Chapter 537: I Won’t Move, She Will

Soft jade warmth and lingering fragrance, savoring exquisite dishes;
nectar like liquid amber, sipping rich and golden broth.

The evening meal was nothing short of delightful, each dish crafted to perfection—but above all, it was the clay pot of slowly simmered soup at the center of the table that truly captivated the senses. The moment its lid was lifted, a rich, intoxicating aroma rose up, warm and inviting, wrapping itself around the air like an embrace.

Hua’er carefully ladled out two bowls, placing them before Li Shu and Zhu Ping’an. The broth shimmered like molten gold, its surface rippling gently within the delicate blue-and-white porcelain bowls, as though beckoning to be tasted.

Faced with such a feast, how could one not indulge freely?

Zhu Ping’an certainly had no intention of denying himself. After taking a few bites of the dishes, he eagerly lifted the bowl of soup. Ignoring the heat, he took a quick sip—

And in that instant, his whole body trembled slightly.

The rich fragrance seemed to explode in his stomach like an atomic bomb. It was simply delicious.

It was astonishingly good.

Before he even realized it, he had finished the entire bowl in a few quick gulps. The fragrance lingered in his mouth, the aftertaste endlessly satisfying.

He had been completely conquered by that single bowl of soup.

Instinctively, he lifted the bowl again, intending another sip—only to find it already empty.

“Hehe… If my husband likes it, then drink more,” Li Shu said with a soft laugh, her rosy lips curving into a teasing, enchanting smile. She cast him a glance filled with playful charm before instructing Hua’er, “Hua’er, serve another bowl for him.”

The dishes on the table had mostly been ordered by Li Shu for the kitchen to prepare—but this particular pot of soup had been made by her own hands.

Now, seeing Zhu Ping’an so taken with it—drinking one bowl and immediately reaching for another—her lips curved ever so slightly, her satisfaction evident. There was a quiet joy in her eyes, a subtle pride that she did not bother to hide.

“No need, no need—I’ll do it myself.”

Zhu Ping’an raised a hand, stopping Hua’er who had already hurried forward. He stood and ladled another bowl on his own. He had always believed in doing things himself—he wasn’t used to being waited on.

“Oh…”

Hua’er puffed out her cheeks slightly, her lips pouting in mild disappointment. Why won’t the Young Master-in-law let me serve him? Am I not doing well enough? But serving soup and dishes is what I’m best at… no one in the household does it better than me…

The meal continued, and Zhu Ping’an showed no signs of slowing down. He ate heartily, savoring each dish, and drank two full bowls of soup.

When he reached for a third, his gaze happened to fall upon Li Shu, who sat across from him—and he found himself looking a moment longer than intended.

He had to admit…

Even eating could be an art.

Compared to her, his own manner, though not exactly crude, felt far less refined.

Li Shu sat gracefully at the table, her entire presence radiating elegance. Every movement was composed and natural, her posture poised, her gestures fluid. Watching her dine felt like watching a gentle breeze ripple across still water—effortless, soothing, and quietly captivating.

Perhaps this was what true nobility looked like. Even the simple act of eating could be so pleasing to the eye.

“Beauty itself is a feast”… the ancients were not wrong.

As Zhu Ping’an watched her, he felt as though he could easily eat two more bowls of rice.

“Hehe… Young Master-in-law, you look at Miss all day long—haven’t you had enough yet?”

Hua’er couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer, covering her mouth as she teased him in a drawn-out tone.

Zhu Ping’an coughed lightly, feeling a faint warmth creep up his face.

So even I’m not immune to appearances…

“Idiot… just focus on your meal…”

Li Shu scolded softly, her tone tinged with playful reproach. She cast him a glance from the corner of her eye, her brows and gaze carrying a hint of spring-like warmth, her bright eyes glistening as though filled with water.

After the meal, however, Zhu Ping’an began to feel… unusually warm.

Whether it was embarrassment from earlier, the speed at which he had eaten, or simply the heat of the food—he couldn’t tell. But his face felt warm, his body felt warm, as though his temperature had risen by several degrees. It was strange—he didn’t recall ever feeling this hot, even when he had a fever before.

After dinner came bathing.

Zhu Ping’an bathed alone. At one point, Hua’er came in, sent by Li Shu to assist him, but he politely refused.

Perhaps the bathwater had been too hot—because as he soaked, the heat within him seemed to intensify rather than subside. Thinking it might help, he added half a bucket of cold water. The temperature of the water dropped, but the heat in his body only seemed to grow stronger.

Probably just my imagination, he thought, not dwelling on it too much as he continued washing.

After finishing, he changed into clean nightclothes and made his way back to the bedroom.

By the time he entered, Li Shu was already there, seated upon the bed.

And in that instant—

The heat surged again.

Girl, this is practically entrapment—baiting me into committing a crime!

Zhu Ping’an felt a rush of heat shoot straight to his head. At his age, full of vigor, how could he possibly remain unaffected by such a sight? His rationality seemed to waver, slipping away bit by bit.

Seeing him enter, Li Shu quickly pulled her gauzy silk night robe tighter around herself. She puffed her cheeks slightly, her tone carrying a trace of embarrassment and complaint.

“It’s all Nanny Liu’s fault… insisting I wear something like this. Why are there so many rules for a wedding? They won’t even let me dress properly… it’s so embarrassing…”

So it was part of the customs for newlyweds…

Zhu Ping’an couldn’t help but feel a little stunned. This kind of “tradition”… isn’t it a bit too much? Even modern times aren’t this bold… how is a groom supposed to keep his composure?

Or perhaps… that was precisely the point.

Traditional, yet somehow this open—the ancient world really was a split-personality age!

“Ah—you’re bleeding from your nose again!”

Li Shu suddenly exclaimed in alarm. She quickly rose from the bed, a faint fragrance trailing in her wake as she approached him.

One hand rested lightly on his shoulder, while the other produced a delicate white handkerchief, faintly scented with her own fragrance. Standing on her toes, she gently dabbed at his nose.

The closeness…

The faint warmth of her presence…

The subtle fragrance surrounding him…

It was almost unbearable.

Every breath Zhu Ping’an took was filled with her scent, soft and intoxicating, like fuel poured onto an already burning fire.

The heat within him surged even stronger, spreading through his body as though it might ignite at any moment. For a fleeting second, he even wondered if he might truly burst into flames.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, he struggled to steady himself—to suppress the restless thoughts in his mind and the equally restless stirrings of his body. He tried, with all his might, to emulate the legendary self-restraint of Liu Xiahui, remaining unmoved even in the presence of temptation.

But in the end…

He failed.

Because even if he remained still—

She did not.

With one hand on his shoulder, standing on her toes as she wiped the blood from his nose, Li Shu suddenly lost her balance—

And fell straight into his arms.

In that single moment, all of Zhu Ping’an’s hard-won restraint collapsed completely.

He had tried…

But he was no Liu Xiahui.