CMWKSD -Chapter 79 So Happy I Forget Shu

If Jiu Yue knew what Ji Yiqing was thinking, she would definitely shake his head and tell him, “A love-struck mind is not good, brother. You’ll end up being sent out to dig wild vegetables.”

But if that love-struck mind was aimed at her… hehe, Jiu Yue wouldn’t say a word.

At night, Jiu Yue washed up and climbed into bed.

Ever since Shao Qing arrived in the prefectural city, Shao Ning and Lady Shao had also come along, so the household now had two servants.

Jiu Yue didn’t think much of it; after all, only Shao Qing remained to uphold the Shao family name. Though young, Shao Qing was now the head of the household.

Shao Ning and Lady Shao voluntarily became workers in the Ji household. Jiu Yue felt it would be unfair not to treat them properly, so she made a contract with them. It wasn’t selling themselves to the Ji family, but rather working there in the form of employment.

Ji Yiqing came in from outside, rubbing his behind, still slightly damp from the heat.

His eyes immediately fell on Jiu Yue, who was lying in bed wearing her white, soft satin nightwear.

But seeing how oddly cut her nightwear was, he couldn’t help averting his gaze, embarrassed.

Since it had gotten hot, Jiu Yue couldn’t stand the heat, so she had Su Ruo make her several sets of nightclothes according to her instructions.

Jiu Yue’s nightwear was very different from what others wore—short shorts and a top so short her arms were completely exposed.

Ji Yiqing blew out the lamp and climbed onto the bed. Jiu Yue didn’t move at all, but the warmth of her lower abdomen made him unconsciously want to get closer.

They had never consummated their marriage. After the first failed attempt, Ji Yiqing had secretly read some books, but Jiu Yue had never shown interest since.

They rarely kissed. Ji Yiqing had even secretly felt his own firm muscles, and only then did he feel reassured—because he knew Jiu Yue liked this.

Jiu Yue carried a faint medicinal fragrance, her skin so fair it seemed to glow. Ji Yiqing unconsciously pressed closer to her.

Then…

“Ah! It’s too hot! Don’t get so close!”

Jiu Yue had never thought they shouldn’t sleep together—they were married, and she didn’t dislike him.

But in this scorching weather, couldn’t he just give her some space? The bed was huge!

Ji Yiqing sulked, shifting his hips backward, feeling more like a tool than a husband.

In winter, she would practically want to sleep on him.

Now it was summer. She kicked him away and might as well have him hanging from the ceiling—just don’t touch her. They were married!

Ji Yiqing was unusually aggrieved, especially since Jiu Yue had kicked him today. His hips shifted back, yet his head remained beside hers. “Jiu Yue…”

She hummed softly, already beginning to drift off.

Ji Yiqing wanted to ask if they could consummate their marriage, but every night, having his soft, fragrant, fair, tender wife sleeping beside him without daring to touch her required immense self-control.

Jiu Yue had helped him once before—but only once!

Ji Yiqing didn’t dare speak; he feared she’d kick him away just like today in the study. His behind still hurt a little.

Of course, Jiu Yue had thought about it, but she was so kind, considerate, gentle, and beautiful… how could she consummate their marriage right before exams?

It would definitely happen, but only after next year’s exams. Otherwise, if Ji Yiqing got carried away, immersed in her warmth, he might neglect his studies.

Failing the exams would mean waiting another three years, and Jiu Yue would also have to suffer for three years.

So Jiu Yue absolutely wouldn’t give him the opportunity—she blocked it at the source.

She would never admit it, but it was because she feared losing control.

Back at the base, those people would always brag after drinking: “Sleeping drunk in a beauty’s arms… so satisfying…”

Jiu Yue, who had never eaten pork but read about pigs running (in novels), feared that if she actually indulged, she’d be dragged into a wild battle with Ji Yiqing.

No, probably more than one.

So for the sake of a peaceful life in the future, Jiu Yue decided she could endure a little longer.

She just wouldn’t open this door yet.

Besides, in this heat, skin-on-skin would be even hotter.

Once Jiu Yue fell asleep, Ji Yiqing sighed, gently pulling her into his arms and softly kissing her cheek.

Jiu Yue curled her lips slightly. She already knew Ji Yiqing secretly kissed her every night, though timidly, only on the face.

It was fine—after all, he was her husband, and she had chosen him. Who could blame her for being understanding?

Ji Yiqing fanned her lightly with a palm leaf fan. Jiu Yue furrowed her brow but soon relaxed.

A night without dreams.

Ji Chaomian and Ji Yiqing had originally planned to go to the prefectural city to study, but considering it was only a few months, it wasn’t really necessary.

Luckily, although Master Qi was in Qingshui County, he had a few friends in the prefectural city, one of whom was a scholar. Master Qi wrote to his friend, asking him to guide Ji Chaomian and Ji Yiqing.

So during this period, the two studied at the scholar’s house. These scholars were usually refined; Jiu Yue didn’t know what to give to show her appreciation.

She ended up sending a bulk of high-quality writing supplies—ink, paper, brushes, inkstones—and even two rare manuscripts that Shao Qing had somehow found.

As expected, the scholar taught them with even greater care.

Ji Zhouye and the others were confined to the home to study.

There was no choice. Jiu Yue had no doubt Ji Chaomian and Ji Yiqing would pass the county exams. Once they did, next year they would definitely go to the prefectural city.

So she didn’t bother sending the others to idle away in the city’s academy. Better to study properly at home and then go straight to the prefectural academy.

No one dared to object—especially Ji Weizhou, who would have to travel all the way from the prefectural city back to Qingshui County to take the preliminary exams. The journey alone would take about twenty days.

But it wasn’t her sitting in the carriage with a sore behind, so she didn’t care.

After arranging all these matters, Jiu Yue set out.

The prefectural city was much larger than the county town. Shao Qing was also visiting for the first time, so gathering information would naturally be more difficult.

Jiu Yue thought that if necessary, she needed a solid plan. The prefectural city would be her second stronghold.

If possible, she wanted to start organizing and managing all the counties under the prefectural city, aiming to have everything under her control.

She still had just over three thousand taels of silver in hand. It looked like a lot, but that was because the house in the city was rented; buying it outright would cost several hundred taels.

This sum was barely enough to manage one prefectural city. The empire of Daqi had four main prefectural cities: East, West, South, and North.

Each had over thirty sub-prefectural cities, totaling more than six hundred, almost seven hundred counties.

Below counties were towns, and below towns were villages.

Tsk, tsk. Calculating like this, Jiu Yue felt her silver was tight.

The problem was, she didn’t even know how to earn money!