Unlike in the previous days, Song Yihuan was wide awake this time.
She was acutely aware of what had just transpired between her and Ji Lingchuan, and she clearly knew the means she had resorted to in order to please this man.
It was precisely because of this that she felt even more desperate.
The maids entered the room and lit a few more lamps. The bright light finally illuminated the dim Yixiang Pavilion completely.
The small lotus-shaped decorative lamp placed in the corner of the outer room was arranged by Song Yihuan.
Song Nanxin had originally wanted her to receive the lord's favor in complete darkness. However, Song Yihuan thought that given Ji Lingchuan's personality, if the lamps were always extinguished, it might arouse his suspicion.
As the residence of the heir's wife, the Yixiang Pavilion was divided into three parts: the flower hall, the outer room, and the bedroom. These three parts were separated by a full - height moon - shaped gate and a display shelf. Beaded curtains hung on the doors. The weak light was blocked layer upon layer by the shelves, beaded curtains, and screens, so by the time it reached the bedroom, there was hardly any left.
Moreover, bed curtains were hung around the canopied bed. As long as she was a bit more careful, the man would not be able to discern her appearance.
This was actually safer than keeping the lamps extinguished.
Song Yihuan looked down at the marks left by the man on her body. She composed herself, took the handkerchief from Fuling, calmly wiped her body with warm water, changed into clean clothes, and then left the Yixiang Pavilion.
Following the maid to the side room behind the Yixiang Pavilion, Song Yihuan pushed open the door. Suddenly, something flew towards her. It grazed the side of her hair and hit the wall behind with a loud "bang", shattering into pieces on the ground.
It was a teapot. If it had been just a bit more off - target, it would have hit Song Yihuan on the head and split it open.
Song Yihuan broke out in a cold sweat.
Still in shock, Song Yihuan looked up and met the jealous and hateful gaze of her elder sister, Song Nanxin.
"Song Yihuan, you're really something! I told you to please the heir and satisfy him, but I didn't tell you to cling to the heir until dawn! Have I been too kind to you, so you're getting insolent? Why are you so cheap?"
After hearing her elder sister's words, a surge of anger welled up in Song Yihuan's heart.
This was so unreasonable!
Wasn't it Song Nanxin who had told her to please the heir? She had lost her innocence, sacrificed her dignity, and given up her self - respect. It was bad enough that she didn't even get a cup of warm water or a word of comfort from her elder sister, but now she was being blamed. What sin had she committed?
But she forcefully suppressed that anger.
Her elder sister held her weakness in her hands. If she angered her elder sister, both she and Xuan'er would be in big trouble.
Lowering her head and humbling herself, Song Yihuan said, "Perhaps the booklet elder sister gave me worked..."
Song Nanxin's anger was instantly doused by Song Yihuan's words.
Remembering that it was she who had stuffed the booklet for her to study, she felt both embarrassed and regretful. After a while, she gritted her teeth and said, "You learn quickly."
Song Yihuan lowered her head and said nothing. Song Nanxin soon felt bored and asked, "Did the heir say anything to you?"
Song Yihuan shook her head and said, "The heir didn't say anything."
Song Nanxin sized up this younger half - sister.
Although this younger sister was charming and alluring, she had a soft and malleable personality since childhood. She would do whatever she was told and had helped her a lot in the past. Moreover, since she cared so much about her sickly younger brother, she probably wouldn't dare to lie to her about this matter.
Song Nanxin felt relieved. She stood up and said, "Rest well. Go back to your Tinglan Courtyard early tomorrow morning."
Song Nanxin left with her entourage. Only Song Yihuan and Fuling were left in the side room. Looking at the broken teapot on the ground, Song Yihuan dragged her sore and weak legs to the bedside, sat down, and lay down fully clothed.
Fuling blew out the lamp in the room, and the surroundings were instantly plunged into darkness.
Running her fingers over her flat abdomen, Song Yihuan wondered vaguely if her efforts last night would result in a successful pregnancy.
Now, only by getting pregnant as soon as possible could she get rid of her elder sister's coercion and restraint.
With a glimmer of hope, sleep gradually came over her. Song Yihuan closed her eyes and fell asleep.
...
The news that Ji Lingchuan had gone to the Shulan Courtyard after returning last night and didn't leave until dawn reached the ears of Princess Ningqin early in the morning, making her beam with joy.
She said to the two grannies beside her, "Chuan'er has a cold and stubborn personality. He has seemed very cold to the heir's wife these days. I thought he didn't like this royal - bestowed daughter - in - law, but now he has really impressed me."
Granny Chen massaged Princess Ningqin's shoulders and said with a smile, "If this continues, I believe the prince and princess will soon be able to hold their eldest grandson."
Princess Ningqin said proudly, "I hope so."
In the Shulan Courtyard, as soon as it was dawn, Song Yihuan took Fuling back to her small courtyard, while Song Nanxin rushed to the Songhe Courtyard to pay respects to Princess Ningqin.
As Song Nanxin rounded a flower - hanging gate, she saw a figure standing under the corridor.
The man stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the green pine in the courtyard. His figure was tall and straight, his side profile was sharp and angular, and the muscles in his arms filled out the fabric of his clothes. He was like a bow ready to be drawn.
He combined the elegance of a noble young man in the capital and the might of a military general, exuding an indescribable charm that made Song Nanxin's heart flutter.
She didn't expect that the older the Heir of Prince Ningqin got, the more charming he became.
Hearing the footsteps, Ji Lingchuan turned around and looked at Song Nanxin. Song Nanxin clearly saw that the moment he saw her, his cold eyebrows softened, and his gaze became gentler, which made her heart skip a beat.
When she was a few steps away from Ji Lingchuan, Song Nanxin curtsied and said, "Did the heir stand here specially waiting for this concubine?"
Her voice was sweet and soft, like honey. However, the slight upturn of Ji Lingchuan's lips fell back into place, and his relaxed eyebrows frowned imperceptibly.
Although this voice was exactly the same as the one he had heard last night, he didn't know if it was just his illusion, but the voice that had easily stirred his emotions last night made him feel a bit uncomfortable when he heard it during the day.
Well, it should be a common problem among the noble ladies in the capital. They had to maintain a dignified and virtuous image during the day, so they always put on airs in front of others.
Nodding slightly, Ji Lingchuan said to Song Nanxin, "Let's go in together."
Remembering the principle of putting her husband first taught by her mother, Song Nanxin took a step back slightly, allowing Ji Lingchuan to walk in front.
There was always a little distance between them. Song Nanxin looked up at the tall back of the man in front of her, feeling her heart pounding like a young girl in the first flush of love.
She felt a bit proud in her heart. No matter how hard that coquettish woman tried to please the heir last night, wasn't she just paving the way for her?
After paying respects and serving tea to Prince Ningqin and Princess Ningqin, Princess Ningqin took Song Nanxin's hand and couldn't be more satisfied.
Such a daughter - in - law, dignified, polite, kind to her siblings, able to win her husband's heart, and capable of managing the household, was truly rare.
If she could get pregnant earlier and give birth to an heir for the Prince Ningqin's Mansion, it would be even more perfect.
The smile on Princess Ningqin's face deepened a bit. She said to Ji Lingchuan and Song Nanxin, "By the way, it will be the fifteenth day in a couple of days. I'm going to the temple to pray and offer incense. You two should go with me. Paying respects to the Goddess of Mercy will also do you good."
What she said about praying to the Goddess of Mercy was just a guise. Wasn't she really going to seek an heir?
Song Nanxin felt a lump in her throat.
If it weren't for the fact that only a few confidants knew that she couldn't get pregnant, she would have thought that Princess Ningqin was mocking her.
With her body, no matter how many times she prayed to the Goddess of Mercy, she would never be able to get pregnant!
However, although she couldn't, Song Yihuan could.
This time when going to the Goddess of Mercy Temple, she might as well take Song Yihuan and her younger brother along!