Xiao Chengyan’s expression was dark and heavy.
He neither looked at her nor offered any comfort.
Zi Sangli’s current condition made it impossible for her to consummate the marriage with him.
Watching helplessly as Xiao Chengyan went to favor Lin Nong, she felt utterly unwilling.
But if she didn’t persuade him to go and let Lin Nong get pregnant, even more women would surely enter the Wangfu!
The Empress now detested her so much that she would undoubtedly issue strict orders demanding Xiao Chengyan favor every one of them.
By then, she would have to compete with a crowd of women for her husband!
To avoid losing the bigger picture for a small gain, she could only force herself to be tolerant and take the initiative to speak: “I’m sorry, Your Highness… This humble concubine truly didn’t realize you were under such great pressure! Please go ahead, consummate the marriage with the Cefei as soon as possible, and let her bear your eldest son soon… This humble concubine won’t be jealous, won’t cause any more scenes! Truly!”
“For Your Highness, this humble concubine is willing to endure any amount of hardship! In the future, I will get along well with her, only hoping that when you have new companions, you won’t forget the trials we’ve shared and the love between husband and wife!”
Xiao Chengyan watched her with a cold gaze.
All these years, he had spoiled her, indulged her, taken no concubines, never treated her coldly, suppressing all his masculine desires, willingly waiting for her to turn eighteen.
But now, he realized that these years of doting might have been worthless.
She would rather push him to someone else than consummate their marriage before turning eighteen!
She loved herself most, not him, her husband!
And precisely because of this, she showed no consideration for his difficult position, only knowing how to scheme and stir up jealousy.
Enough!
Since he had chosen her, he must be tolerant.
As for exclusive favor.
It was no longer necessary!
…
“The Wangfei was beaten, and the Empress has come to utterly despise her, even ordering Wangye to immediately make you and the Wangfei pregnant, or else she will select consorts for Wangye! The Wangfei’s current physical state makes it impossible to consummate the marriage. If she doesn’t want more women entering the Wangfu to share favor, she has no choice but to personally persuade Wangye to get you pregnant!”
“Master, your strategy is far more damaging than directly exposing her!”
Chang Tian gestured animatedly, narrating with the flair of a storyteller.
Lin Nong smiled lightly, in quite good spirits.
Since Zi Sangli couldn’t consummate the marriage with Xiao Chengyan, her persuasion would sound selfish and loveless to Xiao Chengyan.
How could such a proud man not be angered?
His favor and guilt toward her would both diminish greatly.
But getting rid of this stumbling block wasn’t that easy.
After all, she was his first wife…
Yi Ran added incense to the nearly burnt-out censer, gently fanning the milky smoke to drift into every corner of the bedchamber.
Turning to see her looking in the mirror, she gave a meaningful glance in the reflection and comforted: “Stop looking! The wound isn’t large on the surface. The ointment bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress must be excellent, and Wangye has brought many scar-removing and beauty-enhancing treatments. At most, it will leave a faint pink mark—it won’t be ugly.”
Lin Nong adjusted her clothes and slumped despondently on the pillow: “With disfigurement, how could it not be ugly…”
In this era, not only facial marks counted as disfigurement; scars on the body were also considered disfigurement.
Yi Ran spoke in a tone of sudden realization: “So these past few days, whenever Wangye comes, you pretend to be asleep because you’re afraid he’ll see the scar?”
Lin Nong breathed in the fragrance in the air, her posture languid, and murmured lightly: “What man doesn’t love beauty?” Then she sighed, “The Wangfei was very upset that day when she found out Wangye accompanied me on the outing! I really can’t bring myself to steal another woman’s husband.”
Yi Ran analyzed for her: “What do you mean by someone else’s husband? Wangye is your husband too! Moreover, you and Wangye are already inseparable stakeholders. Helping Wangye produce a firstborn son early will bring honor to the Lin Family’s masters in the future!”
“Just think—how wonderful it would be to have a chubby baby laughing joyfully in our courtyard next year! When Wangye’s status becomes even more esteemed in the future, there will be more women serving by his side. With a child by your side, you won’t feel lonely either!”
Lin Nong seemed captivated by her description, tilting her head as she pondered seriously for a while.
Finally, she let out a long sigh and covered her face with the silk handkerchief in her hand.
“But the firstborn son… has always been the target of everyone’s arrows! Enough, enough, let’s not talk about this anymore. The more we discuss it, the more upset I get!”
Yi Ran tactfully changed the subject, coaxing her to get up and take the medicine: “The Imperial Physician said your constitution was well-nourished before, so the effects of over a month of decoctions and cooling medicine have already subsided. This is the last dose to consolidate your foundation—you mustn’t be willful!”
Lin Nong refused petulantly: “I won’t drink it, I won’t! It’s terribly bitter!”
Just as Yi Ran was about to persuade her further, she was interrupted by someone behind her.
Turning around, Yi Ran curtsied and said with a smile: “Shall this servant fetch Wangye for you?”
“Go ahead! Wangye is busy—how would he have time for you? If you can actually bring him here, I…” Lin Nong lifted the handkerchief from her face and, seeing Xiao Chengyan standing right before her, froze for a moment. “How did Wangye get here?”
Xiao Chengyan raised an eyebrow: “If this prince came, what would Nong Er do?”
Lin Nong blinked, looking somewhat guilty: “When did Wangye arrive?”
Xiao Chengyan snorted: “When Cefei was slandering this prince for being fond of beauty.”
Lin Nong stood up and performed a casual salute, chiding him: “Wangye is a gentleman—how could you eavesdrop like others!”
Xiao Chengyan looked at her charming expression and chuckled softly, his irritability seeming to be swept away by a spring breeze. His mood always lightened unconsciously around her.
He pressed her back down.
Then added, “Nong Er is a lady from a respectable family—how could you slander people behind their backs?”
Lin Nong wrinkled her nose and snorted at him.
Charming, with an indescribable sense of intimacy.
Xiao Chengyan reached out to remove the clothing in front of her.
Lin Nong grasped his hand: “Wangye, don’t look! This humble concubine has turned into an ugly monster!”
Xiao Chengyan’s tone was extremely gentle: “Nonsense! Nong Er is still beautiful, kind-hearted, and utterly perfect!”
Lin Nong bit her lip, stubbornly refusing to let him see.
Xiao Chengyan didn’t insist either.
He took the medicine bowl and stirred it: “The Imperial Physician instructed you to drink it. Why aren’t you obeying? This prince will feed you.”
Lin Nong softly refused.
After taking the bowl, she gulped it down in one go.
Xiao Chengyan paused.
His willingness to feed her was an act of affection.
Was she actually disliking it?
Lin Nong frowned and tugged at his sleeve: “Wangye, you’re blocking Nong Er from getting the plums.”
Xiao Chengyan moved aside, picked up a plum, and fed it to her.
Lin Nong deliberately gave his finger a light bite, then quickly pushed it away.
Xiao Chengyan’s raised hand tensed.
His hand was slender and pale, the bones of his palm standing out prominently—quite sensual.
Lin Nong silently marveled: Not bad looking, great figure, even the details are rather tempting. If he were in a modern club and had slightly higher emotional intelligence, wealthy women definitely wouldn’t give him a chance to leave their beds. But why did he have to be such a feudal blockhead?
Xiao Chengyan noticed her staring at him, her eyes revealing “what a pity”: “What’s so pitiful?”
Lin Nong snapped back to reality, not having heard clearly, her gaze clear and innocent: “Hmm?”
Xiao Chengyan gazed at her slightly parted pink lips, pure and clear yet carrying a hint of alluring charm.
Lin Nong was kissed.
The plundering carried a touch of madness.
She inwardly clicked her tongue—where was the reluctance in this intimacy?
It was clearly his own desire!
Men were all the same, driven by lust!
Yi Ran and Chang Tian, quick-witted as ever, immediately extinguished the palace lamps, closed the windows and doors, and withdrew.
The light grew dim.
Faint incense smoke curled lazily from the burner, weaving around them, heightening the atmosphere to its peak.
Xiao Chengyan’s voice was low and husky: “Bear me a son!”