Chapter 280: Family Matters, Warm Fragrance
Yun Yue’s face was still flushed with a charming blush, her steps unsteady as Lin Tianlu pulled her into the study.
“T-Tianlu?”
“After thinking about it, the best way to calm you down… is to read.”
Lin Tianlu gently guided her to a seat, picked out a few ancient books from the bookshelf, pulled up a chair and sat beside her, flipping open the books.
“Yue’er, although you already had extraordinary cultivation thousands of years ago, after years of fighting and battles, I suppose you didn’t have the opportunity to read these poems and classics, right?”
He chuckled and patted the pages: “Let’s take some time today to teach you and let you experience these history books.”
“Huh?”
Yun Yue looked slightly dazed and bewildered, the blush on her face still lingering.
By the time she reacted, she realized that she had been handed an ancient book, its contents seemingly recording anecdotes and stories from several dynasties over the past centuries. Piled up beside the desk were also some biographies, tales of the strange, literary masterpieces, and so on, a wide variety of genres.
“Tianlu, I’m…”
“Let me read it to you.” Lin Tianlu smiled slightly and leaned closer, starting to read aloud.
Listening to the rhythmic reading beside her ear, Yun Yue couldn’t help but pout slightly, as if a little troubled.
But she took a deep breath and adjusted her mindset.
Listening attentively for a while, she quickly became captivated by the ingenious content of the book. The opening was engaging, and she couldn’t help but feel curious, listening intently.
…
In the back hall.
Mao Ruoyu walked over with a steaming breakfast of porridge and pastries, glancing curiously towards the courtyard, but didn’t see Lin Tianlu.
“Master doesn’t seem to be here?”
Yu Xuanling followed gracefully, frowning in thought, and quickly looked towards the study: “No, Master is in the study.”
“He’s probably with Sister Yun.”
Mao Ruoyu chuckled softly and put down the chopsticks and porcelain spoons: “I’ll take their breakfast to them, Miss Xuanling, you can sit down and eat. Master and the others should be coming soon.”
“Let Ling’er go with you.”
Yu Xuanling’s eyes lit up.
But she quickly paused and whispered: “Madam Mao, Master seems to be quite intimate with… Sister Yun, you’re not angry, are you?”
Mao Ruoyu smiled faintly and picked up the bowl of soup: “Why would I be angry? I’ve always considered Sister Yun as family, it’s just that their relationship is now more explicit. I even played a part in Master getting close to Sister Yun.”
Yu Xuanling immediately smiled: “Madam Mao, you’re truly kind.”
“But you, girl, you always said you wanted Master to marry more beautiful wives, why are you being so timid now?”
“Ling’er also likes the two Madams, I don’t want to see you sad or angry.”
The young lady helped carry two bowls of porridge, saying sweetly: “But Ling’er is also very happy that Master has such virtuous wives by his side!”
“You clever girl.”
Mao Ruoyu gave her a playful glare and walked towards the study with her graceful and voluptuous figure.
Creak
As the study door opened slightly, the beautiful woman walked in and looked towards the desk, immediately seeing the two figures engrossed in reading.
“Eh…”
Yu Xuanling followed closely behind, peeking inside, and immediately looked disappointed: “Ling’er thought Master and Sister Yun were having a passionate moment in the study, but they’re reading.”
Lin Tianlu immediately put down his book with a subtle expression: “What are you thinking about, girl?”
Who would say such a thing upon entering a room?
Did she think they would be doing something strange in the study?
“After all, Ling’er just saw Sister Yun, her face completely red, leaving the courtyard with Master.” Yu Xuanling smiled and placed the breakfast, which emitted a faint and elegant fragrance, on the desk together with Mao Ruoyu: “Thinking about it carefully, the two of them must have been unable to resist their burning passion and engaged in a fiery battle!”
“It’s broad daylight, don’t let your imagination run wild.”
“So Xuanling saw Master earlier?” Mao Ruoyu’s expression was strange.
Since she already knew, and had even let her imagination run wild, why hadn’t she mentioned it?
“Ling’er also wanted to see Master and Sister Yun in the throes of passion~”
Yu Xuanling narrowed her eyes, a seductive smile appearing on her face: “Embracing tenderly, hands on waists and legs intertwined, patiently cultivating and grinding, then galloping fiercely, with dew dripping down. Such an enchanting scene truly makes Ling’er very curious.”
Mao Ruoyu blushed and inwardly clicked her tongue.
Lin Tianlu stood up and flicked the girl’s forehead: “Your mind is full of dirty thoughts.”
“How is it dirty? It’s clearly the expression of love and affection between Master and the Madams, a natural act.”
Yu Xuanling chuckled mischievously, swaying her hips seductively as she walked over, leaning against him with a charming smile: “If Master is tired, how about letting Ling’er feed you breakfast?”
Lin Tianlu glanced at the hand she was holding between her thighs and shifted slightly, pulling her down onto the chair beside him.
“Since you’re so enthusiastic, let’s read together. I’m preparing some exercises, you can stay and help me test the difficulty later.”
“…Eh?”
Yu Xuanling was stunned.
Then, a pitiful expression appeared on her face as if she was about to cry, and she blinked repeatedly at Mao Ruoyu, silently pleading for help.
It was fine to simply sit and read with Master, but those so-called exercises were a headache!
“My husband, let Xuanling have breakfast with you.”
Mao Ruoyu said gently, pulling up a chair and sitting across the desk: “I also want to see how much literary knowledge Miss Xuanling possesses.”
Yun Yue, who had been quietly reading, looked up slightly, a faint smile appearing on her lips before she quickly returned her attention to the book.
Although she couldn’t be considered highly knowledgeable in literature a thousand years ago, she had been a young lady of noble birth before awakening her demon and ghost abilities, naturally having dabbled in various poems and classics.
During her nine hundred years trapped in the Netherworld, there was a period where she spent her days composing poems and matching couplets to alleviate her boredom.
But now, under Lin Tianlu’s guidance and explanation, she discovered many hidden meanings within these books, profound and mysterious. Reading and pondering carefully, she found the interconnectedness quite interesting.
For a time, even Yun Yue herself didn’t realize…
That her initial arousal had gradually dissipated, replaced by curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. A faint coolness spread through her mind, calming her previously heated body.
“Don’t get too engrossed in your reading.”
A gentle voice suddenly sounded beside her ear.
Yun Yue came back to her senses slightly and looked sideways to see Lin Tianlu holding breakfast and offering it to her: “If you’re enjoying it so much, I can feed you.”
Looking at the fragrant porridge in the spoon beside his lips, she pursed her pink lips.
“…Mm.”
She opened her mouth obediently and slowly drank the porridge, savoring the taste, a sparkle appearing in her beautiful eyes: “Ruoyu’s cooking skills are becoming more and more impressive.”
“I’m glad you like it, Sister Yun.”
The atmosphere in the study remained warm and peaceful, occasional laughter echoing, highlighting the tranquility of their daily lives.
…
The night was quiet and serene.
The lights in the Lin Mansion gradually went out.
Tonight, the family had gathered around the table for dinner, the conversation harmonious and pleasant, like a scene of domestic bliss. However, Cheng Yishi was busy with work and couldn’t make it.
After dinner, the table was cleared, and everyone bathed and changed their clothes. Before they knew it, night had fallen, and Changling County was enveloped in tranquility. They returned to their rooms to rest, extinguishing the candles as midnight approached.
However—
In the dead of night, faint moans and gasps could be heard coming from a bedroom, like the rustling of the night wind, or the soft and delicate purring of a cat.
Listening closely, the sounds rose and fell, mournful yet also filled with pleasure and charm.
Through the window paper faintly illuminated by the moonlight, one could see the blurry figures of a man and a woman inside the room. The woman, her figure curvaceous and alluring, sat astride the man with her legs wrapped around his waist, their hands intertwined. Their hair danced with each rhythmic movement, the scene evocative and suggestive.
Water dripped, the seductive moans becoming more urgent and high-pitched, the movements more intense, the graceful figure swaying as if boneless, like a small boat in a storm, about to be swallowed by the fierce waves.
Until the figure suddenly froze, a long object stiffening and extending, a subtle fragrance seemingly drifting out from the cracks in the door.
…
After a while.
Lin Tianlu walked out of the room, dressed in thick clothes, and glanced sideways at Mao Ruoyu, who was sleeping soundly in bed, before carefully closing the door.
He went to the kitchen alone, boiled some water, made himself a pot of tea, and walked leisurely towards the courtyard.
But as soon as he reached the corridor, he saw a figure sitting in the usually empty pavilion.
Lin Tianlu walked towards the pavilion with the teapot in hand and asked, puzzled: “Martial Aunt, aren’t you asleep yet?”
“First Elder and I are leaving for Lunar Valley early tomorrow morning, so tonight… I’m still a bit reluctant to part.”
Wu Jingyun’s hair was unbound, flowing freely in the chilly night breeze, a faint smile on her beautiful and unadorned face.
“But hearing your and Ruoyu’s voices just now, I feel much more at ease.”
“Cough, cough, cough!”
Lin Tianlu almost choked on his tea.
Recalling the almost unrestrained sounds from just now, he blushed and said awkwardly: “You must be laughing at me, Martial Aunt. We…”
“There’s no need to be shy. I know how you two express your affection, just think of it as… pounding rice cakes together.”
Wu Jingyun smiled gently and took Lin Tianlu’s arm, leading him to sit beside her: “I knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep, so I came here to see you, so you wouldn’t be alone and bored.”
“How did you know I would be resting in the pavilion, Martial Aunt?”
“That Ruoyu girl is still inexperienced and can’t handle your vigorous Yang energy. If you stayed by her side any longer, she might become infatuated and cling to you relentlessly. And tomorrow morning, she would be holding her waist and trembling, unable to stand properly.”
She looked at him with gentle eyes and said approvingly: “If an ordinary man had such a beautiful and charming wife, he would probably be indulging in pleasure every night until dawn, completely neglecting whether his wife’s body is comfortable or sore. But I can see that you care about your wives.”
Having his thoughts exposed, Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.
“You flatter me, Martial Aunt.”
“That’s why I can entrust Ruoyu to you with peace of mind.”
“Cough, but I wonder if you have anything else to say to me, Martial Aunt…”
Wu Jingyun pursed her lips slightly, pondered for a moment, and then shook her head with a chuckle: “There’s no need to talk about those serious matters. We’ve been busy with the wedding for so long, and tonight is a rare free moment. Let’s just chat.”
As she spoke, she raised her hand and touched her chest.
Lin Tianlu quickly looked away.
“Hehe~ Tianlu, you’re now married and have two beautiful wives to keep you company day and night, are you still so mindful of being intimate with women?”
Martial Aunt’s slightly teasing words drifted over, but her tone was gentle and soft, seemingly filled with affection and indulgence.
“I just don’t want to offend you, Martial Aunt, after all, I’m—”
“Just look, Tianlu. We’ve already been intimate, there’s no need to adhere to those formalities.”
Wu Jingyun gently cupped his face, reassuring him.
Looking closely, he realized that the mature beauty before him was dressed in loose and comfortable clothing, her fair skin slightly exposed, her alluring beauty even more captivating. A loving and charming smile played on her lips, and her slender fingers reached into the valley between her breasts, seemingly picking something out.
It was… a piece of ink-stained paper?
Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“The night is beautiful, it would be wonderful if we could sit down and discuss our understanding of poetry, calligraphy, and painting.”
Wu Jingyun smiled and unfolded the paper in her hand, revealing a beautiful landscape painting. At the bottom of the painting, a poem was written in elegant calligraphy, complementing the scene.
“Did you paint this and write this poem, Martial Aunt?”
“I casually made it while traveling, depicting a beautiful landscape I saw along the way.” Wu Jingyun covered her mouth with her sleeve and murmured: “Take a closer look, Tianlu.”
Lin Tianlu’s interest was piqued, and he took the painting with a smile, nodding: “Since it’s your work, Martial Aunt, I naturally have to appreciate it carefully.”
The painting fully unfolded, the detailed landscape scene coming into view.
Unlike the vibrant blossoms of spring, this painting depicted a scene of colorful falling leaves and red-covered mountains. The biting cold wind also brought a sense of decay, as if all living things were withering and falling asleep. Looking closer, one could see the fallen leaves and withered flowers, a slightly desolate and lonely scene.
But if one looked closely at the trickling stream in the distance, one could see many fish swimming gracefully, frolicking in the clear water.
“…”
Wu Jingyun’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, a hint of anxiety in her phoenix eyes.
At this moment, she didn’t seem like the gentle and caring Martial Aunt, but rather a shy young girl, silently waiting for comfort and reassurance.
“Tianlu, what do you think of my painting…”
“Your painting skills have improved since I last saw them in Lunar Valley, Martial Aunt.”
Lin Tianlu quickly exclaimed: “These exquisite brushstrokes and unique composition are truly unparalleled.”
Wu Jingyun’s face lit up with joy: “Really?”
“Such exquisite painting skills, even those who don’t understand art would praise it highly. There’s no need for any doubt. I’m afraid the scholars and artists in Changling County would treat it as a treasure and fight over it.”
Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin and mused: “The meaning behind this painting is quite profound. It laments the quietness and desolation of autumn and winter, depicting the loneliness and melancholy in one’s heart, just like the withered grass beneath our feet, truly lamentable.”
Wu Jingyun’s eyes brightened, and she smiled: “Do you have any other interpretations, Tianlu?”
“Just look at the schools of fish in the stream.”
Lin Tianlu suddenly smiled: “Martial Aunt, you were thinking of coming to Changling to reunite with your family and share their happiness. This is the warmth amidst the desolate autumn scenery, like a sign of revival, also representing your longing and desire.
And this poem, although it describes the bleakness of autumn, the ending takes a turn and is filled with profound meaning. It perfectly matches your thoughts, Martial Aunt. But you didn’t want others to easily see through it, so the wording is slightly obscure and difficult to understand.”
The smile on Wu Jingyun’s face became even brighter and more joyful, and she nodded repeatedly: “You truly understand my heart, Tianlu.”
“But looking closely, there seem to be three layers of meaning in this painting.”
Lin Tianlu pointed: “Although the fish are swimming in schools, upon closer inspection, they are intentionally separated into pairs, like couples in love.”
“Paired with this poem, the deeper meaning is even more intriguing.”
“Th-This is…”
Wu Jingyun’s cheeks flushed crimson, making her even more charming and alluring.
Recalling the moment she painted this, she hadn’t had such deep intentions. But now, hearing Tianlu’s interpretation, she couldn’t help but feel a bit shy.
She hadn’t even realized she had such thoughts…
But she didn’t refute or explain, only blushing and nodding, the smile on her lips even more comforting and affectionate.
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment and continued: “But in my humble opinion, there are still some areas that can be improved, Martial Aunt, to make this painting even more beautiful.”
“Oh? I wonder what your suggestions are, Tianlu?”
Wu Jingyun’s beautiful eyes were filled with tenderness as she listened attentively, her delicate hand subtly reaching out from beneath her long sleeve.
“…”
Lin Tianlu paused slightly and looked at her in surprise.
Wu Jingyun blushed slightly, but her body couldn’t help but move closer, her eyes seemingly conveying a thousand thoughts, a hint of concern and care in them.
This incredibly complex gaze made Lin Tianlu freeze for a moment.
After a moment of silence, he suppressed the ripples in his heart and quickly began to point out the areas in the painting that could be improved.
Wu Jingyun listened attentively, occasionally gasping in amazement or pondering deeply, feeling that her son-in-law was truly extraordinarily talented, his knowledge and refinement far surpassing hers!
Just a few exchanges with him had brought her a sense of enlightenment and joy, as if all her previous blocked and stagnant thoughts had become clear, her ideas validated and guided. It was truly a fruitful experience!
…
Under the moonlight, the sound of a man and a woman conversing and reading echoed softly through the tea-fragrant pavilion. Pages turned, brushes moved, the two seemingly engrossed in composing poems, matching couplets, and exchanging their understanding and experiences.
Occasional exclamations and murmurs intertwined, as they pondered and savored, new works constantly being born from their collaboration and communication.
However, within this gentle and harmonious atmosphere, if one listened carefully, one could hear a faint and almost imperceptible sound of dripping water. Looking closely at the beautiful woman’s face, one could see a hint of hazy charm in her eyes, her gaze as if she wanted to hold the man before her in the palm of her hand.
As night fell, the scene within the pavilion remained unknown to anyone.
