Rong Zhou’s narrow peach blossom eyes were filled with dark intensity.
He had never been treated so insolently before, nor was he a man of gentle temperament. It was only because these were Yun Li’s family members and he was at fault first that he was temporarily restraining himself…
But just as his anger was about to erupt, he suddenly felt his sleeve being gently tugged.
Rong Zhou glanced sideways to meet his little Princess Consort’s clear eyes.
Seeing her intention to coax him with her sweet voice, the suppressed violent energy in Rong Zhou almost completely vanished in that instant. The sharpness in his dark pupils was concealed, transforming into gentle affection.
“Alright.” The corners of his eyes lifted in a bewitching smile.
No longer bothering with Yun Heng, Rong Zhou slightly lowered his head and gently took a bite of the pastry held between Yun Li’s fingertips.
Yun Li blinked her eyes, “How is it?”
Rong Zhou pressed his lips together. The pastry was truly too sweet for his taste, making it somewhat difficult to swallow.
But seeing how eagerly his little Princess Consort awaited his response,
He couldn’t bear to disappoint her, so he relaxed his brows without revealing any flaw, merely using his thumb to wipe the pastry crumbs from the corner of his lips and gently rub them against her lips.
“Hmm?” Yun Li tasted a hint of sweetness.
Her rosebud lips parted slightly, naturally taking his fingertip into her mouth and lightly sucking the sweet and delicious pear pastry.
Then she nodded softly, “It’s sweet.”
But Rong Zhou’s eyes rippled with doting indulgence as he refuted in a low, husky voice, “Not as sweet as A-Li.”
Yun Li widened her eyes like a kitten.
She pouted slightly while holding Rong Zhou’s finger in her mouth, her cheeks now flushed from being teased. She quickly released his finger and randomly picked up another pastry to bury herself in tasting.
Hmph… so wanton.
The subsequent tea tasting and family banquet proceeded with unusual harmony.
Yun Li remained attached to Rong Zhou throughout, eagerly sharing all her favorite pastries and dishes for him to taste, her beautiful phoenix eyes sparkling with starlight.
Shen Zhiyi and Yun Heng maintained their composure.
Though dissatisfied with Rong Zhou taking Yun Li away and fearing she might feel wronged, they could indeed detect genuine happiness in her bright eyes and radiant smile.
Her eyes could never deceive anyone.
…
According to tradition, a new bride must return to her husband’s home before sunset.
At the moment of parting, Shen Zhiyi gazed at her daughter with reluctance, tears welling up again in her gentle eyes.
“Don’t cry, Mother.” Yun Li wiped her tears, “It’s not like A-Li has married into another country and won’t return. The Regent’s Mansion is so close to home. If you or Second Brother miss me someday, I can come home anytime, right A-Zhou?”
The little Princess Consort turned her sparkling eyes to him.
Dark light surged in Rong Zhou’s narrow eyes, rolling like stormy waves…
If she stayed at her family home, he wouldn’t be able to hold his wife while sleeping.
At least for an entire night he wouldn’t be able to hold his wife! Cold pillows and quilts, lonely nights, emptiness and solitude…
Rong Zhou wasn’t very willing to agree to this request.
But Yun Li tugged at his sleeve, shaking it coquettishly, “Is it alright, A-Zhou~”
Her clear, sweet voice quietly seeped into his heart.
The soft, rising tone at the end of her words made Rong Zhou’s heart tremble slightly, suddenly melting his iron will…
“Alright.” He agreed almost without thinking.
Completely bewitched by his little Princess Consort’s coquettishness, he forgot everything, “If Her Ladyship misses her, just send someone to my mansion to bring A-Li home for a few days.”
Yun Li immediately beamed with a radiant smile.
Shen Zhiyi hadn’t expected Rong Zhou to agree. She was surprised inwardly, though she felt frequent returns to her maiden home were improper, and suspected the drastic change in Rong Zhou’s temperament was too significant…Seeing that Yun Li had no intention of resisting the marriage and seemed genuinely pleased with her husband, they temporarily set aside the idea of snatching her back from the Regent’s Mansion to the General’s Manor.
“Very well, as long as A’Li is happy.”
Shen Zhiyi sighed softly, tenderly stroking Yun Li’s delicate face. “But A’Li must promise Mother that if you ever feel wronged, don’t keep it buried in your heart. No matter what happens, the Yun and Shen families will always be your support.”
Yun Heng raised the corners of his eyes with his characteristic free-spirited charm.
He spoke gently, “If Little Pear Blossom finds herself in a difficult situation, just like before, bury a jar of pear blossom wine under that pear tree outside the manor. After getting drunk and letting loose, you can cry about whatever troubles you to your Second Brother.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhiyi’s brows furrowed slightly.
She shot him a reproachful look. “Don’t always tempt your sister to drink. Don’t you know how low her alcohol tolerance is?”
“What’s wrong with me keeping her company?” Yun Heng raised an eyebrow.
It wasn’t as if he was some stranger to be wary of.
Shen Zhiyi countered, “You still need to exercise restraint. If outsiders learned that the esteemed daughter of the General’s Manor gets drunk after just one cup, wouldn’t your sister lose face?”
Yun Li: “…”
I think I’m already losing face right now!
As the two began arguing about tempting her to drink, it seemed they were about to reveal all her childhood drunken antics in front of Rong Zhou…
Yun Li hurriedly tugged at Yun Heng’s sleeve. “Second Brother!”
“Look, Little Pear Blossom is starting to feel embarrassed.” Yun Heng laughed freely as he unfolded his fan.
Yun Li: “…”
She annoyedly bit her lower lip lightly.
Suddenly remembering the day she had been reborn, when she had also gotten drunk from the wedding ceremonial wine, she wondered if she had done anything embarrassing back then…
She secretly lifted her eyelids to glance at Rong Zhou.
The man lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, leaning close to his little Princess Consort’s ear. “Not embarrassing at all. This prince only thinks… the way my Princess Consort looks after drinking is quite charming.”
A light pink tint spread across Yun Li’s snow-white cheeks.
Shen Zhiyi and Yun Heng stopped their argument and reluctantly saw her off from the General’s Manor, watching the carriage disappear into the distance.
Yun Li never brought herself to draw the carriage curtains.
Looking back at her family, seeing them alive and returned to her side, she felt deeply moved in her heart.
In her previous life, when she would rather die than marry Rong Zhou, the Yun family had risked everything to get her back. Unfortunately, they ultimately became pawns in someone else’s game, ending with the entire family meeting tragic deaths…
But reliance had always been mutual.
Since her parents and brothers had fought desperately to protect her in the past, in this life she would be the one to secure a brilliant future for them.
…
Returning to Phoenix Hall, Yun Li sat deep in thought with a brush in hand.
Resting her cheek in one hand, her beautiful jade-like fingers holding the brush, she was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice Rong Zhou entering the hall…
Shen Zhiyi’s earlier words had reminded Yun Li.
Currently, her father hadn’t returned from the northern border, and her younger brother was stationed at the frontier with their eldest brother. In her previous life, upon learning she had been forcibly taken by the Regent Prince, they had rushed back to the capital without waiting for imperial orders.
Later, this incident was criticized by treacherous court officials and became one of the pieces of evidence used to accuse the Yun family of rebellion…
Yun Li decided to write letters to dissuade them.
Just as she was contemplating what to write in the letters, two cool lips pressed against her ear.
A low, husky voice then slipped into her ear, “What are you thinking about so deeply?”
Hearing the voice, Yun Li suddenly snapped back to reality with a start.
Her hand holding the brush trembled, and the ink-dipped brush tip unexpectedly smudged against her fair cheek—
“A Zhou.”