400: peaceful life

Seeing him enter, Ye Nianrui slowly rose to her feet, taking light, graceful steps. Her slender figure swayed like a Begonia in the wind, gentle and captivating.

The hem of her Nightgown gently brushed past a Celadon Vase by the bed, causing the few Begonia branches within to sway slightly and shed two delicate pink petals. They landed precisely on the hem of her gown, the interplay of pink and white adding to her ethereal, refined aura.

She walked to the table, poured a cup of warm, clear tea for Situ Jun, and offered it to him, her tone soft:

"I can see the weariness etched between your brows. You must have encountered some troublesome matters that have exhausted you."

Her voice was very soft. She did not press for details about the matter, only expressing a perfectly measured concern. As her fingertips passed him the teacup, she deliberately checked its temperature, fearing it might scald him.

Situ Jun reached out to take the teacup. Warmth traveled from the cup's surface to his palm, then spread throughout his body. He tilted his head back and took a sip. The tea was clear, sweet, and warm, sliding down his throat and soothing the restlessness in his heart.

He set the cup down, reached out to pull Ye Nianrui closer, having her sit on his lap. He tightly grasped her slightly cool hands and buried his face deeply in the crook of her neck.

The faint scent of orchids from her hair, mingled with her unique, warm fragrance, enveloped his senses, elegant and comforting. The tension and worries that had built up over the past few days gradually dissipated at this moment, and a rare sense of peace arose in his heart.

He nuzzled greedily against her delicate skin, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability and hoarseness:

"Yes, I encountered some troublesome matters. But... with you here, I feel much more at ease."

Ye Nianrui raised her hand and gently stroked his cheek. Her fingertips traced the lingering gravity between his brows, trying to smooth away those furrows, her tone growing even more tender:

"As a woman, I cannot be of great help to you, nor can I share the burden of your troubles. But if being here brings you peace and a place to rest, then you should come often. I will always be here."

Her voice was soft and warm, like a spring brook, slowly flowing through Situ Jun's heart, soothing those taut nerves.

She paused, looking down at Situ Jun buried in her neck, her eyes brimming with tenderness:

"You don't have to shoulder everything alone. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. When you're tired, just stop and rest. I will always be by your side."

Situ Jun lifted his head and looked into her eyes, seeing her undisguised tenderness and understanding. Warmth flooded his heart, and he reached out to pull her tightly into his embrace.

Ye Nianrui's body was soft and warm, fitting perfectly against his chest, allowing him to feel a long-lost sense of stability.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips, gentle yet lingering, his heart filled with an indissoluble attachment.

Ye Nianrui responded to him docilely, her arms lightly encircling his waist. Her gaze was hazy, but a faint, gentle smile of contentment always played at the corners of her mouth.

The charm and tenderness of a mature woman bloomed fully in her. Every inch of her skin exuded gentle warmth, every glance carried deep affection, causing Situ Jun to sink completely into her tenderness, unable to extricate himself.

The candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of their embrace onto the wall, indistinct yet intimate, lingering for a long time without parting.

The night wind outside the window still carried a chill, moaning as it blew past the bamboo-framed window, swirling a few fallen leaves. Yet indoors, it was warm and cozy. The faint scent of osmanthus intertwined with rich, deep affection, spilling past the bamboo window and dispersing into the quiet night, gentle and lingering.

Situ Jun slowly raised his head, then leaned down to kiss away the glistening moisture at the corners of her eyes, brought forth by emotion, whispering softly into her ear:

"Nianrui, having you here is truly wonderful."

Leaning against his chest, Ye Nianrui listened to his steady heartbeat and nodded gently, her voice as soft as a melting spring brook:

"Husband, no matter what happens, I will be with you."

She raised her hand, her fingertips once again stroking his brow, gently smoothing away those not-yet-dispersed furrows. Her touch carried a tender force, her tone carrying a hint of coaxing:

"Don't think about those troublesome matters anymore. Stay here and rest tonight. Get a good night's sleep to restore your spirit. With me here, no one will disturb you. Just rest peacefully."

Situ Jun gazed at her gentle, captivating face, feeling the warmth transmitted from her palm. All the schemes, defenses, and worries in his heart vanished at this moment, leaving only a heart full of warmth and attachment.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips again. This time, the kiss held a touch more solemnity and cherishing, imbued with deep affection.

The candlelight gradually dimmed. The whispers and tenderness within the room were gently enveloped by the night, becoming his most precious solace and warmest harbor amidst the turbulent world.

In the following days, the morning light of Beijiang City still swept over the green bricks and tiles of the city walls on schedule, and dusk stained the eaves of the streets and alleys as usual. The sounds of the marketplace rose and fell, and cooking smoke curled upwards. At first glance, it appeared to be a scene of complete peace and stability.

Situ Jun handled government affairs as usual, received military officers, inspected the city's defenses, and spent time with his family.

Su Yunniang's due date drew nearer. Her belly swelled more noticeably, and her movements became somewhat slower, yet a gentle smile always lingered between her brows.

The entire household regarded her as the focus of care. Maidservants meticulously prepared items for the impending birth, the cook prepared nourishing meals with varied recipes daily, and even the usually lively Cherry and Hong Mei acted with added caution, fearing they might disturb her.

Every corner of the Mansion radiated anticipation and joy for the new life. This warmth spread like warm water filling a pond, quietly diluting the faint, sporadic news trickling in from outside regarding the Royal Capital and the Southern Border, isolating that underlying tension beyond the vermilion gates.

Embroiderer, Chen Yufei, and the other newly arrived women gradually shed the slight unfamiliarity they felt upon first arriving in Beijiang and fully integrated into the life of the Mansion.

Embroiderer, being astute and skilled in business, began observing Beijiang's commercial networks after settling in. She often used outings to investigate market conditions, secretly planning to expand part of the Yuxiu Pavilion's business from East Lin City to Beijiang.

After no longer managing the Mansion's shops and businesses, Liu Xuaner instead developed a keen interest in Beijiang's agricultural affairs. Beijiang was bitterly cold, making crop growth difficult. She often pulled Lin Suwan and Jiang Ya along to study Agricultural Texts and went to the Fields Outside the City for on-site inspections. When they sat together chatting, they often came up with many methods to improve cultivation and nourish the land.

Lan Yanliu, Mei Shuang, Shen Xingwan, and others also found activities that interested them, whether it was Cultivating, managing household affairs, or teaching Cherry and Hong Mei Needlework Skills.

Ye Nianrui was assigned by Su Yunniang to assist in managing part of the Mansion's business accounts. She was meticulous and orderly in her work, quickly demonstrating remarkable ability and earning everyone's recognition.

Between her and Situ Jun, they maintained that unspoken, secret understanding. In front of others, their words and actions were measured and appropriate, their interactions adhering to ordinary etiquette. Only in the occasional, inadvertent meeting of their gazes would a subtle ripple of tenderness, almost imperceptible, quietly surge in their eyes, vanishing in an instant. Only they could decipher the deep-seated affection hidden within.

However, beneath the calm surface, undercurrents never ceased.

Through the continuous messages from Nightingale and Mo Chenggui, Situ Jun remained fully aware of the movements of the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry.