Wen Ruohan watched in the shadows as his wife sauntered around with their son in her arms. His wife's loyal maid, He Jiao, never held Wen Xu. His wife insisted on keeping Wen Xu in her arms. A decision that bonded the mother and son even closer. His stoic, unemotional son giggled and smiled up at his mother. Stuck to her side as she wandered throughout Qishan Wen.
He Jiao held a basket of unseen items in her arms, nodding to other servants as they made their way down the hall. She trailed behind Zhang Xuehua, keeping up with her pace as they made their way to her mistress' gardens. An area previously ignored and unused for the last few years.
Wen Xu said something, causing Zhang Xuehua to laugh. A loud, obnoxious laugh, not at all dainty and ladylike. He Jiao cracked a smile but opened Zhang Xuehua's fan to cover her mouth. Zhang Xuehua playfully waved away the fan while keeping her stride.
There was now a newfound sound of laughter echoing through the halls of Qishan Wen. Delightful laughter which broke the tense atmosphere of passing servants.
Wen Ruohan never heard his wife laugh before.
As far as he knew, his wife was emotionless and uncaring. Unlike the woman who walked through his manor home, she was a burst of energy. Showcasing the light and enjoyment through every action. The delighted smirk during their one night a month echoed in his memory.
Shaking his head, he willed the memories away and continued on following them in secret. No one other than the secret guards noticed his presence. His wife either ignored him or focused her attention on their son. At some point, he saw Zhang Xuehua addressing those who crossed her path.
She greeted the servants with a kind smile. "Good morning!"
The servants, whose bodies were bowed low, greeted her. There was no fear in their voices, most were delighted to speak to her.
"Good morning, Wen Furen."
"Morning, Wen Furen."
This sentiment was repeated.
To Wen Ruohan's surprise, Wen Xu waved at the servants.
Wen Xu was not an impolite child. In preparation for association with the other sects, he was taught manners and to differentiate himself from the servants. An aspect that Wen Ruohan made sure to drive into the nannies and servants. None of them were to address Wen Xu as nothing more than Wen Gongzi. None of them were on the same wavelength as his son.
Of course, Wen Xu was better than other sect heirs, but there was no opportunity to show him off. Wen Ruohan wasn't risking his heir until he was older. Old enough to gain skills and to appear better than those lesser than him. Maybe, even after another spare heir was born.
This depended on Zhang Xuehua.
After Wen Xu, there was no sign of pregnancy. Almost as if she drank contraceptive teas.
This claim was disproved quickly.
He Jiao appeared flabbergasted at the idea of preventing her mistress from having a child. In fact, she appeared worried at the idea of Zhang Xuehua not being able to carry children.
Wen Ruohan didn't mind another child. One more son. A backup in case Wen Xu was proven lesser than his expectations. So far, Wen Xu accelerated at a rapid rate, and presented what Wen Ruohan deemed acceptable.
Before his eyes, Wen Ruohan had visual proof of Zhang Xuehua's influence on their son. Her presence slowly ebbed away the foundations Wen Ruohan established onto his heir. The nannies would have never disobeyed his orders, few people could get away with changing his perspective. This shift in perspective could either weaken their son or paint him in a different light.
Zhang Xuehua nodded in pride as she lowered her voice, whispering something to Wen Xu. Wen Xu's head shot up, a big smile spread on his face. A delighted laugh escaped his lips as she tickled his sides, kissed his face, and said something into his ear.
He Jiao followed behind, shaking her head in amusement.
Wen Ruohan paused in place as his wife and son left his sight.
Wen Ruohan walked near the Zhang Sect's areas, using these trails as a shortcut back to Qishan Wen. His underlings followed behind, keeping an eye out for spirits wandering about.
Having successfully finished his latest night hunt, he thought about going back home. Already bored of the food and lack of adrenaline from the fight. It was far too easy. Nothing was hard anymore. Almost as if he reached his full potential.
Some of the disciples were injured from their fights, dragging Wen Ruohan into a slower pace. He could have used his sword to leave them behind, but the rarity of him leaving his lands prompted him to linger about. Giving the disciples the impression of Wen Ruohan's exceptional leadership. How he would never leave his own disciples behind during a night hunt to return home.
This was far beyond the truth of his reasoning, but Wen Ruohan didn't dispute the claims. These rare missions were a balm to the boredom he experienced behind his desk. Missions he would have to push on his disciples due to the surging responsibilities as sect leader. His position gained him the freedom to pursue strength and notoriety, but with restrictions.
The sound of a breaking wood and scattering feet brought on the attention of Wen Ruohan and his disciples. Turning his attention to the noise, he watched as a cultivator ran past them with a spirit gaining behind him.
Wen Ruohan watched as the cultivator turned around in time to dodge the incoming slash of the ghost's elongated fingertips. Moonlight peeked through the nightly clouds to bring light to the cultivator's face, exposing her determined face.
She dodged once more, bringing an array of colors to bounce from her sword.
"Who is she?" Wen Ruohan demanded.
"Her name is Zhang Xuehua, Wen Zongzhu." His lead disciple bowed low. "She is the eldest daughter of the Zhang Sect."
Tapping his chin, Wen Ruohan watched in fascination as Zhang Xuehua rushed into battle, her brown eyes were fierce and sharp. Her sword, illuminated by the light of the moon, expressed various colors. Her body twisted and turned with ease, preventing a scratch from the vengeful ghost.
Waving away the disciples, Wen Ruohan watched the young woman. Dissecting her fighting style, strength, and ability to get rid of this ghost. She showed no weaknesses, giving the ghost no opportunity to retaliate. She dodged a swipe which could have killed her. Doing her finishing move, Zhang Xuehua watched as the spirit dissipated into nothing.
Wen Ruohan remained silent.
Tilting his head to the side, he watched Zhang Xuehua clean her sword with a hidden handkerchief, possibly slathered with cleaning oil, and sheathed her sword. She observed the surrounding area, turning around to make certain there were no more spirits.
Her brown eyes widened upon realization he stood behind her.
"Ah– my apologies for not having seen you!" Zhang Xuehua bowed. "This one is named Zhang Xuehua, first daughter of the Zhang sect."
Wen Ruohan nodded his head. "Wen Ruohan."
There was no need for added information. Her widening eyes and slight gasp meant she knew exactly who he was.
She bowed her head once more before inquiring. "Again, my apologies for not having taken notice of your presence, Wen Zongzhu."
Wen Ruohan smirked. "There is no need to bow. You were focused on battle, not pleasantries." She lifted her head and stared right into his eyes. "Exceptional work."
Zhang Xuehua's face pinked, "Thank you. I shall relay your compliments to my Shifu in my newest letter of correspondence. He trained me well."
"Hmm…" He observed her features and body. "A cultivator improves through their own merit. Your shifu taught you well, but you continued on with his teachings."
Zhang Xuehua nodded with a smile. "I, thank you for the kind words, Wen Zongzhu."
Finishing their first encounter, Wen Ruohan left Zhang Xuehua to her musings. He peered back once more, locking eyes with her. She bowed again; her smile stuck on her face.
The interaction wasn't painful.
Throughout his life, Wen Ruohan spoke to daughters of various sects. Whether through forced introductions or sect meetings, Wen Ruohan gave no indication of interest. He knew better than to show favor to one woman. Misunderstandings arise from such mistakes.
His late father attempted to bind him to daughters of his friends, but those promises never bore fruit. Wen Ruohan investigated these women and found them unsuitable. Pampered and spoiled women who thought nothing more than themselves. He desired a partner who would support him, a cultivator was preferable.
Thinking back on the Zhang sect's daughter, he was satisfied at what he witnessed. Her fighting style was to the point, no fuss of grandiose poses to appear perfect. She was a female cultivator from a good family. Not high ranking enough to usurp him or think themselves beyond their station.
She would make for a good wife.
Wen Ruohan nodded to himself.
Yes.
He would send a request for a proposal and wait for the acceptance letter. No one would dare deny him a wife. Someone of his caliber deserved powerful children to showcase his legacy.
Looking up from the letter, Wen Ruohan announced to the elders. "The Zhang sect has accepted my offer of marriage. Zhang Xuehua will be my wife."
Elder Liang clapped, nodding his head in approval. "Good choice. I have heard exceptional comments on your bride to be. She is a trained cultivator and an educated woman."
A younger elder, Elder Hua, beamed in delight. "I am relieved that you have finally chosen a bride, Wen Zongzhu. When will the ceremony take place?"
Other elders began chiming in with questions, asking about the new Furen's qualifications and her lineage. Wen Ruohan listened to every single one, giving a rare form of patience for the time being. He needed none of their approval, but less complaints and bloodshed were preferred.
Peering at the elder who conveniently left lists of brides on his desk, Elder Guang, was seething in his seat. Physically shaking, the old man didn't dare sneer in his direction. He knew he couldn't go against him. Wen Ruohan finalized the betrothal. Taking it back without good reason would make him lose face.
Wen Ruohan smirked. "I have dealt with the negotiations and settled on a wedding date. Be prepared for a new Furen during the new season."
The excitement spread throughout the room. Wen Ruohan kept an ear out to Elder Guang, wanting for the inevitable blow out. The old man's temperament seemed to fester and grow worse as years passed by.
"What about the ones I set on your desk?! Those women are higher caliber than your pick!' Elder Guang slammed his hand on the table, causing the cups to rattle against the wood. "The Zhang sect is not as high caliber as the families I provided in my list."
"Ha?! Your picks for a bride would not have survived under my reign." Wen Ruohan smirked at Elder Guang whose face turned into a purplish hue. "A wife you can control as my wife? Pair them with your grandsons, not myself."
Wen Ruohan thought to kill him when he ascended his place. He never liked the man. His late father bemoaned having to speak to this particular elder. Yet, the amusement of snubbing his superiority and the elder could do nothing about it, was delightful. Wen Ruohan let him live in order to torture him to qi deviation. Anything to prevent his hands from choking the life out of him.
Elder Liang coughed into his enclosed fist before taking a sip of his tea.
Months of letters, a wedding ceremony, and bedding, resulted in disappointment.
During their first year, Wen Ruohan observed his wife, his first impression of her dwindled. The vibrancy of her smile and fierceness in battle were not present. She lived as if someone sucked the life out of her. Granted, he knew her through the few letters they exchanged before the wedding, but he didn't know this was her true self.
Even more surprising was noticing her sword was not on her hip. According to her servant, his wife ordered it hidden, not wanting to keep it at her side.
Strange.
No cultivator in their right mind would hide their weapon from sight.
Female cultivators were especially guarded of their weapons, fearing the possibility of dishonor during a night hunt. Wen Ruohan's mother kept poisoned hair pins, rings, and daggers on her at all times. Her spiritual sword was always on her hip or arms length from herself.
His mother disposed of a number of interlopers who attempted to take advantage of her. Outside of Qishan Wen, the public thought of her as a pampered lady, not the viper she concealed underneath her beauty. Memory of her prowess as a cultivator diminished once she married into the Wen Sect.
His father ignored the piling bodies inside of the dungeons. Even appointing servants to dispose of the bodies for his wife. He found himself satisfied at the reduction of enemies who thought to pierce the unmovable might of the Wen Sect.
No one could prove his mother was the cause of those disappearances. Those who tried to prove her as a killer were thrown from grace. Blackmail, neatly placed rumors, disclosure of unsavory activities, ruined their reputations for generations to come.
Eventually, the majority of the sects settled on the reasoning of night hunts gone wrong.
Injuries happened during night hunts more often than not. Especially if cultivators went on night hunts by themselves. Through bad luck or misplaced arrogance, there would always be cultivators who died.
Wen Ruohan thought it smarter for his wife to keep a weapon on her at all times, but he refrained from giving her this advice. She should have known better than to think she wouldn't have to use her sword ever again. She was a sect wife, able to use her sword on whomever she wished.
Not too soon after they married, news of her pregnancy was announced. She immediately kept herself to her rooms. Missing breakfasts and dinners, causing whispers to spread throughout the servants. She reasoned with him about keeping his heir safe.
He let her do as she wished.
Delighted at having a possible heir, Wen Ruohan sent her jewels, silks, and gifts to bring out the woman he met during that night hunt. He heard lavish gifts would excite even the most depressed of women.
The reaction he received was nothing more than a restrained smile. She thanked him for his gifts. Bowing deeply, she lifted her head to continue showing that forced demure smile.
Wen Ruohan left her immediately after that.
His image of her during that night hunt was diminishing little by little.
He returned during her sessions with the healer, wanting to know everything to do with the health of his wife and heir. There were shared dinners, sparse as they were, but he made his presence known. His sect leader duties took precedence. He couldn't spare time to entertain her, but she didn't appear displeased.
She remained in her rooms, never to step foot outside to her gardens or the hallways of her new home. Her presence was seemingly forgotten as time passed on.
Soon enough, she birthed their Xu-er.
For a short amount of time, her smile and vibrancy seeped through her body.
She tended to their son with a tender smile. Although she continued to stay in her rooms, she kept their son at her breast. Disliking the idea of having a wet nurse feed their son. An idea Wen Ruohan approved wholeheartedly. He Jiao tested Zhang Xuehua's food for poison, making it less likely for their son to be poisoned.
Wen Ruohan thought once Wen Xu was weaned off her breast, she would begin her sect wife duties. After all, she showed signs of the woman from that night hunt once their son came into the world. Quite possibly, she felt uncertain due to the lack of an heir to pass on his name.
To his disbelief, she reverted back to the depressing state as before. She began laying in her bed, uninterested in leaving her room. Their son was the last thing in her mind, leaving him to Wen Jia and the other caretakers to look after.
The caretakers informed him of her lessening visits and lack of interest in their son.
Disappointing to say the least.
During one of his usual strolls around his palace, Wen Ruohan passed by Wen Furen's garden. The gardens remained in pristine condition despite Wen Furen's isolation in her rooms. During instances of self reflection, he entered inside the area, knowing full well no one would interrupt him there.
The familiar braying laughter caused Wen Ruohan to stop in place.
Wrinkling his brows, he muttered. "This woman can laugh so brazenly?"
Listening closely, he heard Zhang Xuehua tease her servant about the grass stains on her robes. "...Grass stains never killed anyone! You exaggerate!"
He Jiao sniffed. "Tell this to the servant girls washing your robes, Wen Furen."
"A little soak in water and vinegar will help pull the stain out. No need to worry."
"Vinegar?"
"What? Don't tell me that you haven't done that trick before?"
"Rarely." He Jiao settled something heavy onto the grass. "Please, don't use the vinegar for the dumplings for your clothing."
"No promises."
"Wen Furen!"
"Kidding, kidding." Zhang Xuehua teased.
Curiosity peaked; Wen Ruohan used his sword to poke a hole inside of the high shrubs. He made a big enough hole where he was able to see clearly inside of the garden. Throughout the time Wen Ruohan created the hole, he noted the group was ready to eat their lunch.
He Jiao sat before Zhang Xuehua and Wen Xu, placing the plates onto the blanket. She served herself as Zhang Xuehua began feeding Wen Xu.
"Xu-er needs to eat more vegetables." Zhang Xuehua held the sauteed carrots to Xu-er's mouth. "How will my son grow up big and strong without perfect vision? Hm?"
Wen Xu wrinkled his nose.
Wen Ruohan readied himself for the one inevitable tantrum. The nanny commented on Wen Xu's disgust over vegetables to his most trusted elder, Wen Liang. He documented every milestone of Wen Xu, excited at seeing the vapid rise in Wen Ruohan's heir's intelligence. Wen Xu was an exceptional heir to their sect. Almost as intelligent as Wen Ruohan was at his age.
While he pondered about their son, he missed the moment Wen Xu ate the serving of vegetables. Looking through the hole, he watched Wen Xu chewing with his mouth closed.
"Delicious, right?" Zhang Xuehua beamed. "I cooked this myself, you know. I've been such a mean mommy that I need to make it up to my Xu-er. Cooking is the least I can do."
Wen Ruohan furrowed his brows. He didn't know his wife could cook. No one ever told him the woman could work a stove let alone know how to use a water pump to collect water. She was a lady , not a servant to do such things.
His main reason in marrying her was her cultivation and ability to defend herself. Wen Furen couldn't be a weak noblewoman who needed extra protection. She was the last line of defense against enemies in case someone got past the guards. The one who would protect his home in case he was indisposed or dead. Which was unlikely due to his prowess, but just in case, Zhang Xuehua was supposed to be the last line of defense for his home.
He used to think she was incapable. The descent into sorrow and uselessness made her lesser in his eyes. She didn't react much and appeared dead to the world. Yet, this blossoming woman was the idea Wen Ruohan had for her when he first laid eyes on her.
Surprising that she never attempted to feed him to gain his approval.
He laid a hand on his chest when he felt a pang . A pang of envy. Shaking his head, he grimaced at the feeling. He never felt such a thing before in his life.
He shouldn't feel anything more than satisfaction that his wife spent more time with their son.
Wen Xu excitedly exclaimed. "You can cook, A-Niang? Wow !" He opened his mouth for another serving and ate it without complaint. "Yummy."
Zhang Xuehua squealed. "Oh, if you like this, then He Jiao's delicacies will be extra delicious!" She motioned to the other basket that was set farther away on the blanket. "He Jiao made sure to make extra sweets for my Xu-er."
Wen Ruohan watched in disbelief as Wen Xu obediently ate every single vegetable in his bowl. There was no displeasure on his face. As if Zhang Xuehua managed to disguise the taste of vegetables. Interesting. He thought adding copious amounts of spice would do the trick, but Wen Xu was too young for spiciness. Hence, the kitchen staff prepared Wen Xu's meals with limited seasoning or nothing.
Once Wen Xu finished his meal, Zhang Xuehua opened the basket to reveal the sweets she promised their son. She placed a few sweets on a plate before she began eating.
Elder Liang interrupted Wen Ruohan's meditation session with his usual morning itinerary.
A knock on the door and the shuffling of the sliding door broke Wen Ruohan's concentration. Wen Ruohan opened his eyes, gathering his bearings before Wen Liang began talking to him. The man never spoke until Wen Ruohan gave him his undivided attention.
Wen Liang went through the list, commenting on certain aspects he missed the previous day. Wen Ruohan hummed and nodded along. The older man followed behind him as he walked to his washing station.
Pausing in front of the basin, he splashed water onto his face and neck. After a good workout and meditation session, he preferred ice cold water to cool himself down. Throughout this process, he tuned out the boring aspects of his itinerary as he wiped down his face with a wet cloth.
Elder Liang added in. "Everything from the conquered sect has been noted in the treasury books. I have left the records on top of your desk for your view."
"Good."
Elder Liang closed the scroll. "That is all for today." He said nothing else but didn't dismiss himself.
"Anything else?" Wen Ruohan noted that Elder Liang hovered behind despite having finished. "Don't be polite."
Elder Liang chuckled. "Ah, you caught me."
Wen Ruohan waved his hand. "Well, go on."
"Your wife has voiced her decision in beginning her sect duties." Wen Liang expressed, smiling big enough to show the wrinkle lines around his mouth and eyes. "Wen Furen informed me of her decision during her reintegration in the sect. Well, half of her reintegration, she thought to spread parts of her itinerary on different days."
Wen Ruohan hummed. "Last I spoke of this topic with my wife, Zhang Xuehua was insistent in keeping to her rooms."
Whether it was due to the comfort of not working or laziness, but his wife remained firm on not doing her sect wife duties. She grew accustomed to lounging about in her rooms, uninterested in integrating further in Qishan Wen. Then again, in recent weeks, Zhang Xuehua was making herself seen.
Thinking back to their latest rendezvous, he smirked. His skillful hands must have unfurled her into doing her best to please him. She appeared satisfied on her bedding before he left the room. His lips tingled for days after the last kiss she gave him.
The echoes of her claims of dissatisfaction urged him to leave her boneless in her bed. His pride as a man wouldn't tolerate a woman thinking he lacked prowess.
" Have you ever caused me to fly to the heavens?"
The memory of her taunting caused Wen Ruohan's eye to twitch.
Elder Liang's voice broke through his thoughts. "...The leaders of all the sectors of the sect claim otherwise. Wen Furen has checked almost every inch of Qishan Wen. Looking for discrepancies, listening to complaints…she is making an effort."
"Hmm…."
"Whatever affliction claimed our Furen seems to have passed." Elder Liang said. "Her spirit seems to have lifted from the melancholy she exuded for the last few years."
Wen Ruohan dropped the cloth into the basin. "She has changed."
"A good change,"
"She will be summoned to my office soon."
"Excellent!" Elder Liang bowed his head. "I shall make myself sparse. Thank you for your time, Wen Zongzhu."
Sitting at his desk, Wen Ruohan moved a stack of papers on a vacant spot on his desk. He yelled for a servant, telling her to retrieve his wife to his office. Tossing another stack of papers onto her side of his desk, his amusement rose at the thought of her reaction. The recent emotion his wife expressed brought on images inside of his mind. For the first time in a while, he let out a genuine chuckle.
A knock on the door prompted him to yell. "Come in."
The door slid open to exposed Zhang Xuehua. Zhang Xuehua appeared in Qishan Wen robes with Mingzhu tied on her left hip. Her black hair was tied back in a half ponytail, a hairpin with glass flowers was in her hair. An old gift he handed her during one of her birthdays. The same could be said about the jade earrings she wore. Her face wasn't caked with makeup, she was barefaced.
The moment she stepped inside, she looked toward his desk, and she paused. Her eyes widened at the sight of papers on his desk. She appeared to fight against the initial reaction of panic or even muttering a curse. From the manner her lips formed curse words, she wanted to voice them out loud but controlled herself.
She bowed her head. "Wen Zongzhu."
"Wen Furen." Wen Ruohan drummed his fingers on his desk. "Elder Liang informed me of your…interest in beginning your sect duties."
Zhang Xuehua bowed her head, again. "Yes. I apologize for not telling you sooner." She looked at his eyes, unafraid to keep eye contact. "I thought to finish my inspections of the sect before informing you of my interest."
Wen Ruohan motioned to the spot beside his desk. "I provided the paperwork for you to look through. As well as the financial scrolls and budget book of the sect. Sign whichever one you deem acceptable."
"As you wish." Zhang Xuehua said.
Zhang Xuehua sat down beside him and began looking through the papers. She read through everything in silence, her eyes skimming through the word's intense attentiveness. She inspected every piece of paper she was given, some of which caused her to grimace. Wen Ruohan suspected those were complaints, ridiculous complaints which didn't need their attention.
Zhang Xuehua began dividing the paperwork in smaller piles. Clearly moving the complaints farther away from her. She focused on other types of paperwork, giving those extra attention before signing off on most of them. The rest were gathered in the complaint pile for her look over for later.
They worked in silence.
This silence lasted until Wen Ruohan noticed Zhang Xuehua picked up the financial statements of the year and the budget book. Her mood shifted. Zhang Xuehua began muttering under her breath. The volume of her voice growing louder as she read through the scrolls. Her breath seemed to hitch the more she read.
Wen Ruohan didn't understand her distress. The sect was doing better than ever. The acquisition of the latest small sect brought in enough gold for them to live lavishly. There was no need for her to breathe erratically.
Sounding exasperated, Zhang Xuehua inquired. "Wen Zongzhu?"
"Hmm?"
Turning to his wife, Zhang Xuehua asked. "What is the budget for Qishan Wen?"
"Budget?" Wen Ruohan furrowed his brows. "There is no need for a budget. Qishan Wen makes more than enough money to supplement the sect." His current acquisition of nearby sects brought in more than enough revenue for their sect to continue on flourishing.
"I'm serious. Where is it?"
Wen Ruohan arched his brow, thinking her joke was unfunny. "You're holding it in your hand, Wen Furen."
Holding the budget book in one hand, Zhang Xuehua breathed through her nose to compose herself. "Wen Zongzhu, the numbers make no sense."
Narrowing his eyes, Wen Ruohan dropped his letters onto his desk. "Explain."
Zhang Xuehua exposed multitudes of inflated costs where there shouldn't have been. She went through every single section of the sect, uninterrupted .
Wen Ruohan could do nothing but listen.
"There is no reason to buy gold plated kitchenware when there are plenty of durable materials that last longer. No one other than the kitchen staff enter the kitchen. Who are we to impress?" Zhang Xuehua smacked the sparse budget book with her open palm, almost frantic to explain her reasoning to Wen Ruohan. "Same goes to the weapons you commission with the blacksmith. Using high grade metals for training materials is asinine at best. Why waste money on expensive materials when we can use materials which could withstand the strain of the budding disciples? Senior disciples would already have a spiritual sword and have no need to use the inventory of the juniors!"
Wen Ruohan's mind spun .
He didn't expect her to spit out this long winded speech.
His wife appeared panicked as she opened the book, pointing to certain annotations which didn't coincide with what she saw in her inspections. Either someone got the numbers wrong or were taking materials from the sect. She flicked the pages, adding more commentary.
At some point, Zhang Xuehua exhausted herself to the point of drinking her cup of tea. She gulped it all down and slammed the cup onto the table.
Wen Ruohan waited until she breathed in sufficient air before he asked. "Are you finished?"
Zhang Xuehua turned away from him with a blush. "I rambled. My apologies."
Wen Ruohan watched as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Bringing his attention to the healed skin underneath her collar. He was tempted to bite her unblemished skin again, to show others that she was well taken care of. To prevent sniffing dogs from showing their interest in his wife.
Not that she left her rooms for him to worry about such a thought. Those who saw her on their wedding day saw her red veil, not her face. Now that she began her integration, she would be present to events of the cultivation world. She would inevitably catch the eye of someone who thought to sway her away from him.
She was beautiful.
He wouldn't have picked someone displeasing to look at.
Those who speculated she was ugly, whispered behind their palms. Cultivators of his generation didn't inquire about the reason he kept his wife away from view. Well, Jin Guangshan was stupid enough to ask him which earned him a bone chilling glare.
Jin Guangshan nervously laughed, offering female entertainment to soothe resentments. Claiming them as attentive and desirable. Wen Ruohan denied the offer immediately.
He didn't know what venereal diseases the man passed on to his favorite female entertainers.
His marriage contract with Zhang Xuehua limited sexual encounters to one night a month. A stipulation that Wen Ruohan didn't fight against during the betrothal negotiations. He noted Zhang Zongzhu and Zhang Furen were surprised at his acceptance of this stipulation of the contract.
He needed a wife, not a lover.
The last time they fucked, he was convinced at the latter. He woke up hard and ready for her every day since that night. Thoughts of her followed him throughout the day.
As much as he desired to think of his wife in bed, this was not the time for such thoughts.
Wen Ruohan asked. "What do you suggest we do to counteract these expenses?"
Zhang Xuehua removed a separate scroll from her inner pockets and unleashed it. Wen Ruohan's eyes widened at the length of the scroll. At first glance, the writing was neat and orderly. Looking closer, he realized every aspect of the sect was neatly sectioned off and annotations were added after the fact.
This gave the impression that his wife meticulously combed through his sect to find improvements and cut off wasteful expenses.
He wondered what she could do when he handed her the trade agreements.
Zhang Xuehua settled the beginning of the scroll onto his section of his desk. "See, I started with this section…." She shuffled beside him, bringing the scent of magnolias to his nose.
For the rest of the afternoon, they remained in his office. Zhang Xuehua pressed against his side, explaining her reasoning for adding or cutting a cost of this aspect of the sect.
Then, she brought up the idea of opening up a hot spring resort. Two versions of a hot springs resort that was under their control.
"Hot springs?"
"Don't tell me you never thought to use the hot water from the pools around the volcanoes? This is a good revenue stream! This is one aspect we can use to our advantage. I thought someone could create talismans to keep the lava from breaching the opening of the volcano. We might have to find sturdy wood for the buildings of the resorts and talismans to keep them up."
"Absolutely not." Wen Ruohan arched his brow. "There is no benefit in going through such a venture."
"But think of the possibilities!" Zhang Xuehua insisted, her hands grasped onto his arm. "There can be a hot spring for the common folk near the towns. They pay a fee to use the facilities and word of mouth will bring in tourism. Of course, the cultivation world hot spring would be in a prime area which is accessible by going through Qishan Wen. That one will have far better amenities for those in our ranks to use."
"Again, why would I entertain going through this expense?"
"You can show off another great aspect of our sect." Zhang Xuehua grinned. "Think about it. The Jiang sect boasts about their lotus ponds and their growth in catching up the older grand sects. The Lan sect have their endless rules and musical cultivation. The Nie sect have their treacherous mountains and use of the saber. The Jin sect show off their wealth in such a gaudy manner through adding gold on every inch of their sect. Real displeasing. What will we have? Relaxing hot springs after a tiring night hunt or mission!"
Wen Ruohan liked the sound of that.
"Hmm... I will keep the idea in mind."
"That's all I ask." Zhang Xuehua transitioned into another topic. "I have another idea in mind, if you wish to listen?"
Wen Ruohan nodded his head. "Go ahead."
They continued on speaking. Well, Zhang Xuehua continued to talk her mouth off. Wen Ruohan was fascinated at the ideas his wife voiced out loud. She never averted her eyes, keeping eye contact as she relayed her thoughts.
They multitasked in signing paperwork and talking to each other. During certain intervals, Zhang Xuehua grinded ink for them, staining her sleeves without meaning to. Wen Ruohan pointed it out with a smirk, causing a blush to stain her cheeks. She harrumphed and commented on the stain on his hand. He looked down at his hand, but noted his hands were clean.
She winked at him before she resumed signing documents.
By the time it was dinner time, Zhang Xuehua grimaced. "Ah...I was supposed to have dinner with Xu-er. I can already imagine his pouting face." She stretched out her arms and sighed. "Ah...but He Jiao must have told him I was here with you."
"Do you have dinner often with him?"
"Oh, almost every day." She said.
"Good, good." An idea popped into his head; Wen Ruohan offered. "Why not have dinner with me?"
Zhang Xuehua was taken aback. "Really?"
"Yes." Wen Ruohan got up on his feet. "I'll call in a servant and they will bring in dinner for us."
"O-Oh, okay." Zhang Xuehua uttered out, remaining seated at his desk, confusion clear on her face.
TBC