Chapter 515 - 194: After the Exam (3)
Chapter 515: Chapter 194: After the Exam (3)
The first time she woke, only an hour had passed since she had fallen asleep. Chen Wanqing knew Zhao Jing couldn’t possibly be finished with his writing, so she didn’t call him to bed. Instead, she quietly watched his back and soon drifted off again.
The second time she woke, the sound of wind and rain still filled the air outside the window.
The brazier in the room had gone out, leaving not a hint of warmth. When she stretched out her arm, she could feel a distinct chill in the air.
It was now the time Zhao Jing usually woke up, but he hadn’t even gone to sleep yet.
Chen Wanqing sat up and called out to him, "Jing, are you still not done? Come get some sleep first. You can finish the rest when you get to the prefectural school."
Zhao Jing glanced back at her, his brow furrowed slightly. He got up and walked over to her.
He tucked her arm back under the covers and sighed. "You sleep first, dear. I’m just going to the privy and will be right back."
True to his word, Zhao Jing was back in no time. He took off his outer clothes, slipped into the quilt, and Chen Wanqing immediately snuggled up against him.
Zhao Jing quickly pulled back. "I’m cold. Dear, wait a moment before you get closer."
"It’s fine. I’m warm. I can warm you up."
Zhao Jing let out a low laugh. He leaned in and kissed Chen Wanqing’s cheeks and lips, lingering for a good while before finally pulling her into his arms.
"Go to sleep, dear."
When she became aware again, she had no idea what time it was. The rain outside hadn’t stopped, though it had lessened to a pitter-patter, softer than the sound of the wind.
It sounded cold outside, but under the quilt, it was toasty warm. On a day like this, no one would want to get out of bed.
Chen Wanqing turned over, wanting to go back to sleep, but an arm around her waist held her fast, pulling her back from her half-turn.
She opened her eyes to look, and just as she expected, Zhao Jing’s handsome face was right before her.
His expression was placid. In sleep, the gentle demeanor he usually showed others was gone, revealing his innate aloofness.
At this moment, his long eyelashes were cast down, shadowing the faint bluish circles under his eyes. Though he looked exhausted, there was a refined elegance about him. With his well-defined features and jade-like complexion, he was handsome from any angle.
Chen Wanqing raised a hand, wanting to touch his face, but just as she lifted it, it was grabbed and pulled back under the quilt.
The man she thought was asleep must have woken when she turned over.
He clasped her hand in his and held her tightly. "The rain hasn’t stopped, so I probably don’t have to go to the prefectural school today. Stay and sleep a little longer with me, dear."
"But it’s already mid-morning. Mother..."
"Mother won’t disturb us unless it’s important. Dear, just sleep a little longer with me. I’m a bit tired."
"Oh, alright."
Chen Wanqing was supposed to be the one keeping him company while he slept, but as she lay there, she was the one who actually fell asleep.
When she woke again, Zhao Jing was already awake. He was leaning against the headboard, a book in one hand while the other idly twirled a lock of her hair. He looked completely at ease and leisurely.
Chen Wanqing was stunned. "Did I sleep for a long time?"
"Not long."
"Then what time is it now?"
"Around Noon."
Hearing this, Chen Wanqing scrambled to get dressed, but Zhao Jing started teasing her.
"Why the rush, dear? It’s already late anyway. We’re a young couple, and I just got back from the examinations. Mother will understand..."
Chen Wanqing tossed a handkerchief at him and lunged over to bite him in frustration. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it, and the bite turned into a kiss.
She had meant to take out her frustration on him, but instead, she ended up serving herself to him like a delicious meal, to be savored at his leisure.
By the time the two of them left the room, another half an hour had passed.
Heedless of the bleak wind and miserable rain, Zhao Jing took Chen Wanqing’s hand and led her toward the flower hall.
They were just about to call for a meal when De’an burst in recklessly.
"Jing, you’ve gone too far! I’ve been waiting next door for you all morning. Just how tired are you? Even I was up before you, and you’re only just getting up now..."
Chen Wanqing flushed with embarrassment, her head drooping so low it nearly touched the table.
Zhao Jing scoffed lightly at De’an. "I was up until midnight writing. I only have one policy essay left; the rest is all done. And you?"
De’an’s eyes went wide. "I... I..."
’Who rewrites their exam papers right after finishing? Aren’t you supposed to relax and sleep in after an exam?’
Anyway, as soon as he got back yesterday, he took a bath and went to bed. Today, he’d slept late into the morning.
After waking up, he had come straight to the Zhao Family’s home to find Zhao Jing, hoping to have him look over his exam answers and see if he had any chance of passing. But after waiting for ages, there was no sound from next door. The couple had actually slept until now! ’Is this even proper?’
But hearing that Jing had nearly finished rewriting his own papers, De’an lost all his bluster. He didn’t say another word. After being thoroughly put in his place by Zhao Jing, he obediently went back to the neighboring courtyard to rewrite his exam papers.
「The rain outside didn’t stop until two days later.」
Mrs. Zhao sighed endlessly as she looked out at the courtyard, her brow deeply furrowed with worry. You didn’t need to ask to know she was worried about the harvest in the fields.