Indeed, subconscious self-hypnosis proved somewhat effective—Yan Shixu finally stopped.
He embraced her and turned over, letting her soft body lie prone atop him, then reached out to tuck a damp strand of hair behind her ear.
“How is your body? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
Wen Lier spoke contrary to her true feelings: “It didn’t hurt much.”
At least she hadn’t fainted from the pain, and later it hadn’t hurt anymore…
As Wen Lier recalled their earlier intimacy, her skin flushed crimson from head to toe.
Despite her exhaustion, she hadn’t forgotten to check the sky outside.
Seeing dawn approaching, she endured her soreness and hurriedly climbed off Yan Shixu.
This was the Crown Prince’s bedchamber. Aside from the Crown Princess, no one else had the privilege to stay overnight.
Observing her flustered state, Yan Shixu chuckled hoarsely.
“What’s the rush? Lie down a while longer.”
“I can’t. It’ll be dawn if I stay any longer.”
Even as she spoke, she carefully slipped out of bed, gathering the clothes scattered on the floor to dress herself.
Sensing his gaze fixed upon her, Wen Lier finally realized she had contradicted the Crown Prince.
She hastily explained: “Your Highness, this concubine…”
“Never mind. You may go.”
Wen Lier curtsied to him.
“Yes, this concubine takes her leave.”
Watching her retreating back disappear without a backward glance, Yan Shixu raised a brow slightly.
Without a trace of attachment?
He momentarily doubted his earlier performance.
The moment Wen Lier stepped out of the main hall, an icy wind made her shiver.
The same two eunuchs who had brought her earlier escorted her back along the original route.
The weather grew increasingly cold, especially at night, when bitter winds seemed to pierce straight through to the bones.
Yuqing Hall was exceptionally far from Yaohua Hall—by the time they walked back, her hands and feet were frozen stiff.
Mama Qin, who had stayed awake waiting, hurried forward upon her return.
She immediately pressed a prepared hand warmer into Wen Lier’s palms.
Having waited half the night, Mama Qin showed no signs of drowsiness and appeared utterly delighted, as if she longed to set off firecrackers to celebrate the day’s joyous event.
The later the return, the more it indicated the Crown Prince’s favor—this was auspicious.
Secretly, she had even prayed for her mistress to spend the night in the Crown Prince’s bedchamber.
Alas, the Bodhisattva hadn’t heard her plea.
Mama Qin retrieved two pouches from her sleeve and tipped the two eunuchs.
After they departed, she turned to instruct Qing Zhu and Qing Mei.
“Quickly fetch several buckets of hot water for the mistress to bathe and warm up.”
In this weather, exposure outdoors could easily lead to catching a chill.
Mama Qin touched Wen Lier’s icy hands, her heart aching with concern.
Her mistress’s first night of service must have been taxing.
But serving the Crown Prince—even hardship was a blessing.
When Qing Zhu and Qing Mei brought the water, Wen Lier sank into the hot bath under Mama Qin’s care, finally feeling life return to her limbs.
Noticing the marks covering her body—particularly the fingerprints around certain areas—Mama Qin grinned from ear to ear.
Indeed, men’s preferences were all the same.
Her mistress’s skin, smooth and fair as a freshly peeled egg, must have pleased His Highness.
Wen Lier remained unaware of Mama Qin’s thoughts.
Warm and cozy, she climbed into bed. Exhausted, she soon drifted into dreamland.
…
The next day.
Wen Lier was forcibly pulled out of bed by Mama Qin.
Too sleepy to even open her eyes, she felt utterly lifeless.
“Mama… could I sleep for just another quarter of an hour?”
“No.” Mama Qin’s expression was stern and showed no mercy.
“Master, you can sleep after you return. You attended to His Highness last night. If you’re late today, people will inevitably say you’re putting on airs, and the Crown Princess will form a negative opinion of you.”
Wen Lier jolted awake completely.
Mama Qin was right. As a lowly Bong Yi like her, to survive longer in this bone-devouring palace, she must not incur the Crown Princess’s displeasure.
By the time she finished getting ready and arrived at the Crown Princess’s Fuyao Hall, Yang Ni Shan and Lin Fujia had just arrived and hadn’t entered yet.
Seeing Wen Lier approach, their gazes simultaneously fell upon her.
Wen Lier maintained her composure and greeted them.
Yang Ni Shan snorted, glanced sideways at Wen Lier without returning the greeting, and went in first.
Lin Fujia pursed her lips and said to Wen Lier, “Sister Wen, don’t mind her. She’s too arrogant for her own good.”
Wen Lier smiled faintly, unbothered.
“Sister Lin, let’s go in too.”
“Alright.”
Lin Fujia looked Wen Lier up and down, leaned closer, and whispered, “Sister Wen, congratulations.”
Well, as the Crown Prince’s concubines, her attending to him last night was indeed worth congratulating.
Wen Lier expressed her thanks.
Lin Fujia felt somewhat dejected. The three of them had been bestowed upon the Eastern Palace together, and now she was the only one who hadn’t attended to His Highness yet.
Noticing her sadness, Wen Lier comforted her, “Don’t worry, Sister Lin. His Highness will remember you soon.”
Lin Fujia nodded, hoping so.
The two entered the warm chamber and waited for about a quarter of an hour before the Crown Princess emerged.
The three hurriedly stood up and paid their respects.
Xie Zhenrong’s gaze also fell on Wen Lier, who became even more respectful.
“Wen Fengyi, you worked hard attending to His Highness last night.”
With that, she instructed her personal maid, “Hongbi, pack some of the Snow Swallow Nest that His Highness sent over. After we disperse, let Wen Fengyi take it back to nourish her health.”
“Yes.” Hongbi withdrew.
Wen Lier was flattered and hurriedly curtsied in thanks.
Yang Ni Shan was somewhat annoyed. Having been pampered and spoiled at home, it wasn’t that she particularly wanted the Snow Swallow Nest.
What angered her was that when she attended to His Highness, the Crown Princess hadn’t given any rewards. Why did Wen Lier get one just for attending to him?!
To be honest, Yang Ni Shan was narrow-minded and failed to recognize reality.
In the palace, how could things go as smoothly as at home?
No one paid attention to her resentment.
Xie Zhenrong’s daily instructions were similar: she advised Wen Lier and the other two to serve the Crown Prince well, remain dutiful and law-abiding, and not bring shame to the Eastern Palace.
After giving her instructions, she waved them off to return to their respective quarters.
Wen Lier followed Hongbi to get the Snow Swallow Nest, and Lin Fujia was still waiting for her outside.
The two walked back to Yaohua Hall together. With Lin Fujia as company, it wasn’t too boring.
Because Lin Fujia chattered away, telling her many interesting stories about the palace.
For example: which palace maid had formed a Shared Meal with a eunuch.
Or: which consort waited in the Imperial Garden in the biting cold wind, hoping for a chance encounter with the old Emperor.
In the end, she didn’t meet the old Emperor but caught a cold herself.
Such matters, Lin Fujia had heard from who knows where, with little tidbits continuously flowing in.
Upon returning to Yaohua Hall, Wen Lier eagerly climbed into bed.
Now, nothing could stop her from taking a nap.