Chapter 83 Sleeping with an Orphan

"Your Highness, do you know the saying 'Do not look at what is improper' when you arrive uninvited in the middle of the night?"

Noticing Xiao Xuanyou's blatant and undisguised gaze, Jiang Zhi reached for the undergarment hanging beside her.

But Xiao Xuanyou seemed to have no concept of propriety, righteousness, or shame, and simply held her waist tightly without letting go.

She tried her best, but to no avail. Time and again, she watched her fingertips graz the fabric, barely touching anything.

She was furious and turned around to glare at him, "What exactly does Your Highness want to do?"

With a gentle pull, Xiao Xuanyou scooped Jiang Zhi back into his arms.

Her waist was so slender it seemed as if it could be broken with a flick of the wrist, and the skin beneath her palms was cool, smooth and porcelain-like, making it impossible to let go.

This is his cicada-shaped garment.

In his dreams, he could be intimate with her.

In reality, he could only disguise himself and sneak into her residence, making it difficult even to see her.

Today, he watched as Lu Yuan interrogated those involved in the Crown Princess's poisoning case under torture, and he was not released from the imperial prison until the dead of night.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he came out, his confidant reported that the Jiang residence had been burned down, the Chuntang Garden where Jiang Zhi lived had been destroyed, and the Jiang family had also been robbed, suffering heavy losses.

Unable to contain himself, he went to the door himself, having Dark Moon and Shadow distract the guards so he could enter openly.

I didn't expect her to be taking a bath.

Even so, he will not avoid it.

Chanyi was originally his person.

"Why did you move here instead of staying in the house that I had my mother bestow upon you?"

If he remembered correctly, this was the mansion that his father bestowed upon Shen Ci'an, the newly appointed top scholar in the imperial examination.

Jiang Zhi was filled with trepidation, but her expression remained calm. "Lord Shen once stayed at the Jiang residence for a period of time, and the Jiang family has been kind to him. He only stepped in to help the Jiang family today when he saw them suffer this calamity. Why does Your Highness ask this?"

Xiao Xuanyou's fingertips, which were gripping her waist, caressed her as if he were stroking a piece of fine, cold jade. His voice was deep and unreadable, "I see."

Jiang Zhi just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. "If Your Highness has nothing else to say, please allow me to get dressed first?"

Xiao Xuanyou chuckled, puzzled, then used one hand to hold her while using the other to undress himself.

Jiang Zhi's eyes widened in fright, her face turning deathly pale.

What is Xiao Xuanyou planning to do? He just decided on his Crown Princess, yet he's undressing her right here.

Is he insane?

Seeing that he had already taken off his outer robe, Jiang Zhi could no longer hold back. "Your Highness! If you continue to act so recklessly, even if your reputation is ruined, I will call someone in!"

She lowered her voice, and her tone changed.

Xiao Xuanyou released the hand that had been restraining her.

“Miss Jiang, there is no need to be so agitated. Lord Jiang is a pillar of the court. As the Crown Prince, it is only natural that I would visit him to show my concern for his daughter’s safety.”

Jiang Zhi watched as he put her down, then turned and walked towards the bed.

He then lay down on her, much to Jiang Zhi's surprise.

He rested his head on one hand, looking at her with a half-smile, "I'm exhausted from today's trial, so I'll borrow Miss Jiang's bed for a rest."

In my dreams, whenever Chanyi is sleeping beside me, I feel completely at peace, as if all my troubles are swept away.

Lying down here now has proven effective.

Jiang Zhi turned around and dressed herself before turning back to argue with him.

“My bed is low and cramped; how can it compare to the spacious and comfortable Crown Prince’s palace? Please, Your Highness, move back to the palace.”

Xiao Xuanyou, however, seemed not to hear her and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.

Jiang Zhi bit her lower lip. "Is the dignified Crown Prince really such a despicable person, forcibly taking over other people's beds and stealing their kisses?"

There has still been no response.

"Your Highness, I need to wash up. May I ask that you excuse me for now?"

Jiang Zhi waited for a long time but then lost patience and went forward to check.

But Xiao Xuanyou's breathing was deep and even, his face peaceful and relaxed, and he had actually fallen asleep.

She felt both amused and exasperated.

Under the candlelight, Xiao Xuanyou's face remained gentle and dignified. With his eyes closed, his usual imposing manner faded, leaving only the gentleness unique to a young man.

With a high, straight nose, clear and serene eyes, and sharply defined features, his face was bathed in moonlight, as if carved from the finest white jade.

If one didn't know his character and had suffered at his hands, it would be easy to be fooled by his devastatingly handsome face.

Jiang Zhi thought of another question.

If Xiao Xuanyou is sleeping here, then where will she sleep?

Furthermore, she was still wearing the clothes she had worn during the daytime fire, and she felt sticky and uncomfortable. If she couldn't wash up, she probably wouldn't be able to sleep all night.

Having no other choice, Jiang Zhi mustered her courage and tried to push him.

Xiao Xuanyou, who was asleep, suddenly took her hand and patted her soothingly.

"Be good, sleep with me for a while."

With a forceful movement, Jiang Zhi involuntarily fell onto him.

He seemed used to it, holding her in his arms, his cool lips landing on the top of her head.

Jiang Zhi was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place, feeling only coldness in her hands and feet.

Xiao Xuanyou had done this to her countless times in his past life, using the same actions and tone.

After he had satisfied himself, he would hold her, still covered in sweat, in his arms and kiss her tenderly all over her body before he would stop.

But she and Xiao Xuanyou have hardly had any contact at all, so why is he so familiar with her, as if they have done it countless times?

She was filled with doubt and suspicion, but Xiao Xuanyou made no further moves after that.

She carefully pulled away from his embrace, and he only frowned slightly, without waking up.

Jiang Zhi is now in a dilemma.

Only one room in the house was prepared. If she were to take a bath in another place, it would surely cause a great commotion and wake everyone up.

But if I don't wash, I really can't get over it in my mind, and I definitely won't be able to sleep tonight.

Jiang Zhi was torn between her inner thoughts and her own conscience.

Seeing that the water in the bathtub was gradually cooling down, Jiang Zhi gritted her teeth and stopped delaying, taking off the clothes she had just put back on.

Xiao Xuanyou was already fast asleep, and she only needed to move quietly and quickly to avoid disturbing him.

Moreover, given Xiao Xuanyou's status, would he really dare to do anything improper to her?

If all else fails, she can just shout for help.

Jiang Zhi turned around and glanced at the person on the bed again. Seeing that he was completely unaware, she tiptoed behind the screen.

The moment she was immersed in the warm water, she forced herself not to let out a sigh of pleasure.

Before she could even enjoy it, Jiang Zhi quickly and gently washed herself, and soon got out of the bathtub.

Just then, she heard a very soft sigh.

"Miss Jiang, you bathed and dried yourself in front of me. Were you deliberately trying to seduce me?"

Jiang Zhi was shocked.

His tall figure cast an imposing shadow on the screen, causing her to slip in fright.

Xiao Xuanyou actually woke up and walked straight behind the screen!