CHAPTER 1115: CHAPTER 1109: EMBARRASSMENT

It seems it’s already too late; Miss Du had already emerged, aided by Cuiya upon hearing the noise.

But seeing the intimate manner of the two people in the courtyard, how could those young ladies raised in the inner chambers understand?

A blush creeps onto her thin face, and she hurries back with her maid in tow.

How embarrassing!

Returning to her room, Cuiya feels a burst of envy.

"Why has the Prince returned so suddenly? The Prince and his wife indeed share a deep affection."

Everyone else marries so well, why is her own mistress so unfortunate?

Cuiya sighs wistfully.

In the past, when Master Xie treated his lady well, it seemed just as nice?

No—not quite as good.

The Prince, covered in snow and wind, must have rushed back, not even having time to change his clothes, he first seeks out his wife.

No one is as good to their spouse as the Prince to his wife.

Caught by Miss Du, Gu Youyou feels some embarrassment on her face, Jin Zijin didn’t know there was someone else in their inner quarters, Xiang Chun was guarding outside, yet unbeknownst to them, Miss Du was inside.

"What’s happening? Why is she here?" he asks in surprise.

Gu Youyou, biting her lip, says, "You’re still holding me; it’s not nice to be seen by others. Let’s quickly go inside, and I’ll explain slowly."

The cold wind in the courtyard still bites bitterly.

Weary from days of travel, Jin Zijin changes and washes properly, the warm bath relieving his fatigue, and then he heads to the Warm Pavilion to see his beloved.

"You’ve worked hard, handling so much business alone, gathering provisions for us, and even... raising the children so well."

He lies with his head in her lap, embracing her stomach, content like a child.

This isn’t usual for him, and Gu Youyou pauses in mild shock.

At this moment, Xiang Chun brings in a plate with a clean towel on it.

Seeing this scene, she blushes, lowers her head, hastily sets down the plate, and leaves.

Seeing their masters being so affectionate makes the maids feel awkward.

Their masters sure are thick-skinned.

Gu Youyou takes the towel from the plate to dry his damp hair, saying, "Why didn’t you dry off before coming out? It’s so cold; don’t catch a chill."

"I wanted to see you sooner." He yawns.

The iron-clad man is also worn out from constant travel.

Gu Youyou pauses her movements, smiles sweetly, and says, "There’s no rush. Go lie on the bed and sleep; I’ll dry your hair for you."

"Mm, I’ll just sleep for a bit." Jin Zijin doesn’t refuse, as he is indeed very tired.

A heater, a clean towel, and a comb.

Gu Youyou sits by the bed, while Jin Zijin lets his hair down from the bed. She dries it gently and then by the heater.

At this moment, she dearly misses a hairdryer.

Washing hair in the northern winter is indeed the hardest challenge.

Ancient people had long hair, and if not dried quickly, it would freeze into a block of ice.

Wealthy folks had it better with heaters at home, and the richer ones even had floor heating.

But for ordinary people, it was miserable; often, to save on coal, they wouldn’t wash their hair or bathe all winter.

Once his hair is dry, Gu Youyou removes the heater and towel, undresses, and climbs into bed next to him. She wraps an arm around his, the other resting on her stomach.

She dearly wishes life could always be as peaceful as this moment... serene and tranquil.

...