Chapter 100: Delicious Delight

Old Ninth cradled Yan Yan as he returned to Qimeng Garden. By this time, the garden had grown very quiet; the children were all asleep, and most of the maids had retired for the night. Cui’er, who had been waiting anxiously for Yan Yan’s return, saw the peaceful scene and wisely slipped away to avoid disturbing the private moment between Old Ninth and Yan Yan.

Yan Yan noticed that Old Ninth wasn’t carrying her toward the kitchen and quietly whispered, “Master, the kitchen is that way…” Old Ninth pressed his lips together, revealing a faintly suggestive smile, yet his footsteps did not falter.

Immediately, Yan Yan understood his intentions and struggled slightly. “Master, please put me down.” She was hardly in the mood for intimacy—after all, she had just endured a belly full of anger and been startled. At this moment, she wished nothing more than for Old Ninth to keep his distance and let her have some peace.

But Old Ninth had no intention of letting go. Taking several long strides, he reached the main house. Though it was late, a lamp still burned inside, so his footsteps faced no obstacles as he ascended to the bedroom on the second floor.

Gently, Old Ninth laid Yan Yan down on the bed. She immediately sat up, eyes wide with alarm. “Master, what happened to that girl just now?” Old Ninth, no longer tense as before, leaned casually against the bedside and replied, “You sure know how to dwell on things. Whatever happened to her has nothing to do with you.”

Yan Yan bit her lip in disbelief, looking at Old Ninth with incredulity.

Old Ninth sighed and pulled Yan Yan close, lowering his voice. “You, with your innocent heart, are completely unaware of the struggles in the inner courtyard. If it weren’t for me protecting you openly and covertly, you’d have suffered countless losses without even knowing.”

Yan Yan fell silent, unable to argue. Indeed, as someone from the future, she was utterly unskilled in these scheming affairs. Being able to take preventive measures was already an achievement; counterattacking or striking first was beyond her.

Seeing Yan Yan’s dazed expression, Old Ninth whispered, “I’ve ordered the mansion in the Northern Enclave to be refurbished. The locals there hold you in high regard. Once it’s ready, you can often take the children there to stay.”

Yan Yan’s eyes lit up with delight. “Really? Are you not joking?”

Old Ninth gave no verbal reply, instead sealing his words with a long, fervent kiss. Yan Yan froze, instinctively pushing him away. She was still angry, she reminded herself—still maintaining their silent war.

But Old Ninth clearly knew every one of Yan Yan’s reactions. He grasped her hand and placed it behind his waist. With a firm motion, he pressed himself against her. Yan Yan’s irritation only intensified, but a teasing smile played at the corners of Old Ninth’s lips as he softly kissed her lips, cheeks, neck—deep and unrelenting—leaving her no chance to resist or refuse.

Before losing herself completely, Yan Yan angrily thought that if she ever returned to the future, she would definitely complain to the author who portrayed Old Ninth as a delicate and gentle beauty. Where was the delicacy? If he truly were fragile, why was it that this tomboy was always so thoroughly overwhelmed?

Yan Yan rose and fell with Old Ninth’s rhythm, like a lone boat drifting upon the sea. She had no thoughts, no strength, only the instinct to cling tightly to Old Ninth—to this woman whom she was unsure if she could spend her life with.

As Yan Yan slipped into a deep sleep, she seemed to hear Old Ninth whisper close to her ear, “Truly delicious… looks like I’ll have to savor you more often in the future…” Yan Yan wanted to glare at him but was utterly drained, so she nestled in his arms and fell asleep.

Old Ninth gazed tenderly at Yan Yan’s sleeping face, a gentle smile gracing his lips. Yet, soon his expression darkened as he turned his eyes toward the balcony, lost in thought. Meanwhile, another room within Old Ninth’s residence also remained lit.

Lady Wanyan bit her lip fiercely as she looked at the pale-faced nursemaid. “That girl’s lucky this time. It seems we must be much more careful moving forward. You’re to send some funeral silver to her family, then return to the Wanyan residence to see the Empress Dowager. Tell her I miss her and ask her to visit when she has time.”

Nurse Fu nodded solemnly and left Lady Wanyan’s chamber, unaware that her hand trembled slightly. Behind Lady Wanyan, Bi He’s gaze darkened as she whispered, “Princess, I heard that several months ago a woman claiming to be the stepmother of the Concubine’s maternal uncle visited the residence. Do you think we should inform the family?”

Lady Wanyan immediately frowned. “A stepmother? Where would a private daughter like that have a stepmother? Moreover, her mother and the Empress Dowager share the same lineage—it’s impossible for there to be a stepmother. Investigate further. If this is confirmed, we can bring her down once and for all.”

Bi He gave a brief assent and hurried to find Nurse Fu. Naturally, she hoped for Lady Wanyan’s favor, as only with Lady Wanyan’s favor could she have opportunities herself. Her swift steps pleased Lady Wanyan immensely.

The next day, Yan Yan awoke slowly just before noon. Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with warmth, and she smiled faintly. Looking at Cui’er, who was helping her dress, she asked, “Where is Master?”

Cui’er’s smile was tinged with subtle flirtation. “Young Master got up early for court, saying that the Consort should sleep a little longer. He also specially instructed the nursemaids to keep the Sixth Princess and the others from disturbing you.”

Yan Yan blushed slightly at Cui’er’s smile, recalling her miserable state the day before. “Prepare some water—I want to bathe.” Cui’er, well aware of Yan Yan’s routine, had already arranged for the water to be heated, waiting for her to rise.

After bathing and feeling refreshed, Yan Yan appeared in the sitting room. Just as she cuddled Sweetheart and was about to kiss him, Wu Tong rushed in anxiously, announcing troubling news: a disheveled woman had been found dead in the alley outside the Prince’s residence.

Yan Yan was stunned, immediately recalling the little girl who had died innocently the night before. Yet, instinct told her it could not be that girl—Old Ninth would never make such a mistake.

At this very moment, Old Ninth was being impeached at court over the same incident. His face darkened like a storm cloud. The Tenth Prince stepped forward first, scoffing, “Stop your foul lies. What sort of man is Master Ninth? Does he need to force a woman he loves?”