Shen Tinghe dared not dwell on it, only feeling as if something were clogging her chest, leaving her breathless and uneasy. She lowered her eyes, hiding the panic within them.
Seeing her like this, a wave of panic crept up Xie Yanzhao’s spine.
He cupped her face in his hands. In his deep eyes, the usual gentleness had faded, replaced by a surge of intense possessiveness and unwavering determination.
“Yuanyuan, you know I won’t let you leave.”
Shen Tinghe felt her entire body grow warm under his gaze. His eyes were too fervent, too direct, laying bare his love and obsession, leaving her somewhat flustered.
She raised her hand to cover his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that…”
“Why not?” Xie Yanzhao pulled her hand down, lowering his head to press her fingertips against his lips.
“My feelings should be made perfectly clear to you. Yuanyuan, if not for you, we would have been married long ago.”
In this dynasty, customs were open, and it was common for women to marry at seventeen or eighteen. Families who cherished their daughters might keep them for an extra year or two.
But Shen Tinghe was already twenty, and it was no longer appropriate to delay.
Moreover, Xie Yanzhao, as the Crown Prince, was expected to marry upon his capping ceremony according to ancestral tradition. It was only for her sake that the wedding had been postponed until now.
Xie Yanzhao was four years older than her, now twenty-four.
At this age, it was rare for someone to remain unmarried.
“You should have been my Crown Princess long ago.”
Xie Yanzhao’s voice was low and husky, his lips still pressed against her fingertips.
“Our wedding has been in preparation for two full years. The phoenix crown and cloud robe, the ten miles of red bridal makeup—I have already prepared everything. The wedding date is set for April, just two months away.”
“Yuanyuan, you can’t escape.”
Xie Yanzhao’s words carried an undeniable authority, much like the man himself.
Shen Tinghe looked at the stubbornness and deep affection in his eyes, and the panic in her chest gradually gave way to warmth.
She didn’t want to think about this now.
Shen Tinghe nuzzled against his brocade robe, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’m sleepy.”
Her fingertips unconsciously tightened around the jade belt at his waist, clinging to him affectionately.
Xie Yanzhao lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on her fair profile.
The candlelight outlined the gentle curve of her jaw, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Her nose was small and delicate, and her lips were a natural shade of pink, soft and tempting.
His eyes darkened. Without giving her time to react, he grasped the nape of her neck, lowered his head, and captured the soft lips he had longed for.
Xie Yanzhao’s kisses were always forceful and unrestrained, devoid of the restraint expected of an ancient man.
The moment their lips met, it was a complete act of possession—their lips pressed tightly together, his tongue boldly parting her teeth to entwine with hers.
Caught off guard, Shen Tinghe couldn’t push him away. She could only tilt her head back, forced to endure his invasive kiss.
Her breathing grew rapid, and even the corners of her eyes glistened with moisture.
After a long while, Xie Yanzhao reluctantly released her, his voice husky and magnetic. “Sleep. When you fall asleep, I’ll take you back.”
Shen Tinghe’s eyes were red at the corners, carrying a hint of the coquettishness and shyness that followed a kiss. Weak and limp, she collapsed back into his arms.
She had never been able to understand it. Her soul was that of a modern person, so kissing during courtship was one thing.
But Xie Yanzhao was a true ancient man, yet he paid no heed to the propriety between men and women.
Relying on his status as the Crown Prince and their engagement, he acted so recklessly, holding her and kissing her whenever he pleased.
Yet his kissing skills were exceptional, and he was handsome, making it impossible to resist. Every time, he left her dizzy and disoriented.
He was simply too good at it—she truly found it hard to refuse.
Xie Yanzhao felt the slight trembling of the person in his arms. He placed his palm on her back, gently patting her with practiced ease as he coaxed her to sleep.
Shen Tinghe’s drowsiness gradually deepened, and within the warmth of his embrace and the soothing rhythm of his patting, she soon fell asleep.
Xie Yanzhao carried her through the silent corridor. Moonlight flowed like water, spilling onto the bluestone pavement and casting his tall, straight silhouette.
Before long, they arrived at her Jiangxi Courtyard.
The inner chamber exuded opulence and elegance. The floor was covered with thick plush rugs, and the dressing table was adorned with luxurious jewelry—golden hairpins, jade hair ornaments, pearls, and agates, a dazzling array that clearly revealed the upbringing of a cherished young lady.
Xie Yanzhao placed her on the couch draped in brocade silk. He reached out and drew down the sheer gauze curtain hanging beside the couch.
The green gauze curtain fell, veiling the figure on the couch in a hazy silhouette, isolating her from the outside world.
He removed his outer robe and lay down beside her, his gaze fixed intently on her sleeping face.
Xie Yanzhao extended a fingertip, touching her eyelashes with utmost gentleness. Feeling their faint tremble, a surge of scorching desire welled up in his heart.
Inwardly, he whispered her name, unable to suppress his urgency and obsession.
Yuanyuan, I can hardly hold back anymore. Marry me soon.
His fingertip traced lightly down her cheek, carrying both reverence and certainty.
Our names will be recorded together in history, for all eternity, never to be parted again.
The next day, daylight filtered through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor of the bedchamber.
On the couch, Shen Tinghe was still wrapped snugly in a cloud-patterned brocade quilt, sleeping soundly. Her long hair spilled over the pillow, her eyelashes thick and delicate, fluttering gently with each even breath.
The moon-white sleeping robe she wore had slipped loosely off one shoulder, revealing skin as smooth and fair as jade.
It was the robe Xie Yanzhao had changed her into the night before.
From outside the courtyard came the faint sound of footsteps, accompanied by the soft greetings of maidservants.
Princess Hualan, Xie Yu, was dressed in a pomegranate-red palace gown embroidered with gold. The hem of her skirt was adorned with intricate patterns, and as she walked, the golden embroidery shimmered brilliantly, accentuating her graceful figure and dignified bearing.
She bore the surname Xie, following her mother, Princess Zhaorong, and her features carried both the noble pride of a royal lady and the resolute strength inherited from the Grand Princess.
Beneath her gentle and refined appearance lay an unyielding authority.
Followed by two personal maidservants, the procession made its way toward Shen Tinghe’s bedchamber.
Qing Yu and Qing Dai stood with hands clasped respectfully under the corridor eaves. Upon seeing their mistress, they immediately curtsied. “Greetings, My Lady.”
Lady Shen nodded slightly, gesturing for them to open the door. “Is Yuan’er still asleep?”
Qing Yu replied, “My Lady, the young mistress has not yet awakened.”
The carved wooden door was pushed open, and a faint scent of calming incense wafted out.
Qing Xu and Qing Lan, who had been waiting in the outer chamber, also stepped forward to pay their respects.
Lady Shen walked slowly into the inner chamber, her eyes immediately falling upon her daughter curled up on the couch.
Wrapped tightly in the brocade quilt, she resembled a plump, round dumpling, with only a fluffy little head peeking out—a sight both endearing and adorable.
Lady Shen’s eyes filled with affection as she sat by the bedside, gently brushing aside the stray hairs on her daughter’s forehead.
“Yuan’er, time to wake up. It’s already mid-morning, and you’re still asleep.”
Shen Tinghe was roused by the gentle voice. Blinking drowsily, she opened her eyes and recognized the person before her as her mother.
Shen Tinghe propped herself up, wrapping her arms around Lady Shen’s arm and nestling her head against her shoulder.
“Mother… I’m not fully awake yet. Can I sleep a little longer?”
Lady Shen gently tapped her forehead with a finger, her tone carrying a hint of affectionate reproach.
“You’ve truly been spoiled by me.”
Eight years ago, the Dingshan Prince’s residence had many masters, but after that incident, there were only a few left.
Now, there were only the reclusive Dingshan Prince Shen Jun, the heir Shen Xuan, his wife Xie Yu, as well as Shen Tinghe and her younger brother Shen Chengzhou.
Eldest Young Master Shen Chengbo had left a year ago to take up his post in Wu’an County, Lingzhou.