The next day, the morning light shone brightly, with the summer sun illuminating the courtyard, casting a dazzling golden glow. The pavilions and buildings appeared as if draped in golden veils, splendid and majestic.

This also made the air grow stuffy and hot.

Chen Mo opened his eyes, turned his face, and suddenly felt his arms tingling. He found Xiao Yunxi and Xiao Ya each holding one of his arms tightly. Their long, slender, white legs were draped over him, yet Chen Mo felt no enjoyment, rather a bit hot.

Looking at the golden light pouring in through the window, Chen Mo understood that Linzhou was starting to warm up too.

He gently withdrew his arms from the embrace of the two women, wanting to go out and call the servants to bring water for a bath. After a night of lingering tenderness, he was covered in sweat, mixed with a different kind of smell. Though not exactly unpleasant, it was somewhat uncomfortable if not washed away.

However, just as he got up, his expression froze for a moment, as if the drawn sword had not been sheathed.

Lying beside him, Xiao Ya furrowed her brows, letting out a soft hum. A hint of pain flashed across her face. As she opened her clear eyes and saw the young man’s face, she seemed a bit dazed for a moment. Her gaze couldn’t help but shift downward, and soon, her fair and tender face flushed a crimson red.

She averted her gaze for a while, recalling last night’s lingering moments. The last practice before sleep was with her husband.

Shyly pursing her lips, she then lifted her eyes and softly said, "Husband, you’re awake. Do you want to get up? Let me serve you."

After speaking, Xiao Ya furrowed her brows and moved, with the sound of a cork being pulled from a wine bottle ringing out. She took a long breath of cool air, quickly covering her mouth with a hand, afraid to wake up her still-sleeping aunt.

"Xiaoya, are you... okay?" Chen Mo looked at Xiao Ya’s pained expression, not expecting her to still feel unwell after a night’s rest.

"I’m much better." Saying that, Xiao Ya was about to get up and find clothes to dress Chen Mo, but was stopped by his gentle grasp.

"Xiaoya, lie down. I’m not that delicate; I can manage myself," Chen Mo said with a warm smile, softly. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Xiao Ya’s lazy voice carried a hint of hesitation. A trace of concern appeared in her eyes as she said, "Husband, is this okay? Also, according to custom, I must pay respects and serve tea to Ms. Mi later."

Though she had married long ago, having shared the room last night made her a new wife, needing to pay respects and serve tea to the first wife.

"There’s nothing wrong with this. I’m in charge in this household. I’ll inform Ms. Mi, so don’t worry."

With that, Chen Mo gently laid Xiao Ya back down, then said, "Let me see."

"Ah?!" Xiao Ya was startled, quickly closing her legs and protecting herself with her hands, her face flushing red with embarrassment.

But she couldn’t resist Chen Mo’s curiosity, so she bashfully said, "Husband, no."

Chen Mo glanced over, as if stung by a bee, and gently said, "I’ll ask Ms. Mi to get some medicine for you later."

"No, please no..." Xiao Ya waved her hands in both embarrassment and panic, almost to the point of tears, fearing the embarrassment if that were to happen.

"No what? Husband, don’t bully Xiaoya so early in the morning," Xiao Yunxi, woken by their commotion, didn’t know the situation. She only assumed Chen Mo was teasing Xiao Ya early in the morning, and pulled at his arm to stop him.

Once she understood the situation, Xiao Yunxi’s full, charming face turned a bright red, and she immediately scolded Chen Mo, "Husband, it’s all your fault; you don’t know how to care for Xiao Ya at all."

Chen Mo: "..."

He was already very considerate, but he hadn’t expected Xiao Ya’s physique to be different from others. He didn’t defend himself, instead taking the blame, saying, "It’s my fault, all my fault."

With that, Chen Mo looked at Xiao Yunxi and said, "Yunxi, you are the elder, you take care of Xiao Ya."

This time, Xiao Ya did not object. After last night, there were no more secrets between the two women.

...

In another room, in Yang Qingqing’s room.

A ray of golden morning light shone through the window, landing on Yang Qingqing’s face, warm and bright. The sunlight was both dazzling and uncomfortable, causing her to raise a hand for cover but not wake immediately. Not until it became unbearable did Yang Qingqing suddenly remember something, sitting up abruptly and opening her eyes.

She glanced around in confusion, looking at the books scattered on the floor and the pipa beside her. Suddenly recalling something, she reached for the back of her neck, feeling a bump like a pimple.

She quickly checked her body and, finding nothing unusual and that the guardian sand was still there, murmured, "What exactly happened last night?"

Unease welled up inside her as she eyed the White Tiger Dabai still sleeping there. Yang Qingqing grabbed a book from the floor and hurled it towards Dabai.

It struck squarely on the forehead.

In the midst of a good sleep, Dabai opened his eyes, looking at the book that fell before him. About to let out a roar of anger, he suddenly saw his owner’s unhappy expression. His movements stiffened, and he cautiously lowered his head, looking around cluelessly, wondering who had upset his owner.

...

A month ago.

In the jurisdiction of Cangzhou, Lu’an County.

On the bumpy official road, over a hundred people traveled, bringing their families along, carrying bundles, and pushing wheelbarrows. Although tired, the dry weather kept the road from being as muddy as in spring. Despite its unevenness, it was fairly passable.

Within the group, dividing into multiple units by family, there was a group comprised of Dai Ling’s family of three and Huang Zhaodi, her child, Father Huang, and Mrs. Huang, among others. They were conversing at this moment.