Chapter 22: A Harmonious Life

Hearing this, Feng Qiuji nearly choked on her own saliva. What did he just say? The wedding night? Thinking it over, it did seem that Ling Zitian owed her that once, but this was something she would rather forgo; her reputation was at stake, how could she joke about it!

Yet before she could voice her protest, Ling Zitian had already leaned in, pinning her beneath him, cupping her face and pressing his lips firmly to hers.

At first, Feng Qiuji was utterly shocked and tried to push him away. But within moments, their tongues were entwined, and the longer they kissed, the more deeply she sank into it.

Soon enough, Ling Zitian was holding her tightly, his right hand beginning to caress her chest, while his lower body pressed closer, restless with desire. Feeling the growing urgency of his touch, Feng Qiuji snapped back to her senses—she had clearly ignited his passion, and what was she doing? Fanning the flames? If this continued, even she might not be able to keep her composure!

“Father, Mother, what are you doing?” Suddenly, a soft voice called out from the darkness, startling Feng Qiuji so much that whatever trace of romance had bloomed a moment ago instantly vanished.

“You little rascal, who told you to speak!” Ling Zexin hurriedly clapped a hand over Anuo’s mouth, instantly regretting letting him come out so early.

Lighting a candle, Feng Qiuji saw Ling Zexin standing awkwardly to the side, holding Anuo by the hand, while Anuo gazed at her with wide, curious eyes, as if bursting with questions.

“May I ask why the two of you are here in the Chaoyun Palace?” Ling Zitian’s face was dark, his irritation unmistakable.

“Ah, well, the moon is beautiful tonight, isn’t it?” Ling Zexin glanced at the sky outside the window, then offered a sheepish grin. “I was wandering through the imperial gardens and ran into Anuo. He said he wanted to see you, so I brought him here. But when we arrived, neither of you was here. Then Anuo said he wanted to bathe in the inner chamber’s bath, so I had no choice but to accompany him. Just as we finished, you both returned.”

Hearing this, Ling Zitian’s expression grew even darker. So it turned out these two, both the older and the younger, had been in the Chaoyun Palace the entire time!

“You—take Anuo back to the Jinxiu Palace at once, then go home and sleep,” Ling Zitian ordered, pointing at Ling Zexin.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Ling Zexin, eager to escape, scooped up Anuo and prepared to leave, but Anuo began to protest right then.

“Father, it’s been so long since you slept with Anuo. I want to sleep with you and Mother tonight.”

Ling Zitian was about to scold him sharply, but before he could utter a word, Feng Qiuji was already clapping her hands in agreement. “Wonderful, come on, Anuo, into bed with us.” She figured that if she spent the night alone with Ling Zitian, something was bound to happen; better to have this little one join them.

Anuo cheered, quickly kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed, and in the blink of an eye, had stripped off his clothes as well, sitting on the bed beside Feng Qiuji and blinking his large eyes up at Ling Zitian.

Ling Zitian sighed helplessly and sternly instructed Ling Zexin to go straight home and sleep—wandering around the palace in the middle of the night was completely improper!

“Mother, were you kissing just now?” Anuo sat between them, hands propping up his cheeks, turning to look at Feng Qiuji with a puzzled expression.

“Heh… yes… heh.” Feng Qiuji could only laugh foolishly in reply, sneaking a glance at the now-expressionless Ling Zitian.

“Anuo wants to kiss Mother too.” With that, Anuo gleefully grabbed Feng Qiuji’s face, pursing his little lips.

Just as his face was about to press against hers, Ling Zitian grabbed him by the collar and pulled him aside. “Anuo, Father will hold you to sleep.”

“No, I want Mother to hold me. Mother has never held Anuo to sleep before.” Insistently crawling over Ling Zitian, Anuo managed to squeeze himself into a tiny space between them.

A vein throbbed on Ling Zitian’s forehead—ever since Feng Qiuji had arrived, Anuo had grown increasingly unruly. Before, he’d always been obedient, but now, it seemed Anuo was starting to prefer Feng Qiuji to himself.

“Mother, I saw Father on top of you just now, touching you. Anuo wants to touch you too.” Saying this, he began to crawl onto Feng Qiuji.

Hearing such words from a four-year-old child left both Feng Qiuji and Ling Zitian utterly speechless. Feng Qiuji had never imagined what one should do if a child ever stumbled upon such a scene. Watching Anuo happily climb up and sit on her stomach, she felt the urge to die from embarrassment. What on earth was happening here!

Ling Zitian promptly plucked him off and set him on his own lap, face stern as he began to lecture, “Ling Shunuo, listen to Father: from now on, you cannot climb onto Mother, nor can you kiss her.”

“But why?” Anuo’s face instantly crumpled in grievance, glaring at Ling Zitian in protest.

“No reason. If you keep misbehaving, Father will have to punish you…”

Listening to this father-son exchange, a smile slowly bloomed at the corner of Feng Qiuji’s lips. In truth, wasn’t this kind of life rather nice? It was no different from what she had once imagined. Although Anuo was not her and Ling Zitian’s biological child, he was still a lovely boy.

Qin Rushui and Yan Wuying were gone, and though Anuo had become an orphan, it seemed Ling Zitian was taking good care of him. After all, not everyone could be a prince. When she first met Anuo, he had seemed prematurely mature and difficult to approach; but over time, she realized he was, at heart, just a four-year-old child, innocent and pure of thought.

After this incident, Feng Qiuji came to understand deeply: even two people who do not truly love each other, lying on the same bed, can easily find themselves in trouble!

A few more days passed. Ling Zitian’s efficiency was remarkable—the silk trees had already been transplanted, filling the open space outside Chaoyun Palace, and from within her rooms, a sea of green greeted the eye, soothing the spirit. Each day, she watered the plants and climbed the trees, enjoying a life of ease.

Since Consort Lian had been banished from the palace, there were now even fewer troublesome concubines remaining, and the palace felt quieter than ever. As for the Empress Dowager, there had been no movement from her since the last summons—no new messages had been sent.

One day, as Feng Qiuji was gardening outside Chaoyun Palace, she saw Ling Zitian returning with Anuo, having also called for lunch even though it was not yet mealtime. It was rare for Ling Zitian to have the leisure to dine here.

“This afternoon, the two princes of Fusang will arrive in the capital of Ling Dynasty. Tonight, I am hosting a banquet in the main hall. You are to attend—you must not behave as carelessly as usual and disgrace our dynasty.”

“Oh,” Feng Qiuji muttered inwardly. Fusang? If it called itself a kingdom, it must be a small neighboring state—was there any need to make such a fuss?

“After lunch, I must leave the palace for a while. Anuo will be in your care this afternoon.”

“Oh.”

“I have already instructed the palace matrons—someone will come this afternoon to help you dress and prepare. Wait here in Chaoyun Palace and do not wander about.”

“Oh.”

After hearing her repeated “oh”s, Ling Zitian set down his chopsticks. “Have you remembered everything I told you?”

“I have.”

Ling Zitian stood and ordered, “Now, go find my clothes and help me change.”

“Can’t you see I’m still eating? Why can’t you call a eunuch or maid to help?” Feng Qiuji stopped eating and shot him a resentful glance. So many attendants were waiting outside—why did he have to call her!

“Enough of your nonsense!” Ling Zitian shot her a look and, heedless of her meal, dragged her into the inner chamber.

After much deliberation, Feng Qiuji finally selected an outfit that satisfied Ling Zitian. She could hardly stand this man—if he was so picky, why didn’t he pick out his own clothes? She wasn’t a mind reader; how was she supposed to know what he liked?

Once she had finally sent Ling Zitian on his way, she found that the food had gone cold. She had lost her appetite, so she took Anuo outside to enjoy the sun.

The summer afternoon was sweltering; blue sky, white clouds, and the pines whispered like music. Though hot, the weather was fine and soothing. Feng Qiuji ordered two lounge chairs to be set up beneath the broad shade of the silk trees, took up an ancient book, and, with Anuo beside her, lay back to rest, having two paper parasols placed overhead. Listening to the wind rustling the leaves, it almost felt like she was on a sunny beach.

The afternoon sun radiated waves of heat, and soon Feng Qiuji began to doze. She covered her face with her book and drifted off on the lounge chair.

“Xiao Qiuji, I’m thirsty.” In her dream, someone kept tugging her sleeve, and a loud voice echoed in her ear.

Feng Qiuji woke with a start, nearly tumbling off the chair. Removing the book, she opened her eyes to see Anuo’s enlarged face staring at her.

“Be good, Anuo. Mother will make you some fresh juice, how about that?” Looking at the little rascal, she suddenly remembered it was the perfect time for icy fruit juice.

She ordered someone to fetch ice from the cellar and began preparing the juice.

Anuo watched her work and suddenly asked, “Xiao Qiuji, who taught you to do this?”

Feng Qiuji gave him a curious glance. “Back home, this is how we always did it.”

“Where is your home?”

“My home… at the Prime Minister’s mansion, of course.” As she spoke, she shot him a look. “Didn’t your father ever tell you that the Empress is the Prime Minister Feng’s daughter?”

“Really?” Anuo looked at her, half-believing. “Then why do you dislike me calling you Xiao Qiuji?”

“Because I don’t like that name!” Feng Qiuji longed to pull him over and give him a good scolding. How could she get him to understand!

“Why don’t you like it?” “Why do you call me that?”