As soon as I entered the room, Xie Yuancheng threw me onto the bed. Before I could even react, I heard the door slam shut. Xie Yuancheng walked over. I rubbed my wrist, which was aching from being gripped so tightly. He's been so unpredictable lately; I'd better wait for him to speak first.
Xie Yuancheng stood by the bed, his voice a little aggrieved: "Ying'er, you've never smiled at me so happily before." Was he jealous? When he's with the girls, he should definitely be smiling, not looking so sad.
Xie Yuancheng continued, "I fell in love with you the moment I saw you at the Ji residence when I was five. I even said I wanted to marry you, and everyone thought it was a joke. Even as I grew up, I still thought it was a joke. But when I learned you were married to Li Zhaole, I followed Consort Ji's plan and went to the capital. When we met again in the Imperial Garden, I knew that what I said as a child wasn't just a joke." He held my chin, his face full of infatuation. "Luckily, I had been secretly cultivating my abilities, and Li Zhaole had no interest in you, so I thought I'd bring you to Linyang first before making further plans. You know what happened after that. Heaven really favored me; I never imagined you were a woman, and we could be together openly." He became emotional and hugged me tightly. "But you weren't happy at all. Seeing you two smiling so sweetly today, I felt a mix of emotions."
This person, though cunning and manipulative, is also incredibly devoted, having loved him since he was five. I inexplicably hugged him back, and when I woke up afterward, I wanted to slap myself.
It was already dark outside, and clothes were scattered on the ground. Xie Yuancheng looked satisfied beside me. I was still feeling unwell, and just as I was about to turn over, Xie Yuancheng woke up.
He changed his previous sadness and leaned in gently, interlocking his fingers with mine: "Ying'er." What could I say? After all, I had done it willingly. Looking into his expectant and gentle eyes, I held his hand back.
After taking a shower and changing clothes, I felt much better.
I ate a little dinner and fell asleep. For the next two days, Xie Yuancheng was inseparable from me. He handled all the business in the room, and we always had to be intimate before going to sleep at night.
On the Mid-Autumn Festival, I leaned against him and looked at the moon in the sky. "Time flies so fast," he said, looking down into my eyes and smiling beautifully.
When Li Zhaole was seen the next day, she had fully recovered.
Wan'er brought me a chair and placed it in the courtyard: "My lord, you're finally back. You must have been busy yesterday during the festival. I'll make you some nourishing soup later." What a good girl. If she weren't under Consort Ji's control, she would definitely have found a good husband.
Li Zhaole walked over, putting on her princess-like expression again, but her tone wasn't as sharp as before: "You still know to come back? Brother Yuancheng is newly married, don't you know how to avoid suspicion?" I might want to avoid it, but I can't.
I came up with an explanation: "I understand, I'll be more careful in the future. There have been a lot going on in Linyang lately, so it's understandable that I haven't been able to keep track of things."
Li Zhaole looked at her with an expression that said, "But it's strange, Brother Yuancheng has kept his new sister-in-law hidden so well, I haven't even seen her." The new sister-in-law you're talking about is right in front of you, but you can't say it outright.
I'm stuck in the middle, having married a fake wife and a real husband, and it's not a pleasant experience at all.
Wan'er spoke up for me: "Princess, please don't blame the prince consort. He's been exhausted these past few days dealing with the matter in the northern suburbs of Linyang, and it's only a rare opportunity for him to come back."
Li Zhaole didn't continue speaking. Could it be that she changed her personality after experiencing a breakup?
"Xiren, quickly prepare some delicious snacks. Wan'er, tidy up the outside; I'm in the mood for a game of chess with the Prince Consort today." Li Zhaole began gesturing to Wan'er and Xiren, behaving like the most important princess.
Playing chess? It can't be chess, can it? How could I possibly know such literary things?
"Sister Zhaole, you're in such high spirits so early in the morning. It's been a while since I've played chess, let's play a game." Xie Yuancheng always seemed to have a knack for this kind of thing.
I'm torn between wanting to leave him and wanting to see him.
Li Zhaole stood up, a smile on her face: "Brother Yuancheng, thank you so much for saving me last time. Why didn't you bring your wife with you? You two are newlyweds, and my husband is so inconsiderate, always bothering you."
Xie Yuancheng flicked his sleeve, and I could smell his fragrance: "She doesn't like to be around strangers, so I left her in the backyard. She just ran out and I just found her."
Pshaw, I didn't run away. As the son-in-law of the Great Zhao, I'm returning openly and legitimately.
Li Zhaole was a little confused: "My sister-in-law is shy, so why would she run out? That's so strange."
Xie Yuancheng chuckled: "Yes, that's how your sister-in-law is, so I always tell her to try not to meet with outsiders, but sometimes I still can't persuade her."
Li Zhaole shook his head: "Then it's better if I don't see her for the time being. I hope Brother Yuancheng can help me pass on my wishes for your marriage. Wan'er, go and get the wedding gift."
Wan'er brought out some rare and precious items. They looked beautiful, but I didn't know what they were.
But, Princess, your "current husband" has "married" your brother Yuan Cheng, and you still manage to give him gifts? I really wish I could disappear into a hole.
Xie Yuancheng took it personally and showed it to me with a showy air: "Prince Consort, see if there's anything you like on this list?" This man is really too bold!
Li Zhaole opened her mouth wide: "I've always heard that Brother Yuancheng treats the Prince Consort very well, and seeing it today, it's true. But this is for my sister-in-law, so please don't tease him."
Xie Yuancheng nodded, then handed the things in his hand to Meng Anshi, instructing him to take them away.
Wan'er had already set up the chessboard, and Xie Yuancheng first invited Li Zhaole to take a seat.
Li Zhaole glanced at me as soon as she sat down, clearly wanting me to sit next to her. Xie Yuancheng was quicker, pulling me aside: "Your Highness, come over here. You were busy all night last night, so let's play some chess and relax."
I've now discovered that beneath Xie Yuancheng's charming exterior lies a shameless heart!
Li Zhaole frowned; he looked just like a little doll whose toy had been taken away.
As the two were playing chess, Xie Yuancheng, relying on his wide sleeves, intertwined his fingers with mine when he lowered his hand. I really wanted to kick him. In front of two young ladies, you should at least restrain yourself a little.
After one game, Li Zhaole actually lost. Her face showed her displeasure: "Brother Yuancheng, you didn't even let me win. Look, you've captured all my pieces."
Xie Yuancheng took back his black piece: "I can't let you have it, or I'll lose." Was he trying to provoke him?
Li Zhaole looked at me and said, "Your Highness, you must win this."
"How could I possibly know?" I quickly glanced at Xie Yuancheng, hoping he would come up with a good excuse.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
