Chapter 594: Don’t Push Yourself_1

His gaze remained tender, only it seemed hotter than usual.

Now that they have confessed their feelings to each other, it stands to reason that their relationship should change somewhat, considering they are already married by name…

However, as for how to further their relationship, Wei Ruo lacked ideas.

After their eyes locked for a while, Wei Ruo remembered something.

“Second Brother, we have yet to proceed with the massage today…” Wei Ruo said quietly.

“Hmm.” Wei Jinyi responded.

His demeanor was straightforward, completely devoid of the restraint of days past.

While he was at ease, Wei Ruo inwardly felt like backing away.

After hesitation, Wei Ruo suggested, “Maybe I should bring Xiaobei here.”

“Ruoruo, you once said that only you are skilled at the technique. If someone else does it, it will be a great loss, not conducive to my recovery.”

The words Wei Ruo originally used to refute Wei Jinyi were returned intact by him.

After internally complaining for a while, Wei Ruo walked up to Wei Jinyi.

Proceeding once again to undo his waistband.

“Ruoruo.”

Wei Jinyi’s voice echoed above Wei Ruo’s head.

“What is it?”

“You don’t have to undo my band to massage my legs; the pants I’m wearing underneath my clothes are not restrained by the waistband.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

She had undone his belt for two days already!

“You didn’t ask.”

“You could have mentioned it regardless.”

Weiruo pouted.

“I thought you did it on purpose.”

“Who…who would purposely do such a thing…”

Having mentioned this, Wei Ruo remembered her intentional flirtation with Wei Jinyi and realized it did sound like something she might do.

She blushed furiously at the thought.

Wei Ruo thought to herself, she must not waver, otherwise it would seem like she was guilty.

Obviously, the massage was a legitimate treatment for him, and she was genuinely doing it for his benefit, just as she had treated other patients without any ulterior motives.

Wei Ruo squatted down, lifting the hem of Wei Jinyi’s robes, and then pulled down his trousers, revealing his legs.

She then covered his legs with a blanket, leaving only enough space for her hands and guarding against him catching a cold.

Wei Ruo took a deep breath and slowly extended her hand.

However, in that instant, Wei Jinyi’s hand once again grabbed Wei Ruo’s.

“Second Brother?”

“Don’t force yourself.” Wei Jinyi said seriously.

“I…”

“We should do what you feel is right, letting things unfold naturally. Don’t feel compelled to accept a new identity because we’ve laid our feelings bare,” said Wei Jinyi.

Finding her thoughts seen through by Wei Jinyi, Wei Ruo let out a soft sigh.

“Second Brother, do you think there is any difference between us now?”

“Of course, it’s different. From now on, I can regard you as my wife, harbor improper thoughts of you, and let go of the beast within my heart,” Wei Jinyi said.

As he spoke, Wei Jinyi’s expression and tone were restrained, and only he knew that his feelings were far from as calm as he appeared.

He desired a long-lasting love, not a transient one. He could not let his enjoyment ruin the way they had been together and certainly did not want to scare her off.

Immediately after that, Wei Jinyi added: “But I think the relationship that makes you happy and comfortable is the most appropriate. So, I don’t want you to be flustered and at a loss due to worries about our future. Some things have changed, but some have not.”

After contemplating for a while, Wei Ruo said, “So the beast you referred to earlier in your heart is this one?”

“Yes,” Wei Jinyi acknowledged.

His expression remained cool and detached, as he spoke words that were anything but abstinent.

“No wonder you said I should not enter your room.” Wei Ruo pursed her lips and pondered for a moment, “I see. I won’t talk to you about it now, I have things to take care of today. I’ll continue the massage for you tomorrow.”

Wei Ruo’s face was filled with a brilliant smile. After this conversation, she was no longer as nervous and uncomfortable as she had been at first.

Before leaving, Wei Ruo gave Wei Jinyi a radiant smile: “I’ll cook a big goose for you tonight!”

Wei Jinyi smirked, watching Wei Ruo leave with affectionate eyes.

###

In a few days, it was Duanwu Festival.

This was the first major holiday Wei Ruo and his group experienced after coming to Jiliao.

The whole residence was filled with joy.

Apart from the arrival of the Duanwu Festival, the bumper harvest of potatoes was another reason for the celebration.

The potatoes planted on the King Rui Residence’s own land, the one Wei Ruo had planted first, were already showing returns – digging up a large mound of soil revealed large, plump potatoes.

This outcome was undoubtedly the most gratifying. It meant that the potato farming, which Wei Ruo had put so much effort into and spent so much food to promote, would get its return soon.

As long as this batch of potatoes was successfully harvested, everyone would spontaneously follow Wei Ruo’s steps without her having to say anything.

In the study, Wei Ruo was instructing Xiumei.

“Have the farmers who planted with me be patient. They planted later, so they’ll have to wait a few more days. They can’t be eager to gain time and end up losing more.”

“All right, Miss, don’t worry, I’m going to have our people relay your message.”

“The north irrigation ditch should be managed by the King Rui Residence. We get to say how to allocate the water. Don’t let the people along the way randomly divert the water and cause unnecessary disputes.”

“Okay, I understand, I won’t let them mess around.”

Once she had finished delivering the instructions, Wei Ruo asked about the arrangements for today’s Duanwu banquet.

“Are all the dishes for the lunch ready? Everyone’s been working hard recently, so let’s have a good meal today.”

“Miss, you can rest assured that the lunch is properly arranged. There are eight meat dishes and eight vegetable dishes, as well as four cold dishes. I’ve arranged it according to the standards of the Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner.”

Then Xiumei asked, “Miss, do you want to drink some wine for today’s Duanwu Festival? Butler Yu has just sent us some realgar wine.”

“No, we won’t drink. I have a lot to do in these few days and drinking might interfere with them. It’s just the few of us; let’s have a simple meal together.”

“Okay.”

“Oh right, in his letter, Brother Xiaoyong asked about you, he’s very concerned whether you are doing well,” Wei Ruo said.

Xu Zhengyong did not come this Duanwu Festival because Tian Yuande had been dismissed, and now Xu Zhengyong was acting as the commander of the guard, so he wouldn’t have any free time for a while.

But he still sent a letter to Wei Ruo, comforting everyone, especially concerned about Wei Jinyi’s physical condition.

And then there was Xiumei; he inquired about her well-being in great detail.

Other than that, Xu Zhengyong had mentioned some things about the Jurchen in his letter. The princess of the tribe that had captured him was placing a bounty for the person who had snuck into their camp that night.