Inside the detached courtyard.
Chu Shengsheng was comfortably soaking in a bathtub scattered with flower petals, relaxing her body as she bathed.
[System Notification: Target character Pei Zhen has appeared at the entrance of the detached courtyard.]
The sudden prompt in her mind immediately made her open her eyes, and she couldn’t help but complain inwardly:
Why does this Crown Prince always show up so unexpectedly?
Isn’t this just a surprise inspection?
But complaints aside, this man’s arrival also meant a large amount of Points was coming her way.
She quickly adjusted her posture, sinking her body just enough to reveal her collarbone. Her dark, glossy hair clung wetly to her shoulders and the water’s surface, making her skin appear even more jade-like.
Then, she pricked up her ears, carefully listening for any movement outside.
When Pei Zhen pushed the door open, he was greeted by such a vivid and alluring scene.
Amidst the swirling steam, the woman had her back to the door, her raven-black hair like clouds, revealing her snow-white shoulders and neck. The flower petals floating on the water added an extra touch of sensuality.
He felt a surge of heat rush straight to his lower abdomen, his throat going dry. Without further hesitation, he pushed the door open, stepped inside, and closed it behind him.
“Who’s there?!”
Chu Shengsheng seemed genuinely startled by the noise, letting out a cry of alarm as she abruptly turned around. However, her foot seemed to slip on the bottom of the tub, causing her to fall backward with a splash of water.
“Careful!”
Seeing this, Pei Zhen’s eyes sharpened. He took a swift step forward, reaching out in time to catch her by the waist. Yet, perhaps because the floor was too slippery, he lost his balance and tumbled into the large wooden tub along with her.
“Splash—”
Chu Shengsheng ended up sprawled on top of the man. Through the soaked fabric of his clothes, she could clearly feel the firmness and heat of his chest.
As the water rippled, her hand unconsciously reached out in the water and brushed against a certain place.
“!”
As if scalded, her face instantly flushed red, and she tried to pull her hand back.
But he held it in place. From above her head came the sound of the man inhaling sharply, mixed with intense restraint, as he said in a low voice, “Don’t move.”
Hearing his voice, she pretended to be flustered, as if only just recognizing him, and said in a coquettish tone, “Your Highness? Why have you come? You didn’t make a sound—you scared me to death!”
“If someone else had barged in…”
“It wouldn’t be anyone else.”
Pei Zhen interrupted her, his gaze fixed intently on her. Water droplets slid from her cheeks down to her collarbone, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he said hoarsely, “The outside is filled with my people. No one else could enter like this except me.”
The atmosphere instantly turned ambiguous.
Chu Shengsheng felt her cheeks burn under his stare and uncomfortably averted her eyes, only to have him grasp her chin and turn her face back toward him.
“Did the physician come today?”
The man’s thumb stroked her chin.
“…He came,” she replied softly, trying to lean back slightly to create some distance.
But the man leaned closer, his breath hot as he asked:
“What did the physician… say?”
Her face flushed instantly, her eyes darting around as she stammered, “He… he just said… the recovery is… acceptable…”
“Acceptable?”
Pei Zhen raised an eyebrow, looking at her flustered state, and couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle.
That laughter was different from his usual coolness or authority—it carried a hint of genuine amusement and a touch of teasing.
Chu Shengsheng had never seen him laugh like this before and couldn’t help but stare in awe.
He was already exceptionally handsome, but with this sudden smile, he possessed a breathtaking charm.
Noticing her distraction, the man’s eyes deepened with amusement. He leaned in closer, his tone suggestive as he whispered, “Sheng Sheng, the physician said you’ve fully recovered and can… properly serve me now.”
Before his words faded, Pei Zhen abruptly lifted her from the wooden tub and stepped out.
Water splashed loudly, cascading to the floor with their movement.
Chu Shengsheng gasped softly, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck as their bodies pressed tightly together.
After glancing down at her, he carried her toward the inner chamber.
Just then, Zhao Dequan’s urgent voice echoed from outside the door.
“Your Highness! Your Highness!”
“An urgent message from eight hundred li to the south! The Luo River has breached its banks, the flood has formed, and the disaster is critical. His Majesty summons you to the palace immediately for consultation!”
Pei Zhen’s steps halted abruptly, veins bulging on his forehead as he visibly struggled to suppress the restlessness within him.
“Damn it!” he cursed under his breath, forcing his body to calm.
He then gently laid Chu Shengsheng on the bed, pulling a thin quilt over her. His movements were tender, though his voice was hoarse as he said, “Rest well. I… will return shortly.”
Watching his retreating figure, Chu Shengsheng cursed inwardly. A perfect opportunity to earn Points had just slipped away!
No, she had to do something.
“System, exchange for the Heartstring Binding Powder Advanced Edition.”
Pei Zhen was leaving to handle the flood disaster, possibly for several days. She couldn’t let the budding affection between them cool off, so she needed to use a high-quality tool.
She would make this man think of her constantly, even from afar!
【Heartstring Binding Powder Advanced Edition exchange successful. 1500 Points deducted. Remaining Points: 150.】
Hearing this, she winced in pain. Damn, back to square one.
Ugh, next time Pei Zhen visits, she must earn at least eight rounds!
No, earn back her investment! Earn it all back!
“System, can this Heartstring Binding Powder be made into a pouch form?”
【Yes.】
With everything settled, Chu Shengsheng quickly grabbed the man’s sleeve and called out urgently, “Your Highness, wait.”
“Your Highness, this is a Mind-Calming Incense pouch your humble servant made these past few days. Wear it close to your body, as if I were by your side.”
Seeing him stand motionless, she proactively placed the pouch in his hand and added deliberately, “This pouch contains only calming herbs, nothing else. If Your Highness doubts it, you may have someone inspect it.”
Pei Zhen looked at her, feeling the pouch in his hand. A fresh herbal scent wafted from it, genuinely soothing his current agitation.
Her words about wearing it close stirred something in his gaze.
Under the sincere anticipation in the young woman’s eyes, he chose to accept.
“Very well, I will… wear it close.”
With that, he turned again to leave, but paused suddenly at the doorway.
A moment later, unable to resist, he abruptly turned back, strode over, and—to Chu Shengsheng’s surprise—cupped the back of her head, lowering his lips to capture hers in a fierce kiss.
The kiss was full of possessiveness, tinged with reluctance and unfulfilled desire. Only after a long while did he release her, breathing heavily, his thumb brushing over her slightly swollen lips, his gaze dark.
“Wait for my return.”
Without further hesitation, he vanished into the night beyond the door.
Chu Shengsheng touched her burning lips, gazing into the darkness outside as a slow smile curved her lips. Though it was regrettable they hadn’t gone all the way, tonight’s outcome… seemed even better than expected.
“System, what are the effects of the Heartstring Binding Powder Advanced Edition?”
[Heartstring Binding Powder Advanced Edition effects: When the target is agitated, there is an 80% probability they will recall the Host; when the target interacts with other women, there is a 100% probability they will develop feelings of aversion and associate it with the Host.]