Qingge was genuinely tempted to continue pretending to be asleep, hoping to avoid this round of intimacy. They had already been together several times, and it was clear that he had grown accustomed, even developing a taste for it. Yet, each time afterward, she had to bathe and expel the seeds he had poured into her—it was such a hassle.
Her thoughts briefly drifted to Wanzhao. Free by nature, Wanzhao maintained intimate relationships with several men and relied on a special herbal formula to prevent pregnancy. Qingge had seen the recipe and knew she could make it herself, but using it might arouse suspicion, making it more trouble than it was worth.
Refusing outright wasn’t an option, either. After all, she was now Ning Wangfei, and it wasn’t as though Ning Wang demanded her company every day. It had been days since their last intimacy, and now that he had come visiting, she had no suitable reason to reject his advance.
Reluctantly, Qingge braced herself, turned over, and threw herself into Ning Wang’s chest.
Ning Wang was slightly surprised. This woman had obviously been pretending to sleep and seemed resistant, yet now she appeared so affectionate. He particularly liked the way she snuggled into his arms, a gesture that softened his heart, though he didn’t immediately return the embrace.
Qingge’s sudden display of intimacy was not without calculation. She had just taken the pill from Ye Min, and the faint medicinal scent still lingered in her mouth. If Ning Wang noticed and questioned her, she could fabricate a lie, but her story might fall apart the moment he spoke with Luo Momo.
She had to eliminate any chance of arousing his suspicion. To avoid getting too close or making direct eye contact with him, she buried herself in his chest. This way, she appeared intimate while keeping a safe distance.
“Your Highness has been so busy these past few days. This consort has been lonely here in the inner yard, missing you.” Wrapping her arms around his waist, Qingge muttered softly.
Ning Wang raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Then who was pretending to be asleep earlier? Seems like someone was eager to avoid me, hmm?”
Sensing his cool demeanor, Qingge pressed her face against him and murmured, pretending to be sulking, “That was… well, this consort was a little upset earlier, so I pretended to be asleep. But thinking about Your Highness coming to see me… I couldn’t help but feel happy, and so I…” She trailed off deliberately, letting him interpret the rest.
This response clearly pleased Ning Wang. Only then did he raise his hand and return her embrace. However, he soon noticed something. “Why is your hair slightly damp? Were you out in the rain?”
It was currently drizzling outside, but she shouldn’t have had any reason to be outdoors. Without showing a flaw, Qingge replied casually, “It got damp earlier when bathing.”
“You should be more careful,” Ning Wang lightly chided. “Don’t catch a cold. Next time, have your attendants dry your hair properly, or let it air out before lying down.”
“I understand.” Qingge nodded. She hadn’t expected Ning Wang to show such consideration.
Holding her close, Ning Wang lowered his head and gave her a peck on the lips. “You smell quite nice—like a medicinal fragrance.”
‘…He’s too perceptive.’ Twisting slightly in his arms, Qingge responded offhandedly, “Really? Perhaps it’s from something used during the bath.”
She didn’t want to continue this dangerous topic, so she decisively took the initiative. In any case, it proved easier to divert Ning Wang’s attention using her body than with a lie.
Sure enough, her slight movement was enough to lit the fire. Ning Wang quickly gathered her into his arms and turned over, pressing his slender yet strong body on top of her.
Already very familiar with the deeds, the rest unfolded naturally. Everything seemed to be under his control. He even seemed to have learned a few new techniques, teasing her over and over again, driving her almost to the point of tears.
Fortunately, it finally ended.
When it was over, Qingge rose to head to the bath, but Ning Wang pressed her down, his strong arms circling her slender waist. “Stay here for a bit,” he said.
But Qingge did not want to. She feared conceiving a child and was eager to expel the thing he had just given her. The thought of bearing a child, becoming someone’s mother, and especially having Ning Wang’s child, was something she couldn’t accept.
But since Ning Wang had spoken, refusing outright would only arouse suspicion. Reluctantly, she lay back down and stayed still.
“This prince has been busy these past few days and neglected you,” Ning Wang spoke up. “But with Father Emperor’s longevity approaching, I’ve had to start making preparations for the journey to the capital.”
Qingge smiled understandingly. “I understand. Your Highness is already burdened with countless responsibilities, and now with the longevity celebration approaching, you must get even busier than usual. Still, no matter how busy you are, you must take care of yourself. Don’t forget to take a rest.”
He continued, “We’ll depart together to the capital for the celebration.”
Qingge replied, “Alright. I’ve never been to the imperial capital before.”
“Once we’re there, you’ll meet Father Emperor and Mother Consort. You’ll also have the chance to meet Imperial Brother.”
Qingge seized the moment to ask, “What kind of people are Father Emperor and Mother Consort? They must be very imposing, right? And what about His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Ning Wang chuckled softly and began to tell her about the Emperor, Noble Consort Tan, and his elder brother, the crown prince. Finally, he said, “Imperial Brother is ten years older than me. He has always been kind to me, like a father figure. I’ve always respected him deeply.”
Qingge had met the crown prince before. She had seen him when she was only four years old. With her sharp memory, such details had stayed with her all these years.
But these memories were buried deep in her heart, her own little secret that she would never share with anyone—not even Ye Min, who had likely forgotten such trivialities.
Now, as Ning Wangfei, she asked Ning Wang about her ‘brother-in-law,’ “Does Your Highness’s elder brother look much like you?”
“Somewhat, but not too much,” Ning Wang replied. “Imperial Brother resembles Father Emperor more, while I take after our mother.”
Qingge agreed that the brothers didn’t look alike. The crown prince was like a refreshing breeze and a bright moon—upright and virtuous, a paragon of wisdom and grace praised by both court and commoners alike.
In contrast, Ning Wang, though strikingly handsome, was too sharp, too cold, with a volatile temperament. On top of that, he was also calculating and unscrupulous. Who could imagine that this arrogant man would even go so far as to use his male charm to appease his Xiahou bride?
Ning Wang and the Crown Prince were two polar opposites. The Emperor had stationed Ning Wang in Yuning and given him control of the Qianying Pavilion to serve as a barrier against the scattered tribes of Xiyuan, likely to make use of Ning Wang’s fierce and fearsome nature.
The wind and rain beat against the window lattice, creating a damp, rhythmic sound. Their earlier intimacy still lingered, Qingge lay in Ning Wang’s arms, listening as he told her various things about the capital. She took the opportunity to ask many questions, mixing those she truly wanted answered with those she didn’t particularly care about.
Ning Wang seemed unusually forthcoming, answering everything freely, except for matters of significant importance, which he avoided entirely. Qingge noted his caution but still casually asked, “Your Highness, were the assassins last time from Xiyuan?”
Ning Wang glanced down at her before replying, “Yes.” He then paused briefly, “This is a matter of border security, so it demands attention. Earlier today, Mr. Ye Min came by, and we discussed it at length.”
‘Ye Min sure is busy,’ Qingge thought to herself. ‘First he spoke to me and then went to discuss matters with Ning Wang. ‘
She commented, “Mr. Ye Min specifically requested Duzhong Royal male flower. He must need it so badly.”
Ning Wang knew she was still brooding over this. After a brief pause, he raised his eyebrows and let out a slight chuckle.
When Qingge looked at him, she felt his smile was filled with amusement, as if laughing at something funny.
Seeing her slightly puzzled expression, Ning Wang’s gaze softened with a touch of affection. He lowered his head, kissed her forehead gently, and said, “He has already had the ingredients made into pill medicine. It will surely be useful.”
‘Pill medicine?’ Qingge’s heart jumped a beat. Within her body, she could faintly feel a pure fragrance spreading, carrying a gentle, transformative power over her poisoned meridians, like spring rain nourishing the earth.
‘The thing Ye Min fed me… what on earth was that?’
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