TSWPF -Chapter 274 Overstepping Bounds

After the servants left, Li Qingling hurriedly urged Li Zhimou to take a bath.

But Li Zhimou looked at her with a mischievous smile, asking her to help scrub his back.

This was absolutely not something she could agree to. He had tricked her once before—helping him wash his back had ended with him pulling her into the bathtub…

“Hurry up and go in, don’t dawdle. We’re waiting for you to have dinner together!” Li Qingling walked behind Li Zhimou and firmly pushed him toward the bath.

Li Zhimou sighed regretfully and nodded with a hint of grievance. His grandpa and the others were waiting for him to eat, so he really couldn’t waste any more time. He’d have to wait until next time.

Next time, he would definitely not let her off so easily.

After Li Zhimou finished bathing and came out, Li Qingling went to have dinner with him.

“Zhimou, how are you feeling? Is anything uncomfortable?” Grandfather Liu asked with concern the moment he saw him.

Li Zhimou shook his head with a smile. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

He usually helped with chores, so his physique wasn’t that weak.

Seeing Liu Zhimou’s complexion and realizing he truly was fine, Grandfather Liu finally relaxed. “Good, I was worried that my grandson might keep things to himself if something was wrong.”

“Zhimou has only lost a little weight. He seems fine—not like other candidates who had to be carried out of the exam hall,” Mr. Luo remarked calmly. It seemed that doing extra physical work regularly helped the body; at least during exams, one wouldn’t easily faint.

If someone fainted mid-exam, three years of preparation would be wasted.

Though Li Zhimou was still young and could continue taking the exam later, they hoped he could pass it all in one go.

“Yes, yes. We saw so many candidates outside the exam hall who fainted—it was terrifying,” Li Qingfeng said, patting his chest nervously. He realized he also needed to exercise more—not just study, or his body wouldn’t hold up for the exams.

Li Zhimou sat beside Grandfather Liu and looked at Li Qingfeng with a smile. “Xiaofeng, you and Xiaoyan must pay attention to exercise. A strong body is necessary to get through exams smoothly.” After nine days in the exam hall, this was the most important lesson he had learned: the body really matters. Without a strong physique, one couldn’t endure it.

“I understand,” Li Qingfeng and Liu Zhiyan answered in unison. They promised to take care of their bodies and not let poor health hold them back.

Seeing their obedient response, Li Zhimou smiled with satisfaction. As for these two youngsters, he didn’t have to worry too much about their studies—Master would take care of them.

Mr. Luo said, “Alright, let’s eat first. We’ll discuss the rest after dinner.”

“Yes, Master…”

After dinner, Li Zhimou was called to the study by Mr. Luo to recite the answers he had written in the exam.

Li Zhimou had a good memory and recited all the answers perfectly. Mr. Luo nodded in satisfaction and said he had done well; his ranking shouldn’t be low.

But after passing the provincial exam, there was still the palace exam.

He told Li Zhimou not to slack off and to continue reviewing in order to answer well in the palace exam.

Though Li Zhimou had confidence in himself, he was still pleased to hear Mr. Luo say his ranking wouldn’t be low.

“Master, I’ll be prepared.”

He hoped to see if he could make it into the top three, and ideally, achieve first place. His father had been the top scorer, and he wished to follow in his footsteps.

Mr. Luo smiled, patted Liu Zhimou’s shoulder, and explained the palace exam matters further.

Li Zhimou listened intently. Each of Mr. Luo’s tips taught him a lot. No wonder so many people wanted to be guided by Mr. Luo—the former imperial tutor was truly remarkable.

He felt lucky to be under Mr. Luo’s guidance.

He promised himself to treasure this rare opportunity.

After thinking for a while, Mr. Luo felt he had covered everything and asked Li Zhimou if he had any doubts.

Li Zhimou did, and he shared all his questions. The old and the young then slowly discussed them together.

Once all of Liu Zhimou’s doubts were resolved, the two left the study satisfied.

After sending Mr. Luo back to his residence, Li Zhimou returned to his own quarters with a smile.

He pushed the door open and saw Li Qingling reviewing the accounts. He walked over, hugged her, and rubbed against her. “Master said I did well this time. My ranking shouldn’t be too low.”

Li Qingling looked up at him and smiled. “Congratulations, husband.” If even Mr. Luo said so, it must be true.

“Just ‘congratulations’? No other way of showing it?” Li Zhimou said, a bit dissatisfied, nibbling her ear and pressing for an answer.

Li Qingling shrank her neck and asked what kind of gesture he wanted.

Li Zhimou raised his eyebrows triumphantly and whispered a few words into her ear.

Hearing him, Li Qingling blushed and scolded him a pervert, turning around to pinch his face. “Where did you learn so many naughty tricks?”

“Oh, so…” Li Zhimou paused, taking her hand in his and speaking normally now, “It’s natural for a couple to do these things. What’s perverted about it?”

“Don’t change the subject. Tell me honestly—where did you learn these tricks?”

“Uh…” Li Zhimou cleared his throat, eyes darting nervously, mumbling something unclear.

Seeing him like this, Li Qingling squinted slightly, stood up, and held his face in her hands. “You didn’t go to some brothel with someone, did you?”

“Impossible!” Li Zhimou reacted strongly, flicking her forehead. “What are you thinking? How could I go to a place like that?”

Before she could question further, he told her exactly where he had learned those tricks.

Li Qingling scoffed. No wonder sometimes when he was lying in bed reading, he would close the book as soon as she came over.

He had been reading that kind of book.

And that old man—how could he give him such a book before they were even married? Wasn’t he worried Li Zhimou wouldn’t be able to control himself?

“Go, go, go. You go sleep. I’m not done with the accounts!” She absolutely would not fulfill his request—it was far too embarrassing.

“No, we’ll sleep together.”

“….” Li Qingling glared at the man acting coquettishly. She didn’t know what to say.

She pushed him away and sat back in her chair, focusing on the accounts.

But someone wasn’t letting her be, making mischief behind her.

She couldn’t take it anymore and twisted his ear, warning him to go to bed, or he’d have to sleep alone tonight.

Li Zhimou looked at her with a wronged expression, silently pleading.

Li Qingling looked away, avoiding his gaze. If she looked at him too long, she might soften and give in.

“Hurry up and go to bed,” she pushed against his chest. “Quick…”

Li Zhimou bit her lip. “Wife, you’re so cruel. I’ve made such sacrifices…” Was it that his charm wasn’t enough to attract her?

Li Qingling kissed his lips twice, coaxing him to sleep first. “You don’t have to wait for me.”

“Alright then. But don’t stay up too late either. Sleep early.”

“Okay…”

Watching Li Zhimou return to bed, Li Qingling continued with the accounts.

Once she finished and stretched, she quietly climbed into bed.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she lay down, he pulled her into his arms.

Startled, she looked down at his dark eyes, pouting. “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

“Wife isn’t sleeping, so I can’t sleep either.”

“…When did you become so clingy?” Li Qingling glared and covered her eyes, urging him to sleep.

He refused, holding her tightly and whispering in her ear, asking her to try a certain position with him.

At first, Li Qingling firmly refused. Somehow, in the end, she nodded.

Seeing her nod, Li Zhimou got excited. He didn’t give her a chance to change her mind, hugging and kissing her until…

Afterwards, Li Qingling looked at him, exhausted, as he wore a satisfied grin. How did he manage to get her to nod in agreement?

Next time, she would never fall for his “handsome man tactics”—otherwise, she’d be the one suffering.

Li Zhimou kissed her again, smiled gently, got up, and fetched a cloth. “Wife, let me help clean you up.” He had to take care of his wife to enjoy next time; otherwise, his reward would be gone.

“Give it to me. I’ll do it myself,” Li Qingling said, taking the cloth from him.

Li Zhimou blocked her hand, insisting, “Serving my wife is my honor.”

“…His mouth is getting sharper. Every time, she can’t argue back.”

Li Qingling closed her eyes and let him clean her.

Seeing her submit, Liu Zhimou’s eyes flashed with a mischievous glint. Over the years, he had figured out her nature—just a little persistence, and she wouldn’t refuse.

After carefully helping her, he placed the cloth aside, climbed back into bed, and held her in his arms.

“I’m telling you, no more touching. Or you’ll sleep in the study.”

“Okay, I won’t touch you,” Li Zhimou nodded firmly. “Next time, we’ll try something else, alright?”

“Get lost…” Li Qingling pushed him away and turned, facing away. You couldn’t spoil a man—once there’s a first time, there’d be a second…

Li Zhimou hugged her from behind, kissed her hair, and whispered jokingly, “Sleep now!”

Li Qingling snorted and ignored him, closing her eyes to sleep.