The villagers of Huaxi Village were still unaware of the Prince of Yonghuai’s return; before sunrise the next day, people had already begun patrolling the fields and starting a day of labor.
From the rooftops of each household, wisps of cooking smoke rose, children cried, and amidst the crowing of chickens and barking of dogs, a new day began.
The people of Changn Village, however, were whispering quietly, walking cautiously.
The King had returned late last night and had not yet risen; no one dared to disturb him.
Yuan Shangyi ca after breakfast.
The Young Emperor’s daily routine was the sa as in the palace, getting up early, half-asleep while being attended to for washing and then reading, eating.
Except for the ti he was sick, it was the sa every day.
These days Feng Yun was always going to the mines, very busy, and Yuan Shangyi hadn’t seen her for two or three days. Last night, he had especially doubled his howork for his tutor, so that today he could co to find her after his early al.
The guard in the villa was strict, seemingly a bit out of the ordinary.
Yuan Shangyi asked Alou.
"Has the lady risen yet?"
With dark circles under her eyes, Xiaoman ca out yawning, but upon seeing the Emperor, she hurriedly answered before Alou, with a beaming smile.
"Your Majesty, the lady needs to sleep a bit longer. Would you like to take you to admire the lotus flowers or to see the turtles in the stone trough?"
Yuan Shangyi felt slightly disappointed and shook his head.
"I only have half an hour before I need to return to my studies."
Xiaoman uttered an ’oh’.
The King and Zuo Zhong had hurried back on horseback last night without bringing others. Xiaoman wasn’t sure if their whereabouts could be disclosed; hesitating for a mont, she coaxed Yuan Shangyi.
"Your Majesty, why not sit for a mont in the study? I’ll go inform the lady right away..."
"No need." Yuan Shangyi didn’t want to disturb the lady’s sleep on his account. He said, "I’ll go to the study to read. When the lady awakens, then we can talk."
Xiaoman, who was often with Feng Yun, was also familiar with Yuan Shangyi and quite fond of this sensible and considerate Young Emperor. Hearing his words, she humd in agreent, led him into the study, presented him with so fruit and served him a drink before going to check on Feng Yun.
She didn’t dare wake the King after he had returned.
Peeking in from the outer room, she asked Huanhuan in a hushed tone, who was on night duty,
"Has the lady awoken yet?"
Huanhuan shook her head, her cheeks rosy.
"She asked for water twice last night, slept late, she might not wake up until noon..."
Xiaoman’s heart skipped a beat.
"When did the Left Guard leave?"
Huanhuan replied, "After the King and the lady went to bed."
True to his duty, fearing that the King might call for him.
In Xiaoman’s mind appeared the clear image of Zuo Zhong’s serious face in the moonlight. Actually, he wasn’t the type of man who was extrely handso, but with thick eyebrows, big eyes, well-proportioned features, and a tall and straight figure, every ti she saw him, Xiaoman felt a sense of security...
"Big sister Xiaoman." Huanhuan asked, "Shall we wake the lady?"
Xiaoman returned to reality, "No, no, no, let’s wait a little longer."
She didn’t want the Young Emperor to wait for too long, yet she didn’t dare to provoke Pei Jue’s irritation; she was troubled either way...
"Xiaoman, what’s the matter?"
Feng Yun, faintly hearing Xiaoman’s voice from her position, asked as she raised her head, and was about to rise when she flopped back down.
Her body was so sore, her waist felt as though it was about to break.
From the outer room, Xiaoman said, "His Majesty has co over, looking to play with you, my lady. I told him to study in the study, and wait until you have risen..."
"Mm, I’ll be there shortly."
Feng Yun said as she turned her head to look at the still peacefully sleeping Pei Jue beside her.
That ruthless man who devastated with his touch was still in deep slumber.
Pei Jue usually rose quite early, and over two lifetis, she rarely woke in the morning to see Pei Jue’s sleeping face.
Probably fatigued from travel, he was sleeping very soundly today; he wasn’t as prim and proper as usual, with one arm turned over, draped around her waist, his face showing exhaustion, and days-old stubble on his chin...
In the wilderness, he probably never had a full night’s sleep, whereas Feng Yun’s living conditions were quite fastidious; the bed and its accoutrents were exquisite and luxuriant, soft and comfortable; for a man lying there, he likely wouldn’t awaken for half the day...
Feng Yun gently held onto his arm, trying to move it away.
To her surprise, the man was very alert. As soon as she moved, he tightened his arm and swept his leg over, trapping her snugly against him.
Before Feng Yun could speak, Pei Jue lowered his head and kissed her urgently, insatiably, hardly seeming like soone who had indulged in frenzied release just the night before.
"Pei Gou!" Feng Yun gritted her teeth.
Her body felt so achy and weak that she couldn’t help but grab the back of the man’s neck and pull forcefully.
"Are you trying to tornt to death?"
Her words carried a complaint, but in the man’s ears, it sounded like coy reproach.
With the soft, fragrant wife in his arms, whom he’d pined for months, now regained, Pei Jue’s mouth went dry, his belly ablaze, and that fiery urge left him parched with longing.
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