Chapter 87
"A-Ying, don't move. Just let me hold you like this for a while."
His voice, deep and gentle, flowed into Yu Ying's ears like a tranquil stream, devoid of any overt passion, yet filled with tender longing.
Yu Ying's initially racing heartbeat gradually calmed down, and her stiff body slowly relaxed.
Trustingly leaning into Fu Wei's embrace, her palm resting against his chest, she felt the steady beat of his heart.
This was the first time since her youth that Yu Ying had completely relaxed in the embrace of a grown man.
Her cheeks and chest felt warm.
Fu Wei's breathing grew more even, holding the delicate warmth close, his nostrils filled with the faint scent of herbs from her, making him want to draw even closer, burying his face deeper into the nape of her neck.
After a long time, he exhaled warmly, softly calling, "A-Ying."
"Hmm?" Yu Ying responded.
"A-Ying," he murmured again.
Yu Ying understood; he simply wanted to call her name.
As he continued to embrace her, her legs outside the bed began to feel numb, and she reluctantly pushed him gently.
Fu Wei lifted his head from her neck, his gaze appearing dazed as he looked at the person in his arms.
As he lowered his head, Yu Ying also looked up at him.
The room was quiet, with the dim, soft candlelight casting a warm glow on his handsome face, his dark eyes shining.
In those luminous black eyes, Yu Ying saw her own reflection.
In Fu Wei's eyes, the world was vast, but all he could see was her.
Yu Ying felt the full depth of affection emanating from his dark eyes.
In that fleeting moment, Yu Ying temporarily forgot the impossible dream of returning home, her heart fluttering with emotion.
Finding someone who wholeheartedly loves and respects you, and whom you also love, is almost impossible.
But now, Yu Ying had found just that.
A spontaneous smile spread across Yu Ying's face. Under Fu Wei's drunken gaze, she leaned in and gently pecked his rosy lips, quickly withdrawing.
Her cheeks flushed, Yu Ying continued to smile tenderly at him.
Fu Wei seemed frozen in that moment.
He stared at her, dazed, and after a couple of breaths, his eyes gradually widened, sparkling like stars.
Unfortunately, at that moment, the room door was knocked on, and Wu Xiao Ya Chai's voice came from outside, "Madam Yu, the hot water is ready."
Yu Ying gently removed his arm from around her waist, whispering, "I'll go get the water."
As she was about to get up, Fu Wei, as if waking from a dream, instinctively pulled her back into his embrace, lifting her slightly and capturing her lips with his.
Yu Ying, caught by surprise, widened her eyes, unsure how to react.
Both inexperienced, Fu Wei followed his instincts, kissing her soft lips and just as he was about to deepen the kiss, another knock sounded at the door.
"Is Madam Yu not there?"
Yu Ying snapped back to reality, her face flushing as she quickly pushed Fu Wei away.
Fu Wei, pushed away, looked bewildered, not understanding why she had stopped their kiss.
Yu Ying: ……
Fu Wei's innocent expression momentarily made her feel an inexplicable sense of guilt.
In an instant, Yu Ying quickly shook off such absurd thoughts from her mind.
Seizing the moment of Fu Wei's daze, she hurriedly pulled away his hands and escaped from his embrace.
Taking two steps back, her face flushed red, she turned and walked towards the room door.
Wu Xiao Ya Chai, waiting outside, thought Madam Yu was not in the room and had temporarily stepped out, so he waited with the water basin outside.
When the door suddenly opened and Yu Ying appeared, Wu Xiao Ya Chai was taken aback, "I thought Madam Yu wasn't in the room."
Feeling awkward inside, Yu Ying tried to remain calm, a slight smile on her lips, "I was busy taking care of my husband, so I couldn't respond right away."
Wu Xiao Ya Chai, not suspecting anything, handed over the water basin and asked, "Does Madam Yu have any other instructions?"
Yu Ying took the basin, shaking her head, "Nothing more, thank you for your help tonight, Wu Ya Chai."
Wu Xiao Ya Chai, flattered, replied, "It's no trouble at all. It's an honor to help Mr. Fu."
The respect in Wu Xiao Ya Chai's words suggested that Fu Wei had indeed made a significant impression tonight.
After sending Wu Xiao Ya Chai to rest, Yu Ying, holding the basin with one hand, closed the room door.
Turning back into the room, she found Fu Wei, who had been dazed just moments before, now lying down and asleep.
Yu Ying couldn't help but smile, then she placed the basin on the stool next to the bed, sat on the edge, and began to gently wipe Fu Wei's face and hands with a damp cloth.
Contrary to Fu Wei's good-natured drunkenness, County Magistrate Zhou was quite the opposite.
When the bailiff brought County Magistrate Zhou back to his room, his wife's annoyance quite literally sobered him up by waking their son.
Holding his half-asleep son, County Magistrate Zhou joyfully said, "My good son, your father really made a name for himself today!"
Mrs. Zhou, irritated, retorted, "The child just fell asleep in this unfamiliar bed, and you, the drunken mess, woke him up."
County Magistrate Zhou, grinning at his wife, put down his son and then embraced his wife, planting a kiss on her face. His breath reeked of alcohol, prompting Mrs. Zhou to push him away with disgust.
Losing her patience, Mrs. Zhou threatened, "If you don't let go, I'll make you sleep outside once you're sober, and let everyone at the courthouse laugh at you!"
Cornered, County Magistrate Zhou unwillingly released her but still maintained a smile on his face.
Finally able to breathe, Mrs. Zhou exhaled and commented, "Look at how happy you are; anyone would think you've found gold today."
County Magistrate Zhou laughed, "It was indeed like finding gold, but not for me, for Fu Wei!"
Mrs. Zhou, puzzled, asked, "What happened?"
Embracing his son who was rubbing his eyes, County Magistrate Zhou explained, "The old head from Wu'an County wanted to mock me, to mock our Jade County. He intentionally had his aide trouble Fu Wei, hoping to humiliate him publicly and thereby humiliate me. Unexpectedly, Fu Wei turned the tables with his skill, even earning praise from the governor."
Wu'an and Jade counties are neighboring rivals, often at odds.
Given that the magistrate of Wu'an County had held his position for over a decade, compared to Zhou's mere three years in Cangwu Prefecture, the governor's favoritism was obvious.
Today's event had allowed County Magistrate Zhou to release a long-held breath of relief.
After the excitement, County Magistrate Zhou, only slightly inebriated, sobered up and gently patted his son's back, saying, "Seizing the governor's good mood, Fu Wei dared to propose that I ask the governor to reduce Jade County's taxes by thirty percent next year, promising full payment the following year."
"Jade County's tax remittance is always the latest and the least."
"A thirty percent tax reduction would definitely provide some relief for this year."
Mrs. Zhou, astonished, asked, "Did you go?"
County Magistrate Zhou replied, "Such a great opportunity, of course I went. We always fall short by twenty percent each year; thirty percent isn't too much. The governor reproached me but eventually agreed."
Mrs. Zhou, hearing this, couldn't help but smile, "It seems you do plan to heavily rely on that young Fu."
County Magistrate Zhou nodded, "He does have some skills, certainly more knowledgeable than us who have been secluded in Jade County for three years."
"After all, Wuling Prefecture is a higher-ranked region, far more informed than our remote Cangwu Prefecture; they know much more about imperial court affairs."
Mrs. Zhou pondered and then suggested, "If you plan to rely on young Fu, I'll help his wife more."
"That works."
After chatting for a while, Mrs. Zhou suddenly remembered, "Now that young Fu has made a name for himself, what if the one who was mistakenly brought up with him becomes aware of Fu working under you and targets you?"
County Magistrate Zhou exhaled, "We'll just have to deal with it as it comes. Besides, I'm the magistrate of Cangwu Prefecture, under Governor Shen's jurisdiction. If Fu gains Governor Shen's favor, he'll be seen as one of his people. Even if that man from Wuling Prefecture learns of Fu working for me, without the Wuling Prefect's intervention, any move he makes will be overstepping his bounds against Governor Shen's man."
He paused, then added, "Considering Cangwu Prefecture's lower status, Governor Shen must show respect to the Wuling Prefect. However, Governor Shen remaining in his position for so many years without being dismissed suggests he has backing in the capital."
"Even if the Wuling Prefect decides to act, he would think thrice, let alone someone with just the title of the governor's son and no official position. He's not qualified to challenge Governor Shen."
Realizing this, County Magistrate Zhou understood why Fu Wei had made such a scene today.
Tonight's first arrow’s failure might have had a trick to it. After all, hitting the bullseye with the next four arrows doesn’t align with an off-target shot in the third ring.
It seems the failure was real but deliberately exaggerated to disinterest the audience, then followed by a bullseye to stir up emotions, making the competition even more thrilling.
After deducing this, County Magistrate Zhou suddenly burst into laughter, “This Fu Wei, he really has some tricks up his sleeve!”
Ultimately, the winner was him, Yuxian. Regardless of whether the competition was Fu Wei’s stratagem or not, what does it matter!
That night, Fu Wei had a night of pleasant dreams.
The next day, Yu Ying, needing to buy ingredients for making lip balm, got up early.
When Fu Wei woke up, there was no one beside the bed.
Sitting up while holding his forehead, he felt a splitting headache from the hangover.
At that moment, the door was pushed open from outside.
Looking up, he saw Yu Ying entering with a tray.
Seeing him awake, Yu Ying closed the door and approached, saying, “You were so drunk last night; I knew you would have a headache this morning, so I made you some hangover soup.”
As she reached the bedside, Fu Wei took the soup from her. Still groggy from the hangover, he asked her in a hoarse voice, “Did I say or do anything inappropriate last night?”
Recalling how she impulsively kissed him first last night, followed by his kiss in return, Yu Ying felt her cheeks burning intensely.
“No!”
Her emphatic denial made Fu Wei look at her suspiciously.
As Fu Wei’s gaze turned towards her, Yu Ying quickly turned to pick up a basket prepared on the table, saying, “I have things to do today, and cooking the hangover soup made me late. I don’t have time to talk more now, so I’ll be going.”
Without waiting for Fu Wei to respond, she walked straight to the door.
Opening the door, stepping out, and closing it behind her, she performed these actions almost in one fluid motion.
Fu Wei...
Felt that something was amiss.
He furrowed his brows slightly, withdrawing his gaze and began to drink the hangover soup.
Just as a sip of the hangover soup reached his lips, flashes of the previous night's memories suddenly filled his mind.
He was holding her.
She kissed him.
And he kissed her back.
The scalding hangover soup burned his mouth, jolting Fu Wei back to reality.
His ears turned red, though it was unclear whether from the heat of the soup or the memories of last night.
Fu Wei set down the soup and slowly raised his hand, his fingertips touching his lips.
He faintly remembered the touch of her light peck and the lingering scent she left behind.
Leaning back against the bed, Fu Wei moved his hand from his lips to his face.
His whole palm covered the upper half of his face, hiding his eyes, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upwards.
A smile gradually spread across his lips.
Chapter 87
"A-Ying, don't move. Just let me hold you like this for a while."
His voice, deep and gentle, flowed into Yu Ying's ears like a tranquil stream, devoid of any overt passion, yet filled with tender longing.
Yu Ying's initially racing heartbeat gradually calmed down, and her stiff body slowly relaxed.
Trustingly leaning into Fu Wei's embrace, her palm resting against his chest, she felt the steady beat of his heart.
This was the first time since her youth that Yu Ying had completely relaxed in the embrace of a grown man.
Her cheeks and chest felt warm.
Fu Wei's breathing grew more even, holding the delicate warmth close, his nostrils filled with the faint scent of herbs from her, making him want to draw even closer, burying his face deeper into the nape of her neck.
After a long time, he exhaled warmly, softly calling, "A-Ying."
"Hmm?" Yu Ying responded.
"A-Ying," he murmured again.
Yu Ying understood; he simply wanted to call her name.
As he continued to embrace her, her legs outside the bed began to feel numb, and she reluctantly pushed him gently.
Fu Wei lifted his head from her neck, his gaze appearing dazed as he looked at the person in his arms.
As he lowered his head, Yu Ying also looked up at him.
The room was quiet, with the dim, soft candlelight casting a warm glow on his handsome face, his dark eyes shining.
In those luminous black eyes, Yu Ying saw her own reflection.
In Fu Wei's eyes, the world was vast, but all he could see was her.
Yu Ying felt the full depth of affection emanating from his dark eyes.
In that fleeting moment, Yu Ying temporarily forgot the impossible dream of returning home, her heart fluttering with emotion.
Finding someone who wholeheartedly loves and respects you, and whom you also love, is almost impossible.
But now, Yu Ying had found just that.
A spontaneous smile spread across Yu Ying's face. Under Fu Wei's drunken gaze, she leaned in and gently pecked his rosy lips, quickly withdrawing.
Her cheeks flushed, Yu Ying continued to smile tenderly at him.
Fu Wei seemed frozen in that moment.
He stared at her, dazed, and after a couple of breaths, his eyes gradually widened, sparkling like stars.
Unfortunately, at that moment, the room door was knocked on, and Wu Xiao Ya Chai's voice came from outside, "Madam Yu, the hot water is ready."
Yu Ying gently removed his arm from around her waist, whispering, "I'll go get the water."
As she was about to get up, Fu Wei, as if waking from a dream, instinctively pulled her back into his embrace, lifting her slightly and capturing her lips with his.
Yu Ying, caught by surprise, widened her eyes, unsure how to react.
Both inexperienced, Fu Wei followed his instincts, kissing her soft lips and just as he was about to deepen the kiss, another knock sounded at the door.
"Is Madam Yu not there?"
Yu Ying snapped back to reality, her face flushing as she quickly pushed Fu Wei away.
Fu Wei, pushed away, looked bewildered, not understanding why she had stopped their kiss.
Yu Ying: ……
Fu Wei's innocent expression momentarily made her feel an inexplicable sense of guilt.
In an instant, Yu Ying quickly shook off such absurd thoughts from her mind.
Seizing the moment of Fu Wei's daze, she hurriedly pulled away his hands and escaped from his embrace.
Taking two steps back, her face flushed red, she turned and walked towards the room door.
Wu Xiao Ya Chai, waiting outside, thought Madam Yu was not in the room and had temporarily stepped out, so he waited with the water basin outside.
When the door suddenly opened and Yu Ying appeared, Wu Xiao Ya Chai was taken aback, "I thought Madam Yu wasn't in the room."
Feeling awkward inside, Yu Ying tried to remain calm, a slight smile on her lips, "I was busy taking care of my husband, so I couldn't respond right away."
Wu Xiao Ya Chai, not suspecting anything, handed over the water basin and asked, "Does Madam Yu have any other instructions?"
Yu Ying took the basin, shaking her head, "Nothing more, thank you for your help tonight, Wu Ya Chai."
Wu Xiao Ya Chai, flattered, replied, "It's no trouble at all. It's an honor to help Mr. Fu."
The respect in Wu Xiao Ya Chai's words suggested that Fu Wei had indeed made a significant impression tonight.
After sending Wu Xiao Ya Chai to rest, Yu Ying, holding the basin with one hand, closed the room door.
Turning back into the room, she found Fu Wei, who had been dazed just moments before, now lying down and asleep.
Yu Ying couldn't help but smile, then she placed the basin on the stool next to the bed, sat on the edge, and began to gently wipe Fu Wei's face and hands with a damp cloth.
Contrary to Fu Wei's good-natured drunkenness, County Magistrate Zhou was quite the opposite.
When the bailiff brought County Magistrate Zhou back to his room, his wife's annoyance quite literally sobered him up by waking their son.
Holding his half-asleep son, County Magistrate Zhou joyfully said, "My good son, your father really made a name for himself today!"
Mrs. Zhou, irritated, retorted, "The child just fell asleep in this unfamiliar bed, and you, the drunken mess, woke him up."
County Magistrate Zhou, grinning at his wife, put down his son and then embraced his wife, planting a kiss on her face. His breath reeked of alcohol, prompting Mrs. Zhou to push him away with disgust.
Losing her patience, Mrs. Zhou threatened, "If you don't let go, I'll make you sleep outside once you're sober, and let everyone at the courthouse laugh at you!"
Cornered, County Magistrate Zhou unwillingly released her but still maintained a smile on his face.
Finally able to breathe, Mrs. Zhou exhaled and commented, "Look at how happy you are; anyone would think you've found gold today."
County Magistrate Zhou laughed, "It was indeed like finding gold, but not for me, for Fu Wei!"
Mrs. Zhou, puzzled, asked, "What happened?"
Embracing his son who was rubbing his eyes, County Magistrate Zhou explained, "The old head from Wu'an County wanted to mock me, to mock our Jade County. He intentionally had his aide trouble Fu Wei, hoping to humiliate him publicly and thereby humiliate me. Unexpectedly, Fu Wei turned the tables with his skill, even earning praise from the governor."
Wu'an and Jade counties are neighboring rivals, often at odds.
Given that the magistrate of Wu'an County had held his position for over a decade, compared to Zhou's mere three years in Cangwu Prefecture, the governor's favoritism was obvious.
Today's event had allowed County Magistrate Zhou to release a long-held breath of relief.
After the excitement, County Magistrate Zhou, only slightly inebriated, sobered up and gently patted his son's back, saying, "Seizing the governor's good mood, Fu Wei dared to propose that I ask the governor to reduce Jade County's taxes by thirty percent next year, promising full payment the following year."
"Jade County's tax remittance is always the latest and the least."
"A thirty percent tax reduction would definitely provide some relief for this year."
Mrs. Zhou, astonished, asked, "Did you go?"
County Magistrate Zhou replied, "Such a great opportunity, of course I went. We always fall short by twenty percent each year; thirty percent isn't too much. The governor reproached me but eventually agreed."
Mrs. Zhou, hearing this, couldn't help but smile, "It seems you do plan to heavily rely on that young Fu."
County Magistrate Zhou nodded, "He does have some skills, certainly more knowledgeable than us who have been secluded in Jade County for three years."
"After all, Wuling Prefecture is a higher-ranked region, far more informed than our remote Cangwu Prefecture; they know much more about imperial court affairs."
Mrs. Zhou pondered and then suggested, "If you plan to rely on young Fu, I'll help his wife more."
"That works."
After chatting for a while, Mrs. Zhou suddenly remembered, "Now that young Fu has made a name for himself, what if the one who was mistakenly brought up with him becomes aware of Fu working under you and targets you?"
County Magistrate Zhou exhaled, "We'll just have to deal with it as it comes. Besides, I'm the magistrate of Cangwu Prefecture, under Governor Shen's jurisdiction. If Fu gains Governor Shen's favor, he'll be seen as one of his people. Even if that man from Wuling Prefecture learns of Fu working for me, without the Wuling Prefect's intervention, any move he makes will be overstepping his bounds against Governor Shen's man."
He paused, then added, "Considering Cangwu Prefecture's lower status, Governor Shen must show respect to the Wuling Prefect. However, Governor Shen remaining in his position for so many years without being dismissed suggests he has backing in the capital."
"Even if the Wuling Prefect decides to act, he would think thrice, let alone someone with just the title of the governor's son and no official position. He's not qualified to challenge Governor Shen."
Realizing this, County Magistrate Zhou understood why Fu Wei had made such a scene today.
Tonight's first arrow’s failure might have had a trick to it. After all, hitting the bullseye with the next four arrows doesn’t align with an off-target shot in the third ring.
It seems the failure was real but deliberately exaggerated to disinterest the audience, then followed by a bullseye to stir up emotions, making the competition even more thrilling.
After deducing this, County Magistrate Zhou suddenly burst into laughter, “This Fu Wei, he really has some tricks up his sleeve!”
Ultimately, the winner was him, Yuxian. Regardless of whether the competition was Fu Wei’s stratagem or not, what does it matter!
That night, Fu Wei had a night of pleasant dreams.
The next day, Yu Ying, needing to buy ingredients for making lip balm, got up early.
When Fu Wei woke up, there was no one beside the bed.
Sitting up while holding his forehead, he felt a splitting headache from the hangover.
At that moment, the door was pushed open from outside.
Looking up, he saw Yu Ying entering with a tray.
Seeing him awake, Yu Ying closed the door and approached, saying, “You were so drunk last night; I knew you would have a headache this morning, so I made you some hangover soup.”
As she reached the bedside, Fu Wei took the soup from her. Still groggy from the hangover, he asked her in a hoarse voice, “Did I say or do anything inappropriate last night?”
Recalling how she impulsively kissed him first last night, followed by his kiss in return, Yu Ying felt her cheeks burning intensely.
“No!”
Her emphatic denial made Fu Wei look at her suspiciously.
As Fu Wei’s gaze turned towards her, Yu Ying quickly turned to pick up a basket prepared on the table, saying, “I have things to do today, and cooking the hangover soup made me late. I don’t have time to talk more now, so I’ll be going.”
Without waiting for Fu Wei to respond, she walked straight to the door.
Opening the door, stepping out, and closing it behind her, she performed these actions almost in one fluid motion.
Fu Wei...
Felt that something was amiss.
He furrowed his brows slightly, withdrawing his gaze and began to drink the hangover soup.
Just as a sip of the hangover soup reached his lips, flashes of the previous night's memories suddenly filled his mind.
He was holding her.
She kissed him.
And he kissed her back.
The scalding hangover soup burned his mouth, jolting Fu Wei back to reality.
His ears turned red, though it was unclear whether from the heat of the soup or the memories of last night.
Fu Wei set down the soup and slowly raised his hand, his fingertips touching his lips.
He faintly remembered the touch of her light peck and the lingering scent she left behind.
Leaning back against the bed, Fu Wei moved his hand from his lips to his face.
His whole palm covered the upper half of his face, hiding his eyes, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upwards.
A smile gradually spread across his lips.
