Lu Chengfeng had something on his mind, but he was quite shrewd, not showing a trace on his face. Before entering the house, he took a deep breath and let a slight smile play on his lips.
"Husband, you're back?"
As Lu Chengfeng opened the big door, he saw Luo Suyi standing daintily under the phoenix tree in the courtyard. Her red brocade lotus dress complemented the few lotus flowers in the pond, making her more beautiful than the flowers, stunningly attractive.
Upon seeing him enter the courtyard, Luo Suyi's face instantly revealed a bright and joyful smile, dispelling some of Lu Chengfeng's inner gloom and oppression.
"I'm back. Why aren't you resting well in the room?" Lu Chengfeng asked, his smile more genuine.
Luo Suyi slightly lifted the hems of her skirt with her hands, her fair face adorned with a smile as she ran lightly, taking brisk steps to his side.
"Staying in the room all day almost suffocated me. Granny Wang said the lotus was blooming in the courtyard, so I came to see it, and also thought you should be returning soon... so..."
She fumbled over the latter part, but Lu Chengfeng understood, and warmth couldn't help but surge in his heart. "Oh? So you were waiting for your husband to come back?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "husband," watching as a blush appeared on Luo Suyi's flawless face, yet her expression remained calm with no hint of displeasure.
Lu Chengfeng couldn't help feeling a bit delighted. Although their marriage was a twist of fate and his initial intentions weren't entirely pure,
seeing this beautiful lady shy before him, evidently having him in her heart, brought him more joy.
He looked at Luo Suyi in front of him, taking a small step closer, making them almost close enough to feel each other's breath, then gently took her delicate hand.
"My dear, you're so beautiful today, even the lotus in this courtyard pales in comparison to you."
"No way!" Luo Suyi's hand was suddenly taken by him, and with their proximity, she was already a bit flustered, her heart pounding like a startled deer.
Upon hearing the man's compliment, her heart filled with greater sweetness. After a while, she didn't hear more words or movement from the man.
She lifted her head slightly, sneaking a glance at the man's face, only to find Lu Chengfeng staring at her, his eyes somewhat captivated.
Their gazes locked, and their bodies trembled slightly.
At this moment, silence spoke louder than words. Lu Chengfeng naturally embraced Luo Suyi's slender waist, letting her nestle in his arms.
A cool breeze blew by, and the few lotus blooms in the pond swayed with the wind, their light fragrance permeating the air.
"Suyi, do you regret marrying me?"
"In this life, I will never regret it."
One asked peacefully, the other answered earnestly.
In this moment, the couple, who already had feelings for each other, finally dissolved the barrier between them, drawing their hearts closer together.
Two old women busy in the courtyard saw this scene from afar, feeling as though they were witnessing an immortal couple in a painting: the man handsome, the woman beautiful, the refreshing breeze on the pond, green leaves and lotus flowers, all beautiful enough to make one tremble.
Their movements lightened significantly, careful not to disturb the beauty and warmth of the moment.
After some unknown time, Lu Chengfeng noticed Luo Suyi's hands were a bit cold. Observing the dimming sky, he suddenly said, "Granny Wang, go set the red candles in my bedroom."
The old woman quickly replied with a smile, "Yes, Master, I'll get it ready right away."
Luo Suyi's body trembled slightly, and in an instant, her face was smeared with blush, her earlobes turning burning hot, as smooth as jade.
Lu Chengfeng felt the soft body of the woman in his arms suddenly lose all its strength, almost collapsing onto him, "Good wife..."
Luo Suyi softly murmured, seemingly guessing what he intended to say, "Hus... husband... don't speak."
Embarrassed beyond measure, she buried her head into her man's chest, unwilling to lift it again.
Lu Chengfeng couldn't help but laugh heartily, "The clouds long for the dress as flowers long for beauty, the spring breeze brushes the balcony with dewy perfume."
"If not seen atop Jade Mountain, would meet beneath Yao Peak's moon."
"With a wife like this, what more could a husband want?"
"What joy! What joy!"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
He scooped up his charming, captivating wife around the waist and strode towards the bedroom.
Once in the room, the two old women had already astutely prepared the bath tub, efficiently setting the red candle holders, even turning the bed into festive red bedding.
Though it was hurried, they had just removed these things from the room not long ago, so everything was ready, and the two women quickly arranged it all.
When Lu Chengfeng brought Luo Suyi into the room, he instructed, "Keep dinner warm on the stove, I'll call you when my wife wants to eat."
The women agreed with smiles and quickly exited, leaving the room to suddenly fall silent.
Lu Chengfeng could clearly feel the breathing of the woman in his arms becoming rapid, her soft figure tense.
"Suyi, don't be afraid, alright? I'm here."
Hearing his gentle voice, Luo Suyi's initial nervousness gradually eased. After her chest rose and fell a few times, she looked up on her own, her eyes shimmering with moisture.
"Husband, I... only have you, please don't forsake me."
Lu Chengfeng's heart immediately softened, holding her tighter, "In this life, I will never forsake you."
Upon hearing this, Luo Suyi said, tilting her charming face up, "Husband, let me serve you for your bath!"
Lu Chengfeng looked at her, slightly stunned, not expecting his shy little wife to offer so boldly. But thinking of the scene of mandarin ducks playing in the water, he couldn't help feeling heated.
"Alright!" he replied, his voice slightly hoarse, then set her down.
As Luo Suyi was set down, her legs gave way and she nearly fell to the ground, saved only by Lu Chengfeng's arm around her waist.
After a moment of calm, she turned her back to him, slowly removed her outer robe, then the tunic of woven silk, leaving only the close-fitting white embroidered mandarin ducks.
But that narrow garment couldn't cover the snowy curves rising like gentle hills, and most of her fair back was exposed, as if moonlight flooded the room.
Lu Chengfeng felt his entire being tightening with breath, his gaze somewhat greedy, his chest like a furnace, burning with a fiery flame.
"Master, I am here to serve you!" Luo Suyi's voice was so coquettish it seemed to drip with charm, her eyes rippling with waves.
Lu Chengfeng couldn't hold back any longer, letting out a low grunt, urgently shedding his robe, turning the woman around and pressing her against the steaming bath tub.
"Master, please be gentle..."