CFB Chapter 143

Translator – Xiao He Lian

This is a translation hosted on KnoxT, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized. Please support the translator by reading it at KnoxT.

---

Chapter 143 Zhou Shu’an x Shen Shu 6 

 

Red curtains interlaced, and the room glowed with red candlelight.

Qingli looked at her lady’s beautiful, delicate face and couldn’t help but tear up.

Shen Shu met her gaze. “Why are you crying?”

Qingli knew it was inappropriate to cry on such a joyous day. She clenched her fists and forced down the surge of emotion. “This servant isn’t crying.”

Shen Shu reached out to brush her tears. “I agreed to this marriage of my own will—no one forced me. Wipe your face clean. Don’t let the gentleman see you like this.”

“I’m just so happy,” Qingli said, wiping her eyes. “My lady doesn’t even know how beautiful you look now.”

Shen Shu chuckled. “Alright, don’t try to flatter me. He’ll be back from the banquet soon. Go heat the hangover soup and bring it in.”

Qingli nodded. “Yes, this servant will go right away.”

Not long after, footsteps sounded outside. Zhou Shu’an pushed the door open and stepped in. The moment their eyes met, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Shen Shu looked at him too.

Though she could no longer recall the nervousness she’d felt on her first wedding day, when the man in a deep red wedding robe slowly walked toward her, her heart still skipped in rhythm with his footsteps.

Zhou Shu’an sat beside her and took her hand. “Wife.”

He smelled strongly of wine. Shen Shu frowned slightly. “The hangover soup I prepared isn’t quite ready yet. Maybe you should take a wash first?”

Zhou Shu’an nodded and, releasing her hand, obediently went to the bathing room.

Had one looked closely, they’d see his steps were uneven—he was rather drunk.

Shortly after he left, Qingli came in carrying the soup. “Has the Master returned from the banquet?”

Shen Shu, turning her head as she removed her earrings, said, “Yes, he’s in the bathing room.”

Qingli glanced that way. “Then this servant will leave now.”

Zhou Shu’an returned quickly.

After bathing, his gaze had regained some clarity.

Shen Shu handed him the cooled soup. “It’s ready. Drink it, or you’ll have a headache tomorrow.”

Zhou Shu’an accepted it.

Just as he raised the bowl to his lips, he paused and looked at her, a teasing smile playing on his face. “This time, it’s just hangover soup, right?”

Shen Shu understood the implication behind that smirk.

Even with her thick skin, her face flushed red. She hadn’t forgotten her past mischief.

“I made it myself.”

“Thank you.”

“If you don’t drink it soon, it’ll get cold.”

“What did you put in the soup?!”

“I thought you’d like it.”

“Shen Shu, give me the antidote.”

“Lord Zhou, the medicine is right here.”

Shen Shu took a deep breath.

Back then, she never imagined this man would become her husband…

Zhou Shu’an chuckled, then downed the bowl in one gulp.

As the liquid passed his throat and his adams apple moved, Shen Shu reached for the bowl but grabbed nothing.

With a clang, the bowl hit the ground and rolled.

Before she realized it, she was already pinned to the crimson bed.

Zhou Shuan’s kiss was greedy yet restrained, tender yet wild. The soft sucking sounds made the whole old house feel ablaze.

His tall body pressed against her delicate frame. His hands moved in stark contrast to his upright and serious expression.

The red candle flickered in the wind. He impatiently shed his robe, letting it fall to the ground, revealing a firm, muscular chest. Broad shoulders and a narrow waist—physically, Zhou Shu’an was still every bit the top-ranking scholar.

He leaned over and clumsily tried to untie her undergarments. Shen Shu helped him, and the smooth silk quickly fell away. What he saw next stole his breath.

The warm light cast a glow over her flushed face. On her pale skin, faint red handprints—his—marked her like scattered blossoms.

Breathing heavily, he ran his thumb over her shoulder and rasped, “Wife.”

Shen Shu wrapped her arms around his strong waist and raised her head to kiss his throat. The soft, moist sensation made every pore on his body flare open.

He tensed, his lips parting slightly, his lower abdomen tightening. Even the air grew hot…

“Slow down, my love,” Shen Shu whispered.

When she looked at him, her eyes seemed to hold a pool of spring water.

Zhou Shu’an kissed the corner of her eyes, then his warm palms parted her tightly closed thighs.

With each thrust, pink and brown collided distinctly.

At midnight, the candle flame flickered. Beads of sweat slid down his back into the creases of muscle. With a low groan, Shen Shu bit his shoulder.

He pulled her into his arms…

As morning light filtered in, birds chirped outside the window. Shen Shu suddenly sat up, blinking.

Zhou Shu’an squinted at her. “What are you doing?”

She grabbed the quilt and covered her chest. It was their second day of marriage. By custom, she should…

Zhou Shu’an yanked her back. “Go back to sleep. No one in this house needs you to serve them.”

Shen Shu lay still for a moment, her mind reviewing all the rituals she might have missed.

Zhou Shu’an leaned in and whispered, “Who was it that said she was tired last night? Still sleepy?”

Shen Shu looked at him. “I feel like I’m forgetting something.”

Zhou Shu’an patted her back. “This afternoon—we have business to attend to.”

Shen Shu pinched his waist. “I mean proper business!”

Zhou Shu’an paused, then chuckled helplessly. “I don’t have maids in my house, and I figured the ones you brought might not be enough. So I’ve arranged for a broker to come this afternoon to help pick more staff. Does that count as proper business?”

Outside, birds squawked from the branches.

A faint, awkward burnt smell hung in the air.

Shen Shu simply closed her eyes.

Sleep. It’s a good day, after all.

——

The two really did sleep until noon. When they woke, the untouched breakfast had been replaced with lunch.

When Shen Shu opened her eyes, Zhou Shu’an was already dressed in a traditional deep-red long robe, as custom dictated.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked as she sat up.

Zhou Shu’an turned to her. “You were sleeping well. Why wake you?”

She paused, then asked, “Has the broker arrived?”

“Not yet. Let’s eat first.”

“Alright.”

On the table were dishes like Shrimp, Hollow Meatballs, Tofu with Fish, candied magnolia petals, and two bowls of warm noodles.

As the saying goes—do not talk while eating or sleeping. Neither spoke as they ate. Then came a knock on the door. Qingli entered, frowning.

“Madam, someone is here to see you.”

Shen Shu set her chopsticks down. “Is it the broker?”

Qingli shook her head, looking hesitant.

Seeing this, Shen Shu’s heart sank. “Who is it?”

Qingli glanced at Zhou Shu’an, then quickly lowered her head. She thought, Surely the lady understands now.

“Just tell me directly,” Shen Shu said. If it was who she thought, there was no use hiding it. Especially not from the all-seeing Lord Zhou.

Qingli took a deep breath. “It’s Madam Wen… and Miss He.”

Shen Shu’s eyes turned cold.

She went to the front hall, where the steward bowed to Zhou Shu’an. “My lord, two women are outside asking for the Madam. I invited them in, but they refused. They’re just standing there, and now a crowd is gathering.”

Zhou Shu’an placed a hand on Shen Shu’s waist. “It’s okay. Let’s go see.”

As soon as the door opened, Madam Wen choked up. “Miss Shen… ah, no, look at me. I should say Madam Zhou.”

He Wanru bowed. “Greetings, Lord Zhou, Madam Zhou.”

The onlookers began murmuring.

“Oh, isn’t that the mother of Assistant Minister Li?”

“It is!”

“Then… isn’t she Madam Zhou’s former mother-in-law? Who’s the other one?”

“I heard she was Li Di’s first wife—later became a concubine.”

Shen Shu said calmly, “Are you here to offer congratulations, or to cause trouble?”

He Wanru glanced at Zhou Shu’an and faltered. “Naturally, we’re here to offer congratulations.”

Then she dropped to her knees. “I heard my husband is ill in prison, and half-crazed. I beg you, for the sake of your past as husband and wife, please save him.”

That “husband and wife” line was truly nauseating.

Madam Wen wept. “Shu’er, it was all my fault back then. The Li family had no prestige, and you deigned to marry down—it was a blessing. I shouldn’t have used my status as a mother-in-law to pressure you.” She clutched her chest. “It was all my fault. I’m begging you, let me see my son.”

“All those past wrongs were ours. Madam Zhou, I kneel before you.”

Shen Shu knew Madam Wen had chosen the second day of her marriage, and this public setting, to corner her—to force her into giving permission for a prison visit, in the name of peace.

She stepped forward and helped Madam Wen up. “Come inside to talk.”

Madam Wen waved her off. “I’ve made enough foolish mistakes. But I know my place. An official’s home is no place for a commoner like me. I’ll speak here.”

Shen Shu lowered her voice. “Causing a scene outside an official residence—I can still have you brought to the magistrate.”

Madam Wen relented. “Fine, fine…”

Once inside, Zhou Shu’an spoke. “You want to visit the prison?”

Madam Wen nodded. “Yes, my lord.”

“Then wait a while. I’ll have someone take you to the Dali Temple prison,” Zhou Shu’an said.

“Truly?” she asked, surprised.

“Yes.”

He placed a hand on Shen Shu’s shoulder. “Come with me.”

Seeing his affectionate gesture, Madam Wen cursed under her breath, “Vixen.”

After they left, He Wanru began to cry. “Mother, do you think he’ll really let us into the prison? What if he lied?”

Madam Wen patted her hand. “He won’t. She just got married—she cares about appearances. If she doesn’t agree today, I’ll spread the word tomorrow that she’s barren. Let’s see what man wants a woman who can’t bear children.”

He Wanru said, “You’re so clever, Mother.”

Meanwhile, Shen Shu followed Zhou Shu’an into the house.

He turned and said directly, “I’ll have Chu Yi take them to the Dali Temple prison. After that, they won’t be seen for a long time.”

“You mean…”

Zhou Shu’an continued, “When the Li estate was confiscated, Prime Minister Xu personally pleaded for Madam Wen, saying she was old and shouldn’t be punished. Clearly, that was a waste of effort.”

“You’re going to charge them?” she asked.

“No need. The He family has plenty of dirt already.”

After a pause, Shen Shu said, “I’ve caused you more trouble again.”

“Not at all.” Zhou Shu’an looked at her. “After all, I used underhanded means to steal another man’s wife.”

Shen Shu’s heart skipped.

“I told you before,” Zhou Shu’an said, “from now on, I will take care of you.”

---