The Scholar's Wife in an Emperor's Tale 25

But after a bowl of hot medicinal soup, Chen Yao soon felt a warmth spreading from her lower abdomen. Her whole body seemed much more comfortable, and even her spirits lifted a bit.

Xiao Mingting raised his hand, tucking a strand of hair that had fallen loose from her forehead behind her ear. Then he felt her forehead again, noticing that her temperature had eased somewhat.

"So uncooperative when taking medicine?" His voice was low, carrying a clear hint of teasing.

Chen Yao felt the tips of her ears grow warm. She secretly glanced up at him, then quickly lowered her gaze, her moist lips pressing together in a small pout.

Xiao Mingting raised an eyebrow—was it his imagination?

He felt that the young woman before him no longer seemed as aloof and evasive as before, but instead had a hint of girlish coyness.

With that thought, he couldn't help but tighten his arms around her, then leaned down and buried his face deep into the crook of her neck.

His heart felt as if it were soaked in warm water, utterly soft and tender.

Chen Yao's fingertips curled slightly. She felt a little uncomfortable, but since the man made no other move, she relaxed and let him be.

After a long moment, Xiao Mingting lifted his head.

He held the young woman in his embrace, his long, slender fingers slowly stroking her long, waterfall-like hair, while his gaze casually swept over the room.

Soon, he noticed something amiss.

The bed was laid with only a set of soft pillows and a brocade quilt. The dressing table was cluttered with hairpins and powder boxes, and even the clothes rack was draped entirely with women's garments...

Everything in sight belonged to a young woman, with no trace of Shen Yunxiu. It looked like a maiden's private boudoir.

"Is this your room?" Xiao Mingting suddenly asked.

Chen Yao didn't catch the deeper meaning behind his words at first; she just blinked in confusion and softly answered, "Yes."

Wasn't it obvious? If it weren't her room, why would she be here?

"What I mean is, is this room just for you? Do you and Xilan sleep in separate rooms?"

Xiao Mingting's gaze was fixed tightly on her expression, his eyes deep and dark, hiding a trace of probing.

Chen Yao's eyes flew wide open, her amber pupils contracting slightly.

Realizing her reaction was too strong, she quickly lowered her eyes again, then shook her head vehemently, denying it. "No, it's not."

"No?" Xiao Mingting narrowed his eyes, still staring at the flustered young woman. "Then why are there only traces of you living in this room?"

The man's tone pressed forward relentlessly, as if he were determined to get to the bottom of it.

Chen Yao was at a loss for words; she was already slow from her illness, her mind turning sluggishly.

The young woman's eyelashes fluttered rapidly, and finally she pressed her lips together and stammered an explanation. "It's because... I caught a cold and was afraid of passing it to my husband, so I've been staying in this room alone for the time being."

Xiao Mingting gave a low snort. "I never would have thought that the outwardly upright Xilan would be like this in private..."

Before he could finish, Chen Yao hurriedly interrupted him, panicked. "No, that's not it."

The young woman in his arms tilted her pretty face up, and as if to add credibility, she looked at him with her clear, watery eyes and hastily added, "It was—it was my own idea. Don't blame my husband."

Xiao Mingting had initially felt a secret thrill of joy at having his guess confirmed.

But seeing Xie Chenyao still so devoted to Shen Yunxiu, defending him at every turn, his good mood instantly deflated, leaving only a deep feeling of frustration.

"Are you so concerned about him that you can't stand anyone saying a single bad word about him?"

Xiao Mingting leaned down, his large palm gently cradling the back of her neck, and lightly pressed his forehead against hers.

As he spoke, his warm breath feathered over her face, and he asked in a suppressed voice, "Or do you think I'm blind, and can't see what's going on in this room?"

Chen Yao's breathing grew unsteady. The faint scent of the man's dragon-borne incense forcefully filled her lungs, making it hard for her to breathe.

But in the end, she forced herself to stay calm, mustered the courage to meet his gaze, and insisted in a small voice, "Everything I said is true."

"Little liar." Seeing her flustered on the inside but trying to appear composed, Xiao Mingting couldn't help but let out a low laugh.

His palm, resting on the back of her neck, pressed down slightly as he leaned his handsome face closer, his thin lips gently brushing against her soft pink ones.

Then he tilted his head slightly, his lips moving against hers in an ambiguous, grinding motion—not quite a kiss, but more like a form of punishment that made the young woman's small body stiffen instantly.

She instinctively tried to pull back, but the man's hand held her firmly against his chest, leaving her at his mercy.

Her lips were gently captured, each touch searing hot, as he nibbled and rubbed against them with careful, lingering attention.

Xiao Mingting didn't push deeper; he just traced the contours of her beautiful lips with the tip of his tongue, setting aside his usual dominance, kissing her with tenderness and lingering affection.

But even such a gentle kiss soon made Chen Yao breathless, her breathing quickening.

Mindful of her illness, Xiao Mingting lowered his gaze slightly and, with a soft touch of his tongue, tenderly licked away the glistening strand that lingered on her lips before pulling back a little.

"Xilan has never touched you, has he?"

Looking at the young woman before him—her almond eyes glistening, panting softly like a delicate little kitten—he suddenly spoke bluntly.

A faint smile curved at the corner of his lips, and his voice was clearly tinged with pleasure. "After all, your reaction yesterday..."

Chen Yao's whole body trembled; even her soft gasps seemed to halt for a moment. Realizing what he meant, a deep blush rushed up her pretty face.

She hurriedly raised her small hand and pressed it over the man's thin lips, stopping him from saying any more.

The next second, she felt something warm and soft gently lick the palm of her hand.

The young woman's almond eyes went wide as saucers. Like a startled little kitten with all its fur puffed up, she quickly snatched her hand away, flustered.

"You—how can you do that..." she protested in a low voice.

"Do what, hmm?" Xiao Mingting raised an eyebrow, his tone feigning innocence.

Chen Yao dared to steal a glare at him, then turned her head away in a huff. "You know very well."

"I don't know." Xiao Mingting curled his lips, his cool tone lifting slightly. "Maybe Yao Yao should tell me?"

Chen Yao realized he was clearly teasing her, so she pressed her lips together and stubbornly shut her mouth, refusing to acknowledge him.

Xiao Mingting watched her pout and stay silent, and the amusement in his eyes deepened.

He reached out, took her small hand in his, and then, without warning, lowered his head and pressed a light kiss to her soft palm.

He let out a muffled laugh and asked mischievously, "Like this?"

How could there be someone so wicked in this world?

Chen Yao's pretty face tightened slightly, and she couldn't help but think glumly to herself.

But teasing aside, he wasn't about to let the previous question slide.

Soon, Xiao Mingting composed his expression and brought the topic back around.

"Let's get back to what we were discussing. You haven't consummated your marriage with Xilan, have you?" he asked, his tone full of certainty.

Chen Yao's heart pounded. She knew that no matter how much she denied it, she couldn't fool Xiao Mingting.

Her mind raced, thinking only of how to keep him from suspecting Shen Yunxiu's true identity.

After a long internal struggle, she finally forced herself to explain, stammering, "It's because... earlier, I went to the temple to draw a fortune for my husband. The master said that if my husband's official career is to go smoothly, he must abstain from women for the next six months, or else there might be unforeseen trouble."

As an emperor, Xiao Mingting was naturally well-versed in reading people. The excuse the young woman had so painstakingly crafted was transparent at a single glance.

But so what? As long as the result was what he wanted, the reason behind it didn't matter.

"A truly enlightened master, indeed," Xiao Mingting immediately agreed.

Chen Yao could clearly feel the man's chest pressed against her trembling slightly. He seemed completely unable to contain his joy, a low chuckle spilling from his throat.

So he had been the first man in Xie Chenyao's life—she belonged entirely to him!

This realization was like a small flame, yet enough to scorch his heart with warmth, filling his entire being with triumphant delight.

Chen Yao, watching his smiling eyes, found herself at a loss for words.

But whether he believed her or not, as long as he didn't suspect Yunxiu, she was fine.

The young woman secretly let out a breath of relief.

The next moment, Xiao Mingting tightened his arms, pulling her even deeper into his embrace, as if he wished he could meld her into his very bones.

He lowered his head, burying his face deeply in the curve of her slender neck, inhaling the sweet, soft scent of the young woman.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and unable to resist, he pressed his lips to her delicate skin, giving it a gentle nibble.

"I'm very happy," he said, his voice muffled, yet carrying an unmistakable sincerity and joy.

Only one thought remained in Xiao Mingting's mind: since this was the case, he would never let her go. He no longer wished to carry on in secret—he would openly marry Xie Chenyao and let the whole world know she was his empress!

As for Shen Yunxiu... since he was so devoted to his career, he would naturally compensate him bountifully.

He could simply declare him to be Xie Chenyao's adopted brother, and he would immediately rise to the ranks of the imperial relatives, becoming the most formidable supporter in the court for the empress.

With this tangible tie to the imperial family, if he wished to pursue his political ambitions or push for the household registration reform he so desired, he would have an added layer of support and convenience. He need no longer hold back, hesitating to present his proposals in court due to his weak foundation.

A plan that benefits three parties at once—nothing less.