Her faint, delicate fragrance lingered with every breath.
His body actually reacted.
This reaction startled him.
He restrained himself with great effort.
His expression remained unchanged.
She was merely a somewhat beautiful woman—he loved his wife dearly, how could he be tempted by another woman?
Lin Nong noticed his gaze but pretended not to: “Wangye, may this humble consort have something to eat?”
In the dim, shadowy light, her eyes were pure and bright. Xiao Chengyan was taken aback and averted his gaze.
He thought, surely she hadn’t noticed his lapse?
He called for the attendant maid to prepare some snacks.
After a while, Yi Ran brought in the snacks: “I knew you’d be hungry at night! The kitchen had them ready long ago, just waiting for me to give the word. They were fried immediately, so they’re best eaten hot and fresh!”
Xiao Chengyan felt as if his weak spot had been exposed.
But since childhood, he had never needed to accommodate anyone, so he had truly never encountered such a situation.
“In the future, when we dine together, you may eat slowly. There’s no need to put down your chopsticks at the same time as This Prince.”
Lin Nong’s eyes lit up.
Under the candlelight, they shone brilliantly!
“Thank you, Wangye!”
Hearing her joyful voice, Xiao Chengyan couldn’t help but smile.
What a child—so easily pleased!
He watched as Lin Nong ate.
Perhaps she was truly hungry; she ate quickly in small bites, her eyes slightly curved with satisfaction, her expression utterly innocent and adorable.
Unlike the scheming consorts and noble ladies he had met, she was different.
Lin Nong felt uncomfortable under his gaze and picked up a piece of pastry, offering it to his lips: “Would Wangye like to try? This humble consort found the recipe in an ancient text. It took over half a year to recreate it, and I made a few adjustments to better suit modern tastes.”
Xiao Chengyan was quite surprised: “You know how to make pastries?”
Lin Nong nodded: “My father and mother both enjoy pastries, so I learned to make them myself—it’s a small act of filial piety! This one is Ta Su, and I’ve adjusted the recipe for it as well.”
It was essentially an egg tart!
Fortunately, she had enjoyed experimenting in her modern life. After transmigrating into the book, she had won the favor of the Lin family elders with her pastry-making skills.
Even though he was of royal descent, it was impossible for him to have tasted such things.
He would surely be impressed and remember it vividly.
“The crust is crispy, the filling is smooth and tender, and it’s not overly sweet—it’s truly delicious! Aside from my maternal family, no one else has tasted such a delicacy!”
Under the expectant gleam of her bright, clear eyes, Xiao Chengyan found himself unable to refuse.
He took a small bite.
He was astonished!
The combination of crispiness and smooth tenderness was simply marvelous!
Local officials often presented chefs to the palace, and he had sampled top-tier pastries from all regions, yet none could compare to the delight of this single bite.
Lin Nong guided him with a question: “Does Nong’er have talent?”
Xiao Chengyan didn’t notice anything amiss with her self-reference and replied casually: “Nong’er’s talent for making pastries surpasses even that of the imperial chefs.”
Lin Nong was delighted, her eyes curving slightly in a look of innocent softness.
Xiao Chengyan watched her, his heart softening involuntarily.
…
After eating and drinking her fill, Lin Nong rinsed her mouth and lay back on the bed.
Tugging the small quilt, she curled up against the innermost side and fell asleep contentedly.
During this stage of building her persona, taking the initiative would only dig her own grave.
She wouldn’t do something so foolish!
Xiao Chengyan listened to her even breathing and suddenly felt a bit speechless.
Though Miss Xu had employed every trick to enter the Wangye’s mansion, kneeling to clutch the hem of his robe while weeping delicately just to earn a glance from him, she had now legitimately entered the mansion—how could she possibly have no schemes at all?
The figure beside him turned over.
Xiao Chengyan’s brow twitched slightly as he awaited her next move.
Yet after a long wait, there was no sign of any approach.
Turning to look—
Lin Nong had her back to him, hugging the quilt as she rolled to the innermost edge of the bed, nearly pressed against the bed curtains!
“…”
After some time, a maid’s soft call came from beyond the bed curtains.
Xiao Chengyan opened his eyes.
He discovered something soft and warm against his chest.
Looking down, he saw Lin Nong’s delicate form curled against him.
He instinctively frowned.
But then he glanced behind her.
Sure enough—she had been squeezed until there was no room left to sleep!
Seemingly uncomfortable from being bundled up, she squirmed and twisted a couple of times, her fullness brushing against his chest… instantly igniting a wildfire within him!
Xiao Chengyan held his breath, gently withdrew his arm from beneath her, carefully settled her back on the pillow, and quietly slipped out of bed.
After completing this series of movements, he was covered in a light sweat, his sleep robes clinging to his skin.
“Fresh clothes!”
Behind the bed curtains, Lin Nong slowly opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow.
See!
Even a man devoted to his wife couldn’t help reacting to another woman?
As long as there was a reaction, her subsequent efforts shouldn’t be too difficult!
She sat up, lingering at the edge of the bed to clear her mind.
Watching Xiao Chengyan change clothes through half-lidded eyes.
His outstretched arms tightened the muscles of his back, revealing a surprisingly wild physique that, far from clashing with his noble demeanor, only added to his allure.
What a pity she couldn’t reach out and test the feel of it!
Yi Ran came to attend to her rising.
Lin Nong whispered to her, “The Wangfei is truly fortunate!”
Yi Ran: “…”
From his angle, partially facing the bronze mirror, Xiao Chengyan could see her expression.
With his sharp hearing, he caught this remark while discreetly observing her, leaving him momentarily speechless: “…”
He turned around.
His inner robe still unfastened, revealing a firm, well-defined chest.
“Nong’er awake?”
Lin Nong’s languid gaze unexpectedly met a solid chest and a seductive little red bud!
After a brief daze, she immediately frowned and turned her face away.
Clearly a deliberate test.
Hmph!
Dog of a man!
In another woman’s chamber, changing so brazenly—utterly lacking in male virtue!
Fortunately, her expression remained controlled, or she might have given herself away!
“Wangye, please dress properly and be careful not to catch a chill!”
Xiao Chengyan hadn’t managed to uncover her “true nature” through his test—he should have been pleased, yet he found it hard to smile.
When had he, a Qinwang of such stature, ever been so disdainfully dismissed?
Lin Nong, aware of the pride typical of such heaven-favored sons, paid him no mind.
She even proactively urged him to leave quickly.
“Wangye should go to the Wangfei for breakfast.”
Xiao Chengyan had been thinking the same.
If he didn’t go early, A Li was bound to start overthinking again!
As he left, he couldn’t help glancing back.
But she was engrossed in conversation with the maid, not sparing him a single extra look!
“…”
Zi Sangli had spent a sleepless night.
Listening to the reports from her spies—yesterday, not only had her husband stayed overnight, but he had also dined with Lin Nong and even shared a midnight snack with her!
Though they hadn’t engaged in that sort of activity, she distinctly sensed Xiao Chengyan’s patience with Lin Nong—hardly a good sign!
“Such skillful tactics indeed!”
Her confidante advised her, “Why not test Consort Lin? Let her know you’re displeased and see how she reacts! If she persists in seducing Wangye, we’ll find a way to eliminate her—just like we dealt with those cheap maids who tried to climb into bed before. We’ll take them down one by one!”
“If she keeps her distance after this, it means she knows her place. Then you can deliberately urge Wangye to stay at Changning Hall. When Wangye sees how considerate you are, he’ll surely cherish you even more!”
“After that, find a way to grant Consort Lin some favors, so she owes you. Then even if she truly has such intentions, she’d be too ashamed to seduce Wangye!”