Ning Wan Wan was stunned. Si Zhan paused, surprised by his own reaction. He composed himself, gently holding her shoulders with affection in his phoenix-like eyes. “Wan Wan, the Imperial Uncle is in the past. Now I am your husband, so from now on, call me… Brother Zhan.”
Previously, she had to address him as Imperial Uncle due to her status as the Crown Prince’s wife, but now he was no longer her uncle but her beloved husband. He had long waited to hear her call him “Brother Zhan.”
Ning Wan Wan felt her face and ears burning, unable to say it out loud.
Seeing her embarrassment, Si Zhan didn’t force her. He reached out to remove the heavy phoenix crown from her head and set it aside. The crown had left a red mark on her fair forehead. Si Zhan gently rubbed the mark with his thumb, saying tenderly, “Silly girl, why didn’t you take off such a heavy crown earlier?”
Ning Wan Wan lowered her eyes, shyly replying, “Grandmother Chang said the crown must be removed by the husband.”
Her voice was low, like a feather brushing Si Zhan’s heart, trembling and tingling.
Si Zhan lowered his gaze, seeing the candlelight illuminating Ning Wan Wan’s face, clearly showing the soft down on her skin. Her flushed cheeks made him want to bite them.
His gaze moved down to Ning Wan Wan’s cherry-like lips. His eyes deepened, his throat dried, and his heart skipped a beat.
Sensing his gaze, Ning Wan Wan looked up, her watery eyes meeting his. Her heart raced, and she quickly lowered her gaze, her fingers nervously twisting together.
Moments later, the strong aura beside her disappeared as Si Zhan stood up as if to leave.
Ning Wan Wan hurriedly looked up, confused, “Where are you going?”
Si Zhan turned sideways, his voice slightly hoarse, “I’ll sleep on the opposite couch.”
Ning Wan Wan felt anxious, “But we’re already married…”
Si Zhan stood silently.
After a while, he turned back to her and sat down, reaching out to touch her soft hair. His expression serious, he said, “Wan Wan, I know you married me to repay the kindness of saving your father, but I’m happy. I don’t want to force you. I want to wait until you truly are willing.”
Ning Wan Wan was stunned, not immediately understanding Si Zhan’s words.
Seeing her reaction, Si Zhan thought he had touched a sensitive spot and his eyes dimmed. He was about to leave when Ning Wan Wan grabbed his hand, her watery eyes fixed on him, urgently saying, “Brother Zhan, I am willing.”
Si Zhan trembled, slowly turning around, joy flooding his eyes. “You? Say it again.”
Ning Wan Wan blushed, looking up with wet eyes and a hint of seduction. She parted her lips, her voice alluring, “Brother Zhan… I… I don’t want you to go.”
Si Zhan’s restraint crumbled. He cupped her face and pressed a long kiss on her forehead. Ning Wan Wan closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling softly.
Si Zhan gently kissed her eyelashes, and the more he kissed, the more they trembled. He smiled, a pleasure spreading across his face. This Ning Wan Wan, startled and shy, filled him with an incredible feeling.
His kisses brushed her face, tracing along her nose, finally landing on her small lips. Ning Wan Wan closed her eyes, awkwardly responding to Si Zhan…
The night lasted until dawn.
The day was bright, and birds were chirping outside the window.
Ning Wanwan’s consciousness gradually awakened, feeling weak and sore.
“Awake?” came Si Zhan’s chilling laugh from above her.
She opened her eyes to see his divine-like face. Si Zhan smiled gently, propping his head with one hand and twirling a strand of her hair with his finger.
His aggressive gaze made Ning Wanwan’s cheeks flush red. She quickly averted her eyes and asked, “What time is it?”
“Almost noon,” Si Zhan replied casually.
Ning Wanwan was shocked. “So late? Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”
As she tried to get up, Si Zhan pressed her back down gently, saying, “In the Prince of Yi’s residence, you’re the highest-ranking person. You can sleep as long as you want.”
“How can that be? As the lady of the house, if I sleep until midday, wouldn’t the servants laugh at me?”
“Let’s see who dares,” he threatened calmly, then began nibbling her earlobe.
Ning Wanwan trembled, recalling Si Zhan’s tormenting her all night.
She couldn’t tell where his supposedly frail constitution was; he was so vigorous that it made her somewhat afraid.
Even now, her body hadn’t fully recovered, and she felt timid. She tried to dodge and gently pushed, “Stop it, there are people outside.”
Si Zhan ignored her, pulling her back into his embrace, stating, “For these three days, you are mine. You don’t need to see anyone.” His smiling face pressed down again.
This reminded her of something. She hurriedly pushed Si Zhan away, panicking, “Oh no, didn’t we need to go to the palace to pay respects and serve tea today? It’s too late!”
Si Zhan gently touched her nose, comforting her, “Don’t worry, my imperial brother permitted us to delay our palace visit until the third day after our wedding, knowing my poor health.”
Ning Wanwan cast a suspicious glance at Si Zhan, who revealed a big bad wolf’s smile and approached again. Afraid he might pounce, she quickly called out, “Fuyi, Zhanxiang!”
Fuyi and Zhanxiang, having heard the commotion, pushed open the door, smiling, “Young master, young mistress, good morning.”
Six pink-clad maids entered, each carrying washing supplies and standing inside the door.
Seeing the servants arrive, Si Zhan reluctantly released Ning Wanwan.
Ning Wanwan quickly lifted the bed curtains, got down, and said casually, “Change your form of address.”
This is the Prince of Yi’s residence. From now on, address us as Prince and Princess.”
“Yes, Prince, Princess.”
Since their intimate contact last night, Sihan’s wolf-like nature had been exposed to Ning Wanwan. Fortunately, having witnessed a more sinister side of him in her previous life, she was not truly frightened.
As Xu Manyao entered the room, she heard a lingering cough and felt a stir in her heart. She walked in and stood with her head lowered alongside Huanpei.
After a while, Ning Wanwan helped Sihan out from the eastern warm chamber. Xu Manyao hurriedly curtsied, “This servant Xu Manyao pays respects to the Prince and Princess.” Her voice was soft, hinting at nervousness.
Ning Wanwan helped Sihan sit in the main seat and gestured to Xu Manyao, “No need for formalities.”
Xu Manyao straightened up, her head still lowered and her demeanor awkward.
“Why are you keeping your head down? Raise it,” Ning Wanwan instructed.
Xu Manyao complied, allowing Ning Wanwan to see her delicate features and round face, with remnants of childish innocence.
At this moment, Sihan’s pitch-black phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, causing Xu Manyao to quickly lower her head.
Ning Wanwan furrowed her brow, a trace of doubt flashing in her water-like eyes. She casually asked, “I heard you’re half a year younger than me?”
“…Yes.”
“Then call me sister from now on.”
“Yes.”
“How are you settling in the Qingwu courtyard?”
“Thank you for your concern, I’m… very good.”
“That’s good. If you need anything, send someone to find Fuyi.”
“Yes.”
Huanpei, holding two cups of tea behind Xu Manyao, softly reminded, “Concubine, it’s time to serve tea.”
Xu Manyao jumped, feeling small.
Ning Wanwan was surprised, not expecting the spy in the Prince’s residence to be so timid.
Si Zhan shook his head, unconcerned: “I’m fine, don’t worry too much.”
“You’re coughing up blood and still say you’re fine. No way.” She turned and shouted to Fu Yi: “Fu Yi, go tell Yuan Bi to summon Uncle Zhou.”
As Fu Yi was about to leave, Si Zhan called out: “Stop.”
Fu Yi paused, looking back in confusion.
Si Zhan then looked at Ning Wanwan: “No need to trouble Uncle Zhou, I’m really fine.”
