RMSPT _ 07

Chapter : 07

What the Hell Are You in Heat for in Broad Daylight?

Madam Meng’s face instantly darkened. Previously, when the Meng family needed money for political maneuvering in the officialdom, she had claimed it was a loan, but in truth, she had never intended to repay it.

She picked up her teacup, trying to smooth things over, but as it reached her lips, she remembered how bitter the tea was and set it back down. “We’re all one family now. Talking about borrowing and repaying is far too distant.”

Xie Zhaoshen had always detested these roundabout manipulations of the inner household and had no intention of saving Madam Meng’s face. “Even brothers settle their accounts clearly. Besides, the Meng family is a household of officials. You didn’t give me a betrothal gift when we married, fine—but surely you wouldn’t stoop to coveting your daughter-in-law’s dowry, would you?”

Madam Meng’s composure instantly cracked. Fortunately, Old Madam Liu noticed the commotion outside and whispered something in her ear. A faint smile curled at the corner of Madam Meng’s mouth. “Rest assured, since you’ve married into the Meng family, we won’t treat you unfairly. As for your dowry, I’ll have someone take inventory and return it to you.”

Xie Zhaoshen directly pulled a list from his bosom and handed it over. “Then let’s count according to this list. Don’t miss anything.”

Madam Meng’s expression soured, but thinking of what was about to happen, she held back and had Old Madam Liu accept the list.

Just then, a servant girl announced from outside, “The young master has arrived.”

Madam Meng’s face softened into a warm smile. “Hurry and invite him in.”

Meng Zhuo entered reluctantly, his eyes sweeping the room first. Not finding Liu Sisi, his displeasure grew more apparent.

He had just ransomed Liu Sisi back when their romance was at its peak. Two days ago, his mother had taken the weeping Liu Sisi away, and he had no idea how much suffering she had endured.

Worried about Liu Sisi, Meng Zhuo had no choice but to obey his mother’s summons and come to foster a relationship with his wife, Chu Yun.

Madam Meng said, “Zhuo’er, there’s no such thing as an overnight grudge between husband and wife. Besides, you’re cousins—closer than ordinary couples. How could you let a lowly entertainer ruin your relationship?”

Fearing for Liu Sisi, Meng Zhuo gritted his teeth and lowered his head. “Mother is right.”

Madam Meng smiled. “Yun’er has suffered greatly marrying into our family. As her husband, you should coax her and sincerely apologize.”

Meng Zhuo felt his forehead still throbbing. Clearly, *he* had been the one beaten—if anyone should apologize, it should be his cousin!

Seeing him hesitate, Madam Meng coughed lightly and covered her mouth with a handkerchief embroidered with a pattern of swallows darting through willow branches.

Meng Zhuo, eager to retrieve Liu Sisi, swallowed his resentment and bowed to Xie Zhaoshen. “All my fault—a thousand times over! Cousin, please calm down and don’t hold it against me.”

Xie Zhaoshen said nothing, quietly watching the mother and son perform their act.

Madam Meng feigned exhaustion and said to Xie Zhaoshen, “The daffodils in the greenhouse are in bloom. Zhuo’er, why don’t you take Yun’er to admire them?”

Meng Zhuo was about to ask about Liu Sisi when a sharp glare from his mother silenced him. Dejectedly, he led Xie Zhaoshen to the greenhouse.

Zhaixing was about to follow when Old Madam Li stopped her. “The young master and young mistress are building their relationship—what are you following for?”

Zhaixing looked at her mistress, but Xie Zhaoshen signaled her to rest assured. He was curious to see what tricks awaited in the greenhouse.

Once in the greenhouse, Meng Zhuo racked his brain for conversation topics, but Xie Zhaoshen remained indifferent, occasionally shooting him disdainful glances that made Meng Zhuo furious.

Before long, Old Madam Liu brought over two cups of tea and set them on the table. “Fearing the young master and young mistress might grow thirsty, the madam sent me with tea.”

Meng Zhuo unsuspectingly took a cup and drained it in one gulp.

Xie Zhaoshen tilted his head, staring at the rippling tea with a thoughtful expression.

Fearing he might notice something amiss, Old Madam Liu quickly said, “This is fine West Lake Longjing tea. Do try it, young mistress.”

Xie Zhaoshen raised the teacup, concealing it with his sleeve, and when he set it down, the cup was empty.

Seeing this, Old Madam Liu’s lips twitched into a faint smile before vanishing just as quickly. “This servant takes her leave.”

As soon as Old Madam Liu stepped out, Xie Zhaoshen’s ears twitched—he caught the distinct sound of a lock clicking shut.

He glanced back at Meng Zhuo, who remained oblivious and foolish.

Before long, Meng Zhuo suddenly felt a wave of heat surge through his body. He first tugged at his collar, gasping for relief, but still unsatisfied—he wanted nothing more than to tear off all his clothes.

Turning back, he saw Xie Zhaoshen still sitting there, unruffled. “Cousin, don’t you think it’s hot in here?”

Xie Zhaoshen replied tersely, “No.”

Meng Zhuo rushed over to extinguish the brazier heating the greenhouse, but his internal fire only burned hotter, and his head grew dizzy.

He looked back at his cousin—her rosy cheeks, her skin like ice and jade, her hair black as ink, each strand seeming to emanate an intoxicating fragrance. Her elegant neck reminded him of the pure vase in Guanyin’s hands, so beautiful he longed to kiss it.

He had always known his cousin was a peerless beauty, but though she appeared soft, she had always been proud and aloof, never taking him seriously. He preferred women like Liu Sisi, who depended on him wholeheartedly and adored him.

Plus, after that incident at the border when General Xie had frightened him over the grain supplies, he had completely lost interest in his cousin.

But now she was his wife…

At that thought, Meng Zhuo’s heart raced. Lust clouding his senses, he had long forgotten how Xie Zhaoshen had dealt with him just two days ago.

As he shuffled closer, face flushed, about to speak, Xie Zhaoshen sneered in disgust, “Meng Zhuo, what the hell are you in heat for in broad daylight?”

The words slammed Meng Zhuo from a furnace straight into an ice cellar. He pointed at Xie Zhaoshen in disbelief. “You—how can you speak so crudely? Are you even a woman?!”

Xie Zhaoshen lifted an eyelid lazily and glanced below his waist. “If I’m not a woman, are you?”

Meng Zhuo’s face turned crimson—this time from rage, not heat. “You’re a disgrace to all propriety!”

Xie Zhaoshen looked away. “You’re the one with your chest hanging out, yet *I’m* the disgrace?”

Meng Zhuo flung his sleeves and stood to leave, but when he reached the door and pulled, it didn’t budge.

He whirled around, glaring at Xie Zhaoshen. “What did you do?!”

Xie Zhaoshen spread his hands. “I’ve been sitting here the whole time. I haven’t done a thing.”

Meng Zhuo shouted outside but got no response. He yanked at the door again with brute force, but it remained shut. Left with no choice, he sat as far from Xie Zhaoshen as possible.

But gradually, not only did the heat intensify, his consciousness began to blur.

When he finally came to, he had already lunged at Xie Zhaoshen—only to be struck down by a precise chop to the neck, falling unconscious instantly.

Xie Zhaoshen dusted off his hands and muttered, “What the hell is this supposed to be?”