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The days of recuperation were somewhat monotonous. She couldn’t practice martial arts or go out for a walk, it was almost as if all she did was eat and sleep, not unlike a woman who had just given birth.
Fortunately, Ji Yucang was there with her. Besides taking care of her daily needs, he probably also harbored the intention to take advantage of this time to nurture their relationship, rarely leaving her side day or night.
Due to her weakened state, Shen Ning had been sweating a lot these past few days. She would often wake up in the night from the heat, and after each of the three meals during the day, she would be covered in sweat.
When she felt sweaty, she wanted to bathe, but Ji Yucang was always worried: “You’re physically weak now, you can’t bathe for too long. If you really want to bathe, I must be present to take care of you.”
Shen Ning paused for a moment before saying, “Shi Qin and Shi Qi, weren’t they personally sent here by you? Don’t you trust them?”
Ji Yucang replied, “They’re fine for taking care of your daily needs on ordinary days, but now the situation is special, it can’t be compared to before.”
For a moment, Shen Ning almost suspected that he was using his worry as an excuse, while actually harboring ulterior motives.
But looking at Ji Yucang’s perfectly serious expression, with a hint of concern and determination in his eyes, she could only compromise: “Alright.”
In truth, Shen Ning was not accustomed to undressing in front of a man, but thinking that the two of them were husband and wife, and that they would eventually have to face each other naked, perhaps she could use this time of weakness to get used to some things, as a way to adapt to the identity of being a wife in advance.
So Ji Yucang ordered the servants to bring in hot water. Once everything was ready, he carried Shen Ning behind the curtain and personally helped her undress.
Shen Ning grabbed his hand to stop him: “I’m just a bit weak, but I’m not disabled.”
She deliberately emphasized the words “a bit” to tell him that there was no need to treat her like an invalid.
Ji Yucang looked down at her, answering with righteousness: “Aren’t we husband and wife?”
“Not every couple is like this…”
“I don’t care how other couples are.” Ji Yucang quickly undressed her as if he had done this countless times before, “My wife naturally must be taken care of according to my standards.”
As her body entered the water, Shen Ning almost thought that Ji Yucang would follow her in. She instinctively replied, “Your standard is to take advantage of me openly.”
Ji Yucang smiled calmly, “How can you say that, my lady? At most, when your body recovers, I’ll let you take advantage of me in return.”
Shen Ning was speechless.
She wasn’t his match at the moment, otherwise, she would have pushed him into the water to taste the floral bathwater—yes, to keep her mood pleasant during her bath, Ji Yucang had also instructed the servants to scatter fresh petals in the bathtub.
The air was filled with a faint, refreshing fragrance, and wisps of steam rose gently.
The beauty with skin like congealed fat soaked her body in the hot water, creating a truly enchanting scene that invited one’s imagination to wander.
Ji Yucang stood behind her, reaching out to wipe her back, his gaze dark and heavy with restraint and endurance.
“Ji Yucang, have you ever been close to women?” Shen Ning leaned against the edge of the bathtub, her voice lazy.
Ji Yucang’s eyes fell on her back, trying hard not to look at the scenery elsewhere, “If I say no, would you believe me?”
“I would.” Shen Ning nodded, “There’s no point in lying about such things.”
It’s just that he was a high-ranking and powerful Regent, and even before he led the army, he was a proper prince with a noble status. Having concubines would be a normal thing.
“According to the palace rules, you should have been arranged to have palace maids teach you about the affairs of the bedchamber when you were fourteen or fifteen.” Shen Ning turned her head, “Did you not have that?”
Ji Yucang said, “I didn’t need it.”
Shen Ning was puzzled, “Everyone else needs it, why didn’t you?”
Ji Yucang sneered, “Common folk don’t have palace maids to teach them, yet no one has any fewer children.”
Shen Ning was speechless… What he said made sense.
“My lady, why do you ask so persistently? Could it be that you doubt your husband’s abilities?” Ji Yucang suddenly lowered his head, speaking softly by her ear, “Would you like to test it personally?”
Shen Ning paused, “I’ve never worried about that question.”
“Why?”
Shen Ning said, “Because I never thought about having a real marriage with you.”
“And now?”
Shen Ning calmly replied, “Haven’t you already seen my body completely?”
Ji Yucang was silent.
“So you have to take responsibility.” Shen Ning’s tone was extremely matter-of-fact, with a hint of domineering.
The corners of Ji Yucang’s mouth lifted, and he naturally kissed her cheek, “Alright, your husband will take full responsibility.”
After the bath, Ji Yucang wrapped her in clothes and carried her back to bed, personally drying her hair, “There are still two hours until sunset. Your hair should be completely dry before you sleep.”
Shen Ning leaned against the bed, silent for a moment, as if making a decision, “Ji Yucang, if you can’t control yourself, I allow you to do what you want.”
Ji Yucang’s action of drying her hair paused slightly, then he rubbed her head, “I’m not in a hurry, why are you?”
Shen Ning looked at him silently.
Was she in a hurry?
She had heard that men could develop problems if they held back for too long, and with him taking such close care of her, she felt that his intentions were not entirely innocent. Instead of keeping him on tenterhooks, it might be better to let things happen naturally.
“Your husband will not take advantage of someone in a vulnerable state.” Ji Yucang promised again, “And with your current physical condition, I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
Shen Ning’s expression stiffened: “…”
“Regent, Princess Consort.” Shi Qin stood at the door asking, “The chicken soup is ready.”
Ji Yucang turned and walked out, opened the door, and took the tray, dismissing Shi Qin and returning to the inner chamber.
“The kitchen has stewed ginseng chicken soup, with longan and jujube added, to replenish blood and qi.” Ji Yucang sat on the edge of the bed, beginning the daily feeding routine, “This chicken leg is very tender, eat it all later.”
Shen Ning drank the chicken soup, which was full of flavor, enjoying the service of one of the most esteemed individuals in the world, and thinking about how her treatment at this moment was even more luxurious than that of the Empress Dowager, she felt a mix of emotions.
“Did you ever show such filial piety to your birth mother when she was alive?”
Ji Yucang’s expression was subtle as he silently brought a spoonful of chicken soup to her lips, “I wasn’t close to her.”
“Why?”
“She was forced into the palace by the Emperor. Although all the people under heaven are subjects of the king, and the Emperor can have whoever he wants, in her eyes, she was forced into the palace, and at that time, the Emperor was already very old.” Ji Yucang said, adding, “My mother was only twenty when she was pregnant with me, and at that time, my father was already over fifty. My mother harbored resentment, and she was very indifferent to me as her son.”