When Li Chenjiao woke up, she was startled.
The stained-glass windows on the boat swayed, letting the sunlight stream in. Li Chenjiao felt hot in the sun as she slept, so she used the blanket to shield herself from the heat.
She woke up because she noticed that the blanket that was blocking the sun had disappeared. Li Chenjiao mumbled and tried to pull the blanket back, but found that she couldn't pull it back no matter what she did. She raised her hand to shield her eyes and opened them after several seconds.
"Master?" Li Chenjiao moved her lips, speaking slowly as if she was a little slow to react, but her tone still carried a hint of coquettishness.
She thought it was some little creature that had entered her room and was bothering her, but she never expected it to be the Fourth Master.
Fourth Master sat on the edge of the bed, still clutching a corner of the quilt in his hand.
It was clearly the Fourth Prince himself who was causing trouble just now.
Li Chenjiao herself was utterly astonished. She couldn't believe that the Fourth Prince would do something so childish.
Perhaps sensing Li Chenjiao's gaze, Fourth Master calmly released the corner of the brocade quilt in his hand, then raised his hand, made a fist, and placed it to his lips: "Awake?"
Li Chenjiao nodded silently, then sat up and asked, "Is Master finished with his work?"
The Fourth Prince hummed in agreement and then said, "Now that you're awake, I'll have Physician Zhou come and check your pulse."
Oh, so that's why Fourth Master came.
Li Chenjiao responded and naturally straightened up, taking the Fourth Master's arm: "Master, do you think I'm still presentable in public like this?"
She had just woken up, her jade-like face flushed slightly, a sign of just waking up. As she spoke to the Fourth Master, she lowered her head slightly, her watery pupils sparkling, mirroring the smile on her lips. Her dark hair fell gracefully, tinged with the color of sunlight, making her exceptionally radiant.
Fourth Master knew that Li Chenjiao was seducing him, but his Adam's apple still bobbed slightly. His eyes never wavered for a moment. He gently raised his other hand and touched Li Chenjiao's forehead: "Very good."
Despite the simple movements, Fourth Master still managed to imbue them with a touch of allure.
Li Chenjiao suddenly remembered a storybook she had read in the manor before, which told the story of a Taoist priest and a fox spirit in human form. Right now, she and the Fourth Master were somewhat like those characters in the storybook.
As she thought this, she unconsciously laughed out loud.
Even her eyebrows and eyes were full of smiles and charm.
The Fourth Master's gaze then turned somewhat doubtful.
Li Chenjiao continued to smile, though she couldn't tell the Fourth Prince about the chaotic thoughts in her mind. She simply said sweetly, "I feel at ease with Your Highness's words."
Li Chenjiao has never been afraid of Fourth Master's cold face. She used to be a little afraid, but as time went on, things changed.
When Physician Zhou arrived, Li Chenjiao had already tidied herself up and gone to the outer room. Fourth Master was sitting on the other side, and at this moment, he had somehow produced a book scroll in his hand.
When Physician Zhou took Li Chenjiao's pulse, the Fourth Prince did not say anything. Only after Physician Zhou explained Li Chenjiao's current condition did he give a lukewarm "hmm".
Su Peisheng understood immediately and stepped forward with a smile to see Physician Zhou off.
Li Chenjiao is in good health, but she is a little tired from traveling by carriage and waterway for half a day yesterday. The pregnancy is still going well.
Li Chenjiao touched her abdomen and smiled.
The Fourth Prince didn't say anything. Just as Li Chenjiao was about to open her mouth to say something, she saw that Su Peisheng, who had returned after seeing off Physician Zhou, looked a little flustered, obviously having something important to report.
Sure enough, after Su Peisheng whispered something to the Fourth Master, the Fourth Master coldly said "I know" and then turned to look at Li Chenjiao.
Li Chenjiao smiled sweetly, but didn't rush to speak.
After finishing his sentence, Su Peisheng bowed and left.
Fourth Master looked at Li Chenjiao again.
Li Chenjiao interjected, "It doesn't matter if Master has business outside. I have maids to serve me here, so it's fine."
Even favored concubines need to know their limits, especially when it comes to a master like the Fourth Prince, who is almost entirely focused on official duties. He really needs to be careful about how he acts.
Fourth Master hummed in agreement again and stood up: "I'll come see you when I'm done with my work this evening. If it gets late, you can make your own arrangements."
Clearly, there is something urgent happening outside.
"You don't need to bother with Third Brother up front. I'll talk to him myself. Okay?"
To be honest, what the Fourth Prince said was really nice to hear.
Li Chenjiao's eyes lit up when she heard this.
She wasn't one to meddle in other people's business, as most people are—seeking advantage and avoiding harm—and Li Chenjiao was no exception. It was naturally more appropriate for a man to handle this kind of matter than for her to.
Fourth Master raised his hand and quickly left.
As the Fourth Master's figure gradually disappeared, Li Chenjiao slowly withdrew her gaze. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but she actually saw a hint of tenderness in the Fourth Master's eyes.
She silently rubbed her arms, thinking that these frightening thoughts shouldn't have popped into her head in broad daylight.
Qiu Hu only came in to serve after the Fourth Master had left.
"Has Master been here for quite some time?" Li Chenjiao asked first.
Qiu Hu nodded: "The master went to sleep for about half an hour before the fourth master arrived. He also told the servants to leave and not to disturb him."
Li Chenjiao silently calculated in her mind that the Fourth Master had indeed stayed for quite a long time. Li Chenjiao had slept for at least an hour, and the Fourth Master probably had to watch over her for half an hour as well.
No wonder the Fourth Prince teased Li Chenjiao when she woke up.
Fourth Master probably didn't expect Li Chenjiao to be so sleepy during the day, did he?
Li Chenjiao was still a little embarrassed, but she quickly put those feelings behind her.
The imperial kitchen served a dish of crab-stuffed oranges, which Li Chenjiao hadn't eaten in a long time. When she saw it at lunch, her appetite was whetted. However, with the maids restraining her and the fact that she had just eaten crab meat soup for breakfast, Li Chenjiao didn't eat much of the crab-stuffed oranges in the end.
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