coobybook Chapter 55 Is consummating the marriage really that difficult?
Chapter 55 Is consummating the marriage really that difficult?
"Sister, aren't you staying here for the night?" Shen Yue saw her to the door, reluctantly holding her sister's hand.
“A palace servant will be coming to the Gu residence tomorrow morning to deliver the imperial edict of investiture, so we still need to rush back tonight,” Shen Li said. “Why don’t you pack your things and stay at my place for a while?”
"Is it okay?" Shen Yue asked her mother, her eyes filled with anticipation.
“Of course, that’s your sister’s house. I’ll pack your things tomorrow so you won’t keep nagging about it at home.” Xiao Bailing immediately agreed.
After bidding farewell to their families, Shen Li and Gu Chang'an boarded the carriage to return to their residence. Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for some time, Gu Chang'an seemed more reserved than before, sitting to one side and only communicating with Shen Li.
"I've already ordered my men to spread the news that Zheng Youwei and Consort Zheng were at odds before Zheng's death. Is there anything else A-Li has instructed me to do?" he asked cautiously.
"By the way, the information you asked Zhao Jing to investigate about the northern border is still pending."
Seeing that Shen Li didn't speak, he asked again, "You don't want to hear this?"
"I like to hear whatever you say, but could you sit a little closer to talk to me? I'm not going to eat you." Shen Li was both amused and exasperated by his caution and nervousness.
"Oh." Gu Chang'an then sat down next to her, resting his arm against her warm skin.
Just that one touch brought him immense peace of mind. The anxiety he had felt for so many days was finally relieved; Ah Li was back by his side.
Shen Li leaned directly into his arms, inhaling the familiar aroma of tea. She couldn't help but smile, and rubbed her head against his chest a few times.
Gu Chang'an sat up straight instantly. Even though he had experienced physical contact many times before, he still felt tense all over each time.
Ah Li is like a small furnace; wherever he touches her, he gets ignited and can't calm down. But he's afraid of offending her if he acts rashly, so he can only restrain himself and let her do as she pleases.
"Husband, you're not very obedient, you've gotten thinner." Shen Li pressed his chest and then squeezed it.
Gu Chang'an's Adam's apple bobbed as he explained, "The food at the yamen isn't good. I'll eat more from now on. Don't be angry, A-Li."
"How could I really be angry with you? But you need to eat more, and you also need to find a good doctor to take care of your health, since winter is coming soon." Shen Li felt extremely sorry for him looking at his thin body.
Gu Chang'an developed a chronic illness while in prison, and was particularly sensitive to cold, making winter the most difficult time for him. If he did not take care of himself soon, he would suffer even more.
In her previous life, she watched him from the sidelines. He never cared about his health, and he didn't take any supplements or tonics into account, letting his body get worse and worse.
In this life, she must take good care of him and not let him die half his life just from a winter.
"Okay, I'll follow A-Li's arrangements." Gu Chang'an's attitude in admitting his mistake was still very good.
"You'll listen to me?" Shen Li's eyes darted around. "Then let's sleep together tonight."
"Okay." Gu Chang'an nodded, his entire neck turning bright red.
Shen Li realized that she had succeeded halfway. After returning to her residence, she took a bath, changed her clothes, and went to bed, waiting for Gu Chang'an to process the last few urgent official documents.
Gu Chang'an returned a little later, but he still carried the scent of soap pods and a faint moisture from his body, indicating that he had just taken a bath.
Shen Li gave up half of the bed. She was a little nervous at this point, after all, it was her first time in both her lives and she didn't have much experience.
"Are you hungry?" Gu Chang'an asked. "Would you like some late-night snacks?"
"I'm not eating anymore." Shen Li didn't say much at this point.
Seeing that her gaze was somewhat evasive, Gu Chang'an couldn't help but laugh at her in his heart, thinking she was a paper tiger. Of course, he no longer thought that Ah Li was not sincere, just like he had at the beginning.
Ah Li would never lie to him.
It's time to take the initiative; after all, I'm a man.
Gu Chang'an got into bed, but just as he pulled the covers over himself, he heard Chunsheng knocking on the window: "Sir, there is urgent news. Would you like to go and take a look?"
Chunsheng felt uneasy as he spoke. What kind of news was it for an adult to be looking at at this time? He didn't know where such a disappointing message came from.
Shen Li and Gu Chang'an exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit amused and exasperated.
“Go,” Shen Li said. “Now is a critical moment, we cannot be careless.”
Despite his helplessness, Gu Chang'an had no choice but to get dressed and go to the central hall to see Yingzi.
Shen Li thought that even if something happened, she could take care of it later, so she waited for Gu Chang'an on the bed. Unexpectedly, she fell asleep while waiting.
When she vaguely sensed someone beside her and opened her eyes, she saw that the sky outside was already beginning to brighten, and she was sleeping next to Gu Chang'an.
Gu Chang'an beside her had his eyes closed, breathing evenly, sleeping peacefully.
She was a little confused at first, but when she thought about what had happened, she couldn't help but laugh. She never imagined that consummating the marriage would be so difficult.
"woke up?"
Gu Chang'an felt her move and immediately opened his eyes. Unlike the drowsy look of someone who has just woken up, his eyes were clear.
"Did I wake you up?" Shen Li felt a little guilty. "I'm sorry."
"It's time to wake up. Ah Li doesn't need to get up so early; she can sleep a little longer," Gu Chang'an reassured her.
"I can't sleep." Shen Li shook her head. "Why don't you tell me what urgent news it was last night?"
"It's exactly what you're concerned about. The news Zhao Jing's men brought back from the northern border indicates that several small groups of troops within the Great Liang territory are transporting grain and fodder from various prefectures and counties to the border, and their actions are highly suspicious." Gu Chang'an's expression became more serious as he spoke.
He suspected that the Liang court was about to launch a war. Such secretive actions must be part of an extremely meticulous plan. If the court was prepared but the emperor was caught off guard, the Zhao dynasty would likely suffer a great loss.
Upon hearing this, Shen Li immediately sat up. Right, the timing matches up. If they transport grain now, they can launch a surprise attack in a little over two months.
They were indeed well-prepared.
"Zhao Jing and I intend to report this matter to His Majesty as soon as possible, so that we can infiltrate more people to continue gathering information." Gu Chang'an got up and helped Shen Li lean against the pillow.
"What does Ah Li think?" he asked again.
"I will do as my husband wishes, but I need a favor from him." Shen Li had not forgotten Lin Wan'er's request, and now was the perfect time.
I originally wanted to make things up to help her, but I didn't expect the other party to actually make a move.
"Go on," Gu Chang'an said, leaning against the headboard beside her. He turned his head to look at her. Although they were talking about important matters, his eyes were full of her. If he could wake up like this every morning, he would be happy even if he were in hell.
However, after hearing Shen Li's explanation, his expression became somewhat confused: "She's going to the battlefield? And you're going to help her? When did your relationship become so good?"
The two beauties of Kyoto have never gotten along. Although their rivalry is gentlemanly and they would never plot against each other, their friendship was quite sudden.