Mu Zibai saw an opening. He leaned in and lifted Wenren Lingmeng's little chin with a finger. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were hazy, as if she were drunk.
Wenren Lingmeng jolted, as though she knew what Mu Zibai was about to do. She instantly came to her senses, turned her head away, and shoved him back with both hands.
"No~"
Wenren Lingmeng hugged the quilt with a haughty pout, clutching it tightly and giving Mu Zibai no chance to take advantage.
"We're already husband and wife. Of course we should do what married couples do. Otherwise, how can we call ourselves a proper couple?" Mu Zibai pressed toward Wenren Lingmeng even more boldly.
He was like a hungry wolf fixing its sights on a poor little white rabbit.
"No."
Wenren Lingmeng clung to the bedding, not daring to look at Mu Zibai, afraid he might devour her.
Although she said no, her actions showed no resistance.
There's an opening!
Mu Zibai gently eased the bedding from Wenren Lingmeng's arms, as if he were slowly peeling away her reserve.
Seeing how frightened and timid Wenren Lingmeng looked, Mu Zibai smoothed her hair and asked, "What's wrong?"
Wenren Lingmeng lowered her head. It seemed she still couldn't quite bring herself to do it. In a small voice, she said, "We can't."
Mu Zibai's heart softened. He didn't want to make things difficult for Wenren Lingmeng. It was bound to happen sooner or later, so there was no need to rush. Besides, he wasn't some mindless beast who had married Wenren Lingmeng just for her body.
He tapped Wenren Lingmeng between the brows and didn't move any closer, respecting her decision. She had only just woken up, and probably hadn't adjusted yet—or perhaps she wasn't used to her new role.
After all, before, she had been passive; now, she was taking the initiative. The difference was huge. She'd get used to it little by little.
For now, all he needed to do was stay by Wenren Lingmeng's side and help her adjust to life after waking up, to a life with him.
When Wenren Lingmeng saw that Mu Zibai wasn't coming any closer and had instead put some distance between them, she froze for a moment, then lifted her head and looked at him.
Mu Zibai smiled warmly. "All right, I was just teasing you. Look how worked up you are. You have your own thoughts, and I respect them. I won't force you."
Who would have thought that Wenren Lingmeng would get anxious instead? Looking unhappy, she said, "Who said that's what I meant? I didn't mean that. I..."
Wenren Lingmeng stammered, unable to get out a complete sentence. She seemed to be getting more and more flustered, almost to the point of tears. She was clearly beside herself.
Mu Zibai was dumbfounded. Why had the girl suddenly gotten so worked up?
She squirmed awkwardly, still unable to give him a straight answer.
Mu Zibai asked, "What's wrong? Don't cry."
"Can't you hold out a little longer?"
Mu Zibai: "?"
What did she mean, hold out a little longer? Mu Zibai stared at Wenren Lingmeng in confusion. How had she managed to scramble his brain?
Wenren Lingmeng twisted her fingers together, looking conflicted. Her lips were pursed and her eyes red, like a little girl who had done something wrong.
"I thought... since it was my first time, I'd be a little coy and put up a token resistance. You were supposed to keep trying, and then I'd reluctantly agree." Wenren Lingmeng lowered her head, nearly burying it in her chest.
Mu Zibai drew in a sharp breath, stunned by Wenren Lingmeng's words. Had she really just said that?
To Mu Zibai, it was as if his whole worldview had crumbled. He wondered if he'd heard her wrong.
She'd actually said that? He was supposed to keep trying, and she'd put up a token resistance before agreeing? So this girl...
He was utterly shaken. Was this really the same wife who blushed if he so much as touched her, and was overcome with embarrassment every now and then? The same reserved, gentle, considerate wife?
So my wife isn't so proper after all?
At that moment, Wenren Lingmeng's image in his mind shattered.
Suddenly, one of Wenren Lingmeng's eyes peeked out. She secretly glanced at Mu Zibai, then quickly hid again, as though she were checking his reaction.
But now, there was none of the shame in her eyes that she'd shown before. Gone, too, was the look of someone who felt guilty for doing something wrong.
The tears had been fake! The shyness was fake! The embarrassment was fake! It was all fake!
Mu Zibai began to question his whole life. A line suddenly came to mind: the best hunters often appear as prey.
At last, Mu Zibai understood. He was the prey, and Wenren Lingmeng was the hunter. It was a twist he couldn't have figured out even if he'd racked his brains.
I'm the prey?
Mu Zibai had been completely fooled by Wenren Lingmeng's weak and adorable appearance. She was a wolf in cat's clothing! He'd fallen for her trap!
He could probably think about it all night and still not understand.
Suddenly, he felt unsafe. Was Wenren Lingmeng going to turn the tables on him? If so, where would his lifelong reputation go? Would he be doomed to kneel on a washboard from now on?
Wenren Lingmeng shyly leaned closer and pressed against Mu Zibai's chest, gazing at him with tender affection, looking like she was ready for him to take her.
There was a hint of "I'm coming clean; I'm done pretending" in her attitude, which only made Mu Zibai afraid to make a move.
"Dear husband~~"
That one call of "dear husband" made Mu Zibai's bones melt. Who could resist that? Wenren Lingmeng whispered in his ear, "I'm sorry. It's my first time, after all. I couldn't give you your wedding night when we were married, so I thought we could make up for it after we got home. We're outside right now, not at home, so I'll have to make you wait, dear husband."
Mu Zibai breathed a sigh of relief. At least it wasn't what he'd thought. For a moment, he'd feared his pure and adorable wife was gone. Thankfully, everything was all right.
His wife was still the same adorable little kitten.
He patted Wenren Lingmeng's head and said, "It's fine. What's the big deal? Besides, what kind of man do you think your husband is?"
For a traditional girl like Wenren Lingmeng, who had lived in ancient times, her first time was incredibly important. It was a moment to remember forever, a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, a time of... pain and pleasure intertwined.
Naturally, she couldn't do it here, in this unfamiliar place, so carelessly. It had to be in the bridal chamber, on their wedding night.
That was probably what people meant by a sense of ceremony. Mu Zibai understood, of course.
Wenren Lingmeng shyly pressed her lips together and said apologetically, "I thought you'd be angry, dear husband."
Mu Zibai smiled. "How could I be? You're my wife, so of course I'll respect your choice."
Wenren Lingmeng looked into Mu Zibai's gentle eyes. Ripples stirred in her heart, moving her deeply. For a long time, she couldn't calm down. At that moment, it was as if Mu Zibai had melted her heart.
Having a husband like Mu Zibai was enough for her whole life.
She imagined living a life of mutual devotion with Mu Zibai, snuggling together every day. Just thinking about it made her blush. Oh no, Mu Zibai was turning her into a bad girl!
Wenren Lingmeng answered firmly and decisively, "Mm-hmm. I'll respect your choices, too, dear husband."
Mu Zibai took Wenren Lingmeng's hand and asked, "Really?"
"Mm-hmm." Wenren Lingmeng nodded emphatically. That was how marriage should be. No matter what choices the other person made, you should respect, love, and cherish him. That was what it meant to be husband and wife.
"I want to take a concubine," Mu Zibai said without hesitation.
Wenren Lingmeng: "???!!!"
Her smile froze in an instant, and her expression changed dramatically. She couldn't hide the murderous look in her eyes as she stared at Mu Zibai. It was as if he were already a dead man.
Mu Zibai shivered. That was a terrifying look. He was doomed. Beneath her fragile exterior, she was a tigress. He probably wouldn't have any peace from now on.
No, he had to come up with a plan. Maybe he should poison Wenren Lingmeng unconscious. It would be better to lie down obediently and become a vegetable.
"Just try it!" Wenren Lingmeng snapped, glaring at Mu Zibai as if she were one step away from putting a knife to his throat.
"I was joking, dear wife. Don't take it seriously," Mu Zibai said nervously. "Having you alone is worth more than the whole world. Even if I became emperor, I wouldn't give a second glance to the three thousand beauties in my harem."
"That's more like it." Only then did Wenren Lingmeng's murderous glare fade, and she returned to normal.
Mu Zibai breathed a sigh of relief. As expected, women everywhere were the same. Good thing he hadn't said he wouldn't take concubines. He'd said the three thousand beauties in his harem didn't catch his eye, but he hadn't said he didn't want them. Heh. Of course, that was all just a thought in his heart.
His heart belonged to his wife alone. The others were just there to boost his score.
His true goal was to work hard and help his wife become the Empress.
Wenren Lingmeng put her hand on Mu Zibai's waist and began to undo his clothes, startling him. "Dear wife, what are you doing? Don't blame me if I stop holding back."
Hadn't they agreed? Why was she playing with fire?
You think I can pass this test? What man could withstand such a trial?
She'd said no, but now she was undoing his clothes?
Wenren Lingmeng pouted. "You've already seen all of me, dear husband, but I haven't seen you yet. It isn't fair~~"
Her timid complaint about unfairness carried a hint of haughty playfulness, making her utterly irresistible. He wanted to pin her to the bed right away and give her bottom a good spanking!
Teach her how cruel the world could be!
Mu Zibai stared blankly at Wenren Lingmeng. What the hell did she mean by unfair? Was this part of the interest, too? Did this count?
Besides, Mu Zibai would be embarrassed if he took all his clothes off right now. Even if he wasn't going to do anything, he was still a pure, shy nineteen-year-old at heart.
How could he let Wenren Lingmeng's corrupt ideas influence him? Just because she wanted to look didn't mean he had to let her. He'd lose face.
Seeing Wenren Lingmeng's expectant gaze, he feared she might suddenly blurt out, "Let me take a look."
That would be freaking terrifying.
Just thinking about it made him shudder.
He immediately pinned Wenren Lingmeng beneath him. The sudden turn of events left her panicking, and she thought Mu Zibai had suddenly given in to his animal instincts.
He had hurt her arm, and now her hands were pinned behind her back, held firmly in place.
Wenren Lingmeng panicked. In a small, frightened voice, she said, "Dear husband..."
Smack!
Before she could finish, Mu Zibai smacked Wenren Lingmeng's bottom.
"Ah! I was wrong. That hurts~~" Wenren Lingmeng cried out in pain.
"You're the one who brought all this up," Mu Zibai said sternly. He couldn't keep indulging Wenren Lingmeng, or she'd stray further and further from the image he had of her in his heart.
"Isn't it because you turned me into this?"
"Me?" Mu Zibai let go of Wenren Lingmeng, making it clear he wasn't taking the blame for that.
Wenren Lingmeng sat up and rubbed her bottom. Suddenly, she smiled sweetly and met Mu Zibai's eyes.
Wenren Lingmeng gave him a sweet, gentle smile, beautiful enough to topple a city. "I'm lucky it was you."
Before you continue