Chapter 67: Picking Wild Vegetables (IV)

Seeing the astonished expressions of his friends, Li Kuo was both amused and exasperated. He had merely massaged A Tian’s sore back—how could they think such terrible things of him?
“You guys…!”
The young man didn’t know how to deal with such an awkward situation. He shook his head and cleared his throat lightly.
“Uh, Brother Kuo, the moon is nice tonight. I happened to be out enjoying it, just passing by—really just passing by.”
Zhang Yanji quickly waved his hand to distance himself, but his hesitant gaze betrayed him.
“That’s right, that’s right. General Li, I, Pu, had nothing to do, so Brother Zhang dragged me along to enjoy the moon. Who would have thought I’d trip and fall right by the door? That’s how this joke happened.”
Pu Dachui took over, helping Zhang Yanji cover up the lie. But his poor lying skills were evident—his neck turned red, and his face turned as pale as frost. No one would believe him easily.
“Oh, so you all went out to enjoy the moon together, happened to pass by my private room, and then tripped right by the door?”
Li Kuo looked at his friends amusedly and shrugged.
“Xiao Qi, why waste words with them? These guys are clearly eavesdropping on us!”
By now, Du Jingtian had put on her outer robe and walked over from the carved bed, scolding them harshly. In her eyes, Li Kuo was far too kind-hearted. Those scoundrels were obviously trying to make fun of them.
“Uh, Miss, come on. How could we disturb your wedding night? We really just happened to pass by.”
Zhang Yanji, having experienced Du Jingtian’s wrath before, didn’t dare argue and quickly gave in.
“Hmph, that’s better. Since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll spare you this time. Get lost!”
Du Jingtian crossed her arms and glared, unleashing her fierce temper.
“Hey, you two go on chatting slowly.”
Zhang Yanji pulled the still dazed Pu Dachui along and headed outside first.
“General, I, Pu, am leaving first. Be careful, okay? You can’t get tired of good food all at once!”
“You!”
Du Jingtian couldn’t stand the vulgar talk from these soldiers, but there was nothing she could do.
“Alright, alright.”
Seeing everyone walk away, Li Kuo grabbed Du Jingtian’s sleeve and shook his head soothingly. “Brother Dachui is just that kind of person. He’s actually not bad-hearted.”
“Oh, he’s not bad-hearted? Then go sleep with him! Stop coming to me!”
“Look at you, getting upset over such a trivial matter. Is it worth it?”

“This is a trivial matter. Do you really think it’s trivial? Fine, it’s my fault—I’m too hot-tempered and not good enough for you, such a gentle and refined young master, a great general!”
After saying that, Du Jingtian shook off Li Kuo and turned to walk back inside the house.
“Miss, Miss Du. If you say that, I really have to leave.”
Seeing her reaction, Li Kuo had no other choice but to provoke her further.
Unexpectedly, the tactic that had always worked before failed this time, and Miss Du exploded upon hearing his words.
“Go, go! Go be with your Li Niang. I want to sleep alone today!”
Without giving the young man a chance to explain, Miss Du slammed the door shut.
“Ah Tian, Ah Tian!”
The young man knocked on the wooden door but heard no response from the girl.
“Sigh.”
The young man sighed and headed to Shen Li Niang’s room. It was for the best anyway; after all, it was the day he married Li Niang. Although her status was lower than Ah Tian’s, she was still with him, and he couldn’t let her suffer too much. He would spend the night in Li Niang’s room and explain things to Ah Tian the next morning.
When Li Kuo knocked on Shen Li Niang’s door, she, who had already taken off her outer clothes, was clearly unprepared. According to their earlier agreement, the young man would spend his wedding night with Ah Tian and only go to her room the next day. So, Shen Li Niang had taken off her clothes early and gotten ready to go to bed.
“Young master, why have you come?”
Shen Li Niang quickly invited Li Kuo inside and smiled as she lit the red candle.
“Why, can’t I come?”
Li Kuo smiled faintly and shook his head. Even though he was quite familiar with Ah Tian’s personality, he still found her behavior unacceptable.
No matter what the reasons or excuses, she shouldn’t reject her new husband at the door. If it weren’t for him marrying Li Niang as a concubine, would he have to stay alone in the hall today?
Seeing the young man preoccupied, Shen Li Niang didn’t ask further. She poured a cup of flower tea and handed it to him.
“Li Niang is now your woman, so of course you can come anytime.”
Shen Li Niang shook her head. “I’m naturally delighted that you can come. But on your wedding night, won’t you go accompany Sister Ah Tian?”
As a woman experienced in the ways of love, Shen Liang pointed out the core issue with just one sentence.
“Let’s not talk about it. It’s better not to.”
Li Kuo took a sip of the flower tea and smiled bitterly.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, Li Niang won’t bring it up.”
Shen Liang was understanding. She took Li Kuo’s hand and led him to the bed.
“Are you hungry? I have some desserts here. If you’d like…”

Li Kuo pushed his sleeves aside and said, “I’m not hungry. Don’t go to the trouble. After being disturbed by those guys, I’m quite tired. Let’s rest early.”
Shen Liniang’s words were silenced by Li Kuo, leaving her feeling somewhat sad. But after thinking it over, she didn’t feel aggrieved anymore. Her status was merely that of a concubine. Though the young master didn’t despise her, she was well aware of her role. So-called talented women were nothing but toys created by scholars for entertainment. In her view, concubines existed only to warm the beds of wealthy men—nothing more.
In other words, what else could she do besides serve the young master in bed?
Expect him to spend the whole night with her drinking tea and playing games? One must be aware of one’s status. She didn’t ask for much, only to make the young master comfortable. Once she understood this, Shen Liniang stopped feeling sad and smiled as she laid aside the covers.
“Young master, Liniang is here to help you undress.”
Under the dim light of the candle, Shen Liniang stepped forward to assist Li Kuo with undressing.
“I can do it myself,” he said, removing his outer robe and then his undergarments, folding them and placing them on the bed. Now, he was left in only a silk undergarment, revealing his muscular chest.
“The young master truly has a great physique.”
Shen Liniang had come from a world of pleasure. Though she sold her skills rather than her body, she had seen all kinds of men. A man as considerate and perfectly built as Li Kuo was truly rare.
“Mm, you’ve been busy all day. You must be tired too. Go rest soon.”
After saying that, Li Kuo pulled the blanket over himself, ready to sleep.
“Young master!”
Seeing that Li Kuo had no intention of letting her serve him in bed, Shen Liniang uttered a playful protest.
“Mm, what is it?”
“Young master, if you come to Liniang’s place, don’t you need Liniang to serve you?”
As a woman, it wasn’t appropriate to speak too plainly. Shen Liniang lowered her head slightly and spoke in a soft voice.
Serve him? After pondering for a moment, Li Kuo finally understood what she meant—she wanted to serve him in bed!
“I’m tired too today. It’s not necessary,” he replied, shaking his head. He had originally planned to spend his wedding night with A Tian, but she had driven him away. Although Shen Liniang was also his concubine, having sex with her on their wedding night seemed rather awkward.
“Does the young master despise Liniang?”
Shen Liniang’s heart sank as if plunged into ice. It seemed the young master still despised her background and didn’t trust her chastity! How foolish she was. Truly foolish.

“Sir, do you really not believe that Liniang is still a virgin? Liniang has prepared a white handkerchief to test for traces of blood.”
Shen Liniang spoke these words firmly, leaving even Li Kuo stunned.
“Liniang, that’s not what I meant. I really…”
Li Kuo was at a loss for words. He really didn’t understand why the conversation had turned to such a sensitive topic as her background. Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?
“Sir, please stop talking. If you don’t despise Liniang, then give her a chance to prove herself. Tonight, sir, take Liniang as your lover.”
Shen Liniang’s voice grew softer and softer, until it was barely a whisper.
“Ah, why go to such lengths?”
It wasn’t that the young man doubted Shen Liniang’s virginity; it was just that after having a disagreement with A Tian, he wanted to be with another woman, which seemed rather improper.
“Since Liniang is now your woman, she should serve you!”
Shen Liniang’s words fully awakened the young man. Indeed, since he had already brought her into his room, he should take responsibility for her. His cold behavior wasn’t protecting her—it was deeply hurting her.
Of course, Li Kuo wasn’t a saint. How could he remain unmoved in front of such a beautiful woman? Being young and full of vigor, his desire, suppressed by guilt toward A Tian, flared up again after hearing Shen Liniang’s words.
“Very well, just once then.”
Li Kuo sighed and made the promise.
“Mm.”
Having achieved her goal, Shen Liniang responded softly before taking off her undergarments on her own. As the last piece of clothing fell away, her graceful figure was revealed to the young man for the first time.
At this moment, there was no need for further words. Li Kuo took a deep breath and, guided by instinct, pressed Shen Liniang beneath him.
The young man bent his toes slightly and tightened his abdomen, beginning those primal, beautiful movements.
Accompanied by Shen Liniang’s soft moans, the scene resembled a dragon diving into the sea, stirring up waves and ripples in the water.