Qin Guan was drenched in a sheen of perspiration, as if she had been pulled from water. Though Yan Chi had exercised restraint, she still felt sore all over, her legs too weak to move. With her eyes lightly closed, the tingling sensation in her heart was fading, yet the lingering aftermath of desire clung to her—her cheeks still burned.
Yan Chi held her in his arms, his hand ceaselessly stroking her back, only to wander elsewhere. Qin Guan caught his hand and let out a soft murmur, burying her head stubbornly against his chest, clearly forbidding any further mischief.
Yan Chi couldn’t help but laugh, his voice hoarse as he called her name, “Guan Guan?”
Exhausted yet uncomfortably sticky, Qin Guan hovered between sleep and wakefulness, responding with only a faint hum.
The sound sent a surge of restless heat through Yan Chi’s lower abdomen, but having already indulged twice that night, a third time was out of the question. He gazed obsessively at Qin Guan’s flushed face, finding her so exquisitely delicate and alluring that he felt an urge to devour her. As this thought crossed his mind, he lowered his head to peck her cheek. If before he had admired Qin Guan for her intellect and beauty, now, in the intimacy of the bedchamber, he truly understood the bliss of ascending to paradise.
The ways of the bed were nothing unfamiliar. With his status, he could have had any woman he desired, but since childhood, Yan Lin had kept a strict watch over him, and his own self-restraint had kept him from keeping anyone by his side. Though inexperienced in matters of love, like most men, he seemed to possess an innate understanding. Their earlier union had brought them both pleasure, and were it not for Qin Guan’s exhaustion, he would have loved to cherish her many times more. The more Yan Chi thought about it, the harder it was to let go. “Are you tired?”
Qin Guan nodded. Yan Chi kneaded her body a few more times before suddenly releasing her.
When Qin Guan opened her eyes to look, she saw Yan Chi rise and leave the bed. In the dim lamplight of the room, she hadn’t even gotten a clear glimpse of him before he vanished. Qin Guan shifted her sleeping position, too lethargic to even lift a finger. After some time, she faintly sensed someone approaching. Hazily, something warm and damp gently wiped her body. She lazily opened her eyes to see Yan Chi holding a warm, damp cloth, carefully wiping away the sweat from her skin…
The brocade quilt was half-drawn aside, and Qin Guan caught sight of the bluish-red marks on her body. Her expression shifted, and she hurried to cover them, but Yan Chi firmly grasped her hand. “Don’t move.”
Qin Guan’s cheeks flushed crimson, yet Yan Chi remained meticulous and focused. However, his hands were rough with thick calluses, and whenever they brushed against her skin, they sent shivers through her. Soon, her entire body had been gently cleansed, leaving her feeling refreshed. Qin Guan drifted into drowsiness as Yan Chi tucked the brocade quilt around her and went to the bathing chamber. The sound of water echoed briefly before Yan Chi returned to the bed.
He pulled Qin Guan into his embrace and whispered, “It’s still early. Sleep.”
Qin Guan, already half-asleep, felt her heart ease completely at his words and soon drifted into dreams.
Gazing at Qin Guan’s sleeping face, Yan Chi’s heart overflowed with tenderness. He carefully traced the lines of her brows and eyes, and only after a long while did he close his own eyes and fall asleep.That night, Qin Guan slept deeply. In the past, her hands and feet would often turn cold at night, but now with Yan Chi by her side, it felt as if a stove had been placed beside the bed. When she opened her eyes the next morning, most of the soreness in her body had faded. Glancing out the window, she noticed the sky hadn't fully brightened yet.
They had retired exceptionally early the previous night, and despite the earlier exertions, the long rest had fully replenished her. Recalling the events of the night, a warmth spread through Qin Guan's heart. Seeing Yan Chi's face so close, she couldn't resist raising her hand to gently trace his brow. At her touch, Yan Chi stirred awake.
Yan Chi caught her hand and lightly nipped it with his lips. "Awake?"
Qin Guan glanced at the sky outside. "It must be past mao hour already."
Though the sky remained dark, the sounds from outside indicated the wind and snow had ceased. Yan Chi paid no attention to the weather, instead leaning in to capture her lips. Qin Guan emitted a soft murmur, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and responding tenderly. Encouraged by her reciprocation, Yan Chi's passion surged dangerously close to overwhelming them before he managed to rein it in at the last moment. Qin Guan's eyes shimmered as she caught her breath. Yan Chi chuckled lowly, "We need to travel today - it's inconvenient. I'll spare you for now."
After saying this, Yan Chi tucked the brocade quilt securely around her and rose first. Qin Guan watched his naked retreating back and instinctively covered her eyes. When she lowered her hands, she found Yan Chi already dressed. Noticing her shielding her eyes, Yan Chi approached with an amused smile as if discovering something entertaining. "Sleep another half hour. I'll have Xun Niang prepare breakfast. From today, Xun Niang will accompany us - she can look after you during the journey."
Qin Guan nodded. Yan Chi brushed aside the stray hairs at her temple before turning to leave.
The room fell silent, but Qin Guan felt no trace of sleepiness. Being naturally disciplined, she was fully alert after having slept sufficiently. She initially planned to rise when Fuling and Baiying entered, but after waiting without their appearance, she called out, "Fuling?"
Only then did footsteps sound outside as Fuling hurried in. "Princess Consort, what is it?"
Still completely unclothed, Qin Guan replied, "Fetch my clothes. I wish to rise."
Hearing this, Fuling broke into a smile while retrieving the garments. "His Highness instructed us to attend to you later. I thought you were still asleep, Princess Consort."
When the clothes were brought, Qin Guan pushed herself up, the brocade quilt slipping from her body. Fuling couldn't suppress a soft gasp. "Princess Consort! You're..."
Fuling had noticed the marks on Qin Guan's body. Feeling both indignant and embarrassed, she sighed helplessly, "How could His Highness be so careless with you!"
She immediately went to fetch scented ointment to apply to Qin Guan's skin. Blushing faintly, Qin Guan murmured softly, "He... was actually quite considerate."
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