Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Appreciating Snow, Cutting Plum Blossoms

After Lu Chengfeng returned to the courtyard, Luo Suyi, who had been delivering meals to his secluded chamber every day, naturally knew he hadn’t returned the night before. However, she didn’t ask any questions.

Seeing her husband back, she asked with immense joy, “Husband, are you officially out of seclusion?”

Lu Chengfeng smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

As they spoke, Luo Suyi helped him remove his snow-covered outer robe and brought warm water for him to wash his face.

“Husband, it’s cold outside. Drink some hot soup first. Granny Wang just made Laba porridge, simmered all night, and it’s just right.”

Lu Chengfeng had unconsciously become accustomed to being pampered by her, having clothes handed to him and food brought to his mouth. It was truly enjoyable.

After the meal, the maidservant cleared the table, and Luo Suyi said to him, “Lady Qiutong hasn’t left her courtyard since she arrived on the mountain. She doesn’t say anything if she needs something, just sends her maid to the town below to buy it.”

“I’ve tried to anticipate her needs and sent people to deliver things a few times. She didn’t refuse, but there hasn’t been much interaction beyond that.”

“But after all, she’s newly joined the household. You should go see her when you have time.”

Lu Chengfeng nodded. “I know. I’ll go visit her later.”

Luo Suyi’s hand paused imperceptibly, and her expression darkened slightly. Lu Chengfeng immediately noticed her low spirits, chuckled, and pulled her into his arms.

“Are you jealous?”

“No,” Luo Suyi quickly denied. “I just… I just feel a bit uncomfortable for some reason. But you should go. She’s quite pitiful, alone and without anyone to rely on. She just joined the household and was left alone by you for half a year.”

“Alright, stop thinking about others,” Lu Chengfeng said, holding her. “Don’t overthink things. You’re different from others. You know…”

He leaned close to Luo Suyi’s ear and whispered, “You’re my lovely Master’s wife.”

Luo Suyi’s entire body went limp. They had been newlyweds, deeply in love, but then he went into seclusion for over half a year. How could she resist such teasing now?

“Husband…”

Her voice was soft and sweet, like a seductive enchantress.

Lu Chengfeng took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, but the physical reaction in his lower body was unstoppable. He gritted his teeth slightly and said, “You’re truly my lovely Master’s wife. Just wait until I get back tonight and see how I’ll handle you.”

“If I didn’t have to rush to Black Crane Peak, I’d make you admire the snow right here by the window…”

Luo Suyi, remembering the scene of being held against the window by him, couldn’t control herself any longer. Her face flushed, and she boldly wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her bosom against him.

“I don’t care… I… I want…”

At this point, how could Lu Chengfeng refuse? He playfully slapped her buttocks.

“You naughty Master’s wife, seducing your disciple. Go to the window and get on your knees. I’m going to punish you properly.”

Luo Suyi let out a soft moan, slipped out of his embrace, and obediently knelt by the window.

She looked back at him seductively and said, “How dare you, Lu Chengfeng, disobey your Master’s wife?”

Lu Chengfeng felt his mind explode. It was the first time he had heard such words from her lips. With a low growl, he pounced on her.

The storm raged outside, not ceasing until midday.

***

When Lu Chengfeng emerged from the room, he couldn’t help but smile wryly. Luo Suyi’s earlier seductive behavior was clearly out of fear that he would be captivated by Lady Qiutong.

“It seems I still need to practice the Six Yang Seize Yin technique. Otherwise, how will I handle it when I have more women in the future?”

He muttered to himself and headed towards Lady Qiutong’s residence.

It wasn’t far from his courtyard, only a few dozen meters away. A large locust tree stood to the right of the entrance, now covered in snow. The main gate was tightly shut, and no sounds could be heard from within.

Lu Chengfeng knocked on the door knocker. After a while, the maid Die’er’s voice came from inside, “Who is it?”

Lu Chengfeng replied, “It’s me, Lu Chengfeng.”

Soon, the courtyard door opened, and the little maid poked her head out. Seeing that it was indeed Lu Chengfeng, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face, but she said, “So you finally know to come? How can you be such a husband?”

“Hmph, it’s only because my lady is kind and forgiving. If it were up to me, I would have abandoned you, you heartless man, long ago.”

Lu Chengfeng listened to her sharp-tongued scolding but didn’t argue. He just smiled and asked, “I was wrong. Where is your lady now? I’ll go apologize to her.”

“At least you have some conscience. Follow me!” Die’er closed the courtyard door and led Lu Chengfeng inside.

The snow in the courtyard had been cleared for the most part, with brooms and other tools lying nearby. It was evident that Die’er had been busy shoveling snow just moments ago.

“This courtyard has two sections, inner and outer. It’s not small, but it might feel a bit empty with just the two of you. How about I arrange for two more maidservants to come in and help with the cleaning and cooking?” Lu Chengfeng casually suggested.

These were not things he needed to discuss with a maid, but Die’er, though sharp-tongued, was loyal to her mistress. And it seemed she was quite diligent, having single-handedly swept the entire outer courtyard clean. That’s why he made the suggestion.

Die’er replied, “My lady and I live together quite comfortably. Having outsiders might be troublesome. But this isn’t something a maid like me can decide. You can ask my lady’s opinion later.”

Lu Chengfeng smiled. This little maid was quite sensible, unlike some who, after serving for a long time, started to think they could make decisions for their mistresses.

When they reached the door to the room, Die’er called out softly, “Lady, the master is here to see you.”

A woman’s voice, ethereal like the sound of a zither, came from inside. “Come in.” Her tone was calm, revealing no particular emotion.

Die’er opened the door and invited Lu Chengfeng in.

Lu Chengfeng entered and saw a beautiful woman in a goose-yellow tight-fitting dress, draped in a sable fur coat, her hair styled in a woman’s flying celestial bun. She was kneeling by a table near the window.

On the table was a potted plum blossom, and she was meticulously pruning its branches with a pair of shears.

The scene was like a painting, breathtakingly beautiful. Lu Chengfeng hesitated to disturb the tranquility.

“Please have a seat, my lord. I’ll be done soon,” Lady Qiutong said without turning her head, as if the plum blossom in front of her was more important than anything else.

“Alright.”

Lu Chengfeng walked over and sat opposite her, carefully observing the beauty before him. Her features were delicate, her aura refined, and she exuded an air of natural elegance.

He couldn’t help but compare her to the other women he knew. Luo Suyi’s beauty was enchanting, Zhao Ling’er was full of youthful charm and spirit, and Su Wanqing was more like a refined young lady. But the woman in front of him was like someone who had stepped out of a painting, possessing a captivating beauty bestowed by nature.

Lu Chengfeng had always preferred voluptuous women, but from the moment he saw this woman, he completely ignored her figure. Just looking at her was pleasing to the eye.

“My lord, it’s almost noon. Would you like to stay for lunch?” Die’er asked from the side.

Lu Chengfeng nodded. “I just finished my seclusion and haven’t eaten anything. I’ll stay and have a meal with you.”

“Yes, my lord,” Die’er replied respectfully in front of Qiutong, no longer showing any of her usual sharp tongue.

Soon, Qiutong finished pruning the plum blossom and put down the shears. She turned to look at Lu Chengfeng, her eyes as clear as a pool of water, captivating and otherworldly.

“Husband, Qiutong has been remiss in her duties.”

Hearing the word “husband,” Lu Chengfeng’s mood soared. It was clear that this woman had no intention of leaving. Such a refined and beautiful woman, even if he could only admire her from afar every day, would be a delight.

“Not at all. Watching you prune the plum blossoms is a rare pleasure. I’m a simple man, a warrior, and I don’t usually have such refined hobbies. I’m grateful for your influence.”

Qiutong smiled faintly. “This skill is merely something I learned in the past at the pleasure house, to entertain refined guests.”

Lu Chengfeng was taken aback. “Pleasure house?”

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