the lady is expecting

Chapter 6: The Wife Cries, and the Heir Compromises

After all, in her past life, as the wife of Pei Che, she had to respect both a legitimate mother-in-law and a secondary mother-in-law, and also avoid making the eldest daughter-in-law uncomfortable.

Now, married to Pei Ru Yan, among the women in the household, aside from the matriarch, she holds the highest position!

Thinking this, Shen Sang Ning's smile deepened.

Not hearing a response from behind for a while, Shen Sang Ning turned around, just in time to see Pei Ru Yan looking away, so she could not see his expression.

Suddenly remembering Pei Ru Yan's injury, she asked with a tinge of guilt and concern, "By the way, does your shoulder still hurt?"

A gentle breeze fluttered Pei Ru Yan's dark blue brocade robe with cloud patterns. Once reminded of the events from last night, the emotional stir in his heart gradually dissipated.

He said softly, "You should go back to Qingyun Courtyard." He then took the lead and started walking in the direction they came from.

Qingyun Courtyard was where Pei Ru Yan and Shen Sang Ning resided, but clearly, Pei Ru Yan was heading to the study again.

Shen Sang Ning looked at his tall, retreating figure and suddenly felt a chill on her cheek, as if rainwater had blown onto her face.

She quickly caught up with Pei Ru Yan and said, "It's a day off. Why don't you go back to the courtyard to rest? Did you rest last night? And you haven't had breakfast yet!"

Honestly, no body can withstand this much.

She pleaded earnestly several times, only to receive Pei Ru Yan's response of "It's fine."

"No," Shen Sang Ning firmly grabbed Pei Ru Yan's sleeve with a serious and determined expression. "You must have breakfast and then rest."

Pei Ru Yan was displeased to be held by Shen Sang Ning. It was rare for anyone in the household to use such a firm tone with him.

His expression darkened slightly, and his tone became more serious, "Don't worry about me."

Even though he rejected her, Shen Sang Ning was unwilling to let go.

She felt that letting go was not an option because she wanted him to live for many more years.

After all, having children is one thing, but relying on them to manage the household and become officials will take decades!

During this time, who would uphold the honor of the Guo Gong residence? Should she rely on Pei Che?

Shen Sang Ning seriously suspected that in her past life, she only lived to forty because she worried so much about Pei Che!

Unlike now, marrying Pei Ru Yan, where being his wife was much more manageable, she hoped in her heart that he could live for more years.

In the midst of their standoff, a tiny raindrop drifted into Shen Sang Ning's eye, causing her to blink uncomfortably.

Her sensitive eyes immediately reddened.

"You..." Pei Ru Yan looked down and saw a small tear falling from the corner of her eye. His previous displeasure seemed to be replaced by helplessness. He lifted his sleeve slightly but then let it drop when he saw she was holding onto it.

His previously cold and stern voice intentionally softened as he asked, "Why are you crying?"

Shen Sang Ning felt something in her eye. She released him, lifted her sleeve to wipe her eyes, but they only got redder.

"I’m not scolding you," Pei Ru Yan said slowly, his brow furrowing as if carefully choosing his words. "You can have breakfast in the study."

After some thought, he finally compromised, "Alright, I’ll go back with you."

After saying this, he saw Shen Sang Ning shake her head, her tearful eye growing more swollen.

Interestingly, one eye was swollen while the other was fine.

Pei Ru Yan then realized something was amiss and blamed himself for speaking too much.

Shen Sang Ning used her hand to open her eye. "Something got in my eye; could you help blow it out?"

Pei Ru Yan responded with his usual indifferent tone, "Hmm."

His expression remained calm as he slowly bent down, stopping half an inch from her face.

A gentle breeze lightly brushed her eyelids, and Shen Sang Ning felt even his breath was soft.

"Is it better?" he asked softly, very close.

Shen Sang Ning nodded, and she subtly looked up, noticing his slightly reddened earlobes.

They had consummated their marriage last night. Now, just being close made him shy?

It seemed that before marriage, he hadn’t much contact with women.

Pei Ru Yan, unaware of her thoughts, straightened up and moved away from her. "If it’s better, let’s go."

He then started to head toward the study again, and Shen Sang Ning hurriedly said, "You just said you would return to Qingyun Courtyard with me. Are you going back on your word?"

Pei Ru Yan did not answer.

At that moment, a dense rain began pouring down.

Shen Sang Ning, not wanting to get wet, lifted her sleeve to shield herself from the rain. Her white wrists came into Pei Ru Yan’s view.

He reached out, lifted her sleeve to cover her arm properly, then grasped her wrist and led her toward the corridor.

Once under the eaves, Shen Sang Ning lowered her hands, and her husband, who had been touching her, suddenly let go and continued walking toward Qingyun Courtyard.

He left her with nothing but his cold back.

Shen Sang Ning silently followed behind, pondering Pei Ru Yan’s displeasure all the way.

Could it be that he thought she cried to make him compromise?

He seemed like such a serious person, but did he actually respond to this?

It shouldn’t be, as Shen Miao Yi was also neglected in her past life and cried many times, but Pei Ru Yan never showed any tenderness.

Shen Sang Ning felt a bit itchy inside. Last night, Pei Che had gone to meet Shen Miao Yi with joy, and while she wasn’t envious, she still hoped that someone in this life would feel happiness on their wedding night because of marrying her.

It’s just a pity that Shen Sang Ning did not get to see Pei Ru Yan’s expression before he lifted her veil, to see if it was one of sadness, joy, or indifference.

"Pei Ru Yan."

Shen Sang Ning called his name properly, under his puzzled gaze, and with an indescribable mix of emotions, she straightforwardly asked—

"Before you entered the wedding chamber yesterday, or before marrying me, did you have any expectations or joy?"