Chapter 9: Clinging to Him

Feng Moheng gritted his teeth.

He reached out to pry off the delicate, fair little hand.

But Shen Yuling was determined, gripping tightly without the slightest intention of letting go.

Feng Moheng unintentionally applied a bit more force.

“Ah, that hurts! You’re bullying me.”

Shen Yuling’s delicate voice rang out at once, carrying a hint of grievance and playful reproach.

Feng Moheng’s entire body stiffened.

The hand that had been prying hers away suddenly froze in midair—neither advancing nor retreating.

The women around him were all gentle, well-mannered, and cultured.

When had he ever encountered someone so clingy, bold, and utterly unruly?

Even Liu Jingyi, who occasionally teased him, would never act as brazenly as Shen Yuling.

For a moment, he was at a complete loss.

Shen Yuling moved lightly, slipping from Feng Moheng’s back to his front in an instant, transforming her embrace from behind into one face-to-face.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging to him stubbornly without letting go.

Then, she lifted her head.

A delicate, enchanting face peeked out from Feng Moheng’s embrace.

Shen Yuling arched a playful brow at him, her eyes brimming with mischief and provocation.

“Am I not beautiful? Does Husband not like me?”

That expression—anyone who saw it would find their heart stirred, even just a little.

Before Feng Moheng could respond to this relentless “assault,” soft footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Aunt Huixin  stepped inside.

The moment she entered, her gaze fell upon the intimate scene between the Prince of Lingyang and his princess consort.

A pleased expression surfaced on her face.

The Grand Princess had been worried that the prince might neglect his newly wedded consort due to his lingering affections for Lady Liu. To prevent that, she had specially sent Aunt Huixin  to observe the situation.

If the prince displayed any inappropriate behavior, Aunt Huixin  was to subtly intervene and guide him.

Yet, the current scene was entirely beyond the Grand Princess’s expectations.

It seemed the princess consort was quite capable indeed.

Once she reported this scene truthfully to the Grand Princess, the princess would undoubtedly be pleased.

“Your Highness, Your Grace,” Aunt Huixin  greeted respectfully, bowing.

The moment Shen Yuling saw someone enter, her bold and brazen demeanor vanished in an instant.

Like a startled rabbit, she shyly withdrew her hands and hid behind Feng Moheng.

With her head lowered, a soft blush spread across her fair cheeks, making her look delicate and utterly charming.

Feng Moheng couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth at the stark contrast in her behavior.

Wasn’t she quite bold just moments ago? And now she knew how to be shy?

Feng Moheng let out a light cough.

Without a trace of emotion, he straightened his slightly disheveled robes and quickly regained his composed demeanor.

“Rise, Aunt Huixin . What brings you here? Where is Mother?”

“The Grand Princess was tired today and has already returned to the princess’s residence. I am here to guide Your Highness through the ceremonial rites,” Aunt Huixin  replied, the corners of her eyes hinting at amusement, her gaze carrying a subtle meaning.

As she spoke, Aunt Huixin  deliberately glanced at the princess consort, who was hiding behind Feng Moheng like a timid quail.

Feng Moheng felt a twinge of embarrassment.

His mother had actually sent someone to monitor his actions on his wedding night!

“Aunt Huixin , you may return. The princess consort is doing well.”

He tried to keep his voice steady, but the slight furrow of his brows betrayed his displeasure.

Since Aunt Huixin  had already drawn her own conclusions, he might as well let her continue believing them.

That way, he could also avoid his mother bombarding him with endless questions, saving himself unnecessary trouble.

“The Grand Princess sent me here because she was worried that the princess consort might not be familiar with Qianjing’s customs. I will keep watch outside tonight. If either of you needs anything, just call for me,” Aunt Huixin  said with a composed smile.

“I will return tomorrow to report back to the Grand Princess. For now, I take my leave.”

Aunt Huixin  was no fool.

Though the two appeared intimate, it was entirely possible they were only putting on a show for her.

But then again, it might also be genuine.

Either way, it was best to leave the young couple to themselves—there was no need to linger and risk ruining their moment.

After finishing her words, Aunt Huixin  respectfully bowed before turning to leave the bridal chamber.

Feng Moheng rarely went against his mother’s wishes, so he did not protest Hui Xin’s decision to stay outside.

For a moment, only Shen Yuling and Feng Moheng remained in the room.

The previously subdued atmosphere now carried an unspoken awkwardness.

“Husband, let me help you change,” Shen Yuling offered sweetly.

But Feng Moheng reacted as if he had been jolted by her words.

Feng Moheng grabbed Shen Yuling’s wrist with such force that she couldn’t help but frown.

“Shen Yuling, marrying you was never my choice. From now on, fulfill your role as the Princess Consort of Lingyang, but know this—I will never like you, nor will I ever consummate this marriage with you.”

His voice was cold and resolute, meant to extinguish any warmth she had shown.

A pang of pain struck Shen Yuling’s heart, but her stubborn nature flared up instantly.

Lifting her chin, she met Feng Moheng’s gaze head-on, refusing to back down.

“Feng Moheng, my surname is Shen—Shen of the Cangwu Shen clan. My life is not yours to control, nor will I accept any fate dictated by you.”

Feng Moheng had no retort for her words.

If Jingyi had possessed a noble lineage like Shen Yuling’s, if she had the same unshakable confidence that came with such status, he would have long since been able to marry her openly as his principal wife.

There would have been no need for her to lower herself to the status of a mere concubine.

He had married a wife with whom he shared no feelings.

“Whether you like me or not is your concern. But as for me—liking you, cherishing my husband—that is my own choice.”

Shen Yuling’s words were firm, resolute.

It was a declaration, a defiance.

Feng Moheng’s lips curled downward in disdain.

Like him?

Did this woman even understand what it meant to like someone?

They had never met before—was her so-called affection so frivolous?

Feng Moheng leaned in closer, his eyes dark with an unreadable emotion.

“Even if my heart belongs to another? Even if I loathe and detest you—you still claim to like me?”

The question dripped with malice.

“Husband, since we are married, I have a choice—spending a lifetime with you in love or in indifference. I choose to love you. My heart is yours whenever you want it.”

Shen Yuling took Feng Moheng’s hand and placed it over her heart.

It was as if the warmth beneath his palm burned him.

He jerked his hand back abruptly.

Love?

But in this world, only Jingyi had ever loved him…

“No need. I don’t want it.”

Feng Moheng’s voice was as cold as ever.

Shen Yuling huffed in frustration and spun around, marching back to the bed.

His words? She might as well treat them as nothing but air.

Sitting down, she decisively crossed her legs and folded her arms over her chest—just like an annoyed little cat, bristling with irritation.

“That Aunt Huixin  will be outside all night. Husband, you should get some rest—I won’t force you to consummate the marriage.”

“Mother said that such a thing should only happen when both hearts are willing. As long as you don’t like me, I won’t force you.”

As she spoke, Shen Yuling lay down in a huff, yanking the blanket over her head as if sealing herself off from the world.

Feng Moheng glanced toward the door.

Aunt Huixin  was standing guard outside, making it impossible for him to leave as he had originally planned.

Turning back toward the bed, he saw the woman lying beneath the brocade quilt. Even with the covers concealing her figure, a faint, seductive allure still lingered.

After all, tonight was their wedding night.

As a man, how could he possibly sleep with such a breathtaking beauty lying beside him?

Forget it. He would just make do for the night and sleep on the chaise.

Feng Moheng rose to his feet and made his way toward the chaise lounge.

However, Shen Yuling had not truly fallen asleep. She quietly opened her eyes just in time to see Feng Moheng about to settle onto the chaise.

How could that be allowed?

“You are not sleeping there. Come here!”

Shen Yuling sat up abruptly.

Feng Moheng had already endured too many of this woman’s high-handed commands tonight.

His expression darkened instantly.

“Shen Yuling, don’t push your luck.”

Feng Moheng gritted his teeth, forcing out the words from between them.

“The bed is so soft. Tomorrow morning, when Hui Xin comes to check, do you think she won’t be able to tell whether one person slept here or two?”

Suddenly—

Shen Yuling seemed to have a moment of realization, her expression shifting to one of feigned astonishment.

Leisurely, she turned onto her side, her slender fingers idly playing with the dark strands of hair cascading over her chest.

Every movement of hers exuded an undeniable allure.

“Could it be that His Highness the Prince of Lingyang refuses to share a bed with me because he fears he won’t be able to resist my temptation?”

As she spoke, she deliberately covered her mouth with feigned shyness, leaving only her bright, enchanting eyes visible—glistening with mischief, carrying a hint of provocation as they locked onto him.

“Nonsense!”

Feng Moheng’s face darkened with fury, his expression as cold as iron.