"Your Highness, there is an urgent summons from the palace. The Emperor commands Your Highness to enter the palace immediately for an audience."

  The sky was just beginning to turn white, and the sound of seeking clouds echoed outside the door. I was momentarily confused, lifted my eyelids, but unexpectedly saw myself entwined with Nan Chengyao, and hastily closed my eyes again in a flurry.

  "Come in." He said lightly, while gently moving me away from his arms, putting on his middle garment and getting out of bed.

  As soon as I moved, I realized that my body ached as if it wasnt mine. I slightly opened my eyes to take a peek and saw Xun Yun bringing in the morning attire to help him change into it.

  He was originally about to step out the door, but for some reason he suddenly turned his head back, I was so startled that I hastily closed my eyes again, and then I heard him seem to chuckle softly, and then the sound of footsteps gradually moved towards the bed.

  I remained still, determined to pretend to be asleep, but as his breath gradually enveloped me, I couldnt help but think of the events of last night, and my cheeks grew hotter by the minute.

  He burst out laughing, although he didnt expose me, but I knew he must have seen through my fake sleep, my little thoughts were nothing in front of this person.

  Its clear that struggling further is futile, but it would only make him see his own embarrassment and helplessness. So he might as well open his eyes, look straight into his, and though his heart still couldnt help but feel a little flustered, his face maintained a calm smile as he spoke: "Your Highness shouldnt be late entering the palace."

  He suddenly leaned down, his smiling breath brushing against my delicate neck: "If the princess keeps me like that night, then even if theres a big deal in heaven, I wouldnt be willing to leave this Returning Ink Pavilion."

  "Your Highness!"

  He burst out laughing and stepped out the door, running into Shu Ying who had come to serve me breakfast in bed. Shu Ying was stunned, even forgetting to bow, and called out dazedly: "Your Highness."

  He didnt think much of it and smiled: "Its still early, let your young lady sleep a bit longer."

  As he spoke, he walked straight out of the Returning Ink Pavilion, Xun Yun looked at me deeply with his eyes, without saying a word, bowed to me and followed him down, his face slightly lowered, unable to see any emotions.

  Waiting for them to leave, I looked at Shuying who was still standing outside the door and somewhat unnaturally called out to her: "What are you doing standing outside, why dont you come in?"

  She came to herself, her expression on her face changed from stunned to excited, and she quickly walked in while loudly asking: "Miss, why is the third prince here at this hour? Did he stay overnight in your room? Have you consummated your marriage..."

  I was mortified and covered her mouth with one hand, stopping her unbridled words: "Speak softly, do you want everyone to know?"

  She smiled and pulled down my hand, her voice was softer, but what she said was extremely provocative: "As expected of a lady, I think you know everything."

  I looked at her with a headache and helplessness, she busily smiled and begged for forgiveness: "Good miss, I know I was wrong, Ill leave now and not disturb your sleep, the prince just said so, to let you have a good rest..."

  She was saying that while making a gesture to go out, I smiled and stared at her: "Dont mess around, hurry up and help me get my clothes."

  She smiled and went with a response. I lifted the brocade quilt, but saw that the dark red bloodstains on the bed had already dried up, and my heart couldnt help but feel a slight sense of unease.

  Shu Ying brought over some clothes, and I hastily pulled up the quilt to try to cover up that bloodstain, but she still caught sight of it with her sharp eyes.

  Needless to say, I was so embarrassed that even her face quickly flushed with two red clouds. She blushed and changed my clothes for me without saying a word.

  I gazed at the woman in the copper mirror, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her hair was thick and dark, dyed with the mist of spring. Such a beautiful and charming appearance, yet it didnt seem quite like me.

  Although last night after the rain, Nan Chengyao had carried me to the warm spring pool in the Yulu Temple at the back of the house for a soak and cleaning, my body still felt sore and uncomfortable.

  Anyway, he is now in the palace to see the emperor, and I have nothing to do in the Wang Fu, so I brought Shu Ying to the Jade Dew Hall, wanting to use the hot spring to relieve the soreness on my body.

  The Jade Dew Palace is just a few steps away from where I live. The Hanbaiyu hot spring pool in the palace is very large and emits misty heat all year round.

  I had Shuying stand guard outside the door, and I quietly took off my outer garments and stepped slowly into the pool, letting the ripples cover up the marks of last nights love.

  The water in this pool is not a natural hot spring, but rather someone pours heated water into the pool day and night to create it.

  It was such a luxurious move, just because Nan Chengyao liked it, and the Lishan Hot Spring Palace was far away, so he built this Jade Dew Pavilion in the style of the Hot Spring Palace in the Wangfu.

  There were countless people who criticized him for this, but he didnt care and continued to smile indifferently. As time passed, those who criticized him also grew tired.

  Moreover, even the current emperor does not hold him accountable for his actions and instead shows favoritism towards him, so why should others bother to do more.

  In the warmth of this room, I closed my eyes and thoroughly relaxed my body, just as I was about to fall asleep, I suddenly heard a faint sound of footsteps coming from behind me.