Chapter 68. He lay beside her, secretly gazing at her...
As the hour of Yin arrived, candlelight flickered in the bridal chamber, which was adorned with red silk everywhere. The woman on the bed slept soundly, her cheeks chubby and her lips glistening. Through the ambiguous crimson curtains, her figure could be vaguely seen.
Shen Jizhao had been waiting for this scene for a long time. The long-awaited experience of sleeping together as a couple made him feel extremely satisfied.
He used to disdain her, but now he realizes how much he craved that petite figure.
With her around, his heart was filled to the brim.
He barely slept that night, lying beside her and gazing at her intently.
She was afraid he would misbehave and break the rules, so she specially set up a dividing line between them, piling up two quilts to separate him and keep him in check, but he was still very satisfied.
His eyesight has always been excellent, and he can accurately capture her every move even at night. Two mere quilts are no problem at all, especially since they are thin quilts for summer.
She had her back to him, her long, smooth black hair cascading down to the pillow, within his reach.
He was very proper and didn't touch her at all. He just turned to the side, feeling her breath and her scent.
She smelled sweet all over, like a peach, and he never got tired of it. He figured he must have eaten too well in the past and didn't know how to appreciate it.
Looking at it this way, you can see when it's time to get up.
He quietly went to change his clothes, his steps slow and careful, so as not to disturb her.
He took off his nightgown, revealing a slender waist and a defined back, exuding a strong masculine aura that was incredibly arousing.
Jiang Shuifu was immersed in a dream. In her dream, she was in her wedding night, extremely shy, not daring to make a sound. She was only gently touching the man's strong and muscular body, enjoying the moment for a short while, when a gaze suddenly stared at her fiercely, as if to punish her. She looked up and was suddenly startled awake.
It is Shen Jizhao!
Her ex-husband!
Can't!
This is illicit relations!
She slowly woke up, her eyes still hazy and unclear. She had dreamt of the details of her wedding day.
It's all because of this red-themed atmosphere. Although it's her second marriage, she still has some expectations. After all, this is a very important moment in a woman's life. She hasn't been able to sleep for several nights, so it's not surprising that she dreamed about it now.
Her gaze was dull and unfocused, her pupils unfocused, staring blankly into the distance.
Unexpectedly, a robust landscape appeared in the distance, and her pupils became increasingly focused.
There are actually men worth watching!
His abdominal muscles were as hard as rocks, pulsating with his breathing, and beads of sweat rolled down his eight-pack.
Is she still dreaming?
Shen Jizhao felt the gaze from the person on the bed, and he immediately straightened his body, tensed his muscles, and showed her his most perfect side.
His crown princess appeared normal on the surface, but her heart was like a wild horse. He knew she liked to look at him, and he was willing to go to great lengths to keep her gaze on him.
Jiang Shuifu slowly walked off the bed. He wished she was there to help him change, just like before. He wanted to feel her tenderness again.
Although he knew it was impossible, Shen Jizhao still secretly hoped for it.
She approached step by step, her fair feet pounding on the ground with a "thump thump thump" sound—his heartbeat.
This was the first time in so long that he had seen her naked body, a sight that only the closest people could see.
"Pfft!"
Instead of changing clothes, the candle went out.
Jiang Shuifu rolled her eyes after blowing out the candle. "No way! What's with the pretense? A pretty face, no one's going to even glance at her!"
Shen Jizhao was unaware that he was being disliked; to be precise, he was unaware that he had been disliked many times! And in a place he was so proud of!
He lowered his head dejectedly, and said with a forced smile, "Just tell me next time."
He came to extinguish it.
.
Jiang Shuifu slept until the sun was high in the sky and didn't want to wake up. What would she do if she woke up? Let Shen Jizhao take her for a walk?
So she went back to sleep, defining herself as a freeloader.
She wanted to see how much patience he had left when dealing with someone who only knew how to eat and sleep.
She didn't wake up until the beginning of the hour of Wei (1-3 PM). She opened her eyes wide and looked at the peony and vine pattern above her head. The pattern was very festive, but the bright red was so gaudy that it annoyed her.
She had actually been awake for some time, and several scenarios were playing out in her mind, all involving a battle of wits and courage with Shen Jizhao.
She didn't want to be locked up by him forever, otherwise she would be forced to have his child sooner or later!
She jumped up in anger, and a pair of long legs came into view. She suddenly turned her head and saw a man lying on the bed!
Shen Jizhao came to take a nap. He was a little tired after being busy for a long time, and seeing that the person in the room had not yet woken up, he simply went to sleep with her.
As Jiang Shuifu looked at him, a fire rose in her heart. He was so shameless, still asking to sleep with her. What good would it do if she refused? She knew his bad temper all too well!
He's been taking advantage of her all this time, lying together in broad daylight. Is it so convenient for him to see her naked?
She glared at him fiercely, giving him several sharp looks, wishing she could poke a hole through him.
He remained oblivious, sleeping soundly. She grew angry and secretly kicked and stomped at him.
He remained unconscious until she threw a pillow at him. Only then did he snap out of it, catching the pillow that was about to hit his face with lightning speed. He then grabbed the person who had "ambushed" him by the back of the neck with a look of vigilance and ruthlessness.
This was his instinct as the crown prince, to guard against being plotted against by others.
Jiang Shuifu was suddenly pulled into his arms, his hot hands covering her neck. She shot him a look of disgust, meaning that he was a petty person who didn't keep his word.
He was quite strong, but she wasn't afraid of him. Since he had already locked her up, how much worse could it get?
She asked him defiantly, "Are you planning to starve me to death?!"
Shen Jizhao then looked up at the person who had "ambushed" him, recognized her, and sullenly stroked her fur:
"I'll give you a haircut."
.
Shen Jizhao had already prepared lunch, and soon a table full of food was served.
These are all her favorite flavors.
She was also hungry, and picked up one bite after another with her chopsticks. Shen Jizhao, observing her expression, moved the dish in front of her if he could tell which one she liked more. As a result, he didn't eat much during the meal, while Jiang Shuifu ate to her heart's content.
Seeing that she didn't object, he took advantage of the situation and put some fish in her bowl.
She quickly tossed the fish he had picked up out of her hand: "Don't use chopsticks that are wet with your saliva, I find them dirty! I'm not eating anymore, I can't eat!"
Shen Jizhao paused, then awkwardly withdrew his hand, having lost all face in front of the servants.
Jinqing had only returned to his side yesterday. She was already incredulous to learn that he had imprisoned the former Crown Princess, but now, seeing this scene, she was even more shocked. She had thought that His Highness was going to force himself on her, but she never expected that he could endure it so much.
Jiang Shuifu had touched each dish a bite or two earlier, without using serving chopsticks. She was deliberately trying to prevent him from eating. He was such a person who valued rules and cleanliness; in his eyes, every dish was probably dirty and unpalatable.
That's how it was when they lived in the countryside. Don't think she couldn't tell; every time she picked up food for him, he was extremely disgusted. So back then, she almost never touched the dishes he liked.
Shen Jizhao didn't eat; he just kept looking at her, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at her.
She immediately lost her temper after putting down her chopsticks:
"It's not tasty, it's not tasty, it's all the same stuff, I'm tired of it. I want to eat phoenix meat, the kind that can fly. Aren't you the Crown Prince? Can't you get whatever I want?"
What is a phoenix? It can fly? Nobody's ever seen one, right?
Jinqing was sweating profusely. It had been so long since she'd seen the former Crown Princess; how could she be acting like this?! His Highness couldn't tolerate her!
Shen Jizhao didn't say anything, letting her vent her anger, only staring at the leftover food she ate:
"You've finished eating, it's my turn to eat now."
He picked up her leftovers and, using her chopsticks, ate the dish she ate the most with elegance, joy, and delight.
They ate with great enthusiasm.
His eyes gleamed with an unseen darkness, and his body stirred with restless desire.
Jiang Shuifu stared in shock, her eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. "Is he crazy?!"
Eat her leftovers, use her chopsticks!
In that case, wouldn't they have...exchanged their bodily fluids?
nausea!
Ugh! She's about to throw up everything she's eating!
As expected, shamelessness knows no bounds!
Jin Qing couldn't bear to look at him either. Was this still his prince? How could he have changed so much in such a short time!
After finishing her meal, Jiang Shuifu insisted on going out again, but Shen Jizhao refused, only allowing her to play in the courtyard. As soon as she stepped out of the room, she was extremely surprised.
The courtyard was filled with pomegranate blossoms, their orange-red color scattered like stars on the tall old trees. Amidst the vast expanse of deep green, these sparse, delicate blossoms appeared out of nowhere.
It's absolutely breathtaking, a feast for the eyes and a paradise on earth.
The scenery was beautiful, but this was not the house that He Beiqing had bought.
After the ceremony last night, she got into the bridal sedan chair again. She had been wondering why she had to take a sedan chair for such a short distance, but now she realized that she had been swindled here last night.
This isn't a grand mansion; it looks like just an ordinary farmhouse. I guess Shen Jizhao was afraid she'd escape, so he specifically chose a remote, deserted village to keep her there.
She's so cunning! Absolutely despicable!
Jiang Shuifu shook off the man beside her and walked away quickly.
Shen Jizhao followed slowly, smiling as he watched the woman skipping and hopping ahead, pointing to the orange-red pomegranate blossoms filling the courtyard, his mood exceptionally good.
"Last time at the Flower Festival, you wore a pomegranate-flower dress, and I thought it was beautiful. I liked it very much, so I specially chose this place as our future home. I think you like it too. The courtyard is deep and cool in summer, and the pomegranate blossoms shine through the curtains. When the fruit ripens in late autumn, I will pick them for you to make pomegranate cakes and make pomegranate drinks. What do you think? I am really looking forward to it!"
Jiang Shuifu exploded upon hearing this. He was still trying to figure out how long he intended to keep her locked up, and then exclaimed in late autumn, "I don't like it!"
Shen Jizhao wasn't in a hurry, but walked up to her with an aggressive air and gently put one hand on her shoulder.
She immediately stepped back to avoid him touching her, but he only advanced as she retreated, until he cornered her against the wall. Only then did he reach out and touch her shoulder, picking up the pomegranate flower and tucking it between her black hair.
He was very pleased with his masterpiece, and didn't hold back his smile. While tidying her hair, he leaned close to her ear and blew on it:
"So what do you like? Peach blossoms? Peach blossom cakes? What a pity, they're already out of season. Besides, if you smell even a hint of peach blossoms on you, I'll be very upset! And if I'm upset, I'll just want you to comfort me! Pomegranates are definitely more beautiful than peach blossoms. It's okay if you don't like them now, you'll definitely like this courtyard in a few days!"
Peach blossoms? Does he have a grudge against peach blossoms?
That's because Shen Jizhao had investigated thoroughly. She had once gone to pick peach blossoms with his subordinates and even made peach blossom cakes. Therefore, he hated peach blossoms!
Jiang Shuifu was mesmerized. The pomegranate tree was so tall! It looked quite old and must be very sturdy. She made a request:
"I want to build a swing!"
He agreed without hesitation:
"Okay, no problem. This pomegranate tree is an old one, several decades old, so its flowers are exceptionally vibrant and its fruit exceptionally sweet. But don't look anymore; those who can't escape are all lonely people."
Jiang Shuifu glared at him angrily. How did he know everything?
This old tree is so tall, it's perfect for climbing up and then scaling the wall to escape. Her purpose and her thoughts are laid bare before him.
She snorted and ran back, running very fast.
Night has fallen.
Shen Jizhao was happy again.
He slowly changed into his nightgown, gazing at her with a deep, wistful look.
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Author's Note: Currently, the female lead is acting like a lazy bum, mainly indulging in eating, drinking, and sleeping, without making things difficult for herself.
The second male lead hasn't left the show yet.
The secluded courtyard is cool and refreshing in summer, and the pomegranate blossoms shine brightly through the curtains.
——Summer Thoughts
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