Like a muffled thunder striking her skull, Wanwan went completely rigid, nearly screaming aloud. He actually dared to use his mouth—who had given him permission to use his mouth!

She was both angry and anxious, her face flushed red with suppressed emotion: “How could you…”

A husband kissing his wife was surely natural and proper! Though her birth was extraordinary, discussing status in bed would ruin the mood. His face was flushed, particularly bashful: “Don’t be angry. As a wife, you inevitably must allow such intimacies—your nanny should have told you this, right? The old saying about men and women not touching doesn’t apply between husband and wife. Respectful courtesy is for daytime—if we continued like that at night, where would an heir come from?”

Wanwan was very depressed: “Don’t keep going on about heirs—it’s not time yet.”

She puffed up her cheeks angrily, her willow brows standing upright, looking like her hair was standing on end in rage. Perhaps one kiss had given her a sense of shame at being taken advantage of, but it was only her forehead! He feared her resistance, so had decided to proceed gradually, yet still met with a rebuff.

However, he was still very happy—at least Xiao Duo would never have another chance in this lifetime. He moved his face closer: “If Your Highness is truly upset, then kiss me back—I’m already prepared.”

Prepared for what! How beautifully he thought! Her face and ears burned red: “How can you be so shameless, first tricking me into pillowing on your arm, then… That book clearly described treacherous flatterers like you, yet you still had the face to read it. Your Highness is truly a rare talent!”

He didn’t want to argue with her—after all, having her in his arms was what mattered most. So he said lightly: “The book was originally found on Your Highness’s table, not something I brought. Actually, speaking carefully, it’s quite fitting—you say I’m a treacherous flatterer, and the book contains methods for controlling treachery. Your Highness need only control me.”

He was eloquent, and Wanwan discovered she was no match for him at all, becoming even more embarrassed and angry.

He still looked at her kindly: “Don’t be like this—getting angry and harming your health isn’t worth it. You’re still young and probably don’t understand—when you deeply love someone, you constantly want to be close to them. Among all those women outside, you don’t see me acting wildly. Kissing you comes from my heart—is loving one’s own wife wrong? We husband and wife will be together for a lifetime—any amount of intimacy isn’t excessive. If you make a fuss over this, people will truly laugh later.”

Bedroom matters naturally couldn’t become common knowledge, but this was truly infuriating. She had already suspected he was taking advantage of her youth, and now he was indeed becoming increasingly shameless.

She pushed him, but he was like a stone—no matter how hard she tried, he remained unmoved. She said through gritted teeth: “Let go. I don’t want to pillow anymore. Nothing you say is truthful.”

He slowly nodded with a somewhat self-mocking smile: “I understand—you probably want me to cut open my heart before you’ll believe me. Think of the people in the palace—there are always a few who truly care for you. If they learned you weren’t doing well in Nanyuan, could they be comfortable? I kissed you just now because I couldn’t help myself. If you think it was too much, choose a trustworthy nanny to come in and judge for us.”

Using both carrot and stick, she indeed lowered her flag in surrender. Who in the palace still cared for her? Thinking it over, there were only two or three people. The Emperor might be dissolute, but he still had a heart that loved his sister. The rest were the Director of Ceremonies and Yin Luo. Yin Luo knew her secret—if she learned things weren’t going well here, she would surely blame herself! As for calling a nanny—was he crazy? How could such matters be judged by others?

He pretended to get out of bed, and she quickly pulled him back: “Don’t go, don’t give them reason to gossip…” Looking pitiful, she held back her breath and pulled his arm over, consciously pillowing it under her neck: “Stop making trouble. I don’t need you to cut open your heart—even if you did, I wouldn’t understand. I’ve never been this intimate with anyone before and am temporarily unaccustomed—there’s nothing wrong with that, right?”

Her tone was that unhurried, steady flow, possibly shaped by her childhood environment—not very confident. If you were more determined, she would think she must be wrong.

Her purity highlighted his lack of decency. But if he were too decent at this moment, to truly achieve harmonious married life, he’d probably have to wait another two or three years. In those two or three years, who knew what changes might occur? With Xiao Duo before, who had left her soul unsettled, if someone else interfered later, even if he held the empty title of prince consort, it would be in name only.

Fearing abandonment, anxious and uneasy—this mentality of gain and loss was just like the palace consorts. The Murong clan was indeed accustomed to dominance; in matters of the heart, they were always the rulers.

She had resigned herself. Earlier, being kissed once felt like losing a piece of flesh, but now she had calmed down, lying quietly beside him, looking down at him with quite a resigned attitude.

“Wanwan…” he sighed. “Don’t you like me at all? If you truly don’t like me, why did you give me hope at Tanzhe Temple?”

Her heart stirred. She had asked herself this question too—did she truly have feelings for him?

“At the Mid-Autumn banquet, you drew your sword to help me, saving me from humiliation—I was very grateful. Your risky visit to see me at Tanzhe Temple was also unexpected. As for whether I like you or not, I can’t say clearly. I just feel you’re not disagreeable, someone I could befriend, but…”

But Yin Ge’s loose tongue had let her know he would stop at nothing to marry a princess, and all good feelings vanished like smoke. How could feelings that weren’t deep to begin with survive harsh cold just as they began to sprout?

He found her hand and tightly wrapped her five fingers in his palm, his attitude sincere, his tone sorrowful: “I don’t want rumors to affect our relationship. Perhaps you don’t understand me now, but over time, you’ll naturally see my heart. I said before that I noticed you ten years ago—not because of your status, but because of that connection between us. If you just trust me, those superficial things are all false. My wholehearted devotion to you—that’s what’s real.”

He didn’t speak directly, but every word was explanation. Wanwan listened with a softening attitude, though still harboring concerns. For instance, he knew about Xiao Duo and Yin Luo’s affair. Xiao Duo was such a ruthless person—why would he allow him into Tanzhe Temple? This had always troubled her. Yin Luo had said it would have been better if she hadn’t married Prince Nanyuan. After the imperial marriage decree, Xiao Duo had also hinted that she should be more wary of Prince Nanyuan. Clearly, in their eyes, he wasn’t very reliable.

Wanwan’s mind was a tangle. If there truly was something improper, why didn’t they tell her directly instead of speaking in riddles? Thinking to the end, she couldn’t help feeling sad—to them, she was ultimately an outsider; they were the ones who shared life and death.

She didn’t speak, a small knot forming between her brows, looking very unhappy. He shifted down slightly to meet her gaze: “Don’t believe my words?”

She nodded then shook her head: “I hope I can believe you. What you said earlier was right—I’ve married down to Nanyuan, and from now on we should be the closest people. Past grievances and rights and wrongs, let’s not mention them for now. From today forward, please be sincere and never deceive me.”

He naturally couldn’t object. The arm pillowing her neck bent up, finally able to hold her tightly. Her height was considered tall among ordinary girls, but in his embrace, she still seemed delicate and fragile.

He kept calling her name—”Wanwan” became extraordinarily soft and sweet on his tongue. She hadn’t heard anyone call her this for a long time. When her parents were alive, it was commonplace, but after they passed, only her elder and second brothers remained, and they mostly called her “little sister,” rarely using her given name. She had thought she would strongly reject his forced intimacy and attempts to get close, but hearing him call her this way, she felt a long-missed sense of ordinary warmth. Her pursuit of happiness was apparently this simple.

Through two layers of undergarments, they could feel each other’s bodies—this was truly a big step, and she still hadn’t figured out how it happened. She was very nervous, afraid he would make excessive advances next. His chest grew increasingly hot, as if holding a brazier that might burst into flames the next moment. Men always had a kind of aggressiveness, like the tigers and leopards she had seen in the Western Garden’s beast park—bodies full of strength, ready to strike at any moment. She didn’t know what other newlyweds were like, but she was always timid, especially with this person who was neither entirely familiar nor unfamiliar. Being held in his arms like this truly frightened her.

However, the two had completely different feelings. Warm jade and fragrant softness—probably only the dead wouldn’t be moved. Wild winds raged outside while his body was hot as a steamer. He hadn’t expected to fall so deeply—constantly yearning until it became obsession, carved into his bones, a festering wound even unto death.

His self-control had always been his pride. Enduring until the oil lamp nearly dried out, his consciousness almost muddled, one hand gently patting her back to comfort her: “Don’t be afraid, don’t fear me…” But somehow, in a moment of confusion, he had already covered her body with his own.

She looked at him in horror, the fear in her eyes infinitely magnified, saying with trembling lips: “What are you doing?”

He couldn’t even control his own breathing—in her view, he probably looked like a man-eating beast. He said sorry: “I don’t know either.”

He lowered his head to kiss her. She turned her face away, so his lips landed by her ear. She sobbed loudly from fear, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her slender neck barely able to bear such intense breathing—it was heartbreaking to see.

He was somewhat dazed. She found strength from nowhere and suddenly overturned him, then quickly jumped off the bed and rushed barefoot out of the bedroom.

Tonghuan and Xiao You hadn’t slept yet. Since they weren’t needed in the main room, they sat leisurely under the lamp tracing patterns and making shoe soles. Suddenly the door was flung open with a sharp crash, startling both. They hurried to stand and look—the Grand Princess entered from outside, clothes disheveled, face streaked with tears. Tonghuan was shocked: “What happened to Your Highness?”

Her lips trembled, teeth chattering audibly. After a long time, she managed to speak: “Have someone prepare the carriage. I want to return to Grand Princess Manor.”

In such a state, there was no need to ask further. Tonghuan signaled Xiao You to go out and prepare while she brought a cloak to wrap around her, pulling her to sit on the couch and pouring water to calm her nerves.

Wanwan was choked with emotion, shaking her head: “I still can’t—I really can’t do it. I never want to come to this princely mansion again. I want to go back…”

Her thin shoulders shook violently. Tonghuan could only embrace her, chattering comfort: “Alright, alright, we’ll go back right away. Don’t cry. What great matter is this? You were prepared before going, yet now you’re frightened like this.” While speaking, she checked her up and down: “Did Prince Nanyuan hurt you? Did he injure you?”

She said no. She didn’t want to revisit what had just happened, only kept urging whether things were ready outside and when they could leave.

So late at night, and with heavy rain, the Grand Princess’s departure naturally alarmed the entire princely mansion. When the Dowager Consort arrived after hearing the news, the person had already left. Seeing her son sitting there looking dejected, she couldn’t help but question him.

“What exactly happened that she couldn’t even wait for daybreak and left in the middle of the night?”

His face was deathly pale, his ten fingers interlaced covering his nose and mouth, leaving only his eyes visible, filled with helplessness.

The Dowager Consort couldn’t get to the bottom of it and anxiously scolded loudly: “Why won’t you speak? Did you quarrel? Or did you do something inappropriate that angered her? Knowing she’s pampered and precious, you should have been more accommodating. The person you schemed so hard to marry—the day after the wedding, it’s come to this. Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at? In such heavy rain, letting her travel in the rain while you sit here slouching—how can you sit still! Why don’t you chase after her? Apologize where you should apologize, admit fault where you should admit fault. Between husband and wife, tongues touch teeth, yet they still expect to live a lifetime together!”

The Dowager Consort was impartial—in her view, when a woman lost her temper, it was definitely the man’s fault, so without asking the reason, she first delivered a thorough scolding.

He sat in the round chair, head hanging, unable to refute, sighing: “I can’t go now—going would only add fuel to the fire.”

The Dowager Consort tucked her hands and frowned at him: “What exactly did you do to anger her, making such a commotion in the middle of the night to return to Grand Princess Manor…” Speaking, she seemed to understand: “Did you act improperly? Offend her?”

That snow-white face gradually reddened. At his age, still having his mother worry about such matters made him feel utterly ashamed and stripped of dignity.

The Dowager Consort craned her neck to examine him: “Son, you’re twenty-four years old—you should understand things by now. You can’t force a cow to drink water—how many such deals succeed? It’s not that your mother is criticizing you, but when you were small and your father drilled you boys, when you dozed off in the middle of the night and the drum sounded upstairs, among all the brothers, you ran fastest because you were always alert, knowing what you should do. Now that you’re grown and mature, you’re actually becoming more foolish… She’s a maiden who traveled far to come here, hasn’t even figured out how many noses and eyes you have, and you already want physical intimacy—what do you think she’s thinking? In this regard, you’re not as good as your father. When I married into Nanyuan, I didn’t conceive you until two years later. Wasn’t your father anxious? But you never saw him like you.” Her voice lowered as she muttered: “The sons are already so grown, and in another three to five years, they’ll be adding people to their rooms, yet their father still acts like a blockhead. I’m embarrassed for you. What to do now? Having made such a mess, do you still have the face to go see her? Is this deadlock a solution? Do you just want the title of prince consort, or do you lack a wife to live peacefully?”

He was thoroughly humiliated by the scolding: “My head is full of troubles right now—please stop rubbing salt in my wounds. I know I miscalculated and regret it deeply. Your constantly blaming me—what’s the use!”

What use? Naturally, to vent sufficiently before thinking of solutions. Men, after all, aren’t as meticulous as women—otherwise, why do so many lose control after drinking? Women are different—women have delicate minds, not everyone is easy to get along with. Don’t think that just because she married you, you’re her man and can do whatever you want with grand gestures. Between husband and wife, there must be mutual willingness. Forcing yourself on someone might work with ordinary housewives, but with imperial golden branches and jade leaves, that’s far from enough.

The mother and son each occupied a spot, the situation dire as if facing a great enemy.

Tala Shi and Chen Shi also came successively. Seeing the heavy atmosphere in the hall, neither dared speak.

After a while, the Dowager Consort sighed: “Here’s what we’ll do—tomorrow have Lan Zhou and Lan Ting get up early and go serve over there. If it works, let them establish roots first, and you can benefit from your sons’ favor, gradually getting closer. That’s best.” Then looking at Lan Zhou: “It’s time for you to show your skills. Your grandmother sees you’re clever—your stepmother is entrusted to you and your brother. Be sure to coax her well, don’t let her drive you away. Other matters can wait—understand?”

Lan Zhou blinked his big eyes and bowed: “Following Grandmother’s instructions.”

The Dowager Consort felt slightly comforted—at least there was one reliable person. Though the Grand Princess was greatly angered, she might still have some maternal affection for the children. Sending the children would be more useful than their father. Lan Zhou was intelligent and knew how to adapt, but Lan Ting needed warning not to cause trouble. That little bandit—he couldn’t stay still from the moment he opened his eyes. All the Yuwen men were refined and courteous, yet they produced this rebel who got beaten almost daily.

“Where’s Ting? I looked around but didn’t see him. And looking at this group of women, even Zhou Shi is absent.” The Dowager Consort shook her head: “Sinful—mother and son are cut from the same cloth. Even if the sky fell, it wouldn’t concern them. Eating their father’s food, sleeping in their mother’s bed—they’d die if their eyelids didn’t stick together for a while.”

Still, Lan Zhou stepped forward and bowed: “Ting is still small. When the weather warms up, he gets sleepy easily. Please don’t blame him, Grandmother. Tomorrow I’ll bring him along. We brothers will go together—this grandson has ways to stay. Please don’t worry, Grandmother.”