RATMOFANF: Chapter 51

Character Glossary

· Shen Jingxiu (沈静姝): The female protagonist, Li Ling's wife. The new matriarch of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

· Li Ling (李陵): The Heir of Zhenguo Duke Manor. Shen Jingxiu's husband, a cold and stern general.

· Ziyun (紫云): Shen Jingxiu's chief personal maid.

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Chapter 51: A Single Lamp Like a Bean

Once winter arrived, the night wind turned sharp and cold. Li Ling came out of his study and strolled towards the main room. The main room's bright candles were already extinguished, leaving only a single small lamp flickering faintly before the dark, oppressive window.

Yet this lamp, small as a bean, made Li Ling's steps quicken. Reaching the main room's entrance, he took long strides, bounding up the steps two or three at a time, and pushed the door open lightly.

Li Ling entered the room, undoing his outer clothes himself while glancing towards the bed curtains. There wasn't a sound; presumably, his young wife was already asleep. He tread softly into the bathing area.

After washing up, he gently lifted the bed curtain, slipped under the covers, and into the bedding filled with a faint, sweet fragrance. It was warm and cozy, instantly dispelling the chill on his body.

Jingxiu woke up. She turned her head and mumbled, "Why are you so late today?"

Seeing she was awake, Li Ling stretched out his arm and pulled her into his embrace. The feel of her warm, soft body against his large hand was exceptionally comfortable. He lowered his head to kiss the beautiful hair of the young wife in his arms and said in a low voice, "The military review is soon. There's a lot to handle."

Jingxiu looked up and asked, "My two younger sisters came today. Tomorrow is Father's birthday. They asked if I could go back to wish Father a happy birthday."

Li Ling replied, "Tomorrow is your father's birthday? Why didn't you mention it before?"

Jingxiu replied, "I've been too busy lately and forgot. Luckily, they came to remind me today, so I remembered. I need to go back to my maternal home tomorrow. My parents originally wanted to invite you too, but seeing how busy you are lately, don't bother coming. I'll convey your regards for you."

Li Ling thought for a moment and replied, "I have an audience with the Emperor tomorrow morning. How about this: I'll take you over early in the morning. After my audience, I'll come over. Would that work?"

Jingxiu replied, "If you can't free up the time, it's fine."

Li Ling patted her back and said, "Since it's your father's birthday, no matter how busy I am, I should go personally to express my regards."

Hearing him say this, a satisfied smile appeared on Jingxiu's face. She stretched out her arms to wrap around his waist and began rubbing it gently.

Those delicate little hands rubbing him made Li Ling's whole heart itch. His breathing grew rapid as he pressed down upon her.

Jingxiu was still immersed in the joy of returning home tomorrow. Seeing him like this, she said urgently, "What are you doing? It's so late, and you still want to..."

Li Ling looked down at his young wife's aggrieved expression and said, "How is it that I want it? Clearly, you are the one provoking me..."

He gave her smooth forehead a firm kiss. "Since my wife wants it, your husband naturally has no reason to refuse."

She was begging him for intimacy?

Why did this man become so unreasonable in bed?

"Fine, I'll carry you over." With that, Li Ling, wrapping the quilt around her, picked her up.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Inside the bathing area, Li Ling placed the quilt-wrapped Jingxiu on the small couch. The bathing area had hot water prepared daily. Li Ling filled the large bathtub with hot water himself, then took Jingxiu out from the quilt and placed her in the water. Following that, he stepped in with his long legs.

Seeing him follow her in, Jingxiu said displeased, "Couldn't you wait until I'm finished washing?"

Sure enough, it wasn't long before he pulled her into his embrace again.

Early in the morning,while Jingxiu was sleeping soundly, Li Ling woke her up.

Li Ling was already dressed. As he had an audience with the Emperor later, he wore his second-rank general's official robes today: black undergarments, a dark green official robe with brown pressed edging, his lean waist cinched by a pitch-black rhinoceros horn belt, over which he wore a gleaming soft armor.

This outfit made him appear even more tall and posture-perfect) and his expression cold and stern.

"Get up quickly. Don't you need to go wish your father a happy birthday today? We can't be late." He stood by the bed, looking at his lazy young wife as he called to her.

Looking at this impeccably dressed, utterly serious man before her, it was truly difficult to connect him with his greedy, frenzied demeanor at night.

"Get up," Li Ling called again.

"I can't get up!" she replied lazily.

Of course, Jingxiu was also eager to return to her maternal home to see her family, but her body truly felt weak and limp.

Seeing him staring helplessly at her, Jingxiu shot him a glare and said, "Do you think I can even move in this state?"

"I'll have Ziyun come in to attend to you, then." As he spoke, Li Ling made to call for someone.

Jingxiu quickly reached out to stop him and said irritably, "How can I let anyone see me like this?"

She had been utterly exhausted last night. After returning from the bathing area, she had fallen into a deep sleep and hadn't even managed to put on her nightclothes.

Furthermore, she didn't need to look to know her body probably bore many traces from last night.

Li Ling smiled. "Then what will you do? Will you just stay curled up in bed like this?"

Of course not! She had to go back to her maternal home today.

"You help me get dressed," she said, glaring at him, using a commanding tone.

He was the one who had reduced her to this state; why should he stand aside like nothing happened?

Seeing him standing motionless, Jingxiu pouted and said, "Isn't this state all your fault? If you don't attend to me properly today, don't even think about touching me again in the future."

The corner of Li Ling's mouth twitched. He stretched his neck to peer towards the door, and seeing no one, he picked up her nightgown and began helping her into it.

Jingxiu truly lay lazily on the bed, letting him serve her.

"Lift up!" Li Ling, holding her sleeping pants, said somewhat impatiently.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu raised her legs and lifted her waist. After Li Ling put the sleeping pants on her, he bent over, used one arm to lift her, and helped her put on the nightgown.

Once the nightgown was on, he looked at his young wife, who was still lazing in bed and acting spoiled, and said resentfully, "You should get up now, right?"

Jingxiu lifted one foot, turned her head towards him, and said, "And the socks."

Li Ling let out a long sigh, picked up the socks again, and helped her put them on.

Seeing she was still lazily not moving, he stepped forward, grasped her two small hands with his large ones, and pulled her straight up from the bed. He said through gritted teeth, "If you don't get up now, I'll spank your bottom."

(End of Chapter)

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