115: Crazy Prince Forced Love 10

It was barely dawn when Xiao Jin woke up.

He was always disciplined, rising at the hour of Yin every day without fail.

But today, he unusually lingered in bed, his arm still tightly wrapped around the sleeping Wen Ci in his embrace.

Wen Ci was sleeping soundly, her cheek pressed against his chest, her breathing long and even.

Last night, he had exhausted her.

Xiao Jin chuckled softly, looking down at her, his fingertips gently pushing away her scattered hair, his gaze incredibly tender.

"Regent..." the old butler whispered from outside the door, "It's time for court."

Xiao Jin frowned slightly but still didn't move.

Wen Ci seemed disturbed, unconsciously snuggling into his arms and softly humming.

Xiao Jin immediately raised his hand to gently pat her back, coaxing her in a low voice like a child: "Sleep, it's still early, I'm here."

The old butler outside the door: "..."

Regent, you weren't like this before!

In the end, Xiao Jin still got up quietly, tucked the quilt around Wen Ci, then leaned down to kiss her forehead before putting on his robe and leaving the room.

Before leaving, he coldly swept his gaze over the maidservants waiting outside the courtyard, lowering his voice: "If the Princess wakes, report it immediately."

The maidservants tremblingly agreed.

*

When Wen Ci woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

She groggily opened her eyes and found that the space beside her was already empty, leaving only a faint scent of dragon's saliva incense, and her heart suddenly felt a little empty.

She rubbed her eyes, just about to call for someone, when she saw a tall, slender figure vaguely standing outside the bed curtains.

"Awake?" Xiao Jin's deep voice came.

Wen Ci was startled and quickly pulled open the bed curtains: "Regent, why are you back?"

Xiao Jin had already changed out of his court robes, wearing only a dark-colored casual robe, and holding a bowl of steaming sweet porridge.

He sat on the bed and scooped a spoon to her lips: "Today's court matters were few, so I came back early."

Wen Ci obediently took a sip, the sweet fragrance melting on her tongue, and her eyes lit up: "Is it osmanthus honey porridge?"

"Mm, you said you liked it last time." Xiao Jin's eyes were gentle, and he fed her another spoon, "Slowly, it's hot."

Wen Ci's heart felt sweet, and she couldn't help but lean over and kiss his cheek: "Thank you, husband."

Xiao Jin's hand paused, his eyes instantly darkened. He put down the porridge bowl, grabbed her wrist, his voice slightly hoarse: "...Say it again."

Wen Ci's cheeks flushed slightly, and she repeated softly: "Husband."

Xiao Jin chuckled, leaning over to press her back into the brocade quilt: "It seems today, the Princess won't have to get out of bed."

Wen Ci: "...?"

Wait, she didn't mean that.

*

Three days later, Wen Ci was invited to a flower viewing banquet for noble ladies in the capital.

She didn't want to go, but Emperor Xiao Yu, that young emperor, specifically sent word, saying it was improper for the Regent to keep her confined to the manor all day.

Xiao Jin didn't object with a cold face, so she had no choice but to go.

At the banquet, the noble ladies were both respectful and fearful of Wen Ci, but several young gentlemen, seeing her gentle and beautiful, couldn't help but glance at her more. Among them, the Heir of Zhenbei Marquis even took the opportunity of toasting to lean in and say a few words.

Wen Ci responded politely, unaware that this scene was precisely seen by Xiao Jin, who had rushed over.

*

In the carriage returning to the manor, the atmosphere was stagnant.

Wen Ci cautiously glanced at the man beside her: "Regent... are you angry?"

Xiao Jin was expressionless: "No."

Wen Ci blinked, then suddenly leaned closer to him and softly said: "Husband~"

Xiao Jin's jaw tightened, still not looking at her.

Wen Ci suppressed a smile and snuggled into his arms again: "My eyes only have you, husband; I don't even look at others."

Xiao Jin finally lowered his gaze, pinched her chin, his voice dangerous: "What did that Heir say to you?"

"He said I married a good husband." Wen Ci's eyes curved, "I said, yes, my husband is the best in the world."

Xiao Jin stared at her for a moment, then suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her fiercely.

Only when Wen Ci was breathless did he rest his forehead against hers and whisper: "From now on, when you go out, my dear wife, you must always bring your husband with you, so that everyone can see that my dear wife has the best husband in the world by her side."

Wen Ci: "..."

His jealousy is too strong.

But she loved it so much.

She couldn't help but let out a giggle, and Xiao Jin's eyes darkened again, cupping the back of her head and deepening the kiss.

*

In autumn, Wen Ci caught a cold and had a persistent low fever.

Xiao Jin summoned imperial physicians to the manor overnight, personally guarding her bedside, feeding her medicine, wiping her sweat, and never leaving her side.

In her hazy state, Wen Ci felt someone gently holding her hand, calling her name repeatedly.

She struggled to open her eyes and saw Xiao Jin's eyes bloodshot, with a stubble on his jaw.

"Regent..." She lovingly raised her hand to touch his face, "You should rest."

Xiao Jin shook his head, holding her even tighter: "Don't talk, just sleep well."

Wen Ci's nose tingled, and she whispered: "I'm fine, it's just a small cold."

Xiao Jin, however, suddenly said hoarsely: "Ci Ci, if anything happens to you, I'll go mad."

Wen Ci froze.

This man, who had once been decisive and ruthless on the battlefield and cold-blooded in court, now showed an unprecedented vulnerability because of her minor illness.

Her heart softened, and she gently hugged him: "I won't be in danger; I still want to accompany my husband for a lifetime."

Xiao Jin tightened his arms, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and remained silent for a long time.

Three days later, Wen Ci recovered from her illness.

Xiao Jin personally cooked and made a bowl of ginger soup, watching her drink every last drop.

Wen Ci made a bitter face: "It's too spicy..."

Xiao Jin put a candied fruit into her mouth and said indifferently: "If you crave cold again in the future, you'll drink ten bowls."

Wen Ci: "..."

This man, when he doted on her, he could lift her to the heavens, but when he was strict, he made her helpless.

But she, of all people, loved this side of him immensely.

*

At the year-end palace banquet, Emperor Xiao Yu smiled and raised his cup: "Imperial Uncle, I toast to you and the Princess."

Xiao Jin nodded faintly, but first reached out to adjust Wen Ci's cloak, ensuring she wouldn't catch a cold, before raising his cup.

The entire court of civil and military officials had long been accustomed to it.

After all, who didn't know that the Regent doted on his wife like his life?

Halfway through the banquet, Wen Ci felt a little tired, so Xiao Jin took her away early.

In the carriage, Wen Ci leaned on his shoulder, drowsy. Xiao Jin gently stroked her long hair and suddenly whispered: "Ci Ci."

"Hm?"

"Next year, let's have a child."

Wen Ci instantly sobered up, her cheeks flushed: "...Okay."

Xiao Jin chuckled and kissed the top of her head: "A girl or a boy is fine, as long as they're like you."

Wen Ci looked up at him, her eyes reflecting starlight: "But I hope the child can be as formidable as my husband."

Xiao Jin's gaze softened, and he hugged her tightly: "Nonsense, the most formidable person in this world is you."

As night deepened, the carriage slowly drove towards the Regent's manor.

And their story, it was still very long, very long.

However, while Wen Ci's side was peaceful and harmonious, Su Yao's side was fraught with danger, and her family, as well as she herself, were on the verge of destruction.