Chapter 5, The Little Rabbit

Seeing Xue Chongxun silent, Pei Niang, perhaps too nervous, timidly said: "My lord, will you make me feel very painful?"

Xue Chongxun felt a twinge of sympathy upon hearing her words, and said: "Then you should put on your clothes first; this time your mother won't hit you again... There is medicinal wine in the cabinet by the screen; you can take some and apply it."

Mother said that my corset is too ugly and fears it will affect my husband's refined taste

Mother said it would hurt a lot, and told me to endure... as long as you take me as a concubine in the future, allowing me to live with you is all I ask

After a moment, the door slowly opened, and a young woman entered with her head lowered, gently pulling the wooden door shut behind her. Then she brought her hands to the front, clasping them around her waist, her fingers interlocked, her slender shoulders trembling slightly, clearly indicating her nervousness

"Nipple cover." Two words sprang from Xue Chongxun's mouth, and then he said, "The bed outside the warm pavilion was originally for the maid on duty to sleep at night; soon you will sleep outside."

This little girl is Pei Niang, the daughter of the chef of the Xue family, known as "Not Relying on Xi Shi." She has an oval face and retains a youthful innocence, with her eyelashes fluttering. Although her pair of black eyes looks down at the floor, they remain bright and lively. Her feet are as white as frost, clad in a pair of wooden clogs. Despite wearing coarse cloth clothing, it cannot conceal the tender and fair complexion of her slender neck.

Upon entering the sliding wooden lattice door, one arrives at the bedroom where Xue Chongxun rests. The wooden beams and columns, along with the pink walls, bamboo curtains, white paper wood, and window bookshelves, create a faintly tranquil and distant classical style. The large hanging painting on the wall depicts only a soaring white crane, yet it suggests an infinite space, making the interior appear more expansive than its actual dimensions, devoid of any sense of oppression

After listening, Pei Niang carefully put on her coarse cloth garment and went to the cabinet to fetch the medicine as instructed. She took the medicine, but the injury was on her back. Xue Chongxun did not wish to think too much about it, so he simply asked her to lift her clothing to help her apply the medicine. When his fingers touched her smooth back, his heart stirred slightly... The lines of Pei Niang's back curved inward at the waist, forming a beautiful inward arc. The lines flowed over her slender waist and suddenly rose, revealing a compact, pert bottom. Xue Chongxun looked from top to bottom, and the snowy white curve of her bottom was also faintly visible beneath her skirt... The lines of Pei Niang's back curved inward at the waist, forming a beautiful inward arc. The lines flowed over her slender waist and suddenly rose, revealing a compact, pert bottom. Xue Chongxun looked from top to bottom, and the snowy white curve of her bottom was also faintly visible beneath her skirt

Indeed, there are several crimson marks on her back. She said, "If my lord drives me back, my mother will beat me again"

Is there also an injury in the front

I am going back to the residence. " Xue Chongxun glanced at the drenched San Niang, " The room is getting colder. In a moment, you should take a bath and change into some clothes. You can stay in the courtyard of Yinyun Studio; there is no need to worry, it is very safe.

Xue Chongxun then said to the person outside the door: "Did I not tell your stepfather that there is no need to send you over?"

Pei Niang said, "I did not lie; why not have my lord take a look at the scars on my body." As she spoke, she unexpectedly began to loosen her clothing and unfasten her belt

Lady Pei will certainly devote herself wholeheartedly to serving my lord well. She said this with a light bow.

Xue Chongxun said: "This medicine is for bruises and should not be used indiscriminately... However, there is a method." Xue Chongxun stood up, found a piece of cowhide paper, took a small knife from his waist labeled 'Seven Matters', cut out two pieces the size of a band-aid from the cowhide paper, applied some glue on one side, and brought it to the large palm wood table, saying: "Stick it there, be careful not to rub it raw."

After the lights in Xue Chongxun's room were extinguished, the entire residence was essentially under curfew, and no one dared to make too much noise. In the silence, he contemplated many things, from his past life to the present. He also thought about the matter at hand, hesitating for a moment, yet he still did not abandon the idea.

Exiting the Yinyun Studio and crossing the street for a few steps leads directly to the residence of Xue Chongxun, the Duke of Weiguo. He has been granted three thousand households, and his wealth is undoubtedly considerable. The mansion features ornate towers and painted beams, resplendent in its grandeur; however, it cannot compare to the Princess Mansion of his mother, Princess Taiping, as it is significantly smaller in scale. The main layout consists of a courtyard connected by corridors between two large buildings, with two side courtyards adjacent to and behind them.

She was only about thirteen or fourteen years old, still of middle school age in that previous world. Although in the Tang Dynasty, she could already serve men, after that fateful night, Xue Chongxun's thoughts began to change. Having a young girl serve him felt somewhat awkward.

Xue Chongxun shook his head and said: "You are too young, go back to your mother... When you go out, close the door behind you hetushu.com.com"

However, Yu Wenxiao's secret is not without its use

Pei Niang said enthusiastically: "My lord, do you want to soak your feet? I will go out and fetch a basin of hot water for you."

In the room, there is also a floral incense burner with a gourd-shaped lid, emitting sparse wisps of blue smoke that bring a refreshing and pleasant sensation to the nose. Being in one's own space always allows one to temporarily set aside stress and find relaxation. Xue Chongxun casually picked up a thread-bound edition of "National Policies" by Liu Xiang from the bookshelf and sat down on the soft couch. He opened it to the page that happened to feature "The Cunning Rabbit Has Three Burrows." He was already familiar with this little story, but feeling relaxed, he began to read it with great interest.

Perhaps my ending will be the same as my father's, dying at the hands of a relative

The door is unlatched, come in and speak

"My mother will hit me." Pei Niang looked at Xue Chongxun with a pair of watery, pitiful eyes

I just took a shower, so it's unnecessary. You can go outside now, and I'll call you if there's something I need.

She stood there, bare, with her arms, slender like green onions, crossed over her chest, looking dazed. The spring night was still cold, and Pei Niang, exposed, shivered uncontrollably, standing there at a loss. After a moment, she turned around, revealing her softly contoured, youthful back and delicate waist, saying, "My lord, look at the wound on my back, it was inflicted by my mother."

A servant has no qualifications to haggle or to demand the master to expend more words. Xue Chongxun's eyes revealed a hint of anger, and he was about to reprimand when he heard Pei Niang say: "I fear pain the most; she cried when her mother hit her..."

Xue Chongxun placed the book on the large table, and from the sound, it seemed to be Pei Niang, the daughter of "Bu Tuo Xishi." This reminded him of what the servant Pang Er had said earlier about bringing Pei Niang over in the evening to serve as a concubine. They were all servants of the Xue residence, and according to the rules, they should be possessed or allocated by their master

Xue Chongxun felt a pang of softness in his heart, and the words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down

Pei Niang's face immediately lit up with joy; the young master no longer chased her away. At least she could serve as a close attendant here. Although she was still a servant, her status in the Xue family was notably higher than that of other servants. This was because close attendants had the opportunity to converse frequently with the master, which could sometimes be very important, and other servants had to be somewhat wary.

Xue Chongxun nodded and said: "Your stepfather has stayed in the Xue family for twenty to thirty years, loyal and devoted, so our family has treated him well. You should take care of yourself."

Indeed, once Xue Chongxun made a concession, Pei Niang would not give up. Even a young girl would strive to fight for herself and her family. A female slave like her, who possesses beauty but lacks skills, might face a future where her master sells her off or she falls into a lowly brothel. Rather than that, it is better to become a concubine of the powerful Xue family, where she can also stay with her parents. A female slave like her, who possesses beauty but lacks skills, might face a future where her master sells her off or she falls into a lowly brothel. Rather than that, it is better to become a concubine of the powerful Xue family, where she can also stay with her parents

Opposite Xue Chongxun was a large table made of palm wood inlaid with marble, produced in Annan. The table was entirely smooth, without any carvings, showcasing the natural beauty of the wood's grain, which imparted a sense of tranquility and softness... Just like Pei Niang's skin, it was equally natural and pure, radiant and unembellished.

Xue Chongxun said: "Then why don't you wear it?"

Pei Niang's voice choked as she asked, "What have I done wrong?"

At that moment, a timid voice came from outside the door: "My lord, please open the door"

Xue Chongxun : `` ... ... ''

After a while, Pei Niang said after finishing: "This is truly effective. How did you come up with such a method, my lord?"

Xue Chongxun instructed the maid to stop heating and no longer pour water on the stones, then took a bath in the hot water bucket, feeling instantly relaxed yet fatigued all over

Pei Niang's voice rang out like a clear bell: "No, I am not wearing a corset today; the fabric of the clothes is too coarse and it rubs against my chest, causing a burning pain."

My lord, can this medicine be applied to the front?

The matter concerning the Yuwen family itself does not pose a fundamental threat to the Minor Official of the Taichang Temple. Although Feng Yuanjun had an engagement with the Yuwen family, he was unaware of the actions taken by Yuwen Xiao beforehand. Moreover, with the eunuch Gao Lishi speaking in the palace, he would certainly be able to distance himself from any involvement. As for exposing Yuwen Xiao's disgraceful deeds to demonstrate justice, what benefit would that bring to Xue Chongxun? He would certainly be able to distance himself from any involvement. As for exposing Yuwen Xiao's disgraceful deeds to demonstrate justice, what benefit would that bring to Xue Chongxun?

After only Xue Chongxun remained in the bedroom, he got up to extinguish the candle. He did not go to bed but sat silently in front of the window. There was no moonlight tonight, but the lanterns outside were still lit. ... The brightness outside contrasted with the darkness inside, which gave Xue Chongxun a sense of security ... . ... In truth, he never felt truly safe. Historically, just two years later, the downfall of Princess Taiping loomed over him like a sword hanging above.