingye get changed. As Minglan leaned on the bedside, she saw the cheerful look on the man’s face. Clearly he was in a good mood. Then she asked with a smile, “Master, why are you so joyful today, is it because...?”
Gu Tingye stood there straightly. The dark red gem on his purple golden official hat looked dazzling and the embroidered robe and the jade belt made him look ever more handsome and graceful. He turned around and saw the expectant look in Minglan’s bright eyes.
Then he laughed and taunted, “I wasn’t promoted, nor did I make a fortune!”
Minglan who had been seen through laughed bashfully and leaned on the bed listlessly again. After Gu Tingye had changed into a set of green leisure wear embroidered with silver threads, he waved his hand to dismiss Xiazhu. Having sat beside Minglan, he touched the warm bag on Minglan’s belly and asked, “Still hurt?”
Minglan shook her head softly, saying, “I just have no strength right now.”
Gu Tingye rubbed Minglan’s cheek while approaching to Minglan. She could feel his face still a bit hot due to the sunlight outside and his stubble quite rough while he used his face to rub her smooth and tender cheek. After a long while, they both sighed and spoke at the same time with completely different contents,
“We should have babies later.”
“We should have babies sooner.”
After that, they both looked at each other in shock, with surprised and amused expressions in their eyes. Gu Tingye said first, “Stupid girl. You should nurse your body first. There’s no hurry to have babies right now. We have plenty of time.”
Hearing that, Minglan blushed right away, her fair cheek now super rosy. Then she said, “That’s not right. I’ve heard from the experienced women that once a woman gives birth to a baby, she wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable during her period.”
“Is that so?” Gu Tingye seemed to doubt her words, “I thought having a baby at a young age was bad for women.”
“Who told you that?” Minglan couldn’t help laughing, “The elders always say that as long as a woman’s condition is well, giving birth to children won’t cause any harm.”
It had to be admitted that although Gu Tingye was wild on bed, he was very thoughtful in some aspects. Ever since Minglan started to nurse her body according to Old Madam He’s prescription, she had requested implicitly that they should stop having sex for a few days every month. She wanted to get pregnant after two courses of drug treatment. When Minglan had made that request, she had felt a bit uneasy. After all, in this ancient time, everyone said it was better and a blessing to have a baby early. Little had she known that Gu Tingye would agree with her without any hesitation and even told Minglan to take care of her own body repeatedly.
“I only want to be a widower for once. You have to stay with me for several decades.” Gu Tingye had joked that at that time.
As a result, except for the few non-sex days, Gu Tingye got extremely passionate every night and they had crazy sex till every midnight.
Having heard Minglan said that, Gu stopped frowning and massaged Minglan’s little hands while comforting her, “You still should be careful, during my wandering days...” He paused and said with pleasure, “I heard that some of the wives of the farmers could even give birth to children when they were fifty.”
Hearing that, Minglan who got ashamed and angry pinched the man’s arms violently. However, his strong muscle only made her fingers numb. Then she pretended to be enraged and scolded, “Aren’t you ashamed?”
After the couple teased each other for a while, they finally remembered what they had talked about in the beginning. Minglan asked why he was happy again and Gu Tingye replied with a joyful look, “Momo Chang is coming tomorrow.”
“Gosh, finally.” Minglan put her palms together and said smilingly, “If she still doesn’t come, I’ll go invite her.”
Ever since Gu Tingye had gone back to the capital, Momo Chang had moved to the Cat Ear Alley from the countryside with her widowed daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Back when Gu Tingye held the wedding ceremony, it was still a few months away before she finished the three-years mourning for her son. Thus, she refused to come to the wedding, fearing that she might destroy the happy atmosphere.
“Momo Chang’s scruples are totally unnecessary. We won’t mind that.” Minglan had always looked up to this Momo Chang.
Gu Tingye laughed and said, “Momo is from the country, people back at her hometown are very particular about customs and she is a stubborn person. It makes no difference if she comes a few days earlier, so I just agreed to her. If I’m not in the mansion when she arrives, you can keep her here for a while.”
Minglan smiled and agreed. They sat next to each other and chatted for a while. Then Danju came in to report, “Qiuniang is here.”
Gu Tingye was surprised to hear that, his heavy eyebrows knitted again.
Minglan pushed the man away to tidy her clothes and hair which got disheveled due to their intimate moves. Then she ordered, “Let her in.” With that, she wanted to get off the bed, but was pushed back by Gu Tingye.
Qiuniang carried a small bag and walked over slowly in a yellow cotton jacket. She saw Minglan lying on the bed and Gu Tingye sitting on the side of bed with his hands on his knees. Then she lowered her head and gave her obeisance. Minglan smiled and asked Qiuniang to sit.
“What are you doing here?” Gu Tingye asked patiently.
Qiuniang, with a tender look on her face, tilted her face and raised her head, saying softly, “The weather is getting hotter and hotter. Master, I know you cannot stand the heat, so I’ve made some summer clothes for you. Here are a few sachets, in which I have put your favorite lignum aquilariae resinatumas well as rosin and felon herb for repelling the mosquitoes.” On these words, she opened the small bag and stepped forward. However, Gu Tingye didn’t move a bit, which made Qiuniang feel quite embarrassed.
Minglan sensed the awkwardness in the air and tried to ease the tension, “Danju, bring the bag to me, I want to see her needlework... Also, go check if the lunch is ready.” Minglan felt it was better if fewer people could see Qiuniang being like this.
Danju took over the bag and put it on the table gently before leaving the room reverently.
Qiuniang stared at Gu Tingye’s peaceful look in a daze and said in a soft voice, “Master... I...”
Gu Tingye also stared at Qiuniang. Minglan looked at his handsome side face, finding him being lost in thought. He said slowly while looking into Qiuniang’s eyes, “Have you made those things for Rong too?”
Qiuniang was quite taken aback and said after a brief pause, “I…I…I planned to make some for her after I made those for you, Master.”
“Having you made any clothes for Madam ever since you arrived at our mansion?” Gu Tingye asked again.
Qiuniang stood up right away and knelt to Minglan, saying in panic, “It’s my fault. These days I have been engaged in transcribing the Buddha book and only found time to make those for Master.”
Since there was no maid in the room, no one helped Qiuniang up. Minglan could only smile and comfort her, “It doesn’t matter. The most important thing for you is taking care of Rong. You can get up now.”
Qiuniang, not daring to stand up, moved her knees toward Gu Tingye and wanted to say something. However, Gu raised his hand to interrupt her and asked abruptly, “Have you given obeisance to Madam this morning?”
Qiuniang answered at once, “Of course I have. I would never forget my duties.”
“Then why didn’t you give this bag to Madam this morning?”
Qiuniang, unwilling to believe what she had just heard, suddenly raised her head and only found a reproachful and even a bit scornful look in Gu Tingye’s eyes. She opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a word. Her eyes were completely red and her tears were about to drop at any time.
The room was deadly quiet. Minglan felt extremely awkward and really wanted to run away. However, Gu Tingye was sitting on half of her dress, which made her unable to move. So she could only turn away her head and picked Book of Mountain and Sea, pretending to read.
