The Family Head Yu Lu slowly stirred from her slumber, opening her eyes to find her handsome son-in-law sitting attentively by her side. Memories of the events before she blacked out flooded back, painting a captivating blush across her usually aloof and icy beautiful face.
Yan Zhen, by contrast, wore a calm and breezy expression, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. When he noticed her awake, he asked warmly, “Mother-in-Law, how are you feeling?”
The Family Head Yu Lu replied coolly, “No need to worry. I’m fine now.”
As a Mystic Ancestor expert, she had merely fainted from the overwhelming shock earlier; there was no lasting harm.
The stunning mature woman slowly sat up, only then realizing a chill on her chest. Her robes had come open, covered now by nothing more than a man’s outer robe, while her soaked Water Cloud Bellyband lay discarded nearby.
This discovery sent her heart into further turmoil. She hurriedly pressed down the robe draped over her to prevent it from slipping and exposing her.
She stole a glance at her son-in-law and saw his gaze fixed straight ahead. Relief washed over her, mingled inexplicably with a twinge of disappointment.
She shook her head, chiding herself for such strange thoughts.
“Son-in-Law Yan Zhen, everything that happened earlier was just an accident. Y-you mustn’t take it to heart—”
Yan Zhen looked surprised, lifting his head. “You’re not angry, Mother-in-Law?”
Unable to meet his eyes, the Family Head Yu Lu turned her face away. “It was a desperate measure in a crisis. How could there be any talk of anger? If anything, I should apologize to you for causing so much trouble. It was truly unbecoming of an elder.”
“Mother-in-Law, please don’t say that. I was at fault too. That Acupoint Pressing Method is rather tricky, so it’s no surprise if it went wrong. I should have warned you.”
“You child…”
The Family Head Yu Lu turned back to him, her heart aching at the self-reproach on his face. She reached out to pat his head but stopped herself midway.
“I’m fine. You should head back now. If you’re too late, Xuan’er’s little vinegar jar will tip over again.”
Yan Zhen hesitated, then scratched his head. “In that case, I’ll be going, Mother-in-Law. Please don’t overthink things. If anything comes up, I’ll take full responsibility.”
The Family Head Yu Lu said nothing, but a softness flickered in her eyes.
Yan Zhen lingered no longer and quietly departed the Family Head’s Great Courtyard.
Watching her son-in-law leave through the gates, the Family Head Yu Lu let out a breath of relief. She extended her jade hand, drawing the drenched Water Cloud Bellyband to her from afar. Clutching the bellyband in one hand and the man’s robe covering her chest in the other, she entered the bedroom and proceeded to the adjoining bath chamber.
She tossed the soaked bellyband into a wooden basin, then glanced down at the robe in her hand. Knowing it belonged to her son-in-law, her heart warmed. Compelled by some impulse, she brought it close and inhaled deeply.
Beyond her own sweet fragrance, there was a warm, comforting scent, like sunlight trapped within. It left her entranced, and she couldn’t resist taking a few more whiffs.
Suddenly snapping out of it, the Family Head Yu Lu felt ashamed of her actions. She moved to discard the robe but hesitated, instead hanging it carefully on a folding screen.
She untied her sash and waist seal, shedding her watery-hued robes, then slipped off her equally soaked Intimate Pants. Bare and voluptuous in her mature beauty, she stepped into the bath pool.
Leaning against the edge, she replayed the earlier scenes in her mind, her chest fluttering with each recollection. The firm grip still lingered faintly on her skin.
The Family Head Yu Lu sat silently in the water, lost in a daze for a long, long time.
…
Yan Zhen returned to the Thousand Gold Small Courtyard—that is, Mentor Yu Xuan’s residence.
Upon entering, he saw Mentor Yu Xuan in her night robe, gazing out the window, clearly waiting for him.
Warmth filled Yan Zhen’s heart. He was about to call out when his mentor wife spotted him, huffed, shut the window, and retreated to her room.
Yan Zhen hurried after her. He found Mentor Yu Xuan sitting on the bed’s edge, holding a book and pretending to read. Grinning, he sidled up to her.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mentor.”
Her feigned focus shattered, Mentor Yu Xuan shot him a glare. “Then why are you back so late?”
Yan Zhen blinked innocently. “It’s just barely dusk. That’s not late.”
He’d spent a full two hours at her mother’s place and called it early… Mentor Yu Xuan brimmed with jealousy. She didn’t know why, but while she could tolerate his closeness with other girls, it stung when it involved her mother or other elders.
As she thought this, Mentor Yu Xuan caught a familiar milky fragrance—stronger than last time, and not just on his breath but all over him.
—Feeding again? Addicted, are we?
The corresponding image flashed in her mind, and she recoiled in discomfort. The affection in her eyes turned to cool disdain, as if gazing at something unclean.
Yan Zhen noticed the shift in her expression and immediately knew the issue. Sheepishly, he explained, “There’s a reason for it…”
Mentor Yu Xuan understood, of course, but understanding didn’t stop the sour ache in her heart. It felt like her mother and her lover had ganged up to bully her.
“Go wash up right now. No washing, no bed.”
Yan Zhen jumped at the chance. “Right away! I’ll scrub myself squeaky clean and present myself to you, Mentor.”
With that, he dashed into the bath chamber, washing quickly until he was pristine and fragrant. Skipping his nightclothes, he emerged with only a towel around his waist.
He’d just reached the bed when Mentor Yu Xuan yanked him down, pinning him beneath her. He couldn’t budge.
Yan Zhen blinked up at her, feigning bashfulness in a squeaky voice. “Mentor, be gentle~ It hurts~”
Mentor Yu Xuan pinched his nose, scolding playfully, “No messing around.”
Yan Zhen chuckled and pulled his mentor wife into his arms, planting a kiss on her soft cheek.
“Don’t be mad, Mentor. You’re the bigger person—forgive me?”
Her heart melted at his coaxing tone, but the thought of her mother holding him close while feeding still filled her with shy annoyance.
“I want to feed too.”
Yan Zhen tilted his head, puzzled. “What?”
Mentor Yu Xuan bit her lip, loosening her collar before pressing her chest directly to his face.
She might not have milk yet, but she wouldn’t lose in spirit!
Yan Zhen, smothered, could only let out a bewildered question mark.
The night passed in lovers’ tender intimacies, wordless and sweet.
The next day, Mentor Yu Xuan affectionately linked arms with Yan Zhen as they arrived at the landing plaza outside the main hall. She summoned the Flying Skiff and took the pilot’s seat, Yan Zhen settling beside her. They waited quietly.
Soon, the others arrived, including Yu Shizun, who had received Yan Zhen’s message.
Yu Shizun and Cousin Sister Yudie boarded first, taking the back seats. The latter felt immense pressure and sat frozen.
The Family Head Yu Lu gave stern instructions to her younger sister and sister-in-law before allowing them aboard, adding, “Once you’re at Rain God Peak, don’t cause trouble for Xuan’er or Son-in-Law Yan Zhen.”
Dean Yu Qing replied impatiently, “I know, Second Sister. I’m not a child.”
Shui Bailan merely smiled, her pretty face heating at the secret instructions from her sister-in-law.
In the distance, Elder Yu Yan sighed wistfully. They’d come as three; now she was left alone on the return.
“I want to go study at Rain God Peak too~”
But she couldn’t.
