chapter 5

Duan Jing married me.

Although people are all equal, when the two marriages are compared side by side, Duan Jing must feel uneasy in his heart.

For the first time in my life, I regretted my own background, and my appetite became terribly poor.

Just as I was feeling sorrowful, a pair of chopsticks suddenly appeared before me, dropping a Chicken Leg the size of a fist into my bowl.

Duan Jing spoke coldly, “Why are you dazed? Aren’t you hungry?”

I looked up in surprise. In the center of the table, the Roast Chicken had a huge black hole where the thigh used to be. Duan Jing hadn’t just given me the Chicken Leg-he had torn off all the best meat around the thigh and given it to me as well.

At this moment, he nonchalantly tore off the other leg, scooped out the chicken wings, and placed them in his own bowl, gesturing to me, “If you’re not full, there’s more. All of this is yours.”

The poor Roast Chicken was left with nothing but a lonely skeleton.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Madam Duan covered her mouth and laughed, “She hasn’t even entered the household yet, and he already knows how to dote on his wife. In the future, they might as well move out, lest we get old and our teeth ache from watching.”

It sounded like a joke, but it was as good as saying it outright.

They wanted to split the family, with Duan Jing moving out.

Lord Duan said nothing. I had even less right to speak, so I just kept my head down and nibbled at the Chicken Leg.

I trust Duan Jing. If he wants to stay, I’ll fight with him; if he wants to leave, I’ll go with him.

Right now, he wants me to eat the Chicken Leg, so I eat it clean, not leaving a single bit.

Duan Jing smiled, ignoring Madam Duan’s words. “Father, my mother’s memorial day is next month, right? Let’s set the Wedding Date for next month… tsk…”

As soon as he said this, everyone’s expressions changed.

The Second Young Master slowly swallowed his hot tea and said, “Both my brother and I should postpone our Wedding Dates. Yuehua and I are in no rush, and Sister-in-law has just arrived in the Capital and isn’t familiar with local customs. It’s better to marry later.”

Duan Jing lifted his eyelids, “Wanyi and I don’t need to wait. My mother’s memorial day-her son getting married would make her happy. You all can wait.”

Madam Duan’s smile froze. “This… I didn’t think it through. I wanted double happiness, but it would offend the Late Madam. My fault.”

Lord Duan’s face didn’t look good. He waved his hand, not pursuing the matter.

“Jiming, you and Wanyi can wait too.”

Duan Jing nodded cheerfully, “Alright, then I’ll take the Imperial Examination next month.”

Crash.

Madam Duan accidentally knocked over her teacup, spilling hot tea all over herself. She ignored the scalding pain and hurriedly covered her twitching lips with a handkerchief. “Jiming, when did you plan this?”

Lord Duan was also surprised. “You rascal, are you serious?”

“We’ll see if I can do it or not.” Duan Jing picked out the bone with leftover meat from my bowl and replaced it with a fresh one. “Getting married and taking the Imperial Examination next month-at least one of them has to happen.”

I accidentally hiccupped and quickly covered my mouth.

He said marriage?

Is it true? Is he really so eager to marry me?

Duan Jing affectionately patted my head, like petting a puppy. “Good girl, stop when you’re full.”

Madam Duan’s gaze shifted back and forth between Duan Jing and me, smiling, “A man who is starting his own family is truly different. Jiming is blessed for eight lifetimes to marry Wanyi.”

I put down my chopsticks. “I don’t deserve it. It’s all… all Jiming himself…”

I accidentally followed Madam Duan and called Duan Jing by his courtesy name, blushing furiously.

When the Family Banquet ended, Lord Duan called Duan Jing to stay behind.

I had no choice but to let Chunsheng escort me home first.

On the way, the Second Young Master accompanied us.

Under the hazy moonlight, the moonlight poured over his face like white silk. “Sister-in-law is gentle and virtuous; she truly is my brother’s blessing.”

A small lantern carved with dragons and phoenixes suddenly appeared between me and the Second Young Master; it was Chunsheng following behind.

I found it amusing and replied calmly, “Second Young Master flatters me. The Eldest Young Master is wonderful; I am the one reaching above my station.”

“My brother has such a temper. Why does Sister-in-law-”

I looked up, carefully choosing my words, afraid to embarrass Duan Jing. “His temper? He doesn’t hit me, doesn’t scold me, makes sure I’m well-fed and clothed, and also…”

Also, the basket of Jujube Meat in the small kitchen, tonight’s two Chicken Legs, the lantern lighting my feet in the dark, the hand quietly held tight, and even the plate of cold pastries he took away for me, disregarding everyone’s gaze, on the day I first met Madam Duan.
I know those noble people all look down on him, perhaps even Duan Jing himself doesn’t realize it.

“Sister-in-law, anyone could do these things.”

I shook my head. “I’m a stubborn person. He was my Husband first, and then he always stands up for me. Every single good thing he’s done-others may not notice, but I remember.”

“So it could be anyone, then? It’s just a matter of fate and timing.”

I blinked. “To be honest, I don’t know.”

“Wanyi.”

Suddenly someone called me from behind. I turned around and saw a tall figure standing in the shadows, the trees casting dappled patterns.

He stood with his hands behind his back, waiting for me to approach.

In that instant, my heart leapt for joy, and even my steps felt lighter.

I turned back. “Husband, why did you come out so quickly?”

For some reason, the moment Duan Jing appeared, I suddenly relaxed. Excited, I wrapped my arms around his and hid behind him a little.

Duan Jing stared at the Second Young Master for a while, then gave a soft laugh. “What’s this? On such a beautiful night, if Yuehua won’t keep you company, must you find someone else to accompany you?”

The Second Young Master smiled slightly. “Big Brother misunderstands. I just feel a connection with Sister-in-law, so we chatted a bit more.”

I sensed something was off and tugged at Duan Jing, signaling that I had something to say.

Duan Jing ignored me. “She gets along with the dogs in the courtyard, too. If anyone can come and chat with her, I’m afraid I’ll be left alone in an empty room. She’s kind-hearted and easy to take advantage of. If someone bullies her one day, I’ll have to speak up for her.”

The Second Young Master laughed. “Big Brother worries too much. It’s getting late, I’ll take my leave.”

After he left, the atmosphere grew noticeably heavier.

Even I, slow as I am, knew Duan Jing was angry. I tugged at his sleeve. “I didn’t want to talk to him. He was just making conversation.”

“Mm, go on.”

I pulled a long face. “There’s nothing more to say.”

How can you ask someone who’s innocent to prove their innocence? What sense does that make?

Duan Jing’s gaze dropped. “Fine, let me ask you: as long as you have enough to eat and wear, would anyone do?”

I choked up, biting my lip, torn inside.

“Not exactly… it’s hard to say.”

Duan Jing let out a cold laugh. “Zhang Wanyi, I’m only now realizing how frustrating it is to marry someone who doesn’t know how to coax people.”

I was stunned. “You want to hear a lie?”

He snapped, “Don’t you dare!”

I said, aggrieved, “I really don’t know… When you’re starving, who has the luxury to care about who they like or love?”

Duan Jing grabbed my hand roughly and half-dragged, half-pulled me back. “Now that you’re fed, I’ll give you time to think about it.”

My legs aren’t as long as Duan Jing’s, so I had to jog to keep up. Soon I was out of breath. “Jiming… I… I can’t run anymore.”

He suddenly stopped, and I couldn’t dodge in time, bumping into his back.

My nose turned red, and I quietly shed tears. He turned around and gripped my arms tightly, his eyes dark. “Do you know what it means to call someone by their courtesy name?”

I gasped for breath. “I… know…”

“I’m not very wise. I can’t think about profound things, nor do I understand the mysteries of love. Maybe, if it were someone else, I could live well with them too.” His hands suddenly tightened on my shoulders, making me grimace, but I went on, “But living well, and living well with you because I like you, are not the same. I can tell the difference.”

Duan Jing’s thumb suddenly pressed against my lips. “Zhang Wanyi, you’re usually so tongue-tied. What’s gotten into you tonight?”

I looked up, trying my best to see Duan Jing’s face clearly, and confessed with all my heart, “I lo-mm-”

Before I could finish, my words were sealed by a burning kiss.

So this is what it’s like when a man and a woman touch-like a blazing fire in winter, like the scorching sun in summer, and like a lively stream rushing eastward in the sweltering heat: moist, hot, and pounding.

The little air I had left grew even thinner. Panicked and helpless, I clung to Duan Jing’s arm, my mind in a daze.

Only when my vision darkened did Duan Jing finally let me go. With our foreheads pressed together, he teased wickedly, “Zhang Wanyi, have you ever kissed a man before? This time, I’ll let you kiss as much as you want.”