Chapter Seventy: What a perfect couple!
The next morning, Li Bao'er, still half asleep, instinctively tried to turn over but found herself seemingly bound by something, unable to move.
But she really hadn't slept enough; she couldn't keep her eyes open. Still half-asleep and grumpy from waking up, she leaned back and... Huh? What's this texture?
Why is it hot, hard, and somewhat uneven?
A heater? Too hard. A pillow? Too hot. A stool? Even worse…
As she explored, Bao'er's half-asleep mind worked sluggishly, going through everything in her knowledge, even unconsciously touching the warm spot with her fingertips. She couldn't think of anything that matched the feel, until…
"Have you touched enough?" A hoarse, deep voice suddenly rang out above my head!
The hand that was exploring froze instantly, and Li Bao'er jolted awake!
Was it a person, or a man?! She was clearly still not fully awake from her dream and didn't immediately realize that she was married.
The thing in her hand... Bao'er turned around stiffly and saw a patch of bare, well-defined, firm skin. Her hand was pressing unceremoniously on the other person's abdominal muscles, and she could even clearly feel the power contained beneath it.
"Good...this is interesting..." This was the first inappropriate thought that popped into Li Bao'er's mind as she was overwhelmed with shock.
Her gaze snapped upwards as if burned, only to see that Mu Cenlin had woken up at some point and was lying on his side, propping his head up with one hand. His long, dark hair was scattered messily on the pillow, making his handsome face appear almost otherworldly.
He was usually meticulous in his grooming, but now he had the languor of someone who had just woken up. His brows had lost some of their coldness and sharpness, but gained an indescribable charm.
Most importantly, his nightgown had been unknowingly loosened by someone's exploration, leaving the front open and revealing a large expanse of his firm and beautiful chest and abdomen, which stretched downwards and disappeared at the edge of his loose waistband...
Li Bao'er's gaze was fixed there, her mind blank, only the extremely impactful scenery and the lingering touch remained in her hand.
For a woman who has never been in a relationship, how could she resist such temptation?
“It seems that Your Highness…” Mu Cenlin’s voice was still hoarse, but with a hint of playful laziness. He glanced down at his open robe and her hand, which was still frozen in place, and a half-smile appeared on his lips. “You are quite enthusiastic about my morning greetings.”
Li Bao'er: "!!!"
She snapped back to her senses, quickly pulling her hand back as if she were on fire. Her cheeks instantly turned bright red, and the heat spread rapidly to her ears and neck, making her feel like she was about to burst into flames!
"I...I didn't...I didn't! You, you're talking nonsense!" She tried to explain incoherently, using her hands and feet to try to shrink back, but she forgot that she was still in his arms and almost rolled off the bed.
Mu Cenlin stretched out his long arm and easily pulled her back, trapping her in his arms. The two were extremely close; his open shirt almost brushed against her nose. The intense masculine scent and visual impact made Li Bao'er freeze completely in place.
He looked down at the woman in his arms, who was curled up in a ball, and the smile in his eyes deepened. He deliberately lowered his voice, his breath brushing against her ear:
"Oh? Then why were you touching it so carefully just now? Was I sleepwalking?"
Upon hearing this, Li Bao'er quickly covered Mu Cenlin's mouth.
"Wait a minute, why are you staying here overnight?" Hesitantly, "Watson" realized her mistake. She was exhausted last night and thought Mu Cenlin wouldn't come back after leaving. After all, it wasn't a real wedding, so why was he sleeping in her bed?!
Mu Cenlin watched with amusement the fascinating changes in her expression, easily grabbing her wrist. He stroked her slender wrist bone, his playful smile deepening.
“If I were to sleep in separate rooms from the Princess on our wedding day,” he said slowly, “wouldn’t the whole capital be filled with rumors by tomorrow morning that the Prince and Princess are at odds, and that the Princess has already fallen out of favor on her wedding night?”
He leaned slightly closer, closing the distance between them, his deep eyes locking onto her, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery: "What do you think, my Princess Consort Jing?"
"..." Li Bao'er was speechless for a moment.
What he said... damn it makes perfect sense! She was so preoccupied with their fake relationship that she forgot that countless eyes were watching every move of the Prince Jing's mansion.
If news of their separation were to spread the day after her wedding, she would immediately become the laughingstock of the entire capital.
001 Diverting the conversation [He's actually quite considerate~]
Seeing her face, which showed both sudden realization and frustration, Mu Cenlin finally released her wrist and got out of bed.
The loose-fitting nightgown was casually draped over her body, outlining her broad shoulders and slender waist.
"Now that you're awake, get up and wash quickly." He had his back to her, his tone no longer cold, as if the lazy, playful man from before was just her illusion. "Today, you still need to go to the palace to thank your grandmother and father for their grace and pay your respects."
Mentioning this, Li Bao'er suddenly felt a dull pain in the back of her neck again. After what happened last night, she didn't know how many open and hidden attacks awaited them during today's greetings.
But she couldn't tolerate any loss she suffered.
Li Bao'er dared not delay any longer and quickly called the maid who was guarding the outer room to come in and serve. An hour later, the carriage of Prince Jing's mansion drove towards the palace.
Inside the carriage, Li Bao'er sat upright, dressed in court attire befitting a prince's principal wife, adorned with pearls and jade, her makeup exquisite, yet she couldn't hide the hint of excitement in her eyes. She secretly glanced at Mu Cenlin beside her.
He had changed into a black robe embroidered with gold pythons, with a jade belt around his waist. His face was cold and stern, his eyes were deep, and he exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay. He was completely different from the disheveled man who spoke with a mocking tone that morning.
As if sensing her gaze, Mu Cenlin did not turn his head, but simply said, "You are no longer the young lady of the Prime Minister's residence. Remember what you said yesterday. You are now the Princess Consort of Jing, so after entering the palace, you have nothing to fear. With me here, no one will dare to touch you."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a heavy weight, striking Li Bao'er's heart like a thunderbolt. Her heart began to race uncontrollably again because of those words.
The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate. Mu Cenlin got out first and then extended his hand to her in a very natural manner.
Li Bao'er looked at the hand with its distinct knuckles and grasped it without hesitation. His palm was slightly cool but strong, and he steadily helped her down from the carriage.
The two stood side by side; one was dressed in black with dark hair, exuding natural majesty, while the other was dressed in gorgeous attire, radiant and beautiful.
To outsiders, they seemed like a perfect couple.
Mu Cenlin did not immediately let go of her hand. Instead, he turned his head slightly in that position and whispered in her ear in a voice that only the two of them could hear:
"Stay close to me."
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