Fairy, I am truly a virtuous gentleman!

Ning Yuan rubbed his head, pressed his hands on the blankets, and propped himself up from the bed.

He looked around and found that it was a quaint little house.

Carved wooden eaves, red pillars and carved rafters.

Although somewhat simple and unadorned, it is clean, tidy, warm, and comfortable, revealing the owner's diligence and care in every aspect.

Looking at the woman before me, her face was flushed, bright and beautiful, her dark hair was piled up like a light spring mountain, her delicate waist was like a begonia in the sun, and pear blossoms were wet with rain.

A familiar feeling washed over him, and Ning Yuan blurted it out.

"Ling Jiang..."

The moment the words left my mouth, a memory flooded my mind like a tidal wave.

His name is Ning Yuan, a native of Bianjing. He lost both his parents at a young age and is now over sixteen, the prime of his life. He is handsome and a scholar.

To fulfill his parents' last wish, pass the imperial examinations, and bring honor to his ancestors, he taught and sold his calligraphy to make a living while studying diligently late into the night.

Fortunately, Ning Yuan was quite talented. Two years ago, he passed the imperial examination and became a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations). This earned him praise from his fellow villagers and even led to him being invited to join a private school. As a result, his situation improved considerably and he was no longer in dire straits.

It was also at this time, by chance, that Ning Yuan met his current wife, Ling Jiang.

She was originally a concubine's daughter from a collateral branch of a prominent family in the capital. Due to family disputes, her parents were persecuted and died, and she was marginalized.

After meeting Ning Yuan on the street, she was attracted by his appearance and wanted to learn more about him. She then discovered that the two had very similar backgrounds and experiences, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

So, after a matchmaker visited and persuaded them, and after getting to know each other for a while, they were both very satisfied with each other and became a young couple.

Although Lingjiang's parents had passed away, the family still had some wealth, so she persuaded Ningyuan to give up his job as a tutor at the school and focus on studying the classics at home, with all expenses paid by her.

Not only that, but he also took care of everyday chores such as laundry and cooking.

With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?

Thinking of this, Ning Yuan quickly pulled back the covers and prepared to get out of bed.

"Sorry, I stayed up a little late last night, and my mind is still a bit foggy."

Ling Jiang smiled helplessly and got up first.

"You're such a liar, you went to practice calligraphy again last night, didn't you?"

Ning Yuan, who was getting dressed, froze. He quickly turned around to hide his unease and tried to keep his voice steady so as not to give himself away.

"How could that be? You've got everything taken care of at home, I'm completely at ease. You're overthinking it..."

Unexpectedly, Ling Jiang suddenly pulled out three sheets of Xuan paper from behind her back and slammed them onto the wooden table in the room.

"You're still trying to deny it? You think I can't find it just because it's hidden in the storeroom?"

Hearing the rustling of the paper, Ning Yuan knew he had been exposed, so he stopped what he was doing, turned around, and looked embarrassed and at a loss.

Seeing this, Ling Jiang sighed, stepped forward, and used her soft hand to straighten Ning Yuan's collar. She said in a low voice, "You are the reincarnation of the God of Literature, born to sit in the official hall. With me at home, we are not short of money and food. Doing these kinds of businesses will only delay you."

Ning Yuan pursed his lips and stammered, "But I...I...am your husband, how can I keep living off him? Besides, it's not right to just sit around and do nothing."

Ling Jiang suddenly looked up, her clear black and white pupils fixed on Ning Yuan, her small face serious as she said, "Why not? As husband and wife, we should support each other. If you really feel bad about it, then you should study even harder and strive to pass the imperial examination as soon as possible."

"I……"

Ning Yuan hesitated for a long time.

Ling Jiang suddenly patted the boy's chest, smiled broadly, and said playfully, "Let's eat first."

"Um……"

The two entered the main room, where a red lacquered octagonal table was placed in the middle.

"The big yellow cow next door, Aunt Wang's, was crippled and slaughtered yesterday. I bought two pounds of good meat and made you a bowl of beef noodles today."

As soon as Ning Yuan sat down, Ling Jiang said impatiently, "I marinated this beef specially, so the texture and taste should be quite good."

As she spoke, she sat down next to Ning Yuan, looking at the boy with expectant eyes.

A steaming bowl of soup noodles is placed on the table, topped with a layer of plump beef, along with some scallions and white lotus root as side dishes. The black, green, and white colors create a homely yet luxurious breakfast.

Lingjiang thoughtfully handed her a spoon and chopsticks.

After a moment of silence, Ning Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and picked up his chopsticks to start eating.

The boy had a big appetite and finished half of it in no time.

He glanced at Ling Jiang and immediately saw her pink and smooth lips.

Ning Yuan put down the bowl, burped, and said, "There's too much. We can't finish it all. Can you help us clean it up?"

Ling Jiang was slightly taken aback, then lowered her head slightly and replied softly, "Okay."

She paid no attention to the traces left by Ning Yuan, took the bowl and chopsticks, picked up the hot noodles and put them to her lips, her movements were very elegant, just like a lady from a well-to-do family.

Oh, she was originally from a respectable family.

Ning Yuan remembered.

In the end, Ling Jiang only ate a small portion, and Ning Yuan finished the rest of the soup noodles.

Just as he picked up the bowl and chopsticks to go into the kitchen to wash them, Ling Jiang stopped him.

"Alright, go read your book, I'll take care of it."

Her tone was gentle, her brows were delicate, but she snatched the object from the boy's hand without saying a word and pushed him back behind the curtain with her shoulder.

Ning Yuan had no choice but to make room.

He looked up and saw a woman in a green dress, with a graceful figure, slender waist, tall and full figure, the soft fabric stretched taut, supporting her slightly trembling curves.

At this moment, Ling Jiang had already rolled up her sleeves, combed her hair and tied it into a ponytail, revealing her high, slender, fair neck and delicate collarbone. Her jade-white hands were immersed in hot water filled with meaty broth.

Despite her focused and careful movements, she still appeared somewhat clumsy. A few drops of sweat gradually dampened her temples, then gathered into beads, slid down her rosy cheeks, and dripped to the ground.

A wisp of white steam, mixed with a delicate and decadent fragrance, lingered around Ning Yuan's nose.

He couldn't help but think that she didn't need to do these things; she could have easily found a wealthier husband.

Or, with his considerable family fortune, he could buy two maids and live out the rest of his life in peace.

But she didn't.

That one glance was breathtaking.

Ning Yuan couldn't help but sigh.

He thanked God for having such a virtuous wife with outstanding temperament and perfect appearance.

After thinking for a while, Ning Yuan stepped into the kitchen again.

While washing the dishes, Ling Jiang suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and climb upwards.

Sensing something amiss, Ling Jiang's delicate face flushed slightly with anger. Just as she was about to turn around, she felt a surge of heat rush to her ear, and the young man's gentle yet passionate voice rang out:

"My wife..."

Ling Jiang's delicate body trembled, and she collapsed instantly.

A month or so after their marriage, although the two shared the same bed and lived in the same room, they treated each other with the utmost respect.

It's not that it's bad, it's just that it feels like something's missing...

That one word, "wife," was like the most potent medicine in the world, instantly making the woman feel a surge of energy within her that was about to burst forth.

As the saying goes, "The early bird catches the worm."