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Jinshi rubbed his temple. He was seated at the dining room table of the Ma family with Taomei, Gaoshun, Basen, Bakin and Maamei. They were discussing the duty schedule for the next week. Not for the first time he wondered, Why must it change every week? Why not a simple rotation every seven to ten days?
“Jin-sheeee, can I speak with you,” Maomao’s singsong voice interrupted from the doorway.
Puzzled, Jinshi looked up at his wife. Silhouetted in the frame, he couldn't quite make out the expression on her face. It was unusual for her to disrupt these Ma work conferences without good reason, but her strange way of calling to him left him even more uneasy. “We’re still working, is it an emergency? Are you alright? Why are you talking like that?”
Returning to her normal voice, she said, “I just finished putting Yue to bed, will you be much longer?” She rubbed her huge belly with one hand and braced her back with the other. “I need you for something.”
“I'm not sure…” Pausing, he looked around the table at the rest of his family. They gave no indication of an answer. “Are you feeling alright? What do you need me for? You still haven't told me why you were speaking in such a—” What the hell was that weird voice she was using? “—bright, cheerful tone.”
“I feel fine. In the pleasure district, women often intone a voice like that from the balconies to entice customers into the brothel. I was attempting to seduce you, did it not work? Did I do it wrong? What do you think would work better?”
Heat crept into Jinshi’s cheeks, he glanced at the others. Taomei and Maamei were hiding smirks, leaning forward in their seats with keen interest. Bakin, apparently best at reading the situation, left to get more tea. Gaoshun was staring out the window. The autumn leaves were just beginning to change into bright, beautiful colors but since it was past dusk with zero visibility, he wasn't fooling anyone. Basen, sitting next to him, buried his face in his hands as if he was the one who needed to hide.
“Maomao, we’re married… please stop comparing me to a customer of the Verdigris House. More importantly, why are you attempting to uh… entice me?”
“I’m getting tired but I want to have sex before going to sleep. So do you think you’ll be done soon?”
Forget creeping, now heat erupted across his cheeks, back to his ears and down his neck. He stole a quick glance at everyone at the table before pleading to his wife, “Maomao! Could you please be… delicate!”
“I tried to be delicate. It's not my fault you didn't pick up on any of my ‘delicate’ clues.”
Closing his eyes and rubbing his brow, he had to admit, she had a point. He should have known something was up the moment she used that weird, lilty voice. Jinshi could hear Maamei quietly remark to Taomei, “It’s at entertaining times like this I understand why the Empress wanted her back in her employ so badly.”
“Maomao, you're… very pregnant… I don't think now's a good time for that.” Why does this conversation look more painful to Basen than to me? You would think he’d be used to her antics by now.
“No, that’s where you're wrong. It’s the perfect time. I read a theory that women have an easier time delivering a baby if they have sex regularly during the last month. I want to test that.”
“An easier time? Didn’t it take less than two hours for you to deliver Yue? You complained his delivery was too fast, have you forgotten? Big storm, trapped in the greenhouse, didn't get to eat your placenta, remember?”
“Don't remind me. Besides, every delivery is different, there's no guarantee this one will be quick like Yue's. That’s why we need to have sex every day until I deliver… for scientific research.”
“That sounds… dangerous. Wouldn't it be bad for the baby? Not to mention your body is already in a delicate state, I wouldn't want to hurt you.” Noticing movement out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bakin turn around in the doorway leading to the kitchen, apparently deciding it wasn't safe to return. Another glance at those assembled showed the women hanging on to every word of this conversation and Gaoshun rubbing his brow. Basen was trying to sink lower in his chair. Why the hell am I still having this conversation in the company of our family?!
“Don't be ridiculous, it's perfectly safe. If you don't believe me, just ask Basen. It seemed to help Lishu with her last delivery.”
Jinshi turned his attention to his milk brother. Basen’s whole body was red and it looked like he might start pulling his hair out. With a groan he begged, “Please take your wife and go.” Leaning forward in his seat he began softly banging his forehead against the table. The sound of tea cups rattling echoed with every thump.
Jinshi quickly stood from the table, nearly knocking his chair over in the process. “If you would all excuse me for a minute, I just need a word with my wife.”
“Only a minute? I’m laying odds she’ll convince you to take longer than that.” Maamei said with a grin.
Jinshi, feeling exceptionally grateful to Basen for giving him the nudge he needed to escape, swiftly crossed the room to his wife. Taking her hand in his, he led her to the entryway, hoping to get out of earshot. As if it matters at this point. Maomao, however, did not stop there and instead started pulling him up the stairs to their bed chamber. “Maomao, I don’t think this is a good idea. You're entire lower abdomen is basically a home to our baby. I… I don’t want to crush you or hurt the baby.”
“Jinshi, I know you're well-endowed but it's not like you're stabbing me with a sword. It's perfectly safe, trust me.”
“Delicate!” he hissed, “Please lower your voice, people might still be able to hear us!” Jinshi suddenly missed one of the luxuries he used to have, ice any time of the year. His ears were so hot it would be nice to have some to cool them off.
Maomao was still leading him to their bed chamber, it was only now Jinshi began to realize she wasn't going to take no for an answer. “Maomao, I’m not sure I can get in the mood like this.”
“Don't worry, I’ve made some preparations,” she said reassuringly.
Preparations? Under normal circumstances, that alone may have been enough to get him in the mood. Just knowing she desired him as much as he desired her. At the moment, as she continued to pull him down the hallway, he couldn't imagine what she meant. Once they entered the room, it became all too clear. She definitely had zero intentions of taking no for an answer.
The room was an effusion of romance: low lighting, burning incense, even sheer curtains on the canopy. When did she do all this? More importantly, why doesn't she make this much effort when she isn't pregnant? He noticed she even had juice and snacks on the bedside table, though he guessed that had more to do with her cravings and less to do with a need to be invigorated.
As he was taking it all in, he failed to notice what she was doing. “Is your ‘mood’ improving, Jinshi?”
He turned to Maomao and his survival instincts kicked in. “Wowwww! Absolutely!” He smiled broadly, hoping he not only sounded convincing but also prayed the low lighting would make his facial expressions appear genuine, too. Maomao had removed her robes to reveal one of her special sheer negligees underneath. Something Jinshi usually loved seeing her in. The fabric on this one parted down the center of her abdomen, normally it was a sexy little tease. Today her belly protruded out making the fabric curtain down on either side. He assumed she was wearing panties, but her belly stuck out so much it covered that area completely.
“Here, have some juice.” She even had two glasses poured, ready to drink. He knew it would be impolite to drink wine in front of her when she couldn't have any, but what he wouldn't give for some alcohol right now. Instead, he obediently drank his juice.
“Does this taste funny to you?” He smacked his lips, it reminded him of something but he couldn't quite place it.
Maomao sipped her juice slowly, delaying a response to his question until he downed more than half of his own. “I added a little something extra to yours, just a pick me up, so to speak.”
Damnit, that's what the taste is, one of her ‘stamina’ tonics. He could already feel his body growing warmer. “Was that really necessary?”
“Honestly, I wasn't sure, but I decided it couldn't hurt. Hmmm, I don't think there's any way I can look sexy while climbing into bed. Would you mind lifting me up?”
Jinshi could only smile. “Of course, I’m happy to lift you up, carry you, whatever you need…” my ridiculous wife. Keeping that last part to himself. He gently picked her up bridal style and laid her in the center of the bed. He removed his own clothes and draped them over the nearest chair.
———————
“Well, Miss Maomao, how does it look?” Chue stepped back to admire her handiwork. In her opinion, the sheer canopy she hung on the bed as well as the extra pillows definitely gave the room a softer, sensual atmosphere.
Maomao joined her, nodding her head in satisfaction. “Perfect, Miss Chue. I appreciate all your help. I know he’s going to try to talk me out of it, he needs to understand how serious I am. This should help.”
“Very good, Miss Chue will be rooting for you, Miss Maomao!” With one last flourish she pulled flower petals from her sleeve and scattered them across the floor and bed.
Maomao waddled out of the room to fetch her husband. Chue checked the area one last time before leaving.
Chue tiptoed down the hallway and pulled some snacks out of her sleeve to munch on during this evening's entertainment. Watching discreetly from the railing at the top of the stairs, Chue could hear Maomao attempting to seduce her husband into leaving the Ma meeting to join her. After all this time, nearly every conversation they have still sounds professional, like two colleagues discussing a business matter.
Finally Maomao managed to extricate Jinshi from the dining room. Chue stepped back into the shadows, quietly waiting for them to pass. Listening to them talk as they ascended the stairs and walked to their bedroom was excellent practice for honing her stealth skills. Their banter was always a test of her ability to suppress her giggles. Once they closed the door behind them, Chue waited a minute or two, then crept up and put an ear to the door.
“Of course, I’m happy to lift you up, carry you, whatever you need…” Jinshi's amused voice drifted to her.
Chue could make out the sounds of the bed creaking as they climbed on, then kissing noises. She smirked at how easily her friend got her husband to cave.
“Jinshi, my breasts are actually a little tender. You can skip that part. Mmm, that's nice… but if you want, you can just get straight to the good stuff. Ooowww! Biting is not the good stuff!”
Chue had to clasp a hand over her mouth to stop the snort of laughter that almost escaped her. It sounded like Maomao was smacking him.
Through his own laughter, she heard Jinshi say, “I have to have some fun. You're the one skipping all the foreplay.” After a brief moment of silence, he asked, “Uh, How exactly did you envision us doing this?”
“Oh, I thought you could stay upright, with me on my back. Just lift my butt up,” Maomao suggested.
Jinshi sounded less certain, “You really think that's going to be comfortable for you?”
“Yeah, should be fine. Maybe a pillow under my lower back. Give it a try,” she said.
“Alright, I’ll lift you and you shove the pillow under your back. One, two, three.” After some sounds of movement, Jinshi asked, “How’s that?”
Maomao groaned out her response in a low strained voice, “Uh huh, I think that's good.” After more silence, she said, “Go on, what are you waiting for?”
“You don't sound comfortable and stop taking all the fun out of this,” he complained.
Chue could hear the pout in her friend’s voice. “This time it’s for research, not fun.”
Jinshi exhaled a sigh, “Of course, it’s just for research.” The bed gently began rocking. “You sure you're alright?”
“Fine.” Maomao did not sound fine. “Uuunnnnhhhh”
The sound of movement stopped. “Maomao, you're obviously not fine.”
“I am.” Maomao whined.
“You just groaned.”
“No, that was a moan… of pleasure.”
Chue struggled to suppress another snort of laughter.
“I know the difference between a moan and a groan. That was definitely a groan,” Jinshi insisted, “Where does it hurt?”
Maomao was quiet for a moment. “My back… and legs.” More sounds of shifting on the bed while her friend protested.
“We’ll try a different position, alright?” offered Jinshi.
Maomao grumbled in the affirmative.
“Turn over, we’ll try that,” he suggested.
More squeaks from the bed, quickly followed by, “Nope, nope. Too much weight hanging from my belly… boobs hurt, back hurts.”
Jinshi let out another dramatic sigh. “Lay on your side.” After some squeaks from the bed and a few grunts out of Maomao, Jinshi asked, “How’s that? Better?”
“Better, much better. Thank you. But you don't like this position, do you?”
“This time it’s for research, not fun, right?” They laughed together.
Chue was about to step away when the bed went silent again. “The baby kicked,” Jinshi’s voice was so soft, Chue almost didn't hear him. She strained to hear more, but there was a long stretch of silence. She could picture the scene—
Husband and wife spooning. In the middle of making love, they pause for a beautiful moment to savor the joy of the life they created. An infant still growing in Maomao’s womb. Were they imagining what the child might look like? Would it be a boy or girl? What characteristics might the child have? A free spirit like their son or as eccentric as the members of the La clan? Perhaps a raven haired beauty or strong warrior? With Maomao and Jinshi for parents, a few things were almost a guaranteed certainty; the child will be stubborn, headstrong, fearless, and loved.
—“Jinshi, you're going to finish, right?” Maomao’s annoyed voice quickly and thoroughly shattered Chue’s fantasy. Maybe she hadn't imagined the scene accurately after all. What she did know is how much her knuckle hurt from the number of times she bit down on it to stop herself from laughing.
“Maomao, are you enjoying this… at all?” The bed frame squeaked a little faster.
“Mmm-hmm… it’s so good, you're the best, gimme more—” She could hear Maomao’s yawn interrupt any other words of encouragement.
“Thanks, you really know how to boost my ego.”
Chue went back to the staircase to make sure the meeting was still underway. After a few minutes, she returned to the door to listen some more.
“Was it good for you?” Jinshi asked in a sarcastic tone.
Chue barely heard Maomao, “Mm-hmm.”
He spoke softer, “Are you asleep?”
“Hmm?”
“I love you, Maomao,” he spoke quietly.
“I love you, too, Jinshi,” she mumbled. A moment later she was snoring.
Chue could hear Jinshi climb off the bed. She tiptoed back towards the staircase just in time to see everyone leaving the dining room. Ducking into her hiding place at the top of the stairs, she could hear Basen stomping up.
Jinshi came out and stopped in front of his milk brother.
“Meeting is over, schedule is set,” Basen informed him.
“Ahh, sorry about that. I umm, lost that argument,” Jinshi admitted sheepishly.
Basen started turning red. “Don't tell Maomao, we tried once, but it… it wasn't great. Lishu lied to Maomao because she wouldn't stop… well, you know how your wife gets.”
Chue couldn't help nodding. Everyone in the house understood how Maomao gets. She also suspected she knew how Jinshi was about to respond.
“Stubborn? Persistent? Relentless? Yeah, I know.” Jinshi smiled and sighed. “This is going to be a long month.”