The next day.
Early in the morning, before dawn, only a dim glow showed through the window paper.
On the bed, Ye Jingtang opened his eyes soundlessly and glanced into his arms. His silly queen lay sleeping with her eyes closed, her expression still imposing without anger, a faint blush lingering on her cheeks.
Seeing how she remembered to maintain her Female Prince's dignity even in her sleep, Ye Jingtang found it rather amusing. Silly really was quite a contrast.
Although she had looked much like Ning'er when she first climbed into bed, both wearing the air of someone forced to sacrifice herself, Ning'er kept it up throughout. Even when she felt perfectly comfortable, she would bite her lower lip and put on the look of a humiliated heroine enduring disgrace for a greater cause, with a hint of distaste. If she could keep her eyes closed, she absolutely would not open them.
Silly was different. Once she got into it, she stopped resisting and was merely a little shy.
When he leaned over her and their eyes met, she would turn her head first left, then right. When she could no longer bear his gaze, she would even demand in embarrassment, "What are you staring at me for?"
When he deliberately teased her midway by stopping, she would wait a moment, realize something was wrong, and steal a puzzled glance at him-a far cry from her usual haughty manner.
Ye Jingtang studied her cheeks for a while. Although he was reluctant to leave the warm bedding, business lay before them, and they had to set out when it was time.
Seeing the sky outside gradually brighten while Silly showed no sign of waking, he gently lifted the quilt a little, cupped one generously sized jade mound in his hand,