The vessel was exquisitely carved and adorned with beautiful glazed palace lanterns, making it exceptionally lovely.
As they boarded the Decorated Boat, an official approached.
He claimed to have important matters to discuss with Xiao Chengyan.
Lin Nong obediently went up to the second floor.
The sky had completely darkened.
Standing on the deck of the second level, she gazed at the lanterns lining the lake, winding like a dragon—a truly magnificent sight!
The Decorated Boat was spacious.
Inside the cabin, renowned singers were chanting while dancers performed.
The atmosphere was perfectly set.
By the time she finished admiring the surroundings, an incense stick’s worth of time had passed.
Leaning against the railing of the second floor, she looked down and happened to see Xiao Chengyan emerging from the cabin.
Under the fragmented glow of the palace lanterns, he wore a white outer robe embroidered with red phoenix-tail patterns. His features were handsome, his figure tall and slender, appearing both refined and noble, with an undeniable allure.
She had to admit, Xiao Chengyan’s face was quite pleasing to the eye.
“A beauty under the lanterns, radiant as jade!”
She teased him deliberately.
Hearing this, Xiao Chengyan turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow. “Is this Wangye so captivating?”
Lin Nong gently bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with mischief.
Xiao Chengyan approached and tapped her nose. “A young girl like you praising a man so boldly—aren’t you ashamed?”
Lin Nong adopted a coy, girlish demeanor and grasped one of his fingers. “If you’re handsome, why can’t I look?”
Her hand was incredibly soft, reminding Xiao Chengyan of the day he had pinned her down… She appeared slender, yet her form was so full and enticing!
With a gentle tug.
Lin Nong pressed against his chest.
Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly spotted Zi Sangli on the shore.
Panic-stricken, she pushed Xiao Chengyan away abruptly.
“Wangye… it’s the Wangfei!”
Xiao Chengyan frowned. “She’s under house arrest. How could she be here?”
But when he turned around.
He indeed saw Zi Sangli standing on the shore, glaring at them furiously, her expression filled with rage.
Xiao Chengyan stepped onto the boarding plank and hurriedly disembarked.
Zi Sangli did not wait for him. After violently throwing something to the ground, she stormed off in anger.
Xiao Chengyan halted and looked down at the shattered hairpin on the ground. Many onlookers had witnessed the scene, pointing and whispering.
His face darkened.
He was a son of heaven, proud and esteemed.
How could he tolerate his wife publicly humiliating him like this!
To make matters worse, she had defied his orders and left the Wangfu during her house arrest!
In the end.
He only instructed his guards to follow her, ensuring her safe return to the Wangfu!
Lin Nong watched coldly.
A mocking smile tugged at her lips. Zi Sangli, born in this male-dominated era and married to a powerful prince, actually expected something like “one man, one woman for a lifetime”!
How foolish!
Quietly, she turned and left the second-floor deck.
When Xiao Chengyan returned to the boat, he did not see Lin Nong.
After searching around, he found her standing at the stern of the first level. Her flowing dress fluttered lightly in the night breeze, giving the impression that she might drift away with the wind at any moment.
A glistening tear fell, instantly disappearing into the river.
Xiao Chengyan turned her around and wiped away her tears. “Why are you crying?”
Lin Nong quickly wiped her eyes and looked at him in shock.
As if puzzled by his return.
She averted her face, composing herself.
After a long while, she murmured, “Nong Er seems to have done something wrong, but… Nong Er never meant to harm the Wangfei.”
Xiao Chengyan thought to himself, if only this face and this delicate, clever heart were not so thoughtful and kind, perhaps she would have already won his favor and been with child?
She had the Empress’s support and his tacit approval, yet she insisted on worrying about others.
It made him feel an involuntary surge of pity for her.
“You are this Wangye’s Cefei, serving me is your duty. Your thoughts should be on me, not on reading others’ expressions!”
His voice carried the authority of one in power, brooking no argument.
Lin Nong leaned in, resting against his chest: “Since Nong Er has married Wangye, naturally everything should prioritize Wangye. But I know… Wangye holds not a shred of tenderness for me in his heart.”
Her soft voice sounded utterly pitiful and vulnerable.
In contrast, Zi Sangli’s public humiliation of her appeared exceptionally willful and spoiled.
Xiao Chengyan’s masculine pride was satisfied by Lin Nong’s demeanor. He lifted her chin, his dark eyes fixed on her beautiful, delicate face: “How does Nong Er know I hold no tenderness for you?”
Lin Nong inwardly scoffed.
Back in modern society, she’d seen plenty of wealthy men keeping mistresses.
They maintained women across different cities and countries, from number three all the way to number N, using false possessiveness and lavish spending to coax young, beautiful treasures into gazing at them with infatuated devotion and complete compliance. During these times, the women would become particularly delicate and passionate, providing them with exceptionally wonderful experiences.
Once they grew tired of playing around, they’d simply walk away without looking back.
Never easily abandoning someone?
Such thoughts simply didn’t exist!
Whether in modern society or this current era, all men were the same.
Lin Nong wasn’t foolish enough to believe this scoundrel had truly developed feelings for her. He merely wanted to coax her into falling in love so she’d serve him wholeheartedly!
Meeting his gaze, as if unable to withstand his profound stare and about to drown in it, she trembled slightly and wrapped her arms around his slender waist: “Wangye is Nong Er’s only reliance. Nong Er naturally believes in Wangye.”
At the end of her words, she trailed off with a soft sigh.
Making it clear to him that she wasn’t truly captivated, but merely compromising due to pressure from the palace!
She had to stir his desire for conquest!
Only then would men take initiative.
When men took initiative, she could seize the dominant position, wasn’t that right?
Xiao Chengyan indeed moved again.
Lifting her chin, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Lin Nong clutched his clothes, trembling gently.
Xiao Chengyan was quite satisfied with her reaction—sufficiently innocent.
Just as he was about to part her pearly teeth.
The clashing of weapons exploded in their ears, sparks flying.
An assassination attempt!
Surrounding guards rushed forward.
“Protect Wangye and Cefei! Get them to the cabin!”
But half the guards had been dispatched earlier to protect Zi Sangli.
Stray arrows suddenly shot from the neighboring Decorated Boat quickly eliminated another portion.
Lin Nong had anticipated this scene. According to this plot, a certain young lady hidden among the dancing girls would suddenly appear, save him, successfully gain his promise, and after entering the Wangfu, split half of Zi Sangli’s favor.
Today’s plan was naturally to replace the dancing girl’s life-saving grace!
But experiencing it firsthand, she couldn’t help trembling in fear!
Damn!
This assassination scene was far more dangerous than described in the book!
With a sudden splash!
Several black-clad figures emerged from the water, brandishing long swords as they thrust toward Xiao Chengyan.
Dragged along by him, Lin Nong couldn’t escape.
Swords and arrows came incessantly.
She was utterly paralyzed with fear!
“Wangye, be careful!”
Seeing the sharp sword shooting toward them, Lin Nong exclaimed, pushing him away with force.
Of course, it was a push!
As someone who had mocked countless arrow-blocking scenes in TV dramas, how could she possibly be foolish enough to do it herself?
But the situation unfolded differently than she had anticipated.
Another arrow shot out from the side. The guards, overwhelmed by the sheer number of attackers, couldn’t reach her in time.
It struck her shoulder squarely.
An intense pain instantly shot from the crown of her head down to her limbs, draining all her strength.