In the yard, Mu Yanluo emptied the basin of foot wash water, likewise stepping out to catch her breath.

The atmosphere had been too awkward just now; she almost lost her composure and needed to calm down.

Actually, even Jiang Feng felt uneasy at the sight of the new bedding on the bed, and how could she not?

But it was something she couldn't avoid.

Still, Mu Yanluo didn't want to make things awkward for herself when Jiang Feng was unwilling, how could she better alleviate the awkwardness?

After much thought, she decided the best course was to wait until Jiang Feng fell asleep, then sneak in quietly, to avoid face-to-face embarrassment.

With her plan in place, Mu Yanluo decided to take a bath first.

After a long day of travel, she'd worked up quite a sweat.

And, for the first time, sharing a bed with a male, her instinct was to be as clean as possible.

However, in this farmhouse yard, there wasn't a dedicated bathroom.

There was a woodshed, right next to the guest room, that could temporarily be used as a bathing place.

Seizing the quiet of the night, Mu Yanluo quietly fetched a few buckets of well water, then carried several pots of hot water and slipped into the woodshed,

...

The moon shone against sparse stars, the yard gate tightly locked, lending a deep tranquil silence to the whole yard.

Sitting on the bed, Jiang Feng found sleep elusive.

First, his heart was still at unease.

Things felt like they were in a newlywed bedroom, how could he possibly get used to it?

Secondly, the matter concerning the Wei Family and Wei Yongbo stirred a cold fury within him!

Jiang Feng considered himself far from a gallant knight eager to meddle in affairs.

But Wei Yongbo's acts were utterly heinous, making it hard for him to idly stand by.

If left unchecked, the entire village—thousands of families—might well be doomed!

And finally, his heart couldn't rest easy with Nangong Qingcheng and the women back in Binhai.

He hoped nothing would happen during his absence, and prayed that Dugu Jian in the Provincial City wouldn't trouble Binhai either.

Otherwise, Jiang Feng wouldn't mind erasing the Dugu Family name from the Provincial City!

Brooding alone for a while, suddenly he realized Mu Yanluo hadn't returned.

Wasn't she just dumping foot wash water? Why was it taking so long?

Unable to sleep anyway, Jiang Feng slid barefoot into his shoes and went out to check.

By this time, the light within Mu Shuisheng and Ruan Xiuning's room was long extinguished.

The yard was steeped in darkness.

Only a slender crescent moon suspended in the night sky cast a thin veil of light.

As Jiang Feng reached the yard's center, suddenly he heard the sound of pattering water from the woodshed corner.

Turning his head, he clearly saw a tender, naked body leisurely bathing within!

Avoiding detection, no lights were lit in that tiny "bathroom".

But Jiang Feng's perceptive eyes discerned the scene clearly.

Mu Yanluo, naked and lucid, stood inside, side turned to him, lifting one long, slender white leg for washing.

Her flawless, radiant figure outlined a splendid s-shaped curve.

That plump, shapely backside, the cascading wet long hair, and delicate exquisitely carved feet all exuded a sacred glow in the quiet night.

Especially that fair jade skin gleamed like pearls under the scant moonlight; such a breathtaking moonlit goddess bathing!

Her figure was graceful, like a gentle seductive whisper in this night.

Her lips were soft, her eyes alluring, her nose exquisite, her eyebrows were elegantly curved; her countenance seemed to envelop and embrace like a gentle wave, intoxicating; yet also like a timeless beauty defying adversity, more radiant and bewitching.

Mu Yanluo's overwhelming beauty nearly suffocated Jiang Feng. He immediately held his breath, retreating as if unseen, not wishing to alarm her.

Just then, Jiang Feng heard a sound, noticed something overhead, frowning at the woodshed's roof.

A shadow lurked, sneakily clambering like a thief over the slanted roof tiles.

An ungainly form, fat yet nimble, edging closer to the eaves!

Jiang Feng's expression chilled; a thief, at this hour!

Instantly, he moved without a flicker of emotion.

...

As for the identity of this "Thief" atop the roof, it was simply a village elder bachelor.

Earlier that evening, Mu Yanluo, after being away for years, unexpectedly returned and paid respects at Shen Shuangshuang's altar.

Many village men were spellbound by her beauty, utterly besotted!

This fellow fell under Mu Yanluo's grown-up charm instantly!

Knowing his place, and his coarse nature, pursuing or even favorably gazing at Mu Yanluo felt like a blessing against generational odds!

Unable to sleep tonight, he conceived a daring notion: to steal another glimpse of Mu Yanluo.

A city belle like Mu Yanluo was a rare presence in her hometown, bound to bathe.

Familiarly aware of the Mu Family's home layout, a patient lookout promised reward.

Thus, he laid behind the woodshed for quite some time.

Finally hearing gentle splashes, he eagerly clambered onto the eaves, intent on peeking through the tiles.

At his first attempt reopening a tile edge, suddenly a pair of feet appeared, startling him!

The village bachelor startled, gazing upwards only to face a stern visage looming above, eyes cutting like knives.

"Dear me, a ghost…"

The bachelor was scared witless!

Despite panic, guilt silenced his loud fears. In shock, he plummeted backward before tumbling from the roof.

Sliding down the woodshed's beams, he landed heavily against the back wall with a painful groan.

Then, desperate to flee, he staggered up, retreating in haste.

Coldly observing, Jiang Feng made no pursuit.

These sorts need merely frightening, unworthy of lethal justice—going so far would be excessive.

Inside the woodshed, bathing Mu Yanluo at last heard movement above.

Frantically covering herself, she called out anxiously, "Who is it?"

She prepared to flee barefoot when abruptly a shadow jumped down, startling Mu Yanluo.

She reflexively wished to scream, but the figure signaled for silence, "Don't worry, it's me!"

Mu Yanluo looked closely—it was Jiang Feng!

The rooftop commotion had terribly frightened her!

Facing the familiar silhouette, she found sudden safety, rushing headlong into his embrace.

Jiang Feng hesitated momentarily before gently wrapping his arms around Mu Yanluo's shaken form.