The steam had flushed Qin Guan's cheeks crimson. Drowsily leaning against the wooden tub, she let Baiying and Fuling wash her hair. After the bath, still in a daze, she allowed Fuling to dress her. Soon, Fuling whispered, "Princess Consort, the bed inside is ready. Shall you rest?"
Qin Guan nodded and walked out of the side room. In the outer chamber, Yan Chi was resting with closed eyes on the daybed. Hearing movement, he opened them, his pupils trembling slightly.
Qin Guan wore a snow-white brocade robe embroidered with silver orchid patterns, but beneath it was only a water-red gauze garment. Her hair, half-dried, cascaded like a waterfall down her back. What captivated Yan Chi, however, was her rosy face—flushed cheeks, moist, shimmering eyes, and a dazed expression from exhaustion that made her appear especially delicate. Pausing briefly, Yan Chi stood and asked, "Finished bathing?"
Qin Guan nodded. Yan Chi instructed Fuling, "Attend the princess consort to bed."
Fuling assented promptly and led Qin Guan into the inner chamber. After a few steps, Qin Guan halted, wondering if she ought to help Yan Chi with his wash. The thought warmed her cheeks, but then she heard Yan Chi tell Baiying outside, "No need to attend me. You may withdraw."
Qin Guan exhaled softly and went straight to the bed to lie down. Fuling tucked the quilt around her, hesitated as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing and withdrew.
Once Fuling left, Qin Guan was alone in the room. Having had little proper rest in the past two days, this was their first night sharing a bed. The thought stirred nervousness in her heart, yet her physical weariness soon overpowered any tension, and she drifted into a heavy sleep.
Some time later, a rustling sound beside her roused Qin Guan, followed by a searing warmth pressing against her side. Startled, she woke abruptly and opened her eyes to find Yan Chi lying beside her in black inner robes. Instantly, all drowsiness vanished. Wide-eyed, she stared blankly at Yan Chi, so close she could touch him.
Yan Chi, halfway lying down, smiled upon seeing her open eyes. "Did I wake you?"
Gazing at his smiling face, Qin Guan's heart fluttered, and a tingling numbness spread from her fingertips.
Fresh from his bath, Yan Chi seemed different too—his features still exquisitely handsome, but the usual intimidating aura was gone, replaced by a tenderness that felt tangible in his every glance. Qin Guan stared at him as if seeing him for the first time.
Yan Chi's throat moved, and he leaned closer. "Why so quiet?"
Qin Guan shrank her shoulders, her heartbeat quickening. "I... I was almost asleep."
Yan Chi chuckled, lowering his head until his breath brushed her face. Qin Guan blinked involuntarily. Seeming to sense her nervousness, he swiftly kissed her lips before lying on his side. "I know you're tired. Sleep now—best until morning. This journey has been harsh winter all the way; I fear you'll fall ill from exhaustion."
As he spoke, Yan Chi couldn't resist pulling Qin Guan into his embrace.The sudden closeness made Qin Guan's heart leap into her throat. Though they had embraced occasionally before, never had they been so intimately pressed together. With only a sheer gauze garment covering her, Yan Chi's hand resting on her back felt as if it were directly touching her skin. Despite her usual composure and self-restraint, Qin Guan now felt her body turning soft and pliant, her mind in utter disarray.
Holding Qin Guan, Yan Chi also felt waves of heat rising within him. Since childhood, he had been a man of restraint, but affection inevitably bred desire. With Qin Guan so thinly clad in his arms, how could he possibly endure? His throat moved again, his voice turning hoarse as he said, "Sleep."
Qin Guan remained silent for a moment, and Yan Chi's hand indeed stilled. Yet, being ever perceptive, she clearly heard his ragged breathing and felt his body growing increasingly warm. The chest pressed against her felt as hard as forged iron. Though Qin Guan understood the differences between men and women, she had never imagined Yan Chi's physique to be so lean and powerful. Unable to resist, she placed her hand on his waist. At her movement, Yan Chi's breathing deepened. "What is it?"
Qin Guan steadied herself, nestling her cheek into a comfortable spot against his chest and pressing herself more closely into his embrace. The bed curtains had been drawn, and within the confined space of the bed, Yan Chi's presence felt overwhelmingly intense. Qin Guan felt her limbs growing weak, and she blinked before saying, "I can't sleep now."
No sooner had she spoken than Yan Chi's arm tightened around her, pulling her firmly against him. His breathing unsteady, he asked, "Truly?"
Qin Guan's heart pounded like a drum. With a mix of hesitation and reproach, she let out a soft "Mm." In the next instant, Yan Chi's hand slid to her waist. A slight tremor ran through her body, and her breathing quickened. Her eyes wide, she stared at Yan Chi. In the dim, faint light, his gaze was startlingly bright.
He fixed his eyes on her, his voice rasping as he said, "I had intended to wait until you were well-rested, but now you make it impossible for me to hold back, Wanwan..."
Calling her name, Yan Chi leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss more fiery and lingering than any before. Qin Guan felt all her senses being swept away, leaving only a numbing heat that threatened to drown her. Unconsciously, Yan Chi pressed her beneath him, and in a daze, her clothing was stripped away. Qin Guan had no mind for coy resistance, for the unbearable restlessness surging through her limbs gave rise to a desire she had never known before...
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