The little palace maids and eunuchs quickly prepared a bath for Feng Jiu’er, but Nanny Qin did not leave, remaining stationed in the outer hall.

She claimed she was there to serve them both on Consort Rong’s orders, but in truth, Feng Jiu’er knew she had been sent by Nanmeng Rong to keep watch — to see whether she was truly willing to give herself to Zhan Yuheng.

These two people were truly shameless!

While bathing, Feng Jiu’er pushed Zhan Yuheng out of the room. “I… I’m not used to being watched.”

Zhan Yuheng assumed she was simply shy. Though he was genuinely excited, he obediently stepped out from behind the screen and stood guard outside.

He never could have dreamed that Jiu’er would willingly be with him. He could perhaps guess there must be some reason behind it, but no matter the circumstances, things were currently working in his favor.

As long as Jiu’er didn’t resist, as long as she truly came to his side, then whatever the reason, he had no intention of letting such a good opportunity slip away.

“Your Highness…” Qingyun looked a little worried. The Crown Prince’s wound had only just begun to heal, yet seeing how worked up he was now, he feared what might happen later.

The mere thought of the romantic scene to come made even Qingyun’s face flush slightly.

Zhan Yuheng caught sight of his reddened face and was immediately displeased. “Jiu’er is bathing. You go outside first.”

Although Qingyun was in the outer hall and Jiu’er in the inner hall, hidden behind the screen, nothing could actually be seen.

But a young lady bathing in a room shouldn’t have a man in the outer hall either, and with Qingyun there, Zhan Yuheng naturally felt uneasy about it.

Qingyun caught on as well, immediately lowering his head, not daring to even glance toward the inner hall.

Still, he couldn’t help but voice his concern. “Your Highness, your wound…”

“It healed long ago. Get out!” The beauty would soon be in his arms — what did he care about some old wound?

Besides, the wound had already closed; he was merely in the recovery stage now, nothing that would hinder him.

Knowing he’d been dismissed, Qingyun had no choice but to turn and leave the room, though he still stationed himself just outside the door without going far.

Just in case His Highness got too carried away and tore the wound open again, he wanted to be the first to fetch the imperial physician.

Having served at the Crown Prince’s side for so long, he had never seen him this excited before. He worried that things might end badly after such overwhelming joy.

Though their prince never seemed like such a fragile person, this time his injury truly had been severe.

Feng Jiu’er lingered behind the screen for quite a while — in truth, she still hadn’t thought of a way out, so she had no intention of coming out at all.

Zhan Yuheng, however, was growing impatient and couldn’t resist calling out through the screen. “Jiu’er, is something wrong? Do you need my help?”

“No, don’t come in!” Feng Jiu’er startled, instinctively curling herself up inside the bathtub.

What was she supposed to do? This man looked like a wolf in heat. How was she going to survive this calamity tonight?

Worst of all, Nanny Qin was right there in the outer hall. There was no excuse she could possibly give now to persuade Zhan Yuheng to hold off tonight — not with Nanny Qin present to overhear.

She hadn’t thought quickly enough earlier to claim her monthly courses had come. Now that she’d already gotten into the bath, using that excuse seemed unlikely to work.

What was she supposed to do?

“Jiu’er, is something troubling you?” She’d been in there so long that Zhan Yuheng was truly growing concerned.

Earlier, when he’d untied her bindings, he could clearly see how pale she looked, as though she’d been injured. But hearing that she wanted to be with him, he had set all of that aside for the moment.

Zhan Yuheng admitted to himself that he was being a bit selfish. He knew full well Feng Jiu’er’s body wasn’t well, yet he didn’t want to miss this chance.

Jiu’er had always been with the Ninth Imperial Uncle. Now the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s whereabouts were unknown, and Jiu’er had been sent back.

This might be his only chance to win Feng Jiu’er. If he let it pass, he would surely regret it later.

“If you’re not feeling well, I’ll come in and help you.”

“I’m done.” A splash of water sounded, and Feng Jiu’er stepped out of the tub, grabbing the bath towel hanging on the screen and quickly drying herself off.

After changing into the clothes the little maid had prepared for her, she finally emerged from behind the screen.

Fresh from her bath, Feng Jiu’er’s lips were red, her teeth white, her face like a peach blossom. One more glance and Zhan Yuheng feared he wouldn’t be able to hold back the urge stirring deep within him.

He strode over at once, swept Jiu’er up into his arms, and carried her toward the large bed.

How could he be in such a hurry!

Jiu’er’s face showed no expression at all, but her heart sank to the depths.

Even if she asked Zhan Yuheng to stop now, he likely wouldn’t be willing — a man’s heart could sometimes be as unfathomable as a needle at the bottom of the sea, and other times quite easy to read.

Whatever Zhan Yuheng was thinking, whether or not he had doubts about tonight’s sudden turn of events, at least in this moment, his desire for her was genuine.

She was placed on the bed, feeling rather at a loss. The gauze curtains fell, and Zhan Yuheng shed his own robes, leaning down over her.

Feng Jiu’er stared up at him with calm, unrippled eyes.

Zhan Yuheng finally managed to compose himself somewhat. “I don’t know why you’re like this tonight, but Jiu’er, as long as you’re willing, I will never let you down for the rest of my life.”

Feng Jiu’er said nothing, a flicker of darkness passing through her eyes.

“Don’t feel burdened, and don’t be sad. Whatever’s on your mind, I’ll share the weight of it with you in the future, all right?”

Zhan Yuheng’s large hand fell upon the collar of her robe and suddenly tugged hard, revealing skin pale and fine as snow. His whole body surged with excitement, blood running hot.

“Jiu’er, Jiu’er!” He lowered his head, his thin lips pressed against her neck, his excitement spiraling out of control.

Feng Jiu’er let out a soft moan, a sharp sting at her neck, and she clutched the sheets beneath her, suddenly speaking. “Put… put out the lights.”

Zhan Yuheng didn’t want to — with the lights out, he wouldn’t be able to see her skin, fairer than snow and frost. But considering this might be her first time, and that she might be shy, in the end he waved his large hand.

The brocade cloths draped over the night-pearls embedded in the walls fell, covering the glow, and in an instant both the inner and outer halls dimmed.

Though Nanny Qin was displeased, the Crown Prince himself had let the cloth fall — could she really go lift it back up to take another look?

Besides, even if she couldn’t see, her ears certainly weren’t deaf.

She, Nanny Qin, was no stranger to the sounds of a man and woman together; she could certainly make sense of what she heard.

From the bed in the inner hall, soft, low moans from Feng Jiu’er gradually began to drift out.

Even old Nanny Qin’s face grew slightly warm at the scene unfolding.

Ah, in all these years Consort Rong had been called to serve the Emperor’s bed so rarely that Nanny Qin had had few chances to hear such things.

Now, picturing the two passionate young people inside, she herself felt rather embarrassed.

This matter should be settled now, shouldn’t it?