Chapter 166: The Heir Apparent's Active Seduction

Shen Shuangning wasn't used to him serving her, but she was indeed tired after a day, so she obediently submitted.

Xiao Jingyuan slowly removed her clothes, then gently placed her into the water.

His long fingers, lightly calloused, wiped her arms, then gently kneaded her sore shoulders and neck with just the right pressure, so comfortable that Shen Shuangning leaned against the tub's edge, her eyelids growing heavy, almost drifting to sleep.

In a daze, she suddenly felt the water splash with a "whoosh".

It was Xiao Jingyuan who had come in.

She startled slightly, not yet reacting, when a pair of warm big hands wrapped around her waist.

Shen Shuangning opened her eyes, turned her head, and saw him—unknown when he had also undressed and stepped into the tub—water trickling down his solid chest.

As a military officer, Xiao Jingyuan's physique was naturally out of the ordinary.

Years of drawing bows and wielding swords gave him shoulders and back broad as pine, arms solid and full, steady yet fierce.

Yet his waist was trim, tight with no excess flesh, the standard inverted‑triangle build of a warrior, full of strength.

Such a physique, even among men, is top‑of‑the‑top.

Her gaze moved lower.

The water had no petals, clear enough to see the bottom.

Thus she saw Xiao Heir Apparent's—indeed—...

In an instant, her fatigue vanished, and her ears grew hot.

Just then, Xiao Jingyuan's low, teasing voice came: "What are you looking at?"

Shen Shuangning hastily withdrew her gaze, turned and retreated to the tub's edge, forcing calm as she said: "Didn't you already wash?"

"I worked up a sweat serving you, so I naturally need to wash again." Xiao Jingyuan said, reaching out with his long arm to scoop her into his lap, letting her sit on his thighs.

The water surface swayed slightly.

The tub was already small, and with them pressed together, their body heat mingled with the steam, making even the air feel sticky.

Shen Shuangning looked at him: "How are we supposed to wash then?"

Even though their feelings in their previous life weren't good, they were extremely compatible in bed; otherwise Shen Shuangning wouldn't have been so proactive, nor would she, after her rebirth, occasionally still dream of those intimate fragments...

Normal women have desires, and Shen Shuangning is no nun; besides, he is blatantly tempting her right now.

How could there be such a bad person?

Xiao Jingyuan grasped her slender waist, lifted his head to meet her eyes, and asked: "Do you want it?"

Outside the window, the water clock had struck an unknown number of times, and the shadows on the screen swayed, overlapping.

Shen Shuangning gripped the tub's edge tightly, her knuckles whitening from the effort, her jade‑like cheeks already flushed crimson, even her neck tinged with a lovely blush.

Ripples spread outward, wetting the hair strands scattered on her shoulders, adding a touch of allure.

After another half hour, the water gradually cooled.

Xiao Jingyuan held Shen Shuangning, lifted his leg to step out of the tub, and placed her on the table.

"Everything's wet."

Shen Shuangning spoke, referring to the book lying on it.

Xiao Jingyuan had eyes only for her; he casually swept aside the items on the table, his gaze sinking as he locked onto her, supporting her waist, and said: "Don't worry about it."

He lowered his head and kissed her.

The warm kiss carried a faint soap‑berry scent, gentle and entrancing, sealing away all her words.

The book propped under her waist quickly became soaked.

"Hurry up." Shen Shuangning urged, she was really getting tired.

Xiao Jingyuan, however, seemed to have endless energy: "Do you still think I'm inadequate now?"

Only then did Shen Shuangning recall that Xiao Jingyuan still remembered their time at Cloud Pavilion, where she had once complained midway.

No wonder he didn't dare drink too much tonight and is still so energetic.

Shen Shuangning wanted to laugh but couldn't, begging: "You're capable, you're the most capable."

How could Xiao Jingyuan forget? This concerns a man's dignity; he must vindicate himself in this life.

Although he was still somewhat unsatisfied, he also didn't want to tire her too much.

The future is long; there will be plenty of opportunities.

Outside the window, the sky gradually lightened.

Xiao Jingyuan was accustomed to practicing swordsmanship at dawn, and the servants were used to seeing the Heir Apparent train early, but this morning the whole compound was quiet, even the sweeping maids lightening their steps.

The servants chuckled softly: "The Heir Apparent is newly wedded and blissful, he's keeping the Heir Apparent's Consort company in bed."

Xiao Jingyuan had already awakened.

Shen Shuangning rested her head in the crook of his arm, her sleeping face sweet and gentle, the exposed shoulder smooth and fair.

Xiao Jingyuan's heart softened, and he couldn't help but lightly kiss her forehead.

To be able to marry her again is already a fortune of three lifetimes; even if it were only a brief two years, he would be content.

He stared at her for a long time, no longer sleepy, yet he couldn't bear to draw his arm away and disturb her pleasant dream.

But just then, Shen Shuangning seemed to feel cold, unconsciously snuggling closer into his embrace; the brocade blanket slipped a little, revealing the delicate line of her collarbone.

Just lowering his head slightly, he could glimpse the intimate scene hidden under the blanket; the warmth of last night surged into his heart, making his Adam's apple twitch involuntarily.

Xiao Jingyuan ultimately couldn't resist the inner heat; he rose softly and went to the outer purification room for a cool shower.

When he returned refreshed, Shen Shuangning was still asleep.

Xiao Jingyuan gazed at her, feeling he could never see enough.

Yesterday she had been exhausted all day; Shen Shuangning was truly weary, yet even so she had to rise to pay respects and offer tea to the Princess Consort.

When she finally opened her eyes, it was already mid‑morning; she hurriedly called Aheng in.

"Why didn't anyone wake me? Where is the Heir Apparent?"

A Heng explained: "It's the uncle-in-law who doesn't let the maids disturb you."

Just as her words fell, Xiao Jingyuan entered from outside wearing a stone-green brocade robe.

"Awake?" He walked to the bedside, reached out to feel her forehead, "If you haven't slept enough, sleep a little longer. The Prince's manor has no such petty rules; there's no need to rush to rise."

Shen Shuangning, however, had already thrown off the covers and hurriedly got out of bed; "How can that be? The proper courtesies must not be lacking."

Even if the Prince and Princess don't mind, she is a young lady from the Duke's manor; to rise late on the second day after her wedding and lose propriety—what would people think if it got out?

But as soon as she stood up, her legs went weak; fortunately Xiao Jingyuan was right there and, quick-eyed and quick-handed, steadied her.

Xiao Jingyuan said: "Don't worry, I already went early to pay my respects to them; they dote on you and won't blame you. Last night you were so exhausted you could barely lift your fingers—sleep a little longer."

A Heng stood nearby listening, her face flushed.

Last night's commotion, she and A Zhao both heard it; it's not hard to guess why the young lady's legs are weak.

The Heir is so diligent; if this continues, I'm afraid it won't be long before we have a little heir......

Shen Shuangning still insisted on going to pay her respects to the Prince and Princess; Xiao Jingyuan had no choice but to comply.

Prince Yan, though a stern and unsmiling great general abroad, never puts on airs before his family; seeing Shen Shuangning come to pay her respects, he smiled warmly and said, "No need for formalities, please sit."

For this elder who has long garrisoned the frontier and defended the homeland, Shen Shuangning respected him from the bottom of her heart; seeing that he bore no grudge and showed no displeasure at her late rise and lapse in etiquette, her anxious heart finally settled.

Princess Consort Lady Yuan, also from a military family, bore a hint of heroic vigor in her brows; later, for Prince Yan she washed her hands and took to cooking and managing the manor, and the couple's affection has always been strong.

After the tea was served, the Princess took her hand and had her sit beside her, exchanging a few words of concern.

She said gently: "The maids in A Yuan's courtyard, though I sent them to attend to your daily needs, if any of them fall short or dissatisfy you, feel free to deal with them as you see fit—no need to hold back."

She said this, deliberately glancing at Xiao Jingyuan, then turned back to pat Shen Shuangning's hand, her tone growing more earnest:

"Once you're married in, you're family; from now on, everything in his estate is yours to decide. If there's anything in the manor you're not used to, anything you lack, just tell me—never wrong yourself."

Shen Shuangning could tell that, although the Princess's words were addressed to her, they thinly veiled an attempt to appease Xiao Jingyuan.

The Princess probably didn't want her to move out.

After all, if she left, Xiao Jingyuan would surely follow her.

From the moment he entered, Shen Shuangning had faintly sensed that the atmosphere between Prince Yan and his wife and Xiao Jingyuan was a little off.

What on earth is going on?

Shen Shuangning currently has no intention of moving into that new manor.

First, as a newlywed bride, moving in would be improper and likely invite gossip; second, she isn't so delicate that, having married, staying in the Prince's manor would cost her life.

When Shen Shuangning arrived, the second branch of the Xiao family was also present, so she got to see Xiao Er Gongzi, Xiao He.

Xiao He had previously been dissatisfied with Shen Shuangning in various ways, but after she cured him once he restrained himself; now he's even more like a mouse seeing a cat—obsequious, daring not to meet her gaze.

After calling out "Sister-in-law, hello," he slipped away on the pretext of having business elsewhere.

Shen Shuangning found it strange—Xiao Er Gongzi is, after all, a man; she merely frightened him once with a mouse, so why is he still afraid to this extent?

Xiao He is actually a coward.

Shen Shuangning didn't know that Xiao Jingyuan had long ago warned him to show more respect to his sister-in-law.

What Xiao He fears is not Shen Shuangning, but his elder brother.

Xiao Er Madam is kind and pleasant, but a chatterbox; Shen Shuangning couldn't even get a word in edgewise, listening to her endless prattle only made her ears buzz and she felt stars before her eyes.

Xiao Jingyuan saw her difficulty and spoke up first: "I and Ningning still have matters to attend to, so we won't stay longer."

Only then did Xiao Er Madam realize she had talked too much again, and she gave an embarrassed smile: "Look at me—once I start talking I never stop, I've held you up. All right, all right, off you go; do come by when you have time."

Xiao Jingyuan gave a slight nod, then took Shen Shuangning's hand and left.

"You said last night you'd tell me today." Shen Shuangning suddenly stopped.

Xiao Jingyuan hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand, letting the attendants behind them retreat.

"What if I were no longer the noble heir—would you still be willing to marry me?"