ć°ș | chi | a Chinese foot, about one-third of a meter
Meng Jiang Nu! Yun Shi Yi shook his head, knowing his wife liked to go off on mental daydreams: âShi Wei almost cost you your life. Why should we let him come over?â
âThe two of you continuing to be in a deadlock is not a solution. After all, arenât we one family?â Ruan Zhuâs eyes moved as if she had just been struck with a thought. Pointing at a trunk in the corner of the room: âBring me the red mahogany case from inside that chest.â
This time, they had brought quite a bit of luggage with them when they left the residence, and there were several trunks dedicated solely to knick-knacks. The ancient era was not the same as modern times. A lot of time and money were required for a trip and as a result, journeys frequently resembled daily life.
âWhat are you doing, moving your head around instead of properly resting?â[a] Although Yun Shi Yi grumbled, he still retrieved the red mahogany case for her. It was rather conspicuous and seemed a bit familiar. He recalled that this was the chastity belt his little wife had bought several days ago in Lan Zhou. âYou intend to have Shi Wei wear this?â
âYou donât believe him itâs quite fitting for him to wear one?â An evil smile hung on her lips, as she thought about his rash nature that had caused her to be this miserable merely because he wanted to satisfy his fiery lust. A fire ignited in her heart. Opening the lid, she lifted the gold chastity belt and placed it underneath the brocade mattress before handing the case back.
âIt should be this way.â Yun Shi Yiâs mind came around. If they locked up Shi Weiâs heat source, heâd like to see how he created trouble in the future.
âHis strength is so large, he wouldnât break this one as well, right?â Ruan Zhu remembered what had happened the day she had bought the belts and was a little worried.
âIf he dares to break it, Iâll shear off his jewels.â Yun Shi Yi laughed and put away the red mahogany case. His eyes overflowing with excitement, âIâll go call Shi Wei over.â
Yun Shi Wei was staying next door in Sky Room #2[b]. Pushing aside the door and entering, Yun Shi Yi found that he was currently bathing. Delivering Ruan Zhuâs words, Yun Shi Wei became wild with joy.
Having said everything, Yun Shi Yi departed and caught sight of Nuan Chun in the corridor. Recalling that his mother had always liked to eat sour fruits when she had been pregnant with his little brothers, he instructed him to buy some fruits for the Eldest Lady and to select for more sour ones.
Nuan Chun responded in agreement and returned to the room for some money before leaving.
Yun Shi Yi also made to return to the room but happened to meet another person in the corridor.
A square kerchief was on the manâs head and he was dressed in spotless white clothes. Well-defined facial features, fair skin that lightly shone and eyes that flashed with an amber light, his height was around eight chi and a guqin case was tucked under his right arm.
Yun Shi Yi recognized this man. Over half a month ago, in the large hall of Yu Ping Restaurant, the other party was exiting while he and his wife were entering. Although he had only hurriedly glimpsed at the other, the other had paid extreme attention to his wife which had aroused his vigilance at that time.
That person seemed to have also recognized him and looked over in a daze.
Yun Shi Yi expressionlessly side-stepped him and entered his room.
He did have the intention to arrange more concubines for his wife, but establishing a concubine was one thing and someone constantly thinking about his wife was another. His beloved woman being coveted by another maleâno matter who it was, they would also not be delighted by this matter.
Lu Piao Xiang looked at the figure that gradually disappeared from his view, and unconsciously followed him. Standing by the entrance of their room, he heard the sound of a woman speaking. The voice was soft and sweet, precisely the one who had recited the poem on the pleasure boat.
He dazedly stood there for quite a while before finally going down the stairs and handing over his room keys to the assistant at the front desk.
âAssistant, check out.â
âGuest, the numbered Sky Rooms are expensive. Guest has stayed for four nights so the total is four hundred coins.â
âNo need for change.â Lu Piao Xiang threw over a silver coin.
The assistant was so happy his face was all scrunched up. This silver coin was one tael! Subtracting the room fee, there was still enough left over to equal a month of his wages. As the owner was not here, he could feel free to take the change for himself.
While the assistant was settling the accounts, Lu Piao Xiang took this opportunity to ask: âThere is a young couple staying in Sky Room #1?â
âReplying to Gentleman, they only arrived last night. Their familyâs little wife is sick and it looks to be quite severe as from beginning to end, theyâve invited the physician over twice. Itâs really caused the men of the family to be scared out of their minds. May the Heavens bless them and bless us, please may she not die in our inn.â
Lu Piao Xiangâs face was originally as cold as ice but upon hearing those words, the severe look in his eye wavered and he faintly said: âCall over the innkeeper.â
âMay I ask what Mister requires me for?â
Just at that moment, the innkeeper had walked inside and responded He knew that this Mister was quite liberal with his money but was rather cold and did not like to pay attention to others.
âI never want to see this person again.â Lu Piao Xiang threw a silver banknote at the innkeeper.
The innkeeper felt faint after grabbing the silver banknote. A hundred taels! Even if he opened up this kind of inn in all nooks and crannies of this world, he wouldnât be able to earn this sum in a year. He hurriedly nodded his head and groveled: âGentleman can rest assured, I will dismiss him this instant. That small one also does not understand the rules and often takes my food and steals my things. He has not been pleasing to my eyes for a long time now.â
The assistant was greatly alarmed: âPaternal Uncle, I am your nephew, you canât do this to me.â
âThis old one has many nephews and wonât miss one such as you. Scram.â
âInnkeeper, I am no longer checking out from Sky Room #3.â
With the guqin case still tucked under his arm, Lu Piao Xiang walked back in the direction he came from.
âHowever long Esteemed Gentleman wants to stay is no problem! Xiao Er, hurry and change this Misterâs bedding and tea set into new ones.
The innkeeper bowed deeply and watched as the cold-faced Mister ascended the stairs before turning to the ex-assistant and scolding: âYou still havenât scrammed, you disgusting and annoying thing?â
âŠâŠâŠâŠâŠâŠ
Yun Shi Yi pushed open the door and entered, just to see his wife climbing down from atop the bed. He hastily walked over and hugged her: âYour body hasnât fully recovered yet so what are you doing? Hurry and lay back down on the bed and rest. You really make it so that I worry about you all the time.â
âBut I need to use the toilet.â Ruan Zhu innocently looked at him. This entire day, her belly had been stuffed with porridge and medicine so her not having to resolve bodily needs would be too bizarre. âOne needs to relieve oneself. You wonât block oneâs path, right?â
âThatâs easy to handle. This husband will carry you there.â
âWhat?â Ruan Zhu shook her head with all her might. âYou donât have to worry about this, I can go by myself.â From the start of her memories, there has never been a man that had accompanied her to the restroom, much less carry her there.
âWhich part of your body has this husband not seen? Wife, donât be embarrassed and donât try to go to the lavatory. In the back of the room, there is a readily available chamber pot so you can just settle yourself there.â
Yun Shi Yi pulled off her pants and rolled her skirt up before picking up the soft and tender body and entering the back room through the connecting door.
The layout of the inn was quite rational. There was a bathroom connected to each room at the back that was not too big and only meant to relieve oneself.
Ruan Zhu was held by him in an awkward position as she solved her bodily needs. Her face turned bright red from humiliation as she listened to the pitter-patter of water but he seemed to be rather interested as he stared directly at her. When she was finished, he directly carried her back into the bedroom.
He set her on the bed and separating her legs, wiped her ⥠with a clean and moist towel while dawdling: âBe more careful of the child in your belly. In the future, when Iâm not around, you must not move about in case something disastrous happens again.â
Ruan Zhu scowled miserably. She had hands and feet, she knew how to use the restroom and also knew how to take care of her personal hygiene. Why was it that her personal freedom had been deprived once she became pregnant?
âIâve let Nuan Chun go buy some fruits. When he comes back, and theyâve been washed, Iâll give you some to eat. Those things have an effect on digestive systems and your spleen and stomach are weak, but it should be fine if you eat less and portion it out.â
Even snacks had to be restricted!
But she saw Yun Shi Yi squatting between her legs, continuously wiping her secret entrance. The more he wiped, the gentler his movements became. His fingers lightly fiddled with her flower petals: âWife, this place is very beautiful, the color is all light and shiny.â
Feeling embarrassed, Ruan Zhu kept silent. But lifting her hand, she hit a stiff rod that had already grown very large and pressed against the thin silk material as if it would burst through its fetters any moment.
The shafts of these two brothers were both extremely big. Was it that this size was relative to how strong their desire was? She placed her hand on top of it: âHusband Lord, Iâll rub you, okay? Once the uncomfortable heat inside your body is released, youâll feel better.â
But unexpectedly, Yun Shi Yi stopped his fiddling and raised his head to look at her, his eyes stern: âRub what? Youâre at such a young age yet you donât follow good examples. Hurry and lie down.â
This sentence again! Who was it that took the lead? And now heâs acting so noble. Ruan Zhuâs hand hadnât moved from his crotch; rather, she forcefully pinched his member. Yun Shi Yi sucked in a breath in pain: âHow could your heart be this evil?â
Ruan Zhu flushed: âThen Iâll massage you?â Saying that, she once again gripped it.
âNo need.â Yun Shi Yi waved off her small hand. If she really did massage him, how could he be able to endure it? He brought over a pair of light pink trousers for her to wear. âHurry and put this on, donât always expose your butt. If you want to entice this husband, this husband will tell youâmy willpower is very strong, hmm? No more nonsense. Quickly, lie back down on the bed and properly raise the fetus. Donât take my sonâs life as a joke.â
After having been somewhat tormented for a bit, Ruan Zhu felt a little tired and laid on the bed with her eyes closed and actually fell asleep.
Yun Shi Yi grabbed a book to read and sat next to the bed.
A sound came from the door and Yun Shi Wei walked over. Seeing Ruan Zhu asleep, he took the initiative to lighten his footsteps as he came inside.
Ruan Zhu napped until afternoon. When she woke, there was only one person in the roomâYun Shi Wei. âHow come only you are here? Whereâs Eldest Cousin?â
âEldest Brother went to find the physician that treated you, saying he had some questions about the diet of pregnant women. Heâs been gone for quite a long while and I reckon he should be back soon.â As Yun Shi Wei was talking, he saw Ruan Zhu attempting to sit up and hurriedly stretched his hand over to stop her: âEldest Brother said you canât move about. If you want something, tell me and Iâll do it for you.â
âI want to relieve myself.â After sleeping for such a long time, she once again needed to resolve her bodily needs. It was entirely because of all the liquid food and medicine!
âIâll carry you there.â
âNo need to exert yourself, I can go there myself.â Ruan Zhu had no time to think and hurriedly refused him.
âDonât be afraid, I wonât do that anymore. Iâm already wearing the chastity belt, too. Itâs the one that you placed underneath the mattress. Eldest Brother had me put it on. If you donât believe me, here, touch itâŠâŠâ Yun Shi Wei pulled her small hand over and placed it on his hip and sure enough, underneath the fine silk material of his clothing, there were metal chains. âI wonât break the chain. You can safeguard the key and Iâll keep wearing it unless you personally unlock it one dayâŠâŠâ
Yun Shi Yi placed the key in her hand and she used it to lock the chastity belt. Why did she feel as if she had just done something inhuman? Looking at him with a pair of large dewy black eyes: âYou decided to do this?â
Yun Shi Wei resolutely nodded his head: âSeeing you last night, I hated myself to death. Thank the Heavens youâre all right. I am very happy.â As he was saying this, the large manâs eyes unexpectedly moistened. âZhu Zhu, Iâm sorry.â
âCarry me to the lavatory.â
âEn!â Yun Shi Wei wiped away his emotions and agreed. As expected, he was very well-behaved this time, obediently carrying her to solve her bodyâs issue, his hands not roaming at all.
After they had tidied up, Nuan Chun walked over with a plate of fruit.
Ruan Zhu took a look. There were loquats; ginkgo nuts; pineapple; strawberries; Chinese bayberries. Luckily, she enjoyed strawberries and Chinese bayberries. Pineapples were sour but not that bad. Though it was a pity that there was only a small piece.
ææ· Loquats
é¶æ Ginkgo (nuts)
æšæą Chinese bayberry
âThis servant remembers that Miss has said before that strawberries and Chinese bayberries all carry insects and must be soaked in salt water to get rid of them. This servant has just followed that advice so Miss can eat them with confidence. However, Master has instructed that eating a lot will injure the stomach so these foods must be portioned.â
âTruly troublesome.â Ruan Zhu looked at the vivid color of the fruits that still had drops of water on them. Added with what could be the reaction of her being pregnant, her mouth had already watered. She was just about to extend her hand to receive the fruit plate but Yun Shi Wei had actually already accepted it on her behalf. He took the proffered dish and sent a Chinese bayberry into her mouth.
Ruan Zhu chewed the Chinese bayberry and swallowed. The tart taste with the tiniest hint of sweetness made the nausea that she kept feeling much more endurable, and she couldnât help but to open her mouth for moreâŠâŠ
Yun Shi Wei fed her another one: âI heard from Eldest Brother that pregnant women need something sour to be happy. When Mother was pregnant with my little brothers, she was also like that. If you like eating these, wait til tomorrow and Iâll go buy you some.â
Nuan Chun interrupted: âThis servant did not buy the Chinese bayberries from the market. Luckily, the wife of our innkeeper knew that our Miss was pregnant and sent some over. Itâs just that this one is not sure what we should send back as thanks?â
Ruan Zhu paused and thought for a moment: âSending money is not appropriate. Just shear off two chi of red silk from the chest and send that!â
In the ancient period, silk could be used in replacement of money. Sending silk would not incur the otherâs dislike and would also not be considered too out of place.
Nuan Chun complied and went to open the trunk to take the red silk.
Ruan Zhu felt completely satisfied after finishing the fruit. Yun Shi Yi returned at night and the three of them ate the evening meal together, and then afterwards, she drank yet another bowl of medicine. When they went to sleep at night, Yun Shi Wei returned to his own room.
In the blink of an eye, four to five days flew past. Ruan Zhuâs body was much better and Yun Shi Yi allowed her to support herself with the bed and walk a few steps next to it. But if she walked more than three steps away from the bed, she was still severely ordered to stop.
On this day, Ruan Zhu was lying on the bed, pretending she wasnât feeling well, when she heard someone playing the guqin next doorâŠâŠ
[a] He actually says ćšèç which literally translates to âmoving your brainâ and means âusing your brainâ. âMovingâ is crucial to tie it back to when he told her to not randomly move about and âmoving your brainâ isnât a thing in English so yeah.