Chapter 40: Entwined Beneath the Water

Seeing Pei Zhouwu hesitate to agree, tears welled up in Liu Fuying’s eyes.

“If you’re worried about accidents, I could build a small hut outside. After all, my swimming skills have improved a lot now, so going back and forth won’t be a problem.”

She tugged at Pei Zhouwu’s sleeve, looking pitiful and endearing.

But Pei Zhouwu still had concerns. If she were discovered, the consequences would be more than she could bear.

“You’ve been outside before. There’s a large open space by the spring where we could grow fruits and vegetables, and even clear a paddy field to raise fish. A simple, peaceful life away from the world—don’t you long for that?”

Liu Fuying’s words were filled with dreams of the future, stirring Pei Zhouwu’s own yearnings.

“Please.”

“I beg you.”

“Otherwise, I truly have nowhere else to go.”

The tears in her eyes gathered into droplets, slipping unnoticed down her cheeks and falling onto Pei Zhouwu’s heart, sending ripples through it.

“I’m begging you, please.”

Liu Fuying threw herself into his arms again, clinging tightly to his waist as if she wouldn’t let go unless he agreed.

In the end, Pei Zhouwu couldn’t bring himself to refuse and nodded in agreement.

“Alright.”

A single word, yet it carried the weight of his deepest thoughts—a solemn and treasured answer.

Keeping her here meant taking on the responsibility of protecting her.

She had given up her freedom outside to stay here with him; how could he not be willing to risk everything for her?

Yet, he couldn’t bear the thought of her living in fear and hardship, trapped here forever. A life of hiding was no long-term solution.

He pondered carefully, ideas beginning to form in his mind.

“Wonderful, truly wonderful.”

Overjoyed, Liu Fuying hugged him even tighter, then quickly let go, worried she might hurt the wound on his chest.

She hastily released him and grabbed his sleeve instead, smiling as she said, “Why don’t we go inside first? It’s too hot out here, and your wound hasn’t healed yet—you need to rest properly. Besides, it’s time to change the dressing.”

“Mm, alright.”

Pei Zhouwu took her hand in his, turning and leading her into the house.

His palm was warm, easily enveloping her hand in his gentle grip. Her heart raced. How strong would those large hands feel if they wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly?

Once inside, Pei Zhouwu guided her to sit by the bed before turning to pour her a cup of tea.

He then retrieved several medicine jars from a bamboo cabinet, rolled up Liu Fuying’s sleeve, removed the bandage, and carefully applied the ointment to her wound.

Seeing the depth of the injury, Pei Zhouwu’s movements grew even more gentle.

After applying the medicine, he asked her, “You haven’t had lunch yet, have you?”

She took small sips from her teacup, shaking her head shyly in response.

“Wait here.”

With those words, Pei Zhouwu stepped out of the bedroom and headed toward the larger room at the front.

That was likely the kitchen, as Pei Zhouwu returned with several dishes, including fish and meat.

Liu Fuying had heard that ever since the emperor learned Pei Zhouwu had been framed and severely injured, his attitude toward him had softened considerably. The Pei family was no longer as cautious as before and often sent fine clothes and food.

Thinking of this, Liu Fuying couldn’t help but recall Shen Xiunian.

If it weren’t for Shen Xiunian’s keen insight, which cleared her beloved’s name, perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

Suppressing the urge to smile, she pulled Pei Zhouwu to sit down with her.

“I’ve already eaten.” Pei Zhouwu pushed the food toward him.

Though he said he had eaten, the fish on the plate remained untouched, still whole and even warm, likely because he had thoughtfully kept it warm in the kitchen earlier.

Liu Fuying picked up her chopsticks and smiled without speaking.

To have such a considerate husband would indeed be a fortunate thing in life.

But Liu Fuying could not afford such a thing. What were men? What was love? With endless wealth and riches, what kind of man couldn’t be found?

As long as she firmly held onto the Shen Family’s business, everything she wanted would come to her.

After the meal, Liu Fuying opened the bundle she had brought. Inside were several sets of her spare clothes, all soaked from being in the water. She intended to hang them on the bamboo trees behind the house to dry.

She also casually pulled out a small packet.

While Pei Zhouwu was applying medicine and not paying attention, she took the packet and her clothes and left the house.

Originally, she had wanted to help Pei Zhouwu apply the medicine, but he insisted on doing it himself, fearing she would be too tired.

Only after reaching the back of the house did Liu Fuying take out the packet to examine it closely.

It was wrapped in oilpaper, and inside was a pile of pale yellow powder.

This was Insect-attracting Powder, specifically used to lure snakes and insects.

She had used it once before. Originally, she had planned to use it here for Pei Zhouwu, but by a twist of fate, it ended up being used on Liu Shiyuan.

Now, she had another opportunity.

Fortunately, the oilpaper was wrapped tightly enough that the powder hadn’t dissolved in the water.

After confirming, she rewrapped the oilpaper and hid it securely under a pile of stones beneath the bamboo trees.

When she returned to the house, Pei Zhouwu had already finished applying the medicine and tidied his clothes.

“It’s hot.” Pei Zhouwu stood up from the edge of the bed and walked toward the table, continuing to Liu Fuying, “This time of day is most likely to make people drowsy. You must be exhausted from the journey. Lie down and rest properly.”

“I don’t need to. You should lie down and rest. Your injuries are so severe…”

“Don’t argue with me.” Pei Zhouwu picked up the plates and bowls from the table, his gaze firm, not allowing her to refuse. “I’ll go clean these dishes. You just rest.”

With that, he walked out the door.

Liu Fuying watched his retreating figure, thinking to herself that he truly had the makings of a capable and good husband.

Oh well.

Let him be. Liu Fuying wouldn’t argue with him.

She was in a good mood, and the thought of what would happen that night made her even happier.

It was good to rest and conserve her energy. There would be quite a show that night.

Perhaps she really was tired from the earlier journey, because she fell asleep shortly after lying down.

Though the weather was hot, she slept soundly.

When she woke up, the sky was already growing dark.

Pei Zhouwu was not in the room, and just as she was about to go look for him, he came from the front house carrying food.

She hurried toward him and walked back side by side with him, asking, “Did the guards not come in today?”

Pei Zhouwu shook his head, not letting her take the hot plate from his hands.

“The new batch of guards doesn’t often come in to check. They just leave three meals a day at the door.”

It was probably because he had killed someone that day, making the guards afraid to interact with him too much.

After the meal.

Liu Fuying shyly whispered to Pei Zhouwu that she wanted to bathe in the pond behind the house. After a full day, even without being in the sun, she was covered in sweat, sticky and uncomfortable.

“I… I’ll keep watch for you in the courtyard.”

The word “bathe” was, after all, a private and somewhat embarrassing matter. Liu Fuying’s shyness also made Pei Zhouwu’s ears turn red.

Worried that the guards might barge in, he offered to sit in the courtyard and keep watch for her.

Liu Fuying nodded shyly, then went around to the back of the house to fetch the clothes that had been dried in the sun, taking the opportunity to retrieve the insect-attracting powder hidden beneath a tree.

When she reached the pond, the surface was calm, but her heart was pounding uncontrollably.

Imagining the scene of her entangled with Pei Zhouwu underwater, she felt an involuntary flush of heat rising within her.

As she set down the clothes, she opened the oiled paper and sprinkled the insect-attracting powder among the sand and stones, where it blended in seamlessly, indistinguishable from the sand.

She tore the oiled paper into pieces and hid them under a large rock in the water, where they would dissolve completely in a few days.

Then, she glanced back at Pei Zhouwu in the distance. He sat with his back turned, deliberately avoiding looking in her direction out of propriety.

A sly smile curled at the corners of her lips before she slowly began to remove her clothes.

She shed her outer skirt and trousers, leaving only a pale pink bellyband and undergarments, her exposed legs smooth and delicate.

As she stepped into the water, she intentionally loosened the ties of the bellyband behind her back.