After Xue Wen followed her inside, the warmth of home began to seep into his bones.
Soon, he was submerged in a steaming bath, the hot water lapping against his skin and easing the aches of battle.
Every sore muscle relaxed, the weariness of the day slowly melting away with each ripple.
In the kitchen, Ding Mei moved quietly, preparing food with deft hands.
Steam curled from the pot, and the savory scent drifted through the house. Her expression was finally soft again, a faint, relieved smile curving her lips.
She would pause now and then, as though to make sure she really heard the faint splash of water from the bathing room, reassured he was truly there.
By the time Xue Wen emerged, dressed in fresh robes, the air was filled with the fragrance of home-cooked food.
He sat in the hall, his hair still damp but his face refreshed.
Ding Mei sat close beside him, her posture shy yet steady, as though she had been waiting all day for this simple moment.
Before them, a table of warm dishes beckoned, each one carrying her effort and care.
They ate together in quiet companionship, each bite carrying with it the warmth of safety after a storm.
Xue Wen ate heartily, savoring flavors that seemed richer than usual simply because they were shared.
Ding Mei, for her part, smiled faintly as she watched him eat, her earlier worry slowly fading into the background.
When the last bowl was emptied and the table cleared, they moved to the bedroom.
As had become their habit, they lay on opposite ends of the bed, a pillow wall between them like an unspoken boundary neither had crossed.
Just as Xue Wen closed his eyes, a soft voice reached him.
"Dear…" Ding Mei's tone was hushed, uncertain.
He opened his eyes, turning toward her. Even in the dim light, he could see her gaze fixed on him. "What happened?" he asked gently.
She hesitated, her lips parting but no words coming out at first.
After a long pause, she exhaled deeply. "I went to meet Father today."
Xue Wen raised his brows slightly. "Is he back? I thought Patriarch was still out."
Ding Mei nodded. The flicker of worry on her face grew heavier.
She looked as though she was weighing whether to say more.
Seeing her troubled expression, Xue Wen sat up slowly, leaning toward her.
She mirrored his action, sitting up quickly but turning her head aside as if afraid of what his reaction might be.
"Did Patriarch say something to you?" he asked, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder.
She didn't flinch this time, his small gestures had become familiar to her, even comforting.
She shook her head, her voice soft. "Not him… but I… I overheard some rumors."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Rumors?"
Her fingers twisted nervously in the sheets. "They were saying… that you're using some devilish technique to absorb essence from my body." Her words stumbled out, each one laden with shame and anger.
Xue Wen fell silent, his expression unreadable.
He recalled the Blood Rose Breath he had recently obtained, a technique that was not devilish at all but a dual cultivation method, one that nourished both partners.
"I know you're not," Ding Mei said quickly, her voice softening until it was nearly a whisper. "We've never even… with each other." Her cheeks flushed faintly, and her voice dwindled further. "I'm just afraid someone is trying to frame you. I don't want that to happen…"
At that, Xue Wen finally smiled. He reached out and gently patted her head, his voice calm yet firm. "Don't worry. No one can harm your husband. As for who's behind these whispers, I think I already have a good idea. You don't need to carry this burden."
Her lips curved into a relieved smile, and some of the weight in her eyes seemed to lift.
"Rest now," he said. "Tomorrow, I'll look into it." He started to lean back when suddenly Ding Mei's hand darted out, clutching his.
Her face flushed deeply, but she didn't let go.
Instead, she inched closer, slowly removing the line of pillows that divided them.
Xue Wen could smell her faint fragrance, feel the warmth radiating from her skin. His heartbeat began to quicken despite himself.
Her eyes lowered shyly as she leaned in, her lips brushing his in the lightest of kisses before she whispered, "I want to sleep while hugging you." Her voice trembled, each word carrying the weight of all the courage she had gathered.
Xue Wen's heart gave a powerful tremor. For a long moment, he simply looked at her, her reddened cheeks, her lowered gaze, the fragile determination in her expression. Finally, he could no longer hold back.
He pulled her closer, gently yet firmly, and their lips met fully this time.
Ding Mei stiffened for an instant, then melted into his embrace.
Their kiss deepened, slow and tender, filled with all the unspoken emotions that had been building between them.
The warmth between them grew, their breaths mingling, hands clutching each other as though afraid to let go.
The boundaries that had kept them apart until now dissolved in that moment, leaving only two hearts beating wildly in unison.
The night passed softly, with only the moonlight and the whisper of the wind outside as witnesses.
The next morning, dawn crept softly through the window, brushing the room with faint golden light.
Xue Wen stirred first, his eyelids fluttering open.
For a brief moment, he simply lay still, feeling the quiet warmth that lingered from the night before.
When his gaze shifted, it landed on Ding Mei, still fast asleep beside him.
Her breathing was slow and even, her face serene, framed by strands of hair that glowed faintly in the early sunlight.
A gentle smile curved his lips.
The exhaustion from last night's closeness was still etched faintly on her face.
Watching her, a strange sense of calm filled his heart.
He closed his eyes again and began to circulate his marrow essence, allowing the flow of energy to travel smoothly through his body. "My foundation… it's more stable than before," he thought with growing satisfaction.
After finishing his breathing cycle, Xue Wen rose from the bed, stretching lightly. His muscles felt lighter, his spirit more focused.
He went to wash up, the sound of water faintly echoing in the small house.
When he returned, the smell of sizzling oil and cooked rice drifted through the air. His brows lifted slightly, Ding Mei was already awake.
She was in the kitchen, her hair tied loosely behind her head, humming quietly as she stirred the pan.
He stepped closer and cleared his throat softly. "Ahem."
Startled, Ding Mei turned, and the moment her eyes met his, a deep blush rushed across her cheeks. She quickly looked away, her hands fumbling for something to do, though there was nothing left to stir.
"Y-you're awake," she stammered, her voice flustered.
He could feel the tension in her, both shy and endearing, and the quickened rhythm of her heartbeat was almost audible in the still air. Without a word, he reached forward and gently drew her into his arms.
"Ah—!" Ding Mei gasped softly, her body stiffening for a moment before melting into his embrace. She could feel his warmth pressing against her, his steady heartbeat calming the flurry inside her chest.
Then, slowly, Xue Wen leaned back to look into her eyes. A tender smile curved his lips before he brushed a light kiss across her forehead.
The memories of the night before flashed through her mind, making her cheeks glow with renewed color.
Her breath hitched as he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. "Xue Wen! Wait—" she tried to protest, her hands clutching his shoulders. "I still have to finish breakfast."
"Breakfast can wait." He said as he carried her towards the bedroom.