Perhaps sleeping with someone in her arms had been too comforting. By the time Jiang Shuyue woke, it was already noon the next day.
Zhou Luming had thoughtfully arranged for hangover soup to be brought over.
Jiang Shuyue dawdled for quite a while, reluctant to leave her blankets.
The system kindly reminded her, [You should get up and apologize to the Great Villain. If he's in a good mood, he might even forgive you.]
"Apologize? What did I do wrong?"
With the system's kindly assistance, Jiang Shuyue let out a wretched scream and buried herself under the blankets, unable to face life.
"Aaaah! I actually straddled him! I... I even... even told him to be my secondary husband?"
The system was even kind enough to show her what had happened last night.
Zhou Yunshen's foul expression looked dark enough to blot out an army of thousands.
When he'd pinched her finger and asked whom she wanted as her primary husband, what had she said?
Jiang Shuyue couldn't believe it. "I actually named Prince Huai and the Imperial Preceptor... I... I..."
Wanting to die but being unable to-that was exactly how she felt now.
The system said, [Oh, why dwell on it now? The Great Villain already gave you a thorough lesson last night. I think a little apology should put this whole thing behind you.]
Jiang Shuyue thought, ...How am I supposed to word this?
Should I say I was wrong and promise never to get on top again?
Or butter him up with a rainbow of flattery first, then declare that I have absolutely no improper intentions toward the Imperial Preceptor or Prince Huai?
Whether she could live out her remaining days in peace depended on what happened next!
Jiang Shuyue gathered up a few things and went to the study.
Zhou Yunshen was inside, reading and drinking tea. Without looking up, he asked, "Wife, did you have something to say?"
"N-no, nothing."
"Oh. Then you may leave."
Jiang Shuyue turned and started walking away.
The system slapped its forehead. [He tells you to leave, and you actually leave? What happened to showing sincerity?]
Jiang Shuyue replied inwardly, [Right, I came here with sincerity. Let me get ready again!]
Jiang Shuyue pinched her face several times, leaving red nail marks.
Tears came pouring out.
Biting her lower lip, Jiang Shuyue dropped to her knees with a pitiful thump. "I was wrong, Great... no, husband. Everything I said yesterday was drunken nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."
"Drunken nonsense?"
Without even lifting his eyelids, Zhou Yunshen turned a page and said coolly, "They say wine loosens the tongue to speak the truth. Those drunken words must have come straight from your heart."
Jiang Shuyue thought, ?? Wait, why does this smell so sour with jealousy?
"It seems your husband isn't charming enough, leaving you pledging yourself to Qin in the morning and Chu by evening. But I would dearly like to know-what exactly do you see in that white-haired husky and that scheming little cripple?"
In all the world, Zhou Yunshen was probably the only person who dared call the Imperial Preceptor a white-haired husky and Prince Huai a scheming little cripple.
Jiang Shuyue scratched her head awkwardly.
"Of course not! My husband is the most beautiful man in the world. How could I fancy anyone else?"
"I suspect someone drugged the wine. It drove me out of my mind, and that's why I spouted all that nonsense."
Zhou Yunshen finally put down his book.
But the way he rested his chin on his hand and smiled with narrowed eyes looked even more dangerous.
"Attempting to harm the lady of the Marquis's Residence is a grave crime. Why don't we shut down the establishment and throw everyone involved into prison, to obtain justice for my wife?"
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Now that's villainous! But why does he look even more handsome like this?]
Zhou Yunshen's expression softened a little. Looking at her knees, he rose and scooped her into his arms.
Jiang Shuyue thought, ...Wasn't I apologizing? How did I end up in his arms?
Jiang Shuyue thought, [I have to admit, he feels amazing! Not an ounce of flab on his waist. With a boyfriend like this, who needs a bicycle?]
Although Zhou Yunshen didn't understand what a bicycle was,
he knew she was thoroughly taken with his looks.
His fingers rubbed gently against her waist as he hooked a strand of her hair and whispered into her ear.
"Wife, next time you take a fancy to another man, remember to tell your husband beforehand."
"So I can gouge out his eyes and scald his face to ruin!"
Jiang Shuyue thought, ...System, I feel like the Great Villain wants to devour me again, but I have no proof.
The system replied, [You've already been devoured plenty of times. Once or twice more won't make much difference. Besides, lots of people saw what happened yesterday. You're famous now!]
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Huh? Doesn't that make me a juicy piece of gossip? Boohoo, I went looking for gossip and found myself on the platter. This hurts!]
Zhou Yunshen nibbled her finger and put her through another round of torment. His anger from yesterday had only just subsided.
Then the steward led in a group of women.
A quick count revealed no fewer than ten.
Some were voluptuous, others slender, and every one was as lovely as a flower.
The steward said, "My lord, His Majesty has bestowed ten concubines upon you. He said they were to help..."
The steward stole a glance at Jiang Shuyue.
Who knew what madness had seized the emperor? He knew perfectly well that the marquis's heart belonged entirely to his wife, yet he still insisted on stuffing concubines into the residence.
Wasn't that just asking for trouble?
But the steward didn't dare slight the emperor, so he could only steel himself and bring them in.
The ten beauties curtsied in unison. "Your servants greet you, my lord!"
As they bowed, their necklines fell open.
Pale, enormous... steamed buns!
Jiang Shuyue looked at them, then lowered her head to look at herself.
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Sigh, that's what you call a comparison! The damage is absolutely maxed out... System, is there anything in your exchange space that could give me some surging waves?]
The steward thought, ...Is this something I'm allowed to hear?
Zhou Yunshen looked her slight figure up and down.
She was a little thin and frail, but that was fine. He could nourish her properly!
The system replied, [Stop thinking about nonsense and figure out what to do with these women first! Let me tell you, every single one has juicy gossip attached. The emperor really has sent rain just when we needed it!]
Gossip? Then she couldn't let them slip away!
Jiang Shuyue straightened her clothes and leaned against Zhou Yunshen, wheedling, "Husband, these ladies look so poor. They can't even afford proper clothes."
"Why don't we do our good deed for the day and let them stay?"
The beauties thought, ...Who's poor? Who can't afford clothes? Can't you tell we're deliberately trying to seduce him?
Zhou Yunshen tapped the tip of her nose. "Since my wife likes them, let them stay for now."
"Then can they live somewhere closer to me?"
Jiang Shuyue thought, [That'll make it easier to feast on gossip! Better yet, let a few of them be green-tea types, so I can stockpile some Green Tea Points.]
Zhou Yunshen thought, Your wish is granted!
"It is only right and proper for concubines bestowed by His Majesty to attend to my wife."
"Go arrange their rooms. Make certain my wife is satisfied."
The steward replied, "Yes, my lord. Follow me."
The ten concubines reluctantly followed the steward out.
Jiang Shuyue stared at their retreating figures, almost drooling.
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Three women make a drama, and there are ten women here! This is bound to be lively. Who should I start with?]
The system replied, [The one at the front, who's still sneaking glances back at you. I'll take you wall-climbing tonight. I guarantee a surprise.]
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Yes, yes! I'll practice first, so tonight will go off without a hitch!]
Before you continue