A Hundred of Beautiful Lives - Chapter 010

Such blunt words made the listeners feel somewhat embarrassed, yet Ji Yang herself remained entirely unaware. When she spoke like this, it was as if she were acting coquettishly towards Shen Du. 

Her voice was clear like water, crisp and sweet, but the final note naturally carried a soft, pampering tone. To those who liked her, it felt as if they could carve out their hearts and offer them to her, while those who did not might say, How can this person act so indiscriminately coquettish, not mindful of time or place?

Born with a fox-like charm!

Upon hearing this, Shen Du could not help but glance at Ji Yang. It was not that he lacked the means to respond to such talk; he just could not be bothered to use them on Ji Yang.

Ji Yang, however, was startled by Shen Du’s glance. She could not help but recall what Yu Sui’er had complained about earlier today.

It seems Shen Du truly dislikes being addressed as ‘Fùmǎ.’ 

Thinking of this, Ji Yang could not help but feel a little aggrieved. 

I married him, so what dissatisfaction could he possibly have? After all, countless people were fighting to be this fùmǎ.

But then Ji Yang reconsidered. She felt that Shen Du’s attitude, not taking pride in marrying into the imperial family, was admirable. 

Only a man who attains his goals through hard work can be called genuinely admirable and heroic.

Therefore, her feeling of grievance flashed by and was quickly replaced by even more admiration for Shen Du.

This was the blindness of affection.

After Shen Du came out from the cleansing room, he saw that although Ji Yang was already lying on the bed, her eyes were still wide and lively, skittering energetically. He could tell she was not sleepy yet, so he said, “Did you visit the eldest sister-in-law and fifth sister-in-law today?” Yet again, it was simply a polite inquiry, though, in truth, everything Ji Yang had done today had already been carefully filtered and reported back to Shen Du.

Ji Yang moved to the inner side of the bed and nodded in response.

Once Shen Du lay down on the bed, she sniffed the fresh scent of water from his recent bath, and her cheeks flushed with a thin layer of red. She wanted to be modest and tried to move away a little more but felt reluctant, so instead, she moved in closer, resting her head on his arm to speak.

Shen Du did not expect Ji Yang to be so forward, but he remained composed, only saying, “The eldest sister-in-law and fifth sister-in-law prefer quiet.”

Shen Du made this remark, seemingly reminding Ji Yang of the preferences of his two sisters-in-law, but when listened to carefully, it was to discourage Ji Yang from visiting them too often.

But Ji Yang had never considered the possibility of being unwelcome, nor that someone might not like her. Not just the noble ladies in the palace—even her teachers—who could see Ji Yang and not love her, ah?

She looked like a heavenly fairy descended to earth. Her personality was lively, unrestrained by etiquette and always friendly to everyone. With Empress Su supporting her, who would not like Ji Yang and who would dare not to? 

Thus, everyone Ji Yang had ever met fell into two categories: those who liked her and those who especially liked her.

So naturally, she took no notice of Shen Du’s underlying message. “Yes, the eldest sister-in-law is devoted to Buddha and particularly fond of quietness, but the eldest young lady—her temperament is still one that enjoys liveliness.”

“Fifth sister-in-law is a talented and gentle woman. Today, I mentioned wanting to learn xiǎo kǎi from her, and she agreed without hesitation.” Ji Yang smiled, but when she said this, her eyes showed a hint of sympathy. “The fifth sister-in-law is not very old and has no children, so it would be pitiful if she were to spend her whole life alone like this.”

Ji Yang was the type to say whatever came to mind. She brazenly hugged Shen Du’s arm, blinking her eyes as she asked, “Doesn’t her family want her to remarry?”

Nowadays, the world is not peaceful. The north is frequently devastated by war, causing the population to dwindle. Whether it was Ji Yang’s father or the provincial governors, administrators of the provinces encouraged all widows to remarry. Therefore, getting remarried was not seen as anything out of the ordinary.

Shen Du replied blandly, “You worry too much.”

Ji Yang quickly came to her senses and realized she had overstepped, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Candlelight filtered through red gauze, casting a rosy glow over Ji Yang’s face as if a cloud of pink mist had enveloped her. The two lying on the bed were very close, and with every breath Shen Du took, he could smell a light elusive fragrance lingering at the nape of Ji Yang’s neck—a scent that defied description yet made people entranced in heart and dazed in spirit.

To Shen Du, a beauty’s lips served better for soft gasps and tender cries rather than talking. He had felt a bit of pity for Ji Yang after tiring her out the previous night, but seeing her so lively now, his heart stirred.

For Shen Du, such matters were simply needs. It did not matter whether the one beneath him was a princess of the imperial family or a courtesan from the brothel—there was little difference.

Ji Yang felt his fingers move to the ribbon tied to her chest, her face growing redder. She tried to move away, but Shen Du pressed her back down.

Outside the bed curtains, the maids, Qīng Qīng and Zǐ Jīn, were serving by the pillar. Though accustomed to such nights, today they exchanged a glance and blushed this time, listening to the intense sounds within.

Another half the night of commotion, and this time so loud that Qīng Qīng and Zǐ Jīn could not help but worry for Princess Anle. No wonder she could not hold back those soft, lilting moans that rose and fell. Her voice was so gentle and seductive that even the maids felt their hearts flutter.

Just then, a choked, tear-laced cry rang out from the curtained bed, “Liù Láng—”

Zǐ Jīn was not as calm as Qīng Qīng and could not help but turn her head and peek through the light gauze. She could vaguely see Princess Anle propped up on the bed rail with her hands, her slender waist rising and falling. Zǐ Jīn feared it might snap from the strain.

But that silhouette was too beautiful, full round peach-like br3asts, a narrow waist that seemed like it could cradle a bowl of fine wine, a perky buttock, and long, slender legs. Zǐ Jīn, after one glance, hurriedly looked away and thought to herself.

No wonder the Marquis is so enthusiastic.

After going on like this for half the night, Ji Yang finally drifted off in a daze, too exhausted to even clean herself up. But she was young and healthy, and when the first light of dawn appeared, she groggily woke up, but Shen Du was no longer beside her.

Ji Yang called for Yu Sui’er and Lu Zhu’er to help her bathe and dress, but she was still tired and planned to nap later, so she only wore a thin robe.

Ji Yang casually asked, “Where is the Fùmǎ?”

Yu Sui’er replied, “Fùmǎ is practising his sword in the open space in the garden.”

Ji Yang immediately perked up. Her sleepiness vanished, and she put on soft shoes and wrapped a silk shawl around herself before heading to the garden. That open space was where Ji Yang had practised her dancing before. It was not far from the main house.

Shen Du wore dark, narrow-sleeved northern-style attire, his movements swift and fluid like flowing clouds and water. His sword shimmered in the early light like scattered stars, its path like a roaming dragon—cold brilliance like icy silk.

Ji Yang stood watching, infatuated.

Now, this is what real sword-dancing looks like! So much more heroic than those palace dancers.

She could not help but mimic his moves, thinking it would be refreshing to try sword dancing instead of her usual Hú Xuǎn Wǔ, and she had such an excellent master right in front of her.

When Shen Du stopped, Qīng Qīng stepped forward with a snow-white handkerchief, but seeing Princess Anle approaching her, she quickly lowered her head and handed the handkerchief to Ji Yang instead.

Ji Yang took the handkerchief and walked to Shen Du’s side. She was not used to serving people, so she handed the handkerchief over directly, and while watching Shen Du wipe off his sweat, she somewhat eagerly asked, “Liù Láng, can you teach me how to wield the sword?”

Shen Du turned his head to look at Ji Yang, “Why do you want to learn swordsmanship?”

Although the noble daughter’s studies included archery but rarely swordsmanship, she did not want to say she wanted to learn swordsmanship for dancing, so her eyes spun as she answered, “I just want to defend myself. That incident by the Zhāngshuǐ really scared me.”

Du looked at her face and thought, 

Perhaps it is adequate for someone like her to learn a bit of self-defence. She is flexible, so learning swordsmanship should not be hard.

“I am often away from Jizhou. I am afraid I cannot instruct you in anything, but if you want to learn, I will find another master for you.”

Ji Yang wanted to learn from Shen Du, originally harbouring feelings of closeness. If someone else were to teach her, it would feel pointless. So she quickly shook her head and said, “No, no. When Liù Láng practices swordsmanship daily, I can learn by watching from the side. If you see my posture is off, you can correct me a bit—that is enough. There is no need to trouble an outsider.”

In truth, this was what Ji Yang took for granted. Who said Shen Du had to stay in the Gongzhu Fu every time? Right now, he is staying in her chambers only because of an unwritten custom: in the first month after the bride enters the household, the groom sleeps in her room.

Seeing Shen Du silent, Ji Yang tugged at his clothes and daintily said, “Can’t I, Lang Jun?”

Look—when this person wants something, she is even willing to call him ‘Lang Jun.’ Shen Du saw that Ji Yang lacked the arrogance of a typical princess, and her small eyes were really pitiful. Plus, he had exhausted her so thoroughly last night, yet this princess had only groaned a few times. No matter how hard Shen Du’s heart was, at this moment, it still softened—and he gave a slight nod.

Ji Yang’s whole face suddenly brightened, more dazzling than the thousands of golden rays of dawn spreading across the horizon. Her face was still dewy from her recent bath, and there remained a faint blush from last night’s exertion—it was indeed a beauty to rival the morning sun. Shen Du could not help but look at her a few more times. 

Indeed—worthy of the beauty that can topple cities and kingdoms.

“Master, please accept this disciple’s bow.” Ji Yang seized the opportunity to cement her status as his disciple while the iron was hot. She could see that Shen Du lacked the patience to teach her. This little act of formality to make sure that he wouldn’t go back on his word. By accepting her bow, he would have no choice but to teach her.

Shen Du had thought Ji Yang was just being playful, but to his surprise, she knelt on the ground and respectfully performed three formal bows.

Shen Du also did not stop Ji Yang. After she stood up, he deliberately put on the airs of a master, patted her head and said, “Since you have now entered my tutelage, you must respect your master. You are not to disobey your master’s commands.”

“Of course,” Ji Yang replied with a sweet smile on her face, offering her hand to him. She was not used to kneeling, and her knees already ached after just that short while.

Shen Du reached out his hand and pulled Ji Yang up, and the two of them returned to Chóng Guāng Táng together.

After Shen Du had bathed and changed, Ji Yang also dressed up. Outside the covered corridors, all the concubines of the various courtyards were still waiting to offer the principal wife her tea.

When Shen Du sat down, Yù Suǐ’er went outside to summon those concubines inside. The one at the head of the line was Shen Du’s favoured concubine, Lady Ruǎn. 

Following her were Qi Beiyuan of Sōnglín Courtyard, Liu Sese of Huanhua Courtyard, and several other concubines, naturally, including the elder and younger Yú sisters.

[T/N: If you’re already familiar or prefer not to know, feel free to skip to the next chapter.

Meaning– Lang Jun (husband)].