"So, I want to spend my life with you, loving you forever. Naturally, I support what you want to do and think from your perspective."
Lu Yu's heartfelt words, spoken without hesitation, once again made Shen Xuan's heart fill with sweetness.
"This afternoon, a boy of thirteen or fourteen was called back by his family. He came secretly, and his family disagreed with him coming here to study. Their attitude was very firm."
Shen Xuan habitually leaned into Lu Yu's embrace, recounting the day's events, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Everyone's thoughts are different, and it takes time to accept new things. Don't overthink it. Since that boy wants to learn, I believe he will eventually persuade his family. Even if he can't, wouldn't self-studying at home, like you used to, also bring him joy?"
Lu Yu ruffled Shen Xuan's hair and led him off the carriage.
As evening fell, Shen Xuan sat in the room, looking at Lu Yu with a hesitant expression, secretly swallowing several times.
Lu Yu had been paying attention to Shen Xuan and saw him sitting there nervously. Thinking he had something to say, Lu Yu walked over to him before Shen Xuan could speak, bending down to look at him dotingly.
"What's wrong?"
"I... Wife, can you check my pulse?" Shen Xuan gritted his teeth and voiced the thought in his heart.
"Check your pulse? Is something wrong with your body?" Lu Yu's heart fluttered upon hearing Shen Xuan's request for a pulse check. Before she could finish speaking, she had already placed her hand on Shen Xuan's wrist.
"There are no major issues with your pulse. Is there something bothering you?" Lu Yu felt carefully but found no other ailments in Shen Xuan's body.
"Oh." Shen Xuan felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing this and slowly lowered his head. "I just wanted to know if I might already have a child."
Lu Yu had often joked that the more they were intimate, the higher the chance of pregnancy. She hadn't expected Shen Xuan to be so naive as to believe it, and she felt a sudden pang of guilt.
However, Shen Xuan hadn't fully believed it either. He just felt that after being intimate for so long, and seeing how quickly newly married men conceived, why was there still no sign for him after all this time?
"Xuan'er, these things depend on fate. Perhaps the little baby destined for us hasn't arrived yet. Don't be anxious."
Lu Yu gently squeezed Shen Xuan's slightly puffed-out cheeks, which were drawn in by his unhappiness, and comforted him softly.
Although Shen Xuan nodded in response to Lu Yu's comfort, the disappointment in his eyes was undeniable.
When they returned to bed, as soon as Lu Yu extinguished the lamp, Shen Xuan clung to her, shyly using a hushed tone to hint at his desires. He was usually the shy one, but perhaps hearing that he hadn't conceived yet made him anxious today. Under the cover of darkness, he clung to her without restraint.
Shen Xuan had been busy at the academy all day. Although nothing out of the ordinary had happened, and it was no different from his usual days at home, Lu Yu felt that Shen Xuan must be exhausted. She had intended to let him off the hook.
Yesterday, she had also been worried about Shen Xuan feeling unwell in the morning, so she hadn't engaged in any deep intimacy with him.
But she hadn't expected her little husband to be so proactive. Although Shen Xuan had aroused her desire, she still worried about his body. She gently held Shen Xuan's hands as he fidgeted on her and said in a husky voice, "You're already very tired today. Let's sleep early."
"Xuan'er isn't tired." Hearing Lu Yu's words, Shen Xuan seemed to pout and reached out to untie Lu Yu's sash, then slipped his hand inside.
"Give me back my shy little husband!" Lu Yu felt the warmth of Shen Xuan's hands and cried out in her heart.
However, she couldn't truly resist. After all, if her own little husband was like this, and she remained indifferent, she wouldn't truly be a woman.
She leaned in.
...
By the time they finished, Shen Xuan had already fallen asleep from exhaustion. Lu Yu poked Shen Xuan's small, puffed-out cheek, which moved slightly as if sensing her touch, and she let out a soft laugh.
He looked so cute and childlike when he was asleep. Why did he so desperately want a child? Lu Yu hadn't had enough of their world for two. She didn't want to be forced into a nunnery less than a year after getting married.
However, since her husband liked it, she had no reason to refuse. Shen Xuan's health was improving day by day. After the new year, she would help him regulate his body for pregnancy, and she could stop the medication then.
For the past two days, Zheng Yu had been extremely busy, only managing to steal a moment to see Gu Yi outside the academy gate in the mornings.
Once everything was prepared, the magistrate of Feng County arrived at Qimu Town in the afternoon. The moment he saw Zheng Yu, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. After all, Zheng Yu was the third-ranked scholar this year and had voluntarily given up an official position in the capital to become the town mayor of this small town.
And he was so young; truly a promising young man.
The magistrate of Feng County, Zhu Ran, was over thirty. He looked prosperous but not without dignity, clearly an experienced official who had been in the bureaucracy for a long time.
"Greetings, Magistrate. My name is Zheng Yu, and I am the mayor of this town." Zheng Yu bowed respectfully to Zhu Ran.
Zhu Ran naturally helped Zheng Yu up. "I know you. You're that third-ranked scholar this year. A promising young man."
"The Magistrate praises me too highly." Zheng Yu was quite composed, displaying all the proper etiquette when facing an official.
"Please, Magistrate, come into the residence to rest. Tomorrow, I will personally lead people to accompany the Magistrate to the men's academy."
The magistrate nodded, observing the surrounding environment, and smiled with satisfaction. "You are a truly good mayor. The town's environment is also pleasant, and the people's lives clearly indicate happiness and well-being."
Zheng Yu personally escorted the magistrate into the residence, inviting him to sit in the main hall. He then instructed the servants to bring out the afternoon refreshments.
"Magistrate, knowing you were coming today, these refreshments were prepared early. You must be tired from your journey, so please have some snacks to tide you over." Zheng Yu bowed respectfully to the magistrate again, then took his seat below him.
"These refreshments look very exquisite. Mayor Zheng has been very thoughtful." The magistrate looked at the various types of pastries on the table with great satisfaction.
"Magistrate, please try them. These are specialties of our Qimu Town. While other things in our town are decent, the pastries here are exceptional. I will make sure to prepare all sorts of pastries for you to try another day."
"What kind of pastry is this?" The magistrate picked up a piece of white pastry and asked a nearby attendant.
"Replying to the Magistrate, this is Qibao Fang Gao. It is made with glutinous rice, sesame, and bean paste as the main ingredients, resulting in a soft texture that is not overly sweet."
The magistrate listened to the attendant's words, took a bite, and nodded. "It is indeed good. You may go."
"What is this yellow pastry called?" The magistrate's attention was quickly drawn to the yellow pastry on the table. He picked one up and asked Zheng Yu.
"This is Huangsong Gao, made primarily with coarse glutinous rice flour. Please try it."
"It's crumbly and soft upon entering, but why does it have a strange taste?" The magistrate took another bite and tasted it carefully. "It seems a little bitter."
Zheng Yu didn't quite understand the pastry's ingredients and assumed the kitchen attendant had added a few extra ingredients while making it.
The magistrate didn't pay it much mind, thinking he simply wasn't accustomed to the town's pastries. Instead, he smiled and joked with Zheng Yu, "Perhaps I am not used to your local pastries. I will get used to them after staying here for a few more days."
As they chatted and laughed, Zheng Yu noticed the magistrate's face turning red and sweat beading on his forehead. He was about to inquire when he saw the magistrate frowning deeply and loudly instructing a servant to open the window.
"Magistrate, the meal is ready. Let's go eat." Zheng Yu, seeing the magistrate constantly holding his head, assumed he was feeling stuffy in the room.
"My head is a bit sore, so I will not go for now. I will return to my room to rest."
As the magistrate stood up, he suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed onto the ground.