149: Boudoir Night Talk

The night was as dark as ink, gently saturating the Yunxiang Courtyard of the West Courtyard.

Inside an exquisite lady's chamber, the candlelight flickered, its warm yellow glow casting a soft light on the two figures within.

Situ Jun carefully held Su Yunniang, his long fingers gently resting on her slightly protruding lower abdomen, stroking it softly again and again. His gaze was filled with lingering tenderness and deep affection, as if that bulge carried the most precious treasure in the world.

Time flowed slowly in the silence. Situ Jun ran his long fingers through Su Yunniang's waterfall-like black hair, cupped her delicate face, and placed a kiss on her forehead.

With a heart full of anticipation, he asked softly:

"Yun Niang, when is this little fellow coming out? I can't wait to see him."

Upon hearing this, a maternal glow instantly appeared on Su Yunniang's face. Her eyes rippled as she gave Situ Jun a mock-reproachful look, though a gentle smile lingered at the corners of her lips:

"He's only four months old; how could he come out so soon? You, stop being so anxious."

Situ Jun touched her belly again and muttered with feigned dissatisfaction:

"It's all this little fellow's fault for interfering with my intimacy with you. When he comes out, I'll definitely give his bottom a good spanking!"

"You wouldn't dare!"

Su Yunniang gave a playful huff, gently swatted his hand away, and then pinched his waist, her eyes full of warning.

"This is our child. If you dare to bully him, I won't let you off easily."

Situ Jun quickly put on a pleasing smile, took Su Yunniang's hand, and kissed it at his lips:

"I was just joking. I'll love him more than anything; how could I bear to hit him?"

As he spoke, he pulled Su Yunniang closer and lowered his head to kiss her enticing red lips.

Su Yunniang's eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly wrapped her arms around Situ Jun's waist, her face flushing with a layer of shy crimson. She was like a delicate flower in full bloom, basking in love.

After a long time.

Su Yunniang gently pushed Situ Jun away, suddenly remembering something, and asked:

"Now that you've reached the Nascent Soul Stage, have you thought about what Magic Treasure to refine? This is no small matter; you need to plan carefully."

Situ Jun rested his chin gently on her hair bun, his tone relaxed and certain:

"I've already decided. I want to refine a spatial Magic Treasure that can store living things, similar to a spatial Secret Realm. That way, no matter where I go, I can take you all with me and we'll never have to be apart again."

Su Yunniang was slightly stunned. Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she looked up at Situ Jun:

"The Materials for refining such a treasure must be hard to find, right? It sounds very difficult; don't push yourself too hard."

Situ Jun smiled confidently, took out his natal ring, handed it to Su Yunniang, and explained:

"The material of this spatial ring is very special; it can absorb Materials to expand its space."

He paused and then continued:

"After a while, I'll find some precious Materials to refine it. Sooner or later, it will achieve the effect of an immortal treasure like a Sumeru Mustard Seed. Then I can take you all out to see all the prosperity and beauty of this world!"

Hearing this,

Su Yunniang's eyes were full of longing. Her jade-like hands unconsciously held Situ Jun tighter, yearning for that beautiful future life.

But after a moment, she seemed to remember something and gave Situ Jun a reproachful pinch, saying:

"Uncomfortable? This Cultivation Technique of yours is truly a mix of love and hate. Just you wait!"

After saying that, she stood up, straightened her clothes, opened the door, and walked out.

Half a cup of tea's time passed before the door to the room slowly opened.

Su Yunniang led Qiu Lan inside. Qiu Lan's features were beautiful and sweet, but her face was now flushed with shyness. Her jade fingers nervously twisted the corner of her skirt as she stole a glance at Situ Jun before quickly lowering her head. Under the glow of the candlelight, her rosy cheeks looked exceptionally moving, possessing a unique charm.

Situ Jun looked at Su Yunniang in confusion and asked:

"It's late at night; why did you bring Qiu Lan here?"

Su Yunniang led Qiu Lan closer, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she teased:

"What else? To find her a good husband, of course. You know each other well anyway, and there's mutual affection. Besides, this girl Qiu Lan is quite pretty. It would be a waste to give her to anyone else; I might as well find her a reliable husband so she has someone to depend on."

Hearing this, Situ Jun looked at the shy Qiu Lan and gave a bitter laugh, saying:

"Yun Niang, this girl Qiu Lan is still young. What are you worrying about?"

When Qiu Lan heard this, she grew so anxious her face turned even redder. She mustered her courage and said:

"I... I'm not young anymore. I can... I can serve the Manor Lord..."

Before she could finish, Su Yunniang let out a soft laugh and, without allowing any further discussion, pushed Qiu Lan toward the bed, saying:

"I've already settled it with Qiu Lan; you will be her husband from now on. Qiu Lan, take good care of the Manor Lord. I'll be sleeping in your room tonight."

After saying that, her gaze swept over the faces of the two somewhat awkward people, and she turned and left the room with a beaming smile.

As the door closed, Situ Jun gave an awkward laugh and said:

"Sister Qiu Lan, this... if you're unwilling, I'll tell Yun Niang and have her..."

"I am willing!"

Qiu Lan blurted out, her face crimson, even the tips of her ears turning red.

A moment later, she looked at Situ Jun, her voice carrying a hint of shyness:

"I... if the Manor Lord doesn't mind, I am willing to serve the Manor Lord for a lifetime and stay by the Manor Lord's side forever."

Since things had been said so plainly, Situ Jun stopped hesitating and gently took Qiu Lan's hand.

His fingertips brushed against Qiu Lan's slightly cool, soft hands. The candlelight flickered in her eyes, creating fragments of light that were gentle and captivating.

Suddenly, a night breeze swept through the hall. As the bed curtains fluttered, the jasmine scent from Qiu Lan's hair mingled with the sandalwood Su Yunniang usually used, creating a somewhat intoxicating atmosphere, as if even the air had become intimate.

"I've wronged you."

Situ Jun's voice was deep as his thumb stroked the light calluses on the back of her hand—marks left from years of serving Su Yunniang. Every callus spoke of Qiu Lan's diligence and kindness.

Qiu Lan hurriedly shook her head, the silver hairpin in her hair tinkling. She said urgently:

"I'm not wronged. I grew up in Yunxiang Courtyard, and the Madam treats me very well. Moreover, during the days you've been in the manor, Manor Lord, I've been very happy and at peace. I feel like this is my home, and life has taken on different colors."

Before she could finish, Situ Jun had already gently pulled her into his arms.

Unlike Su Yunniang's gentle plumpness during pregnancy, Qiu Lan's waist was slender enough to be held in one hand, possessing the specific slenderness of a young maiden that made one want to cherish her dearly.

Her whole body was as tense as a bowstring until she felt a soft kiss on the top of her head. Only then did she slowly melt like spring water, her entire person relaxing as she immersed herself in this warm embrace.

Outside the window, the night watch drum sounded heavy as the night grew deeper. It was as if the whole world had fallen silent, leaving only the heartbeats of the two people inside the room.

"Let's rest first."

Situ Jun gently draped the brocade quilt over Qiu Lan's trembling shoulders and turned to pick up the celadon teacup on the table, only to have his sleeve suddenly grabbed.