Nan Shiying gazed blankly at Ji Jinmo, perhaps it was because his expression was too gentle that Nan Shiying's heart also softened. She suddenly let out a laugh, her unfurrowed brows and eyes blooming like flowers on the azure seaside when all things revive, "Alright!"
She nodded gently, her eyes, glistening with soft light, fixed on Ji Jinmo's face. He was extremely handsome. Even when he maintained a cold demeanor, he was exceptionally distinguished. Now, with a soft glow in his eyes, he was even more breathtakingly handsome, making it impossible to look directly at him.
"You are truly beautiful!" Nan Shiying raised her hand, her fingers landing on his high nose bridge, tracing downwards. The admiration that welled up in her heart somehow slipped out.
Aside from being praised for his appearance when he was young, ever since his imperial brother passed away and he was ordered to oversee the state, no one had dared to comment on his looks. To think of it, she was the first and only one who dared to be so presumptuous in front of him.
However, Ji Jinmo was not angered by this 'offense'; instead, a hint of joy bloomed in his heart.
He took Nan Shiying's hand and placed it on his chest. His long eyelashes drooped slightly, casting a shadow that added a touch of brokenness to him.
"Do you like it?"
Ji Jinmo asked with a smile.
His phoenix eyes, rippling with laughter, seemed to be veiled with a layer of desire. He lifted them slightly from below, his gaze alluring, his voice laced with longing. The overwhelming sensuality made Nan Shiying's heart skip a beat, then pound rapidly, like a startled deer.
She couldn't help but nod, "I do!"
Between the snow and the moonlight, he was a third kind of breathtaking beauty.
Ji Jinmo smiled. He drew closer to Nan Shiying, their noses almost touching. The warm breath he exhaled landed on Nan Shiying's lips, carrying a stunning heat. The hand Nan Shiying had placed on his chest slid upwards, encircling the back of his head, and pressed forward. She, in turn, lowered her head.
She passionately kissed Ji Jinmo's lips.
Ji Jinmo was stunned for a full second, then he couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. She was always different from others. While possessing a maiden's shyness, she was as decisive and straightforward as a man.
Seeing him smile, Nan Shiying opened her closed eyes and glared at him fiercely.
Ji Jinmo immediately wrapped his arms around Nan Shiying's waist, deepening the kiss with force.
Candlelight flickered in the room, and the moonlight was hazy outside. In this ambiguous and enchanting atmosphere, an untimely knock echoed.
Bai Zhi had brought bedding.
Seeing His Highness and the Consort sitting together on the bed, Bai Zhi's face lit up with joy, completely failing to notice Ji Jinmo's somber expression, which was about to drip with ice.
Nan Shiying pointed at Bai Zhi's nose and said to her, "Take the bedding in your hands and get out!"
Bai Zhi, somewhat confused, explained, "Consort, this is the bedding that this servant prepared for His Highness. This quilt is large, so you and His Highness can share it."
Nan Shiying: "..."
A few black lines appeared on Nan Shiying's forehead. Ji Jinmo's gloomy expression eased slightly. He turned his head to look at Nan Shiying, who flashed him a brilliant smile.
Under Nan Shiying's smiling gaze, Ji Jinmo quietly stood up, and with a cough that served as a cover, he said, "This Prince has important matters to attend to, so I will not be staying in the Princess's courtyard today."
With that, he added to Bai Zhi, "Put this quilt in the cabinet inside the room."
Bai Zhi understood; His Highness meant he would return tomorrow.
"Yes!" she replied prettily.
Nan Shiying felt an urge to pinch Bai Zhi's chubby little face and twist it hard.
Ji Jinmo exited the room, his footsteps seemingly hurried. Bai Zhi turned back and asked Nan Shiying, "Consort, does His Highness have an urgent matter?"
Nan Shiying looked at Bai Zhi, making Bai Zhi's heart pound with unease, before she finally chuckled, "Bai Zhi, how many buckets of rice can you eat now?"
Bai Zhi found the Consort's train of thought to be exceptionally erratic. Why was she suddenly concerned about this? However, speaking of eating, she replied with considerable pride, "Reporting to the Consort, this servant can eat three buckets!"
Her abilities were directly related to her appetite. The more she ate, the greater her strength. Therefore, her ability to eat indicated an advancement in her powers. It had only been a little over a month since she revealed her abilities to the Consort, and her rapid progress made her naturally proud.
Lu Wan entered the room, heard Bai Zhi's words, and looked at the Consort, who was beaming with smiles. When she looked at Bai Zhi, her eyes couldn't help but show a hint of sympathy.
This foolish girl truly thinks the Consort is praising her!
"Good, keep up the good work!" Nan Shiying praised, suppressing her laughter.
"Yes, yes, this servant will continue to work hard!" Bai Zhi nodded earnestly.
Lu Wan: "..."
Lu Wan was speechless. She wondered if this was a side effect of her abilities; how could eating more make people increasingly simple-minded?
Bai Zhi placed the quilt in the cabinet. After tidying up with Lu Wan and assisting Nan Shiying with her washing, she took the basin out of the room. Xiao Huan was on night duty today, so she and Lu Wan did not need to be present to serve.
Bai Zhi put away the items and returned to her room.
Lu Wan glanced at her and asked, "Do you know why the Consort asked you how much rice you could eat today?"
Bai Zhi took out pastries she had sneakily acquired from the small kitchen and poured herself a cup of tea. Hearing Lu Wan's question, she chewed the pastry and nodded, "I know, because I said the wrong thing."
Lu Wan straightened up and looked at her.
She had initially thought Bai Zhi was slow-witted from eating, but now she realized she herself was the foolish one!
This little girl actually knew how to feign ignorance to deceive people.
"Sister, I'm not stupid!" Bai Zhi said, noticing Lu Wan's expression, and added, "Not *that* stupid!"
She had thought that His Highness and the Consort were about to achieve their ultimate union. Little did she expect that these two, usually decisive, would be so hesitant in this matter, even retreating at the last moment. If not for that, how could her mind have gone blank and misunderstood the Consort's intentions?
She genuinely thought the Consort wanted to share a quilt with His Highness.
Lu Wan nodded, "Yes, yes, you're not stupid!"
Bai Zhi suddenly sighed and turned to ask Lu Wan, "Sister Lu Wan, when do you think the Consort will finally share a room with His Highness?"
Lu Wan glared at Bai Zhi, "Say less of what you shouldn't!" m..oΓg
Bai Zhi pouted. Clearly, Sister Lu Wan was also extremely hopeful. It was acceptable for her sister to ponder it in her heart, but she wasn't allowed to ask?
"I know, I know, I'm just afraid!"
"Afraid of what?"
"I'm afraid that one day the Consort will leave the Prince's manor, and that the mountains will be high and the roads long, and we won't see the Consort again."
Lu Wan opened her mouth and fell silent.
Were the Consort's feelings so obvious? So obvious that Bai Zhi could understand them so easily?
"No!"
Lu Wan shook her head, "His Highness bestowed us upon the Consort, so no matter where the Consort goes, we are the Consort's maids."
"But the Consort might not be willing to take us!"
Lu Wan looked at Bai Zhi and said firmly, "She will!"
"The Prince will take us with him!"
Bai Zhi: "..."
So, Sister thinks His Highness would roam the world for the Consort???