On the day of the return visit, Yingchun rose early.

Xu Ke lay half-reclined on the bed, squinting as he watched her sit before the mirror, fussing with powders and rouge, applying them one by one, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She was usually quiet and reserved—this was the first time he’d seen her so visibly delighted.

“That’s enough, that’s enough—put on any more and you’ll look like an opera performer,” he couldn’t help saying.

Yingchun’s hand paused. She glanced at him through the mirror, her cheeks reddening slightly. “My lord is teasing me again.”

Propping his head on his hand, Xu Ke watched her, the more he looked, the more amusing he found it. Three days into their marriage, she still blushed easily in front of him—but that cautious stiffness had faded. She dared to look up now, dared to answer back softly. Last night, she had even dared to curl into his arms.

At the thought of last night, Xu Ke found himself smiling first.

He hadn’t held back. The first two nights he had been restrained—after all, Yingchun had only just come of age, and having lived another life, he knew how to be considerate. But for some reason last night, caught up in the moment, he lost his sense of restraint. Yingchun had tried to endure at first, but eventually couldn’t bear it and softly begged for mercy. He coaxed and reassured her, saying it would be over soon—but it wasn’t.

In the end, Siqi had been called in.

Siqi, tall and full-figured, had her own kind of appeal. Xu Ke wasn’t only thinking of that—well, perhaps partly—but mostly it was because Yingchun truly couldn’t go on. Siqi wasn’t shy, though as it was her first time attending, she was inevitably a bit inexperienced.

The whole affair lasted well into the night.

The more Xu Ke thought about it, the harder it was to suppress his smile.

Seeing that expression reflected in the mirror, Yingchun’s face flushed bright red. She lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

Xu Ke deliberately teased her, “So much for ‘too weak to rise when the maid helps you up’—how is it you’re so lively this morning?”

Yingchun blushed even more deeply and murmured, “My lord… please don’t say any more…”

Xu Ke burst out laughing, threw off the covers, and got out of bed.

He put on a loose robe, took a saber from the wall, and stepped out into the courtyard.

The saber technique wasn’t anything extraordinary—just a set of health-preserving movements passed down through the Xu family. He had practiced it for over a decade. It hadn’t given him any mystical energy, but it had strengthened his body well enough that he rarely fell ill.

At first, his steps were a bit unsteady—last night’s exertions had taken their toll. But after a few movements, he found his rhythm again. His strength returned, and the blade traced arcs through the morning light, smoother and more fluid with each motion.

Truly, a gentle paradise is a hero’s grave, Xu Ke mused idly. Youth should guard against indulgence—but how can one, when one’s wife is so beautiful?

After completing the routine, he slowly lowered the blade and let out a long breath.

Xiuju had already been waiting nearby, holding a silk cloth dampened with warm water. Standing on tiptoe, she wiped the sweat from his face.

As she did, she muttered softly, “Sister Siqi had it easy—got all the benefits, and now she can barely walk this morning. Yet I’m the one stuck here serving, working myself to death…”

Xu Ke looked down at her. She was pouting, full of grievance, as if terribly wronged.

He couldn’t help but laugh and reached out to tap her nose. “What’s the hurry? Your turn will come sooner or later.”

Xiuju’s face flushed, her expression immediately brightening. “Then, my lord, you should hurry and get ready—don’t delay the hour.”

When Xu Ke returned inside, Yingchun was already fully dressed.

She wore a silver-red jacket patterned with scattered flowers, covered by a pale lotus-colored cape trimmed with gray squirrel fur. Below, she had on a moon-white silk skirt. The jacket had been newly made two days ago; the collar and cuffs were edged with soft white fur that set off the fresh glow of her cheeks. At her waist hung a light green sash, from which dangled a jade ornament—one he recognized as something he had found in his study and given her.

Her hair had been styled with particular care—not simply pinned up as before, but arranged into an elegant coiffure, with a delicate kingfisher-feather hairpin at her temple. Her makeup was light, yet it added a touch more color to her features. When she saw him enter, she glanced up briefly, then quickly lowered her gaze again, the tips of her ears flushed red.

Xu Ke paused for a moment.

He suddenly recalled a line from his memories of his previous life—something like: “Cheeks like fresh lychee, skin smooth as goose fat, gentle and reserved, a delight to behold.”

Back then, it had sounded like empty praise. Now, seeing her in person, he understood how fitting it truly was.

Under his gaze, Yingchun grew self-conscious. Lowering her head, she asked softly, “My lord… is this appearance acceptable?”

Xu Ke came back to himself and smiled. “More than acceptable.”

He said no more and turned to dress himself.

Today called for something more formal. He didn’t wear his official robes, but instead changed into a brand-new long gown, looking neat and dignified.

Once ready, the two of them left the inner courtyard together.

Yingchun entered the sedan chair, while Xu Ke mounted his horse. At the bearers’ call, the procession set off.

The capital wasn’t far—just an hour or two’s journey.

Before noon, they arrived at the gates of the Rongguo Mansion.

A servant had already gone in to announce their arrival. Xu Ke dismounted and helped escort Yingchun’s sedan inside through the side gate. They followed the covered passage, passed through the ornamental gate, and headed toward the eastern wing.

Entering the courtyard, a maid lifted the curtain, and a wave of warm fragrance greeted them.

Jia She lounged on a heated kang, holding a snuff bottle, occasionally bringing it to his nose. When he saw them enter, he didn’t rise—he merely lifted his eyelids slightly.

“They’re here? Sit.”

Xu Ke bowed in greeting, and Yingchun stepped forward to kneel and kowtow to her father. Jia She gave a perfunctory “mm,” then asked Xu Ke, “How goes your post as magistrate? All smooth?”

Xu Ke replied with a few polite, agreeable answers. Jia She nodded and exchanged a few casual remarks. From beginning to end, he didn’t so much as glance at Yingchun.

After less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jia She set down his snuff bottle and stood. “You sit. I’ve some matters to attend to in the front.” With that, he turned and left—likely heading to the eastern courtyard again to amuse himself with his concubines.

Xu Ke showed nothing on his face, but inwardly shook his head.

Madam Xing had watched the whole scene. Only now did she speak. “Let him go about his business. We women will talk.” Taking Yingchun’s hand, she drew her closer to sit beside her. “My dear child, how have these past few days been? Have you suffered any grievance?”

Yingchun lowered her head and replied softly, “All is well.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Madam Xing patted her hand and began a stream of advice—how to manage a household, how to be gentle and compliant before her husband, how the county yamen was not like home and one must be cautious in everything. Point after point, like reciting an account ledger.

Yingchun listened with her head bowed, occasionally answering, “Yes.” Xu Ke sat nearby, unable to leave, and could only endure it alongside her.

Just then, laughter came from outside.

“Oh my, on such a happy day as Second Sister’s return visit, how can you be sitting here so stiffly?”

The voice was bright and lively, clearly audible even through the curtain. The curtain lifted, and in came a young married woman dressed in a peach-red flowered jacket, with a dark blue brocade cloak trimmed in gray squirrel fur. Her hair was adorned with gold and kingfisher-feather ornaments. With phoenix-like eyes and arched brows, she carried an air of sharp competence.

Who else could it be but Wang Xifeng?

She strode in briskly, first greeting Madam Xing, then taking Yingchun’s hand and looking her up and down. “Oh my, Second Sister looks even more radiant after marriage than she did at home! Clearly your husband knows how to treat you well.”

At that, Yingchun’s face flushed bright red.

Only then did Wang Xifeng turn to Xu Ke, smiling as she gave a slight curtsey. “So this is the new brother-in-law? I’ve long heard you’re a capable man. Seeing you today, indeed you are quite the figure.”

Xu Ke rose and returned the courtesy, exchanging a few polite words.

Wang Xifeng wasted no time on pleasantries and got straight to the point. “The Old Matriarch has already heard the news and is waiting. Madam, do be kind and let Second Sister go—if you don’t, the Old Matriarch might come fetch her herself.”

Madam Xing finally released Yingchun’s hand and smiled. “Go on, go on. Let the Old Matriarch see whether this match we arranged has proven satisfactory.”

Taking Yingchun by the hand, Wang Xifeng turned to Xu Ke. “Brother-in-law, please come as well. Grandma said she wishes to meet you.”

The three of them left the eastern courtyard and made their way toward Rongqing Hall. Along the way, maids and servants stepped aside, quietly sizing up the new son-in-law. Xu Ke kept his gaze forward, simply following Wang Xifeng.

Yingchun, her hand held by him, stole a quick glance at him before lowering her head again, a faint smile curving her lips.

Inside Rongqing Hall, the warm chamber was lively.

Grandmother Jia reclined on a couch, propped against a dark blue cushion, with plates of pastries and fruit before her. Baoyu sat at her feet; Tanchun, Xichun, and Xue Baochai sat along the edge of the couch. Lin Daiyu leaned beside Grandmother Jia, a handkerchief in hand, listening to the conversation.

“Old Matriarch,” Yuanyang entered, lifting the curtain, “word has come that Second Miss and her husband are on their way here.”

At once, Grandmother Jia sat up a little straighter. “Quick, go bring the girl in! Now that she’s married, each visit will be rarer than the last.”

Yuanyang was just about to respond when Wang Xifeng’s voice rang from outside. “Why the hurry, Old Matriarch? I’ve already brought her to you!”

The curtain lifted. Wang Xifeng entered first, followed by Yingchun and Xu Ke.

All eyes in the room turned toward them at once.

Yingchun walked quietly forward, head lowered, following Wang Xifeng. Xu Ke followed behind her, tall and composed, a proper smile on his face—his gaze steady, neither evasive nor wandering.

The moment Grandmother Jia saw Yingchun, her eyes reddened slightly. She beckoned. “Good child, come here and let your grandmother have a look.”

Yingchun stepped forward quickly, knelt before the couch, and kowtowed. Grandmother Jia pulled her up at once and gathered her into an embrace, looking her over from every angle. “Have you grown thinner? Are you used to living there?”

Yingchun answered each question softly, her voice gentle but now carrying a trace of calm assurance.

Wang Xifeng chimed in teasingly, “Grandma, does she look like someone who’s been wronged? When I saw her just now—why, she’s even more radiant than before! Clearly her husband treats her well.”

Only then did Grandmother Jia turn her attention to Xu Ke. She looked him up and down, then nodded. “Good, good.” She gestured again. “Come sit as well. We’re all family here—no need for formality.”

Xu Ke stepped forward, bowed, and took a seat as instructed.

Baoyu had been staring at him all along. Suddenly he spoke up, “You’re Second Sister’s husband? What do you do for a living?”

Tanchun tugged lightly at his sleeve.

Xu Ke didn’t mind and replied with a smile, “I serve as magistrate of Shenjing County.”

Baoyu gave an “oh,” seemingly unimpressed by the title. Then he asked, “Can you compose poetry?”

Even Xichun couldn’t help laughing this time.

Grandmother Jia chuckled and lightly tapped Baoyu. “Do you think everyone is like you, caring only for poetry and verse all day?” Then she turned to Xu Ke. “Please don’t take offense—the boy has been spoiled by us.”

Xu Ke smiled. “You’re too kind, Grandma. Baoyu is still young—his innocence and liveliness are a good thing.”

Inwardly, though, he couldn’t help grumbling: When he first asked what I did for a living, I thought this ‘Precious Jade’ had changed his ways. Took only a couple of lines before he showed his true colors again.

Grandmother Jia looked even more pleased at his response.

Off to the side, Lin Daiyu quietly studied Xu Ke for a few moments, then turned her gaze toward Yingchun. Yingchun was being pulled into conversation by Tanchun, a faint smile on her face. She was still as gentle as ever, but that trace of timidity in her eyes seemed to have faded quite a bit.

Meanwhile, Wang Xifeng was already bustling about, calling for more tea and refreshments. Pointing at Yingchun, she said to Grandmother Jia with a grin, “Now, Young Lady, are you reassured? When I guaranteed this match, you worried I was too young to judge well. But look now—Second Sister’s husband has both character and ability. He’s a perfect match for her!”

Grandmother Jia beamed. “Alright, alright—it’s all your doing. I’ll reward you later.”

Wang Xifeng raised a brow. “Reward me with what? Just treat me to a good meal, that’ll do.”

The whole room burst into laughter.

Xu Ke sat there, sipping tea, smiling along, and exchanging a few polite pleasantries. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Yingchun. Sitting beside Tanchun, the two sisters chatted animatedly, clearly enjoying themselves.

At some point, whatever Yingchun said made Tanchun light up with excitement. “Second Sister brought me a gift? Let me see it!”