Chapter 40

TN: NSFW - This chapter contains scenes of se*ual nature. Reader's discretion advised.

When I was around 11 or 12, my Mother hosted a banquet for our female friends and relatives. Two of my cousins who had just gotten married also attended, and we played in my room. After I tired of playing, I slept in the bedroom while my cousins chatted in the outer room. I still recalled waking up and hearing them whispering something through the muslin curtains.

They were talking about their wedding night. Things like pain and such that I only learned from their discussions. Their words were scolding, but they were giggling as if it was fun. I only half-understood their talk, but became unbearably curious. I blushed and wondered, 'I won't spare Pei Qian if he dares to hurt me.'

Now, if someone asked me about my wedding night, I'd have no pleasant words.

My first night with Wei Tan was "vigorous". If anyone was lucky enough to watch, they would think we were wrestling.

He tried to continue; I resisted. He grabbed my hands; I pushed him with my feet, causing him to pin my feet and hands to the bed. Later, when he kissed me and said he wanted more, I had lost all my energy. Limp and exhausted, I imagined myself as a piece of meat lying across a chopping board. Meanwhile, Wei Tan was immensely proud of himself; he divided me up one bite at a time and ate me......

The result was tragic. My lower body was sore the next morning, and I couldn't get up at all. Wei Tan found a few red marks on that part of his body. I didn't know if it hurt, but I saw him frowning at the mirror, the corners of his mouth bent.

When he found dark red spots on the mattress, he stared at them dazedly before facing me.

"You......," he stammered in a rare moment, as if searching for the correct words, "Never...... eh?"

I blushed, shrank under the covers and whispered, "Hmm."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Would you believe me? I wondered in my heart, but my mouth said nothing.

He stared at me and began laughing under his breath, a light shining in his eyes.

Uncomfortable, I stared at him suspiciously: "What are you laughing at, Fujun?"

"I'm laughing at Han Guang." He stretched out his hand to pat my hair and smiled slyly. "Was he scared to make a move because he knew Furen was fierce?"

I glared and tried to shake his hand away. But the slight movement set off a sore spot in my body, and I shrank back with a pained expression.

He was still smiling: "Rest properly." He stood up and walked away.

Before long, A'Yuan entered with a basin of water and helped me wash. She stared at me, unable to stop snickering.

Shocked by the countless marks on my body, she blushed, "Did you fight with the Eldest Young Master last night?"

Embarrassed into a rage, I glared at her.

She quietened, helping me wipe my body and wear my clothes.

The next few days, Wei Tan didn't do that with me. He acted very considerate; for example, when I couldn't get up, he placed a table on the bed and served me dinner himself.

The maids were envious. A'Yuan was all smiles, claiming that the Eldest Young Master was so thoughtful.

Only I knew the truth.

Because at night, he would walk over, strip off my clothes, and get handsy. We had nothing else to do.

Although I'd learned from the past, I couldn't help but laugh when he teased my sensitive spots.

He didn't allow resistance, and instead consoled me: "Furen, you need to get used to it. Once you recover, it won't hurt when we have intercourse again."

I: "......"

Yet, I confess I didn't hate this, except for that single painful step. Although Wei Tan wasn't as civilized as Pei Qian, he understood control. Or was it called skill? When he whispered my name in my ear, his chest blazed hot, causing my neck to burn as well. He kissed me, lingering and patient. I found the thick calluses on his hands wonderful as they stroked me, digging into my skin. Whenever they lingered on my chest, slid down my spine, or hovered at the top of my thighs, they elicited tiny shudders, and I couldn't help but whimper.

That feeling...... Yeah, I had to admit, was satisfying.

A'Yuan informed me Wei Tan hadn't visited the 5 women gifted by Zhou Kang even once. When the Steward had asked him, he had passed the charge to me. But I kept quiet, and the Steward had to shelve the matter.

"Furen is letting them live in the other courtyard?" A'Yuan frowned, "I see those women dressing up every day. Hard to say when the Eldest Young Master......"

"Just leave them." I too worried about those women. I didn't want to keep them, not even as maidservants. But I couldn't act on a whim. Instead, I must think of a thorough scheme.

Besides Zhou Kang, many people used beauties to lobby Wei Tan as he attended banquets every other night. A'Yuan had heard from his followers that every banquet had many courtesans and dancers persuading him to drink. But as Wei Tan had explained, he had pretended to be drunk with Zhou Kang that day. Since then, he never brought back anyone from those banquets.

During the day, he usually met with guests in the mansion. Most of the visitors were Luoyang officials, sons of noble families or old friends. Daily letters and secret reports from the South East also arrived with war updates.

I never showed an interest in these affairs. As long as Pei Qian was fine in Huaiyang, I only cared about when we'd return to Yong Capital.

Yet, Wei Tan wasn't in a hurry. When I asked him, he curved his lips, "Furen is so concerned, then is your body okay?"

I clammed up, recognizing what this lecher was thinking.

Yet, I understood in my heart it was inevitable.

One day, Wei Tan lingered in the room after noon.

"Aren't you going out, Fujun?" I asked, sitting on the couch in the outer room.

"Yeah, I have no work today." He sat beside me and smiled, "This husband wants to take a nap with his wife."

My expression stiffened for a moment.

Are you kidding me? Never was it simply just sleeping on that enormous bed.

He saw me rooted and asked, "Furen isn't sleeping?"

"I'm not sleepy today."

"Not sleepy?" Surprised, he leaned over and murmured, "Perfect. Furen and I should do something fun."

I flushed. This shameless rascal; he wanted to get handsy again in broad daylight, with the servants still outside beyond the open doors.

"I have to do something," I said, dodging his hand.

"Oh? What is it?"

I glanced around, and in a hurry, picked up a book on the desk. "I want to read a book today."

He inspected the book in my hand and smiled: "The Doctrine of the Mean? I didn't expect Furen's hobby was to read the Classics and Histories."

I froze. Bowing my head, I stared at the book; the title was indeed "The Doctrine of the Mean". I finally recalled that I had taken this book on a whim a few days ago, before throwing it away without even reading a few pages.

"Not a hobby," I said coolly as I pretended to open the book, "I was taught since I was young that the Classics and Histories are fundamental."

"Oh?" He smiled faintly, leaned back and drawled, "It's been long since I reviewed it. Why don't you read a few lines out loud, Furen?"

What's so hard in that? I smiled, "No problem." Without further ado, I turned over a few pages and recited: "Confucius said: Shun displayed great wisdom indeed. Shun always sought advice and always considered the common people's words. He remained silent about the fault of others, but publicized their merits. He regarded the two extremes to use the mean in governing the people. Indeed, this enabled him to be Shun. Confucius said: The people all say: 'I know how to live.' Yet they rush forward, and fall amidst......," I froze, stuck on a word I forgot how to pronounce.

(TN: Shun here refers to Emperor Shun, a legendary leader of ancient China in the 3rd millenium BCE) "That's 'Nets'." Wei Tan spoke up, "Yet they rush forward, and fall amidst nets, traps, and pitfalls, not knowing how to avoid them."

I sneered, "I know. I just forgot."

He raised his eyebrows, "Right."

I continued to read, "A noble person acts according to his position, not wishing to act unbefitting. In wealth and honor, he acts as is proper in positions of wealth and honor. In a humble position, he acts as is proper in humble positions. Among the Yi and the Di, he acts as is proper among the Yi......"

"Among the Yi and the Di, he acts as is proper among the Yi and the Di." Wei Tan spoke again, "Furen, Read the next line."

I continued to read the next page as if nothing had happened: "In suffering and hardship, he acts as is proper in suffering and hardship." Flipping two more pages, I resumed, "The Book of Odes says: Living in harmony with wife and children is like playing the Se and Qin. When older and younger brothers live amicably, harmony and gladness will be enjoyed. Your household will fit, and your wife and children will live in gladness."

"Your wife and kids* will live in gladness." Wei Tan faintly corrected, half-smiling, "Furen, you made a mistake in that word."

Finally losing it, I snapped: "Qiu! Isn't this your fault?"

Startled, he asked, "Was this sentence written in 'The Doctrine of the Mean'?"

Feeling smug, yet smiling innocently, I explained: "Oh, I just thought of this sentence from the Analects of Confucius."

He stared at me for a moment, before returning my smile.

"Sounds like Furen is full of spirit; you are in good health and have plenty of energy." He leaned over, reached out, grabbed my book, and placed it on the table. "Why don't you and I do something more interesting than reading?"

His breath was close, brushing against my nose. I looked deep into his eyes, my heart pounding chaotically......

"Furen." Just then, A'Yuan's voice echoed outside the doorway.

Saved by the bell! I scrambled to brace Wei Tan's shoulders, turned back and answered, "What is it?"

A'Yuan's shadow moved, but she didn't dare enter the room.

"Furen, Madam Ding has just sent someone to inform that today is her birthday, and she is hosting a banquet at her residence. She asks if we are attending."