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The invitation seemed ordinary, but coming so late at night, its implications were unmistakable. It gave Ren Ling a perfectly reasonable excuse to stay while also creating an opportunity to push her toward Li Chen.

She had been lonely for so many years, while Li Chen was in the prime of his life. They were practically dry tinder meeting a raging flame.

It was not that Ren Ling disliked men. No man had ever satisfied her.

The fact that she had just said she envied Tuoba Anyu for having such a good husband showed that she did have feelings for Li Chen.

At those words, two rosy clouds instantly bloomed on Ren Ling's cheeks, though whether from the wine or embarrassment was hard to say.

She lowered her head slightly, her lashes trembling. After a moment's hesitation, she finally gave a gentle nod and answered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, "Mm. Then I'm sorry for troubling you and Master Cheng, sister."

On the way to Li Chen's little courtyard, the night breeze was cool, but it could not dispel the heat in Ren Ling's cheeks.

Her heart leaped like a startled deer as she walked, inwardly agonizing: Was this too fast? As a widow, was I being far too forward?

Yet whenever she recalled Li Chen's impressive bearing and what he had said earlier, her admiration overwhelmed her unease.

Inside Li Chen's room, the furnishings were simple but tidy, with the crisp orderliness characteristic of a soldier.

Ren Ling stood awkwardly in the room, too embarrassed to raise her head and look at Li Chen. Scrambling for something to say, she asked softly, "Master Cheng, where is the wine Sister Anyu mentioned?"

Watching the shy, flustered charm of this mature beauty, Li Chen curled his lips