Ji Lingchuan's face was cold and solemn. With his hands clasped behind his back, he strode steadily towards Shulan Courtyard.
In the previous days, in order to write the book "Miscellaneous Notes on Yang Mountain", he hardly had a good night's sleep. Last night, after eating the green plum sent by Song Yihuan, he surprisingly slept soundly through the night without a dream until dawn.
Tonight, he also intended to go to bed early to have a good rest. Just as he had changed his clothes, a servant was sent from Shulan Courtyard, saying that the Crown Princess was feeling a bit unwell and wanted to invite Ji Lingchuan to go and have a look.
The maid named Baishao was said to have been given to Song Nanxin by the Princess of Ning. Since she carried the face of the Princess of Ning to some extent, Ji Lingchuan thought for a while and finally put on his clothes again and walked towards Shulan Courtyard.
However, when he arrived at Shulan Courtyard and saw the brightly - lit Yixiang Pavilion, Ji Lingchuan paused for a moment and frowned slightly.
For some unknown reason, seeing the window panes as bright as day, he felt a bit of resistance in his heart. A voice in his heart urged him to turn around and leave.
When Baishao saw Ji Lingchuan stop, she turned back and reminded him, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess is waiting for you."
Oh, well.
"Greetings to Your Highness." Along the way, maids and servants saluted Ji Lingchuan. He responded indifferently, stepped forward and pushed open the half - ajar door of Yixiang Pavilion.
The brightly - lit room made Ji Lingchuan feel a bit uncomfortable. After passing through the second moon - shaped gate, he looked up and saw a graceful figure sitting in front of the dressing table in the bedroom.
The woman was wrapped in a sheer veil. Her long hair was scattered behind her, revealing a large expanse of her snow - white back. Her figure was graceful and alluring.
Hearing the sound, she turned around.
The candles in the room were brightly lit, clearly illuminating her face. Her fair oval face was flushed at this moment. Song Nanxin looked at him lovingly, got up gracefully and curtsied to him:
"I greet Your Highness."
Her voice was sweet and soft, with the ending note slightly rising, obviously trying to tempt him to come closer.
This scene was truly vivid and alluring. Any man here would probably be attracted by this sight.
This was exactly what Song Nanxin was thinking. She was confident that with the beauty - enhancing pill she had taken, she could easily capture Ji Lingchuan's heart.
However, unexpectedly, Ji Lingchuan not only felt no desire for her but also frowned tightly and stopped in his tracks.
"Didn't you say you were unwell?" he asked in a deep voice, full of interrogation.
Since he had already come, Song Nanxin would not let him leave. She walked towards him actively, looking pitiful, and gently grabbed the sleeve of Ji Lingchuan's robe.
"Yes, I am really not feeling well. I miss Your Highness so much that my heart aches. Your Highness, would you please take a look at me?"
As she spoke, she softly fell towards Ji Lingchuan.
The elegant fragrance of apricot blossoms wafted from Song Nanxin. As she walked, the sheer veil on her body slid off her smooth skin, revealing her snow - white shoulders and delicate figure. This scene was extremely impactful. Any man standing here would not be unmoved.
Song Nanxin thought she would surely fall into the man's strong and reliable arms and be hugged tightly and doted on. However, her body missed its mark, and the sleeve she was clutching was mercilessly pulled away.
Ji Lingchuan not only didn't catch her falling body but also took a big step back.
Song Nanxin looked up in disbelief. "Your Highness?"
Ji Lingchuan averted his gaze and lowered his eyelids to hide the barely noticeable disgust in his eyes. "Since you're unwell, rest well in the room. I'll send someone to invite a doctor for you."
After saying that, he turned around and strode out, not even leaving a corner of his robe for Song Nanxin.
Song Nanxin couldn't believe that he just left like this. She lifted her skirt and tried to chase after him. "Your Highness! Your Highness! Since you're here, stay and have a cup of tea before leaving! Your Highness!"
But the man's steps not only didn't stop but also quickened a bit, which made Song Nanxin extremely angry.
Why, why!
She had put aside her pride and actively invited him. She was sure that no man could resist her in this state. But why was he unmoved and just left without looking back?!
Was she... really that disgusting?!
Song Nanxin returned to the room. Looking at the table full of rouge and perfume, and the brocade quilt and sheets on the bed that she had specially asked someone to change, she let out a scream and swept all the things on the table to the ground. Then she lay on the table and cried aggrievedly.
Ji Lingchuan walked quickly back to Jingtao Courtyard. When Fuzhou saw him, he was surprised. "My lord, weren't you going to the Crown Princess's place tonight? Why did you come back so soon?"
All he got was Ji Lingchuan's silent back and the door that was forcefully closed in front of his eyes.
What's going on?
Fuzhou scratched his head in confusion.
Ji Lingchuan returned to his room and sat on the edge of the bed. He raised his hand and rubbed his temples, his heart in a complete mess.
The moment he saw Song Nanxin, he knew that she was perfectly fine. Tonight was just a means and an excuse for her to gain his favor.
He also understood that she was his lawfully - wedded wife, and they had had several intimate nights together. He shouldn't just leave her like this.
During the previous encounters, the light in the room was so dim that he couldn't see her face clearly. He had always had some doubts in his heart.
But when the light clearly illuminated her face and he saw her figure, he felt no emotion or pity at all. All he wanted was to leave that fragrant room as soon as possible.
His fingers climbed onto his shoulder and touched the rough gauze. Remembering his almost out - of - control behavior in the pavilion last night, his frown deepened.
Some things seemed to be quietly deviating from the original track.
The night was deep. Song Nanxin in Yixiang Pavilion had cried her eyes swollen. She grabbed Granny Zhao's hand and kept asking:
"Granny, tell me, what did I do wrong? What did I do badly? Why does he treat me like this?"
Granny Zhao advised, "Maybe His Highness is just too tired. He hasn't had a good rest recently, so he's not in the mood. Just like women have their inconvenient days every month, men also have theirs. Husband and wife should understand each other."
Although Granny Zhao was trying to console her, Song Nanxin still couldn't swallow this humiliation.
When had she ever been so humble to please a man?
She was even worse off than that one. That one at least knew to kneel in front of her and serve her well!
Once this thought came up, it couldn't be suppressed.
Song Nanxin wished that someone could immediately pull her into their arms, hold her tightly, whisper soothing words to her, smooth out the grievances in her heart, and let her completely release herself.
Lowering her eyelids, Song Nanxin turned around, pulled the quilt over her head, and said in a muffled voice, "Granny, please go out. Let me be alone and calm down."
But after Granny Zhao left, Song Nanxin opened her eyes, biting her lower lip and her eyes flashing.
If Ji Lingchuan didn't love her, there would surely be someone who would!