Xu Wan knew something was off.
He didn’t know how to kiss her more deeply.
But since she had already taken the initiative to kiss him, it felt awkward to teach him how to do it step by step. So she simply laughed softly and let their lips meet gently.
The kiss lasted for what felt like half an hour. At one point, they paused, but the moment their eyes met, they couldn’t resist leaning in again, breathing in each other’s scent, their soft lips touching once more.
When night fell, they still slept in separate blankets.
But Zong Zhao would peck at her like a child from time to time. His courage had grown stronger after Xu Wan’s two initiatives—no more awkwardness or hesitation.
Yet Xu Wan was tired. After a few kisses, she covered Zong Zhao’s mouth and protested, "Enough rewards for now, let’s rest, let’s rest."
Zong Zhao kissed her palm, then pulled her into his arms over the blanket. He seemed in high spirits, his fingers lightly tracing her cheeks and ears with feather-like tenderness.
Sensing his mood, Xu Wan asked curiously, "Are you really that happy?"
"Happy," Zong Zhao replied, his voice brimming with delight.
Xu Wan’s lips curved slightly.
You fool, you refused when I asked you to consummate before.
Zong Zhao held her for a while, then, as if it wasn’t enough, nestled even closer, pressing his face against hers and whispering in her ear, "I like you."
Xu Wan’s heart raced.
Though it wasn’t the first time she’d heard those words, hearing them again filled her chest with warmth, every cell in her body alight with joy.
When she didn’t respond, Zong Zhao assumed she was too sleepy and on the verge of drifting off. He loosened his hold and retreated slightly, murmuring even softer, "I like you."
Xu Wan’s brain nearly short-circuited.
How do I reply? How? Saying "I know" sounds too cold. Saying "I like you too" feels like it’d burn my tongue. Maybe I should wait… but wait for what? Until when?
Her thoughts tangled chaotically until… she fell asleep.
The sound of Cui Zhi knocking echoed: "Madam, it’s mao hour. You asked me to wake you at this time yesterday."
Xu Wan rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep, when she felt herself being embraced again. Warmth pressed against her neck as a lazy, clingy voice asked, "Why wake up so early?"
Now mostly awake, Xu Wan patted Zong Zhao’s shoulder. "Mr. Su’s water spinach is ready. I want to harvest it before the children start their lessons. You can sleep a little longer—no need to get up this early."
Zong Zhao chuckled against her neck, his voice hoarse. "The wife goes to harvest vegetables while the husband lazes in bed?"
Xu Wan couldn’t help laughing. Clearing her throat, she teased, "Fine, I’ll allow you to be the little pampered husband for a day."
"Little pampered husband?"
Suppressing a grin, Xu Wan said solemnly, "Mm… it means the wife handles the outside work while the husband stays home, cozy and comfortable, waiting for her return. Of course, if you’re extra considerate, you could massage my legs or shoulders—then you’d truly be a model among little pampered husbands… Hey, what are you doing?"
Zong Zhao replied, "Helping massage your legs and shoulders."
"No, no, no need! I was joking, just joking! Hahaha… Why are you tickling me? That’s crossing the line!" Xu Wan squirmed away, scrambling across the bed, too flustered to call him a "little pampered husband" again.
After teasing her for a while, Zong Zhao pulled her up to wash. "Let’s eat first, then go together. Two people work faster."
"Alright." Xu Wan changed into practical clothes, ate a quick breakfast, and headed out.
But as soon as they reached the courtyard gate of the study, they heard a lively commotion:
"Be careful, don’t damage the greens!"
"Xiao Bai, move over there—don’t crowd me."
"Hurry up, we still have class at chen hour!"
Xu Wan and Zong Zhao exchanged glances before stepping in to find five young boys in soccer uniforms already harvesting the water spinach. It was still mao hour—they’d all come early.
"Mom! Why are you here?" The little troublemaker, Zong Jincheng, looked up from cutting a stalk and spotted Xu Wan.
Xu Wan clicked her tongue. "You actually knew the water spinach was ready today."
As she spoke, Zong Zhao handed her a basket, motioning for her to collect the greens he cut. Too busy questioning the boys, Xu Wan didn’t argue and followed him. This text is hosted at NovєlFіre.net
Zong Jincheng yawned. "After working the fields with Mr. Su for over a month, if we couldn’t tell when the vegetables were ready, what was the point?"
Xu Wan chuckled. "True. It’s not hard—for geniuses like you, it’s a piece of cake."
The five boys burst into laughter but kept working diligently.
Wei Xinglu swung his sickle and asked, "Auntie, we’re planning to use our one-month post-palace-exam break to visit Mr. Su in Lucheng. It’s far from the capital, but aside from travel time, we’ll still have a few days to explore."
Xu Wan took the greens Zong Zhao passed her and dropped them into the basket. "Mr. Su probably expected you boys to reach the palace exams. He might even be inspired to praise you a few times."
Shen Yibai snorted. "Yeah right. He doesn’t praise—he’s an expert at scolding. If he doesn’t force us to compose poems on the spot, we’re lucky."
The others laughed. "Hahaha… so true!"
Amid the banter, their hands moved faster.
Trained by Su Xi himself in the art of farming, these city boys were swift and skilled. In no time, the harvest was done.
Zong Jincheng declared, "We’re eating this for lunch! I grew these with my own hands—if anyone dares waste a single leaf, I’ll fight them!"
But when lunch arrived—
"Stir-fried water spinach, water spinach salad, water spinach soup."
Zong Jincheng, who hated greens the most, stared at the sea of green on the table, his scalp tingling. "Why so many dishes? I thought it’d just be one per meal."
That way, everyone could finish it with a single bite, unnoticed.
Xu Wan smiled sweetly. "We harvested a whole field. If we don’t eat , it’ll go to waste. You refused to share with the servants, so… take your time. You’ll probably be eating this for the next ten days."
Zong Jincheng’s face turned as green as the vegetables.
Xu Wan took a bite. "Not bad! Homegrown is always fresher—delicious."
The little troublemaker perked up. "Mom likes it? We can give it all to you!" The others chimed in eagerly.