Chapter 64 Awakening

Outside the window, the red plum blossoms were in full bloom, their pink petals swaying and trembling in the biting winter wind, releasing a faint, subtle fragrance.

The red of the plum blossoms, the white of the snow, and the black of the roof tiles formed a tranquil and picturesque scene, seemingly capable of calming the myriad of thoughts and worries within one's heart.

Wu Meiniang sat on the couch, withdrawing her gaze from the window.

Fang Jun was lying prone on the couch taking an afternoon nap, resting his side face on his arms with a peaceful expression.

Four braziers had been placed in the bedroom, the charcoal burning brightly. The surging warmth felt like early spring, driving away the chill of the dead of winter.

Wu Meiniang’s heart beat faster, and her pink cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, making her look all the more delicate and exquisite.

His broad shoulders, the back muscles bulging from his sleeping posture, and his firm, taut waist—this man was strong, muscular, and exuded an aura of masculine charm throughout his entire being.

Wu Meiniang bit her red lip gently, studying Fang Jun’s features.

His eyebrows were thick, resembling the blade of a knife. Normally, his eyes were very bright, but now, with them closed, his eyelashes fluttered slightly with his breathing, losing a bit of their sharpness and gaining a touch of gentleness. His nose was prominent, his lips had well-defined contours, and his rectangular face with a pointed chin leaned more towards masculine strength than refined elegance.

Wu Meiniang had never examined Fang Jun’s appearance so carefully before. Now, looking closely, he truly could not be considered handsome. Not only was he inferior to stunning beauties like Prince Li Ke of Wu, but even the refined and dashing Chai Lingwu surpassed him by a wide margin.

He was definitely not the kind of good-looking man that would make a young girl fall in love at first sight.

Yet, for some reason, Wu Meiniang felt that Fang Jun looked rather pleasing. Although he lacked the delicate and feminine handsomeness, he possessed a masculine, robust ruggedness. Such a man could surely give a woman a sense of security and would undoubtedly prove to be a steadfast pillar of support. No matter how fierce the wind and rain might be, he would stand at the front and prop up a warm harbor.

Furthermore, wouldn't such a robust physique also give a woman the utmost satisfaction?

At this thought, Wu Meiniang’s cheeks instantly flushed crimson, her lovely, delicate face resembling one brushed with rouge.

Although she had entered the palace only recently and had not yet been given the opportunity to attend to the Emperor, she had after all entered as a candidate for imperial consort. The intimate matters of the bridal chamber were a mandatory part of her training, with special matrons providing detailed instruction. Naturally, she understood that a robust man could bring great pleasure to a woman during marital relations.

Yet, why would she find herself thinking about such an embarrassing topic?

And why did she feel that a man who was not particularly handsome would turn out to be such a steadfast reliance?

Wu Meiniang pondered this and decided it was probably due to the strong sense of emotional attachment and responsibility he had displayed in the incident concerning the Princess of Han.

As a woman, she could better understand and empathize with the desolation and bitterness the Princess of Han must have felt when she returned to her natal home in grievance, only to find no one willing to offer her support. Yet at that moment of utter disappointment, if a woman's own brother disregarded everything and stormed over simply to demand justice for her after she had suffered wrongs at her husband's family, what kind of comfort and joy would fill her heart?

One had to bear in mind that the person Fang Jun was confronting was not just any ordinary official, but a dignified imperial prince. Moreover, he himself was still burdened by the Emperor's punishment. To so openly defy an imperial decree and show contempt for the imperial clan—who could possibly know what kind of retribution awaited him?

Then, Wu Meiniang imagined whether her own brothers would ever storm over to stand up for her if she were wronged at her husband's home.

Although it was merely a hypothetical scenario, Wu Meiniang knew the answer was painfully obvious.

Her brothers in the Wu family would only view her as a burden and a drag, wishing nothing more than for her to drop dead so they could openly extort a sum of wealth...

The man before her eyes might not be handsome, might be a bit foolish at times, and possessed a fiery temper, but beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was a man of true responsibility.

Could such a man possibly be one of those cut-sleeves who had no interest in women?

Wu Meiniang recalled the words Princess Gaoyang had whispered to her right before she left the palace. Her face grew even hotter, flushed to the point of seeming ready to bleed, alluring enough to drip.

Her bright, clear eyes grew somewhat hazy as she stealthily cast a glance at Fang Jun. However, because he was lying prone on the couch, she could not make out much.

Wu Meiniang secretly peeked toward the doorway. It was deathly quiet; Qiao'er, that little girl, was probably fast asleep in a daze. Aside from Wu Meiniang and Qiao'er, almost none of the other maids dared to enter Fang Jun’s bedchamber.

What a golden opportunity...

Should she follow Princess Gaoyang’s advice and test out Fang Jun’s...?

Even though no one was watching, Wu Meiniang was still overwhelmed by bashfulness. Although she was a concubine bestowed upon Fang Jun by the Emperor, she was nonetheless a maiden of pure background and unsullied virtue. How could she possibly commit such a brazen act?

Upbringing and a sense of shame both told her that doing so would be terribly wrong, and she might even be looked down upon by Fang Jun. Yet deep inside, it felt as though a little demon was constantly egging her on and provoking her: "You don't actually have to go all the way; just take a peek, and he won't even know. Besides, this concerns the happiness of the greater half of your life—you mustn't miss this chance..."

Wu Meiniang’s heart was in turmoil, and she nearly bit through her lips.

In the end, her pursuit of lifelong happiness triumphed over her modesty and shame. If Fang Jun truly wasn't capable, she might as well simply become a Buddhist nun for the rest of her days...

Wu Meiniang was, after all, Wu Meiniang; that tenacious gene was innate in her. Whatever she deemed ought to be done, no matter how dangerous or difficult, she was bound to carry it out!

Not only would she do it, but she would do it to the best of her ability!

Shifting slightly, she inched a bit closer to Fang Jun. Biting her lip, Wu Meiniang tremblingly extended her hand...

Her palms were slick with sweat, and her slender fingertips felt slightly damp and cool. The moment she brushed against Fang Jun’s fiery skin, a sensation akin to an electric shock ran through her. Wu Meiniang shuddered slightly, as if scorched by an intense flame.

Would this startle him awake?

Wu Meiniang hesitated. If it happened without his knowledge, she could still deceive herself, but if Fang Jun caught her in the act, how could she ever face living?

Yet right as she was gripped by internal conflict and a fierce battle within her mind, perhaps disturbed by the tickling sensation of her fingertips, the prone Fang Jun moved his arm, turned to his side, and opened his eyes.

Startled out of her wits, Wu Meiniang felt her heart skip a beat. She froze entirely in place, not daring to move a muscle.

Their eyes met.

Fang Jun blinked his groggy eyes open, looked at Wu Meiniang, yawned, and casually muttered, "I told you I'm mostly recovered. You don't need to keep watch while I sleep..."

He stopped mid-sentence because he saw Wu Meiniang’s hand.

That slender, delicate hand, soft as spring scallions...

Fang Jun froze for a moment. What was the meaning of this?

Wu Meiniang was on the verge of tears. She felt that there would never be a moment in her life more embarrassing, mortifying, and humiliating than the present. With a soft gasp, she withdrew her hand, covered her burning cheeks, and fled like a startled bird.

Fang Jun was left completely baffled, his mind in a whirl.

What on earth was wrong with this girl?

Yet as he gazed at Wu Meiniang’s willow-like waist—slim enough to be spanned by a single grasp—while the subtle scent of powder still lingered at the tip of his nose...

Fang Jun let out a long sigh and buried his face in the pillow.

Spring was fast approaching, the young man had matured, and the season of stirring passions had arrived...