Lei Wanxi lifted his hand and grazed his fingers over Zhu Lin's cheeks. The water droplets stuck on his fingers. The gentle brush of his cold fingers sent shivers in her body. He pulled his hand back and came out of the water. He shivered because of the cold and looked towards the giant boats. The painters had left for their home already, and no one was around.
"Are you going to stay there? Come out!" Lei Wanxi shouted at her with exasperation. Zhu Lin quickly came out of the water. Lei Wanxi looked at her and saw her dress was completely drenched. Since she had not worn the overcoat, she was shivering in the cold.
"L-let's g-o back," Zhu Lin requested while crossing her arms.
Lei Wanxi removed his overcoat and put it around Zhu Lin.. "Come. The carriage is nearby, so we will reach the Palace soon," Lei Wanxi asserted. Zhu Lin nodded and they left. The chauffeur upon seeing the two rushed to them and asked if they were fine.
"Yes. Drive the carriage fast," Lei Wanxi ordered him. Zhu Lin stepped inside the carriage, followed by him. The two did not speak to each other. The Chauffeur rode the carriage as fast as he could and the two arrived at the Palace within ten minutes. They went straight to their respective chambers.
After having a hot water bath, Lei Wanxi felt good. He was tired from the entire day's activities so fell asleep there. The servant, who saw him sleeping, woke him up. His sleep abruptly broke and he looked around. "Your highness, please go back to the chamber and take a rest." Lei Wanxi nodded and came out of the bathtub. A silk bathrobe covered him and after getting ready, he came to his chamber.
He laid down on the bed and yawned. "Can you press my legs and my hands?" Lei Wanxi asked the servant, who nodded his head. He sat down on the floor, by the bed, and started to press Lei Wanxi's legs.
Lei Wanxi reminisced the moment he fell into the water and came out of it. "She is pr--" he did not complete his words and shook his head. "How could I say that?" He muttered. The servant found his master was acting more strangely than the other days. However, he did not question him and kept doing his assigned work.
"You may leave," Lei Wanxi told the servant, who bowed. But before leaving, he asked Lei Wanxi about his dinner.
"I am not hungry. I am tired. Blew off the candles," Lei Wanxi said and pulled the blanket up. He closed his eyes and within seconds, he drifted off to sleep.
~~~~
Nianzu came home after purchasing a few things from the market. "Today, I brought pork for dinner," Nianzu informed Chuntao, who had lit the wood on the stove.
"It is expensive. Why did you bring it?" She complained and turned to him.
"You like it, that's why. And it feels you have shed weight in the past few days," Nianzu reasoned. "Do not worry about the money. I have gotten one more job," Nianzu stated and picked the bronze plate.
Chuntao's eyes filled with tears. She took the plate from his hand. "You already worked hard in your workplace. I will bring the dinner to our room. You shall rest till dinner gets ready," Chuntao told Nianzu.
"I am not tired, Chun," Nianzu replied. "Shall I help in cooking? I can make rice for us. Pork soup and rice are good to eat," Nianzu excitedly said. He stood up and brought another vessel. He filled water in it and put it over the stove. Chuntao, on the other hand, washed the pork meat first and then cut it into little pieces.
"Even I will work in the fields." Nianzu heard Chuntao. He turned to her, who continued, "I have made a few friends and they told me that working in fields has many benefits. I might get grains along with wages." There was a smile on her lips, which showed she desperately wanted to work in the fields.
"Chun, that involves a lot of hard work," Nianzu stated.
"But I get bored here. I have to work till afternoon. Let me work, please. I used to work earlier too," Chuntao requested to Nianzu, who was in a dilemma. He did not want his wife to work. But because she loved to do that, he agreed with her.
"Thank you," Chuntao said and passed him a smile. "You earn enough for our survival. I get bored in the house, that's why I thought about working in the fields," Chuntao clarified herself again.
Nianzu hummed and put a saucer over the vessel to let the rice cook. Chuntao prepared the ingredients for pork soup. They both worked together and prepared dinner for them. After having their dinner, they went to the room.
"Chun, there's something I have brought for you." Nianzu took out a Hanfu dress from the bag. Chuntao was unbraiding her hair and it surprised her. Nianzu brought the dress to her and handed her that. "I did not present you anything on our marriage day." Nianzu smiled as he looked at the dress.
The upper garment was of red color while the upper waist skirt was of peach color. She touched the dress and found the material was silk. Chuntao gazed at Nianzu, who was smiling. "It's silk," she murmured.
"Yes. It's not that expensive. It's not good quality silk but not bad enough. I hope you liked this," Nianzu pronounced and handed the dress to Chuntao, who started to cry.
He was perplexed to see Chuntao's reaction. Did she not like the dress or did he make any mistake? Nianzu asked her the reason and told her to stop crying.
Chuntao sobbed. "How can I stop? I am overwhelmed by all this. Why are you so good? You did not buy anything for yourself. It's wrong," she stated and put her palm over her eyes.
"I will buy a dress soon for myself. Do not cry," Nianzu caressed her head. After a while, Chuntao stopped weeping. She moved her hand over the dress.
"It's beautiful. Thank you for this," she lifted her eyes. She put the dress inside the small cupboard and came near Nianzu, who was glad. He leaned down and kissed her lips. Chuntao reciprocated his kiss and circled her arms around his neck. She parted her lips and he easily shoved his tongue inside her mouth.
Chuntao lost her senses when their tongues touched. It was the first time they got this intimate. They both pulled back in the need of air. However, Nianzu did not stop here. He kissed her jawline. His hand went to the knot of Chuntao's dress. Opening the knot, he removed the upper garment that she had worn.
Chuntao's heart fluttered and the next second, they were on the bed, on the floor mattress. Her chest heaved up and down because of the nervousness. Nianzu buried his face in her neck and trailed numerous kisses on her neck.
Chuntao moaned when he bit her skin, where her neck met the shoulder. Quickly, Nianzu kissed the bit skin and moved up. His weight rested on his palm as he peered into the eyes of Chuntao.
"Do you want to do this?" He asked.
Chuntao hummed and pulled him down for a kiss. She cupped his face in her palms and had a heated kiss. Nianzu had undressed her first, followed by him. Chuntao blushed to see the body of Nianzu. She lifted her hand and gradually moved it towards his chest. Her fingers grazed over his chest, who leaned down.
"I love you, Chun. I am happier in this life, with this identity," Nianzu stroked her cheek with his palm. "I can read your eyes. You think that you brought misery to me. But it's not the truth. I do not want you to get involved in Palace Politics. That's why I made this decision. I could not leave you in the middle and trust me this is the best for us," Nianzu asserted.
Chuntao hummed. "I thought I separated you from your family. It sometimes makes me feel guilty," she proclaimed. "I love you, too." She responded back.
"You did not separate me from them. Don't think that way." He planted a soft kiss on her forehead, then nose tip and followed by her cheeks. They became one, on that night.