Chapter 182
Chapter 182
Shen Si held Ji Hanyi for a long while before finally straightening.
As he did, his lips brushed lightly past her ear. Ji Hanyi was exceptionally sensitive there, and she could not suppress the shiver that ran through her entire body.
When Shen Si had held her earlier, she had assumed he was drunk and thought nothing of it. But now, after his lips grazed her ear and his warm breath spilled across it, her cheeks instantly heated. She was bewildered and at a loss for what to do.
Sensing her sensitive reaction, Shen Si smiled soundlessly, wondering how she would respond if he bit her there.
He truly looked forward to finding out.
Unfortunately, now was not the time. Otherwise, he might frighten her into fleeing.
Bracing one hand against the carriage wall, he pretended he was still drunk and kept Ji Hanyi caged within his arms. He lowered his head, letting all his warm breath wash over her ear. With narrowed eyes, he watched her pale ear slowly turn pink, then scarlet. His gaze drifted down to her lowered lashes, which trembled helplessly.
Finally, his eyes settled on the delicate tip of her nose. She was utterly adorable.
He was teasing and tempting her without giving himself away, then exercising just enough restraint to leave her heart trembling too.
At the very least, she would probably spend the night tossing and turning as she recalled the intimacy of this moment. He wanted to coax her, little by little, into yearning for his body, his touch, and his closeness.
This was far enough for now.
Shen Si sat upright and released her completely.
His unblinking gaze lingered on her watery eyes, still clouded with confusion at his sudden withdrawal, then on the faint blush across her cheeks. Something shifted in the depths of his eyes, and his throat bobbed.
Only when Ji Hanyi looked toward him did he withdraw his gaze and close his eyes, allowing her to study him without reservation.
It would be best if she took a good, long look at his face. Perhaps then she would grow to like it.
Ji Hanyi did indeed stare at Shen Si in a daze for quite some time. Her mind was filled with the pounding of her heart and the shiver his breath against her ear had caused. With his eyes closed, it felt as though she were sneaking a look at him. At that moment, his face seemed almost bewitchingly handsome. She even felt as if she were about to fall under his spell.
Just as she was staring in a trance, Shen Si abruptly opened his eyes and met her gaze. Yet his expression remained perfectly calm, as though he had not noticed her secretly watching him. In a hoarse voice, he said, “Hanyi, get some rest early.”
Ji Hanyi froze, then belatedly nodded in haste.
After stepping out of the carriage, she could not help touching her cheek and ear. They were burning hot, and her mind was filled with the moment Shen Si had leaned close, his breath caressing her ear and sending that faint tremor through her.
That night, Ji Hanyi turned over several times in bed, unable to shake the sensation that her ear was still tingling.
She recalled Shen Si’s handsome face in the dim carriage, flickering in and out of shadow, and his eyes – so deep they seemed capable of drawing her in completely.
Ji Hanyi sat up, her slender figure exposed to the lingering chill within the bed curtains. She remained lost in thought for a long while before remembering that she still had the flower-viewing banquet tomorrow. Telling herself not to entertain such thoughts, she lay back down to sleep.
Early the next morning, a carriage was already waiting outside the residence, with Wen’an standing beside it. Shen Si had clearly sent him.
After boarding the carriage, Ji Hanyi drew a quiet, deep breath. In truth, she was still a little nervous.
Her Majesty the Empress’s flower-viewing banquet was being held at Nanyuan Imperial Retreat, on the outskirts of the capital. It was not particularly far away.
Upon arriving at the entrance to Nanyuan, Ji Hanyi presented her invitation before being admitted. The moment she entered, someone came forward to escort her to Her Majesty the Empress.
Wen’an followed Ji Hanyi for a short distance before saying in a low voice, “Don’t worry, Miss Ji. I’ll be waiting nearby. If anything happens, the Marquis will be here in no time.”
Ji Hanyi nodded.
The gardens of the imperial retreat were bustling with noble young ladies today. Every one of them was dressed in splendid silks and brocades, like flowers blooming in spring, each vying to outshine the rest.
Ji Hanyi was escorted to a two-story pavilion. When she raised her head slightly, she saw Her Majesty the Empress seated above, accompanied by several young noblewomen.
Her Majesty the Empress was looking down at her. She possessed the same innate nobility as Shen Si. Her gaze was neither cold nor warm, only distant and lofty.
Ji Hanyi noticed the gaze of Her Majesty the Empress. That brief glance held no discernible emotion, and it soon moved away.
Ji Hanyi composed herself, lifted her skirts, and followed the palace attendant up the pavilion steps.
There were not many people inside. Seated beside the Empress were several young noblewomen and two stately, lavishly dressed noblewomen.
Ji Hanyi recognized them both. One was the Marchioness from the Yongqing Marquis’s Residence, and the other was Princess Fu’an.
The Marquis of Yongqing was the son of the Empress Dowager’s younger brother and thus her own nephew. Although he held no real power, the fertile fields and estates in his possession were more than enough to keep his family in wealth and luxury.
Princess Fu’an was the daughter of Imperial Consort Dowager Li and had always been close to Her Majesty the Empress, so it was hardly strange to see her seated beside the Empress now.
From the moment Ji Hanyi came upstairs, everyone’s gaze fell upon her. Whether they were scrutinizing her or had some other thought in mind, Ji Hanyi remained calm and respectfully stepped forward to greet each of them.
Princess Fu’an did not recognize her and could not help asking, “Which family is this young lady from?”
As she spoke, she gave Ji Hanyi another careful once-over. For an unknown young woman to suddenly appear here, there was clearly something unusual about her.
Ji Hanyi wore a lake-blue, high-collared jacket with wide sleeves, woven with gold lotus-scroll patterns. A band of pearls an inch wide trimmed the collar, while an agarwood-brown panel skirt fell below. A simple pair of ruby earrings hung from her ears, and the ornaments in her hair were delicate and understated without sacrificing dignity. Her appearance was neither too elaborate nor too plain, making her remarkably pleasing to the eye.
Then there was Ji Hanyi’s lowered face. Her features were as exquisite as a painting, and with her slender waist, narrow shoulders, and elegant bearing, she was captivating enough to make people stare.
The Empress cast Ji Hanyi a mild glance and said with a faint smile, “She is Ji Jing’s daughter.”
The moment the Empress mentioned Ji Jing, everyone understood.
Back then, Ji Jing had been a man in the limelight. He had possessed a strikingly beautiful face, enjoyed a brilliant career, and risen swiftly through the ranks.
It was only his tragic end that gave cause for regret.
Princess Fu’an studied Ji Hanyi’s face more closely and pursed her lips. If she was Ji Jing’s daughter, then it made sense for her to possess such a vividly beautiful face.
She recalled how her imperial father had once considered betrothing her to Ji Jing. Fate truly did make fools of people. Ji Jing had already given his heart to someone else at the time. Who could have imagined that after all these years, his daughter would already be this grown?
The Empress smiled gently at Ji Hanyi. “There is no need to be nervous just because I summoned you. Your father was exceptionally talented and learned, so I imagine you must be no less accomplished. Today’s Spring Flower-Viewing Banquet is the perfect occasion for composing poetry. That is why I asked you to come.”
She then added, “Go and sit beside Baoqiong.”
Ji Hanyi did not know which young lady was Baoqiong. Just as she was wondering how to respond, a voice as gentle as flowing water called out, “Miss Ji, come sit with me.”