T/N: A little note: the author had to edit out this chapter (and a few more previous ones which I didn’t mention before) since it contains some vague below-the-neck descriptions of the deed and is not allowed in jjwxc post 2018 rules. I chose to translate the og versions of the chapter (from pirate sites) since, I boldly assume, it suits our tastes more *smiiiirk* Rest assured, this doesn’t have an impact on the storyline or the next chapter.
Xiao Heng looked at the delicate and charming little woman with skin as white as snow, cuddling intimately beside him. She was young and tender like jade. She seemed so soft that he could easily squeeze her with a hand.
Only those who had touched her knew how soft and tempting she was.
His gaze gradually deepened as he looked at her: “Get on the bed first.”
Seeing his expression, Gu Sui’er instantly realized the meaning behind his words. Somewhat reddening with shame, she murmured in a low voice: “I still haven’t taken a bath. I’ll go wash myself first—”
Before she could finish speaking, the man’s strong arms had already wrapped around her waist.
Confined in the man’s embrace by her soft and delicate waist, the woman was unable to move.
Xiao Heng lowered his head and said in a hoarse voice while staring at her little mouth that parted slightly from surprise: “I will accompany you.”
……
The scene concealed by the screen was really too ambiguous and shameful.
A woman who had gone through a man’s passion was a captivating mess able to make a person’s heart flutter at first sight.
Xiao Heng bent down to pick her up and began to wash her little by little, not missing any spot.
Feeling his warmth, Gu Sui’er abruptly whimpered and buried her face in his arms.
“Don’t like it?” Xiao Heng’s hoarse voice was heard through the veil of the mist.
“No that…” Still buried in his arms, she replied in a low voice.
“Does it hurt?” Xiao Heng knew that he had gone a little too far today. He did it too hard, so much so that he almost thought that he would wreck this woman beneath him.
“…no that too.” Her voice turned softer and became almost inaudible.
“Then why are you crying?” He gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his powerful and slender fingers. Soon, the tears reappeared despite him rubbing them off just now.
Gu Sui’er bit her lip, not knowing what to say.
In fact, she didn’t know what happened to her.
In the past, he always did it on the bed. As a result, even if the period was comparatively longer, she could bear it. Perhaps it was because they did it in the bath or because it was from behind, but she felt it was different from usual. She could feel the thick, long and fiery heat that came in and out, penetrating deeply each time, particularly well. But his speed was extremely fast and determined, she felt as if he would actually pierce through to her heart.
A sense of weightlessness surrounded her; it was as if everything around her was a dream and she was merely drifting along in it. She didn’t know if it was true or not, if she liked it or not. In short, she couldn’t explain what she felt.
For a long time, she pondered in a daze and finally raised her lotus root-like fair arms, wrapped them around his chest, pressing her face against his chest.
“I also don’t know. I feel like I perished in your arms.”
Perished and then resuscitated.
Xiao Heng stared at the woman in his arms silently. He bathed her, wiped the water off her body and moved toward the bed.
Pulling up the embroidered canopy and getting into the soft and warm brocade quilt, there was only a minor gap left.
Even though the underground heating was there, they still felt a little cold because they had just taken a bath. Now getting into the bed and snuggling together, they slowly adapted to the temperature.
Gu Sui’er rested her head on Xiao Heng’s arm, huddling up like a kitten.
“Jiang Zheng is very well acquainted with your parents.” He suddenly spoke.
Gu Sui’er didn’t think much of his words at first because her parents had met Jiang Zheng early on and were naturally quite familiar with him. But suddenly recalling how he had a misunderstanding about her and Jiang Zheng over the matter of the handkerchief, she paused.
Thinking for a while, she explained: “It’s just that they met you for the first time, nothing else.”
Xiao Heng raised his brow and asked again: “Your parents seem to be a little afraid of me?”
From his point of view, her parents’ expression was full of reverence when they looked at him. On the contrary, their gaze, when looking at Jiang Zheng, was filled with a plea for help.
Having an indifferent temperament, Xiao Heng did not feel strong emotions for others. In his heart, he was aware that Jiang Zheng was just an honest and responsible guard, and would never harbor any presumptuous ideas about his woman. It was just that Jiang Zheng was instructed to accompany Gu Sui’er to the residence on his behalf. Now when he thought about it, it was as if a grain was stuck in his heart, often making him feel bad.
To the extent that whenever Gu Sui’er’s parents showed a little closeness to Jiang Zheng, it elicited a sense of displeasure from within.
Seeing him like this, Gu Sui’er felt helpless. She thought to herself, ‘With you being like this, who will not be afraid.’ She was also rather afraid of him at the beginning. It was only after getting to know him did she know that he had a cold personality and gradually became accustomed. Moreover, her parents were meeting him for the first time and in a place so far away from their village. Let alone his distinguished identity, even if he were an ordinary steward, they wouldn’t dare to speak when they saw him.
But naturally, she didn’t dare to say that. She pretended not to know, and asked blankly: “Really? Why did I not feel that? I think it’s because they are not yet accustomed to this place and feel uncomfortable. Perhaps they will be alright after they slowly get acquainted.”
Xiao Heng observed her expression, and after a moment of silence, raised his hand to pinch her little nose.
“Wu…” Gu Sui’er quickly dodged his hands. How could he pinch her nose like this?
“Little fool.” Xiao Heng bowed his head, nipped her ear and said in a low voice.
You fool, you can’t even tell a lie.
He could easily see her through with a glance.
How dare she foolishly pretend in front of him?
When Gu Sui’er’s parents came to live in the Marquis residence, the Old Madam of the Xiao family specially ordered them to be treated well. The Madam also paid a visit to ask them if they required anything. In this way, Gu Sui’er’s parents truly lived quite comfortably in the Marquis residence. They were well taken care of inside the residence while Gu Sui’er also found some time and took them to visit the marketplace.
These days of wearing luxurious clothing and eating culinary delicacies were fascinating at the beginning, but as the days went by, they gradually began feeling unsettled. As people who were accustomed to being busy, they couldn’t stay idle at all. A feeling of discomfort came all over them for getting served by others and eating readily available food.
In the words of Gu Sui’er’s mother: “We are born poor, so we cannot properly enjoy this good fortune. We will go back after staying a couple of months.”
Gu Sui’er originally wanted to have them settle in Yanjing City. Filial piety was one factor, but she really missed her father and mother. However, seeing that they were not used to life here, she had no choice besides telling Xiao Heng about it.
“I’m afraid they will return in a few days. They are still fretting over the crops at home.”
But Xiao Heng asked: “What about your brother Bao’er? Will he also not stay long?”
Gu Sui’er froze. She thought for a while and replied: “He doesn’t wish to go back. I think he likes Yanjing City.”
Xiao Heng had selected a few young servants to accompany Gu Bao’er around Yanjing City, which he was almost done exploring. Although he was born and raised in the countryside, he was not afraid of meeting new people and talking with them. Even when he spoke with the Old Madam, his words were not incoherent or vague.
She praised him too: “This Bao’er is very competent.”
Xiao Heng nodded, and then said his plan: “Your brother has been practicing martial arts for more than half a year and has made some progress. He is only thirteen years old but he is strong, courageous and insightful. Rather than being buried in the countryside to farm or work for others, it is better for him to stay in Yanjing City. I will arrange instructors for his education and martial arts training. What do you think of him attending school and becoming an official or perhaps joining the army? Either way, he will obtain fame and glory.”
Gu Sui’er recalled the eldest Young Madam’s words when she heard what Xiao Heng said. She said that her brother might become a general in the future.
In fact, she never expected Gu Bao’er to become a general or get into the officialdom. But staying in Yanjing City and being promoted by Xiao Heng was always better for him than going back to the countryside.
She hurriedly answered: “Third Master, I naturally have no objection to anything you said. I don’t need Bao’er to be famous; I just hope that he can make a living at least in one way or another. But I’m afraid he will cause trouble for third Master.”
Seeing that she did not object to his suggestion, Xiao Heng said softly: “You don’t have to worry about this. I have already thought about everything.”
As a result, Xiao Heng ordered someone to call over Gu Bao’er to his study and had a one-on-one conversation with him. No one knew what they talked about but after leaving the study, Gu Bao’er was determined to stay in Yanjing City.
Xiao Heng also changed his name from Gu Bao’er to Gu Baofeng.
Hearing of this, Gu Sui’er’s parents naturally approved repeatedly. The name Gu Bao’er was indeed too childish. They had long wanted to change it to something better but hadn’t come up with anything. This name was a lot better.
After Gu Bao’er’s name was changed to Gu Baofeng, Xiao Heng appointed a qualified martial arts instructor and a teacher to teach him to read.
The reason behind Gu Sui’er’s parents’ arrival in Yanjing City with their son was, on one hand, to know whether their daughter was living well in Yanjing City and on the other hand, to try and find some work for their son. Being an apprentice there was far better than spending his life in the countryside.
Now hearing of the change of their son’s name and his apprenticeship, they were pleasantly surprised. They nodded repeatedly; there was no objection.
When Gu Sui’er thought that her parents would go back in a few days, she became even more determined to be filial to her parents. She had many scrumptious dishes served to them and gifted them the rarities bestowed by the Imperial Palace and told them many things.
As for the red eggs brought by her parents, Gu Sui’er also distributed them among everyone. Getting the eggs, the others naturally sent a few return gifts too. Her mother was a little embarrassed to receive so many gifts.
On this day, Gu Baofeng happened to be free, so he announced that he would take his parents for a walk. Alone in the yard, Gu Sui’er coaxed little Ah Chen to sleep and felt somewhat hungry while reading a book later.
“The kitchen has some wuzi pastries. There’s also some chicken soup that has been boiled for a long time. Young Mistress, would you like some?” Nanny An smiled attentively from the side.
“I am not that hungry.” Gu Sui’er thought for a while: “Where about the eggs my mother brought? Is there any left? If there are, I would like a fried egg with extra pieces of toon leaves.”
Nanny An hurriedly said: “There are, there are. I have kept aside some eggs for Young Mistress thinking that I will make them for you in case you wish to eat those someday. There are more than ten red eggs left.”
Gu Sui’er somehow became enthusiastic after hearing this: “I don’t have anything to do today. I will do it myself.”
Prior to coming to the kitchen, when she went to pick up some fresh and tender toon leaves, she noticed that they were thick and red around the edges. At first glance, they seemed to resemble kingfishers but their fragrance was stronger than the ones she had smelled before1T/N: Chinese Toon (香椿) is a deciduous tree whose young leaves are used as a vegetable. Interestingly, the literal translation is fragrance (香) of spring (椿) and their appearance on the trees marks the farewell of winter. Toon leaves have a pungent flavor and are used in a variety of dishes. Click here to learn more. 
.
She chopped them up, and tapped the red eggs, ready to crack them open.
It just so happened that Xiao Heng came back at this time. Not seeing Gu Sui’er upon entering the room, he asked casually, “Where’s the Young Mistress?”
Guizhi promptly replied: “Young Mistress is cooking in the kitchen.”
Xiao Heng raised his eyebrows: “Cooking?”
Guizhi lowered her head and said, “Some of the red eggs that the elder lady brought from the countryside are still left. Young Mistress wished to eat a fried egg with toon leaves, and said that she would make it herself. So she is in the kitchen now.”
Xiao Heng was a little surprised when he heard this. After a moment of silence, he nodded, “You can withdraw.”
After Guizhi retreated, Xiao Heng took out a collection of poems from the cabinet in front of the bed and sat down to read it.
When Gu Sui’er read a book, she would mark down the parts she didn’t understand with a brush and ask him about them when he returned.
Xiao Heng flipped through the anthology casually, beholding the immature but faintly delicate handwriting with a warm gaze.
He raised his head and looked out of the window. The warm rays of the sun shining on the emerald green bamboo leaves appeared dark green on the smoky screen window.
Somehow, he was reminded of many years ago.
As soon as the egg was cracked on the edge of the pan, the yellow and viscous raw egg fell into the hot oil in the pan. With a sizzling sound, a golden yellow, appetizing fried egg was cooked and some chopped-up toon leaf sprouts were sprinkled over it.
The tender fragrance of the thick toon leaves was absorbed in the hot oil and blended into the delicious fried egg.
This was what he awaited the most when he was a child.
Xiao Heng lowered his head again, looking at the marks Gu Sui’er left. But his focus was still on the fried egg. He even seemed to smell the aroma of it wafting in the air.
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