TFSRITA Chapter 157

Yan Qing pulled up the soft quilt, already warmed with a bed warmer someone had thoughtfully placed earlier. Lying down, she felt cozy and not cold at all.

Her eyes closed, drifting into a hazy sleep, when she suddenly sensed a gaze on her. She opened her eyes to see Ji Jiaxun, freshly bathed and dressed in nightclothes, glaring at her unhappily.

Caught off guard by her sudden awakening, Ji Jiaxun stammered, “W-why are you awake?”

Yan Qing propped herself up slightly. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Ji Jiaxun huffed, “Where am I supposed to sleep?”

Yan Qing, completely unfazed, patted the space beside her with a smile. “Here.”

“Absolutely not!” Ji Jiaxun shot back without hesitation.

There was no way he was going to sleep next to this shameless woman!

Seeing his reaction, Yan Qing shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

She lay back down, turned her back to him, and appeared utterly unconcerned.

Ji Jiaxun stood there, left glaring at her with no options.

He glanced around the room, which was spacious but lacked extra bedding. The only quilt available was the bright red wedding quilt on the bed, its vibrant color glaringly eye-catching.

The room’s dragon-and-phoenix candles still burned softly, casting a warm, gentle glow. Occasionally, the wax would crackle with a quiet pop.

The delicate and handsome young man shivered in the cold, his legs trembling slightly. Reluctantly, after much hesitation, he sat on the edge of the bed, then carefully lay down, tugging at the quilt.

Suddenly, a section of the quilt was tossed over him, covering him entirely.

A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air.

Ji Jiaxun froze, his entire body stiff, his face flushing bright red. He didn’t dare move a muscle.

This woman must be trying to seduce him!

As if he’d fall for it!

Ji Jiaxun took a deep breath, exhaled his frustration, and closed his eyes. He placed his hands neatly on his stomach, desperately trying to clear his mind and fall asleep. But the faint fragrance teased his senses, making it impossible to focus.

The next morning.

The capital buzzed with excitement.

The previous night had been the much-anticipated wedding of the young marquis and the prime minister’s daughter. Unsurprisingly, the event sparked countless discussions, especially the dramatic scene where Yan Qing boldly fetched Ji Jiaxun from the infamous Cuihong Pavilion. By morning, the tale had spread across the entire city.

The Grand Princess and Pingwu Marquis learned of the incident first thing after waking, as their attendants eagerly filled them in on the gossip.

The Grand Princess, in the middle of her makeup routine, was so startled she questioned her ears. “You’re telling me my daughter-in-law brought that little rascal back from Cuihong Pavilion?”

The attending matron, seeing her astonishment, nodded earnestly. “Yes, Your Highness. Everyone’s talking about it. Witnesses saw the bride, dressed in red, leading the young marquis out of the pavilion.”

“And Jiaxun didn’t resist?” the Grand Princess asked, her expression turning amusedly peculiar.

The matron couldn’t help but chuckle. “They say the young madam was holding a stick. I’d wager he didn’t dare resist. But judging by her beauty, perhaps he didn’t want to. With a bride like that, even if it had been a knife instead of a stick, he might have gone willingly.”

The Grand Princess clicked her tongue, curiosity sparkling in her peach-blossom-shaped eyes. “I must see this for myself later.”

Glancing at her delicate hands, untouched by labor, she sighed wistfully. “If she really can handle him… perhaps I’ll let her be.”

The matron’s expression flickered slightly but remained silent as she continued applying makeup.

Meanwhile, Pingwu Marquis also heard the tale and couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.

He and his wife had always indulged their son, too softhearted to discipline him. But hearing that their daughter-in-law had managed to keep him in line, he found himself unexpectedly fond of the bold young woman.

As a military man, he had little patience for formalities and etiquette. Yan Qing’s actions, while unconventional, appealed to his straightforward nature, softening much of the animosity he’d felt toward her before.

Elsewhere in the household, other members of the marquis’s family were also abuzz with curiosity. Early in the morning, they gathered in the main hall, eager to see the prime minister’s daughter for themselves. How had she managed to subdue the little tyrant, and what kind of woman had dared to step into Cuihong Pavilion?

Yan Qing was finally woken by her maid, Orchid.

She had slept soundly and was reluctant to wake up, turning over in bed with a groan.

As she moved, she suddenly felt a warm breath nearby. Opening her eyes, she found herself face-to-face with Ji Jiaxun, who had just woken up as well.

“Ahh—!” Ji Jiaxun let out a startled yelp, rolling off the bed in a panic, taking the quilt with him. He landed on the floor with a painful thud, clutching his sore backside as he stared at Yan Qing in bewildered embarrassment, his face burning red.

Orchid stifled a laugh and stepped forward to help him up. “Good morning, young marquis.”

Ji Jiaxun avoided her touch, pursed his lips, and, realizing how foolish he must have looked, barked gruffly, “Where are my attendants? Bring me my clothes!”

Yan Qing, still drowsy, watched his frantic behavior. Fully awake now, she sat up, stretched, and said nonchalantly, “From now on, dress yourself.”

Ji Jiaxun stared at her in disbelief. “You dare tell me to dress myself?”

He had never dressed himself in his entire life!

Yan Qing calmly took the clothes Orchid handed her, dressed quickly, and glanced at him. “If you won’t do it yourself, shall I call your servants in here?”