It was but a gentle touch, yet it made half of Di Nian’s body go numb.

He stood there, stunned, with her previous words still lingering in his ears. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Shen Zhili slipped her fingers between his and gripped his hand tightly before continuing: “Since you are willing to marry me, I will never do anything to wrong you. If you treat me well, I will treat you well in return. From now on, you, Di Nian, are the husband of me, Shen Zhili, and this Di residence is my home. How could I feel aggrieved? Though I cannot help you in military matters, I will certainly ensure you have no worries in the imperial court. If you make a name for yourself in history, I will be remembered alongside you. I do not ask that you accompany me day and night; I only wish that when our skin wrinkles and our hair turns white, you will not regret marrying me in this lifetime.”

Her voice was soft and low, but each word struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

Though her words might not have come from true love, they were the precious promise of a wife. How could he not be moved?

Di Nian’s eyes reddened. He suddenly pulled back his hand and embraced her, lowering his chin as he said: “Enough.”

It was truly enough.

Having heard these words from her tonight, even if he were to die, he would never regret marrying her in this lifetime.

Shen Zhili offered no resistance as he held her tightly. She looked deeply into his eyes and continued softly: “It’s not enough yet. I will bear children for you and ensure the Di family line continues forever. I will share all joys and sorrows with you until I see you command the three armies, fulfill the Emperor’s grace, and make your name feared throughout the world. When we grow old, I will still be by your side, and you by mine. Only then will it be enough.”

Di Nian took a deep breath of the night air and clenched his jaw to hold back tears.

Born into a family of ministers, she had been taught propriety from childhood. Her character was half her father’s strict adherence to ritual and half her mother’s spiritedness. Having spoken such words tonight, she would certainly fulfill them in the future. Though he knew her words came from a wife’s loyalty to her husband rather than love, his heart was filled with unsurpassable satisfaction.

Even if they could not be lovers in this lifetime, what regrets could there be if they could be such a devoted couple?

Besides, who could say she would never love him in this lifetime?

Di Nian did not utter a single word. He simply leaned forward and swept her up in his arms, then strode through the hanging door toward their new chamber.

Shen Zhili’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but she made no sound, moving her hands to encircle his neck.

The stars in the sky shone like pearls in a deep sea. Her long red dress trailed gracefully, her feet resting on his arms, the delicate phoenix shoes swaying gently, enchantingly.

Pushing open the door, the maid who had been waiting inside immediately rose with a reddened face upon seeing the scene. Without a word, she withdrew and closed the door behind her.

The bedding was soft, but the red dates and lotus seeds spread underneath were hard.

As Di Nian pulled down the bed curtains and leaned down, Shen Zhili was loosening her long hair. Before she could withdraw her hand, he restrained her, and she watched as he kissed her, his moist eyes fixed on hers. Her heart sighed involuntarily, and she closed her eyes slightly, softening her body.

Yet he only kissed her lips and cheeks before lying down beside her, extending his arm to embrace her, making no further move.

She nestled against him, hearing his wildly beating heart, and knowing why he had stopped. She reached out to touch his lean waist and softly sighed: “It is only a matter of sooner or later. Why must you restrain yourself tonight?”

Di Nian grasped her hand, his voice slightly hoarse: “Let us forgo it tonight. Wait until you’ve had a few days to adjust.”

She said nothing, allowing him to pull the brocade quilt over them both, acquiescing to his wishes.

He had known her for eight years, being her brother’s best friend. They were already familiar with each other, and although she knew he had loved her for a long time, it seemed that in these eight years, tonight was the first time she truly felt how deeply he loved her.

In this world, apart from her parents and brother, there was someone who cherished and loved her just as they did, who cared about her every feeling, holding her in the palm of his hand, afraid she might suffer any grievance.

Her eyelashes dampened slightly, but she felt something placed in her hand. Looking at it, she saw that he had somehow produced that small piece of thin peach wood again.

Di Nian said: “I got it when I went to quell the rebellion in Chao’an. It’s a small token that local young people exchange to express their affection, but I never had the chance to give it to you.”

His voice vibrated softly against her ear, causing her to press her lips together.

Shen Zhili played with the thin piece of peach wood in her hand, nestling closer to him in his embrace, and said: “The servants just saw that the Emperor’s carriage is still outside the residence and hasn’t left. Minister Meng is also in the carriage.”

Di Nian raised an eyebrow. “How could the Emperor be so inconsiderate?”

Being stationed in the military, though he had heard about the matters between Meng Tinghui and the Emperor, he wasn’t as well-informed as Shen Zhili. Somewhat puzzled, he was about to get up and send someone to check again.

Shen Zhili quickly stopped him, saying: “I’ve already given instructions. Don’t make things more complicated.” She tugged at his sleeve, gaining his attention, then continued: “During the recent Empress selection incident, I was able to escape unharmed thanks to Minister Meng. She did me a favor, so I’ll help her when I can.”

Di Nian thought for a moment, then nodded: “Of course.”

He was able to marry Shen Zhili largely thanks to Meng Tinghui’s efforts. Even if Shen Zhili hadn’t mentioned it, he felt that he owed Meng Tinghui a great debt of gratitude.

Thinking of this, he pushed aside the bed curtains, reached out to extinguish the candles on the table, and said to her: “Let’s sleep.”

In the darkness, she gazed at him with bright eyes, suddenly sighing: “The court situation has become increasingly turbulent lately. The influence of the elder ministers is not what it used to be. The Emperor has grand ambitions and intends to employ new talents in both military and civil affairs. When you go to the northern border, you must handle your assignment well. If you can earn the Emperor’s favor, your career will soar in the future. You might even become the governor of the northern regions.”

Di Nian smiled slightly, unable to resist turning to kiss her again. With their lips touching, he said: “I understand. One only needs to look at Meng Tinghui’s rapid rise over the past three years to see that.”

Shen Zhili finally fell silent, burying her head against his chest and closing her eyes.

Meng Tinghui’s influence at court had indeed risen as swiftly as a shooting star, but this was inseparable from the Emperor’s favor toward her.

Judging by tonight’s scene, it seemed she would rise even faster in the future.

Outside the Di residence, the carriages and horses gradually dispersed, and the deep autumn night grew cold once more.

But that luxurious carriage remained stopped outside the back gate. The wind lifted the corner of the curtain, revealing a faint light from within.

Having sat there for so long, the inside of the carriage had grown increasingly warm.

Meng Tinghui still sat in her original position, though her complexion was much clearer than before.

The knot that had been pressing on her heart for so long had been untied by him, leaving her touched yet somewhat embarrassed. Having shed tears in front of him made her too shy to look at him for a long time.

Ying Gua simply let her remain silent, himself kneeling to pull out some memorials which he began to read.

After a long while, she finally raised her head, her gaze slipping through the gap in the curtain toward the high walls of the Di residence. She said softly: “I wonder how Lady Shen and Captain Di are doing.”

Hearing this, he snapped the memorial in his hand shut with a slap. He looked at her steadily for a moment, then suddenly reached out and pulled her to his side. Without thinking, he pressed his body against hers—even a tiger or leopard springing from its cage could not match his swift ferocity.

Before she could even blink, she found herself lying back on the couch, and with one glance, she saw his fierce gaze so close. With one breath, she felt the scorching heat from his lips. Her face flushed deeply, feeling like a young animal caught by a predator, unable to escape or hide.

He brushed the hair from her face with his fingers, then slightly raised an eyebrow and asked in return: “On such a beautiful night, what do you think they might be doing?”

With his every move and word, his handsome face made her lose her senses.

She murmured, “Your Majesty,” and instinctively reached to embrace his shoulders.

As soon as her fingertips touched the skin of his neck, he suddenly descended and kissed her. His large hand fiercely tore at her collar, and when he finally grasped her full breast, he let out a light hiss between his teeth, like a man who had been thirsty for a long time finally tasting a drop of clear spring water.

Very faint satisfaction, and stronger desire.

But how could just one drop quench the raging fire that had been accumulating in him for dozens of days?