When Xie Wanqing woke up, she was already in a carriage.
Outside, it was bitterly cold, but the interior of the carriage was warmed with ample charcoal, as warm as spring.
She opened her eyes and saw the man beside her dressed in nightwear.
His collar was loose, revealing a slightly sunken clavicle, and below it, half-concealed, was his chest that subtly rose and fell with his breathing.
Xie Wanqing, widowed for over five years, was momentarily dazed by such a scene, feeling as though she didn’t know what day it was.
Lu Ziyuan was flipping through some documents with one hand, while the other arm was half-looped around the girl in his embrace.
The moment Xie Wanqing’s breathing became erratic, he immediately noticed and turned to look, seeing her staring at him in a dazed manner.
He was slightly startled, then a smile appeared at the corner of his lips, "What are you looking at?"
As he spoke, he held her hand and guided it towards his collar, "If you want to touch, just do it, it’s all yours."
Xie Wanqing: "..."
As her fingertips felt his hot, firm chest muscles, she pursed her lips and said, "Be serious."
"Alright, whatever you say, seriously," Lu Ziyuan obliged readily, leaned over, and kissed her on the forehead, then seriously asked, "Are you hungry?"
She hadn’t had dinner last night, and after a night of exertion, her energy was greatly depleted.
In fact, Xie Wanqing was so hungry that she no longer felt hungry.
Hearing his question, her delayed stomach sensation registered emptiness, and she nodded.
Just as she was about to sit up, as soon as she exerted a bit of strength in her waist, an indescribable sour ache struck her, causing her to take a sharp breath.
Lu Ziyuan quickly put his arm around her, apologizing with some guilt, "I lost control last night, ... does it hurt a lot? Maybe you shouldn’t get up, just eat on the cot."
The proud and steadfast Emperor, at this moment, was surprisingly adept at coaxing, his gentle demeanor bore no trace of last night’s ferocity.
Some fragmented memories resurfaced in her mind, perhaps numbed by his torment, feeling nothing last night. But now upon awakening, her body felt demolished, unable to hide it anymore.
As Xie Wanqing gathered her thoughts, she dared not imagine how he could be so ruthless as to bully her like that!
"I’m sorry, ... I’ll never do that again," Lu Ziyuan was still carefully apologizing.
He never thought he’d ever again have the chance to hold the woman he loved in his arms.
The emotions of losing and regaining were overwhelming, and she was so gentle, letting him do as he pleased, it truly looked like she loved him deeply.
It all seemed like a return to the days when they first got married.
So, he indeed lost some control.
Feeling somewhat aggrieved, Xie Wanqing pushed away his face that was inching closer, "You better remember what you said, dare to do it again next time...!"
"Alright," Lu Ziyuan agreed earnestly, "I definitely won’t dare again."
He thought to himself, having finally found his wife again, of course, he had to cherish her, how could he torment her like that again.
Xie Wanqing regarded him with a questioning glance for a few moments, seeing his sincere expression.
Thinking that an Emperor’s word is not to be taken lightly, and having been Emperor for four years, he shouldn’t go back on his word. Thus, she temporarily put aside her anger and instructed, "Go, have someone bring some food."
Seeing she was no longer angered, Lu Ziyuan heaved a long breath, bent to kiss her eyelash, then raised his voice to call for someone.
The carriage continued to move slowly, never stopping, but soon a maid entered to assist Xie Wanqing with her washing.
Shortly after, several maids came in, each holding steaming food, which they presented one by one.