Feng Moheng was inwardly furious.
This Shen Yuling was truly detestable.
She dared question his deep affection for Jingyi and doubt his steadfastness as a man.
How could he possibly be tempted by her!
Yet he had to admit that Shen Yuling’s point about the traces on the bed being easily noticed by Huixin held some truth.
Huixin had always been his mother’s trusted confidante, meticulous and by-the-book in everything she did.
If she came in tomorrow and saw only traces of Shen Yuling having slept on the bed, she would undoubtedly report it truthfully to his mother.
Then, his mother would surely subject him to endless questioning.
It would likely stir up more trouble in the household, causing unrest and chaos.
Feng Moheng frowned slightly, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
After a moment of thought.
He had no choice but to suppress his displeasure and walk toward the bed.
Then, under Shen Yuling’s triumphant and provocative gaze, he reluctantly sat down on the bed.
Seeing Feng Moheng comply and sit beside her, Shen Yuling’s lips curved upward.
With the grace of a nimble cat, she smoothly rose.
Casually, she leaned her head gently against Feng Moheng’s shoulder.
Caught off guard, Feng Moheng felt a sudden warmth against his shoulder.
He was startled.
He turned his head abruptly, only to meet Shen Yuling’s radiant and captivating face.
Her phoenix eyes, shimmering like rippling spring water, held an indescribable liveliness and allure.
A single glance could draw one in deeply.
Feng Moheng felt his heart skip a beat, an unprecedented fluster surging within him.
He quickly forced himself to regain composure.
“What are you doing!”
Feng Moheng sprang up instantly, his movement so forceful that the bed swayed slightly.
He deliberately put some distance between himself and Shen Yuling, his expression stern.
His eyes revealed undisguised annoyance and wariness.
“You are my husband. You said we wouldn’t consummate the marriage, and I agreed. But can’t we even be a little close?”
Shen Yuling pouted her rosy lips slightly.
“No.”
Feng Moheng responded resolutely.
Shen Yuling puffed out one cheek.
She murmured softly, “Fine, if you say so.”
She blinked her watery, fox-like eyes, as if an idea had struck her, a flicker of cunning passing through them.
Tilting her head slightly.
She tentatively asked, “Husband, do you like Liu Ji?”
Feng Moheng made no attempt to hide it.
“Yes, so don’t harbor any foolish hopes.”
“Alright, I understand.”
“I can help you protect her, you know.”
She spoke with an air of sincerity.
Feng Moheng regarded her warily.
“What do you mean?”
“I noticed today that your mother doesn’t seem to like Liu Ji very much.”
“If you show obvious disdain for me in front of your mother, she’ll surely dislike Liu Ji even more.”
“Why don’t we just put on an act in front of your mother? That way, we can appease her and also keep Liu Ji safe.”
Shen Yuling’s expression was utterly serious.
“Are you really that kind-hearted?”
Feng Moheng remained skeptical, eyeing her with suspicion.
This woman was unpredictable, her words and actions full of surprises and constant changes. Who knew what she was really scheming?
“Husband, aren’t you being a bit petty? I am your Princess Consort. Even if you wanted to take ten concubines, I would fully support you.”
“It’s just one Liu Ji. I wouldn’t go so far as to do anything bad to her.”
Shen Yuling pretended to be offended.
Feng Moheng fell into deep thought after hearing her words.
His mother truly did not like Liu Jingyi.
If he were to neglect Shen Yuling because he was preoccupied with thoughts of Liu Jingyi, his mother would likely target Jingyi even more.
Previously, she had already either sent people to teach Jingyi all sorts of tedious rules or summoned her to the princess’s residence to learn things like embroidery, painting, and so on.
If it were normal learning, that would be one thing.
But his mother disliked Jingyi from the start, and those so-called lessons were nothing but torturous affairs.
Jingyi had suffered quite a bit.
If Shen Yuling was truly willing to put on an act with him in front of his mother, this might not be a bad thing.
Thinking this, Feng Moheng raised his eyes to look at Shen Yuling.
“What are your conditions?”
Feng Moheng was genuinely encountering such an unpredictable and elusive woman for the first time.
Regarding the olive branch Shen Yuling had proactively extended, he naturally had to clarify the conditions first to avoid falling into any traps she might have set.
“I do have one small request, and I hope my husband can agree to it.”
Seeing that Feng Moheng had softened his stance, Shen Yuling felt a surge of joy in her heart.
Her face instantly resumed its innocent expression.
Every time Feng Moheng saw her like this, his initial wariness involuntarily dissipated somewhat, and he unconsciously leaned a little closer to her.
“May I borrow my husband’s hand?”
Shen Yuling blinked, looking mysterious.
What strange idea was she scheming now?
But given the circumstances, he could only extend his hand with a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
Shen Yuling took hold of Feng Moheng’s hand.
She slightly raised her head, her fox-like cunning eyes glancing up at Feng Moheng as if hiding endless little schemes.
Feng Moheng’s heart skipped a beat under her gaze.
He immediately averted his eyes, not daring to meet hers any longer.
This woman was truly thinking of ways to seduce him at every moment, utterly shameless!
Shen Yuling, however, paid no heed to Feng Moheng’s reaction.
She lowered her head, her waterfall-like black hair cascading down, covering half of her delicate face.
Her cherry lips parted slightly, and she actually took Feng Moheng’s finger into her mouth.
Feng Moheng felt a warm, moist sensation on his finger.
He was utterly shocked.
He never expected Shen Yuling to be so brazen, daring to make such a bold and improper move in broad daylight!
He was both shocked and furious.
He immediately tried to pull his hand out of Shen Yuling’s mouth.
But just as he exerted force, he suddenly felt a sharp pain shoot through his finger.
Shen Yuling had bitten down hard.
Her pearly teeth clamped onto Feng Moheng’s finger, biting fiercely until she tasted the metallic tang of blood spreading in her mouth before finally letting go.
At this moment, Shen Yuling’s pink lips were stained with a few drops of blood, which under the candlelight appeared even more alluring.
Like a blood-red rose blooming in the dark night, she exuded a bewitching and dangerous beauty.
“Shen Yuling!”
Feng Moheng was both angry and in pain.
“Husband, since we are to cooperate, we must put on a convincing act.”
Shen Yuling showed no fear of Feng Moheng’s anger.
She reached out again, took hold of Feng Moheng’s hand, and squeezed the wound on his injured finger.
A few drops of blood dripped onto the white handkerchief that had been prepared on the bed.
Only then did Feng Moheng suddenly understand.
So Shen Yuling intended to use his blood in place of her own maiden blood, creating the illusion that they had consummated their marriage, in order to deal with the inspection by Aunt Huixin and his mother the next day.
The anger that had just been building up in his chest now had nowhere to go.
This Shen Yuling truly kept surprising him time and again!