That night, the moonlight, like water, flowed quietly through the exquisite courtyard of Prince Jing's residence. Inside the bedroom, candlelight flickered, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
After washing up, Shen Yuewei, dressed in a loose and soft nightgown, carefully lay down on her side on the thickly made and soft canopy bed with Xiao Chengjing's help. Her lower back was particularly sore in the late stages of pregnancy, and she couldn't help but let out a soft "hiss".
Xiao Chengjing immediately sat down beside her, his warm, large hands skillfully covering the aching muscles in her lower back, massaging them with just the right amount of pressure. He had specifically learned his technique from Doctor Chen, and it always relieved her discomfort perfectly.
"Hmm... a little to the left... yes, right there..." Shen Yuewei sighed comfortably, like a cat being stroked, lazily squinting her eyes.
In the candlelight, her face, fuller with pregnancy, glowed with a soft luster, and her long eyelashes cast faint shadows under her eyes. The shrewdness and competence of the day had faded, leaving only a gentle dependence.
Looking at her completely relaxed and dependent on him, Xiao Chengjing felt a subtle emotion, which had been overlooked during the day, quietly resurface. He continued massaging her, but his voice deepened, carrying a deliberate nonchalance: "Today... the Princess Consort prepared supplies for Young Madam Lu, truly going to great lengths and exhausting herself in every detail. She even dug out An'an's old clothes from when she was little."
Shen Yuewei closed her eyes and enjoyed the massage, casually replying, "Yes, Qingrou has it tough. We should help her in any way we can."
"Hmm." Xiao Chengjing responded, his grip tightening slightly, his tone remaining calm and even. "Even I almost thought that the Princess Consort was going to move the entire Jingwang Mansion to the border so that Lu Zheng could settle down there."
Shen Yuewei finally realized something was wrong. She opened her eyes, turned her head, and looked at her husband's handsome but expressionless profile in the candlelight. His deep eyes were lowered, focused on her back, but the corners of his tightly pursed lips betrayed something unusual.
She blinked, then suddenly understood, a mix of amusement and exasperation welling up inside her. She deliberately drawled out her words, a hint of teasing in her voice: "Oh—so our Prince is jealous?"
Xiao Chengjing abruptly stopped his massage, looked up at her, his eyes darkening with a hint of annoyance at being exposed, but his voice was even deeper: "How could I be such a petty person?"
"If it's not stinginess, then what is it?" Shen Yuewei suppressed a laugh, turned around to face him, reached out and cupped his face, her fingertips gently tracing the line of his tightly pursed lips, her eyes sparkling with a sly inquiry, "Could it be that you feel... I'm only concerned about my sisters far away, neglecting my husband who is right here and needs more care?"
She deliberately pronounced the word "husband" in a soft, sweet tone, with a slight upward inflection at the end, as if it had a hook.
With his face cupped in her hands, Xiao Chengjing met her smiling, all-knowing gaze, and his feigned composure finally crumbled. His eyes darkened, and he suddenly lowered his head, precisely capturing those soft lips that held a mischievous smile.
The kiss came somewhat suddenly, carrying a hint of punishment. It was initially forceful and domineering, conquering her without giving her a chance to refuse, stealing her breath. Shen Yuewei was slightly startled, but then relaxed, closed her eyes, and obediently responded to him.
As their lips intertwined, Xiao Chengjing's hand slid down to the back of her head, cradling her neck and deepening the kiss. His other hand, however, remained firmly protective of her swollen belly, carefully avoiding the soft flesh of her breast.
The kiss lingered until Shen Yuewei's breath hitched slightly, and she gently pushed against his chest. Only then did Xiao Chengjing pull back a little, his forehead pressed against hers, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid. Looking at her flushed cheeks and slightly swollen lips, the jealousy and emotions surging in his eyes gradually subsided, transforming into a deep tenderness and possessiveness.
"Good to know." His voice was hoarse, magnetic with the afterglow of passion. His fingertips gently caressed her slightly flushed cheeks, his eyes carrying a hint of warning, yet full of doting affection. "If you 'ignore' me like this again next time, the punishment... won't be just this."
Shen Yuewei nestled in his arms, her breath still ragged. Listening to his steady, strong heartbeat, feeling the warmth of his hand protecting her abdomen, a wave of tender sweetness washed over her. She tilted her head back and gently pecked his beautifully sculpted chin, her voice soft and sleepy with a satisfied smile: "I wouldn't dare... my prince. From now on, my eyes and heart will only hold my prince and our little one, okay?"
Xiao Chengjing looked down at her, her eyelids drooping with sleep, yet she still forced herself to speak softly. The last trace of resentment in his heart vanished. He tightened his arms around her, making her more comfortable, pulled the quilt over them carefully, and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
"Sleep well." The deep voice in the quiet night was a reassuring haven. The flickering candlelight illuminated their embracing figures, silently gathering the warmth of a spring night in Jiangnan into this small space. The moonlight outside the window quietly shone on the carriages and chests about to set off, laden with the sentiments of Jiangnan, toward the border, and also on the two brightly lit mansions in the capital, bustling with preparations for their journeys.
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