Yan Xuan entered, his expression calm, different from his previous casual demeanor. He approached her and sat down, saying, “It’s been a while, Noble Consort, how are you?”
Ruan Ning noted his return to formality, feeling somewhat disappointed. She replied coolly, “I’m fine. How is Your Majesty?”
“I’m also well.”
After a moment of silence, Yan Xuan’s gaze fell on the pufferfish on the dressing table. The clay one looked fine, but the dough one had dried and cracked, resembling its owner.
A faint smile appeared on Yan Xuan’s lips as he recalled their first meeting. He hadn’t visited recently because he struggled with how to face her. While he didn’t regret his actions, he longed to return to being the carefree A Mo.
Pulling something from his chest, he waved it in front of Ruan Ning, revealing a wooden carving of a pufferfish, lifelike in detail.
He had been cold to her for days, keeping her on tenterhooks, yet he suddenly seemed in good spirits? Ruan Ning couldn’t help but roll her eyes dramatically.
Yan Xuan laughed, pleased by her boldness.
“My dear,” he asked, “Has Sui Huan told you about me?”
The question came out easier than he had imagined.
Behind him, Gao Song was startled and quickly waved for the servants to leave, closing the door and standing guard outside with a conflicted heart. Could the Emperor be preparing to share such things with the Noble Consort? Had this woman, known for such a short time, already become so important? Gao Song couldn’t discern if it was good or bad and furrowed his brow.
Ruan Ning thought the same. She struggled to get down, but Yan Xuan held her tighter, even biting her ear and saying, “My beloved, don’t move around; I can’t handle your provocation.”
Provocation? Ruan Ning rolled her eyes. Although Yan Xuan had been sleeping in the same bed for over a month, they had only hugged and kissed. She was now certain that he was incapable.
Realizing this made Ruan Ning feel a few extra points of sympathy for him. Being young and yet incapable was quite pitiful.
She no longer tried to hide when changing clothes, and the fact that he didn’t lose control seeing her body only confirmed her conclusion about his inability.
