After expending tremendous “effort,” Wen Lier finally managed to win one game.
She could tell that unlike Sister Lin who deliberately let her win, Your Highness had genuinely lost to her.
Wen Lier instantly felt overwhelming satisfaction and exclaimed excitedly: “This humble consort has been studying chess manuals daily, and my skills have finally improved!”
Moreover, she had defeated Your Highness. Wen Lier felt that all her efforts had not been in vain.
Seeing her proud little expression, Yan Shixu offered earnest praise.
“If Wen Fengyi practices more regularly, there might be further improvement.”
Wen Lier nodded vigorously, wanting to suggest continuing.
But before she could speak, Yan Shixu scooped her into his arms.
“It’s getting late. Time to retire.”
As Wen Lier caught the faint scent of mint from his clothes, her mind automatically recalled the intimate moments from their last night together.
She extricated herself from his embrace and, suppressing her shyness, helped him undress.
Yan Shixu looked down at the crown of her head, his gaze shifting to her flushed earlobes.
The woman’s current appearance was rather appetizing.
He leaned down to inhale her fragrance.
“What scent are you wearing? It smells delightful.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Lier nearly preened with pride.
“Pear blossom fragrance. I made it myself. If Your Highness likes it, I’ll have some sent over tomorrow.”
“Good.”
Yan Shixu tightened his arm around her waist, bending down to capture her lips, nibbling gently.
He didn’t quite understand why he enjoyed kissing her—only that her lips were beautifully colored, soft and sweet to bite.
Wen Lier soon grew dazed from his kisses, her body softening as she leaned weakly against his chest.
Tonight she had gained unprecedented satisfaction from Yan Shixu—referring to the chess game.
Therefore, in her excitement, she no longer remained passive like last time.
Rather clumsily, she adopted a position she’d previously sworn never to use—the one taught by Mama Qin.
Her initiative greatly excited Yan Shixu.
And his excitement made their passionate encounter last until dawn.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(One million words omitted here.)
When the clouds dispersed and rain ceased, Wen Lier felt as if her entire body had been run over by a carriage.
She lay limp on the bed, unable to move.
Yet Yan Shixu’s iron-like arms still held her firmly against his chest, leaving her no room to escape.
Wen Lier could only nestle obediently against him, clearing her mind to recover for a while.
The Crown Prince called for bath water.
Seeing that daybreak was approaching, Wen Lier struggled with immense determination to rise from the bed and dress.
Yan Shixu glanced up at her: “You should bathe too. There’s plenty of charcoal here, you won’t get cold.”
Wen Lier quickly shook her head.
“That wouldn’t be proper. This humble consort should return to bathe.”
Seeing her insistence, Yan Shixu didn’t press further, merely nodding.
As she finished preparing herself, Yan Shixu suddenly recalled something he’d heard earlier.
“Next time you can’t finish the trotters, there’s no need to reheat them. If you want to eat, just have the kitchen prepare fresh ones.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Lier’s head practically steamed with embarrassment.
Why… why did the Crown Prince know about this too???
Her face flushed crimson as she stammered an explanation: “I’ve grown accustomed to this. Any dishes left unfinished from the midday meal at home would always be saved for the evening.”
Yan Shixu looked somewhat surprised.
“Your father’s official rank isn’t low, so why does your family live so frugally?”
Hearing him mention her father, Wen Lier hurriedly explained: “Your Highness, my father only received his promotion this year. His annual stipend is now one hundred taels of silver. Initially it was forty taels, then sixty, and later eighty.”
“After deducting daily expenses and social obligations, half is already gone.”
“Plus, my father enjoys collecting calligraphy and paintings, my mother practices daily charity, my brother loves reading, and I enjoy collecting small trinkets – all these require considerable silver.”
“So… our family’s silver is actually rather insufficient. My father has always taught my brother and me not to waste food in our daily lives.”
Yan Shixu hadn’t expected that Wen Tingshen would be such an upright official.
Calculating like this, even with his recent promotion, he only earned slightly over eight taels per month.
Just imagine – among official families in the capital, what could mere few taels of silver accomplish?
Yet the Wen family managed to make everyone live meaningfully with their limited means.
After speaking, Wen Lier secretly observed the Crown Prince’s expression.
Seeing he wasn’t annoyed by her trivial matters, she quietly sighed in relief.
She curtsied and said: “Your Highness, may I take my leave now?”
Yan Shixu motioned for her to come closer and reached out to tidy a stray lock of hair on her forehead.
Breathing in the faint scent of pear blossoms, he smiled: “Go ahead. Use this fragrance from now on – it smells pleasant.”
Seeing his approval, Wen Lier obediently complied.
“Yes, I take my leave.”
Wen Lier turned to depart.
Yan Shixu watched her retreating figure.
Just like last time, she moved quickly without looking back.
Yan Shixu couldn’t help but chuckle softly. This Wen Fengyi was indeed different from ordinary women.
…