"Okay!" Shen Lixue looked at Dongfang Heng, her beautiful eyes, as misty as water, held a faint smile, and nodded gently. A sweet feeling welled up in her heart. She hadn't expected him to be so thoughtful. Not only had he prepared the lotus lanterns, but he had also found a suitable river for releasing them. He must have gone to the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion to find her earlier so that they could release the lanterns together.
Unaware of Shen Lixue's thoughts, Dongfang Heng gracefully lit the candle inside the lotus lantern. In an instant, the entire lotus lantern was bathed in a soft pink light, making it look like a real lotus flower from afar.
Her jade-like fingers held the lotus lantern and slowly presented it to Shen Lixue, making her snow-white face as beautiful as a newly blooming ice lotus. A hint of amazement flashed in Dongfang Hengmo's eyes as he gazed at her deeply, his voice deliberately gentle and soft: "Lixue, make a wish!"
"Let's make a wish together!" In the dim candlelight, Dongfang Heng's youthful face was exceptionally handsome, like a dream. Shen Lixue couldn't take her eyes off him. Her clear, beautiful eyes sparkled with tenderness. The number one handsome man in Qingyan was indeed worthy of the name.
"Are you staring at me like a fool?" Dongfang Heng suddenly looked up and stared at her. Shen Lixue couldn't dodge in time and was caught red-handed. His jade-like fingers, with a playful smile, lightly flicked her forehead. He never expected that his usually carefree little wife would stare at him so infatuatedly. For the first time in his life, he was glad that he had such a good-looking face.
"No way!" Shen Lixue quickly averted her gaze, a blush rising on her face. She had admired countless handsome men and had been married for some time, yet she still found herself captivated by Dongfang Heng, the most handsome man in Qingyan. He truly possessed boundless charm.
"Really not?" Looking at Shen Lixue's face, which was almost completely red, Dongfang Heng's teasing eyes deepened. It was rare to see this bold little fox so shy and timid; it was quite a sight.
"Of course not, it's getting late, let's make a wish and release the lanterns!" Shen Lixue knew that Dongfang Heng was eloquent and that if she continued, he would only laugh at her more. Besides, they were husband and wife, and there was nothing shameful about gazing at her husband so intently.
A small, fair hand reached into Dongfang Heng's jade-like hand, and together they placed the lotus lantern into the clear water. They closed their eyes, clasped their hands together, and faced the dark night sky, silently making their wishes.
In the candlelight, Shen Lixue's beautiful face was tinged with a faint rose color, hazy and dreamlike. Dongfang Heng's jade-like fingers gently caressed her smooth skin, the warmth confirming that she was still there.
"Have you made your wish?" Shen Lixue opened her eyes, her dark and clear eyes possessing a magical power that made one want to get closer and kiss her.
Dongfang Heng nodded, his dark eyes like a deep pool, unfathomable. He gently put his arm around Shen Lixue's shoulder, her silky black hair brushing against his neck. A faint, delicate fragrance lingered in his nostrils, stirring his heart. His dark eyes gazed into her clear eyes: "What did you wish for?"
"It's a secret!" A sly glint flashed in Shen Lixue's cold eyes: "If you tell your wish, it won't come true!"
Leaning lightly against Dongfang Heng's strong chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat, the faint scent of pine resin enveloped her. Shen Lixue looked up and met his deep gaze. His obsidian-like eyes were like a vast ocean, capable of drowning in and encompassing everything. Her heart skipped a beat without warning: "Why did you suddenly decide to bring me here to release lanterns today?"
Dongfang Heng gazed at the shimmering lights on the clear river, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if lost in some kind of memory: "My father and mother met at the Lantern Festival."
Shen Lixue's eyes lit up. No wonder the Holy King and Holy Queen were so loving. It turned out they were in a free love relationship. Their love story must be very beautiful.
"That year, my father was nineteen years old. During the Lantern Festival, there were many people, and he got separated from his friends. He walked back alone along the riverbank and met my mother who was releasing lanterns by the river..."
Liu Rumeng was sixteen years old, the prime of her youth. She stood by the river, watching the pink lotus lanterns float downstream. The warm light made her look like a dream. The young Prince Dongfang Yan was deeply captivated by the woman's pure and ethereal beauty. He stopped and gazed at her quietly.
As Liu Rumeng turned around, the handsome man on the shore unexpectedly came into her view. Her heart fluttered instantly, and with a smile and a nod, their love began.
They fell in love at first sight, their hearts were intertwined, they knew each other well and pledged their love, they got married and had children, and their love was deep and enduring.
"Father and Mother must be very happy!" Shen Lixue's beautiful eyes sparkled with envy. Love at first sight can last forever as long as both people are willing.
"We are very happy too!" Dongfang Heng smiled, his sharp eyes gently kissing Shen Lixue's soft cherry lips.
Her clear peripheral vision pierced through Dongfang Heng and saw the man in black ten meters away, or more precisely, the cloaked figure. His black silhouette almost blended into the night. He stood there quietly, facing the two of them, watching them silently. Judging from his posture, he had been standing there for quite some time.
Shen Lixue was startled and was about to speak to warn him when a dark shadow flashed before her eyes, and the cloaked figure vanished without a trace. In the distance, pedestrians came and went, and the lights were bright. The scene just now seemed to be just her illusion.
"Li Xue, do you want to know what I wished for?" Warm breath sprayed on his neck, and Dongfang Heng's gentle words rang in his ears.
"What is your wish?" Shen Lixue closed her eyes tightly and looked at the shore again, but there was still no sign of the man in the black cloak. He had left. Looking back at Dongfang Heng's gentle gaze, she didn't want to interrupt him.
"I want a child, a child that belongs to both of us!" Dongfang Heng looked at Shen Lixue, his deep eyes shining brightly. If it were a girl, as cunning as Lixue, she would definitely be a lovely daughter.
The Eastern royal family has always had more boys than girls, so Dongfang Heng hoped to have a daughter, as cunning and cute as Shen Lixue.
Shen Lixue's beautiful face was flushed with a faint rosy hue: "Having a child depends on fate. We are investigating Huasheng's affairs in Xiliang, and there are many things to do. It is not an opportune time to conceive!"
"Don't worry, I will protect you and your daughter!" Dongfang Heng kissed Shen Lixue's cherry lips lightly, his sharp eyes sparkling with infinite tenderness.
"You like daughters?" Shen Lixue looked at Dongfang Heng, her beautiful eyes gentle as water, as if filled with a little mist.
"Boy or girl, it doesn't matter, as long as it's between the two of us, we'll love it!" Dongfang Heng did indeed favor his daughter more, but if it were a boy, he would definitely inherit his and Shen Lixue's personalities and be a little devil, which wouldn't be bad either.
Seeing the intense anticipation in Dongfang Hengli's eyes, Shen Lixue's heartstrings were touched. Her face flushed red, and she nodded gently. Then, her cherry lips were captured by a light kiss.
She looked up and met Dongfang Heng's deep eyes. His unfathomable pupils clearly reflected her figure. Her slightly closed jaw was gently opened, and her mouth was filled with the familiar, faint scent of pine.
Shen Lixue's arms slowly rose up along Dongfang Heng's chest, gently wrapping around his neck, tenderly responding to his deep affection.
Dongfang Heng's jade-like fingers gently stroked Shen Lixue's high-tied black hair. With a light tug, the hairband broke, and the black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, hanging straight behind her. Her clear, beautiful eyes were filled with mist, shimmering with a hint of haziness.
Dongfang Heng's dark eyes instantly deepened, and his gentle kiss suddenly turned passionate, as intense as a storm. Shen Lixue almost couldn't withstand it, her face flushed red, and her soft breaths turned into rapid breathing.
The towering tree obscured their intimate moment, revealing only a glimpse of a white garment fluttering gently in the breeze. The clear river shimmered, and beautiful lanterns drifted downstream, their soft glow shimmering on the water.
Dongfang Heng didn't tell Shen Lixue that even after they got married, Shen Lixue still had many suitors. He wanted a child not only because he genuinely liked children, but also because he wanted to keep Shen Lixue by his side and deter those who wanted to take advantage of her. It was a win-win-win situation.
In a daze, Shen Lixue felt as if her body had been run over by a large cart, feeling weak and sore, with her lower back aching and painful. She slowly opened her eyes, and the bright sunlight entered her vision. Her sore eyes were not used to it, so she squinted slightly.
The frenzied scenes of last night flashed through her mind, and a few more blushes rose on Shen Lixue's rosy face. As a medical student, she naturally knew that if the timing was wrong, no matter how intimate they were, she could not get pregnant. Last night was too rushed, and she did not calculate whether she was in the right time to conceive. Dongfang Heng's intense love was almost too much for her to bear, even though she was a martial artist.
"You're awake!" Accompanied by a clear laugh, Dongfang Heng walked over, dressed in white, handsome and elegant. He reached his strong arm under her neck, gently embraced her shoulders, and helped her sit up.
The silk quilt slipped down, revealing the light, faint kiss marks all over her body, all the work of Dongfang Heng. His sharp eyes grew more amused.
Shen Lixue glared at him. It was all because he was too enthusiastic that she had slept until now. He still had the nerve to laugh. She grabbed the pillow with her small hand, about to slap him, when a scarlet bodice covered her chest. Her jade-like fingers quickly tied the straps behind her back: "The food is all heated up. We'll be able to eat soon."
"What time is it?" Shen Lixue's whole body ached, and she didn't know how long it would take her to get dressed by herself. She was happy that Dongfang Heng was willing to help.
"9:00 AM to 11:00 AM," Dongfang Heng said softly, taking the inner garment and outer garment and helping Shen Lixue put them on methodically.
"It's so late!" Shen Lixue was taken aback. She knew from their intimate moment last night that she would miss the time to give the old lady of the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion acupuncture today, but she didn't expect her to wake up so late. She would have to give the old lady acupuncture tonight.
"I've already had Zimo inform the Zhenguo Marquis's residence that you have something to attend to and will be returning a little later!" Dongfang Heng tied the ribbon on Shen Lixue's outer garment, took a pair of embroidered shoes inlaid with pearls, carefully put them on her, and then quickly combed her hair and put on her jewelry.
Shen Lixue sat down in front of the dressing mirror. The woman in the mirror had a fair face and peach-like cheeks, and her beautiful eyes were full of affection. She was indescribably charming and full of allure. On her delicate spiky bun was a glass hairpin with a lifelike jade butterfly on it, as if it were about to take flight. Her light green teardrop earrings and the dangling tassels complemented each other perfectly, making her beautiful face even more radiant and charming.
The exquisite attire felt both familiar and somewhat unfamiliar. Shen Lixue suddenly remembered that she should be wearing men's clothing today, with her hair tied up high. Dongfang Heng had dressed her in women's clothing and styled her hair in a woman's bun.