Song Mo felt the warm presence of Dou Zhao in his arms. His heart raced with emotion. He felt no pain at all. Instinctively, he moved closer, his eyes seeking hers.

Dou Zhao was startled and flustered, her hands pressing against Song Mo’s chest.

Their eyes met.

Song Mo’s eyes shone brightly, like cold stars in the night sky, glittering with dazzling light.

Dou Zhao’s eyes widened in surprise.

In the silent inner chamber, their quickened breathing gradually became audible.

A look of longing appeared in Song Mo’s eyes.

“Shou Gu!” he murmured, slowly leaning closer.

Dou Zhao sensed his intentions and felt suddenly nervous.

But in her mind flashed images: Song Mo riding his horse, dusty from the journey, arriving at the country estate where she lived in Zhending, gazing at her intently from atop the estate wall; him toying with an inkstone under the lamp, looking up to ask with uncertainty if her father would like it; he curled up cautiously at the edge of the bed… Her heart was suddenly in turmoil, feeling caught between conflicting emotions.

Should she push him away? Or allow this moment to unfold?

Pushing him away seemed too cruel.

Allowing him closer – the unpleasant memories from her past life still lingered. Rationally, she knew she should quickly embrace this relationship, but emotionally, it was still difficult for her to let go completely without reservations.

Hesitant and conflicted, she bit her lip and turned her face away, gently pushing him.

But her cheeks involuntarily flushed red.

Dou Zhao’s gentle rejection jolted Song Mo back to his senses. But the blush spreading across her beautiful face made him immediately realize that if Dou Zhao was completely uninterested, she could have pushed him away forcefully or glared at him angrily… Yet Dou Zhao had only pushed him gently before turning her face away.

When there’s no opportunity, one should create an opportunity. How much more so when such a good chance presents itself…

Without any hesitation, Song Mo leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear.

Dou Zhao felt a shiver run through her.

“Yan Tang, don’t…” she turned her face away.

Song Mo paused momentarily, but then moved to press his lips against hers.

“Yan Tang…” Dou Zhao’s surprised exclamation turned into a soft murmur.

Song Mo was like an awkward hunter, guided only by instinct. This was their first real kiss, and his inexperience showed in its clumsiness.

Idiot! Idiot!

Dou Zhao mentally scolded while her heart raced beneath him.

His kiss was earnest but unskilled; she found herself responding despite her reservations.

The thought flashed through her mind, but then Song Mo pulled back.

She caught her breath.

Song Mo was also breathing heavily, his gaze deep and unfathomable as it fell upon her.

“Shou Gu!” Without waiting for her to fully recover, he leaned down again. His arms encircled her, holding her close as the quiet night enveloped them both.

The chamber became a world of their own, where hesitation gave way to tenderness.

Dou Zhao’s whole body trembled with emotion.

If she didn’t stop this now, she knew what it would lead to.

But if she did stop it, how would someone as proud as Song Mo react?

Would he flee in embarrassment? Or calmly release her and pretend nothing had happened for the sake of saving face?

She was his wife; their closeness was expected. Yet out of respect for her wishes, he had been patient until now.

Either outcome made Dou Zhao’s heart ache just thinking about it.

If she had known it would be like this, she should have firmly refused when he first approached her.

Dou Zhao deeply regretted her indecision.

But now it seemed too late to refuse.

As if sensing her hesitation, Song Mo held her closer. Their connection deepened with each passing moment.

Feelings she had long forgotten began to surface.

This familiar yet strange sensation frightened her.

Familiar because she had briefly experienced such closeness before; strange because the feeling had been so distant, so far away that she had almost forgotten it.

“Song Yan Tang!” Dou Zhao’s voice broke through the silence, revealing unmistakable panic.

Song Mo suddenly released her, staring intently into her eyes as if trying to see through them and understand her entire heart clearly.

Dou Zhao felt very uneasy.

She felt that saying anything would be inappropriate.

But saying nothing also seemed wrong.

How had things come to this point?

Song Mo was still just a youth unacquainted with matters of the heart.

In the end, it was all her fault.

Dou Zhao felt somewhat annoyed with herself.

Suddenly, Song Mo smiled broadly.

His clear eyes were filled with tender affection, even the slight curl of his lips seemed alluring.

Dou Zhao was stunned by his understanding.

Song Mo’s admiration was plain to see, his appreciation of her beauty evident in every glance. He looked at her with complete trust and devotion.

Song Mo laughed heartily. “Shou Gu, Shou Gu, how amusing you are!”

He leaned down to kiss her eyelids, very intimately.

Dou Zhao’s heart raced, her face flushing red. “No… I…” But she was too flustered to speak.

“Shou Gu!” Song Mo called to her, smiling. “I like the way you look at me.” He said softly, joy overflowing from the corners of his eyes and brows, with a warmth that made one’s heart race.

This is so embarrassing!

Dou Zhao’s face burned.

Song Mo cupped her face, tenderly kissing her forehead, eyebrows, and lips one by one… as if she were a rare treasure he held in his hands, cherished and protected.

Dou Zhao’s chest felt tight with emotion.

As the night deepened, their connection grew stronger. First love, awkward but sincere, blossomed between them. Words gave way to touches, and hesitation to certainty as husband and wife truly became one.

The stars witnessed their union, silent guardians of a moment that would forever change them both.

The morning sunlight shone in as Dou Zhao opened her eyes groggily.

Her body felt sore and tired as if she had spent the previous day in strenuous activity.

Dou Zhao jolted awake, memories of the night before rushing back.

The inner chamber was quiet. She was wearing casual moon-white undergarments, lying clean and alone on the large carved nanmu wood bed. The air was fresh with the scent of jasmine. The yellow chrysanthemum in the white porcelain vase still maintained yesterday’s pose. Only the slight depression on the mandarin duck pillow seemed to remind her that everything wasn’t just a dream.

She couldn’t help but call out, “Suxin.”

The door creaked open, and Suxin and Ganlu entered carrying washing items.

Both had undisguised joy in their expressions.

“Madam,” Suxin tried to help her up as if she were ill, “The Young Master went to the palace and specially instructed us not to wake you. We’ve been waiting outside.”

Ganlu even brought the salt water for rinsing her mouth to her.

Damn that Song Mo!

As if he wanted the whole world to know what had transpired between them.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but glare at the two of them, saying, “I’m not a child. Can’t I wash up by myself?”

Suxin and Ganlu just smiled, carefully attending to her.

After washing up, Sujuan brought in a bowl of black chicken soup: “The Young Master ordered this early this morning.”