Chapter 1006: My Wife Is Really Cute

Zhao Zhi, who had been smiling, suddenly frowned. "But she seemed unwilling to see me earlier today. Is she still reluctant?"

Han Fengqiu replied, "Which woman in the world wouldn't want to marry into the Prince of Qi's manor as a consort? Such a meteoric rise is something countless people long for but cannot attain. How could she be unwilling? It must be shyness, or perhaps a common trick of feigned modesty to attract your attention."

"Indeed, this woman has successfully captured this heir's attention." Zhao Zhi's mind was now filled with the image of her alluringly swaying as she walked earlier that day. He thought to himself how delightful it would be to be nestled in her embrace.

"I don't know why, but I feel somewhat disquieted," Zhao Zhi murmured to himself, his expression a little lost as he gazed towards the Pei family residence in the night.

Meanwhile, in the backyard of the Pei manor, a sweet, cloying moan that could melt one's bones rang out: "You're hurting me~"

"Huh?" Zu An lifted his head, traces of rouge still on his face, his expression somewhat bewildered.

"Silly boy," Pei Mianman chuckled, seeing him in such a rare state. She then turned her head away, a little embarrassed. "Did you forget? In the Yin Ruins, we were only... only souls together."

Zu An was stunned for a moment, then reacted, "Then wouldn't you still be..."

A cool finger pressed against his lips. Pei Mianman looked at him with eyes that were both playful and annoyed. "Don't say it!"

"I won't, I won't, haha." Zu An couldn't help but laugh. No man in such a situation would be unhappy.

"You scoundrel~" Pei Mianman finally grew a little annoyed. Baring her teeth, she lunged to bite him, and they quickly fell into a playful tussle.

After some playful wrestling, Zu An held her soft hand. "Manman, I've missed you so much."

"Me too." Pei Mianman's captivating peach blossom eyes had now softened into a pool of tenderness, gazing at him with unspoken invitation.

Zu An could no longer restrain himself and kissed her directly.

Having been husband and wife for several lifetimes in the secret realm, they were already perfectly in sync.

"Mmm... it hurts..."

***

After an unknown amount of time, the maid downstairs suddenly woke up, hearing creaking sounds from upstairs. She felt a bit puzzled, wondering if her mistress was suffering from insomnia tonight, tossing and turning so much.

Because Pei Mianman usually practiced cultivation, she strictly forbade the maid from disturbing her. So, the maid could only worry in silence.

"Tomorrow, I'll prepare some calming medicinal porridge for young miss to help her sleep."

"Oh, and I also need to tell the housekeeper. The bed needs to be replaced."

Even if the young miss wasn't favored, she shouldn't have to sleep on such a rickety old bed that creaked with every turn.

The maid mused sleepily, turned over, and tried to go back to sleep. But for some reason, listening to the creaking sound, her own heart began to stir restlessly...

The next morning, Zu An was bitten awake.

"What are you doing?" Zu An took a sharp breath.

Pei Mianman's long, cascading hair lay casually on his arm. She revealed her pretty little canine teeth. "You scoundrel, you 'broke' me three times!"

Zu An burst out laughing and pulled her into his embrace. "You scoundrel, you should be happy! After all, other women don't get such a novel experience."

"I think you're the one who's happy!" Pei Mianman's teeth itched with annoyance seeing his beaming expression. She bit him fiercely again, initiating another round of playful battle.

After an unknown period, Pei Mianman pushed the man beside her, her face still flushed with a lingering blush. "It's almost dawn. The maid will be up soon, you should go back quickly."

Zu An sounded a little dejected. "Why do we always have to sneak around? How about I go and propose to your father?"

Pei Mianman gave him a half-smile. "What about Chu Yan then?"

Zu An caught his breath. Pei Mianman, however, laughed first. "Alright, alright, I'm happy you have the thought. Our family is currently planning to send me to the Prince of Qi's manor to be the heir's consort, so how could they marry me to someone else?"

"Your family is truly utterly foolish," Zu An said. "The Prince of Qi is almost done for, and they're still pushing you into a pit of fire." Zu An naturally knew that the emperor had already begun to move against the Prince of Qi.

Pei Mianman smiled. "I don't like anyone else. Whether he's the Prince of Qi's heir or just a commoner, I won't marry him. I'll only marry you."

Zu An was deeply moved by her words and held her tightly.

Pei Mianman, however, looked a little pale with exhaustion. "No, really, let me catch my breath..."

***

As Zu An was leaving, a thought suddenly struck him. He took out the small "toothpick" sword Xiao Yao had given him. "Keep this with you. If you encounter an unmatched enemy, use this to attack them. It can unleash a sword strike comparable to a grandmaster's full power."

Xiao Yao didn't know Zu An had many other trump cards, so this item wasn't particularly useful to him. After all, if he truly encountered insurmountable trouble, he still had the Emperor's imperial decree as his ace in the hole.

Although Pei Mianman's cultivation was not low, and she had divine artifacts like the Fu Hao Owl Zun, she was still somewhat lacking against truly top-tier experts. And since he couldn't guard her constantly, having this for self-defense would put his mind at ease.

"That drunkard's thing? No, thank you," Pei Mianman recognized the small sword's origin at a glance and scoffed, refusing it.

"Don't be silly. Now it's something I'm giving you," Zu An said, tucking it directly into her clothes. "The situation in Cloudpeak Commandery is turbulent and unpredictable, and your family wants to marry you off to someone else. It's good to have an extra item for self-defense. You're mine now, and you need to help me protect yourself."

"Ptooey, who's yours?" Pei Mianman retorted, her cheeks as radiant as peach blossoms, which made Zu An eager for more.

In the end, he was sent away. As he returned to the inn, he felt the previous mental pressure from his mission completely swept away. Thinking of his Manman's tenderness and passion, he was suddenly filled with drive.

"Brother Zu, what's got you so happy?" Gao Ying and Pei You were washing up in the inn and couldn't help but ask, noticing his beaming expression.

Zu An cleared his throat twice. "Nothing, I'm just in a good mood."

Pei You leaned closer and sniffed him. "Hmm? So fragrant. It smells much better than the powder from courtesans. Do all the girls in Cloudpeak Commandery have such refined taste?"

Gao Ying also looked aggrieved. "Brother Zu, you went to a brothel without inviting us?"

Zu An was speechless.

These two were truly getting addicted to playing at the Joyous Pavilion.

Seeing Sang Hong also emerge from his room, Zu An cleared his throat. "As imperial envoys, we represent the image and reputation of the imperial court. How can we go to such pleasure quarters? It would simply make us a laughingstock to the officials of Cloudpeak Commandery."

Sang Hong nodded with satisfaction, thinking that although Ah Zu was usually a bit frivolous, he could still distinguish right from wrong on important matters. Qian'er wouldn't be wronged by him.

Ah, it's been so long. I wonder if Qian'er has successfully conceived...

Pei You and Gao Ying exchanged peculiar glances, thinking, "Who are we to each other? What's the point of this officialese?" They were about to disdain him, but then they noticed Sang Hong in the distance and quickly changed their tune. "Brother Zu's lesson is well-taken."

"Brother Zu is truly a model for our generation."

***

Seeing their "grudging" compliments, Zu An felt a bit awkward and quickly changed the subject. "Haha, why are you two up so early? Are you going somewhere?"

"We're going to visit Lady Yu. She's key to this case." Both men looked a little excited as they spoke. Yu Yanluo was once the most beautiful woman under heaven. Although they knew such a figure was destined to have nothing to do with them, as men, who wouldn't want to witness her beauty up close?

Zu An hummed. "Then you two go ahead. I won't join you. I was out investigating all night yesterday and I'm really too tired. I need to catch up on some sleep."

Big Manman was truly a captivating little enchantress; he had barely slept all night.

Gao Ying and Pei You found it strange. He thought, 'He doesn't even want to see the most beautiful woman under heaven? Is he even a man?'

However, it was even better that he wasn't going. Otherwise, he would always steal all the thunder.

"Ah Zu, get some good rest. You don't need to worry about Lady Yu's matter," Sang Hong said with concern, although he was curious about what Zu An had investigated last night. Seeing his dispirited look, he didn't press for answers and simply told him to go back and rest.

"Thank you, Uncle." Zu An's face flushed with a slight embarrassment. He hurried back to his bed, collapsing into the covers, and was almost instantly asleep. He had truly been exhausted from the night before.

On the other side, at the Pei manor, Pei Shao and his wife were diligently hosting the Prince of Qi's heir.

Zhao Zhi pointed to the exquisite gift box on the table. "These are specialty pastries I specifically brought from Guiyue Pavilion for Miss Pei. I hope she likes them."

"Your Highness is too kind," Madam Pei said, her eyes full of smiles, then urged the maid beside her, "Why haven't you invited the young miss over yet?"

Just then, the maid who had been sent earlier returned and mumbled, "Miss... Miss said she's tired and wants to sleep a bit longer. She asked Madam and Master to eat by themselves."

Madam Pei's smile immediately froze. "This wretched girl! Hasn't she had enough sleep after a whole night? His Highness personally came to see her, how can she be so ungrateful?"

Zhao Zhi frowned. He thought, 'Pei Mianman is my future secondary consort. How can you be yelling like this?'

Pei Shao seemed to notice his frown and quickly stopped his wife from scolding further. "Cough, cough, dear, perhaps you should personally go and invite her over. Your Highness, please forgive us. We've spoiled that child a bit, so she can be willful at times."

"It's fine," Zhao Zhi said with a slight smile. "Let her sleep a bit longer. We can chat." He wanted to use this opportunity to leave a good impression on Pei Mianman.

For such a beautiful woman, a little willfulness was perfectly normal.

Moreover, knowing she was to marry him, it was inevitable she would feel some apprehension, and being at a loss was also normal. He wanted to present himself as a modest gentleman, and he was sure she would soon develop a liking for him.

The peerlessly enchanting face and the "trembling" visual impact reappeared in his mind. He thought, 'No wonder she has such a good figure; it turns out it's from sleeping so much.'

'Hmm, my darling wife is so cute.'