Chapter 37 [37] A hint of trembling charm
【37】/First release
Yun Ran couldn't sleep that night.
She could fall asleep right away on the eve of her wedding, but tonight, as she lay in bed and closed her eyes, her mind was filled with the image of Sima Jing pinching her chin and kissing her.
She didn't know what was wrong with her. It had never happened before when they hugged each other.
My heartbeat was irregular, my cheeks were hot, and my body felt a little weak.
Are you sick?
Well, that’s probably the case. When I had a high fever a while ago, I also had symptoms of fever and weakness.
I just don't know what disease he has this time.
It seems that she has been sick more often since she came to Chang'an. Could it be that her horoscopes are incompatible with Chang'an?
…
She was so lost in thought that when the first light of day came, she could no longer resist the weariness and fell into a deep sleep.
I slept until the next afternoon.
Nanny Lan Gui and the maids in Zhanlu Hall were all very worried about this. After all, the princess's sleep and rest schedule had always been very regular. Even on the two days when she was sick, she would not sleep until the afternoon.
"Are you feeling unwell again?"
Nanny Lan Gui and Qing Ling confirmed, "When you went in to check, the princess was indeed sleeping soundly and didn't have a high fever."
Qing Ling said confidently, "I checked twice, and the princess's temperature is normal, and her breathing is even. She definitely doesn't look sick."
Nanny Lan Gui frowned and looked at the sky that had just cleared after the snow. "That's really strange. The princess actually sleeps in."
During the two months or so that she was taught the rules in the Marquis's Mansion, the princess always got up early and practiced her morning exercises without slacking off.
Qingling pondered, "Maybe he was too tired from the banquet yesterday?"
Nanny Lan Gui thought about it and it seemed that this was the only explanation.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Yun Ran finally woke up.
Facing Nanny Lan Gui's concern and the supplements sent by the kitchen, she said embarrassedly, "I'm fine. I just spent too much time socializing yesterday."
Nanny Lan Gui waited until she had finished her lunch before finding an opportunity to ask her about her attendance at the banquet yesterday.
Yun Ran gave a brief account of the incident and also told about her meeting with Yao Guang, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
Nanny Lan Gui had always been serving beside Queen Dowager Zhao. She was also present when Yao Guang reported back.
So after hearing those stories, he wasn't surprised at all, but only sighed, "It's because the Queen Mother and His Majesty know how much Your Highness has suffered that they've always gone along with him, unwilling to let him suffer even the slightest injustice."
Yun Ran heard this, but vaguely felt that something was not right——
If they really didn't want Sima Jing to suffer any more injustice, then why didn't they stop or refute the rumors when there were so many rumors about Sima Jing outside?
If anyone curses her master, senior sister, parents, brother, and sister-in-law in public, she will be the first to rush up. If she can beat them, she will beat them. If she can't, she will curse back. If that doesn't work... then she will go see the officials and let them decide what's right and wrong!
In short, we must never let off those who confuse right and wrong and spread rumors at will.
Of course, she also knew that everyone has a mouth, and it was unrealistic to cover it completely, but the Queen Mother and His Majesty were the most powerful and influential people in the world. If they came out to dispel a rumor and express their stance, if the people below were smart, how could they not follow their wishes?
Yun Ran couldn't figure it out, so she could only attribute it to the complicated affairs of the court, which couldn't be viewed with her simple and crude common people's thinking?
But she is really a curious person.
Seeing that no one was around, she asked Nanny Lan Gui the question that Yao Guang had avoided answering yesterday: "Did Your Highness have any conflicts with the Queen Mother or His Majesty?"
When Aunt Lan Gui heard this question suddenly, her expression froze slightly.
Meeting the princess's clear, inquiring black eyes, her gaze flickered twice before she lowered her eyelids and whispered, "We're all blood relatives. How could there be any conflict between us? Probably... Probably..."
Her breath was heavy as she said, "Perhaps Your Highness has suffered too much, and the resentment in his heart is hard to let go."
Yun Ran frowned.
It's not that she hadn't thought about this reason, but after interacting with Sima Jing, she felt that although he had a strange temper, he was not such a narrow-minded person.
"Well, that's all in the past. There's no point dwelling on it."
Nanny Lan Gui poured Yun Ran a cup of hot tea. "Don't you always say that we should live in the present and look forward? As long as you and His Highness live a good life together, consummate your marriage soon, and have five or six more children, then you will be living in harmony with your spouse and surrounded by your children and grandchildren. Isn't that perfect?"
Consummate the marriage soon?
Five or six children?
Yun Ran's hand holding the cup paused slightly, and he was horrified. Wouldn't that mean he would become a piglet?
As soon as the thought came to her mind, she suddenly remembered that her mother had given birth to five children.
Well……
She hurriedly lowered her head to drink tea, silently saying to herself, "Don't blame me, mother, don't blame me."
The days are short in winter, and Yun Ran felt that it was almost dark before she had done anything.
When Yun Ran thought that Sima Jing would come to Zhanlu Hall for dinner today, his heart began to beat wildly for no reason.
When the kitchen handed over the menu for today's dinner, Yun Ran covered his pounding heart and ordered, "His Highness, please come to Zhanlu Hall for dinner today. Add two more of his favorite dishes."
The kitchen maid quickly obeyed the order and left.
As soon as they returned to the kitchen, the cooks couldn't help but start chatting.
"Is this the first time Your Highness and the Princess have dined in Zhanlu Hall since their marriage?"
"That's right! Your Highness has never liked to move around. He used to stay either in Shenliu Hall or Liuxian Garden. Ever since the princess came into the house, he has been walking around the palace more often!"
"If you ask me, the princess is so beautiful and charming, and her temperament is pure, kind and gentle. Even we old maids love her so much, not to mention that Your Highness is in the prime of life, full of vigor and vitality. How can you resist?"
The cooks were all married people and knew the nature of men.
When they thought of the princess's skin as white as cream and her beauty as bright as peony, they all agreed that few men could resist eating such a piece of delicious meat.
"The princess has been kind to us, so we should return the favor and do our part for our master."
A cook said as she picked up a piece of fresh lamb from the basket: "The princess ordered roasted lamb, and the remaining lamb shanks and bones shouldn't be wasted. Add some wolfberries and codonopsis and make a soup."
The other cooks: "Good!"
**
By evening, the snow had piled up.
Usually at this time, Yun Ran would do her evening prayers calmly, but today, when she was reciting scriptures in the quiet room, she couldn't help but feel a little restless when she thought of Sima Jing coming.
But what is meant to come will come.
As she closed her eyes and silently recited the "Qing Xin Jue", she heard the servants' greetings coming from outside the corridor.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Long live Your Highness."
Qingling also knocked on the door of the quiet room: "Madam, the prince is here."
Yun Ran opened his eyes: "I know, I'll be right over."
She stood up, lifting the hem of her skirt, and bowed to the gods on the shrine before leaving the quiet room filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.
When she reached the main door, she saw Chang Chun standing beside her with his hands in his sleeves.
Upon seeing her, Chang Chun quickly put on a smile and saluted: "Your servant greets the princess, may the princess live long and healthy."
Yun Ran nodded. Seeing the howling north wind outside, he couldn't help but say, "If you feel cold, Master Chang, ask Qingling to fill a hand warmer and bring you a cup of hot tea. It's freezing cold out here, don't catch a cold."
Chang Chun was stunned for a moment, and then his heart felt warm as if he had drunk hot water. He quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Princess, for your consideration."
"You're too polite, sir." Yun Ran smiled and walked inside.
When I walked into the main hall, there was no one in sight.
Only after walking around the eight-foot-high black lacquered lattice window with sunflower patterns did I see the tall figure sitting upright on the couch.
Sima Jing was wearing a satin robe with black edging today, a silk sash tied around his waist, and his black hair was fixed with a simple emerald jade hairpin as usual. Even with such a simple outfit, it still couldn't hide his natural good looks, which instead highlighted his elegant, refined, and noble temperament.
Yun Ran was staring blankly at the screen until the man beside the couch raised his eyes and she suddenly came back to her senses.
"Your Highness, you are here."
She pretended to be calm and walked over: "You came quite early. The food hasn't been delivered from the kitchen yet."
Sima Jing watched her sit down across a table. Although she had a smile on her face, her demeanor was obviously a little more restrained.
It seems that the kiss yesterday had a significant impact on her.
"It's dark already."
Sima Jing put down his teacup and glanced at the book casually placed on the table: "Why are you reading music?"
Yun Ran was stunned for a moment before he suddenly realized: "I have nothing to do, so I just took a look."
Sima Jing looked at her quietly.
“…Just taking a look.”
Yun Ran touched the tip of his nose and said angrily, "I went to the Lu family for a banquet yesterday and saw that the Ninth Lady of the Lu family played the zither very well. She was so graceful when she played, like a lady from a painting. I was a little envious of her. In addition to playing the zither, the noble ladies at the banquet played the flute, painted, wrote poems, and wrote articles... Each one of them was full of poetry and books and extremely talented. I stood by and could do nothing but applaud and cheer..."
Sima Jing: "So, you want to learn the qin?"
Yun Ran: "I was thinking about it a lot yesterday, but today I found this music sheet in the study and I couldn't understand it after looking at it for a long time, so I stopped thinking about it."
Sima Jing: “…”
“Nothing is difficult in the world as long as you are willing to give up.”
Yun Ran said, "And I've figured it out. Everyone has their own strengths. Although I can't play the piano or paint, I can chant scriptures, grow vegetables, make wine, and even tell fortunes and analyze divination... I'm pretty good at that, right?"
When she said the last sentence, her eyes involuntarily glanced at Sima Jing.
Sima Jing looked back at her, and then hummed lightly: "Amazing."
Yun Ran didn't expect him to say anything, but she didn't expect that he not only said something, but also followed her words and praised her for being so great!
For a moment, he couldn't help but smile happily: "Hehe, thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. When the plum blossoms in our garden bloom, I will pick some plum blossoms to make wine for you!"
Sima Jing: "...Okay."
After this voice fell, the inner room suddenly became quiet.
Yun Ran usually talks a lot, even talking to himself can last for half a day, but today...
She tried hard to restrain her eyes from glancing at Sima Jing's thin lips, while twisting her fingers to urge herself to think of something to say!
Perhaps the more anxious she got, the more confused she became. Just as she was about to hide outside to urge for dinner, the man next to her spoke: "Although you know a lot, it's always good to have more skills. If you're really interested in playing the piano, I can teach you."
Yun Ran raised his face in astonishment, "Your Highness, you want to teach me how to play the piano?"
Sima Jing hummed: "If you are interested."
Yun Ran's two dark eyes rolled around, hesitant: "I do want to learn, but I'm afraid my hands and feet are clumsy and I can't learn such an elegant thing."
As she spoke, she looked down at her hands.
Although I have been moisturizing my skin with expensive ointments every day for the past six months and my skin has become much whiter and softer, the scars and calluses from my previous work are still there.
Sima Jing also glanced at her hand, was silent for a moment, and said, "How do you know you can't learn it if you don't try?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Ran opened her beautiful eyes and looked intently at the man sitting across the table.
Sima Jing frowned: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Is this still the taciturn and most indifferent prince of my family?"
Yun Ran blinked. "Before, I was the one who always urged you to try new things. But today, you've turned it around and now you're the one advising me?"
Sima Jing: “…”
For a moment, I didn't know whether to correct her words "my princess" first, or to explain that "her affairs are not trivial matters."
Dinner was delivered outside the house first.
The maids were busy setting the table, serving dishes, adding rice and placing bowls. It was so lively and bustling that they temporarily put the matter behind them.
Yun Ran looked at the five dishes and one soup on the table and couldn't help but wonder, "Why is there an extra soup? I don't think I ordered mutton soup."
The maidservant who brought the food had received instructions earlier, and when asked, she answered readily, "Cook Wu said that when making the roasted mutton, there were some extra mutton shanks and bones, which would be a shame to waste. Besides, it's been snowing heavily these past few days, and the weather is freezing cold. Drinking some mutton soup is just right to warm you up, so I added this dish. I hope the princess won't blame me."
Yun Ran has always been frugal, so after hearing this reason, he no longer blamed her: "She is so thoughtful. Please thank her for me."
The maid who brought the food lowered her head hurriedly: "I dare not."
Yun Ran didn't care whether they dared or not. She had already said thank you and believed that the maid would convey it.
Sima Jing never liked people to get close to him, so he didn't need anyone to serve him when he ate.
After the servants had left, and only he and Yun Ran were left in the room, he looked at her and said, "You are the princess, so there is no need to thank the servants."
Yun Ran sighed when she heard this. "I know, there's a difference between the high and the low, right? My mother, sister-in-law, and Nanny Lan Gui have all talked about this at home. But you also know, Your Highness, that I was born in the countryside for so many years. If my mother hadn't luckily found me, I'd still be a little nun in a Taoist temple, what you would call an inferior."
Sima Jing frowned slightly.
"You may not know that folks classify us Taoist nuns as gossip girls and say we are of the lower nine classes who can't be on the stage. But I never feel that we are inferior to others. Look, we don't steal or rob, and we have never committed any evil deeds such as murder, arson, rape, or looting. On weekdays, we just guard the Taoist temple, tell people's fortunes, interpret hexagrams, sell talismans and magic tools, and take on some Taoist rituals. Isn't it also based on our ability to make a living? How can we be inferior to others?"
Yun Ran rolled up his sleeves nonchalantly and scooped up the fragrant mutton soup. "There are also nuns, fortune-tellers, matchmakers, midwives, shamans, herbalists, and midwives... Aren't these professions just because they're needed in this mundane world? If people didn't tell fortunes or respect the gods and Buddhas, wouldn't there be no nuns? If we didn't have children, didn't get sick, didn't perform exorcisms, and didn't buy and sell slaves, wouldn't there be no midwives, herbalists, shamans, and fortune-tellers?"
"On the one hand, you need these gossip girls to help you, but on the other hand, you call them low-class. Then what good are the people they employ? Isn't that just vulgar and hypocritical?"
Yun Ran snorted. Seeing Sima Jing sitting across from him with his eyes downcast, Yun Ran worried that he had gone too far and said hurriedly, "I'm not saying this to refute you. I know that noble families are used to having servants, but I... well, at least I'm still not used to it."
I am not used to treating people as non-human beings, or feeling comfortable thinking that I am superior to others.
But you never know, maybe after a long time like this, she will gradually get used to it?
"As the old saying goes, a kind word warms through three winter months, while an unkind word hurts through six months of summer. Saying thank you won't cost you a cent, but even in this cold weather, hearing it makes people feel better."
Yun Ran scooped a bowl of soup for himself and scooped a handful for Sima Jing: "Here, Your Highness, please try some mutton soup to warm your stomach."
Sima Jing didn't expect that his reminder would cause her to say all this.
but……
He glanced at her contented face, then looked at the steaming mutton soup in front of him, and seemed to understand why she had been married into the mansion for only a month, but all the servants were so respectful and close to her, and even Chang Chun spoke for her openly or secretly.
Sima Jing took two sips of the mutton soup, then raised his eyes and said calmly, "As long as you don't let those slaves who bully the weak and fear the strong take advantage of your kindness, become arrogant, and pretend to obey you but actually disobey you, it will be fine."
"That's impossible!"
Yun Ran raised an eyebrow. "I'm easy to talk to, but I'm not stupid. If I find anyone neglecting their duties or betraying their employer, I'll punish them severely! Taking the salary and then not doing their job properly, how could such a good thing happen?"
Sima Jing couldn't help but curl his lips when he saw her suddenly become aggressive.
But he quickly lowered his head and said calmly, "Okay, let's eat."
Yun Ran stopped chatting and started eating with hearty dishes.
Of the five dishes, three were her favorites.
And she was not picky about food, so she enjoyed the two extra dishes that were added for Sima Jing.
As she ate, she thought that it was actually quite nice for two people to have a meal together, as they could have two more dishes. Otherwise, she would only be able to taste three dishes by herself.
Soon, dinner was over and the maids went in to clean up as usual.
After everyone left and the room returned to silence, Sima Jing also put down the fragrant tea in his hand.
When Yun Ran saw him put down the cup, his heart tightened.
But Sima Jing didn't look at her. Instead, he picked up the music book and flipped through it. "What do you think about learning the qin?"
Does he still remember this?
Yun Ran thought about it and felt that it was always good to have more skills.
And if she could really learn it, she might be able to show off her skills when she attends such elegant gatherings in the future, and earn some face for the Marquis of Changxin and the Prince of Jing's Mansion.
"I studied."
Yun Ran agreed and secretly glanced at Sima Jing: "But will it be too much trouble for Your Highness?"
Doesn't he like quietness the most and hate being disturbed?
"As you said, snakes hibernate and have nothing to do for three months."
Sima Jing looked at her and said, "Teaching you to play the qin is just the right way to pass the long winter days."
Yun Ran: “…”
So that's how it is. She asked him how could he be so kind.
Forget it. After all, you will be the one who benefits in the end after learning it, no matter what the purpose is.
It costs money to hire a musician from outside, so it would be a waste not to use this free one.
"Then I'll trouble you, Your Highness."
As she spoke, she stood up from the couch and bowed to Sima Jing: "Teacher, please accept my student's greeting."
Sima Jing looked at her serious expression, and a faint smile flashed across his black eyes.
After a while, he said, "Get up."
"Thank you, teacher."
Yun Ran just stood up and saw the man's dark eyes fixed on her.
She was no longer unfamiliar with what that dark gaze meant.
The body and mind, which had been relaxed just now, suddenly became tense as iron.
Sima Jing put down his music sheet and said, "Come here."
Yun Ran: “…”
She pinched her fingers under her sleeves, but still walked over.
Isn't it just a kiss?
It’s not the first time anyway, there’s nothing to be afraid of!
She thought so, but when she walked to Sima Jing's side and sat down like yesterday, and smelled the faint and deep fragrance on him, her heart still beat uncontrollably.
Don’t panic, Yunran, you can do it!
She took a deep breath, faced the man, and closed her eyes: "I'm ready, Your Highness, come down!"
Sima Jing looked at her, who looked as if she was facing a great enemy, and narrowed his black eyes slightly.
"stand up."
He took Yun Ran's hand and asked her to stand face to face with him.
Yun Ran stared at him blankly: "Your Highness?"
Sima Jing said, "Hold me like you did before."
But hasn’t the first requirement been fulfilled?
She had doubts in her heart, but facing the man's expression that did not allow any objection, she took a step forward and put her arms around the man's waist.
For her, hugging is much easier than kissing.
Sima Jing looked at the little girl leaning calmly in his arms, his brows relaxed slightly, and he leaned over and hugged her like he had many times before.
After their body temperatures and breaths blended into one, he said, "Lift your face and close your eyes."
Yun Ran guessed that he was going to take the second step, but perhaps because she had already gotten used to the feeling of hugging him, she was not so nervous anymore, so she did as he said.
The man leaned over, his hot breath slowly approaching, like a hot summer breeze blowing across her facial skin.
The kiss also fell.
But he didn't kiss her lips, but landed on her forehead.
Her eyelashes trembled suddenly.
The warmth from the man's lips seemed to flow through her forehead and straight into her heart, making her already beating heart even hotter.
This feeling is so strange.
"Your Highness...Your Highness..."
She wanted to open her eyes, but the big hand around her waist tightened its grip, as if reminding her to relax.
She had no choice but to hold her breath and endure this strange feeling—
The man's lips did not stay on her forehead for too long, and moved down. To prevent her from dodging, he raised his hand and held her face.
Light kisses fell densely on her eyelids, nose tip, and cheeks...
When she thought it was her mouth's turn, he went around and kissed her jaw, cheek, and ears.
The moment her earlobe was sucked and bitten, a burst of moist heat penetrated her earlobe. In an instant, a tingling sensation spread from her ear bone to her tailbone, so that her legs suddenly became weak. She staggered and collapsed on the man's chest, and an uncontrollable moan came from her throat.
“Hmm…”
It was timid and delicate, with a hint of trembling charm in the ending tone.
When Yun Ran realized that the embarrassing sound was made by himself, he was so embarrassed that he wanted to run away.
But before she could escape, her waist was grasped.
The next moment, her body felt lighter, and before she could react, Sima Jing held her and sat on his lap.
She opened her eyes in panic, and before she could get used to the strange touch under her buttocks, her blushing little face was lifted up by two long fingers.
The man's hot and brutal kiss fell.
This time, he covered her lips with precision.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: It’s the age when I love kissing [shy]
I'm late. This chapter drops a small red envelope~
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