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CHAPTER 20
As the evening grew late, and with the expectation that the master wouldn't return, Xiang Yi settled down with her needlework for a while. However, she heard voices outside at intervals.
"Master has returned."
Knowing that the master was back, she put away her needlework and got ready to sleep. Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside. The door curtain swayed, and he lifted it to enter.
Xiang Yi glanced towards the entrance as he did so, their gazes meeting momentarily. Surprised that he had indeed returned on the fifth day, she lowered her eyes and moved forward to help him change his clothes.
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Tan Ting's gaze flicked to his wife. She was wearing a pale white gown today, her face as unreadable as ever. However, Tan Ting was certain that there was no hint of joy in her expression upon seeing him return.
She stood before him, loosening his clothes and undoing his belt as she always did, maintaining her distance just like before. Tan Ting didn't have her continue; instead, he took the clothes from her and put them on himself with swift movements.
She didn't speak, and he didn't either. The room was enveloped in an awkward silence.
Thankfully, Qiao Xing entered with a tray of tea, and Tan Ting used this opportunity to ask Zheng Ji to bring something over. Zheng Ji came back promptly, carrying a small box carved from red sandalwood.
Tan Ting gave him a meaningful look, and Zheng Ji quickly placed the intricately carved box in front of his wife's dressing table.
The box landed gently on the table, and Xiang Yi gave Tan Ting a surprised glance. Seeing that he hadn't spoken anything, just picked up his tea and took a sip, she proceeded to help him change his clothes.
Xiang Yi couldn't quite grasp his intentions. She saw Zheng Ji stepping back, not saying a word, so she opened the box herself. Inside were three sets of headpieces made of gold thread and pearls, each featuring different patterns.
Qiao Xing's eyes were momentarily dazzled, and she stepped forward. "Oh, these headpieces seem somewhat similar to the ones that Miss Rong wore a few days ago, but they appear more elegant and grand."
She was referring to the gold-threaded jade butterfly headpiece that Tan Ting had mentioned sending to her in his letter before returning home. After receiving the gift, Rong had worn different hair accessories for several days.
With these three sets of headpieces suddenly placed before her, Xiang Yi couldn't understand their purpose. The man continued to remain silent, just sipping his tea.
Xiang Yi looked at the headpieces, then at Tan Ting, unsure of their significance. With the man continuing to remain wordless, merely sipping his tea and occasionally clearing his throat, she eventually called Qiao Xing.
"Write down these headpieces in the inventory book and store them in the storeroom."
Still sipping his tea, Tan Ting nearly choked on it. He glanced at Xiang Yi, who had placed the box of accessories back into place, and realized that if he didn't explain, she would never touch these items.
This newfound understanding was somewhat unsettling for Tan Ting. He cleared his throat and finally spoke up.
"You don't need to store them away; keep them here," he said.
At his words, Xiang Yi's hand, which had been about to close the jewelry box, paused in midair. Qiao Xing's eyes instantly lit up, and she excitedly whispered, "Madam, these are the headpieces that the master has given you."
Given to her? Xiang Yi fell silent for a moment, her gaze on the precious and dazzling jewelry before her. She began to grasp her husband's intention. After all, she was the matriarch of the Tan family, and there were certain dignities that came with that role.
Rather than saying they were given to her, it was more accurate to say they were given to the matriarch. With this realization, she felt that there was nothing odd about it.
"In that case, please convey my thanks to the master," she said, instructing Qiao Xing, "Place these headpieces back into the box."
Qiao Xing happily complied, and Tan Ting let out a sigh of relief.
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If he had directly said the headpieces were for her, she would have looked at him with a puzzled expression, and he truly didn't know how to explain himself. So, he felt relieved that Qiao Xing had handled it this way.
Qiao Xing then carefully unwrapped the headpieces and placed them inside the empty jewelry box, one by one. She pointed out the pair with the design of magnolia flowers and whispered to Xiang Yi, "Madam, your original pearl earrings have turned yellow. You can switch to this pair tomorrow. They look exquisite and bright."
Xiang Yi gazed at the pearl earrings, nodding with a smile. Tan Ting continued sipping his tea with a calm demeanor.
The room's warmth increased with the addition of braziers. In this room that was usually so quiet, a comforting warmth enveloped them.
Xiang Yi didn't know what his plans were for the night, so she extinguished the candles as usual. Just as she settled down, the large palm of the man landed on her waist...
The curtain gently rustled on the floor, the humid warmth within the enclosure mingling with the cozy atmosphere of the room, as if blending into an endless springtime.
The two of them were the same as before, yet also different in some way. Xiang Yi couldn't understand what had come over him. Today, he seemed entirely different from his usual self, lacking the impatience that was often present. He had slowed down instead.
Outside the window, the branches gently swayed, emitting the faint rustling sound of friction. As Xiang Yi's fingers slightly moved, her breath gradually quickened, and tiny beads of sweat formed, intermingling and falling.
Unable to resist, she stole a glance at him. Tan Ting caught her gaze. Her eyes held a watery moonlit quality that rippled along with his movements. But just as their gazes met, she instinctively turned her eyes away.
In the past, even during the moments of intimate connection beneath the curtain, there was seldom any form of communication, not even through a fleeting glance.
Tan Ting's thin lips lightly pursed, and he flipped his palm upward, resting it on her delicate spine. The distance between them shortened. His palm was warm, and within this unfamiliar context, Xiang Yi couldn't help but look over, only to find his gaze fixed on her face.
In that instant of eye contact, Xiang Yi subconsciously turned her gaze away. Tan Ting's heart tightened slightly, and his palm returned to her waist, gradually retracting.
The wind outside swept away the lingering warmth, swirling around with vigor. Xiang Yi had initially tried to support herself against the force, but as it intensified, she could no longer withstand it and was enveloped by the wind, swaying like a leaf in the breeze.
After a while, the outside turbulence subsided, and everything grew quiet again. Xiang Yi was gently released from the grasp of his palm.
She knew she couldn't rest. It seemed that he didn't appreciate servants meddling with the affairs of the bedchamber; it was all left for her to handle. Just as she was about to prop herself up to get out of bed, he softly called out to her.
"No need to hurry. Let someone come in later to assist."
Xiang Yi didn't turn around to look at him. Standing by the bedside, she fell into a brief silence.
What has been happening with the master of the Tan family lately?
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