The moonlight outside the window was like water, while the candlelight inside flickered.
Li Jing lay on his side, one arm around Madam Yin's waist, his face leaning in for a kiss.
Madam Yin reacted quickly, her hand blocking his lips.
"Hmm?"
Li Jing was startled, pulling her hand away.
"Is Madam feeling unwell?"
Madam Yin turned her face away, her voice a little dry.
"No, no, I'm just a little tired from handling so much for Fang Xian today, I don't want to..."
She paused, not finishing her sentence.
She didn't want to kiss Li Jing.
Li Jing looked at the profile of her face, not annoyed, but simply smiled gently.
"Alright, if you don't want to kiss me, then let's sleep."
He released her hand, lying back flat, his tone magnanimous.
Madam Yin breathed a sigh of relief, also lying down, her back to him.
But not long after, a hand reached up from behind, beginning to rummage through her clothes.
Madam Yin stiffened, reaching out to press her hand against his.
"I don't feel well."
Her voice was low, tinged with embarrassment.
Li Jing's hand paused, a moment of silence passing between them.
"Not here either?"
"...Yes."
"Then let's sleep."
"Okay."
Neither of them spoke again.
But Madam Yin kept her eyes open, a wave of inexplicable guilt washing over her.
She turned, looking at Li Jing's profile, hesitated for a moment, and spoke softly.
"How about...something?"
Li Jing was startled, then his eyes lit up, and he rolled over to lean closer.
"Okay."
He hurriedly unzipped his trousers, leaning down to press his lips to Madam Yin's.
Madam Yin closed her eyes, letting him kiss her, but her mind was blank.
She felt nothing.
Nothing at all.
She could clearly sense his every movement, yet her body felt as if separated by a thick membrane, nothing penetrating her.
She opened her eyes, looking at the familiar face above her, yet a strange sense of disorientation washed over her.
How could this be?
This was her husband, the man she should have feelings for.
But now, another face involuntarily surfaced in her mind—
Fang Xian.
If it were him now…if it were him…
The thought had barely formed when Madam Yin was startled by her own reflection.
What was she thinking?
But her body betrayed her.
She lay there expressionless, listening to his muffled breathing, her heart icy cold.
No pleasure.
Not even a trace.
The moonlight outside remained the same, but the atmosphere in this bed had changed.
Fang Xian, it was Fang Xian she wanted.
...
The moonlight was hazy, but in another bedchamber, spring was in full bloom.
Ao Run lay limp on the bed, her hair disheveled, her eyes red-rimmed, one hand resting limply on the pillow, the other clutching the brocade beneath her.
She turned her head to look at the man beside her, her tone laced with a languid reproach.
"You rascal, why did you have to fall for that Madam Yin?"
Fang Xian leaned against her, his fingers casually twirling a strand of her hair. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips.
"What, jealous?"
"You're so naughty."
Ao Run rolled over, facing him, her fingertips touching his chest.
"You naughty boy, look, Madam Yin is completely conquered by you, isn't she?"
Fang Xian chuckled softly, taking her hand and kissing it.
"Then weren't you conquered by me too?"
Ao Run blushed and spat at him.
"You're the worst." She then leaned in and kissed his lips.
The candlelight flickered, and another passionate kiss ensued.
After a long while, Ao Run got up, put on her robe, and headed for the bath.
"I'm going to wash up."
Fang Xian lay lazily on the couch and responded.
Ao Run had just stepped out of the room when she stopped.
A person stood in the corridor, dressed in a moon-white robe, with long, flowing hair—it was Madam Yin.
Why was she here so late at night?
The two looked at each other from a few steps away.
Madam Yin lowered her eyes, lost in thought.
Ao Run's gaze swept over her face, a cryptic smile playing on her lips. She said nothing and walked past her.
In that instant as they brushed past each other, she thought to herself:
Looks like I'll be bathing for a long time tonight.
A soft footstep sounded behind him, followed by the sound of a door closing.
Ao Run paused and turned around.
Madam Yin had already entered his room and was turning around to close the door.
"Madam?"
Fang Xian saw Madam Yin enter and his tone was slightly amusement.
"Why are you here?"
Madam Yin leaned against the door, looked up at him, and spoke softly.
"I couldn't sleep."
Fang Xian smiled, slowly walked over, and stood in front of her, looking down at her.
"You missed me, didn't you?"
Madam Yin's face flushed slightly, she looked away, and mumbled softly.
"You know perfectly well."
"If you missed me, then take your clothes off."
As soon as he finished speaking, Madam Yin lowered her eyes, her fingers moved, and she obediently began to remove her clothes, one by one.
The candlelight shone on her, outlining her soft curves.
She stepped forward, tiptoed, and kissed Fang Xian's lips.
Fang Xian put his arm around her waist and led her to the bed.
That night, Madam Yin finally rediscovered that feeling.
"It's this feeling..."
She buried her face in his shoulder, her voice almost inaudible.
"This is what I wanted."