Xiao Chengyan bent down to wipe away her tears. Noticing how cold her body felt, he instinctively wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace while gently stroking her arms.
Her frame was so delicate it seemed it might break with a snap, her skin thin yet unexpectedly pleasant to touch—smooth as silk, once touched, one couldn’t bear to let go!
“Nong Er never mentioned anything about the Helan Family.”
Lin Nong bit her lip, her voice muffled: “Wangye is so astute, he doesn’t need a confession!”
Xiao Chengyan, who had wronged her for the second time: “…”
Lin Nong broke free.
She knelt halfway before him: “This concubine spoke out of turn. Please punish me, Wangye.”
Xiao Chengyan watched her.
The wound on her lip—whether from his bite or not—remained, the blood stark against her slightly pale lips.
Fragile beyond measure.
Remembering last night’s wild, fervent kiss… his throat tightened, a restless heat stirring in his lower abdomen.
Xiao Chengyan reached out his hand.
Lin Nong refused to take it, supporting herself to stand.
Then her legs gave way, and she nearly fell.
With her soft gasp, Xiao Chengyan had already caught her, settling her onto his lap, their bodies pressed intimately together.
Lin Nong opened her tear-filled eyes, struggling anxiously: “This concubine didn’t mean to…”
Xiao Chengyan should have released her.
But he didn’t.
Whether to handle palace affairs or contend for the Eastern Palace Position, he urgently needed a healthy son!
Since Lin Nong was his Cefei, there was no reason he couldn’t touch her!
His gaze deepened as he stared at Lin Nong’s innocent face. Suddenly standing, he lifted her and strode toward the bed.
Lin Nong was laid on the bed, her upper garment torn off by the man and dropped to the floor.
Having lived as a sheltered young lady for so many years, she hadn’t encountered many men outside, but the ones in the Lin family were enough for her to understand the nature of men in this era!
Like Fifth Uncle, who constantly complained about his wife’s coarseness and lack of refinement, yet still managed to have four children with her!
She was already Xiao Chengyan’s Cefei; in his eyes, she belonged to him.
Sooner or later, he would touch her!
But she had no intention of cooperating!
Even without romantic feelings, anything easily obtained wouldn’t be cherished.
If she gave in to him today, only for him to later feel overwhelming guilt toward Zi Sangli, wouldn’t the matter of spreading rumors about her be brushed aside?
That wouldn’t do!
Pressing down on the man’s hand as it slid under her undergarments, she trembled and refused: “Wangye! I beg you, don’t do this…”
Xiao Chengyan held her body, feeling intensely aroused: “You are this prince’s Cefei. Your duty is to obey this prince.”
Lin Nong scoffed inwardly, deliberately defying his wishes as she cried bitterly: “Please stop testing me… This concubine remembers your words on our wedding night and will keep to my place! Please release me… This concubine truly has no intention of overstepping…”
Xiao Chengyan was surprised.
Did she think he was testing her?
But of course, he wouldn’t admit that consummating the marriage was his own idea, so he invoked the Empress: “The Empress placed you in this mansion so you could bear this prince’s heirs!”
Lin Nong suddenly stopped struggling.
Tears welled in her eyes, dripping down one by one.
Humiliated and heartbroken.
“This concubine is a person, not… a tool! Why must Wangye bully me like this…”
Xiao Chengyan frowned.
As heaven’s favored one, when had he ever been rejected like this?
But she was Lord Lin’s most beloved legitimate eldest daughter, and today he had misunderstood her first, so he suppressed his dissatisfaction and displeasure.
As long as her belly showed no signs of movement for two months, the Empress would naturally pressure her!
He did not continue further.
He lay down beside her, still fully clothed.
“Wangfei spread rumors to slander you. I have punished her with house arrest for reflection.”
Only house arrest?
He truly doted on Zi Sangli!
Lin Nong silently grumbled about her, her damp eyes casting a pitiful sidelong glance at him as she gently bit her lip.
Clearly accusing him—he was the one who had gone too far!
Xiao Chengyan looked at her delicate, fair face. She was so obedient and gentle, yet not entirely submissive—her little temper was rather endearing.
Though he was of noble lineage, he possessed a man’s magnanimity: “Today is already the 21st. On the second day of next month, there will be a Fireworks Festival. How about I accompany Nong Er for a boat ride on the lake?”
It had been so long since she left the estate—she was nearly bored to death!
To maintain her modesty, Lin Nong replied reluctantly yet sensibly: “Wangfei will surely be upset. Since Wangye permits Nong Er to leave the estate, Nong Er will go play with her sisters!”
Xiao Chengyan intended to give Zi Sangli a warning and a lesson, making her understand what was appropriate and inappropriate as a wife!
“If Mother learns that I am accompanying you, she will be very pleased. Besides, it was Wangfei who slandered you. If I still took her to the lake, wouldn’t that be indulging her willfulness!”
Lin Nong was well aware of the scoundrel’s underlying message.
He was warning her not to presume upon her father and brother’s power and influence to act arrogantly.
He was also reminding himself that he would eventually consummate the marriage with her!
She took the opportunity to agree to the boat ride but pretended not to grasp his warning and hint: “Since it is to appease the palace, this humble consort naturally must cooperate.”
Xiao Chengyan found it puzzling—she was usually so clever, yet when it came to matters between men and women, she seemed so innocent and naive.
For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
…
That evening, Xiao Chengyan stayed overnight at Changning Hall.
This time, Lin Nong did not pretend to be asleep. She opened her eyes when he woke up.
Just like the previous times.
Her body was held in his vigorous, youthful embrace.
Both of their bodies were warm.
Her nightgown clung to her skin, making Lin Nong slightly uncomfortable. She shifted gently.
Xiao Chengyan pressed his hand against her lower back, his voice hoarse: “Don’t move!”
Lin Nong looked at him with confused, clear eyes: “Wangye?”
Xiao Chengyan stared at the wound on her lip.
His thumb gently stroked it.
As if by instinct, Lin Nong bit her lip lightly and naturally ended up biting his finger.
A warm, moist sensation shot like lightning from his fingertip, spreading through his entire body.
Lin Nong released him immediately, her eyes filled with a hint of panic and shyness: “Wangye… it’s time to rise.”
Xiao Chengyan remained silent.
Just then, Yi Ran’s voice came from outside.
“Wangye, the Empress has sent word, requesting both of you to enter the palace immediately.”
Lin Nong propped herself up and instinctively leaned toward Xiao Chengyan: “Wangye…”
Xiao Chengyan wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze: “Just follow my lead.”
Lin Nong looked at him with complete trust and nodded obediently.
After washing up, the two entered the palace.
After paying their respects, the Empress beckoned Lin Nong to sit beside her, showing great affection and fondness: “I already know about yesterday’s incident. You have been wronged.”
Lin Nong shook her head, glancing softly at Xiao Chengyan with the shyness of a newlywed: “Wangye has already meted out punishment. As long as Wangye believes in me, this humble consort is not wronged.”
Xiao Chengyan gazed at her steadily, a noble smile gracing his lips.
He appeared every bit the devoted lover perfectly matched with her.
Lin Nong: “…” Such acting skills!
The Empress observed their interaction and found it genuinely convincing.
Her worries eased somewhat.
However, to hasten the arrival of her grandson, she decided not to leave matters to natural progression.
She had them stay for lunch.
After the meal, she commanded: “Escort Wangye and Cefei to the Snow Moon Pavilion in the rear for their midday rest.”
Lin Nong was stunned.
Was the Empress so impatient that she needed to personally supervise her and Xiao Chengyan consummating the marriage?