Chapter 74
Physician Xu visited Li Wenjian in the afternoon. The medication he had been taking had slowed the spread of toxins, but in order to avoid impacting its effectiveness in the long term, Physician Xu adjusted his medication, temporarily not needing to use his blood in the medicine.
Physician Xu and the Imperial Hospital consulted and decided to adjust his medication because of Li Wenjian's age. It was not advisable to suppress his desires excessively.
If this continued for a long time, the royal offspring would be in danger.
Although the Emperor had not explicitly urged it, he had been hoping to have a grandson. He often inquired about the grandchildren in the family during medical consultations.
He thought, if His Highness could give birth to a royal grandson as soon as possible, the Emperor would be delighted, which might also greatly benefit his condition.
As Physician Xu left the Duke's residence, he coincidentally encountered the Imperial Guards carrying a wild deer to the Duke's residence. It was said that the Fourth Prince had caught it while hunting and sent it to pay respects to the Duke.
An Yuanqing was receiving it with his servants at the door.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Physician Xu praised the freshness of the deer and joked with him. The antlers and blood of this male deer were excellent nourishment in winter. He suggested stewing a soup with it and drinking two bowls before bedtime for its benefits.
An Yuanqing found his overly wrinkled smile peculiar and was about to inquire further when Physician Xu avoided the topic and left mysteriously.
"You old man, you always leave when the conversation is half done," An Yuanqing grumbled, watching his back.
However, since the old man said it was a good thing, it couldn't be wrong. He ordered the kitchen to cut off the newly harvested antlers and stew the soup, sending a cup to the Crown Prince's residence for him to consume.
*
During the evening meal, the family sat around the table, the warm light of the lamp casting a cozy glow. The room was as warm as spring, without the clinking of glasses and lively conversations found at banquets. Everyone enjoyed their meal and chatted happily, with a pleasant atmosphere that made Zhao Heng eat more than she realized, feeling a bit full.
After dinner, Li Wenjian took her for a stroll in the garden before returning to Yanshan Residence.
Zhao Heng tied up her hair and went to bathe first, while Li Wenjian sat down with a book in the room.
Shortly after, Mu Gui knocked on the door, "Your Highness."
"Come in." Li Wenjian's eyes remained on the book, not looking up.
Mu Gui entered with a white porcelain bowl, "Lord An sent over a nourishing soup."
"Very well, set it down." Li Wenjian nodded.
Mu Gui placed the soup on the table and left the room.
Since Li Wenjian had just finished dinner and wasn't hungry, he didn't feel like drinking it yet, so he left it untouched on the table.
A while later, Zhao Heng returned from her bath, her body still moist from the steam. She wrapped her long hair in a towel and said to Li Wenjian, "Go bathe first, we'll read together later."
Li Wenjian didn't hesitate and said okay before turning to the bath.
Zhao Heng dried her hair and half-closed the window, extinguishing the lamp on the desk and moving two to the bedside, ready for when they would read together later.
The charcoal fire in the room was strong, and after a while of bustling activity, she felt a bit thirsty. Seeing a cup of soup on the table, she didn't think twice and drank from it, finding it delicious. Unknowingly, she had drunk most of it.
After finishing all of this, she climbed onto the bed with the book Li Wenjian had just read, waiting for him.
Just as she flipped through a few pages, Li Wenjian walked in. Zhao Heng looked up at him, noticing his somewhat messy hair, the jade crown on his hair bun was already removed.
He sat down by the bed. Zhao Heng stopped reading as well, reaching out to play with his hair, "Let me wipe it with a towel."
Her tone was very gentle, her fingers interwoven in his hair were soft and gentle.
"Let me do it." Li Wenjian looked down at her and handed her the towel.
Zhao Heng had a good temper and never denied his small requests. She picked up the towel and combed through his long hair, her fingers running through his thick, silky black hair, but her gaze lingered on his still slightly red ear tip.
"There was a bowl of soup on the desk earlier, who sent it? I was thirsty, so I drank it." Zhao Heng said as she wiped his hair, "What kind of soup was that? It was quite delicious."
"My uncle sent it. I'll ask him tomorrow, if you liked it, we can bring this chef back to the palace..."
Li Wenjian was interrupted halfway through his sentence, as the woman suddenly lifted his face and, in a moment, leaned down to gently kiss his handsome nose.
Zhao Heng didn't know what had gotten into her, feeling a sudden heat in her body. Seeing his moving lips, she couldn't resist the urge to kiss him.
Li Wenjian looked at her playfully, raising an eyebrow slightly, "Ah Heng?"
The room was too hot from the burning charcoal fire, Zhao Heng's palms were getting sweaty and hot, so she quickly released his face, took a step back, cheeks slightly flushed, not understanding why she suddenly couldn't control her urge to kiss him.
"What's wrong with kissing your nice nose?" She challenged him with a hint of defiance in her gaze, her eyes gleaming.
Li Wenjian leaned in, voluntarily bringing his tall nose closer to her lips, smiling, "Nothing, if you want to kiss..."
Knowing that Zhao Heng was thin-skinned and couldn't handle such teasing, he wanted to say, "Then I'll let you kiss me enough," but the second part of the sentence was cut off.
Because he felt a soft, warm sensation on his lips, Zhao Heng had actually kissed his lips.
He looked up to see a mist in her eyes.
The only light in the room was the lamp by the bed, casting a soft light on her slightly blushing cheeks, illuminating her features clearly.
At this moment, she exuded a completely different charm from usual.
Except for that final step, the two of them were quite intimate, but he knew she was always reserved.
Sometimes, when he wanted to hear her sweet words, he had to patiently persuade her until she was a little tipsy before she would speak.
Tonight, however, she was unusually proactive, making it impossible to resist.
Li Wenjian lifted her chin, separated her from himself. Under the candlelight, he examined her face, his large hand stroking her cheek, only to notice a faint blush spreading across her face.
"Ah Heng?" he furrowed his brow, "What's wrong?"
Unbeknownst to her, a thin layer of sweat had formed on Zhao Heng's back, causing her nightgown to stick to her skin, feeling uncomfortable as the snow wind blew through the window cracks.
For some reason, she felt too hot tonight, as if a wave of heat was rising from the soles of her feet, burning her whole body with an itch.
She fanned herself with her hand, softly saying, "It's a bit hot."
The voice carried an unconscious seductiveness.
Li Wenjian frowned upon hearing this - how could it be hot on a night with winds and snow? He placed his hand on her forehead, feeling the sticky sweat on her recently bathed skin.
Strange, it was indeed a bit warm.
The arm pressed against Zhao Heng's forehead brought her an unusually comfortable feeling from his cool touch and she immediately wrapped her arms around him.
Just like before, she held him tightly in her embrace.
Her loosely-fitting nightgown enveloped her graceful figure as she leaned into his chest.
Li Wenjian's back muscles tensed, his breath deepening.
Zhao Heng's mind went blank for a moment, forgetting what she had wanted to say. Her cheeks were burning, she saw his slightly bent, deeply colored eyes, blushing intensely, feeling embarrassed. She wanted to push him away, but found herself being pulled into his embrace.
"You play me and then want to run, what do you take me for?" Li Wenjian's long fingers clasped her waist, keeping her imprisoned within his arms.
Zhao Heng pursed her lips, looking at his slightly protruding Adam's apple, the fire in her heart growing stronger, as if it would soon surge out from every fiber of her being, incinerating her into ashes.
His clear, cedar-like breath hit her, like a soothing balm.
She didn't resist, her burning palm found his hand on her waist, gently stroking along his slender fingers, from the base to the tip, from thumb to pinky.
Li Wenjian smirked, turning to look at the empty bowl on the desk, squinting his eyes.
What soup did his uncle really send?
Ah Heng really liked his fingers, always had.
"What's wrong?" His voice warm and deep, carrying a hint of indiscernible tremor.
Even if one were an enlightened saint, listening to her gentle whisper still couldn't help but stir up a muddy turmoil within, let alone him, a worldly man of the mortal world.
Zhao Heng looked up at him, waiting for his kiss, anticipating his next move.
But, oddly enough, he was unusually patient today, refusing to kiss her, refusing to touch her.
She lifted her head, tears shimmering in her eyes, her snow-white fingers fiddling with the buttons on his collar, voice trembling, "Your Highness, please kiss me."
Her soft, pleading tone made Li Wenjian's blood rush uncontrollably, he loved her initiative so much and suddenly understood her intention. With a low chuckle, he cupped her face and lightly kissed her forehead, then moved down to her cheek, then lower.
Just not where she was expecting it.
The sweat on Zhao Heng's back became even more profuse, she impatiently raised her head, waiting for his lips.
Li Wenjian enjoyed teasing her, playfully dodging her until her patience was almost worn out, her elegant eyebrows creasing lightly in annoyance, only then did he finally lower his head to silence her dissatisfaction with a deep kiss.
In the layers of peach blossom curtains, Zhao Heng was taken aback, thinking that just like before, their intimacy would stop at this point.
Amidst the lingering scent of the aphrodisiac, a deep chuckle brushed against her ear, sending shivers down her spine. As she instinctively struggled to sit up, he firmly grasped her wrist, pulling her back into the depths of the bedchamber.
His gaze, usually as serene as a deity's, was now a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, his voice hoarse and laced with a hint of amusement, "You were the one who tempted me, Ah Heng."
The night stretched on endlessly, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows across the room.
Outside, snowflakes danced in the air, gently accumulating on the rooftop and branches, painting the landscape in a pristine white.
*
The following day marked the Duke's grand birthday celebration, and the manor was bustling with guests. By noon, all the invitees had arrived, except for Li Wenjian and Zhao Heng.
The Old Duke inquired multiple times, sending An Yuanqing to their residence to fetch them.
An Yuanqing, his eyes darting around nervously, gave vague assurances. After witnessing the potent effects of the aphrodisiac, he dared not disturb the couple. Instead, his gaze fell upon Xu Zhengchun, his simmering resentment directed at the man he held responsible for this situation.
Summoning a servant, he concocted an excuse to lure Xu Zhengchun to the study, where he proceeded to give him a thorough beating.
Xu Zhengchun dodged his blows, chuckling, "You old rogue!"
An Yuanqing's anger intensified, but with the banquet about to begin, he had no choice but to retrieve the couple.
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Author's Note:
Physician Xu: "You old geez, oh, you rascal!"