Translated by: etvolare
If only he could just marry her right then and there! Just thinking about obtaining her, blowing out the red candles, and tossing and turning all night beneath the bridal chamber curtains...
A hot current spread throughout his body and Zhou Meng crossed his legs, worried about exposing his indecency. âIs there anything else you arenât accustomed to here? If you ever want something, just tell this prince directly.â
He then looked at Lu Heng, Uncle Alham, and the rest standing behind Qin Yining, his gaze benevolent like he was gazing upon charity cases. âYour clansmen may also make requests. I will arrange them according to my discretion.â
The particular mix of arrogance and condescension especially grated on the ear, but Qin Yining continued to remain calm and collected. âYour Graceâs prior arrangements were already more than enough. There is nothing we lack.â
âWeâre all one big happy family here, so if thereâs anything you want, donât be afraid to name it. Donât do yourself a misfavor, hmm?â Zhou Meng dragged the last word out and involuntarily leaned closer to her.
Qin Yining lowered her head, hiding the disgust in her eyes as she nodded.
It felt like his own heart was tickled by the long, silky locks sliding across her shoulders when she nodded. Zhou Meng ached to pull her into his embrace and pour his love onto her.
However, thoughts of his identity were still foremost in his mind. He shouldnât act too hastily in front of outsiders. The oasis was his domain, and the Xiyue had vainly searched for a way out of the uninhabited area of the desert for over a hundred years with no results. Even if Qin Yiningâs group wanted to leave, thereâd be nowhere to go. They were all stuck here for a lifetimeâheâd eventually get his beauty!
The days ahead were long!
Furthermore, the beauty had already warmed up a lot more to him compared to her chilly attitude when theyâd first met. That was probably because she relaxed after seeing her people again, right?
A multitude of thoughts swirled around in Zhou Mengâs brain, but only a moment passed in reality. He sat back down and struck up an idle conversation with Qin Yining. They appeared to be chatting about random nonsense, but every sentence fished for information about her. He wanted to know why their group had entered the desert, why they had so many provisions with them, and how theyâd passed through the no manâs land to find this place.
Qin Yining was vigilant in her replies, putting careful thought behind every word and skirting around actual answers every time. After nearly an hour of chatting, not only did Zhou Meng not receive a single piece of useful information, but instead revealed quite a bit about his family and the Xiyue. Furthermore, he was completely satisfied with Qin Yiningâs answers, continuing to chat with increasing enthusiasm.
Qin Yiningâs health still hadnât made a full recovery. After a long round of battling wits, she grew exhausted and intentionally hinted she was tired.
Wanting to curry favour with the beauty and better their relationship, Zhou Meng couldnât bear to let Qin Yining feel unwell. He immediately summoned an imperial physician to assess the goddessâ condition.
Qin Yining grew even more impatient when she saw that he still wouldnât leave. Those listening behind them were annoyed as well, but everyone kept a firm grip on their emotions. Nobody dared to act impulsively.
While they were waiting for the imperial physician to arrive, a maidâs shout suddenly sounded outside. âYour Grace, the fourth princess consort is about to enter labor. The imperial physician says the situation is very dangerous and urges you to take a look.â
Zhou Mengâs face changed and he paid close attention to Qin Yiningâs expression, not knowing whether to sigh with relief or disappointment when the goddess didnât appear angry or jealous.
âSend for the imperial physician if thereâs a problem. Thereâs no point in coming to me. What would a prince know about delivering a baby?â
âGiving birth is a tremendous event for a woman. Isnât the fourth princess consort your wife?â Qin Yining frowned, the connotations clear.
She was faulting Zhou Meng for being heartless. His own woman was about to enter labor, yet here he was, dallying around with a new fancy. Even when the imperial physician said the situation was dangerous, he still didnât care enough for a look.
Zhou Meng naturally picked up on the remonstration and hastened to explain, not wanting Qin Yining to get the wrong impression that he didnât care about his women.
âItâs also because Iâm very busy and have to meet with a lot of chancellors later. With that being said, beau-Miss Pang, I shall make a visit since you say so. I will send the imperial physician later to you as well. You must make sure to take your medicine and rest properly. This prince will come visit you when thereâs time, mm?â
Qin Yining had long had enough. Good gods, youâre finally leaving! I donât think I couldâve refrained from getting violent if youâd stayed any longer!
âOur respectful farewells to Your Grace,â she curtsied. Lu Heng and Alham also took the lead in a salute.
Zhou Meng looked back with every step, reluctance dogging his heels as he left.
When he was far away, Qin Yining could finally release a sigh of relief. There were still Xiyue maids in the hall, so they couldnât talk freely. However, she could also feel everybody heave similar sighs of relief as well. She called over the maid who had helped her bathe earlier. âIs the forth princess the princeâs imperial consort?â
The maid trembled in fear when she heard the question. The prince evidently wanted to marry the goddess. What would they do if the goddess heard the truth, grew jealous, and refused to marry him? Would the goddess just leave with all the food?