When Feng Moheng woke up, his gaze instinctively turned toward the bedside.
Shen Yuling sat upright before an exquisite dressing table, carefully adorning herself.
Beside her stood a clever and obedient maid, holding various dressing boxes in her hands. The lids were open, revealing an array of cosmetics, pearls, and jade ornaments.
Shen Yuling faced the bronze mirror, holding a delicate eyebrow pencil as she meticulously traced the curves of her willow-like brows.
At times, she frowned, seemingly dissatisfied with the shape of her brows; at other times, she smiled faintly, likely pleased with some aspect of her makeup.
Shen Yuling noticed the movement from the bed and turned her beautifully adorned face toward him.
She spoke with an intimate tone, sweetly calling out, “Husband.”
“In a moment, we’ll be following Aunt Huixin to the Grand Princess’s residence to pay respects to Mother. Would you like me to help you change your clothes?”
Feng Moheng, hearing her affectionate tone and address, couldn’t help but feel a slight jolt in his heart.
He wasn’t quite accustomed to it.
Yet he knew well that since they had agreed yesterday to put on an act in front of his mother, they had to see it through completely.
After all, his mother wasn’t someone easily fooled.
“No need, the maids are here.”
Feng Moheng had always been meticulously attended to, with no need for him to lift a finger for anything.
As soon as he walked toward the dressing rack, six or seven maids filed in one after another.
The leading maid carried a basin of steaming hot water, from which mist rose gently.
Following closely behind was a maid holding a complete set of items for washing and rinsing.
The maids behind her carried various styles of belts, some held fragrant pouches, while others presented trays of rings and other decorative accessories.
These maids were well-trained, standing in an orderly row as they skillfully attended to Feng Moheng’s washing and dressing.
Every movement was methodical and precise.
Shen Yuling watched this scene without surprise.
Although she had grown up in the northwest, her father’s status there was akin to that of a minor emperor—his power unmatched, with no one able to rival him.
However, as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined.
The greater one’s achievements, the more likely they are to arouse the ruler’s suspicion.
With such immense power, how could her father avoid arousing the suspicions of those in higher positions?
Thus, she had been sent to the Qian Capital for a marriage alliance.
Rather than a marriage alliance, it was more accurate to say she had become a hostage to restrain her father.
After all, Shen Yuling was the only daughter of Grand Protector Shen Yuan.
In this game of power and strategy, she was like a pawn placed openly on the board, unable to control her own fate.
If not for the appearance of the transmigrated woman, the original host truly seemed to have been living a protagonist’s script—a life of wealth and honor, enjoying every privilege.
In her childhood, she was cherished and protected by her parents, held so delicately as if afraid she might fall, and cradled so tenderly as if afraid she might melt.
After marrying, she was doted on and adored by her husband, leading a smooth and worry-free life.
Yet such a beautiful life was the reward for the original host’s good karma from her previous three lifetimes.
The morning sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, casting a soft glow over the exquisite furnishings in the room.
Feng Moheng and Shen Yuling stood quietly, fully dressed and ready.
Feng Moheng wore a dark brocade robe, with silver threads embroidering delicate cloud patterns along the collar and cuffs, accentuating his handsome, jade-like face, sharp brows, and starry eyes.
Shen Yuling was equally stunning in her beauty, dressed in a water-red silk gown that outlined her graceful figure.
Her three thousand strands of black hair were coiled into a bun, adorned with a few hairpins and pearls, making her bright eyes and white teeth appear even more charming and captivating.
Standing side by side, the two looked like a celestial couple who had stepped out of a painting. Anyone who saw them would surely praise them as a perfect match.
Aunt Huixin walked in quietly, followed by several well-behaved maidservants.
“This servant greets the Prince and the Princess Consort.”
Aunt Huixin slightly bent her knees, offering a respectful bow.
“Rise,” Feng Moheng said indifferently.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Aunt Huixin replied, standing up.
Then, she led the maidservants directly to the bedside.
Her gaze first fell on the white handkerchief on the bed, lingering only for a moment before shifting away. She then carefully examined the marks on the bed.
After looking, she smiled with satisfaction.
Aunt Huixin gently waved her hand.
The maidservants behind her understood and quickly stepped forward.
They carefully collected the white handkerchief.
“Your Highness, the hour is growing late. The carriage to the Grand Princess’s residence is ready, and the Grand Princess is likely waiting for you.”
As she spoke, Aunt Huixin gracefully walked over to Feng Moheng and Shen Yuling.
Feng Moheng merely nodded slightly before stepping outside.
Shen Yuling hurried to keep up with Feng Moheng.
Before Feng Moheng could react, her small hand reached out and tightly grasped his large one.
Her slender fingers intertwined with his long ones, locking together firmly.
Feng Moheng felt his hand tighten and couldn’t help but turn his head slightly, his eyes filled with surprise as he stared directly at Shen Yuling.
Instinctively, he prepared to pull away forcefully.
His brow furrowed with displeasure.
Shen Yuling, however, remained unfazed. She blinked her eyes, signaling toward Aunt Huixin behind them.
Her eyes were lively, as if saying that holding hands was merely for show in front of Aunt Huixin.
At the same time, she tightened her grip, preventing Feng Moheng from pulling away.
Though her face wore a smile, she gritted her teeth.
“Husband.”
“The skirts in Qian Capital are simply too long. I’m afraid I might trip if I walk too quickly. Would you hold my hand, please?”
Feng Moheng suddenly tightened his grip, the force so strong that Shen Yuling couldn’t help but frown, though she dared not cry out in pain.
“Alright.”
Shen Yuling could only grit her teeth and endure the pain in her hand.
Feng Moheng truly didn’t hold back, yet she maintained her delicate appearance on the surface.
Aunt Huixin watched the two masters “flirting” from behind, a smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
Her eyes were filled with contentment.
The Prince and the Princess Consort truly seemed to have a good relationship.
Feng Moheng and Shen Yuling walked intimately out of the room, following the winding corridor toward the main gate of the Prince’s residence.
The servants in the residence, seeing the two masters so close, couldn’t help but sigh.
Perhaps the Prince’s residence was about to undergo a change.
Previously, there had only been one mistress in the residence—Liu Jingyi. Liu Jingyi was quite beautiful and eloquent, greatly pleasing the Prince.
The Prince doted on her even more, frequently bestowing gifts and accommodating her wishes in many matters.
As a result, the servants naturally knew how to curry favor, and many flocked to Liu Jingyi, hoping to secure a promising future under her.
But who could have predicted that, in just three short months, the Emperor would issue an edict marrying the eldest daughter of the Shen family, Shen Yuling, into the Prince’s residence?
And judging by today’s events…
The Prince Consort held the Princess Consort’s hand all the way, appearing to be extremely affectionate toward her.
This scene naturally fell into the eyes of many maidservants, immediately sparking a flurry of whispers.
“The Princess Consort is so beautiful.”
“Yes, no wonder even the Prince Consort couldn’t resist. He held her hand all the way—they look so intimate.”
“The Prince Consort and the Princess Consort are a perfect match, truly made for each other.”
Everyone whispered their comments, one after another.
Liu Jingyi suddenly overheard the maidservants’ hushed discussions about how intimate the Prince Consort and the Princess Consort were.
Their words pierced her ears like needles.
Her expression instantly darkened, and a shadow of malice flashed in her eyes.
Feng Moheng, didn’t he promise her personally that he wouldn’t lay a finger on Shen Yuling?