Chapter 57: The Composure Cheng Zhao Desires

Cheng Zhao was held tightly in Zhou Yuanshen's arms.

Usually, when looking at him, he always seemed cold. His eyes were cold, his demeanor was cold, yet his skin was scorchingly hot.

Cheng Zhao felt as if she were holding a warm stove and wanted to pull away.

She leaned forward to reach for her clothes, only to find them tossed to the other end of the large heated bed by the window.

As she moved, her dark hair brushed against Zhou Yuanshen again.

Zhou Yuanshen rolled over and pinned her beneath him.

Cheng Zhao glanced at the sky outside. My Lord Duke, it is getting late. It is time for dinner. Are you hungry?

Broad daylight, in the side room of Chenhui Courtyard...

Thinking of the management authority over the gatehouse and then of having an heir, Cheng Zhao forcefully swallowed all her discomfort.

Indulging his madness once in a while would not make the sky fall.

Just as she finished speaking, Zhou Yuanshen blocked her lips with his own.

Cheng Zhao's eyes widened slightly.

Was he going to do it again?

I am very hungry... Zhou Yuanshen answered her, his voice incredibly hoarse.

Cheng Zhao wanted to say something, but he kissed her again.

Later, she did not know when she fell asleep. In her daze, she could still feel someone wiping her clean and changing her clothes.

When Cheng Zhao completely woke up, it was the Yin hour of the next day.

A small horn lantern flickered in the room, and she heard Zhou Yuanshen's voice: Have the clothes and cosmetics been brought over?

Yes, My Lord Duke, the maid Qiubai answered in a low voice.

Wait until the Young Madam wakes up to help her dress and wash, Zhou Yuanshen said.

He went out.

By the dim light, Cheng Zhao saw the lilac fine cotton bed curtains and realized this was the main room of Chenhui Courtyard.

Yesterday mid-afternoon, when they came in, he had said they would play chess.

They only played one game, yet he had tossed her about twice.

Cheng Zhao might have been a bit tired these past two days, and unable to withstand his fondling, she eventually fell asleep.

She had not even eaten dinner.

Waking up, it was already time for him to attend the morning court.

Cheng Zhao sighed softly.

She closed her eyes again and did not move.

A moment later, she called her maids in.

Qiubai and Suyue came in together.

Have my breakfast sent to Nonghua Courtyard. Do not have it brought here, Cheng Zhao said.

Wherever the meal was set, the main kitchen would know where the person was.

Cheng Zhao did not want others to know she had rested in Chenhui Courtyard last night.

It was normal for Zhou Yuanshen to stay in Nonghua Courtyard; but for Cheng Zhao to stay with him in Chenhui Courtyard was a bit strange.

What Duke's wife would abandon her perfectly good courtyard to sleep in the inner study with her husband?

A study, after all, was a place of elegance and the husband's exclusive domain.

Even if she were just burying her head in the sand, Cheng Zhao had to hide away.

She figured she would eat some pastries to fill her stomach.

Even though she was a bit hungry.

When she was hungry, pastries would not be enough to satisfy her.

She would endure it and eat more at noon.

The Duke's breakfast has already been delivered, Qiubai said. He did not touch it. He said he would eat outside and told us to save it for you.

Nanfeng also brought a small stove in. The breakfast is being kept warm and has not gone cold. If you get up to eat now, it will not need to be reheated.

Cheng Zhao: ...

After washing up, Cheng Zhao ate her breakfast first before doing her hair and makeup.

Cheng Zhao was a bit surprised that Zhou Yuanshen had thought this far ahead.

He probably knew that a woman of Cheng Zhao's background valued rules highly and would be reluctant to spend the night with him in Chenhui Courtyard.

He knew, yet he insisted on doing it anyway...

Cheng Zhao slowly finished her breakfast, rinsed her mouth again, and then sat down, letting her maids comb her hair and apply her powder.

Once they were done, it was still early. Chengming Hall was close by, so Cheng Zhao casually picked up a book, unhurried.

If you lived here, it would indeed be convenient to handle your daily duties, Suyue said.

Everything could be done unhurriedly.

Although hurrying over from Nonghua Courtyard was not considered far, there was still the process of rushing, which made one feel pressed for time.

Cheng Zhao laughed. You have no ambition. Do we handle duties just to live in Chenhui Courtyard? This is merely the inner study.

The best would be to live in Chengming Hall.

That would be true ease.

Because she was full and had time to read, Cheng Zhao cast aside any lingering discomfort from last night and went to Chengming Hall in a fairly good mood.

Only upon arriving did she learn that the Eldest Young Madam, Huan Qingtang, had slept in the eastern main room of Chengming Hall last night.

Because Madam Song had asked her to attend to her illness.

Huan Qingtang had her own courtyard, not far from Chengming Hall. It was the courtyard from her wedding, and she had continued to live there after becoming a widow.

To stay in the main room of Chengming Hall, the principal courtyard, signified a different status and position.

The managers seemed to have all heard about this, and they looked at Huan Qingtang with more prudence.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhao's expression remained completely unchanged, and she even showed concern for Huan Qingtang: Sister-in-law, you must be tired from attending to the sick, right?

In front of the managers, Huan Qingtang said with a smiling face, It is fine. Mother favors me greatly; she only asked me to keep her company and did not make me serve tea or fetch water.

On one hand, this was telling the managers that she had moved into Chengming Hall.

Without the approval of the Old Madam and Madam Song, it would have been impossible for her to move in. This was a demarcation of status and position.

On the other hand, it elevated Madam Song, letting people know she was a lenient and kind mother-in-law.

The managers looked at her, and they also looked at Cheng Zhao.

Smiling, Cheng Zhao praised the Eldest Madam a bit and added, I hope Eldest Aunt recovers soon. Without her here to take charge, I feel very panicked.

Mother will be well soon, Sister-in-law, do not worry, Huan Qingtang smiled.

It was a scene of peace and joy.

The managers carefully savored Cheng Zhao's words and could not detect a hint of sarcasm or hidden bitterness.

With Cheng Zhao's background, it was impossible for her not to know what her sister-in-law moving into Chengming Hall meant. Yet she managed to remain completely composed, her words devoid of any emotion, which was truly formidable.

Mid-morning, some managing older women gathered together and chatted about this matter.

The two Young Madams of our estate are actually more shrewd than the two Madams.

When discussing distinguished scholarly families, Cheng Shi and Lady Huan are both at the top. The Old Madam has a good eye.

Cheng Shi's marriage was decreed by the Empress. The Empress is trying to curry favor with the Duke, deliberately choosing a universally excellent Young Madam for him.

The Third Young Madam did not even make a fuss! She holds the imperial mandate of a Duke's wife, comes from a good background, yet she can swallow this grievance. She truly has refinement.

Once she has an heir, her situation in the future will be different. She does not fight over a momentary advantage and leaves behind a good reputation; she is quite capable.

Being so young, they truly live up to being ladies of noble families. Their upbringing is truly remarkable.

Towards Huan Qingtang, the managing women gained some respect; but they did not belittle Cheng Zhao because of it. Instead, everyone felt that Cheng Zhao was steady, shrewd, and not to be underestimated.

Huan Qingtang's maid eventually heard these discussions and was very irritated.

She said to Huan Qingtang, The mouths of these managing women are the most venomous. Cheng Shi lost the upper hand, yet they still praise her!

Huan Qingtang smiled bitterly. This, I really did not expect.

Do you need me to send someone to speak up for you? We cannot just let Cheng Shi gain such a reputation.

Huan Qingtang pondered and shook her head: The more we do, the more mistakes we might make. Let us wait. We have won a step; for now, let us not get distracted.