CHAPTER 324: CHAPTER 164: THE VIRTUOUS WIFE’S GOAL

She didn’t know how to describe it, nor had she ever experienced it before; for the first time in her two lifetimes, she had felt this way.

"Miss Wan!" Shi Fengju lifted his head from her body, kissing her cheeks with immense tenderness, straightened her disheveled hair, and softly chuckled, "Are you tired?"

Sang Wan’s face flushed, and she gently shook her head then hastened to nod.

Seeing her still somewhat dazed and not fully recovered, Shi Fengju could not help but laugh again.

After cleaning themselves up, the two lay back down; Shi Fengju let out a contented sigh, caressing her smooth and tender cheeks, "Miss Wan, you’ve finally become truly my wife!" His arm wrapped around her neck from behind and his other arm encircled her waist, drawing her tightly into his embrace.

"Fengju, don’t leave me!" Sang Wan sighed softly, snuggling into his embrace.

"I won’t!" Shi Fengju felt a mix of joy and softness in his heart, and hugged her even tighter, "Miss Wan, I will cherish and protect you for the rest of our lives!"

"Mm," Sang Wan looked up into his eyes, giving a soft smile. He was her husband, as well as her heaven; with just a word from him, she was content.

"Miss Wan! How could I ever bear to be unkind to you!" Shi Fengju’s affections deepened, and he couldn’t resist kissing her eyebrows and eyes lightly, whispering with a smile, "It’s late, let’s sleep."

"Mm!" Sang Wan nestled against him obediently and gently closed her eyes.

Soon, his breathing became heavy and even, clearly having fallen asleep. Sang Wan, however, quietly opened her eyes, staring blankly into space.

His arm was holding her very tightly; she wriggled slightly but felt no slack, so she dared not move anymore and let him hold her like this. It was her first time being this intimate with a man, and Sang Wan felt somewhat uneasy, slightly awkward, and quietly turned her face, changing her position.

Intermittent pain remained in her body, a reminder that everything that had just happened was real, not a dream.

Sang Wan had a moment of distraction and sighed silently.

Divorce was never her best choice. Even that statement on the wedding night was just a temporary expedient. In fact, she still held onto a shred of hope.

She was not alone; her parents cherished her so, her brother and sister-in-law had finally sent her off to marry, but to bring back a divorce letter to them would be too cruel. How could a daughter of the Sang family be discarded so easily?

Besides, whom to marry if not him? All she wanted was to live peacefully, and Shi Fengju was quite a gentleman, not a bad choice at all.

After her second brother became a Xie Yuan, she became even more determined. Having a sister return home with a divorce letter would impact her brother’s reputation; she could not leave lightly. At this point, she also had more reason to stay; she knew that in face of her brother’s respectability, her mother-in-law would not let her go. The only uncertainty was with him. After several tests, she gradually became more confident.

Bit by bit, she steadied her footing in this mansion, desiring only to fulfill her duties as a wife and for the two of them to live in peace and respect for one another, to meet each other’s needs, to live peacefully - beyond that, she had no great expectations.

She had contemplated and deliberated over these words today for a long time. Should Gu Fangzi ultimately leave, all the better; even if the situation changed again and she stayed, then due to today’s words, he would feel some guilt towards her. Combined with the influence she had painstakingly built and the support of her brother as her mountain, she would be able to establish herself in the mansion and live a good life!

Gu Fangzi would no longer be able to easily harm her.

That was enough!

Offering herself to him was something that was bound to happen sooner or later anyway. She had no intention of playing fake couple with him for the rest of her life; she also needed a son to secure her position. Moreover, it was also a wife’s duty, wasn’t it? She would be a competent and good wife!

Reborn into this life, she would not be so naive, not so easily trust others. She must plan, strive, and achieve everything for herself.

If I am destined to be entangled with Gu Fangzi for an entire lifetime, then let’s see what God has in store for us and whose life is longer! Perhaps, then we will see who has the last laugh!

Past and present, this moment and the future, the overlapping times, chaotic memories, and countless associations and ponderings kept Sang Wan speculating wildly for most of the night until she finally fell into a dazed sleep. When everything seemed to have settled, she felt an indescribable emptiness, like something was just beyond her grasp.

Sang Wan was awakened by Shi Fengju’s noise, for she was a light sleeper. He caressed her face and she woke up after a few touches, gently opening her hazy eyes.

"You’re awake," Shi Fengju leaned down with a smile, then leaned in and planted a light kiss on her cheek, "Miss Wan, you’re truly beautiful!"

Feeling her face heat up, Sang Wan shyly avoided his gaze and softly said, "It’s already broad daylight; we should get up. There are still many things to do today!" Saying so, she sat up cradling the brocade quilt, and her slender pale hands like delicate lotus joints reached out from under the quilt to take the clothes beside her.

Lying with his hands behind his head, Shi Fengju watched her with a smile at the corners of his mouth and felt overwhelmed with joy and satisfaction. She was truly his now; he could look as much as he wanted, with no need to be polite.

He saw before him a woman with skin fairer than snow, and beauty rivaling that of flowers, with hair as dark as satin falling softly down her back, some strands caressing her round and dainty shoulders, adding to her allure. Her petite and lovely face glowed with a languid beauty; truly her cheeks were touchable, and her hair was like clouds.

How could Shi Fengju restrain himself? Stretching out his long arm, he embraced her and chuckled low, "Miss Wan, there’s no hurry for the morning greetings. Let’s sleep a little longer..."

Mrs. Li, Xingzhi, and the others noticed that the two masters had not woken up at the usual time, which surprised them, but they quickly understood.

"The madam must be exhausted these past few days. Everyone, keep your voices down and don’t disturb the madam! Xingzhi, let’s hurry to Jicui Pavilion and Hanshuang Pavilion. Liu Ya, you stay behind and attend to them; wait until the madam and the young master get up and see what arrangements they have!" Mrs. Li ordered.

Liu Ya couldn’t wait to agree, quickly assenting. Her heart was a bit agitated; the madam’s cry of distress last night had kept her uneasy all night, yet today they did not wake up on time—could something really have happened?

Liu Ya was increasingly anxious and restless as she waited, too apprehensive to knock on the door, so she could only endure the wait. The maids were curious, exchanging glances; they didn’t understand what was wrong with Sister Liu Ya.

After enough frolicking in the bedroom, the two of them talked for a while before getting up one after another.

Glancing at the disordered bed sheets, Sang Wan could not help but feel embarrassed. They had already changed the bed sheets last night, and now they would inevitably have to change them again after the commotion this morning.

"Just let the maids take care of it! Let’s go out!" Shi Fengju didn’t see it as an issue. Holding her, he whispered in her ear with a chuckle, "Don’t worry, I’ve already put those sheets away from last night and will find a chance to wash them in the study. No one will see them."

Sang Wan was stunned at first, then understood what he meant: the sheets had bloodstains; of course, they could not be seen by others! She blushed, giving him a coquettish glare and a low hum.

Shi Fengju chuckled softly, unable to resist leaning over to kiss her cheek again. The two had just come together for the first time, and the sensation was too new and wonderful—Shi Fengju wished they could stick together and never part!

"Stop messing around!" Sang Wan pushed him away, straightened the bed sheets somewhat carelessly, and decided to let the maids handle it as per his suggestion.

When the two opened the door to leave, Liu Ya practically bolted towards them, her eyes fixed on Sang Wan, "Madam, are you alright?"

With a guilty conscience, Sang Wan, whose face flushed with two red clouds, instinctively hid beside Shi Fengju, stuttering with difficulty, "I—"

"You girl! Why are you making such a fuss!" Shi Fengju held her and patted her gently, scolding Liu Ya discontentedly, "Aren’t you going to serve your mistress by combing her hair and fetching water for her to wash up?"

Liu Ya wasn’t actually very afraid of Shi Fengju. Hearing this, she glanced over with suspicion, feeling that both the young master and the madam were a bit strange today, but couldn’t quite put her finger on what was odd. She asked, "Is the madam really okay? Last night, didn’t you hit your head, madam? Does it still hurt? I’ve already prepared the ointment, should I apply it to the madam first?"

"No need, no need!" Sang Wan grew more embarrassed, wishing she could just disappear into the ground, and hurriedly chuckled awkwardly, "Really, there’s no need, it’s already better!"