Chapter 14 is just a plan.

Yi Shao leaned over her, looking down at her, and remained silent for a moment, as if confirming something.

Then, he spoke softly, "Then... when Your Highness takes me back to my parents' home tomorrow, could you please be a little more gentle and not embarrass me in public?"

Ling Wei raised an eyebrow: "That's it?"

She acted as if she'd heard a joke. "Do I have some serious illness that makes me want to embarrass my own family in front of outsiders?"

She said the words "our own people" casually, but it made Yi Shao's eyes suddenly light up.

He looked at her, and something gently melted in those phoenix eyes that always held a smile or a calculation.

He chuckled again, this time the genuine joy reaching his eyes: "Yes, A-Shao believes in Your Highness."

The candlelight popped softly, and the light flickered.

Looking at his smiling face so close to hers, Ling Wei suddenly said:

"Alright, I've asked all your questions. Do you want to go downstairs? Or... have you thought it through?"

Yi Shao did not answer immediately; he stared at Ling Wei from this very close distance.

The candlelight flickered on her profile, her long eyelashes cast shadows, and her lips, moistened by the wine, were a rosy, glossy red. Her usual languid air had vanished, replaced by a breathtaking allure.

The person before him was his wife.

He approached her to protect himself, to take advantage of her influence, and to firmly grasp this unexpected protection.

Therefore, he doesn't mind using some means, including taking advantage of this physical appearance; it's all part of the plan, a necessary sacrifice.

But why is my heart beating so erratically right now? Why do my fingertips feel slightly numb when she looks at me like that?

He attributed the unfamiliar thrill to the success of the plan and an instinctive fondness for a powerful protector.

Yes, that's all.

He wanted to win her over and make her his strongest asset, so further contact was... necessary.

Once he made up his mind, he no longer hesitated.

He slowly lowered his head, and at the last moment before their lips touched, he whispered a few words, his breath brushing against her lips:

"I hope my wife will... show her some pity."

As soon as he finished speaking, he gently pressed his lips to hers.

It felt warm and soft to the touch, carrying his scent.

Ling Wei's eyes flickered slightly, then she closed them. Instead of pushing him away, she raised her hand that had been resting on his cheek and slipped it into the half-tied hair at the back of his head, deepening the kiss with a little force.

Their breaths mingled instantly.

Yi Shao seemed surprised by her response. His body stiffened for a moment before he relaxed and awkwardly went along with her.

His eyes were closed, his long eyelashes trembled slightly, but there was no resistance on his face. In fact, a thin blush rose to his cheeks, and his breathing became slightly rapid, showing that he was immersed in the dream.

During a break in the kiss, Ling Wei lifted her eyelids and happened to see his expression. Suddenly, she mischievously bit his lower lip lightly.

"Ugh..." Yi Shao groaned, opened his eyes, his gaze filled with tears and confusion.

Ling Wei had already wrapped her arms around his waist, and with a clever twist, their positions were instantly reversed.

She pressed him down onto the couch, supporting herself on top of him, her hair falling down and tangling with his loose, dark hair.

"If you don't want to, you can call a halt."

Yi Shao looked up at her, his Adam's apple bobbing, a glint of light flashing in his eyes before settling into a deep longing.

He reached out and pulled the person towards him, responding with his actions.

......

Outside the study, Qing Shu listened to the faint sounds coming from inside and a look of astonishment appeared on his face.

She quickly regained her senses, her face slightly flushed, and immediately waved her hand to dismiss all the servants nearby, not even leaving behind the personal attendant that Yi Shao had brought.

Then, she quickly walked towards the side room not far away and called out softly, "Zhu Yuan."

A pretty young girl in a crimson belted dress ran out in response: "Sister Qing Shu? What's wrong?"

"His Highness is resting in the study. You... go and prepare quickly." Qing Shu said succinctly, his face still flushed. "Prepare hot water, handkerchiefs, clean sleeping clothes, and, cough, you know."

Zhu Yuan was taken aback at first, then her eyes lit up and she smiled excitedly, as if saying, "Finally!" She replied crisply, "Okay, don't worry, sister, I've got it covered."

She was specifically in charge of His Highness's daily life and personal affairs, and she knew all the procedures like the back of her hand.

Qing Shu breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Zhu Yuan run off to make arrangements like a happy sparrow, but then felt a little annoyed by his own reaction.

She had been learning martial arts and fighting alongside His Highness since childhood, so she was indeed inexperienced in these matters.

Zhu Yuan was quick and efficient, and soon directed several reliable eunuchs to quietly deliver all the items to the warm pavilion next to the study, and also prepared plenty of hot water.

Despite her busy schedule, she managed to wink at Qing Shu and whisper, "Sister Qing Shu, your face is still red. You'll have to go through this sooner or later, so what's there to be shy about?"

Qing Shu glared at her but didn't refute her. She just said in a low voice, "Stop being so glib and serve her carefully."

"I know." Zhu Yuan replied with a smile, then listened to the faint sounds coming from the direction of the study that made her blush. "Your Highness is really... capricious, but it's good that you've finally come to your senses."

She was in charge of serving at night and knew better than Qing Shu about the previous desolation of His Highness's inner courtyard.

That night, the candlelight in the study's heated room stayed on very late, and the hot water was called more than once.

......

It wasn't until just before dawn that things finally calmed down.

Yi Shao leaned against the headboard, wearing only a loose nightgown, his dark hair damp with sweat and clinging to his neck.

He glanced at Ling Wei, who had her eyes closed, and suddenly remembered something. A sly glint flashed in his eyes. He leaned close to her ear and asked breathlessly, "Your Highness...didn't you say we should wait for A-Shao to call a halt?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Wei lifted her eyelids, glanced at him sideways, and said irritably, "You don't have to do anything."

Since she can't move her legs, she's at a disadvantage when playing games.

Her breathing was slightly labored, and the corners of her eyes were still tinged with red. She glared at people weakly. "I'm the one who's tired... you seem to know how to enjoy yourself."

Looking at her unusually annoyed expression, Yi Shao felt a sudden, warm, and tender feeling, as if something soft had struck his heart.

He didn't understand what it was, but subconsciously leaned over again, wanting to kiss her sweaty brows and eyes.

Ling Wei raised her hand and pressed it against his chest, her voice hoarse: "Alright...we still have to go back to our parents' home, get some rest."

Yi Shao obediently lay down beside her as instructed.

"My lady," he suddenly called softly in the silence.

"Hmm?" Ling Wei's eyelids were drooping with sleepiness.

Yi Shao turned to the side, found her hand in the dim light, took it, placed it to his lips, and kissed her fingertips. The action carried a kind of piety that even he himself did not realize.

"My lady, you've worked hard," he said in a low, gentle voice, like a hot spring flowing in the night. "It's all because Ah Shao is useless."

Ling Wei gave a muffled "hmm," the last syllable of her voice lingering, indicating she was half-asleep.

"It's good that you know."

She tried to pull her hand away, but found that he was holding it quite tightly. Unable to move, she let him hold it and fell into a deep sleep.

Yi Shao maintained the position of holding her hand, gently pressing that warm hand against his heart.

Through his clothes and skin, he could feel his heart beating faster than usual.

He closed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. Tonight should have been pretty good; he was one step closer to truly taking this wife into his grasp.

Outside the window, the sky was just before dawn, and inside the study, only the sound of even, long breaths remained.