Chapter 372: Chapter 369: I’ve Grown Exceptionally, Exceptionally Fond of You

The moon hung bright and the stars sparse, while the night deepened. The corridors twisted and turned, with lanterns hanging above, gently swaying, emitting a faint glow.

The shadows of the trees swayed gracefully, clearly dividing the path.

The spring night’s air gathered a thin mist, as if even the corners of one’s eyes could be touched by it.

Wei Zhao’s figure was tall and lean, moving without pause. He did not take the main road but cut through a shortcut along a dark path, the night dim, the way hard to discern.

Yet he could precisely tell the direction, knowing exactly where each step was, treading steadily.

In his childhood, his schedule was too tightly arranged.

Every day he was always sleepy. To get a little more sleep, he would trot to the main courtyard to pay respects to Ning Suxuan.

After paying respects, he had to go to the Imperial College.

Being late was not an option.

Ning Suxuan did not allow him to rely on those around him, so he rarely let the servants carry him.

Only when seated in the carriage to the Imperial College would he take out a lunch box, eating breakfast while reading.

The Lan Garden and the main courtyard were too far apart, hence the small path, and who knows how many times he had walked it, to be able to navigate it in the dark now.

Behind him, the brightly lit main courtyard receded as he walked away, vanishing into the night.

The path was so dark that no one could see the emotions in his eyes. He said nothing but tightened his hold on the person in his arms.

It was unclear how long he had walked when a faint light appeared ahead.

As he neared the Lan Garden, the darkness was gradually replaced by light. Just like in his childhood, the light repeatedly illuminated his path home.

This entire journey, Yu Tingwan was very quiet.

Wei Zhao thought she had fallen asleep.

He had no intention of waking her.

He originally planned to get some hot water to wash her up. However, as soon as they entered the room, the supposedly resting Yu Tingwan suddenly touched his face.

"I have a wish in this lifetime."

Wei Zhao was not startled by her sudden movement. Instead, he turned and headed toward the washroom.

Upon seeing that the water in the tub had gotten cold, he needed to adjust the temperature again. Wei Zhao told her to get down and stand properly.

Yu Tingwan placed her hands behind her back, pacing back and forth seriously.

"I want to sleep on top of gold."

Yu Tingwan continued, "I’m tired of sleeping on the bed in the room."

She glanced at the owner of the bed—and not tired of him. Willingly, she would share half of the space, letting Wei Zhao lie on top of the gold too.

Seeing that the man didn’t respond, Yu Tingwan went over and poked his shoulder.

"Do as you see fit."

Wei Zhao stood up calmly, "The other day, you said your wish was to eat another bowl of steamed sweet pudding."

Yu Tingwan was displeased the moment she heard that.

"You didn’t agree to it."

"Lunch was about to be served, and before that, you had already had a bowl. Eating more would have spoiled your appetite for the proper meal."

Yu Tingwan’s gaze wandered.

I hear nothing. I hear nothing.

She is not wrong; she is not wrong.

Wei Zhao: "Yesterday, you said your biggest wish in life was for me to be gentler during our intimate times, not so deep."

To this, Yu Tingwan had something to say.

"You didn’t agree to that either!"

She was never the type to shy away, especially not at this moment. She looked up, meeting the man’s gaze without a hint of embarrassment.

Yu Tingwan: "Do you not know how hard it is for me to take it all in?"

"It’s naturally built that way, looks intimidating."

"What if I get broken?"

"You won’t break."

Wei Zhao’s voice turned hoarse as he went to undo her sash, "Yaoyao can handle it."

His lips brushed against the girl’s rosy lips.

"Very capable."

Who knows if it was the misty steam of the washroom, blurring her vision and causing her face to flush; or perhaps the alcohol in her belly being steamed out by the heat, her body grew warm.

Yu Tingwan, slowly realizing, felt somewhat dizzy, also began to feel sleepy.

But it didn’t stop her from lifting her chin.

She loved hearing people praise her.

Wei Zhao concluded, "You do have quite a few wishes."

Yu Tingwan swatted at the hand undoing the buttons at her chest.

Indignantly fierce.

"Why are you undressing me?"

"To give you a bath."

She then did not understand.

"I have hands and feet; why should you help?"

Yu Tingwan covered her neckline, squinted her eyes, "Though we are husband and wife, it’s important to maintain some propriety."

Wei Zhao: ...

He withdrew his hands, leisurely watching her.

"So you do it yourself?"

Yu Tingwan’s face scrunched up tightly.

"Why should I do it myself? Can’t you handle such a small matter?"

Wei Zhao: ??

She began to walk out.

"I’m sleepy."

"Going to sleep."

After just a few steps, she was pulled back by someone grasping her collar.

Seeing no escape, she didn’t resist, taking the opportunity to softly bargain.

"Then tonight, I want to sleep on top of a mountain of gold."

Wei Zhao gave her a sidelong glance, removing his outer garment, "You’re bold to think so."

"Do I look like a turtle in a wishing pond outside a temple?"

One could see she really wanted it.

She didn’t hesitate.

"Like."

"Carved from the same mold, exactly the same."

Wei Zhao: ???

He was half-amused, half-irritated.

The man let out a cold, exasperated laugh, removing her undergarments.

The girl’s figure was graceful, her fair skin radiant and plump, and no one knew better than Wei Zhao.

He also knew where to touch to make her shiver endlessly.

But Wei Zhao carried her into the bathtub.

"Henceforth, if you drink again, you’re done for."

Obviously, Yu Tingwan wasn’t scared.

Her arm, like freshly peeled lychee, rested on the rim of the tub. Her eyes, like autumn water, innocently alluring. The tear mole with steam captivatingly.

She challenged him.

"Really frightened me."

Wei Zhao had already given up on reasoning with this drunk, focusing on wiping her clean.

He only wanted to finish washing her quickly, so she could sleep.

Yet his gaze was scorching, not missing any detail of the girl’s body.

Yu Tingwan pursed her lips.

The two were very close; the lighting in the washroom dim, the shadows cast by his thick eyelashes blurred, making his refined features seem deeper and more compelling.

Yu Tingwan blinked, raised her hand, and removed the jade crown from his hair.

Wei Zhao furrowed his brow slightly, but did not stop her.

He carried an air of serenity, elegant and indifferent. Yet, with his dark hair scattered, white clothes against black hair, a pale face disguised a secret charm.

"Wei Zhao."

Yu Tingwan softly said, "You might not believe it, but every day, you seem a little more handsome than the day before, and today even more so."

Not knowing if she had gotten used to it or what, Yu Tingwan still found those with tall, dark figures handsome. The likes of Xiao Huaian and He Xuran, she never thought much of them.

But...

With no apparent change,

The more she looked at Wei Zhao, the more he seemed to grow on her heart.

"But I’m different." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Wei Zhao raised a brow, guessing she’d praise her own beauty.

Only to find her voice soft.

"It’s enough; it’s perfect as it is."

She smiled sweetly at him, a smile that could ensnare the heart, enticing to the core.

"I’m exceedingly fond of you already."

Wei Zhao was slightly taken aback.

The cloth in his hand slipped into the tub, yet he didn’t immediately retrieve it.

Yu Tingwan had spoken sweet words to him many times before.

But only this one sentence filled him, his heart burning, lost for a moment.

Unaware, Yu Tingwan softly continued, "I know, maybe I’m troubling you."

"But you must listen to what I say."

"I want to sleep on gold."

"Why not indulge me for a night, with the lights out, aren’t you always the best then?"