Chapter 157

Chapter 157: I Ease the Princess Consort’s Aches

Since becoming husband and wife, Chun Zhi had often been cared for by Huo Zheng. They already knew each other’s bodies well, but this was the first time they bathed together. Candlelight filled the room.

They sat in one tub. Water rippled around them, and both of their breaths grew a little uneven. Keeping her eyes down, Chun Zhi urged him in a soft voice: “Hurry and wash. Once we’re done, we should sleep.”

Huo Zheng did not rush to bathe. Instead, he began to soap her with scented soap. His palms were hot, and the moment they touched her skin she felt flustered by the heat.

“I’ll do it myself,” Chun Zhi said, reaching for the soap. Huo Zheng would not give it to her.

Leaning close and sending up a splash, he said in a low, husky voice: “The maids aren’t here. I will serve the princess consort myself.”

By now, Chun Zhi knew his nature well. Seeing him draw near, she understood what he wanted and quickly pressed a hand to his chest as she said: “It’s already past midnight. You worked all day, and so did I. Let’s wash and sleep. Don’t make trouble.”

“When I see you, I stop feeling tired,” Huo Zheng said.

“But I’m tired,” Chun Zhi answered: “I want to sleep.”

“Then just close your eyes and rest,” Huo Zheng said with a smile: “I’ll ease the princess consort’s aches.”

“You…” Chun Zhi started, then had nothing to say.

His hands moved over her, the fresh scent of the soap spreading through the air while his warm breath drew near. Chun Zhi could feel everything. There was no way she could close her eyes and ignore him.

In the tub, Huo Zheng helped her “ease her aches.” At first, Chun Zhi resisted, but he knew her so well that soon she relaxed and sank into it. Water splashed out again and again. The candlelight shook and blurred the darkness.

By the end, Chun Zhi did not even know how she made it back to the bed. Huo Zheng wiped her clean, put on her nightclothes, and held her as they fell asleep.

When Chun Zhi woke the next day, sunlight already warmed the courtyard. The man at her side was gone, likely off to morning court. Her nightclothes were a bit messy, and the faint red marks on her skin showed through. Afraid the maids would see, she changed her clothes before letting them in to help her wash up.

When Qing Ye came in, she said with a smile: “The young master woke early and wanted to find Nian’er. The two little ones have already been playing together for a while. I asked Yu Zhu and the wet nurse to watch them.”

Hearing that the children were getting along so well, Chun Zhi was pleased and said with a smile: “You handle things properly. I’m at ease.”

Qing Ye said: “Since the young master likes Miss Nian’er so much, when does the princess consort plan to give him a sister?”

Chun Zhi paused. After having Little Xing Hui, she had already felt satisfied and had not thought about a second child. The maids nearby laughed and said: “The prince and princess consort are so loving. Giving the young master a sister is only a matter of time.” “Yes, the princess consort is healthy. A few more brothers and sisters would be fine too.”

Hearing this, Chun Zhi’s face warmed. She remembered last night in the bath. The tub and the floor had been a mess. She wondered what the maids thought while cleaning up. In her heart she blamed Huo Zheng and decided: [Next time I must not let Huo Zheng run wild.]

After washing, Chun Zhi went to the side room to see Little Xing Hui. Now that he had a playmate, he had almost forgotten his mother. When she came in, he did not even look up. He was busy holding his luminous pearl out to Nian’er to play with.

Yu Zhu and the wet nurse rose and greeted her: “Princess consort.”

Chun Zhi reached to lift Yu Zhu and said: “I’ve told you many times. At home you don’t need to salute me, and don’t call me princess consort.”

Yu Zhu changed at once and said: “Sister Chun Zhi.”

Chun Zhi answered and sat by the couch, then reached out to touch Little Xing Hui’s cheek. Only then did he notice her. He lifted his small arms and laughed, asking to be held. Chun Zhi picked him up and said with a grin: “You like your sister Nian’er so much? You even gave her your luminous pearl.”

The Princess Royal of Anyang had gifted that luminous pearl, and it was a priceless treasure. But in the hands of children who could not tell its value, it was nothing but a big marble. Chun Zhi had wanted Qing Ye to put it away, but Little Xing Hui would not have it. He asked for it every day. She had no choice but to let someone watch closely so it would not get chipped or dropped.

Nian’er was a little miss, and she played with the luminous pearl more gently than Little Xing Hui. Before doing anything, she always looked to her mother. If Yu Zhu nodded or smiled, she continued. If Yu Zhu shook her head, Nian’er stopped at once. She was very well behaved.

With such a playmate for Little Xing Hui, Chun Zhi was at ease. Each day Yu Zhu and the wet nurse stayed with the children, which gave Chun Zhi time to straighten out the Prince’s Manor accounts. She got better and better at handling the household and soon managed things like a true mistress.

Huo Zheng left early and returned late for work, but no matter how busy he was, he came home at night to be with Chun Zhi and the child. He personally taught her how to check and keep accounts, judge people and assign them well, and run the manor. Chun Zhi was quick to learn and even quicker to use what she learned. In less than a month, her “teacher” had little left to teach.

After that, Huo Zheng kept pestering Chun Zhi at night about giving Little Xing Hui a sister. Worn out by him, she felt she should find some proper work to do so he might calm down. For now, she put aside the idea of another baby. She liked children, but Little Xing Hui was still young. With Nian’er as a playmate, things were already good. Adding a sister now felt too soon.

After thinking for a few days, Chun Zhi realized she had plenty of silver on hand and could start a business in the Capital. The Capital was full of high officials and noble families, the best place to make money. But she had only ever sold tofu before, and with a large sum in hand, she did not dare act rashly. So she sent Qing Ye to Song Manor to invite the brother and sister, Song An Lan and Song Wan’er.

Qing Ye took two maids to deliver the message and came back half an hour later. Only Song An Lan had come.

Chun Zhi was surprised and asked at once: “Where is Wan’er?”

Song An Lan said with a helpless look: “Ever since you married, Wan’er has found home boring. Today she ran off to the bookstore to buy storybooks again.”

“If Wan’er wants new storybooks, I can have people buy them and send them to her,” Chun Zhi said: “It’s so hot, and she still goes out. She isn’t worried about heatstroke?”

“Let’s not talk about her,” Song An Lan said, clearly at a loss with his sister. Then he turned to Chun Zhi and asked: “Why did you ask me here today?”