Volume One, Chapter 17: He Turned Over and Got Out of Bed

He swung his legs off the bed, and Yun Xi thought he was going to wash up, so she loosened her grip on the blanket. Unexpectedly, the tall figure in front of her walked over to the candleholder on the table.

Yun Xi’s eyes widened. Ignoring the pain in her body, she got out of bed and nearly ran over in her slippers, calling out anxiously, “Husband… don’t—”

Before reaching the table, Ji Yu suddenly withdrew his hand and, catching her arm off guard, spun around to grip it tightly. “Madam, what’s troubling you? Why such agitation?”

Alarm bells rang in Yun Xi’s mind. Suppressing her panic, she forced herself to imitate the usual tone Yun Xiang used when speaking. “Husband, why did you suddenly turn on the light tonight?”

Silence surrounded them. She heard no reply, only the fingers clutching her arm tapping lightly against her pulse, keeping time with her racing heartbeat, as if the man was toying with her.

Swallowing hard, her mind raced. Was he suspicious? Given his current attitude toward Yun Xiang and herself, she dared not gamble on his thoughts.

From the smallest details, she knew the Yun family and the Tonghou Manor had a complex web of interests behind them—otherwise, it would be obvious to any observer that Ji Yu paid little genuine attention to Yun Xiang, yet still came to the main house on certain days each month. If she revealed the truth now, considering his stance toward the Yun family, at worst Yun Xiang might be neglected, but not divorced.

She needed to divert his attention.

“Husband… do you no longer love me?” Ji Yu noticed the faint quiver in the voice of the small figure before him after a long silence—a delicate tremor that made it hard to scold her.

Feeling the lively, accelerated pulse beneath his fingers, he lazily lifted his eyelids, deep eyes dark with scrutiny.

“At the feast today, my illegitimate sister was mentioned. Tonight, you are so cold to me. Could it be… could it be that you fancy my sister?” The petite “little wife” leaned in slightly, her soft chest pressing against his rigid one.

At the mention of tonight’s feast, Ji Yu’s eyes gleamed with greater interest.

If she truly was Yun Xi, how had she managed to enter the feast? Inside the house earlier, only he, Yun Xiang, and a few maids were present.

Could it be…

His hand stroking her arm felt the tender softness beneath his touch.

“Impossible. Madam, you’re overthinking.”

He hadn’t come to the main house these days not only because of busy affairs but also for a reason he preferred not to mention—entering the main house inevitably brought thoughts of Yun Xiang’s illegitimate sister.

He had hoped that constant busyness would dull his feelings, but once inside the main house, his mind kept returning to her, prompting the questions at the feast.

That inquiry had indeed brought him a “pleasant surprise.”

A surge of delight filled his heart, making him restless. He intended to tease the person before him, but memories of the horse carriage incident flashed through his mind.

If he kept her as a cherished possession, that would be understandable, but he could not lose reason over this “treasure.” Moreover, this young lady was also from the Yun family. The Yun family deceived him so thoroughly, treating him like a fool—how amusing.

Just as Yun Xi’s mind swirled with unease, the man suddenly released her arm, then a voice sounded from above:

“Madam, go wash up first.”

She wasn’t sure if she had misheard, but the tone carried a hint of coldness.

How could he just now be so playful, then turn his back so suddenly? That unpredictable, infuriating man!

Wash up? In this pitch-black darkness? She wondered how he usually managed it. Her heart, which had just settled, leapt again.

“Husband, you go first. I’m a little scared.” Her eyes darted side to side briefly before she buried her face in Ji Yu’s firm chest, acting coquettishly, then looked up to press a kiss against his lips.

“Ah—” Suddenly, Yun Xi was swept into his arms horizontally, causing her to scream in fright.

Listening to the powerful heartbeat pounding near her ear, she gripped the collar of his clothes tightly, but the heat radiating from his chest burned her hand, forcing her to pull back.

What did he mean by this?

Ji Yu felt the soft trembling beneath his grasp—she was like a frightened rabbit, utterly endearing.

His original plan had been to teach the Yun family a lesson first, then find a way to “dispose of her.”

He was decisive; better to deal with her before she had too much influence on him, to avoid future trouble.

But as he pondered this, a fragrant, gentle kiss landed on his lips, stirring his thoughts.

Forget it, he’d handle it later.

Breathing in her scent sincerely, Ji Yu intended to scare this “temptress” who dared provoke him.

“How about this—madam and I take a couple’s bath?”

His slightly mischievous voice whispered in Yun Xi’s ear, momentarily unsettling her before she steadied herself.

What did he mean by that? The slow torment was unbearable. Her long eyelashes nearly covered her lower lids.

Regardless of his meaning, under the current circumstances, she absolutely could not agree.

In the past, she might have seen this as a perfect opportunity to seduce Ji Yu.

But now, Yun Xiang was clearly wary of her. Returning too late might cause trouble.

She needed to find a way to leave first.

“Husband, I’m truly tired.”

No sooner had she said this than she was placed into the warm bath, steam blushing her cheeks.

Luckily, it was dark; otherwise, if the man saw her, she might suffer again.

Otherwise… she’d just say she needed to relieve herself.

As she pondered this, a shadow suddenly loomed over her.

Ji Yu propped himself on the edge of the tub, eyes full of interest fixed on the small figure before him.

How amusing.

He wondered what would happen if he didn’t give her the chance to leave tonight…

A strong, well-defined hand traced down Yun Xi’s brow. In the darkness, his lips curled into a smile.

“Hus… husband…”

She could feel the thick calluses on his hand from years of wielding a sword.

Before she could think of a countermeasure, a chill came over her—he stepped into the tub!

Soon, the bath echoed with intimate splashes, steam flushing their faces.

Yun Xi, always sharp and rarely confused, now felt a sudden white flash as her waist was gripped tightly.

In a daze, she clung to the head before her.

“Mm—”

Ji Yu watched her every reaction, venting lingering irritation drawn from her tangled thoughts into this passionate moment. Water rippled around them, occasionally revealing entwined legs.

After some time, Yun Xi lay on the bed, drowsy eyes fluttering open.

Her mouth was dry; she vaguely remembered a cup of water by the bed and reached out to grab it.

Her hands groped in the darkness but touched nothing. Instantly, her consciousness sharpened.

No, something was wrong.

She touched the bedding beneath her and felt a deep chill—she was still in the main house.