Chapter 288 Will I receive a reward as my husband?

Jiang Zhi froze abruptly, recalling her conversation with the Crown Prince in Chengguang Hall.

In order to deal with Xiao Yunheng, she agreed.

"Relax," Xiao Xuanyou's voice was seductive, "we still have a long show to go on."

He will gradually erase all her bad memories of him.

Jiang Zhi relaxed herself.

Anyway, I've done this kind of thing with Xiao Xuanyou a lot in my past life, so there's nothing to be shy about.

She pushed against his chest with both hands, her eyes filled with shame and indignation. "Your Highness, what exactly do you want? I am now a wife. Do you intend to force me to stay in the Eastern Palace like you did last time?"

Xiao Xuanyou chuckled lightly, "Why not? If I dared to do it once, I dare to do it a second time. You can only be mine."

As soon as he finished speaking, he lowered his head and bit her lips.

The familiar scent of ambergris enveloped her everywhere.

Xiao Xuanyou's kiss was inherently forceful, carrying a burning heat that stole her breath.

Despite the prior agreement, Jiang Zhi's heart was still pounding like a drum, and her fingertips unconsciously gripped his clothes, the intricate dragon and gold embroidery on them rubbing against her hands until they ached.

After she no longer felt any resistance towards Xiao Xuanyou, she breathed heavily, her mind a jumbled mess, as if she had returned to her past life.

Xiao Xuanyou stepped back slightly, his nose touching hers, his eyes as dark as night. "Worry-free, why are your legs so weak?"

He held her waist, helping her steady her sliding body, his voice hoarse.

Jiang Zhi snapped out of her daze and immediately bristled, slapping his hand away. "Your Highness, please release me. Otherwise, how will you explain this to the Crown Princess later?"

"It's alright, the Crown Princess has no time for anything else right now." After saying that, she rubbed her neck hard against Jiang Zhi's neck again and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Wait a little longer, the tail hasn't left yet."

Jiang Zhi had no choice but to let Xiao Xuanyou roam over her body.

Xiao Xuanyou was very familiar with her body and knew how to arouse her. His kisses were deep and slow, as if he wanted to melt her whole being into his bones and blood.

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her face burning with shame.

Why has it taken so long?

She couldn't help but feel uneasy. Could Xiao Xuanyou have done this on purpose?

"The person is gone." Lost in thought, Xiao Xuanyou finally released his grip on her hand.

Compared to Jiang Zhi's heart fluttering, Xiao Xuanyou remained overly calm, as if his earlier infatuation was merely an illusion.

He withdrew swiftly, restoring the dignity of a crown prince.

Jiang Zhi took a deep breath and calmed her racing heart. "Alright, I'll head back now. I hope Your Highness will keep your word."

Just as he was about to leave, Xiao Xuanyou pulled him back.

"Wait," he said, stroking her slightly reddened lips with his fingertips and wiping away the mess. "Your lipstick is smudged. If you go back to the banquet like this, people will definitely suspect something."

Jiang Zhi blushed. "I can do it myself."

She carefully wiped it with a handkerchief, then looked at Xiao Xuanyou with her eyes, asking if it was alright.

His dark pupils were still damp. Xiao Xuanyou suppressed the urge to press her back down and kiss her again, and nodded slightly, "It's alright, go ahead."

"Then this humble woman will take her leave." She hastily bowed and departed.

It was as if something was chasing her from behind.

Jiang Zhi really didn't know how to face Xiao Xuanyou.

Although he harbored the intention of using him to deal with Xiao Yunheng, he was merely putting on an act for Xiao Yunheng's spies.

But why do I still keep sinking deeper into depravity?

She felt incredibly flustered and began to doubt whether her decision was the right one.

As Xiao Xuanyou watched Jiang Zhi's departing figure, he stroked the crimson mark on his fingertip, where her unique, delicate fragrance seemed to linger.

His eyes dimmed, and a self-deprecating bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Xiao Xuanyou, now you can only use such underhanded methods to get close to her.

*

The back mountain of Puzhao Temple.

It was springtime, and the apricot blossoms were in full bloom. The pink petals, like a spring rain, contrasted beautifully with the green tiles and red walls of Puzhao Temple, creating a mesmerizing scene.

Before the flowers finished blooming, Jiang Zhi and Shen Ci'an went up the mountain to admire them, and then went to a villa deep in the apricot grove to soak in the hot springs.

This Yunqi Villa was specially purchased by Shen Ci'an with his own salary before Jiang Zhi fled after her death.

The hot spring pool is carved from natural rock, and a small pavilion, stone table and benches are placed next to it.

Shen Ci'an initially bought the private natural hot spring because he thought it would be good for Jiang Zhi's health. Now, he finally has the opportunity to use it.

Jiang Zhi put her black hair up in a bun, changed into a close-fitting plain-colored gauze dress, and when she stepped barefoot on the rocks, she felt a warm current rising from the soles of her feet, dispelling the chill from her body.

Amidst the rising steam, Shen Ci'an, draped in a moon-blue undergarment, leaned against the edge of the hot spring.

She couldn't see Shen Ci'an's expression clearly, but she felt that his light gaze was constantly and subtly falling on her.

Jiang Zhi tightened the gauze covering her body and stepped inside.

This was Jiang Zhi's first time here, and she was still a little reserved. But when the warm spring water soaked her limbs, she immediately relaxed, let out a soft sigh, and walked along the stone wall toward Shen Ci'an.

"Be careful, the ground is slippery."

As soon as Shen Ci'an finished speaking, Jiang Zhi cried out in surprise, her body suddenly tilted, and she fell into the water.

The next moment, he was steadily supported by Shen Ci'an's slender yet strong hand.

"Stand firm, I'll take you there." Shen Ci'an's voice was as faint as mist.

Jiang Zhi looked up and saw his slightly open collar, a large expanse of pale skin flushed red from the steam of the spring water, water droplets sliding down his collarbone and into his chest.

After just one glance, Jiang Zhi dared not look again.

The Master is quite alluring.

After the accident, a few strands of Jiang Zhi's carefully styled hair came loose and were quickly soaked by the spring water.

"Turn around and hold on tight."

Shen Ci'an pressed against her back and retied her hair before helping her sit firmly on a protruding rock.

He then took a wine cup from the side and poured her a glass of fruit wine.

"Ah, so comfortable." Jiang Zhi took a sip of wine, leaned against the soft stone wall of the pool, and felt that life was just like this.

Shen Ci'an's voice came through the mist, "If you like, we can stay here for the night and return to the manor tomorrow. You can come here often in the future."

The villa was fully furnished, as he had specifically instructed people to prepare it.

"Thank you, Master. I like it very much."

"Then—what reward will I receive from you?" Shen Ci'an looked at her intently.

Jiang Zhi blinked, her cheeks feeling slightly hot.

It was probably steamed by water vapor.

Then, under Shen Ci'an's expectant gaze, she held his shoulder and pecked him on the cheek.

Shen Ci'an's Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably; his usual cool composure was now replaced by a surge of intense emotion.

He leaned closer, his hand gently supporting the back of her neck, his burning palm pressing against her moist skin, and his warm lips covering the soft, tender spot he had longed for.

The temperature inside the hot spring was already high, and Jiang Zhi felt breathless from his intense kisses.

She got up very early today to go up the mountain to admire the flowers, and after drinking fruit wine, she felt a little sleepy while soaking in the spring water.

Shen Ci'an's gentle and tender kisses made her feel like she was walking on cotton, and she soon drifted off to sleep.

As Shen Ci'an continued kissing, he noticed that the person in his arms had stopped moving. Looking down, he saw that she was sleeping soundly.

He paused for a moment, then rubbed his forehead and gave a bitter laugh, ultimately unable to bring himself to wake her.

"Go to sleep, I can do it myself." He adjusted her into a comfortable sleeping position and let her sit on his lap.

His long, slender fingers encircled her delicate hand and pulled it into the water.

Ripples spread across the water's surface. He leaned against the stone wall, feeling the soft, delicate touch of her palm. He tilted his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing like a tide.