Second Marriage

Translator: tarararawr

Editor: Larkspur

Chapter 41 Part 1

Xiao Youning could not be coaxed to say the word “husband”. Under Ye Shen’s gaze, she stammered and called him “Fifth Master”, while her ears and neck were red.

Ye Shen chuckled. Although he thought it was a pity that she did not do it, he thought of waiting until they got married to hear her shyly say it. He pictured the dragon and phoenix candles1 and the embroidered mandarin duck2 quilt. He believed that it would be even more wonderful to save it for that moment.

“All right, I won’t tease you anymore. Just call me Fifth Master.” He raised his hand and patted her on the head. The palm of his hand was warmed by this touch.

What Jian Yin said later was not a lie. After a half hour journey, the ship was truly docked on the river bank.

Xiao Youning peered out and saw a ship next to them. Additionally, someone was carrying a wide plank to place between the two ships.

“Let’s go.” Ye Shen picked up the veil hat next to them and put it on her head.

The white veil reached the ground and gracefully covered her body. She was led out by Ye Shen.

Even though it was awkward with him just now, she could at least control her emotions and walk side by side with him.

Jian Yin also changed clothes to a more rugged soldier outfit. The satin cloth he was wearing was changed to a coarser one. He still looked upset though.

“In a moment, you don’t have to understand what you hear or drink the alcohol.”

Drink the alcohol?

Xiao Youning thought it was strange. When they reached the deck, she realized that the table had been set up and there were three strong men sitting to one side.

“Is this Master Five3? We have never met before. We apologize for not recognizing you!”

When the three men saw them coming, they stood up and greeted them. Their voices were as strong as their physique, loud and crude.

Xiao Youning’s steps paused for a moment, Ye Shen noticed. He did not let go of her hand and indifferently spoke to the guests, “It’s fine, sit down.”

The three men noticed that he did not say “please”, they looked a bit unhappy. They pulled up their robes to sit down again, and did not speak.

Ye Shen didn’t care about how they were a bit upset. He sat down with Xiao Youning and touched the teacup in front of her. The cup felt warm, so he said to her, “Drink some water. It’s windy on the river, and your mouth will be dry from it.”

Xiao Youning became slow witted when she arrived. She nodded and reached for the cup.

She was wearing a white veil. The three men only saw her hands holding the cup. Soon, her hands returned behind the white veil, leaving them with a vague outline of her.

Although it was like that, the trio thought they were seeing a goddess. Only a few of her fingers were sticking out, and they were as white and tender as green onions. If her hands were like this, then it was impossible to imagine what the face under the veil looked like.

Ye Shen saw that their eyes were still staring at the person next to him. He was displeased and pushed the veil to cover more of her. The three men quickly returned to their senses and knew that they had lost their manners. Their unhappiness from earlier was gone and they swiftly laughed. They held their cups and said, “We have only heard that Master Five was young, but didn’t know that Master Five had already taken a wife.”

Xiao Youning found the words a little strange. Oh, they don’t know that Ye Shen is pretending, so why did he ask me to be his wife? 

Her hand shook and the tea spilled onto her dress. Fortunately, the veil was there to cover it, and no one could see how she forgot her manners and the expression she had because of her bold conjecture.

But what kind of person was Ye Shen? He was a man with his thoughts always on her and even a little shake could not escape his eyes. His eyes flashed and became gentle. He didn’t care about her guesses. He hid his gentle feelings for her and said to the men who were proposing a toast, “The little wife doesn’t walk around outside very often. This time, her worries could not be let go and she insisted on coming with me to endure the hardships of traveling.”

The words “little wife” were not so easy to say out loud. It sounded like they really were a couple who had been in love for many years and made Xiao Youning’s hand tremble again.

One of the big men making the toast laughed and said, “Women. It’s normal to be timid. Besides, Master Five is going to Datong. War is there. The mountain bandits took advantage of things there to revolt and have taken a large amount of goods. It is only natural for Madam Five to be worried.”

“When it comes to the goods, does Master Five really want all of it? I’m afraid your ship won’t be able to hold.” Another man in a brown short jacket wondered aloud.

Ye Shen said, “That’s why I called you over today to discuss this matter. The goods should be transported by sea to the place I designate first. Naturally, someone will meet you and continue towards Datong.”

“Master Five has courage. Right now, only a few businessmen dare to go to Datong.”

“Wealth is acquired from risks. I can have a chance at it only when others do not dare.”

Ye Shen raised his glass and drank the wine in the glass.

Because they were all talking about Datong, Xiao Youning listened eagerly as she ate. No matter if it was about the local customs or a dispute between businessmen, she did not let it go if it was related to Datong.

Although she was covered by the white veil, she was constantly entranced. Ye Shen noticed it and silently helped her with the food. She unwittingly ate the fish he had picked the bones out of and shrimp he had deshelled… She didn’t realize it until he handed her a bowl of soup.

After the meal, the three men took the deposit and left with a smile.

Xiao Youning ate so much that she couldn’t get up when she went back to the side room upstairs and sat down.

Ye Shen saw her leaning against the chair with her legs stretched out. It was the first time he had seen the girl without etiquette. She was very comfortable, and even turned her head and thanked him. “I have troubled Fifth Master in helping me with so much food when it is my duty. It should have been me helping Fifth Master.”

As she spoke, she was still embarrassed and pursed her lips from smiling.

Ye Shen’s deep eyes fell on her face and he suddenly smiled. “Then next time I’ll trouble you to do your duty as the wife.”

The room was quiet and intimate. They were so close, his words could even be considered as very ambiguous.

Xiao Youning screamed in her heart: Again! He’s doing it again! Why does he always say such things that can lead to misunderstandings?!

Her ears were burning. To escape, she stood up, fanned herself, and said, “Why does it feel so stuffy? I’ll go open the windows.”

She had only taken one step when he grabbed her wrist.

Ye Shen did not know when he had also stood up. He caught her just as she was about to run away, and pulled her to the front of the small table.

“F-fith Master?!”

Footnotes

Dragon and phoenix candles are supposed to represent the couple.Mandarin ducks symbolizes love and harmony between husband and wife.Using Master Five because the characters for master here means more like an employer and wanted to differentiate it from Fifth Master.