The Courtyard Full of Fragrance - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

When I woke the next morning, Shen Weichu was already up.

He was sitting by the bed, his face grave as he sank into thought.

Pain, regret, and self-reproach flickered across his features one after another.

Hearing me stir, he turned back. The moment he saw I was awake, he became flustered all over again.

He was so different from the other man who had been playing Fu Rongjing these past few days.

He was so easily embarrassed.

His ears reddened, and he stammered for ages.

Only then did he seem to make up his mind. Solemnly, he said, “Madam, don’t worry. I will take responsibility for this to the end.”

What was he mumbling about?

I couldn’t hear him clearly.

My gaze fell on his broad shoulders and narrow waist, and the medicine began to take effect again.

But an honest woman could not drag her “husband” into doing such things in broad daylight.

So I could only endure it.

Lowering my eyes, I smiled shyly.

“Husband, what are you saying? You and I are husband and wife. This sort of thing… isn’t it perfectly normal?”

Beneath the mask,

the man’s expression froze, and his face turned a little pale.

I couldn’t see it.

Gathering my clothes around me, I rose and considerately urged him, “Husband, don’t you have an appointment with His Highness Prince Jing today to discuss business?”

“Hurry and go. Don’t let proper matters be delayed.”

Of course he had to leave the estate.

They had agreed that each person would wear the disguise for seven days.

And today was the seventh day of his second stint pretending to be Fu Rongjing.

If he did not leave the estate, how was he supposed to hand the mask over?

But perhaps because we had shared such intimacy, he had developed other thoughts. He hesitated for a long while without moving.

After a long time, he suddenly gritted his teeth and said, “Madam, actually, I’m not-”

I hurriedly got up and cut him off.

“Husband, I just remembered that I also have an appointment today.”

“I need to hurry back and wash up, or I won’t make it in time.”

With that, I got out of bed and left in a rush.

Only after I had run out of the courtyard did I pat my chest and let out a breath of relief.

That was close. Too close.

He had almost torn through that last layer of paper.

I really did have an appointment.

It was with another of Fu Rongjing’s friends, Lu Zhi.

After dressing and making myself presentable, I arrived at Qingfeng Tower. Lu Zhi was already waiting there.

He was the son of the prime minister and had placed third in the imperial examination just last year.

Now, he held the post of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

But compared to Fu Rongjing, he had known me even earlier.

When we were young, the Qin and Lu families both lived in Xianzhou City, right next door to each other.

Although the Lu family had moved to the capital ten years ago,

and Lu Zhi and I had not seen each other for ten years,

after our reunion, we did not feel distant at all.

In fact, regarding this game of disguises and impersonation, not only had he not taken part, he had also hinted to me several times in subtle ways.

Today, he had come to remind me again.

In the private room, he held a teacup and asked gently, “Suihe, has Fu Rongjing… been treating you well lately?”

He was very good-looking.

Thin lips, peach-blossom eyes, and a warm, gentle smile.

I shyly lowered my gaze.

When I nodded, I just so happened to reveal the red marks his kisses had left on my neck last night.

“Husband has naturally been very good to me.”

Lu Zhi’s breath hitched. The fingers gripping his teacup suddenly turned white.

Though he was still smiling,

his tone was extremely cold and hard.

“Suihe, everyone in this capital has a complicated mind. They may appear to treat you well, but who knows what filthy thoughts they are hiding underneath?”

“You have been innocent and obedient since you were young. You must not be deceived by these outward appearances.”

How could an honest woman like me have ever heard such harsh words?

I immediately widened my eyes and asked, “Are you saying my husband is deceiving me?”

“Brother Lu Zhi, I have no elder brother. Since we were young, I have always regarded you as one. Now my husband and I have been married for less than half a year. How can you try to sow discord between us like this?”

As I spoke, tears streamed down my face.

Of course, it was not because I was angry or hurt.

It was simply that, in a situation like this, one had to enhance the atmosphere a little.

Even the angle at which I slightly lifted my head to look at him

was one I had practiced and perfected countless times before.

Pitiful and beautiful.

Sure enough,

the moment he saw me cry, Lu Zhi panicked.

Anxiously, he reached out and wiped away my tears.

“No, no. I am not trying to sow discord. I only…”

His voice abruptly stopped, and he suddenly froze.

Because at that moment, I took the opportunity to hold his hand.

My cheek unconsciously pressed against his palm, nuzzling it lightly.

With utmost sincerity, I followed his words and said, “I understand. Brother Lu Zhi, you are only worried about me.”

“Don’t worry. My husband is very good to me. He would never lie to me.”

I had heard that Lu Zhi had devoted himself entirely to his studies over the years and never went near women.

His rooms were filled only with young male servants, without even a single pretty maid.

Madam Lu even suspected he had some unspeakable hidden ailment.

But he clearly had no hidden ailment.

Because as I spoke, the corner of my lips brushed across his palm, and I distinctly saw his Adam’s apple bob.

I also distinctly saw the flicker of desire, unwillingness, and jealousy flash through his eyes.

His expression turned dazed.

Only after a long while did he abruptly withdraw his hand as if he had been burned.

He did not notice at all that outside the door behind him, two figures had flashed past.