After his bath, Ning Chen went into the inner room in nothing but his undershirt and drawers.

He came to the bed and drew back the curtains.

Xiao Yanxi lay with her back to him, but Ning Chen could see she was trembling slightly.

Ning Chen smiled, climbed into bed under the covers and gently put his arms around her from behind.

"If you're not ready, I can give you time."

Xiao Yanxi's body kept trembling with nerves. Her voice no more than a mosquito's, she said shyly, "I-I'm ready!"

Ning Chen gently turned her over so she lay on her back.

Xiao Yanxi squeezed her eyes shut, her long lashes fluttering.

Ning Chen laughed. "You have the look of a woman going to her death as if going home. Are you really ready?"

Xiao Yanxi gave a soft little "mm"!

Ning Chen looked at her rosy lips and kissed them softly, and then... her breath came short, her voice grew sweet, the hibiscus melted soft, and slowly her waist sank low.

The next morning.

Ning Chen was sound asleep with Xiao Yanxi's soft body in his arms.

Xiao Yanxi was curled against his chest like a drowsy kitten. Last night had been something suitably wretched for her.

It wasn't Ning Chen's fault. Xiao Yanxi's figure turned out to be every bit the equal of Yudie's.

Ning Chen had no resistance whatsoever to a figure like that.

Bang bang bang!!!

Someone was knocking urgently at the door.

Ning Chen frowned slightly.

"My lord prince, Yuan Long asks to see you on an urgent matter."

Xiao Yanxi had been woken by the noise.

Ning Chen bent and kissed her forehead. "Rest a little longer. I'll go see what it is."

Xiao Yanxi gave a soft "mm" and, embarrassed, burrowed her head under the covers.

Ning Chen got up, dressed, and went to open the door.

Yuan Long was standing right outside, his face full of urgency. The moment he saw Ning Chen, he blurted, "My lord prince, it's bad... The hundred-odd cattle and sheep we were bringing from Bianzhou have all…