Chapter 21
The winter night felt particularly lonely and cold. To make matters worse, there were no books available to help pass the long, drawn-out hours. Since the charcoal fire in the room did not provide sufficient warmth, they decided to retire early for the night.
Although it wasn't the first time they had shared a room overnight, sharing a bed and pillow was still the first occasion.
The two of them removed their outer robes and lay flat on the bed, covered by the same brocade quilt, lying as stiffly as two wooden statues.
Fang Yu lay with his hands clasped over his chest, staring motionlessly at the bed canopy, afraid that the quilt covering him might be rolled away if Qiao Hezhi turned over.
The quilt covering them was much softer and thicker than the one at his own home, so it did not feel cold beneath it. However, it was rather narrow. If either of them slept restlessly, one of them was sure to get cold during the night.
While Fang Yu was preoccupied with the quilt, Qiao Hezhi was genuinely feeling ill at ease. He clutched the quilt, running through the 'yellow waste'—the explicit material—taught by the instructing matron before the marriage several times in his mind.
[黄废 (huáng fèi): a Chinese internet slang term for useless, vulgar, or pornographic online content]
Yet, after one ke (approx. 15 minutes) had passed, the person lying beside him had not moved at all.
Qiao Hezhi couldn't help but glance sideways at Fang Yu. The man met his gaze: "Do you also think the charcoal fire in this room isn't as warm as the one in our home?"
"…………"
"Perhaps the room is larger, so retaining warmth isn't as easy."
Fang Yu nodded: "That's true. But the 'Silver Bone Charcoal' at your home is truly excellent, without a trace of smoke."
[Silver Bone Charcoal (银骨炭, yín gǔ tàn): a premium, high-quality charcoal known for its pure white ash and high heating value, traditionally made by carbonizing specific hardwoods like birch or oak at extremely high temperatures and then carefully selecting the pieces that produce a clear, metallic ring when struck, a process which removes impurities and creates a long-burning, almost smokeless fuel favored for its efficiency and cleanliness]
"If Master finds it good, we can take some back when we return tomorrow."
Fang Yu: "How could I impose? The one at our home is still usable."
Qiao Hezhi asked: "Is Master feeling cold?"
"Not really." Fang Yu: "The room is very bright, it's hard to fall asleep. I'll blow out two lamps to sleep."
Qiao Hezhi acknowledged, then thought again and said: "If Master feels the light disturbs your sleep, you might as well blow them all out."
"That would be fine too."
Fang Yu got up and extinguished the candle flames. The room instantly plunged into darkness. He hurriedly lay back down under the covers. Though he had been away from the bed for only a moment, his body had already grown cool. Suddenly, a warmth pressed against his side, and a fresh, natural scent enveloped him. Startled, he asked, "Is Hezhi afraid of the dark?"
Qiao Hezhi pressed close to the man, seizing the opportunity to slip into Fang Yu's embrace. He lay his cheek against Fang Yu's chest, his arms wrapping around his waist, all in one smooth motion, with a rather frightened demeanor: "Mm."
Fang Yu chuckled softly and comfortingly stroked Qiao Hezhi's slender back: "How come you're still afraid of the dark at your age?"
"Why didn't you say so earlier? I would have left one lamp lit for you." Having said that, he made to get up and light a lamp, but Qiao Hezhi held onto him, not letting go: "No need for the trouble. With Master here, I'm not that afraid…"
Fang Yu paused: "…Alright."
Holding the person in his arms did not feel uncomfortable at all; in fact, it was quite warm. Moreover, it significantly reduced the amount of space they took up. If they remained like this all night, there would be no worry about either of them catching a chill.
He also noticed that Qiao Hezhi smelled genuinely pleasant. He remarked honestly: "You seem to have a scent of sweet oranges on you."
Qiao Hezhi was taken aback, pondering how strongly suggestive Fang Yu's words were. After a moment, he said: "Then, does Ziruo want to take a closer smell?"
Sniffing around someone's body in the middle of the night—being like a dog was one thing, but he'd probably be considered a pervert, right? Fang Yu said seriously: "I can smell it from here."
Qiao Hezhi: …
He felt talking with Fang Yu was truly strenuous, he never knew what Fang Yu would say next and simply couldn't keep up.
Being so roundabout and indirect seemed like playing the lute to a cow.
[对牛弹琴 (duì niú tán qín): lit. to play the lute to a cow; fig. to speak or reason with someone who cannot understand]
Steeling his heart, he said: "The night is long. If Ziruo wants to do something, I will not refuse anything."
Fang Yu's breath hitched. Only then did he understand the young master's meaning. The person in his arms suddenly seemed to become scalding hot. He had been earnestly discussing natural scent, while the other was thinking about exploring the wonders of the human body.
Fang Yu felt a bitter taste in his mouth: "Hezhi, I currently have no improper thoughts towards you."
Qiao Hezhi, upon hearing this, slowly loosened his hold: "Improper thoughts…"
"What are 'improper thoughts'? Desiring benefits beyond one's rightful place is what makes thoughts improper. But you and I are husband and wife, why should it be considered 'improper thoughts'?"
Qiao Hezhi thought about it and felt wronged in his heart. He was being teased so often, yet now he was being rejected like this. Fang Yu was truly infuriating.
Fang Yu was rendered speechless. He heard the faint creak of the bed as the warm presence beside him shifted away, turning its back to him. The quilt pulled taut, allowing a rush of cold air to invade the bedding. Fang Yu inwardly sighed with frustration.
"How come you're angry now."
Fang Yu reached out to pull the person back, but Qiao Hezhi dodged even further away.
Fang Yu had no choice. He rolled over and pinned Qiao Hezhi beneath him. In the darkness, he felt Qiao Hezhi shrink back slightly: "Clearly afraid in your heart, yet still thinking about being intimate with me."
"I do not!" Qiao Hezhi hurriedly retorted: "I… I was just startled."
"Alright, alright, just startled." Fang Yu said patiently: "But didn't we agree? I have already failed the provincial examinations twice. Seeing that next year's Autumn Provincial Examinations are imminent, I prioritize the matter of the imperial examinations above all else in my heart. Let's wait a little longer."
Qiao Hezhi pressed: "Then wait until when?"
Fang Yu pondered for a moment: "Well… wait until after I pass the provincial examination and become a Juren. By then, I will also have an answer for you."
"What if you don't pass the provincial exam?!"
Fang Yu gave a dry cough: "You really dare say anything, aren't you afraid I'll be offended?"
Qiao Hezhi knew he had spoken too hastily, but he had also voiced what was on his mind: "I'm just worried…"
"After studying hard for so many years, I will pass eventually. If I really cannot pass, then I still won't end up alone and solitary for the rest of my life."
Fang Yu lay down next to Qiao Hezhi: "Stop moving around, alright? The quilt is only so big, you'll catch a chill later."
Qiao Hezhi was still sulking, but ultimately did not squirm away.
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