46: Master of the East Courtyard

The inky night silently stained Situ Jun's small courtyard.

The gentle night breeze swept past the treetops, scattering the secluded floral fragrance within the courtyard into the hazy moonlight.

Little did they know, a crisis, like an invisible net, was quietly being woven in the darkness, awaiting the moment of its capture.

Inside a study in the East Courtyard.

Zhu Changpo stood quietly in front of the window; the pitch-black night sky seemed to reflect the darkness in his heart.

A sinister smile spread across his face, a grin like winter frost that sent shivers down one's spine.

His long fingers lightly tapped the window frame, producing a rhythmic sound, like the drumbeat of the God of Death, each tap calculating his wicked plan.

A moment later, he turned toward the desk, slowly unfurled the Xuan paper, dipped the brush deeply into the thick ink, and then brought it down forcefully.

The tip of the brush moved across the paper; the handwriting was sharp as a knife, every stroke seeming to pour out the surging hatred in his heart.

Before long, a secret letter was finished.

“Someone!”

Zhu Changpo suddenly spoke, his voice low and cold, echoing in the quiet study, sending chills down the spine.

In an instant, a black shadow flashed out from the darkness, fast as a phantom, kneeling on one knee, awaiting orders.

“Send this letter over to the Mine Tunnel side, and have them prepare in advance.”

Zhu Changpo commanded coldly, handing out the finished secret letter.

The black shadow took the secret letter, nodded slightly, flashed, and disappeared into the night, leaving only Zhu Changpo still standing by the window, his gaze sinister, plotting unknown schemes... Meanwhile.

In Situ Jun's small courtyard, leaves rustled in the night wind, intertwining with the chirping of insects rising and falling, like a movement in a summer night's symphony.

Inside the master bedroom, soft moonlight spilled through the window screen, adding a hazy beauty to the room.

The evening breeze gently brushed past, lifting the bed curtains.

Cherry pressed her cheek against Situ Jun's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her fingertips unconsciously tracing circles on his chest.

“Young Master, the wind outside the courtyard was terrifying just now. It was whooshing as if it wanted to blow the house down.”

Her voice carried a slight tremor, and her eyelashes were still damp with sweat.

Situ Jun looked down at Cherry, who was like a startled fawn in his arms, a soft laugh escaping his throat. His large hand covered her slightly cool back, gently stroking it:

“Don't be afraid of anything, I'm here.”

He deliberately rubbed her crown with his chin, provoking Cherry to pout and try to push him away.

“Will you dare to be naughty next time?”

Situ Jun chided her half-jokingly, his fingertips gently pinching and rubbing her reddened earlobe.

Cherry suddenly propped herself up. The moonlight plated her fair skin with a soft glow, and a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes:

“That depends on how Young Master chooses to punish this Servant Girl.”

Before she finished speaking, she nimbly flipped over and rolled to the other side of the bed, leaving behind only a string of silvery laughter.

Situ Jun raised an eyebrow, instantly flipped over, and captured her back in his embrace, their breaths mingling as their noses touched:

“Little fox, have you learned to bite your master back?”

Cherry buried her head in his chest, blushing, her voice soft and sweet:

“This Servant Girl knows she was wrong. Young Master is incredibly powerful.”

Situ Jun looked at her charming and lovely appearance, his heart overflowing with affection, and he said with a smile:

“Where did you go wrong?”

Cherry raised her pretty face, her eyes filled with shyness and affection, and whispered:

“Young Master, you spanked this Servant Girl's bottom until it hurts.”

“You... Young Master asked where you went wrong, and you're trying to evade the question. It seems Young Master needs to properly educate you further.”

Having said that, the two began to frolic on the bed again... After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Cherry’s face was flushed, her body glistening with fragrant sweat, radiating laziness and exhaustion. She didn't want to move a single finger, lying quietly in his arms.

Her jade-like arms tightly hugged Situ Jun's neck, resting her head on his warm chest:

“This Servant Girl truly knows she was wrong. Young Master, please don't hit me anymore...”

Situ Jun gently patted her back, a doting smile playing on his lips, chiding her half-jokingly:

“Now you know how powerful your Young Master is, daring to challenge the authority of your Young Master.”

Cherry let out a soft complaint and said:

“This Servant Girl will just Cultivate properly from now on.”

Situ Jun raised an eyebrow and teased:

“You finally realized where you went wrong. Then Cultivate properly from now on, or I'll spank your bottom again.”

His half-joking, half-threatening words filled the air with an intimate atmosphere... When the morning light first appeared, Cherry woke up before Situ Jun.

She propped herself up, her gaze gently tracing his sleeping features, her fingertips carefully brushing past his straight nose and slightly pursed lips.

Only when she felt the person in her arms stir did she quickly lie back down, pretending to be asleep.

Situ Jun had already noticed her little movements, a smile lingering on his lips. He gently pushed aside the hair on her forehead and placed a tender kiss on it:

“Little sleepyhead, time to get up.”

Cherry let out a soft moan but wrapped her arms around him even tighter:

“Just sleep a little longer, just a tiny bit...”

“Then tonight I'll have to punish you by making you learn an extra new dish.”

Situ Jun deliberately straightened his face.

Cherry instantly opened her beautiful eyes, which sparkled with fighting spirit:

“Young Master must not go back on your word! Today, this Servant Girl will definitely make a pastry that will amaze you!”

With that, she got up nimbly, the silver bells in her hair jingling with her movements.

By the time Situ Jun finished washing up, Cherry was already bustling around the living room.

She wore a pink apron embroidered with Twin Lotus Flowers, and there was still a bit of flour in her hair, but this did not detract from her liveliness.

“Young Master, quickly try this!”

She held a plate of exquisitely shaped Peach Blossom Crisps, nervously biting her lower lip.

Situ Jun took a bite. The crispy outer layer crumbled between his teeth, and the sweet peach fragrance spread everywhere:

“Not bad. Your craftsmanship is getting better and better.”

Delighted by the praise, Cherry spun around happily, the hem of her skirt flying up to reveal the corner embroidered with small butterflies:

“Then, will Young Master be back for lunch? If so, this Servant Girl will make you Stir-fried Pork with Jade Lotus Root. I saw you ate little last time, so it must be because I didn't cook it well...”

“No, I'll come back tonight to eat with you. Why are you spacing out? Try the pastry you made.”

Situ Jun reached out to wipe the flour from the tip of her nose, but Cherry naughtily licked his fingertip.

She blinked her moist eyes:

“Young Master's fingertip is even sweeter than the pastry.”

Situ Jun pulled her body closer, gently holding her in his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head:

“Wait obediently at home, don't run around. If anyone comes, lock the courtyard gate securely.”

Saying this, he gave her a light kiss on the forehead. Only when he felt the person in his arms obediently nod did he leave with peace of mind.

After Situ Jun left, Cherry stood at the door, gazing at his receding figure, unwilling to leave for a long time.

Returning inside, she sat at the table, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes filled with a hint of loneliness.

Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she got up and ran to the kitchen:

“I need to make more delicious food for Young Master today, to give him a surprise when he returns!”

She said this while tying her apron, bustling about with great enthusiasm.

...At noon, Situ Jun arrived at Lady Yun's courtyard.

The two shared a warm lunch together, and after the meal, they lingered intimately for a while. Unconsciously, the conversation drifted to the East Courtyard and Zhu Changpo.

From Lady Yun, Situ Jun learned that the East Courtyard housed Bei Batian's only wife, Li Danying.

Her status was noble; she was the current Northern Dynasty Emperor's biological younger sister, and the only woman to bear Bei Batian an heir, thus her position as principal wife was unshakeable.

In earlier years, Li Danying, as an object of political marriage, was married far away to an enemy state, becoming a Concubine of that enemy state's ruler.

Later, during a battle against the enemy state, Bei Batian advanced irresistibly, breaking through defenses and penetrating deep into the enemy territory, forcing the enemy Emperor to abdicate and be killed, leaving Li Danying, the Concubine, a widow.

The Northern Dynasty Emperor felt sorry for his sister, worried she might suffer in the enemy state, and ordered Bei Batian to bring Li Danying back to the Dynasty.

When Bei Batian saw Li Danying, who was stunningly beautiful, he was instantly captivated by her looks and pleaded with the Emperor to marry Li Danying off to him.

The Emperor thought that if he could find another good marriage for his sister, his sense of indebtedness would lessen, so he happily agreed.

As someone who belonged to the Dynasty, Li Danying had long lost the will to resist political marriages, so she passively accepted being married again.

Soon after the marriage, she became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter.

This daughter was raised in the Imperial Palace, so Li Danying spent most of her time accompanying her daughter there and rarely stayed in the East Courtyard. Only in recent years, after her daughter grew up, did she return to live in the East Courtyard.

Normally, Li Danying lived a secluded life, rarely interfering with the mansion's affairs. Nearly all matters, big and small, were managed by Zhu Changpo, which allowed Zhu Changpo's power to expand daily, giving him a firm grip on the East Courtyard's influence.

“No wonder I've never seen this First Lady of the East Courtyard. What about the South Courtyard? I feel like it's even more mysterious than the East Courtyard.”

Situ Jun asked curiously.

“The South Courtyard is home to Bei Batian's First Concubine, Jiang Ya. She is the daughter of the current Right Prime Minister, and she manages the water conservation and agriculture of the Northern Territory. She is an extraordinary woman. She is also constantly away, only returning to the mansion for the Ancestral Sacrifices at the year-end.”

Lady Yun said softly, her tone full of admiration for Jiang Ya.