The next morning dawned quietly, with golden light spilling over the Ye Clan compound. The late spring air carried a softness that only came after a night of rain, and the peach tree outside their room swayed gently in the breeze.
Inside, Yun Fei stirred first.
Changsheng lay half-curled around her, his cheek unrepentantly pressed against her chest. He breathed evenly, still asleep, one arm slung over her waist like he had every right in the world.
She looked down at him, amused.
"You're a pervert," she murmured.
He didn't answer. Not until she poked his shoulder.
"You're obsessed with my chest," she repeated.
One eye cracked open. Then he smiled without moving. "You married me. There's no going back."
"I should've drafted clauses about sleeping positions."
He yawned. "Too late now, Granny."
Yun Fei raised a brow. "Granny?"
"You're older. Stronger. Wiser. I merely seek shelter in your mighty cultivation."
"Ah, so this is what defeat sounds like."
"No," he said, squeezing one breast while kissing the other. "This is what a smart husband sounds like."
They stayed like that for a while. Comfortable.
Later, they sat beneath the peach tree outside, a pot of tea between them. Yun Fei leaned back on her hands, relaxed. "You're lazing around all day. Do you rely on your parents for cultivation resources?"
"No! I don't! And what do you mean I'm lazing around all day? I work hard every day stabilizing my heart for a breakthrough."
She sipped her tea. "Stabilizing your heart through sex?"
He nodded. "Dual cultivation is also a great Dao."
"You're really shameless. If not your parents, then where do you get money? Your brothers? You don't even go to the store. What was it, the robe shop?"
Changsheng looked at her, amused. "You don't know? I own 20% of the store's profit. I'm rich, baby. You can rely on your husband."
She glanced at him. "You're bragging again. I don't need your money. I'm a 2nd-grade talisman maker, for your information."
He exclaimed, "Oh! That's why Grandpa gave me Grandma's talisman experiences. I was wondering why he would give me that as a reward."
Yun Fei smiled behind her teacup. "I'm starting to like this side of the clan."
He looked at her. "You like being my wife?"
She didn't answer immediately. Then: "When can I take a look at the store?"
He nodded slowly. "We'll go to the city after I break through to Foundation Building. Then we can both go out and have some fun."
He then exclaimed, "My wife is such a powerful talisman maker! I'm so proud of you!" Then he pounced on her, plunging into her chest as he picked her up and carried her into the room.
She shouted, "Ye Changsheng is a pervert!"
To which he replied, "Nobody can hear you. The spirit isolation array is on. You can moan as loud as you want later."
As they lay side by side on the bed, panting from cultivation, Changsheng snuggled into her bosom.
"You know, we'll change a lot as we grow older. We're not even two percent into our lives. If you love this Ye Changsheng too deeply, you might end up hating the older one."
Yun Fei patted his head and said, "If we go by your logic, then you'll hate me even faster."
"I won't," he said as he kissed her nipples. "You're already an old granny. I was just talking about me getting older."
She patted his head harder. "Stop it. One more move and you'll be sleeping outside."
"Cruel woman," he muttered, nuzzling into her chest. "I married a tyrant."
Later that day, the two of them roamed the clan land together. Yun Fei was introduced to various parts of the Ye estate, including the pill garden, the training grounds, and the courtyard where Changsheng often practiced.
They spent time with Changrui, who turned out to be quite the accomplished talisman maker himself. Yun Fei was curious, and the two of them exchanged notes while Changsheng listened, occasionally pretending to understand. He mostly just enjoyed watching the two most intelligent people he knew interact.
That afternoon, they had tea with Mother in the inner courtyard. The conversation stayed light. Mother asked Yun Fei about her talisman training and her thoughts on the Ye Clan so far. Yun Fei answered thoughtfully, gracefully—as if she belonged.
As the sun dipped low, Changsheng turned to her.
"Before I build my foundation, I've decided I'm going to master the flute. Not just blow air into it. I want to actually play it ."
Yun Fei raised a brow. "Any particular reason?"
"No reason. I just feel like I need to do something unrelated to cultivation for once."
She smiled. "Good. I like that. And maybe, once you're done, you can play for me."
"I'll serenade you under this peach tree," he promised.
She laughed softly. "As long as you don't start calling yourself a poet too."
"Never. I'm shameless, but not delusional."
They clinked their teacups and let the evening fall around them in peace.