150: Moonlit Night's Devotion

When Qiu Lan looked up, her eyelashes were still moist with fine droplets of water. The moonlight filtered through the carved window frames and fell upon the hollow of her collarbone, looking like a lingering tear that had yet to fall, making her appear exceptionally pitiful and moving.

"Does the Manor Lord despise Qiu Lan for her humble origins?"

Her voice trembled, her fingernails digging deep into her palms.

"Qiu Lan knows she cannot compare to the Madam's intelligence and elegance, but Qiu Lan can wash clothes, cook, and... and warm the bed and fold the quilts..."

Her voice trailed off in her throat, turning into a suppressed sob, filled with insecurity and self-deprecation.

Situ Jun's heart suddenly ached. He reached out to gently wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes and said softly:

"Silly girl."

He flicked Qiu Lan's reddened forehead with his finger and gently pulled her into his embrace.

"Tomorrow, I'll have Yun Niang take you to the storehouse to pick out some fabrics for several silver-trimmed skirts to dress you up beautifully. In my heart, you are just as important as Yun Niang."

The body in his arms suddenly stiffened, followed by hot tears soaking the front of his robes. In those tears were gratitude, joy, and even more so, anticipation for the future.

"Qiu Lan, if you regret this in the future, I..."

Before Situ Jun could finish, Qiu Lan had already reached out her slender arms and blocked his words with her warm lips. The young girl's kiss was both inexperienced and resolute, as if all the affection she had accumulated over the years had been poured into this single kiss, expressing her deep love.

A corner of the red silk on the bed was lifted by the night wind. The candlelight flickered violently, casting overlapping shadows on the wall, as if blessing this pair of lovers.

When the sound of the third watch's clapper startled the birds nesting under the eaves, Qiu Lan had already fallen into a deep sleep in his arms, a satisfied smile on her face, looking exceptionally peaceful.

Situ Jun gazed at the intricate cloud patterns on the bed canopy, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the newly inserted white jade hairpin in Qiu Lan's hair—it was something he had carved by hand for Su Yunniang's birthday, carrying his full heart.

Moonlight spilled over the window frames, casting two overlapping shadows beside the bed. For a moment, it was impossible to tell who was relying on whom, as if they had long since merged into one.

At the same time, Su Yunniang was leaning against the window of Qiu Lan's room, looking toward her own bedroom with a soft smile on her face.

Moonlight fell on her slightly bulging lower abdomen. The fetus inside suddenly gave a gentle kick, as if sensing the fluctuations in its mother's emotions.

She stroked her belly and chuckled, murmuring, "Don't be in a hurry, little one. In a few more months, our family will be truly reunited..."

At the third quarter of the Hour of the Rabbit the next day, as the first light of dawn appeared, Su Yunniang pushed open the door carrying stewed ginseng soup, only to find Situ Jun doing Qiu Lan's hair.

The bronze mirror reflected the girl's flushed profile. The pearl dangling hairpin in her hair swayed gently with her movements, breaking into points of starlight in the morning light, beautiful and moving.

“Oh, this skill is even better than mine back then.”

Su Yunniang set the food box on the table and deliberately pulled a long face:

“But don't just focus on doting on the newcomer. Did you promise last night to bring back some new children's clothes from East Lin City? Don't forget.”

Situ Jun stood up with a smile, pinned a dangling hairpin into her hair at the temple, and said gently:

“I will naturally handle everything the Madam instructs properly. When I return, I will definitely bring the most beautiful clothes for our child.”

Watching Situ Jun's gentle actions, a trace of sweetness welled up in Su Yunniang's heart, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

She reached out and gently patted the back of Situ Jun's hand, teasingly complaining:

“You and your glib tongue. Go wash up and eat, then set off once you're done. Don't delay. Go and return quickly; we are all waiting for you.”

Situ Jun responded and pulled Qiu Lan up with him.

Qiu Lan's cheeks remained flushed. With her head lowered and a shy demeanor, she followed behind Situ Jun like a docile kitten, her heart filled with happiness and anticipation... As the dawn light broke, golden rays gently spilled over the flying eaves of Yunxiang Courtyard, plating them with a warm glow.

In the courtyard, the morning mist had not yet dissipated. The air was filled with the faint aroma of light porridge and side dishes, mixed with the freshness of vegetation, making one feel refreshed.

Situ Jun, Su Yunniang, and Qiu Lan sat around the table, which was covered with exquisite breakfast items.

Compared to last night, the atmosphere now had a bit more natural intimacy, as if the morning light had quietly dispelled the strangeness and restraint between them.

Qiu Lan kept her head down, sipping her porridge in small mouthfuls, her fair cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

She occasionally stole a glance at Situ Jun, only to quickly look away as if burned. That shy appearance, carrying the subtle emotions after her first experience, was like a budding flower, timid yet endearing.

Su Yunniang saw all of this, and complex emotions welled up in her heart.

There was relief at the progress in their relationship, but also a trace of an unspeakable, subtle feeling, like an overturned jar of five flavors, making the taste hard to distinguish.

She suppressed the thoughts in her mind, her slender hand lifting slightly as she placed a piece of soft-steamed fish belly into Situ Jun's bowl, asking in a natural and casual tone:

“Husband, on this trip to East Lin City, besides picking up Sister Xuan'er and getting some soft clothing materials for the little one, is there anything else to be done? I heard that the 'Immortal Market' in East Lin City has recently received a batch of Warm Jade refined by the Sect. It's of excellent quality, and wearing it is very beneficial for both the pregnant mother and the fetus.”

Hearing this, Situ Jun put down his chopsticks and looked at Su Yunniang with a serious and gentle gaze, his eyes full of concern:

“Warm Jade refined by the Sect? Naturally, we must have it. Yunniang, your body is precious now and needs nurturing. The Immortal Market, right? I've noted it down and will surely find the best piece for you.”

As he spoke, his gaze slowly turned toward Qiu Lan, who was quietly drinking her porridge.

The morning light plated the young girl's plain profile with a soft glow; her quiet appearance was like an elegant ink wash painting.

Situ Jun's voice unconsciously became even softer:

“Qiu Lan, is there anything you want? Hair flowers, jewelry? Or some novel food and playthings? East Lin City is lively and has many new things.”

Qiu Lan suddenly looked up, a flash of surprise in her eyes, but then she became flustered and quickly waved her hands:

“Manor Lord... no, there's no need. Qiu Lan lacks nothing.”

“Silly girl,”

Su Yunniang teased with a smile, her eyes full of tenderness:

“Your status is different now; you are a formal woman of the Manor Lord's chambers, and you shouldn't lack any of the dignity you deserve. Husband, I think Qiu Lan's old clothes should be replaced. Keep an eye out for that silver-trimmed fabric and pick some bright yet elegant colors. Also, for jewelry, I think that pearl dangling hairpin is quite good, and you can get a few more simple jade hairpins for daily use.”

Situ Jun nodded in agreement, a doting smile on his face:

“Alright, everything as the Madam says. Yunniang's taste has always been excellent.”

He looked at Qiu Lan again, his tone gentle but carrying an air of authority that brooked no refusal:

“Qiu Lan, whatever you like, don't be restrained. From now on, this is your home.”

Qiu Lan's eyes reddened slightly, and she quickly lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz:

“Thank... thank you, Manor Lord. Thank you, Madam. Qiu Lan... Qiu Lan doesn't have anything special she wants. Whatever the Manor Lord and Madam think is good is fine with me.”