Song Jiuning knew she couldn’t blame Shen Wenjing for being suspicious of her.
If anyone was to blame, it was her own past infatuation with Shen Yunting, which had left too deep an impression.
She wished she could slap her former self twice over.
Struggling against the surging heat within her body, she blinked her clear almond-shaped eyes sincerely: “I have no ulterior motives. Since Your Highness saved Jiuning, consider this… consider it Jiuning’s way of repaying Your Highness.”
Having said that, Song Jiuning composed herself and solemnly swore a poisonous oath: “If I harbor even the slightest disloyalty, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death.”
Shen Wenjing listened to her impassively, then fell into brief contemplation.
He was clearly weighing how much sincerity lay in her words.
Song Jiuning only felt her body grow increasingly feverish and uncontrollable under his gaze. The drug’s effects had nearly stripped away her rationality.
She clenched her fists tightly, but her eyes gradually grew dazed: “Does Your Highness intend to stand by and watch me die?”
If he truly refused to help, she would have to resort to the same method as in her previous life—releasing blood from her heart to cure herself.
However, this method damaged her foundation and left lingering aftereffects.
“Are you certain?”
Shen Wenjing’s fingertips were slightly cool as they traced over her soaked gown, wandering along her neck.
The man’s scent filled her nostrils, making Song Jiuning tremble uncontrollably.
She nearly ground her silver teeth to dust to suppress the blush-inducing whimpers threatening to escape.
Fortunately, she came from a military family lineage—an ordinary woman would likely have long succumbed to the drug’s potency.
She did not shy away in the slightest: “I beg Your Highness to save me.”
Shen Wenjing let out a silent, cold laugh.
As the button loosened, a section of luminous fair skin was revealed.
Shen Wenjing’s throat moved slightly as he reached for the second button: “You can still change your mind now.”
Song Jiuning’s chest rose and fell gently: “Jiuning does not regret it.”
Though already lost in passion, her eyes held determination and an unyielding tenderness.
This woman… just before falling into the water, she had been infatuatedly waiting for Shen Yunting.
Yet now, she sat before him like this, her words clearly implying she was at his mercy.
Shen Wenjing snorted coldly and withdrew his hand.
But to his surprise, a warmth touched his lips—Song Jiuning had actively kissed his thin lips.
The drug’s effects within her had peaked. Relying only on a shred of willpower, it was already remarkable she had held on this long.
Her soft, warm body pressed tightly against his, her kissing technique inexperienced yet sufficiently proactive.
Shen Wenjing’s eyes darkened as he, following the momentum, firmly grasped the back of Song Jiuning’s head.
The man’s kiss differed from hers—domineering, as if intending to devour her whole.
His low breaths and cool body temperature were precisely the best antidote for Song Jiuning at this moment.
Song Jiuning closed her eyes, allowing him to tear open her gown and press himself upon her.
Endless surrender.
Song Jiuning’s drug was cured, but Shen Wenjing became intoxicated, unwilling to let her go no matter what.
Again and again,
Until a deputy general’s voice came from outside the door.
“Your Highness, the General’s Manor has sent someone… to request Miss Song Jiu.”
Oh no. Entangled with Shen Wenjing, she had actually forgotten about this matter.
Her father and brothers were not adept at social pretense. After delivering their congratulatory gifts, they had returned home first.
Meanwhile, she had sneaked away for a secret rendezvous with Shen Yunting.
The General’s Manor sending for her indicated that her affairs at the Wangfu had already spread.
Just as Song Jiuning was about to speak, Shen Wenjing pressed his fingers against her lips, his movements never ceasing.
“Tell them to come back tomorrow.”
Even if Song Jiuning were willing, she could not withstand such an assault.
Tomorrow… wouldn’t her waist be broken?
Song Jiuning pressed her hands against Shen Wenjing’s chest, whispering a plea: “Your Highness, please let me go back, lest my father and brothers worry. You and I…”
She cleared her throat softly and said solemnly, “There will be many days ahead.”
Shen Wenjing raised an eyebrow, naturally understanding the implication in Song Jiuning’s words.
He could still distinguish between one full meal and having enough to eat every day.
But for now, he wouldn’t let her off easily.
Under his deliberate torment, Song Jiuning once again lost herself.
By the end, Song Jiuning was so exhausted she couldn’t even lift her eyelids, her fingertips trembling.
“The Song Family has produced military generals for generations, yet the young lady of the Song Family is only this much.”
Song Jiuning looked at Shen Wenjing.
He sat by the bed, his slender fingers adjusting his inner robe.
The mockery in his words made Song Jiuning sigh inwardly.
Given Shen Wenjing’s earlier fervor, she had thought he was just putting on an act before.
So he truly felt nothing for her…
Song Jiuning prayed in her heart, hoping it wasn’t because her Rebirth had altered the original course of events that Shen Wenjing no longer liked her.
But as the saying goes, when a woman pursues a man, it’s only a thin veil apart—it shouldn’t be too difficult, right?
Anyway, there would be plenty of time ahead; she would surely find a way to make Shen Wenjing fall for her.
Thinking this, Song Jiuning propped herself up and sat: “Your Highness’s lesson is right.”
Shen Wenjing frowned slightly. It was said that Song Jiangjun doted on his daughter, so the ninth young lady was willful and reckless.
But now, she didn’t seem to be as the rumors described.
Shen Wenjing said, “Still not getting up? Your elder brother has been waiting for a long time.”
Song Jiuning glanced at the dress on the floor, now reduced to tatters, and looked at Shen Wenjing with a pitiful expression.
Understanding her meaning, Shen Wenjing pressed a hand to his lips and smiled. “There are no women in my manor. You can wear my clothes.”
Although she had been carried away by Shen Wenjing in public, her reputation was already ruined. But if she were to swagger through the streets wearing Shen Wenjing’s clothes, it would undoubtedly announce to the world that she, Song Jiuning, was already Shen Wenjing’s woman.
She didn’t really mind, but it was better to leave some face for the General’s Manor.
Song Jiuning said, “That won’t be necessary. Clothes from maids or servants will do; I don’t mind.”
Shen Wenjing’s brow furrowed. Are you disgusted with me?”
Song Jiuning immediately replied, “How could I? It’s just that Jiuning is, after all, a young lady, and I fear it would bring shame to my father’s face.”
Shen Wenjing sneered. Just moments ago, the two of them had been locked in passionate embrace, and now she wanted to distance herself from him.
“Is it afraid of bringing shame to Old General Song, or afraid of misunderstanding from Tenth Brother?”
Hearing him mention Shen Yunting, Song Jiuning’s hatred surged once more.
One day, she would make Shen Yunting pay in blood; his fate would be a hundred times more miserable than hers!
But for now, she had to placate Shen Wenjing first.
Fortunately, after drifting alone and helpless for so long after death, she had long learned how to restrain herself.
Song Jiuning gazed at Shen Wenjing with boundless tenderness. “In the past, I was young and didn’t understand things. Today, Your Highness saved me twice. From now on, Jiuning’s entire person and heart belong to Your Highness. Unless…”
As she spoke, she employed her old trick again, grabbing Shen Wenjing’s hand.
“Unless Your Highness refuses to have me.”
Her watery eyes reflected Shen Wenjing’s handsome face as Song Jiuning poured on the gentle seduction: “Your Highness, will you have Jiuning?”
Shen Wenjing felt the desire that had just subsided being easily reignited by her.
He had never felt such longing for a woman before.
And unfortunately, it was a woman whose heart belonged to another man.
Interesting, truly interesting.
Shen Wenjing gripped her hand in return, rubbing the thick calluses from holding a spear on her palm.
“Want to be this prince’s woman?”