Jiao Wanâer had not been doing well lately. Even the maids could tell that she was absent-minded and advised her to rest more.
Jiao Wanâer smiled bitterly. Rest? As soon as she closed her eyes, those images would flood her mind. How could she dare to rest? However, she knew that if she didnât sleep soon, her body would probably give out.
Half-disrobed, she reclined on the bed. In a half-awake, half-asleep state, she couldnât help but think of that night in the bridal chamber. Unknowingly, her body began to heat up. If the previous experience left her with a deep impression of humiliation and helplessness, the one afterward in the bridal chamber brought a completely different, strange sensation.
Since Song Qingshu had not known it was her at the time, Jiao Wanâer didnât feel as much pressure afterward. Instead, she couldnât help but recall some of the scenes from that moment.
That intense feeling of fusion between them was something she had never experienced before. She didnât dare to think too much about it, for whenever she did, she felt as though she was betraying her husband emotionally.
âMistress⊠Mistress?â The shocked voice of a maid came from outside the room, abruptly waking Jiao Wanâer from her daze.
Song Qingshu nodded to the maid. âI need to discuss something with Chief Jiao.â With that, he walked straight into the inner courtyard.
Although the maid found it improper, Song Qingshuâs prestige had skyrocketed recently. Common folk like her revered him, and the idea of stopping him never crossed her mind. It wasnât until after she escorted him to the inner courtyard that she slapped her forehead in realization:
âOh no, the Mistress is resting!â
Still, the maid didnât think that the upright and respected Golden Serpent King would have anything improper going on with the always graceful and demure lady. Shrugging, she went back to her duties.
By the time Song Qingshu entered the room, Jiao Wanâer hadnât had the chance to properly dress. In a flurry, she hastily covered her chest, cursing the maid under her breath.
âThereâs no need to rush, Madame. Itâs not like I havenât seen it before.â Song Qingshu smiled faintly. Ever since he had come to understand the nature of his inner demons, he no longer felt the need to maintain a facade of moral righteousness, nor did he deliberately act roguish. He simply followed his instincts, making his mind clearer and more at ease. (G: There ya go.)
Jiao Wanâerâs face flushed red, and she quickly pulled the blanket up to cover herself, shrinking into the bedding. Seeing Song Qingshu speak as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she couldnât help but curse him inwardly: How could someone be so shameless yet so self-assured?
âWhereâs Brother Luo?â Song Qingshu casually glanced around the room, asking as though it were an offhand question.
âHe went to Ju County and wonât be back today,â Jiao Wanâer answered, but immediately regretted it. Why did I add that last part? It sounds like Iâm implying somethingâŠ
She looked up and, sure enough, saw Song Qingshu wearing a smirking expression. Jiao Wanâer was so flustered she was nearly in tears.
Noticing her reaction, Song Qingshu chuckled and moved to the bed, as though it were his own. âMadame, make some room.â
What does he want to do?
Jiao Wanâerâs heart trembled, but her body instinctively shifted inward. Without hesitation, Song Qingshu kicked off his shoes and slipped under the blanket.
âWhat are you doing? Get out!â Jiao Wanâer was both angry and anxious, her eyes darting to the door in fear that a servant might pass by. She would be mortified if anyone saw this.
âDonât worry, no one is within ten zhang (about 33 meters) of this place.â Song Qingshu wrapped his arm around her soft, voluptuous body and gave her a playful k!ss on the cheek.
Jiao Wanâer was instantly petrified, her face burning red. âPlease donât⊠Iâm begging you.â
Song Qingshu had initially just wanted to tease the typically graceful woman, but now, seeing her so delicate and alluring, his heart ignited with passion. He could no longer restrain himself and leaned in to k!ss her lips.
âMmm⊠MmmâŠâ Jiao Wanâer, barely able to catch her breath, pleaded in a whisper, âNot here, please.â
As Song Qingshu had entered the residence openly, many people had surely noticed him. Jiao Wanâer didnât dare allow any impropriety in such a conspicuous place.
After everything that had happened between them, Jiao Wanâer knew she couldnât resist him. Her only wish now was not to be caught.
âBut I prefer it here,â Song Qingshu said, his tone leaving no room for argument as his l!ps trailed down to her pale neck.
Jiao Wanâer shuddered and bit her lip to suppress a m0an. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally urged helplessly, âThen hurry up!â
Who knows how much time had passed, but eventually, Jiao Wanâer, her face flushed with embarrassment, pushed the man off her and hurried to fix her disheveled clothes. âThis time, youâve truly ruined me. I donât even want to imagine what rumors will spread.â
Having been alone with Song Qingshu in her room for so long, there was no telling what the servants would think. The more Jiao Wanâer pondered, the more upset she became, and she couldnât help but sob quietly.
âDonât cry. I actually have good news. Do you want to hear it?â Song Qingshu, looking completely satisfied, reclined lazily on the bed, watching her flustered attempts to dress with amusement.
âYou only bring me nightmares. What good news could there be?â Jiao Wanâer, her nose stinging with the urge to cry, quickly turned her head away.
âIsnât it your wish to return to your hometown in Jinling? I can now give you that opportunity,â Song Qingshu said with a faint smile.
Jiao Wanâer froze in shock and pointed at him in disbelief. âHow⊠how do you know?â She had only ever mentioned this to Xia Qingqing.
âCould it beâŠ?â
âThe dress youâre wearing isnât as flattering as the bridal gown you wore that night,â Song Qingshu said as he reached out, pulling Jiao Wanâer into his arms with a casual motion.
âYou were pretending to be drunk!â Jiao Wanâerâs face went deathly pale. Thinking of how she had willingly responded to him that night made her wish she could die on the spot.
âWhether I was drunk or not doesnât matter. What matters is that you obediently played the bride that night. I canât treat you too cruelly, now can I?â Song Qingshu said, his fingers lightly tracing her smooth cheek.
âIâve been your bride for more than just that one nightâŠâ Jiao Wanâer turned her face away, biting her lips tightly.
âIf you do one thing for me, I promise I wonât bother you anymore,â Song Qingshu said, withdrawing his hand without concern.
âWhat is it?â Jiao Wanâerâs heart stirred.
âNow that the Manchu territories have been divided in two by the Golden Serpent Camp, the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region has become isolated. Li Kexiu, the Green Standard Army commander in Jiangnan, will inevitably become a target for various factions,â Song Qingshuâs expression turned serious. âHowever, his family is still in Yanjing, so he wonât be siding with anyone just yet. I need you to go ahead to Jiangnan with trusted people to secure our position, making it easier for me to take control of the region quickly when the time comes.â
âI donât have the ability to sway Li Kexiu,â Jiao Wanâer shook her head.
âYou donât need to win him overâŠâ Song Qingshu suddenly frowned. âWait, someoneâs coming.â
Moments later, Jiao Wanâer also heard voices. Her face turned pale as she looked at Song Qingshu still lying in her bed. Panicking, she was nearly in tears. âItâs my husband!â
Things are Not Looking Good:
Yes, things are not looking good. As you know, translation requires a lot of time and energy. I translate, edit and proofread the chapters on my own. I will be honest here, I started translating as a hobby, then it evolved to a hope of earning a living by doing something I enjoy.
However, I suffered a chain of misfortunes during and after the pandemic, and earnings from FSM and RTV helped me a lot. It became a significant part of my life. As long as my monthly income bordered around $200, I could make the time to translate in the middle of other works. Then RTV ended, and the earning decreased. Now, it has decreased to around $90-$100. And with PETTV nearing completion, that would decrease even more. A*dsence gets me about $ 0.50 per day, and you canât get the payment until it reaches $100, so I canât depend on that either.
It wouldnât be an issue in normal circumstances, but it matters a lot to me since I am still dealing with a lot of financial troubles. I am currently looking for a job, and will have to invest my time and energy in it once I get it.
Long story short, if you enjoy reading this novel, support the translation if you can, either by becoming a Patron in Patreon, or sponsoring chapters at BuymeaCoffee. You can also take some time to watch a*ds to increase the revenue on A*dsence. Grains of sand together can form a desert.
FSM supporters has been supporting me from the start no matter what, so I would continue to translate FSM as long as I am alive. But for the other projects, I now desperately need your support so that I can spend the time and energy to serve them to you all. Thatâs all. Thank you.