The two lay in bed for a while, then Xiao Jingxi called for someone to bring water. After they had both cleaned themselves, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but fall asleep as soon as she lay back down.
Early the next morning, when Ren Yaoqi opened her eyes, she found herself lying in Xiao Jingxi’s arms. Xiao Jingxi must have been tired yesterday as well, as he hadn’t woken up yet. Ren Yaoqi moved slightly and turned her head to look through the bright red bed curtains to see what time it was outside, but could only sense dim light and couldn’t tell the hour.
Ren Yaoqi hesitated whether to call for the maids or wait for Xiao Jingxi to wake up. After thinking it over, she chose the latter. What if Xiao Jingxi had morning grouchiness? She didn’t want to provoke her husband’s temper on their first day of marriage, though she couldn’t imagine what Xiao Jingxi would look like when angry.
Ren Yaoqi tilted her head up to look at Xiao Jingxi’s face. She had never observed this person so closely and carefully before. The light and shadows within the red curtains were very dim. Looking closely, when Xiao Jingxi was asleep, his lips were slightly pursed, his breathing shallow and peaceful—a very serene appearance that could only be described as beautiful from any angle.
As Ren Yaoqi watched, she couldn’t help but secretly extend her hand, wanting to gently poke his cheek to see what Xiao Jingxi would look like if she could create a dimple.
Her finger lightly touched Xiao Jingxi’s face. Just as she was hesitating whether her force might wake him, Xiao Jingxi suddenly rolled over, changing from lying flat to having half his body pressing down on her.
Ren Yaoqi was startled and struggled to pull her head out from being buried against his chest to look at the person pressing down on her. She saw that Xiao Jingxi’s eyes were still closed, as if he had just unconsciously rolled over in his sleep.
However, Ren Yaoqi wasn’t fooled by Xiao Jingxi this time. She pushed at the somewhat heavy person and said with annoyance: “When did you wake up?”
The corners of Xiao Jingxi’s mouth curved up slightly first, then he opened his eyes. Even in such dim light, his eyes remained bright and deep.
Xiao Jingxi quietly looked at Ren Yaoqi for a while, his morning voice slightly husky: “I woke up when you did.” Xiao Jingxi had woken earlier than Ren Yaoqi but was afraid of disturbing her, so he hadn’t gotten up first.
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel somewhat embarrassed. She had been watching him from the moment she woke up and had even childishly poked his face. Although he had kept his eyes closed, he must have been able to sense it.
Sure enough, the next second Xiao Jingxi leaned close to her ear and asked teasingly: “You looked for so long—what did you discover?”
The tickling sensation in her ear made Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but shiver. Xiao Jingxi noticed this and deliberately mischievously touched her small, round earlobe with his lips.
Ren Yaoqi’s face flushed slightly. She struggled a bit but pretended to be calm: “I discovered you had a mole on your face and was curious, so I looked a bit longer. Later, I realized it was just a small mosquito.”
Xiao Jingxi chuckled, then gently bit her earlobe: “No wonder I just felt a mosquito bite my face, though this mosquito seemed rather large.”
Ren Yaoqi finally understood why Xiao Jinglin always liked to roll her eyes, because she seemed to have developed this habit now, too. She raised her hand to rub her ear, which was certainly already red and burning, wanting to struggle out of Xiao Jingxi’s arms and call someone to come help with washing up. She didn’t have the habit of staying in bed.
“Get up. We still need to go to Jiuyang Palace to see Father and Mother in a while.”
Xiao Jingxi held her still and simply closed his eyes: “No, I want to sleep a bit more.”
Ren Yaoqi was almost choked by his response. She looked at the man acting spoiled like a child and helplessly coaxed in a low voice: “Are you very tired? But we can’t miss the time for paying respects. How about we sleep more after we return from Jiuyang Palace?”
Ren Yaoqi had only spoken casually, but unexpectedly Xiao Jingxi opened his eyes and looked at her with a smile, asking: “Don’t you know whether I’m tired or not?” As he spoke, his hand suggestively slipped under the hem of her undergarment, gently caressing her waist, while his lips pressed against the side of her neck, gently rubbing.
Having just experienced intimacy last night, Ren Yaoqi’s body was still very sensitive, and this sudden teasing made her breathing quicken.
Ren Yaoqi was both shy and angry, dodging while saying: “Stop fooling around…” But her voice came out soft, without any authority at all.
Xiao Jingxi suddenly rolled over, pressing his full body weight on her and kissing her lips.
Ren Yaoqi’s lips and tongue were forced to dance with his. Initially, she struggled somewhat, but unknowingly, she also became aroused. Only when Xiao Jingxi’s hand explored inside her undergarments did Ren Yaoqi suddenly wake up, pressing down his hand and pleading softly: “Don’t… someone will come in soon.”
While scattering fine kisses at the corners of her lips, Xiao Jingxi said in a husky voice: “They won’t.” There weren’t such unperceptive people in his courtyard.
Seeing that Xiao Jingxi didn’t seem to be joking, Ren Yaoqi became anxious and quickly said: “I… I’m in pain…”
Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi’s movements truly stopped, and he frowned with his handsome brow: “Did I hurt you last night?” Second Young Master Xiao pursued perfection in everything, and hurting his wife in bed on their wedding night was rather damaging to his self-esteem.
Ren Yaoqi really couldn’t bring herself to discuss these matters, even though this person was her legitimate husband. But seeing Xiao Jingxi’s serious expression, Ren Yaoqi could only say with a red face and gritted teeth: “No, it’s just… just that I’m tired…”
Xiao Jingxi rested his chin on top of her head and asked with feigned nonchalance: “So do you think I’m tired or you’re tired?”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi finally understood what Xiao Jingxi was awkwardly making a fuss about. Half crying and half laughing, she quickly coaxed: “Mm, of course I’m tired. Young Master, you are full of energy, vigorous… and lively.” Ren Yaoqi was finally beginning to understand her third sister-in-law’s helplessness.
Xiao Jingxi still wasn’t satisfied, holding her and not letting go, patiently instructing: “So you know rumors can’t be trusted, right?”
Ren Yaoqi nodded like a woodpecker: “Mm-hmm.”
She silently wondered why Second Young Master Xiao, who appeared unapproachable to the world with his ethereal temperament like an immortal, would be like this. She wondered if Xiao Jinglin knew, and if so, why didn’t she give her some warning to be mentally prepared?
Only then was Xiao Jingxi finally satisfied.
Ren Yaoqi gently struggled: “Should we get up now?”
Just as Xiao Jingxi was about to speak, they heard a voice outside the door: “Miss, it’s exactly the hour of Mao.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi immediately pushed Xiao Jingxi away and quickly said: “Bring people in to help with washing up.”
Xiao Jingxi raised an eyebrow: “Your maid?” He now had to take back his words about there being no unperceptive people in his courtyard.
Afraid that Xiao Jingxi might think her maid lacked proper manners, Ren Yaoqi quickly explained: “I was afraid of oversleeping today, so I asked her to remind me at exactly the hour of Mao.” Ren Yaoqi paused and said, “Later I’ll have them go see the courtyard steward to properly learn the rules of Zhaoning Palace.”
Ren Yaoqi’s maids had all learned proper etiquette well, otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to come with her to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. However, Ren Yaoqi was afraid that Second Young Master Xiao, who was described as difficult to serve by Xiao Jinglin, had too many rules, and it would be bad if her maids accidentally violated some taboo someday.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi being serious, Xiao Jingxi thought for a moment, then leaned close to her ear and said earnestly: “I think they don’t need to learn the rules. If they make any mistakes, I’ll just punish you instead.” As he spoke, he bit her earlobe.
Just then, Pingguo and Sangshen led several maids in.
Ren Yaoqi quickly pushed Xiao Jingxi away, glared at him, then tidied her hair and clothes before lifting the bed curtains. She knew that Second Young Master Xiao was quite normal in front of outsiders, but the occasional glances he cast her way with smiling eyes made Ren Yaoqi want to avoid his gaze, afraid the maids might notice something.
Sure enough, Xiao Jingxi didn’t cause any more trouble after that.
After the two had washed and dressed in formal attire, they went to Jiuyang Palace, where the Prince and Princess Consort lived.
When Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi entered, the Prince was wearing white training clothes and practicing with a spear in front of the main hall. The silver spear in the Yanbei Prince’s hands seemed to have life and spirit, moving like a snake and dancing like a dragon as he wielded it with power and countless variations.
Just as Ren Yaoqi was dazzled by the display, the spear in the Prince’s hand suddenly flew toward them through the air without warning. Ren Yaoqi froze, not having time to react, when Xiao Jingxi had already quickly stepped forward, blocking in front of Ren Yaoqi and easily catching the weapon that had seemed to have thunderous momentum and unstoppable force.
The Yanbei Prince laughed heartily and greeted Xiao Jingxi and Ren Yaoqi: “Son! Daughter-in-law! You’re here?”
Xiao Jingxi said helplessly, “Father, you scared her.” He then lowered his head to quietly comfort Ren Yaoqi: “Don’t be afraid. Father… just likes to greet people this way.”
Only then did Ren Yaoqi realize this scene seemed somewhat familiar. She now understood who Xiao Jinglin took after.
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head to bow and pay respects to the Yanbei Prince.
Unlike his composed and serious demeanor from their last meeting, the Yanbei Prince smiled at her very warmly: “Your mother is waiting for you. Go in quickly. I need to say a few words to Jingxi.”
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head in acknowledgment, glanced at Xiao Jingxi, who nodded, and then entered Jiuyang Palace first.
When only Xiao Jingxi and the Yanbei Prince remained outside, Xiao Jingxi said in a low voice: “Father, didn’t you promise not to practice martial arts in front of the palace anymore? Your training room is right next to Jiuyang Palace.”
The Yanbei Prince laughed heartily, stepped forward to pat Xiao Jingxi’s shoulder, deliberately squeezed it, then leaned close to whisper man-to-man: “Your old man was just afraid you weren’t impressive enough yesterday and wanted to help you gain some face in front of your wife. You may not be good at other things, but at least you catch spears with perfect accuracy.”
Xiao Jingxi: “…”
Anyone who practiced one move for over ten years would achieve perfection.
No one knew that Second Young Master Xiao’s greatest skill wasn’t anything but catching hidden weapons. No matter how fast or how cunningly angled the hidden weapon, none could harm him. Two people in his family deserved the most credit for this ability.