Chapter 44 Consummation of the Marriage
Bright candlelight flickered in the room as palace maids helped Jiang Fenghua bathe and change. They were captivated by her flawless skin and graceful figure; even the empresses in the palace did not possess such an alluring physique.
The palace maid blushed and stared intently at her delicate and beautiful face.
Xie Shang unconsciously pushed open the door and entered the side hall. The palace maids bowed repeatedly upon seeing him, saying, "Your Highness."
"You may all step back. We don't need you to serve us here." Xie Shang was tall and imposing, his voice cold and unyielding, a glint of light flickering deep in his eyes.
The palace maids responded and quickly withdrew. All the toiletries were prepared, and their nightgowns and robes were hung on the clothes racks nearby. There was really no need for palace maids here anymore.
When Jiang Fenghua saw that he had come uninvited, she quickly hid her whole body in the water. Her hair was black and flowed like a waterfall, instantly covering the surface of the water and concealing the spring scenery in the bathtub. Only her beautiful face was exposed. She urged in a coquettish voice, "Your Highness, please come out. I haven't finished washing yet."
"Which part of this haven't I seen?" He had seen it, and indeed, he hadn't seen it all yet.
Jiang Fenghua blushed and pretended to be angry, "Your Highness is talking nonsense. Turn around, or I won't get up."
Xie Shang indeed went behind the screen to change his clothes. When Jiang Fenghua saw him dodge away, she reached out and grabbed a bathrobe, instantly standing up from the water. With her long legs and quick body, she wrapped herself in the bathrobe and ran outside.
Xie Shang peeked out from behind the screen and saw her graceful figure wrapped in a thin bathrobe. She fled in panic like a startled rabbit.
When Xie Shang finished washing up and came out of the side hall, Jiang Fenghua had already dried her hair. She sat in front of the bronze mirror, where her beautiful face and slender figure were reflected. Her spine drew graceful lines, and her waist-length hair was spread out. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Jiang Fenghua saw his reflection in the bronze mirror. His clothes were half-open, and the water droplets on his chest shimmered. He was strong and powerful, exuding a masculine aura. Yet, he possessed a captivatingly handsome face with sharp, angular features that were almost unbearably beautiful. He had sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and an imposing, heroic air. His gaze was fixed on her with infatuation and fascination.
She smiled slightly, her beauty unparalleled.
Xie Shang walked to her side, picked her up horizontally, and carried her to the bedside.
He gently laid her down, his gaze intense, his fiery eyes fixed on her face. Jiang Fenghua lowered her head slightly, revealing the shyness of a young girl.
Xie Shang suddenly turned away from her, somewhat timid.
He was struggling. He clearly liked her, but he also liked Wanwan. He never imagined that he would become a fickle man like his father.
Jiang Fenghua suddenly reached out her index finger and hooked it around his finger. The moment their fingers touched, an ambiguous feeling arose, and he felt as if an electric current was flowing through his body, making him feel itchy.
She knew what he was worried about, after all, Su Tingwan held a place in his heart.
She didn't care who he liked, only what he could bring her. Outside the door was Granny Xi, and the Empress was also waiting for a result. The arrow was on the bowstring, and she had no way to retreat. Since she had entered the game, she would be the one to play the game.
She said softly, "Does Your Highness not like Ruan Ruan?"
The word "like" almost burst from his throat. He didn't deny being deeply attracted to Jiang Fenghua, nor did he deny liking her, but when it came to a real fight, he... was a little afraid.
After all, it's never happened before...
Jiang Fenghua suddenly stood up and walked in front of him. Her face was gentle and beautiful, and her bright eyes looked at him with affection. She seemed to see her own beautiful image in Xie Shang's eyes.
Jiang Fenghua didn't believe Xie Shang disliked her, so she tiptoed and gently kissed his thin lips.
He pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss. Her thin outer garment slipped off, and somehow they ended up on the bed.
Jiang Fenghua had prepared for ten years and studied for ten years. All she had been waiting for was to lure him into her arms and make him fall in love with her.
In an instant, the red candles flickered, filling the room with an enchanting atmosphere...
The two of them succumbed to this, like a ship adrift at sea being battered by raging waves, experiencing excitement and thrill.
After they finished, Xie Shang found some clothes to put on her, his deep eyes shining brightly. He kissed her forehead, got up, and went to the side hall.
A moment later, Xie Shang returned, dressed in a thin robe. "Let me carry you to wash up!"
"Hmm." Jiang Fenghua felt weak and sore all over; she couldn't straighten up at all.
Xie Shang picked her up, and beautiful, alluring red roses bloomed on the white sheets. He called out to the outside, and Granny Xi hurriedly came in to tidy up the bed, taking away the white sheets and replacing them with clean ones.
Jiang Fenghua heard the noise, but she didn't feel embarrassed. Only pure and innocent women could truly enter the royal family; that was the rule.
Xie Shang carried her into the bathtub. Before he could leave, her body was covered with the marks he had left on her. Her cheeks flushed. "I will wash myself. Your Highness, please leave first."
"There are palace maids tidying up the room outside. My clothes are disheveled, which is inappropriate." Xie Shang didn't not want to go out. Rather than facing the palace maids, he preferred to face Jiang Fenghua. If the bathtub wasn't too small, he would really like to go in and take a bath with her.
Jiang Fenghua avoided his gaze like she was burying her head in the sand, casually washing herself in the water to clean off the sweat. Once she felt refreshed, she said, "Then please, Your Highness, hand me my clothes. Please turn your back."
Xie Shang obediently turned his back to her, then handed her clean clothes. Only after she stood up and put on her clothes did he step forward and carry her out of the bathtub. Just as they came out, Granny Xi closed the door. He led Jiang Fenghua around the screen and into the inner room.
Jiang Fenghua nestled in his arms with her eyes slightly closed. Xie Shang saw that she was limp and powerless, so he didn't move her anymore. He blew out the candles, carried her to the bed, covered her with a blanket, and then lay down next to her.
Knowing that he would have to attend court early the next day, he finally held her close and fell asleep peacefully.
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