Hong'an Xiangzhuang - 14
The monotonous rumble of the carriage wheels was soothing, and a heater burned inside. Yun Yixia leaned against the soft cushions, and the pressure from the massage on the back of her neck helped her relax.
His hot palm pressed against her skin, gradually increasing the pressure, his thumb pressing against the soft flesh at the back of her neck, kneading it up and down to relax her sore muscles.
"Hmm~"
Yun Yixia was like a cat comfortably basking in the sun, her mind drowsy, and a soft hum unconsciously escaped from her throat.
The large hand behind her neck paused for a moment, as if someone chuckled softly. Urged on by her dissatisfaction, the large hand continued to massage, and a warm, drowsy feeling spread from her limbs and body to invade her brain.
The soreness gradually subsided, as if warm water was flowing over my whole body, soothing every pore and relaxing it.
Yun Yixia lowered her eyelids, her thick eyelashes casting small shadows in the dim light, her breathing became light and long, and her body unconsciously leaned back.
Zhao Yunkang couldn't suppress his smile as his hands continued their work, his other hand gently putting his arm around Yun Yixia's shoulder and pulling her into his embrace so she could sleep more soundly.
His gaze fell on the slightly reddened nape of her neck, his eyes suddenly deepened, and the force in his hands unconsciously softened a bit.
The sounds of the city outside the carriage seemed very distant. Inside the small carriage, his palm pressed against her skin, conveying a sense of ambiguous intimacy, yet also a feeling of exceptional peace and comfort.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, we have arrived."
The driver brought the carriage to a steady stop. Yun Yixia, who was not sleeping soundly, looked up in a daze and saw the sharp lines of his jaw. She was so frightened that she suddenly pulled back and bumped into the carriage wall with a "thud".
Be careful!
Zhao Yunkang moved his hand down to support her waist and found that her waist was no wider than a hand's width... So thin!
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Yun Yixia's almond-shaped eyes were misty and her voice was languid and slightly nasal, making her seem a bit childish, quite different from the dignified and proper princess she usually was.
"Need not!"
Zhao Yunkang restrained himself and withdrew his hand, got out of the car first, let out a long breath, and turned around to help Yun Yixia get out.
Bai Wei reached out her hand and then withdrew it, her gaze towards Prince Kang filled with a hint of sorrow.
I've never seen a prince so eager to steal "jobs"!
The night wind swept through the courtyard, and the cool winter breeze made people shiver as they walked.
Yun Yixia pulled her fox fur cloak tighter. Zhao Yunkang's gaze fell on her slightly curled fingers, the tips of which were pink and the knuckles were as white and tender as jade. He gritted his teeth, which were itchy.
"You've worked hard organizing the palace banquet, go back and get some rest!"
Zhao Yunkang took off his cloak and covered Yun Yixia with it.
Those calm and capable peach blossom eyes, at this moment, were like clear glass, reflecting her in the lamplight under the corridor.
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness! Please make your arrangements as soon as possible!"
Yun Yixia was stunned for a moment, then quickly composed herself, curtsied, and took her leave.
With her wide cloak billowing in soft curves, she took Bai Wei's hand and stepped onto the corridor toward Qin Fang Garden.
The figure slowly disappeared into the depths where the pillars and lamplight intertwined, leaving only a faint medicinal fragrance that swirled in the night breeze before quickly dissipating.
Zhao Yunkang only left when he could no longer see Yun Yixia. Instead of returning to his bedroom to rest, he went straight to his study.
Push open the study door, light the candle, shut out all the noise and disturbances outside, leaving only a quiet room.
Zhao Yunkang habitually sat down in the armchair behind his desk. He closed his eyes and leaned back, his mind filled with the image of Yun Yixia's childlike sleeping face.
A few strands of her hair had come loose at her temples, her soft black hair brushing against her fair forehead and cheeks. A single strand gently touched the back of his hand, like willow branches in spring rippling across a lake, creating endless waves...
"What a vixen!"
She can be a sheltered young lady in the inner quarters, or transform into "Zhao Yun" to do business with people all over the world; in private, she even has the charming naivety of a young girl.
Zhao Yunkang slowly opened his eyes. The study was so quiet that he could hear his rapid heartbeat.
He stared blankly at the beam. Those images, those sensations, that soft moan... had not faded with time, but instead became clearer when he was alone.
He rubbed his temples, the smooth touch of that strand of hair still lingering on his fingertips, his palms feeling as if they were still pressed against his warm skin.
This is... insane!
In just two short months, how could it have captured our attention and hearts to this extent?
The candle wick crackled softly, and a warm yellow light spread out, casting his shadow on the wall, making him appear exceptionally tall and solitary.
Several unread documents, border military reports, and letters from his retainers were piled on his desk, all requiring his prompt attention.
Zhao Yunkang took the top copy and unfolded it; the writing swayed in the candlelight.
Those statements about politics, military strategy, and people's livelihood just wouldn't register in my mind at that moment.
"Smack!"
He placed the document lightly on the table, leaned back in his chair, and raised his hand to cover his eyes.
A warm tear of candlelight dripped down and clung to the candlestick, its light flickering between his fingers.
...
A misty haze filled the clean room, and a layer of water vapor condensed on the mica screen. The hot water in the bathtub was slightly hot, and flower petals and herbal leaves floated on the surface. As the steam rose, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted up.
Yun Yixia sank into the water, her long, black hair wet and clinging to her neck and back. She rested her head against the edge of the tub, water droplets rolling down her graceful neck.
Bai Wei used a wooden ladle to scoop hot water and pour it onto her wife's shoulders. On a tall table next to her, a carved red lacquer tray contained bath powder, perfume, and other items.
"My lady, do you need me to participate in the hunt?"
Mu Jin toyed with the dagger in her hand; the Khitan delegation's plan must have been decided before they set off.
"Yelü Hong" is one of their own in disguise, and it is impossible for him to go against the interests of the Khitan or act in the best interests of Daqing.
That's how they found out.
We'll see!
Yun Yixia's voice was soft and lingering, soaked by the moisture, and tiny water droplets clung to her eyelashes.
"My lady, I've heard a lot of gossip in the palace...would you like to hear it?"
Peony's eyes shone brightly, her heart overflowing with desire to share, yet nowhere to vent it.
"I don't want to!"
Yun Yixia pointed to the wall, then to her ear, giving Shaoyao a look that said, "We all know!"
In this era, to speak ill of the royal family was a capital offense.
"My lady, your neck was red when you got out of the carriage." Mu Jin touched her slightly flushed skin. "What happened inside the carriage?"
The bathroom fell silent for a moment, and Bai Wei glared at Mu Jin with disapproval.
A wife may not treat them like servants, but she should still have a sense of propriety in her heart to avoid overstepping her bounds.
"On the bumpy way back, I fell asleep, and he... it felt like he massaged me the whole way."
Yun Yixia did not open her eyes. Zhao Yunkang's feelings for her were not restrained. It was clear that his feelings for her went from curiosity to affection, and then to being moved.
If it weren't for his special status, this marriage wouldn't have mattered much if it had gone wrong.
"My wife, do you like him?"
Mu Jin asked directly, and Bai Wei disagreed, but her ears perked up like peonies.
"He is handsome and dashing... Even setting aside his princely status, he is still a handsome young man. How could anyone not be pleased with him?"
Yun Yixia slowly opened her eyes, her pupils seemingly veiled in mist, her emotions hidden within, making them difficult to discern.
Delicate white fingertips lightly brushed the petals, creating ripples on the water's surface; one could almost still feel the warmth left by that large palm on the back of their neck.
Her fingertips, which were splashing water, froze in surprise. The petals slipped through her fingers and gently landed on the water's surface, drifting and drifting.
"Then sleep with him!"
Mu Jin's words were surprising, drawing astonished glances from everyone.
"Why are you all looking at me?" She looked at Yun Yixia frankly. "My wife, when I was doing my old job, I lived for today and didn't care about tomorrow. I enjoyed myself while I could, so I didn't live in vain."
A man of King Kang's caliber and appearance is rare in this world; it would be such a pity not to sleep with him.
Wasn't he childless?
My wife doesn't need to drink contraceptive soup!
You are now husband and wife, sharing a bed; it's perfectly legal and reasonable.
"My wife, that's not quite right!"
Bai Wei nearly dropped the wooden spoon, her heart pounding from Mu Jin's words.
Yun Yixia lowered her eyes and stared at the blurry reflection in the water.
She never had time to date anyone, whether in her past or present life. And Zhao Yunkang's looks and physique are even better than modern celebrities.
They were already married, and it was perfectly legitimate... She shamefully fell for him!
The bathroom fell silent again. Yun Yixia got out of the bathtub, and Bai Wei and Shaoyao immediately wrapped her in a soft cotton towel, carefully dried her off, and then changed her into a clean undergarment.
Back in the bedroom, Yun Yixia sat in front of the dressing table as Bai Wei slowly combed her black hair. Her fingertips unconsciously twirled a strand of half-dry hair as her thoughts wandered.
"No need to keep anyone in the house, you can all go and rest!"
"promise!"
The bedroom was so quiet you could hear the candlelight crackling. Yun Yixia carried a small oil lamp into the canopy bed to rest.
Perhaps due to exhaustion, Yun Yixia did not sleep soundly.
She faintly heard the third watch gong sound outside, felt a cool breeze on her face, and suddenly woke up. She heard faint footsteps inside the canopy bed, reached under her pillow and pulled out a dagger, then turned and stabbed.
"Don't shout!"
Zhao Yunkang returned to his bedroom from the study, tossing and turning on the bed, unable to sleep. The longing in his heart burned like a smoldering fire in his internal organs, driving him to sneak into Qinfang Garden in the middle of the night, just wanting to see her sleeping face again.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he lifted the curtain and stepped onto the canopy bed, he was met with a sharp slash.
He held her wrist with one hand and covered his mouth with the other, his warm breath on her palm sending a shivering, tingling sensation through her entire body.
"Phew~"
Yun Yixia saw who it was and breathed a sigh of relief, but she was still angry. She opened her mouth and bit Zhao Yunkang's tiger's mouth, leaving a circle of small, wet teeth marks.
"Ouch~ I was wrong!"
Zhao Yunkang stared intently at her, feeling as if the pain in his hand could be even more intense, to relieve the itch that lingered in his heart.
"Your Highness, what brings you here?"
Yun Yixia pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth. Seeing Zhao Yunkang stretching out his hand like a silly boy, she looked away and wiped the tiger's mouth of his hand.
"I can't sleep!"
Zhao Yunkang, dressed in his undergarments, sat on the bed without any airs, his fists clenched, muttering a sentence.
"What?"
Yun Yixia leaned closer to listen, and Zhao Yunkang repeated it again. She felt the heat rising to her face, and her ears were also very hot.
'I miss you! '
Those four simple words, like a furnace, made their faces and hearts burn.
Wasn't the ancients more tactful?
Zhao Yunkang's direct and urgent attack left Yun Yixia somewhat bewildered, yet also subtly smug.
"I'm leaving!" He pushed the person back onto the bed. "Tomorrow I'll teach you even more powerful self-defense techniques."
"How powerful?" Yun Yixia pulled the blanket up to cover half her face. "Is he as powerful as the Prince?"
"No... of course not!"
Zhao Yunkang's eyes sparkled as he understood her implication. Without hesitation, he lifted the covers, crawled inside, and embraced his sweet and soft wife.
The burning anxiety in my heart was finally relieved by a timely rain, like parched seedlings receiving rain, a joyous surprise from heaven.
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