A Desperate Husband Is a Substitute - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Shielded by several maids, I finally made it back to my courtyard.

I hurriedly changed out of my clothes and carefully inspected my outer robe.

Sure enough, there was a bright smear of red.

It had definitely gotten on Pei Yihan’s clothes.

I paced anxiously around the room, trying to think of a solution.

If Pei Yihan noticed, how was I ever supposed to face him again?

If Pei Yihan didn’t notice and wore those clothes out, what then?

The moment I thought of that, I knew I couldn’t delay another second.

I immediately took people with me to look for Pei Yihan. The most urgent task right now was to stop him from leaving the estate.

He was nowhere to be found in the study, the garden, or the main hall.

At last, in the courtyard where he usually rested, I learned where he was.

“My lord is bathing. Shall I go in and announce you?”

Pei Yihan was about to take a bath?

Then he would definitely be taking off his clothes.

If I went in now and stole them without anyone noticing, everything would be solved.

And I wouldn’t have to face any awkward situation at all.

After dismissing the servant, I tiptoed toward the inner chamber.

Controlling my strength as best I could, I pushed open the wooden door.

Creeeak-

I cursed Pei Yihan under my breath. “The door’s in this state and he still won’t fix it?”

“Who is it?”

A cold, authoritative voice came from inside.

I pinched my throat and said, “This servant has come to collect my lord’s changed clothes, so they can be washed.”

“Oh? Then come in first.”

Pei Yihan’s voice was slightly hoarse.

Hearing his reply, I let out a sigh of relief.

Heehee~

Good thing I was clever!

Now that I had a proper reason, I strutted right into the inner chamber.

At a glance, I saw the figure behind the folding screen.

The Pei Family had served in the military for generations, and their way of doing things was bold, unrestrained, and unconcerned with minor details.

Because of that, they had often been criticized by the Censorate.

Fortunately, this generation had Pei Yihan, who could truly be called both a scholar and a warrior.

Pei Yihan had not chosen to join the army. Instead, he had entered officialdom early, and after many years in court, he had achieved quite a bit.

I supposed that had a great deal to do with the Pei Family.

Through the folding screen, I could vaguely make out his silhouette. His broad shoulders and the strong lines of his muscles were indistinctly reflected against the screen. I couldn’t help remembering the scene of sitting astride him. I could still clearly feel just how firm and powerful the muscles of the man beneath me had been.

That silhouette rose and fell slightly with his breathing.

The temperature in the room kept climbing.

I secretly pinched myself a few times.

Now was not the time to be blinded by lust.

The important thing was to find the clothes he had changed out of and leave as quickly as possible.

The light in the inner chamber was dim, making the search painfully difficult.

“Come in and attend me.”

That sudden command nearly scared my soul out of my body.

What was he doing?

Didn’t he hate being touched by women?

“This servant will be right there.”

I answered perfunctorily while continuing to look for his clothes.

At last, I spotted the pile of clothes he had changed out of right in front of me.

I really must have been blind.

I didn’t care whether they were inner robes or outer robes. I scooped them all into my arms.

Just as I was preparing to make my escape, I looked up and found a tall, broad figure standing there in a long brocade-white robe. His waist was narrow and lean, and a large expanse of bare chest was still dotted with water droplets.

I might have read countless books, but when had I ever seen such a sultry scene in person?

My brain short-circuited on the spot.

“Madam, what are you doing?”

Pei Yihan gazed at me with dark, deep eyes, looking utterly puzzled.

I rubbed my nose. Thank goodness I wasn’t having a nosebleed.

“I had something to discuss with you. I didn’t expect you to be bathing. Hahahahaha, ahaha…”

“Hahahahaha… Looks like I came at the wrong time. I’ll be going now!”

Holding the clothes, I was just about to go around him when he grabbed my arm.

“You’re taking the clothes I changed out of too?”

Uh.

I racked my brains and made up a reason on the spot.

“We’ve been married for some time now, but there still hasn’t been any movement in my belly.”

“Mother specially found a folk remedy for me. If I place the clothes my husband wears in daily life under the bed and leave them there for seven times seven, forty-nine days, then a woman can become pregnant.”

Pei Yihan glanced at me faintly and asked in a probing tone, “This folk remedy can truly help with conception?”

Seeing him ask that, I answered with even more confidence. “Better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn’t.”

Pei Yihan unhurriedly adjusted the sash at his waist.

Yet with every step, he pressed closer until I had nowhere left to retreat.

I stumbled back and sat down on a chair.

“Stop-”

Pei Yihan only raised his left hand and braced it on the armrest of the chair.

Leaning beside my ear, he said slowly, “Madam, has it occurred to you that coming to me might be more effective?”

Only then did I suddenly remember something.

Pei Yihan and I had been married for so long, but we had yet to consummate our marriage.

If it hadn’t been mentioned today, I would have completely forgotten about it.

Would Pei Yihan think I was desperately impatient and had deliberately said all this to hint at him?

“Then why don’t we tonight…”

Before he could finish, I cut him off. “My body isn’t convenient today.”

“How about we make an appointment for next time?”

Because he was leaning over, from my position I had an unobstructed view of the scenery beneath his robe.

Another hot rush surged below.

Sure enough, these few days…

I couldn’t take even the slightest stimulation.

“It just came? You really know how to pick your timing.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Pei Yihan’s mouth, but his eyes grew darker and darker, carrying an inexplicable trace of resentment.

“That makes sense. You’ve always resisted being intimate with me.” His voice was extremely quiet.

How quiet?

So quiet I didn’t catch it at all. “What?”

“Nothing. Even if Madam truly has her monthly courses, I will still go to the main courtyard tonight! Consider it me keeping Madam company as you weather this hardship together!” Pei Yihan said, raising a brow.

Every word left me no room to refuse.

“My lord, you really are so loyal and righteous!”

Keeping me company as I weather this hardship?

Heavens above!

Did you hear that?

From now on, please transfer my monthly courses to Pei Yihan instead!