allonlinenovel Chapter 307 It’s as sweet as sugar
Chapter 307 It’s as sweet as sugar
The fourth wife jolted awake, her eyes wide as she watched the man slowly lean down and gently help her sit up from the covers.
The man sat down next to her, the dim candlelight illuminating his face and softening his rugged features.
He brushed aside the strands of hair clinging to her red lips, his rough fingertips tracing the marks on her cheek: "Arao, why are you looking at me like that?"
The fourth wife was stunned, quite surprised by Zhao Qiyuan's address.
Since they got married, he had always called her by her full name, and this was the first time he had called her by her full name so intimately.
When he suddenly mentioned Xishan, she almost thought that Zhao Qiyuan had discovered that she had personally orchestrated the kidnapping case from years ago.
Given this man's personality, if he knew the truth, he would definitely not be as calm and intimate as he is now.
The fourth wife, not knowing what the man was about to do, called out in confusion, "Husband?"
Waiting for him to reveal his purpose.
Zhao Qiyuan was slightly taken aback when he heard Su Rao's address, then smiled and said, "Today I went to Xiangmanlou to buy some snacks and met a former deputy general from the border. He called me Zhao Xiaolangjun. I remember that when I saved you in Xishan, you also called me Zhao Xiaolangjun."
The fourth wife was both amused and exasperated; this man's reaction time was far too slow.
She thought something had happened.
Zhao Qiyuan said, "Say it again and let me hear it."
A wave of shame washed over the fourth wife. She pulled the quilt up to her neck, the bright red quilt making her fair face appear even more alluring.
“You’re my uncle, so I should call you ‘Master.’ If I were to call you ‘Young Master Zhao,’ wouldn’t that mess up the seniority?”
The fourth wife placed her hands on her abdomen and said, "The book says that if you are pregnant, you should not look at anything improper or listen to anything frivolous. You must not teach the child bad habits."
Zhao Qiyuan's gaze fell on her abdomen: "I've heard that women only bear children for the men they love." He reached out and placed his hand on her lower abdomen: "Arao, is this true?"
The fourth wife's heart skipped a beat, and she was about to speak: "Since ancient times, arranged marriages have always been the norm. Most couples only see each other's faces on their wedding night. Where's the affection then? Don't they all just have children to continue the family line?"
But looking at his unusually gentle face, she couldn't bring herself to say those hurtful words that were against her will.
The fourth wife was proud at heart and had never revealed her feelings, because she was unwilling to admit defeat in front of him and wanted to wait until the day he liked her before confessing her feelings.
She pursed her lips slightly and said vaguely, "Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
"What kind of personality do you have?" Zhao Qiyuan leaned closer to her, staring intently into her eyes. "Tell me about it."
The man's aura was intimidating, pressing her relentlessly, wanting her to confess her feelings for him.
The fourth wife gripped the bedding tightly, still holding firm to her bottom line and refusing to budge.
The man whispered in her ear, "Arao."
The fourth wife blushed and her heart pounded. It seemed that as long as she didn't answer, he would keep pestering her until she gave in.
The man's hand slipped under the covers, caressing her soft waist. Her body instantly went limp, her fingers bracing against his chest as she hurriedly said, "It's true."
Zhao Qiyuan got the answer he wanted, and something seemed to explode in his heart, with intense emotions surging in his chest.
"A man's kindness to his wife can stem from either a sense of responsibility or love." The Fourth Madam, unwilling to concede, fixed her gaze on Zhao Qiyuan, seeking an answer: "And you? Which one are you?"
Zhao Qiyuan's eyes were unusually deep, and a certain emotion was about to be revealed, but he restrained himself due to some concerns.
He observed her expression while carefully considering how to answer.
The fourth wife looked at him with a cautious gaze, which was very similar to her reaction when he tested her.
Suddenly, she realized that this man also had feelings for her.
Details that she had previously overlooked were magnified and became crystal clear at this moment.
For example, on his birthday, she gave him a robe she made herself. He teased her, saying that she remembered his birthday and prepared such a thoughtful birthday gift for him, which meant she must care about him a lot.
For example, when he went to the battlefield, she gave him a talisman for safety. He then joked that she wanted to see him, so she got the talisman to ensure his safe return.
Each time, he pretended to be casual or used a joking tone to conceal his true feelings and tested her again and again.
However, she held fast to her pride and never granted his wish.
Because of the disparity in their social status, he dared not easily reveal his thoughts before obtaining the result he desired.
Are you afraid that if you say something, you'll lose her?
A pang of bitterness welled up in the Fourth Madam's heart, rising to her throat. Perhaps it was because she was pregnant that her emotions were particularly sensitive and fragile.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled his head towards her with a little force, and whispered in his ear, "Zhao Qiyuan, I'll tell you a secret."
Zhao Qiyuan didn't move, waiting for her to continue.
"When I first fell in love, the moment I saw you, I wanted to marry you," the Fourth Madam said softly. "This marriage was also something I planned myself."
Zhao Qiyuan believed that Su Rao had gradually fallen in love with him during their time together after marriage.
She never expected that the person she spoke of as her destined one to Shen Qingtan today would actually be him.
Zhao Qiyuan was stunned by the unexpected surprise. He hugged her tightly and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
The fourth wife felt a slow, burning sensation on her neck. When she realized it was this man's tears, she was deeply shaken.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Qiyuan slowly straightened up.
The fourth wife looked at his reddened eyes and subconsciously reached out to touch them. But his hand grasped her slender wrist and pressed her palm against his face.
“Arao, I’m glad I’m not a gentleman.” Zhao Qiyuan looked at her intently and revealed his feelings: “I saved you in Xishan, but because of my selfishness, I didn’t escort you out that day.”
The fourth wife was stunned, never expecting that the original plan was not something she had undertaken alone.
She laughed, a smug laugh: "Once you're here, even without any ulterior motives, you can't escape."
Looking at her bright smile, Zhao Qiyuan couldn't help but recall the scene when he first met her. He returned in triumph with the army, and the people lined the streets to welcome him.
In the bustling crowd, he spotted her wearing a bright red dress, standing by the window on the second floor of the teahouse, tossing a beautiful camellia flower down to Dajun.
The camellia flower drifted down to his feet in the wind.
He bent down to pick up the crimson camellia, and when he looked up at the teahouse again, she was nowhere to be seen.
He said in a low voice, "I never thought of running away." He even found it enjoyable.