Henceforth, Shen Yue kept Xi'er by her side.
Fuan was furious when he first learned of this. Despite his constant vigilance, a loophole had been exploited.
He went to the study to find Shen Yue practicing calligraphy, ink fragrance clinging to her sleeves, her soft hair falling behind her, her features like a painting, her fingers long and pale.
Upon seeing Shen Yue, Fuan suppressed his anger, but his tone was accusatory as he cut straight to the chase, "Your Highness, that person cannot be kept."
Shen Yue looked up, put down the brush in her hand, and her gaze fell upon Fuan's tense and angry face. Fuan was a person who never showed his emotions, but now, he was very angry, unable to even conceal it.
Her pale, beautiful face was transparent in the light, and her voice was soft, "Fuan, I know what I'm doing."
Fuan's brows furrowed tightly, and a dull pain spread through his heart, "No, Your Highness, you clearly know that person was sent by someone else. What if..."
Fuan did not finish the sentence, as he refused to associate that word with Shen Yue, not even in speech.
Shen Yue waved her hand, motioning for Fuan to come closer.
Fuan walked over without hesitation. Shen Yue took his hand, her fingertips gently stroking the back of his hand. Fuan clasped her hand in return, his touch cool and smooth, like cold jade porcelain.
Her beautiful, alluring face softened with tenderness, her voice gentle, "Fuan, don't worry. Let me be willful this once."
Like a child playfully pouting, with a hint of softness, she knew that Fuan's heart, as hard as iron, could not withstand her gentleness.
In front of Shen Yue, Fuan's heart was like dough, shaped into whatever she pleased.
His previously angry and gloomy expression instantly melted away like spring water.
In the end, he agreed to Your Highness's wilfulness this time.
Because he truly couldn't bear to see any unhappy expression on Your Highness's face.
---
The pond water was clear and jade-like, reflecting the bright full moon.
Lanterns hung high, and red candles shone.
The clear moonlight fell on the white silk, its dark patterns like swaying flower shadows.
Outside, rumors circulated that he and the Fourth Prince engaged in nightly revelry, but it wasn't like the rumors claimed. He had never slept with the Fourth Prince.
It was strange; the Fourth Prince had never touched him, and they had barely exchanged a few words. Most of the time, the Fourth Prince would just stare at him blankly and then fall into a deep sleep.
A man like a shadow would appear silently and gently pick up the Fourth Prince, treating him as if he were a fragile, breakable porcelain doll, as if the slightest force would shatter him.
No one paid him any attention, so he would kneel there all night. Fortunately, there was a soft mat beneath him, so besides some soreness, it wasn't too uncomfortable.
This night was like any other.
Shen Yue lay half-reclined on the couch, her dark, calm eyes gazing at him indifferently. They held so many emotions that it was almost suffocating, yet it also made one yearn to grasp more.
He had eaten less that evening, and after kneeling for a short while, hunger pangs began to stir in his stomach. He endured it, thinking that the night would pass quickly.
But his stomach betrayed him. In the extremely quiet bedchamber, a rumbling sound echoed.
Instantly, the young man's face turned as red as a steamed shrimp, as if it were about to emit smoke.
Shen Yue was clearly drawn by the noise. He could feel the Fourth Prince's gaze fixed on his stomach. Xi'er wished he could burrow into the ground and bury himself.
A moment of silence ensued, and the young man appeared somewhat flustered.
Unexpectedly, Shen Yue said nothing. She merely lowered her eyes, the tear mole at the corner of her eye like a vibrant vermillion, her lips slightly pursed.
"There are some pastries over there. Go and eat."
Xi'er's face flushed crimson, his heart pounding. The blush spread to the back of his ears and shoulders. He stammered, "Your... Your Highness, I'm not hungry..."
As soon as he spoke, his stomach rumbled again. This time, the young man almost lowered his head to the ground.
Then, he obediently got up to eat the pastries. The sweet pastries were delicious, and the young man's cheeks were puffed out, looking cute and innocent.
The pastries were very tasty, and the young man finished the small plate in no time. He cautiously observed Shen Yue's expression. The other party's expression was calm, and his long, thick eyelashes were dusted with a faint golden light.
He started to feel nervous again. In the blur, he seemed to realize that the Fourth Prince was not as unapproachable as he had imagined.
After hesitating for a moment, the young man mustered his courage and approached Shen Yue. He knelt down, his trembling hand reaching for the thin robe draped over Shen Yue's shoulders.
The body against his palm seemed to flinch, instinctively wanting to pull away, but then it quickly suppressed the resistance and slowly relaxed.
This reaction was as if it were the first time being so close to someone, and such intimate physical contact caused the resistance.
The young man, who had been very nervous and uneasy, felt less afraid after sensing Shen Yue's reaction.
In the warm candlelight, the young man's face was gentle and delicate, his eyelashes quivering slightly, his face a little red, shy and bashful.
"Your Highness, may I help you to bed?"
Shen Yue remained silent, watching him quietly. Under such a gaze, the young man's face slowly grew warmer, his heart pounding like a fawn's hooves, and he didn't know where to put his hands.
After a while, the young man thought Shen Yue would refuse, but then the other party softly uttered a "Good."
The young man froze for a moment, as if a trace of surprise and joy had quietly crept into his heart, like a buoy gently leaping on the surface of a lake.
Shen Yue stood up. The young man stood before her, this was the first time he faced Shen Yue so directly, and he couldn't help but bite his lower lip.
A scent drifted into his nostrils, not the incense burning in the room, but emanating from Shen Yue, a faint, light, rich, and captivating warm fragrance that wound its way around the young man's heart.
The more nervous he became, the more mistakes he made.
Shen Yue's clothes were disheveled, revealing her delicate, fair collarbone. After a long while, none of his clothes were removed. Shen Yue furrowed her brows slightly and took a step back.
"I'll do it myself."
This Fourth Prince's temper seemed unexpectedly good. He did not reprimand the young man's clumsiness, but merely lowered his eyes coldly and undressed himself from the messy clothes.
The young man's heart pounded wildly, his face flushed, feeling hot and burning. It seemed as if all the blood in his body had rushed to his head, and his hands fumbled restlessly.
"Your... Your Highness..."
He bit his lower lip until it was red, leaving a row of neat teeth marks.
Shen Yue had finished undressing, wearing only a white inner garment. She looked up, revealing those eyes filled with the clarity of a spring, and even in the dim light, she was impossibly beautiful.
"It's nothing."