novelSusiti Chapter 55 Turning Clouds and Rain
Chapter 55 Turning Clouds and Rain
Yin'e stood in the courtyard, staring at the row of sandalwood chests that gleamed in the moonlight, momentarily speechless.
His gaze moved from the box to Ulan's face, and then back to the box.
He had assumed that Ulan had come to thank him, perhaps exchange a few private words, or make him a pair of shoes or embroider a purse.
He never dreamed that this woman would bring out all her dowry, neatly arrange it in the courtyard, and offer it to him like a sacrifice.
That was never his intention.
He helped Batu for his own sake, to plug the hole in the Tenth Prince's mansion, and to plant a pawn on the grassland.
He won over Ulan to prevent trouble at home, to maintain harmony between husband and wife, and to preserve the dignity of the Tenth Prince's mansion in front of outsiders.
As for Ulan's dowry, that was her private property, something her husband shouldn't even touch.
But Ulan herself brought it up.
Yin'e took three steps at a time and walked up to Wulan, bent down, and supported her arms with both hands, pulling her up forcefully.
"Get up, get up quickly. What are you doing? The ground is cold, don't kneel."
Ulan did not get up.
Her knees were rooted to the ground, completely still.
"Tenth Master, if you don't accept it, I won't get up."
Yin'e increased the pressure, but Wulan's arm was as hard as iron, and he couldn't lift it no matter what he did.
He had no choice but to let go, squat down, and look her in the eye.
"Madam, this is your dowry, the private money your father gave you."
"If you keep it with you, you'll have someone to rely on in case of emergency. How could I accept your things?"
Ulan shook her head, her voice firm and resolute.
"Tenth Master, you have done my brother a great service."
If it weren't for you, he would still be lying in the Crown Prince's opium den, burdened with debts he could never repay, and being treated like a dog.
You saved his life, and you saved our whole family.
"Over the years, I have caused you a lot of trouble in the mansion."
You put me in charge of the accounts, and I've made a complete mess of them;
You're out socializing, and I'm giving you the cold shoulder at home;
You're in a terrible mess, owing the national treasury money, and I've been secretly taking money from my own household to help my family.
"I'm not a good wife, I'm sorry."
Yin'e opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was stopped by Wulan raising her hand.
"Therefore, you must accept these dowries." Her tone suddenly became firm.
"It's not charity, it's not compensation, it's what I should do as your wife. You gave all the last of the money in the mansion to my brother. This Tenth Prince's mansion is so big, money is needed everywhere."
I can't share your burdens, but at least I can't hold you back.
Before Yin'e could speak, Wulan added, "Tenth Prince, if you refuse again, it means you don't consider me your wife. Then I will kneel here and never rise again."
Yin'e looked at her and remained silent for a moment.
He understood what was in Ulan's eyes.
That wasn't a momentary impulse, nor was it a compensatory feeling after feeling guilty.
Rather, it was a well-considered, do-or-die decision.
She revealed her last trump card, not to pay off a debt, but to make a statement that from this day forward, she and he were of one mind.
Yin'e sighed inwardly.
Of course he wanted to accept it.
These boxes are filled with real gold and silver, the very things he needs most right now.
But he couldn't appear too eager; he had to push back, give way, and act as if "I didn't want to accept it, but you insisted on giving it to me."
This is a play, but it is also a genuine emotion.
"Okay." He finally nodded. "I'll take it, but remember, this isn't mine, it's both of ours. If you need it in the future, you can come and get it anytime."
Ulan finally smiled.
Yin'e reached out and helped her up on the arm again: "Get up, the ground is cold."
This time, Ulan did not refuse.
She stood up with the help of Yin'e. Her knees were a little numb, and she swayed. Yin'e quickly put his arm around her waist and steadied her.
"Su Mo'er, go and call Fu Quan. Have him bring some men to move these boxes to the accounting office, count them carefully, and put them into the inventory."
Su Mo'er responded and ran off.
Yin'e helped Wulan up the steps, pushed open the door, and entered the room.
The room was lit, and the candlelight flickered gently in the night breeze, illuminating the room with a warm glow.
A faint fragrance filled the air, unlike the scent of some wildflowers on the grassland.
Ulan sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), lowered her head, twisted her handkerchief with her fingers, and two faint blushes appeared on her cheeks.
She dared not look into Yin'e's eyes, her gaze fixed on the tips of her shoes, her breathing becoming rapid.
Yin'e sat down beside her, reached out, and gently took her hand.
"Ulan," he called her name softly.
Ulan looked up at him.
A hint of girlish shyness appeared in those big, stubborn eyes.
The candlelight flickered, casting the two shadows onto the wall, where they merged together.
In his previous life, Yin'e was a virgin who had never even held a girl's hand.
But tonight is different.
Ulan's hands were warm, and her breath sprayed on his neck, hot and itchy.
The scent of wildflowers emanating from her enveloped him, reminding him of the wind on the grasslands and the vastness and freedom he had seen on television but never experienced firsthand.
He awkwardly reached out and awkwardly unbuttoned her clothes, as awkwardly as someone unwrapping a gift for the first time.
Ulan didn't stay quietly in his arms; she would occasionally raise her head and look at him with her wet eyes.
The lights went out.
Moonlight shone through the cracks in the window, drawing a thin white line on the floor.
The room was quiet, with only the sound of two people breathing together, growing heavier and more rapid.
Ulan's shoulders were trembling slightly. Yin'e placed his hand on her shoulder and, feeling the slight trembling, slowed his movements.
He lowered his head and whispered something in her ear.
Ulan's face turned even redder, but she didn't flinch.
The gauze curtains fell, blocking out the moonlight and everything inside.
Only occasional faint sounds could be heard, soft and intermittent, before finally subsiding into silence after a long time.
Yin'e lay on the bed, staring at the canopy above him, panting heavily.
His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.
His mind went blank. What strategies, what schemes, what power struggles, what cheat codes?
Everything was completely washed away by the gentle care of the past half hour.
He finally knew what it felt like to be a man.
Ulan turned to the side, burying her face in his arm, her hair cascading over his shoulder like a piece of soft silk.
Her breathing gradually calmed down, and she placed one hand on his chest, her fingertips slightly curled.
Yin'e lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead.
"Go to sleep."
Ulan did not answer, but simply buried her face even deeper.