Chapter 514 - 194: After the Exam (2)
Chapter 514: Chapter 194: After the Exam (2)
Zhao Jing scoffed, ignoring him. He broke free from the other’s arm and headed home.
By the time everyone got home, the sky was pitch-black.
When Mrs. Zhao saw them return, she quickly had the servants bring out the food.
The two families gathered for a lively meal.
It was late when dinner was over. Mrs. Zhao was mindful that Zhao Jing still needed to go home and write out his examination answers from memory. Afterward, they would have to be sent to the prefectural school for the instructors and professors to see. For this reason, she didn’t press the Chen family to stay, and everyone went their separate ways.
Chen Wanqing and Zhao Jing returned to their room. The rain outside seemed to be letting up, but the wind had grown stronger. It buffeted the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, making it sway precariously. Wet leaves and broken twigs from the tree littered the stone tiles, creating a sodden mess.
"Should you bathe first, or transcribe your exam paper?"
"Let’s do the paper first. I don’t want to forget anything."
"Alright."
Instead of going to the study next door, Zhao Jing brought his writing supplies directly into their room.
Several more candles were lit, brightly illuminating the entire room.
Chen Wanqing felt a chill. Without a word, she stepped out and asked a servant to prepare a brazier.
By the time the brazier was placed in the room, she had finished washing up. She then retrieved her sewing basket and sat down a few feet from Zhao Jing, quietly working on a piece of clothing.
After a while, Zhao Jing noticed the growing warmth and glanced up. In the center of the room, the brazier cast a soft, red glow, radiating gentle waves of heat.
And there she sat not far from him, head bowed, needle and thread in hand, sewing.
Zhao Jing removed his outer robe, walked over to her, and crouched down gently. "Are you making those for me, dear?"
Chen Wanqing nodded and looked up. His handsome face was right in front of her, his eyes lifted slightly to gaze at her in silence.
From this angle, she couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke his cheek and pinch his chin. A smile touched her lips as soon as she did it. ’I feel like such a cad.’
She was about to pull her hand back when Zhao Jing caught it.
He nuzzled his cheek against her palm, and the ticklish feeling made her laugh softly.
"When did you come over? I didn’t even feel you move. Why did you take off your outer robe? It’s not that hot in here. Aren’t you cold?"
"I’m not. Don’t worry, dear. I just had a bowl of ginger soup, so I’m quite warm... You were so focused you didn’t even notice me walking over."
Zhao Jing asked again, "Is this night robe for me?"
"If not for you, then who? This robe is so long, no one else could possibly wear it."
"That’s not necessarily true. Father is about as tall as I am."
"But Father is much more solidly built. He’s twice your size. This robe is cut to your width; only you would fit in it perfectly."
Zhao Jing seemed to grind his teeth. "Are you saying I’m not strong enough again, dear?"
Chen Wanqing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "I wasn’t! Don’t twist my words."
"Too late, I’m already twisting them. Nope, I’m offended now. I have to prove that I’m plenty strong."
The man, determined to prove himself, swept Chen Wanqing into his arms and headed for the bed. She instinctively kicked her legs in protest, but then, fearing he might drop her, she quickly clung to his neck. "Looks to me like the drinker’s heart isn’t in the wine," she said with a light laugh.
"Dear, haven’t you ever heard that some things are better left unsaid?"
"I have, but aren’t you tired? You spent nine days in the examination hall. Even an immortal would need to rest after that. Besides, you still have to write out your answers, and tomorrow you need to take them to the prefectural school for the instructor... Mphh..."
Chen Wanqing’s chattering was finally silenced.
Soon, the sound of panting rose and fell throughout the room as clothes were discarded onto the floor, piece by piece.
Fortunately, with the brazier burning in the room, it wasn’t cold even as they lay naked together.
Besides, the fiery tide of passion between them would have warmed them up quickly, even if it had been cold.
After two rounds, they finished early for the night.
Afterward, Chen Wanqing lay nestled in the warm blankets, her arms resting outside the covers as she dozed.
Zhao Jing brought a basin of warm water and a cloth to wash her. She tried to do it herself, but he gently pushed her back down.
"Let me."
’Fine, if he insists.’ It wasn’t the first time he’d done this for her, after all.
Now clean and comfortable, a wave of drowsiness washed over her. Chen Wanqing yawned, the force of it bringing tears to the corners of her eyes.
"If you’re tired, dear, you should sleep."
"Aren’t you sleeping?"
"I’m not tired yet. I’ll rest after I’ve finished writing out my essays."
"Will you get any rest tonight, then?"
"I will. Don’t worry, dear. Go to sleep."
She did just that. Chen Wanqing rolled over and was asleep in moments.
But with him on her mind, she found herself waking up intermittently throughout the night.
Each time she awoke, a candle in the room was still burning.
However, likely to avoid disturbing her, Zhao Jing had extinguished all but one. Only the single candle on his desk remained lit, illuminating the small space where he worked.