Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

The night was as dark as ink, plunging the west courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion into tranquility. Wang Xifeng was curled up in the canopy bed covered with a mandarin duck brocade quilt, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the fine stitches on the quilt. A lingering sense of anxiety and emptiness was between her brows, and her whole body exuded an indescribable stagnation.

Since returning from Prince Bei Jing's residence today, Jia Lian has vanished without a trace, as if he had evaporated into thin air. The entire household searched for him for some time, only to receive a message from Jia She: "Come with me to the estate in the suburbs to handle some affairs," with no return date set.

She was already in a state of mental turmoil from Shui Rong's "treatment," and her whole body was burning with unbearable heat. She longed for someone to comfort her as if her heart were on fire.

The cool touch of Shui Rong's fingertips on her skin today, the strength of his palm around her wrist, and the focus of his warm gaze on her—all these seemed etched in her heart, replaying again and again, making her weak all over.

Ironically, in such a large Jia mansion, there wasn't a single person one could rely on.

Unable to sleep alone, the candles in the bedchamber had long since burned out, leaving only a waning moon outside the window, its cold light casting a soft glow on Ping'er's sleeping face beside the bed. Wang Xifeng gently turned to her side, reaching out to embrace the person beside her. The faint scent of soap wafted from Ping'er's body, and a mixture of weariness and longing washed over her. Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.

In the dream, it was still that elegant warm pavilion in the Prince of Beijing's mansion. The underfloor heating was burning brightly, filling the air with warmth and the air was filled with the refreshing scent of ambergris, just like the scent on Shui Rong's body.

Shui Rong, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, his black hair tied up with a jade hairpin, stood tall and straight like a pine tree, smiling as he stood before her.

His smile was gentle, but his eyes held an irresistible possessiveness. He approached her step by step, his footsteps light and slow, yet seemingly treading on her heart.

Before she could react, he reached out his long arm and pulled her into his embrace. His arms were strong and warm, with just the right amount of strength, wrapping her tightly around him, instantly making her let down her guard and feel completely secure.

As the lips touched her, they carried a slightly cool temperature, first landing on her forehead, then slowly moving to her eyebrows and eyes, then to the tip of her nose, and finally settling on her lips.

Shedding the restraint she displayed during past medical consultations, her eyes brimmed with an intense, unyielding affection, tinged with a touch of urgent tenderness. They nestled together, their breaths mingling and inseparable.

Wang Xifeng's body went limp, and she instinctively clung to his neck, her fingertips tightly gripping his brocade robe. She surrendered herself completely, soft, seductive moans escaping her throat, her breaths mingling with his, making it impossible to distinguish one from the other.

His kisses traveled down her slender neck, landing on her shoulder. The gentle touch brought a tingling warmth, causing her to tremble slightly. Her back involuntarily tensed, but the next second she relaxed completely, going limp in his arms.

"Well……"

Wang Xifeng suddenly woke up, her chest heaving violently, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead and sliding down her temples. Her breathing was rapid and unsteady, and she even crumpled the bedding around her.

The waning moon still shone outside the window, and Ping'er was still fast asleep, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly, unaware of her unusual state.

But the sensation in my dream was terrifyingly real, as if Shui Rong was still beside me. His breath, his temperature, and his strength were all as clear as if I had experienced it myself.

She instinctively reached down and felt something wet and slippery. Her cheeks instantly burned, the heat spreading from her cheekbones to her ears, and even her neck was flushed crimson, like a ripe pomegranate, stunningly beautiful.

"Oh, my nemesis..." She bit her lip and sighed softly, her voice full of resentment and helplessness, with a hint of indescribable despair. "Prince Shui Rong, you have really ruined my life."

This embarrassing state must not be seen by Ping'er, nor by the other maids and servants in the mansion, otherwise it would become a laughing stock.

Wang Xifeng suppressed the panic and heat in her heart, and got up quietly, her movements as gentle as a breeze, for fear of disturbing Ping'er who was sleeping soundly beside her.

Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing her in its glow and highlighting her exquisite figure. Her loose, thin undergarment could not conceal her curvaceous figure; her waist was slender and delicate, almost too delicate to be grasped; her skin was as white as snow, gleaming softly in the cool moonlight. Every inch of her exuded the unique charm of a mature woman, captivating all who beheld her.

She tiptoed to the dressing table and took out clean clothes to change. As her fingertips touched her burning skin, the scene from her dream involuntarily surfaced in her mind, causing a fine shiver to run through her body, even her toes to curl slightly, and the heat in her heart to intensify.

After changing her clothes, she lay back down on the bed, but tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. The extreme pleasure and comfort in her dream kept replaying in her mind, making her feel confused and uncomfortable all over.

Lying back in bed, Wang Xifeng was unable to fall asleep again. She tossed and turned, feeling a burning heat emanating from the bedding.

The ultimate pleasure and comfort in her dream swirled in her mind again and again, refusing to leave, leaving her feeling chaotic and uncomfortable all over, a kind of itchy yet not itchy feeling, a kind of dryness yet not dry feeling, and even her breathing became a little rapid.

As dawn approached and a hazy, pale light began to appear outside the window, a few roosters crowed in the distance, and Wang Xifeng finally drifted off to sleep. But even this brief sleep was filled with the presence of water.

This time, it was the same scene as when she was being treated at the Prince's Mansion, only the scene was slightly different—she was half-reclining on a soft couch, and Shui Rong was sitting beside her, holding her slender feet, gently stroking them with his fingertips, the touch slightly cool, the force just right, soothing the soreness in her feet, but also stirring up a different kind of emotion.

Then, he bent down and gently placed her jade-like feet on his lap. He lowered his head and his warm breath sprayed on her toes, carrying a refreshing fragrance. This made her feel numb all over, as if an electric current was running through her, spreading from her toes to her heart. She instantly went limp, and a charming moan escaped her throat. She could no longer restrain herself.

"Mother...it's wet..."

A clear, soft voice rang in my ears, carrying the innocence and curiosity of a child.

Wang Xifeng suddenly woke up with a start, her heart skipped a beat, and saw Qiaojie lying by the bed, her little finger pointing at her bedding, her big round eyes full of doubt, her little face still showing the sleepiness of just waking up.

"oops!"

Wang Xifeng's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe cherry, even the tips of her ears were flushed. She felt both ashamed and embarrassed, and hurriedly reached out to pull Qiaojie away, trying to remain calm as she coaxed, "Good girl, Mother didn't mean it. Perhaps I drank too much water last night and wet the bedding."

Her voice carried a hint of barely perceptible panic, and her fingertips trembled slightly, as if afraid that the little girl would notice something amiss.

She dared not delay and hurriedly got up, not even having the courage to call for a maid—if Ping'er or any other maid saw such a shameful thing, she would probably lose all face in the mansion in the future.

She took matters into her own hands and quickly removed the soiled bedding, then took out a clean brocade quilt from the cabinet and replaced it with the new one.

Ping'er was awakened by the noise. She rubbed her eyes and got up. Just as she was about to go forward to help, Wang Xifeng quickly waved her hand to stop her: "It's alright, I can do it myself. You go and take care of Qiao Jie, help her wash and dress, and prepare breakfast."

Ping'er looked at her flushed cheeks, flustered expression, and eyes that dared not meet her gaze. Although she had doubts, she knew her grandmother's temperament and dared not ask any more questions. She could only obediently respond and turn to take care of Qiao Jie.

Wang Xifeng quickly made the bed, then walked briskly to the window, opened it, and let the morning breeze rush into the room, dispelling the faint, strange smell.

After tidying up, she felt weak all over and exhausted. Even her waist was a little sore. When she leaned back in the chair to rest, the thought of the absurd dream she had last night still made her heart race, her cheeks burn, and her breathing become rapid. That indescribable soreness and unbearable feeling surged into her heart once again.

On this day, Wang Xifeng was on tenterhooks, eagerly anticipating the day she had agreed to meet with Shui Rong.

When dealing with household affairs, she was always absent-minded and often lost in thought, her mind replaying scenes from her dreams. Her cheeks would often flush, causing Ping'er to glance at her frequently, but she dared not ask any questions.

She finally made it to dusk, and after enduring the long night, it was still dark outside, with only a faint ray of dawn appearing on the horizon. She couldn't wait to get up and get ready.

She shed the heavy makeup she wore when handling household chores, applying only a light layer of powder, drawing delicate eyebrows, and adding a touch of lip rouge, which made her eyes and brows even more charming and captivating.

Then, she changed into a simple yet exquisite moon-white brocade dress, the hem of which was embroidered with delicate orchid patterns. A mutton-fat jade belt was tied around her waist, which accentuated her slender figure. The charm and gentleness of a mature woman blended perfectly at this moment, and every move she made exuded a captivating allure.

Accompanied by two personal maids, Wang Xifeng quietly left the Rongguo Mansion and headed straight for the Prince of Beijing's Mansion.

The carriage sped along, and she sat inside, her fingers unconsciously twisting the handkerchief in her hand. Her heart was filled with anticipation and trepidation. She longed to see Shui Rong soon, yet she also felt a touch of girlish shyness. Her breathing became a little rapid, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

The carriage stopped in front of the Prince of Beijing's mansion. The guards, seeing that it was a carriage from the Rongguo Mansion, were about to go forward to inquire when Zhao Zhong quickly came out to greet them.

Having served Shui Rong for many years, he was insightful and perceptive. Seeing the urgency in Wang Xifeng's eyes, the barely concealed blush on her face, and the unconscious tenderness she revealed, he already understood most of the situation. He waved to the guards, signaling them to let them pass, then stepped forward, bowed, and whispered:

"Second Madam Lian, the Prince is still sleeping soundly. This servant will go and wake him to inform him of your arrival."

"No need, no need."

"Do not disturb His Highness's peaceful sleep. I will wait here until His Highness wakes up on his own."

Her heart was pounding like a drum, and her chest felt like it was pounding with excitement. She was eager to see Shui Rong, but she also wanted to use the time while waiting to calm her chaotic mind so that she wouldn't lose her composure when they met.

Zhao Zhong nodded slightly, inwardly marveling at the prince's charm, which had managed to make the Second Madam Lian of the Rongguo Mansion behave in such a way. He respectfully replied, "In that case, please move to the warm pavilion to rest, Second Madam Lian. The warm pavilion is already heated by the underfloor heating, and it is very cozy. This servant will go and prepare some exquisite breakfast for Second Madam Lian."

Having said that, she summoned a clever maid and instructed her, "Take good care of Second Mistress Lian as she goes to the warm chamber. Serve her with fine tea and do not neglect her."

The maid bowed in agreement and led Wang Xifeng through the covered corridor of the Prince's mansion.

The Prince's mansion was quiet and serene in the early morning, with a faint fragrance of plum blossoms and moisture in the air. Wang Xifeng followed behind her maid, her steps light and slow, her heart filled with anticipation and trepidation.

She found a seat by the window and sat down, her gaze falling on the rising sun outside. But the beautiful scene from her dream floated into her mind again, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the handkerchief, hoping that Shui Rong would wake up soon.