Chapter 2, Part 2: Husband, why are you panting?
Jiang Shuifu was half asleep when she heard the sound of the door being pushed open, followed by a series of strong and nimble footsteps. A moment later, the bed collapsed.
The familiar scent wafted over; this Moon Scale Incense was a tribute incense, second only to the Emperor's personal ambergris. Among all the princes in the world, only he was allowed to use it.
Jiang Shuifu sat up abruptly.
"Husband, you're back?"
Because she was in a half-awake state, the sleepy-eyed person sat up, and her outer shirt unconsciously fell down, revealing the strapless dress underneath.
Jiang Shuifu was wearing a new pink Shu brocade dress made by the Imperial Household Department tonight, which felt cool and comfortable against her body.
Now, with her face bare, the allure of makeup has vanished, replaced by an even more captivating, bewitching charm emanating from within.
Her face, though extremely simple, possessed a unique charm, not to mention the fact that she was half-undressed at the moment.
She blinked, her eyes brimming with tears, looking incredibly charming.
Shen Jizhao wearily took off his shoes and turned around to see this scene.
Even though he disliked the Crown Princess, he had to admit that she was beautiful.
But that's all.
He responded with a faint "Mm".
Jiang Shuifu was overjoyed to see her husband whom she hadn't seen for several months, but a bitter feeling welled up inside her as she felt a strong urge to get closer to him.
Ever since Shen Jizhao got into bed, her eyes had been glued to him. She only realized that she was taking up most of the space when she saw him move further inside after lying down.
Her face immediately turned red.
Her knees, which were kneeling under the soft quilt, quickly made way for him. However, she did not expect that she would lose her balance as soon as she moved because she was too weak after sleeping for so long.
She threw herself into his arms.
His chest was hot and hard.
Jiang Shuifu was stunned for a few moments.
The hazy feeling of sleep returned, and she not only remained motionless, but also found his chest very comfortable to lean against. She couldn't help but flutter her long, curled eyelashes and nuzzle her head against him.
For Shen Jizhao, all he heard was a gasp, and a crimson shadow suddenly loomed over him.
He could only catch the shadow with lightning speed.
Then, he exerted force in the opposite direction, trying to push away the thing that was falling from the sky.
But this sudden pressure caught me off guard, using all my strength.
It hit him.
Although he tried his best to separate them, it was already too late.
Her soft body pressed against his chest.
The distance between them was now only a fraction of a second, and this time he could see and feel it clearly.
They were two soft, flowing masses, constantly moving, with a texture like goat's milk.
The two soft, fluffy masses were compressed and turned into round discs.
Through two thin layers of nightgown, I could feel his touch and mingle intimately, inseparable from him.
What's even more outrageous is that the soft flesh is incredibly restless, rubbing and squeezing everywhere.
Shen Jizhao's eyebrows twitched, and he called out, "Crown Princess."
The warning tone set off alarm bells for Jiang Shuifu, instantly jolting her awake and dispelling her drowsiness.
My husband dislikes it most when others touch him without permission.
Although they have been married for two years, they have only been intimate once, on their wedding night.
That time, Shen Jizhao completely changed his usual gentle image, taking whatever he wanted from Jiang Shuifu without restraint or mercy.
When he stepped into Jiang Shuifu's room again a few days later, Jiang Shuifu's legs were still a little weak, and her face was as red as a boiled crab. Despite her best efforts to restrain herself, her body was still trembling slightly.
She had prepared herself to be taken advantage of again, but to her surprise, Shen Jizhao never touched her again.
What's worse, after that incident, he never came to her house again.
Later, the Empress reprimanded Shen Jizhao and set some rules.
He would come to Jiang Shuifu's place every Lunar New Year's Day.
Jiang Shuifu took this opportunity to actively approach Shen Jizhao.
She thought that while it was a good thing not to be obsessed with women, they couldn't always treat each other with the same respect.
But Shen Jizhao didn't want to; he wouldn't allow her to touch him.
Thinking of this, Jiang Shuifu, whose hands were still pressed against Shen Jizhao's hard chest muscles, immediately flung her hands away.
Her face flushed red, she fidgeted with her fingers, secretly observing his expression.
Just now, when she snuggled into his arms, his masculine aura enveloped her tightly.
She could almost feel the rapid and tense breaths he was taking, as if they were mixed with a deep, hoarse growl.
Did she hurt him by hitting him?
But my husband is so strong, his skin is so thick, it would be possible to stab him with a knife.
But it couldn't have been her who hurt herself, could it?
Jiang Shuifu was puzzled for a long time, then realized that what she should be doing most was caring about him:
"Husband, why are you panting?"
The veins on Shen Jizhao's forehead throbbed even more violently, and Jiang Shuifu noticed the worry rising on her face.
Seeing his bulging veins, his increasingly pale complexion, and the faint signs of redness, Jiang Shuifu instantly understood.
Her soft, boneless little hand rose up and approached his cheek.
Shen Jizhao didn't notice, and Jiang Shuifu succeeded in one fell swoop.
The woman before him, seemingly limp and boneless, was gazing at him coquettishly. Her eyes, like flickering candlelight, were bright yet gentle, misty and ethereal, easily drawing one in. At the same time, her dazzlingly white, soft hands were twisting vigorously.
It was as if they were trying to curse him.
Shen Jizhao's expression grew increasingly grim. He directly grasped the hand that had been disturbing his breathing, and the smooth, tender touch startled him.
But what followed stunned him so much that he stood there dumbfounded.
"Husband, don't rush, we can clear the heat in a while."
Shen Jizhao's eyes widened instantly, staring in disbelief at the usually gentle and dignified woman in front of him.
Sure enough, it was all an act.
How dare they utter such shameless and obscene words!
affectionate!
She wanted to be intimate with him!
He had just returned, and she couldn't wait to see him!
Extremely presumptuous! She has absolutely no manners of a well-bred lady!
He should have listened to his heart and not let her marry into the family!
Women are troublesome enough, but she is the most troublesome of them all!
Shen Jizhao was so angry that his breathing became even more rapid, and a blush instantly spread across his face.
Jiang Shuifu was puzzled. Her husband was already very hot, so why wouldn't he let her fan him?
Summer is approaching and the weather is getting hotter. The man is even more intolerant of the heat, and she only fanned him for a short while, which was far from enough to relieve his heat.
To achieve the desired effect, you need to fan for a while longer.
Shen Jizhao pushed away her restless hand, his face turning from red to black, and prepared to leave the place.
Jiang Shuifu thought he was just too hot to stand, so she quickly took action.
"I'll get you a glass of water."
Jiang Shuifu quickly stood up, her skirt billowing open, revealing glimpses of her fair and smooth legs, her curves on full display, her waist and hips extremely pert, truly a sight to behold, yet she herself was completely unaware of it.
Shen Jizhao looked away, touched her throbbing forehead. What was she trying to do?
Unexpectedly, the woman straddled him the next moment!
This daring and uncompromising move instantly snapped the taut string in Shen Jizhao's mind.
He couldn't take it anymore:
"Could it be that the Crown Princess has taken my words to heart?"
Shen Jizhao's tone was calm, but Jiang Shuifu's face turned pale and she stopped.
Her attempt to step over him to get the water abruptly ended, and she stopped just a few fingers' width away from him.
Shen Jizhao usually wore a cold expression, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry. However, she had followed him for three years and been married to him for two years, so she had long since figured out his emotions.
She had been focused on his physical discomfort, but now she realized that he was angry, even furious.
"I told you that after you married into the palace, you should be a qualified concubine and set an example for the harem, but you didn't listen! I told you not to have any outrageous thoughts or actions, but you didn't listen! I told you to recognize your status and role, but you didn't listen! Now you've even gone too far and learned to use scheming and trickery!"
Before Jiang Shuifu could explain, Shen Jizhao's words came crashing down again.
"How can you be qualified to govern the Crown Prince's Palace! How can you be qualified to manage the concubines!"
Jiang Shuifu's heart sank to the bottom. She lowered her eyes, and in her soft voice, there was a hint of grievance in her defense:
"My husband, no, I just wanted to spend more time with you. You haven't been home for so long, I was so worried. You must have worked so hard out there, your shoulders and thighs must be bruised and battered. Why are you resisting me..."
Her body was restless, wanting to take a step forward but not daring to.
In his eyes, after two years, is she still not qualified?
Although she overstepped the bounds, harboring a slight desire to get close to him, and accidentally touched him, she immediately distanced herself afterward.
Besides, they are husband and wife, so why can't it be like this?
Suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes, Jiang Shuifu lowered her head and remained silent, only turning the jade bracelet on her wrist. Suddenly, a bright red stain appeared before her eyes on the pillow.
Shen Jizhao chuckled softly. This woman was so eloquent that she was about to pin him down if he didn't resist. He had never seen a woman so shameless!
Listening to her, she even wanted to massage his back and legs—wasn't that an blatant invitation? He refused; was he just being ungrateful?
"Nonsense!"
Jiang Shuifu was startled by his sudden reprimand. Her eyes looked utterly innocent as she mumbled softly, "We haven't even started making a fuss yet..."
Shen Jizhao didn't want to worry about her anymore, so he left her with these words:
"I will finish copying the Buddhist scriptures ten times before 5 PM tomorrow to purify my mind and cleanse my mind of impurities."
Jiang Shuifu's eyes were already veiled with tears, a thin layer that made her look extremely pitiful.
"Your Majesty, I obey. My husband must be tired these days. I have something to give you..."
She solemnly reached out with both hands, looking up to hand the nightgown to Shen Jizhao, but her gentle words did not stop the man from walking.
Shen Jizhao strode out without looking back.
The nightgown was originally kept in the closet. After thinking about it, Jiang Shuifu moved it directly to the screen where bath clothes were kept, so he could use it when he came back to change. But he didn't come back for dinner, so she took it to the bed and wanted to give it to him personally.
To my surprise, it still hasn't been sent out.
*
The next day, Jiang Shuifu got up very early, but Shen Jizhao left even earlier.
The Bihua Palace was completely empty.
She began copying Buddhist scriptures.
Jiang Shuifu had already memorized this Buddhist scripture.
Ironically, her connection with Buddhist scriptures seems to stem from Shen Jizhao.
Although she was mischievous in the past, her father never punished her by making her copy anything.
The first time was when she confessed her feelings to Shen Jizhao in front of everyone and was punished by her father to kneel. The next few times were when she entered the East Palace to learn etiquette.
Copying Buddhist scriptures is no longer a difficult task for her.
When it comes to her marriage to Shen Jizhao, everyone believes that she forced it on him because of her powerful and influential father.
Even the children in the neighborhood mocked, "The Jiang family's daughter pleases the Crown Prince, shamelessly begging for his attention."
But that's not entirely true.
Ever since she publicly confessed her feelings to Shen Jizhao, she has been waiting in front of the Forbidden City to stop him and bring him food and gifts, and talk to him about the interesting things in her life.
Although he never answered, rumors circulated in the capital that he had a sweetheart in Huxi, and she continued to open her sincere young heart to him as always.
Jiang Shuifu wasn't stupid; of course she knew he didn't like her, and that because she often clung to him, he might even dislike her.
Or perhaps the rumor wasn't just a rumor; he had someone he liked, which is why he was so cold to her.
But things took an unexpected turn for the better.
Shen Jizhao actually gave her a coming-of-age gift.
On the day she came of age, the whole city came to congratulate her.
She also invited Shen Jizhao.
As expected, he didn't come.
But at the very last moment after the ceremony, a congratulatory gift was sent.
A jade bracelet of exceptional quality, priceless and rare. This bracelet is extremely unusual; it was presented to us by a vassal state that had emptied its treasure trove of land.
She was overjoyed.
This was the first gift he had given her since they met, and it was so precious!
Jiang Shuifu silently considered it as... his small response.
He probably doesn't dislike her.
In the following years, he sent her birthday gifts every year.
Jiang Shuifu was certain that he felt special towards her.
So she developed desire; she craved more.
She begged her father and mustered the courage to personally enter the palace to express her love for Shen Jizhao to the emperor, hoping that she would have the opportunity to be selected as the crown princess.
It was originally a test, and she didn't expect it to work out.
Surprisingly, the emperor directly arranged their marriage!
And Shen Jizhao agreed!
It should be noted that although the emperor had only sons, he always favored Shen Jizhao the most.
Shen Jizhao refused to budge, and this marriage could not be granted under any circumstances.
It took Jiang Shuifu a long time to come to her senses after hearing the news.
She thought that although he was cold-hearted and indifferent, he only cared about taxation and people's livelihood. His feelings for his children probably only occupied one-tenth of his heart, or even less.
But there must always be some trace of her in that place.
So, three years after they met, they got married.
However, the rumors and gossip surrounding the marriage only increased after the marriage.
Although Jiang Shuifu married Shen Jizhao as she wished, her reputation was completely ruined.
Shen Jizhao was already in a high position of power, second only to the emperor, and was also outstanding in appearance and talent, making him the best choice for a good husband.
Jiang Shuifu was certainly not the only woman who had fallen deeply in love with him.
A woman's jealousy is always a weapon that can hurt others.
In the early days after her marriage, Jiang Shuifu was constantly ridiculed wherever she went, with people making veiled accusations that she was shameless.
Even the families of kings and generals only showed her superficial respect, secretly looking down on her and thinking she was ill-mannered.
She was also the most controversial among the royal sisters-in-law.
At first, Jiang Shuifu was also sad, and she made a fuss over a few stupid and stubborn people.
Later, they became smarter. She couldn't find any blatant evidence of their bullying, so she could only hide in the East Palace and cry.
Later, she stopped crying.
Because Shen Jizhao disliked it, finding it not dignified enough.
The past is like fleeting smoke, the girl's eyes flickered, but she concealed it all when she looked up.
Her father and mother treated her very well.
Because there was no princess in the entire palace, and she had often entered the palace to accompany the Empress for the sake of Shen Jizhao.
In addition, she had a likable personality, and before long, she became a favorite in the palace.
Even the emperor, whose usually deep and dignified presence could frighten even a child, deliberately toned down his demeanor when he saw her.
They seemed to tacitly accept her status as a prospective daughter-in-law.
Six hours later, the copying of the Buddhist scriptures was completed.
Jiang Shuifu took a breath and rubbed her sore wrists. Before she could even eat anything, a guard appeared in Bihua Palace.
His name is Jin Qing, and he is Shen Jizhao's personal bodyguard.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has ordered that you go with him to meet the Emperor and Empress immediately."
A note from the author:
----------------------
Shen Jizhao now: Nonsense! (Angry + furious)
Shen Jizhao later said: Fu'er, I was being foolish... (humbly bowing down)
Jiang Niu Hulu Shuifu: Nonsense! (Disdainfully)
Shen Jizhao: (Holding his forehead in regret) (Begging obediently)
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