Chapter 19 Part 1: Wedding Day Gambit

One had to admit, she possessed audacity in abundance.

 

That day would be her husband’s younger brother’s wedding banquet.

As the young mistress of the household, she would naturally be required to receive the guests and oversee the festivities.

 

Yet she had chosen that very day to meet with him.

Was she not afraid of discovery?

On that day, the household would be thronged with the capital’s noble families and powerful officials.

There might even be members of the imperial family among the guests.

 

If their affair came to light, both of them would be utterly ruined, their reputations destroyed beyond recovery.

They would have no place left to hide, no means to escape the consequences.

 

In recent days, while listening to Yan Huaixiao pour out his troubles, he had gleaned a great deal of information about the marriage between Yan Chiyun and Pu Wange.

Perhaps because his heart was so burdened, Yan Huaixiao proved remarkably forthcoming.

He answered questions freely and, for once, indulged in idle conversation without suspecting why Cheng Wenque might be curious.

 

Yan Huaixiao explained that the match between his elder brother and Pu Wange had been arranged years ago.

It was not a union born of mutual affection, but rather a bond inherited from their ancestors’ friendship.

 

Throughout their years of marriage, the couple had maintained a respectful distance.

Yan Chiyun departed early each morning and returned late each night.

Pu Wange occupied herself with managing the household’s internal affairs.

Sometimes an entire month would pass without them crossing paths.

They were so distant, so unfamiliar, they scarcely seemed like husband and wife at all.

More like colleagues cooperating in some joint enterprise.

 

Yan Huaixiao declared he had no interest in romantic entanglements and wanted no part of his elders’ arrangements.

It was precisely because he feared ending up in such a tepid, lifeless union as theirs.

What meaning was there in that kind of marriage?

 

They had been wed for nearly four years and still produced no heir.

Only now, with the family pressing for descendants, had they grown somewhat closer.

Once a child was conceived, they would likely revert to their former distance.

 

Beyond this, Yan Huaixiao had mentioned the grandeur of their wedding day.

Because his elder brother enjoyed the Emperor’s profound trust, that day had drawn not only noble families but even the Crown Prince himself from the Eastern Palace.

Truly a solemn and glorious occasion.

 

At this recollection, Cheng Wenque’s thoughts turned to the upcoming wedding.

Might someone from the palace also attend Yan Huaixiao’s nuptials?

Even if no one came from within the palace walls, the noble families would surely send representatives to offer congratulations, constrained by the Yan household’s exalted status.

 

If this were someone else’s wedding within the Yan family, he might attach himself to Yan Huaixiao’s side and, through him, secure introductions to influential figures.

But on this day, Yan Huaixiao would be occupied as the bridegroom and would have no time for him.

Though he resided in the Yan household as a guest, he possessed no real standing.

To approach the noble guests on his own initiative would likely invite disdain and mockery.

 

Thus, on this day—whether to keep Pu Jinyu hooked or for other purposes—he must take the risk.

He must meet with Pu Jinyu as arranged and offer her certain “benefits.”

 

This meeting would also provide an opportunity to probe the relationships among the capital’s noble families.

He might learn which houses maintained close ties with the Pu and Yan households.

Such knowledge could prove useful in navigating his own future.

 

Through their exchanges these past weeks, he had come to understand something of Pu Jinyu’s nature.

Outwardly, she appeared dignified and noble, generous and proper.

But beneath that facade, she was wanton and unrestrained, utterly ungovernable.

 

Things had progressed more smoothly than he had dared hope.

He had secured her favor without excessive effort.

 

Since she had arranged this meeting in advance, she would surely have made all necessary preparations to ensure no word leaked out.

The Pu and Yan households were too exalted, their marriage alliance too significant, to permit any misstep.

She would never allow herself to be placed in mortal danger.

 

A woman’s reputation was far more precious than a man’s—more precious than life itself.

If disaster struck, she would be utterly destroyed, left to endure a fate worse than death.

 

Even if she sought illicit pleasures, she would not destroy herself in the process.

 

At this thought, Cheng Wenque’s heart settled somewhat.

He carefully burned the letter to ash, ensuring no evidence remained to incriminate him.

 

***

 

Before Yan Chiyun emerged from his bath, Pu Jinyu had already received Cheng Wenque’s reply.

It came through a young maidservant, delivering his message with discreet indirection.

He agreed to her proposal.

Having already imposed upon the Yan household by residing there, he would follow the young madam’s arrangements in all things.

 

These were merely conventional pleasantries.

Only the two of them understood the true meaning beneath the words.

 

When Yan Chiyun emerged from the bath, she was sitting on the bed, waiting for him.

 

Originally, he had intended to go to his study and continue handling official matters.

The gambling case was vast, consuming the attention of everyone in the Northern Bastille.

And because it involved questions of tax collection and evasion, he felt compelled to review every account personally.

No oversight could be permitted.

 

But seeing the young woman sitting obediently on the bed, waiting for him—

recalling how she had traced his palm, how she had urged him to bathe, how she had said she would wait—

Yan Chiyun hesitated.

For the first time, he set aside his official duties and did not go to the study.

 

The subordinates who had been waiting in the study saw that their master had returned to the inner chamber.

They understood the situation and withdrew, taking the other attendants with them.

 

Pu Jinyu had not expected that Yan Chiyun, clearly heading for the study, would change course at the last moment.

 

Seeing this, she curved her lips in a small smile.

 

When Yan Chiyun sat down beside her, the young maids dimmed most of the candles as usual and quietly slipped away.

 

The moment he drew near, she rose slightly, half-kneeling on the bed, and began to massage his shoulders.

 

As she leaned close, he caught the faint, rich fragrance that clung to her.

It mingled with the scent of her cosmetics.

 

He had not always cared for the smell of rouge and powder.

But through his recent intimacies with Madam Pu, he had not only grown accustomed to it but had come to rather enjoy it.

 

He could no longer distinguish whether he enjoyed the scent of cosmetics generally, or only the particular ones she wore.

 

The young woman worked his shoulders in silence.

He could not see her face, but he could smell her fragrance, feel the softness of her hands.

Madam Pu’s hands appeared small and delicate, boneless when he held them.

Yet they possessed surprising strength, and her massage brought him considerable comfort.

 

Before long, Yan Chiyun turned slightly and pressed his hand over hers.

He patted it gently, indicating she had done enough.

 

Pu Jinyu withdrew her hands.

She began to arrange the bedding, preparing to lie down.

But the man reached out and pressed her shoulder, returning the gesture—kneading her shoulders as she had kneaded his.

 

Pu Jinyu stilled.

She had not expected this from him.

 

Her frame was slender, his hand large.

The moment his palm touched her shoulder, she felt the warmth unique to him.

A martial artist’s strength needed no elaboration, yet he controlled his force with exquisite gentleness.

Somehow, it eased the tension in her shoulders and back.

A slow, spreading comfort unfurled beneath his touch.

 

As he massaged her, Yan Chiyun studied her profile.

He saw her brows and eyes relax, almost imperceptibly.

His own lips curved upward in response, beyond his control.

 

“Is it comfortable?” he asked, inquiring after the pressure.

 

Her lashes stirred.

A small “mm” escaped her.

 

Hearing her response, the man laughed softly.

The sound was not loud, but in the stillness of the inner chamber, she heard it clearly.

 

Just as Yan Chiyun shifted to massage her other shoulder, she suddenly turned to face him.

 

His movements stilled.

He looked at her small face, studied her meticulously made-up features.

His gaze ultimately settled on her eyes, for within them he saw his own reflection.

 

Through Madam Pu’s limpid, dark eyes, he glimpsed himself looking intently at her.

Indirectly, he caught a sight of his own scarcely perceptible emotional stirring.

 

If he could perceive it so clearly, surely she could as well?

He did not know whether she had noticed.

But she, too, was gazing intently at him.

 

Suddenly, her hand reached for his.

She guided it to her face.

 

Like that night not long ago, when he had returned home in the deepest hour and found her still awake.

She had asked if she might touch his face, and he had said yes.

Now, after some days had passed, she guided his hand to touch hers.

 

Beneath his palm, her face was truly small.

Smaller than his hand.

Her features were delicate, her cosmetics perfectly applied, composing a face of flawless dignity.

 

Beneath that dignified exterior lurked a boldness, a wantonness, quite out of the ordinary.

 

She guided his fingertips to rest upon the bridge of her nose, her brows, her eyes.

Then she released him, leaving him to continue on his own.

 

Yan Chiyun began to explore her face of his own accord.

He touched her nose, her brows, her eyes, the soft curve of her cheek.

He followed the same rhythm she had used when touching him that night.

 

Pu Jinyu closed her eyes, docile beneath his touch.

He traced her thick, curved lashes, back and forth.

 

As he touched her, his fingertips encountered powder.

She truly loved her cosmetics.

She had applied so much that even the lightest contact left traces on his skin.

 

Pu Jinyu permitted the man’s examination.

She wanted him to remember this face.

Pu Wange’s face.

 

In her previous life, she had worn her elder sister’s features for more than a decade, until the day she died.

He had scarcely looked at her then.

Not like this life, where he drew close to her, where he bestowed upon her unaccustomed care and concern.

 

He knew only that she was Pu Wange, the legitimate daughter of the Pu household.

He did not know she was Pu Jinyu, born of a concubine, the unacknowledged daughter.

 

But this was enough.

More than enough.

He did not need to know who she truly was.

And she could not let him see her real face.

 

If all went according to plan, when she finally escaped the Yan and Pu households and fled the capital, she could live on as Pu Jinyu.

She could wear her own face and her own name.

 

As these thoughts drifted through her mind, the man leaned close.

He followed her example from that night.

He pressed a warm kiss to her brow, to the arch of her brow bone.

 

Pu Jinyu’s fingers twitched.

Behind her closed lids, interest slowly kindled.

When his kiss ended and he drew back, she opened her eyes.

 

Then she guided his hand downward along her face.

 

When his fingers brushed the curve of her breast, Yan Chiyun’s gaze darkened.

 

The young woman’s movements were brazen, unrestrained.

Yet her posture as she half-kknelt on the bed was perfectly proper.

Her voice was soft, her words measured.

But what she said was strangely provocative.

“This is your reward,” she murmured.

 

Reward?

Reward for what?

For touching her face so well, so faithfully following her example?

 

Yan Chiyun’s eyes deepened as he savored her words.

His gaze remained fixed upon her face.

 

That sensation returned—the sense of fracture, of inscrutability, of something strange and elusive.

 

In that instant, a question surfaced in his mind.

Was this truly Pu Wange, the legitimate daughter of the Pu clan, the paragon of propriety and learning celebrated throughout the realm?

 

She did not feel like such a person.

She felt more like some female demon wearing Pu Wange’s skin.

 

Inscrutable.

Dangerous and alluring.

She stirred his heart, and he found joy in it.

 

Becoming aware that not all the candles beyond the curtains had been extinguished, he reached up with his free hand and unhooked the jade clasp that held the bed drapes.

 

Layer upon layer of soft gauze cascaded down, veiling the intimate scene within.

Only blurred silhouettes remained visible, and they had not yet lain down.

 

Within the curtains, the light dimmed to a warm, hazy amber.

But it was still brighter than usual.

 

Yan Chiyun felt the heat rising within him, kindled by what she was doing with his hand.

 

Before him, the young woman’s underrobe hung loose, though she had not fully discarded it.

Her dark hair fell to her waist, swaying with each movement of her wrist.

 

Where did she learn so many tricks?

Facing him directly, guiding his hand, making him watch as she led him to touch her, to draw close to her.

 

In that brief moment, his breathing grew heavier, hotter.

 

Pu Jinyu kept her eyes lowered.

She pressed her small teeth against her full, moist lower lip.

He saw the marks her teeth left behind.

 

Just looking at her lips, he longed to kiss her.

The memory of kissing her flooded his mind.

 

Pu Jinyu kept her eyes lowered.

She saw the heat rising in the man.

 

The interest she concealed behind her gaze deepened.

 

This Yan Chiyun, master of the Yan household, so aloof and unapproachable, so celebrated for his virtue—

Now, even he followed where she led.

He changed according to her wishes.

 

Her legal mother had always spoken of him as someone elevated and unattainable, someone only her elder sister was worthy to match.

 

But was that really true?

 

His transformation was because of her.

Not because of her elder sister.

 

In the past, when she wore her elder sister’s identity and shared his bed with proper, formal restraint, he had never changed like this.

His breathing had never grown so heavy.

 

Now, he no longer needed her to guide his hand.

He touched her of his own accord, drew close to her of his own accord.

 

Pu Jinyu tilted her small face upward.

He saw the pale column of her throat, her slightly parted lips.

She breathed in soft, delicate gasps, as she always did.

 

Seeing this, Yan Chiyun’s eyes darkened further.

He bent to kiss her.

 

But the moment he drew near, she pushed him away.

One slender wrist pressed against his chest, holding him at bay.

 

He stilled, uncertain of her meaning.

Before he could puzzle it out, he understood.

 

She took his free hand and placed it upon his own chest.

 

She did not speak.

She looked up at him, silently conveying her wish.

 

Yan Chiyun was not slow to comprehend.

How could he not understand?

 

He did as she asked.

He guided her hand through the opening of his white inner robe, brought it to rest upon his chest, let her explore the planes of his pectorals, the ridges of his abdomen.

 

Pu Jinyu observed that he had grasped her meaning.

She ceased guiding him.

After all, both his hands were occupied now.

 

Her eyes followed the path of his hand as it guided hers across his body.

 

Yan Chiyun was not only handsome of face.

His form was equally captivating.

 

She generally felt little interest in romantic matters, little attraction to men.

But at this moment, her gaze involuntarily fixed upon his abdomen.

His muscles were beautifully defined.

She found herself somewhat intrigued.

 

Yan Chiyun guided her hand across his chest, his stomach, the raised veins upon his arms.

 

He saw her watching intently, her gaze unwavering.

His heart slowly filled.

Her pleasure amplified his own.

 

“Are you satisfied?” he asked.

 

Pu Jinyu’s fingers stilled.

She looked up and met his eyes, which held a trace of laughter.

She did not answer.

 

They regarded each other for a moment.

Then she shook off his guiding hand and ventured elsewhere on her own.

 

Yan Chiyun watched her touch him, watched her hand.

 

Perhaps because her hand was so slender, so beautiful, he felt himself ugly and coarse by comparison.

Unworthy to be near her.

 

But sensation did not lie.

 

For the first time, he wished to extinguish the candles.

He actually voiced the thought.

When he spoke, he noticed his voice had grown hoarse.

“Shall we put out the lights?” he asked, his tone tentative.

 

Pu Jinyu smiled inwardly.

Why extinguish the candles?

She wanted to watch him.

To see this man, whom her legal mother had deemed worthy only of her elder sister, this exalted, untouchable figure—

To see how he yielded to her touch, how she played him like an instrument.

 

It was only a pity that others could not witness him in this state.

This state of helpless submission.

 

She looked at him without speaking.

Her movements ceased.

 

She did not want the lights out.

 

What choice had Yan Chiyun?

He yielded to her.

He bent and pressed a light kiss to her lips, a gesture of compromise.

 

Pu Jinyu resumed her explorations.

 

They touched each other, drew close to each other.

 

But Yan Chiyun suffered more acutely.

Their situation was not like last time.

Last time, there had been a certain parity, each holding sway over the other.

 

This time…

 

Just as he moved to seek similar intimacies, Pu Jinyu took matters into her own hands.

 

She bent her head.

Her hair cascaded forward, veiling her face.

He swept it aside, tucking it behind her ears, letting it fall down her back.

 

He cupped the back of her head and drew her close.

His forehead pressed against hers.

 

He could no longer tell whose brow burned hotter.

Both were searing.

 

He looked down and saw the tip of her nose, and…

 

Where did she learn such boldness?

Where did she acquire these tricks?

He could not keep up.

 

He watched, with perfect clarity, as they drew close.

 

It was unbearable.

And she moved so slowly.

 

Yan Chiyun attempted to reclaim control.

But the moment she sensed his intention, she stopped entirely.

 

She looked at him.

Her lovely, rounded eyes held no threat, yet somehow they seemed fierce.

 

Helpless, he laughed softly.

He gestured that he would yield, that he would not move.

 

Pu Jinyu was satisfied.

 

“…”

 

The process was somewhat tortuous.

She was clearly struggling.

 

She paused many times to rest.

Yan Chiyun endured, again and again.

His face flushed.

 

He could not help but breathe heavily along with her.

His breathing grew even more labored than hers.

 

Yan Chiyun’s voice was naturally clear and cool, like melting snow.

Even his usual indifferent tone was pleasing to the ear.

Now, tinged with desire, it was all the more captivating.

 

But Pu Jinyu had no attention to spare for listening.

She felt herself losing control.

She decided to take matters firmly in hand.

 

She rose up.

Her hands rested on the man’s shoulders.

She occupied the superior position and looked down at him.

Her voice was muffled as she issued instructions.

 

Yan Chiyun obeyed her commands.

He supported her slender waist and aided her efforts.

 

Despite this, the difficulties persisted.

 

Tears the size of beans welled at the corners of Pu Jinyu’s eyes.

She felt like retreating.

 

The slightest hesitation on her part, and he perceived her intent to abandon the enterprise halfway.

He was almost amused despite himself.

 

But he did not press her.

He accepted the task she had left unfinished and sought to complete it.

 

Just as he began, she looped her arms around his neck and sniffled against him.

 

Yan Chiyun drew close and coaxed her with gentle words.

He could not see her face clearly in the dimness and did not know how she responded.

After a moment’s consideration, he made his choice.

 

In the end, he clasped her waist and laid her down beneath him, resuming their accustomed positions.

They had delayed too long.

She was suffering, and he was in torment.

 

He continued their intimacy, mindful of her comfort to the greatest extent possible.

 

Even so, she wept.

 

She wept bitterly, clinging to him.

The sight of her tears stirred an unfamiliar tenderness in his heart.

 

He reached out and brushed away the tears that had mingled with her rouge, leaving muddy tracks upon her cheeks.

His voice was low as he spoke to her, awkwardly offering words of comfort he had never spoken before.

 

“…”

 

***

 

The next morning, Pu Jinyu was awakened by the sound of footsteps from beyond the chamber.

Someone was speaking—a woman’s voice, she thought.

 

As her eyes opened, the memories of the previous night slowly returned.

Their intimacies had lasted a long while.

Afterward, she had been exhausted, barely able to keep her eyes open.

She had forced herself to bathe, laboriously applied her cosmetics, and the moment she touched the bed, she had fallen instantly asleep.

 

She had not expected to sleep so late.

The sun was already high.

 

Si Yan heard movement from within the inner chamber and entered.

Yan Mingxi, who had come to call upon her, followed and addressed her as sister-in-law.

 

“Why has my young sister-in-law come?” Pu Jinyu asked.

 

Her voice was slightly hoarse when she spoke.

Si Yan helped her dress, and during the process, the marks of intimacy upon her body were unavoidably revealed.

 

As her personal maidservant, Si Yan had grown accustomed to such sights.

But Yan Mingxi was an unmarried young lady.

Her face flushed instantly, and she averted her eyes.

“Sister-in-law, I… I have something to discuss with you.”

 

She had not expected Pu Jinyu to still be asleep.

When she had asked Si Yan how long it might be before she rose, Si Yan had not yet answered before sounds emerged from within.

 

“What is it?”

 

In the face of Yan Mingxi’s embarrassment, Pu Jinyu’s expression did not change.

She calmly gathered her garments and swept her hair to one side.

 

“Sister-in-law, please finish your toilette first.

I will wait for you in the outer chamber.”

She had not yet composed herself enough to speak of her business.

 

“Very well.

Si Yan, have someone bring tea and refreshments for my young sister-in-law.”

 

“Yes, madam.”

 

***

 

Seated before her bronze mirror, Pu Jinyu noticed that the marks upon her body were more numerous than usual.

They had not been intimate for some time, and the sudden reunion had left her aching.

 

“Have you been overtired lately, madam?

Shall this servant summon a physician to examine you?”

 

In the days leading up to Yan Huaixiao’s wedding, Pu Jinyu had scarcely slept.

And yesterday…

 

That morning, when Yan Chiyun had risen and seen how deeply she slept, he had instructed those nearby not to disturb her.

He had also sent word to Madam Yan that she would not be attending the morning meal.

 

Learning that Yan Chiyun had returned home the previous night and that the couple had requested bathwater after a long night together, Madam Yan naturally understood.

A temporary separation was like a new marriage.

All was for the sake of the Yan lineage.

She felt no dissatisfaction.

 

Moreover, Pu Wange had always been a proper and dutiful daughter-in-law.

In all these years, she had never once been remiss.

 

Pu Jinyu shook her head.

“There is no need.”

 

She knew her own constitution well enough.

She was merely weary in spirit.

After so much rest, she felt much improved.

 

She asked Si Yan if she knew the purpose of Yan Mingxi’s visit.

Si Yan lowered her voice.

“It seems to concern Cheng Wenque.”

 

“Oh?” Pu Jinyu’s interest was piqued.

 

“This servant has heard that in recent days, the fourth young lady has sought out Master Cheng to speak with him, but he has consistently declined.

She has also heard that you frequently assist Master Cheng with provisions, so she likely wishes to enlist your help.”

 

Pu Jinyu smiled faintly and did not respond.

She picked up a hairpin and turned it over in her hands.

It happened to be one of those Cheng Wenque had recently sent.

 

 

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