Chapter 13 The scent of osmanthus oil made his stomach churn after smelling it. ……

The two people were cuddling in bed, no, it should be said that Meng Huan was unilaterally holding Wen Zhaoyin while sleeping.

“Knock, knock, knock–”

A sudden knocking on the door outside startled him awake. He opened his eyes groggily and saw it was still pitch black outside the window, so he closed them again.

But the knocking outside didn’t stop. He could only irritably shout, “Stop knocking! I’m trying to sleep!”

This shout happened to wake up Wen Zhaoyin who was sleeping next to him. She opened her eyes, not looking at all like she had just woken up.

“Madam, it’s one quarter past the hour of the Tiger (3:15 AM). It’s time for you to get up,” Pei Lan’s voice came from outside the door.

Wen Zhaoyin sat up propped on her arms. Meng Huan’s hand hadn’t moved from her waist yet. Not knowing if he was awake, he mumbled, “One quarter past the hour of the Tiger, isn’t that 3:15? Why are we getting up in the middle of the night…”

Seeing his half-asleep state, she couldn’t help but show a hint of a smile. She gently lifted his hand and put it aside, afraid of waking him. She quietly got out of bed and put on her shoes.

She even walked to the door and instructed Pei Lan, “Wait outside for now. I’ll put on a robe and head back to change into court attire.”

Meng Huan tossed and turned a few times, feeling the emptiness beside him. He reached out to feel around but couldn’t find anyone. He had no choice but to open his eyes, just in time to see Wen Zhaoyin getting dressed by the clothes rack.

He wasn’t in such a deep sleep to have no awareness at all. When he was startled awake earlier, his ears and mind had already turned on, he just didn’t think about it with his eyes closed. Now seeing this scene, he understood.

“You’re getting up so early?”

Wen Zhaoyin didn’t expect he would wake up. As she tied her sash, she walked to the bedside. She raised her hand to caress his face. “I have morning court today. I’m going to the study now to change into court attire. I’ll leave quietly in a bit so you can keep sleeping.”

“Morning court? You have to get up at this hour for morning court?” Meng Huan felt it was somewhat unbelievable.

She gave a light laugh. Somehow, seeing his bewildered look just made her want to laugh uncontrollably.

“Washing up, getting dressed, having breakfast, then taking the carriage to the imperial palace, followed by walking to the hall of deliberation – it takes quite some time.”

“The empress is diligent in governing and moved the morning court session half an hour earlier, so one has to get up a bit earlier.”

This wasn’t just getting up a bit early, this was getting up way too early. Meng Huan sat up and scooted over, leaning in to stop her hand that was tying her sash.

“The study is in the main courtyard. It’s quite a hassle for you to walk over there. It’s cold in the middle of the night. Just have Pei Lan bring your clothes here to change. While she’s at it, have breakfast served here too. I’m a bit hungry myself.”

Seeing her not responding, he put on his shoes and repeated it to Pei Lan who was outside.

Wen Zhaoyin saw how he kept going back and forth quite enthusiastically and nodded. Only after getting her approval did Pei Lan leave to fetch the court attire and arrange for the meal.

Meng Huan was waiting for breakfast. He casually threw on a robe, then sat on the bed with his legs crossed, sipping cold tea. “No one has gotten up with you this early before, right?”

The implication of wanting credit was very obvious in his words.

He used to think Wen Zhaoyin was only so successful because she was born in a female-dominant society and had family backing. If put in a different environment, she may not necessarily succeed. So he didn’t regard her highly in his heart.

Seeing how diligent she was before bed today and how early she got up this morning, and having maintained this devilish schedule for a long time, he realized he had underestimated her before. This woman’s success was certainly no fluke.

No matter where, people admire those more capable than themselves. Meng Huan was no exception. He instantly changed his strategy, feeling that such a woman definitely couldn’t be suppressed with wordplay. He had to enter her life, enter her heart, make her form a habit of not being able to do without him.

That’s why he asked this question, to deepen the impression, to make her remember what he did for her.

Wen Zhaoyin shook her head. “Indeed no one has.”

Before, afraid of disturbing the other person’s sleep, she never stayed overnight at Qingzhu Courtyard the night before attending court. That person was considerate and never begged her to stay.

Only Meng Huan, he seemed to never know how to write the words compliance and obedience. Whatever ideas he had, he spoke them; whatever requests he had, he made them, breaking her default rules time and again.

How could there be a man with such a unique temperament in this world? Like an untamed wild horse, hard to say if it was good or bad.

—

After seeing Wen Zhaoyin off, Meng Huan slept in until broad daylight. Without Liu Shu calling him to learn the Classic of Hours, he was living quite happily.

After getting up, without even freshening up, he strolled around the courtyard with his hands behind his back, watching the servants sweeping here and there. He walked in circles around that ginkgo tree, feeling that life at the Wen household was quite enjoyable.

If he were to wander the world out there, maybe he wouldn’t have such good days, maybe he’d even have to dine on the wind and sleep in the dew…

“Indeed, the life of a good-for-nothing is so decadent!”

Meng Huan was about to go back to his room to wash up when that guy Wen Xi came running in from outside again with his little quick steps. He was really scared of his running posture. Every time he ran over, something bad was bound to happen.

“Young master! Young master!”

“Don’t say anything first! Whatever it is, wait until I finish eating to tell me. Saying it beforehand will affect my appetite.”

Wen Xi was forced to brake. He looked nervous. “Young master, this is no time for joking. Patriarch Zu, Patriarch Zu said he wants to see you. Let’s hurry and tidy up and go!”

He pulled Meng Huan to sit in front of the bronze mirror and began frantically helping him comb his hair, even more anxious than the person himself.

“Who is Patriarch Zu? Wen Zhaoyin’s biological father?”

The comb in Wen Xi’s hand trembled. He quickly corrected, “You mustn’t call him that. If others hear it, it’ll be bad.”

Wen Zhaoyin has no principal husband. The management rights of the Wen household’s inner residence are all in Patriarch Zu’s hands. The men and servants in the rear courtyard are all under his direct leadership. Offending Patriarch Zu will lead to no good outcomes.

“Why are there so many twists and turns inside? Isn’t Wen Zhaoyin in charge of this household?”

Based on Meng Huan’s understanding, he felt as long as he held tight to Wen Zhaoyin, the big boss, there would be no problems at all in the Wen household. Was there still a need to pay respects to that Patriarch Zu?

Wen Xi wanted to explain but found himself lacking in words to make it clear. He could only frown and repeatedly warn him not to make any mistakes.

He picked up the osmanthus oil on the table, rubbed it in his hands, and went to arrange Meng Huan’s hair. Today was different from usual. It couldn’t be left casually loose. It had to be tied in a proper bun.

It was Meng Huan’s first time seeing this thing. A bit curious, he guessed it might be some ancient hair care oil. He casually picked it up and took a whiff by his nose. “Ugh–”

He couldn’t say exactly what scent he smelled, only feeling it was both heady and pungent. After smelling it, his stomach also churned in tandem.

“Take it away, take it away! The smell of this thing is really… Ugh–”

He quickly threw the small porcelain bottle aside. Meng Huan still felt there was a smell. He stood up pinching his nose for a good while before recovering.

Somehow, the scent wasn’t particularly strong, but it just irritated him. A slight whiff made him want to vomit.

Wen Xi washed his hands before daring to approach. After temporarily wrapping the oiled hair with a towel, he gently patted Meng Huan’s back to help him catch his breath, his face full of worry.

“Young master, let’s call a physician to take a look.”

Meng Huan took two deep breaths and sat back down. “Didn’t you say we need to go see Patriarch Zu? If I see a physician for an illness before seeing him, who knows what he might think.”

“Come help me comb my hair. If I feel unwell again later, it won’t be too late to call a physician then.”

This convinced Wen Xi. He also felt seeing Patriarch Zu was more important for now. So he put aside the matter of Meng Huan’s nausea for the moment and focused on tying his hair.