Chapter 165 How dare she?

Looking at her hesitant and conflicted expression, Chu Jichen's initial resentment at being misunderstood vanished, replaced by boundless affection and a mischievous urge to tease her.

He leaned closer, his nose almost touching hers, his voice low and husky, with a hint of barely perceptible amusement: "Qingqing... are you jealous?"

Before Shen Qingci could refute, he immediately raised three fingers, his expression becoming more solemn and serious than ever before: "I, Chu Jichen, hereby swear that in this life, whether in body or mind, I will never, and will never, betray you in the slightest."

After he finished speaking, he gave Shen Qingci no chance to think. He leaned down and used soft, fragmented kisses to seal away all the words she wanted to say.

Just as Shen Qingci was lost in the passion of his kiss, a completely unfamiliar, gentle and refined male voice suddenly rang in her ears, carrying a touch of the elegance and tenderness of a man from the Jiangnan water towns:

"My wife, do you like my voice?"

Shen Qingci froze abruptly!

Then, the voice changed again, transforming into the rugged and heroic voice of frontier soldiers:

"Sweetie! Is my voice powerful enough?"

"..."

Shen Qingci finally realized what was happening, feeling both annoyed and amused.

She pushed against his firm chest helplessly, feeling that Chu Jichen really did have a... somewhat wicked sense of humor.

The night was too deep, and the curtains were drawn low, so she couldn't see his face at all.

The completely unfamiliar voices around her gave her an uncontrollable feeling of... strange immorality and excitement.

...

In the adjacent side room, the fake "Wanqing" was abruptly awakened by a series of deliberately suppressed yet still clearly audible, blush-inducing, ambiguous sounds.

As her consciousness slowly returned, she listened intently, and the sound... clearly came from the princess's bedroom next door!

Her mind went blank instantly!

Chu Jichen... isn't he incapable?

wrong!

She sat up abruptly. Chu Jichen... wasn't he trapped in the palace?

"Wanqing" quickly held her breath and carefully discerned the details.

The man's voice was rough and hoarse, full of primal desire, completely different from Chu Jichen's clear and deep voice in her memory!

A surge of joy instantly welled up in her heart!

Shen Qingci!

That seemingly aloof and proud regent's wife dared to have an affair while her husband was away!

How dare she! This is the heavily guarded Regent's Palace!

Her mind raced, and she already had a guess in her heart.

That adulterer is most likely someone from this Prince's mansion!

Just then, the adulterer's smug panting came from next door again: "My darling... the regent is watching closely, it's rare to have such a... good opportunity..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci, who was floating on the bed, couldn't help but raise her eyes and glare fiercely at the person on top of her.

Chu Jichen whispered in her ear, his voice full of triumphant laughter: "The neighbor... is awake."

Shen Qingci clicked her tongue. Why was this person still thinking about acting at a time like this?

Inside the side room, "Wanqing" was already restless and agitated!

No! This is such a big secret! She must get the message out immediately!

Tomorrow during the day, she will have to stay by Shen Qingci's side and may not have a chance to escape.

This matter cannot wait even a moment longer!

Without further hesitation, she used the increasingly intense noise from next door as cover, quietly pushed open the door, and disappeared into the deep night like a night owl.

Inside the bedroom, Chu Jichen was fully aware of this.

He even went so far as to leave a clear yet ambiguous mark on Shen Qingci's snow-white neck.

The next day, around noon, Shen Qingci finally woke up.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw "Wanqing" standing at the door, peeking inside.

Seeing that she was awake, Wanqing came in carrying a copper basin and respectfully asked, "Has Your Highness gotten up?"

Shen Qingci struggled to sit up. Wan Qing's gaze swept over her seemingly unintentionally, but finally settled precisely on her neck.

Shen Qingci was a little puzzled, and following her gaze, she reached out and touched it.

She frowned and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Wanqing quickly lowered her head, but her voice carried a strange smile: "Your Highness, there seems to be a mark on your neck."

Shen Qingci got up and walked to the bronze mirror. She saw a glaring red hickey on the side of her snow-white neck!

She cursed Chu Jichen inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, saying only, "It's summer now, and the mosquitoes in the manor are getting more and more rampant."

Wanqing sneered inwardly, but put on a concerned expression on her face.

She deliberately probed, "Your Highness, the Prince has been confined in the palace for three days, and there has been no news from him yet. Do you think... we should try to come up with a solution?"

Shen Qingci simply yawned, looking nonchalant and lazy: "What idea are you thinking of?"

"What could I, a mere woman confined to the inner quarters, possibly understand about such matters of state?"

“Besides,” she said slowly, selecting the jewelry she would wear that day, a faint smile playing on her lips, “this princess trusts the prince. He will surely… get out of trouble safely.”

Wanqing gritted her teeth and sneered inwardly. What do you mean by trusting Chu Jichen? Clearly, she wished Chu Jichen wouldn't come back, lest he ruin her plans.

This regent's wife appears virtuous and dignified, but little did anyone know that she was actually quite promiscuous at heart.

But that's perfect, I can use this easy weakness to my advantage and get my hands on her.