Wen Lier’s face flushed crimson as she gazed at the Crown Prince with stammering hesitation.
How had His Highness’s chess skills improved so much?
Last time, she had clearly managed to win one game against him!
But this time… she had lost every single match…
The corner of Yan Shixu’s mouth twitched slightly. It was truly easy to guess what was going through Wen Fengyi’s mind.
He simply pulled her into his embrace.
“Ah…”
Sitting on his lap, Wen Lier instinctively wrapped her slender arms around his neck.
“Your Highness…”
Her delicate voice sounded as if coated with a layer of powdered sugar.
Yan Shixu’s gaze unconsciously deepened.
He inhaled the faint fragrance of pear blossoms from her and tightened his grip around her slender waist with satisfaction.
“Did you have anything you wanted to tell me today?”
Naturally, the Eastern Palace was filled with his informants everywhere.
He had just received reports from palace attendants about the Crown Princess and the two princesses’ activities today.
Yet Wen Lier merely blinked her large eyes, a trace of confusion appearing on her face, seemingly unwilling to mention the grievances she had suffered today.
Seeing this, Yan Shixu sighed inwardly.
His fingers gently brushed her cheek, his tone soft yet carrying a hint of probing.
“The Crown Princess summoned you three Bong Yis for flower viewing today. Did everything go smoothly?”
Upon hearing this, Wen Lier’s eyes flickered with hesitation before she lowered her head and replied softly.
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess treated us very well. During the flower viewing, she specifically instructed us on many rules. This humble one has benefited greatly.”
Yan Shixu raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her response.
He had expected her to seize this opportunity to complain and ask him to uphold justice for her.
He never imagined she could endure so patiently.
Soon, Yan Shixu recalled Wen Lier’s comments about being a turtle retracting into its shell that night at the Star Gazing Tower.
Was she planning to start acting like that turtle now?
He smiled faintly, his fingers gently pinching Wen Lier’s chin to make her look up and meet his gaze.
“Then, is there any grievance you wish to share with me?”
Meeting his profound gaze, Wen Lier’s heart trembled slightly before she shook her head and revealed a gentle smile.
“Your Highness worries too much. This humble one is perfectly fine and has no grievances.”
Yan Shixu studied her for a moment. Seeing her unwillingness to speak, he ultimately just patted her back gently.
“If that’s the case, then it’s good. However, if anyone troubles you in the future, you may tell me. I will naturally uphold justice for you.”
Wen Lier felt warmth in her heart and nodded. “This humble one understands. Thank you for Your Highness’s concern.”
Seeing her so obedient, Yan Shixu felt even more tender affection growing within him.
This silly girl only thinks about playing chess, yet plays so poorly without any visible improvement.
After serious consideration, Wen Lier said: “Your Highness, there is indeed something this humble one wishes to tell you.”
“Speak. What is it?”
“Your Highness works so hard every day. You must remember to eat and rest on time. You’ve grown thinner.”
Yan Shixu: “That’s all?”
“That’s all.” She couldn’t think of anything else at the moment.
Yan Shixu narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly reached out to grasp her wrist.
His tone carried a hint of teasing and roguishness: “Then Wen Fengyi should carefully examine me today to see if that part has grown thinner.”
Wen Lier froze, somewhat confused: “Which part does Your Highness mean?”
Yan Shixu chuckled lightly, his large hand enveloping her small one, slowly guiding it toward the place he meant…
Wen Lier came to her senses, her face instantly flushing crimson.
With his forceful movements, her hand trembled slightly.
“Has Wen Fengyi identified it clearly?”
Wen Lier felt this version of Your Highness seemed utterly unreal.
She pretended to withdraw her hand, but he pressed it down firmly.
Heat spread throughout Wen Lier’s body.
Heavens… since when did the Crown Prince become such a rogue!
The key is he was so handsome that even when acting shamelessly, he carried no vulgar air.
Noticing her flushed cheeks, Yan Shixu leaned in and gently nibbled the small dimple on the side of her face.
Then he captured her lips, tenderly biting and licking.
Wen Lier felt a tingling sensation coursing through her body, making her breathing grow increasingly rapid.
She clung desperately to his neck, preventing herself from collapsing into weakness.
Yan Shixu’s palm rested against her waist, gently stroking.
As their heated breaths intertwined, the temperature behind the bed curtains continued to rise.
Yan Shixu pushed her down and then pressed himself upon her.
After what seemed like an eternity, he suddenly murmured: “Lier truly is plump and sweet, deliciously enticing.”
This was the first time he had called her “Lier.”
But Wen Lier sensed that the “pear” he referred to wasn’t the same as her name.
Overwhelmed with shyness, she immediately reached to cover his mouth.
Yan Shixu playfully bit one of her delicate jade-like fingers, and from there, things spiraled further out of control.
…………………………………………………………………………
(Here omitted one million words.)
Before collapsing into exhausted sleep, Wen Lier thought to herself: So it wasn’t that Your Highness didn’t value this.
But rather… he had been saving it all up for an explosive release.
She lay completely limp on the bed, without a shred of strength left in her limbs.
In the past, she would have struggled to get up and force herself back to Yaohua Hall.
But today, from morning till night, she was truly exhausted both physically and mentally.
In her dazed state, she quickly fell asleep.
Yan Shixu held her in his embrace.
Suddenly struck by a thought, he sat up abruptly from the bed.
Taking a luminous pearl from the bedside table, he bent down to examine Wen Lier’s knees for any injuries.
Somehow, as he looked, he found himself losing control again.
Then, he proceeded to disturb the sleeping woman two more times.
Wen Lier didn’t even hear when the Crown Prince called for bath water.
She was completely unaware when Yan Shixu carried her into the bathtub to bathe.
During this time, the palace attendants swiftly replaced the beddings with fresh ones.
After cleaning Wen Lier, Yan Shixu carried her back to bed.
Without waking her, he held her close as they both drifted into dreams.
The next morning,
When Wen Lier woke up, she realized she had slept overnight in Yuqing Hall without returning.
She was so startled her hair stood on end, mentally repeating: “I’m done for… I’m done for… I’m done for!!!”
Just yesterday the Crown Princess had warned her, and now she had violated palace regulations overnight.
This made it look suspiciously like she was deliberately opposing the Crown Princess.
During those two additional rounds late last night, she had vaguely sensed the Crown Prince was being reckless.
But she was too exhausted to even open her eyes, let alone remember to return to Yaohua Hall.
Yan Shixu had already left for the morning court session. Wen Lier pulled on her dress and hurried to leave the bedchamber.
A palace maid stood guard at the door and bowed to her, saying, “Wen Fengyi, please proceed to the dining hall for breakfast.”
Wen Lier thought to herself, it was already too late to salvage the situation.
Well then, she might as first treat herself well—eat her fill before going to face her punishment.