A delicate flush colored Chen Yulan's cheeks as she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath, "Wei... It's merely the pregnancy, nothing to worry about."
"…"
Zhang Wei sensed the subtle shift in her demeanor, saw the spark of misunderstanding in her eyes.
He reached out, gently clasping her hands, only to withdraw them a moment later, an awkwardness lingering in the air.
He had grown accustomed to the world seeing him as a villain…
But to be misunderstood as good?
That was an entirely new challenge.
"Go and dress up," Zhang Wei commanded, his tone steady, almost indifferent.
"Huh?" Chen Yulan's cherry-red lips parted in surprise, her gaze drifting to the window. The darkness of night still shrouded the world outside. "But... it's night. Where are we going?"
Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed. "A concubine doesn't ask questions."
Chen Yulan bit her lip, her thoughts spinning.
Could a concubine beat her husband?
The idea flickered through her mind, a fleeting surge of annoyance.
Every time he referred to her as "concubine," an odd mixture of irritation and a sweet, inexplicable warmth blossomed within her, making it impossible to remain truly angry.
If Zhang Wei knew that this nizi was contemplating rebellion, he would have taken flight to another realm altogether.
No way.
In his mind, she was his most peaceful woman!
If even she began to wage wars, wouldn't the crystal palace of his peace shatter into a thousand irreparable pieces?
As Chen Yulan rose from the bed, the delicate silk sheets slid off her body, cascading down to pool around her ankles like a soft whisper of moonlight.
The cool air kissed her skin, and a shiver ran through her as she stood there, every movement graceful but tinged with a shy hesitance.
She could feel Zhang Wei's gaze, following her every step.
Knowing his eyes never left her, she turned her back to him, a deeper flush coloring her cheeks.
The awareness of his scrutiny only intensified the heat that spread across her skin, making her breath stuck in her throat.
She reached for her wardrobe, her fingers trembling slightly as she hesitated, uncertain of what to choose.
The wardrobe door creaked open, revealing an array of garments, each more elaborate than the last.
Her mind raced, knowing she couldn't afford to delay with him standing so close, waiting.
Just then, a subtle, intoxicating fragrance wafted through the room, announcing his presence even before his shadow fell over her.
"Wei?" she whispered, startled to find him standing right behind her, his gaze now fixed on her wardrobe.
"It's surprisingly full," he mused, his tone neutral, yet there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes.
He noted with a raised brow that most of the outfits didn't seem to match Chen Yulan's usual taste at all.
His gaze shifted to her, suspicion lacing his words. "You bought all this?"
Chen Yulan shook her head, her voice soft and a bit unsteady. "It's... mostly from Sister Lei."
She felt a wave of awkwardness wash over her as she spoke, knowing that discussing gifts from a man's legal wife was never easy, especially when she was the concubine.
Zhang Wei nodded, his thoughts momentarily drifting.
He had intended to buy her some clothes himself but was pleasantly surprised to discover that his wife had already seen to it.
The realization brought a rare genuine smile to his lips, a sense of satisfaction settling in his chest as he reached into the wardrobe and began to select a dress for her.
Chen Yulan's heart raced as she watched him sift through the delicate fabrics.
The sight of him handling her clothes, particularly some of the more daring pieces, made her flush with a mix of embarrassment and something deeper.
Some of the dresses he touched were scandalously revealing, far too bold for her to consider wearing in public.
But Zhang Wei, with a mischievous glint in his eye, seemed to know exactly what he was doing.
He was only teasing her, silently suggesting that those were for his eyes alone.
Finally, with a more practical thought in mind, Zhang Wei settled on a moderately less revealing outfit, suitable for their venture outside.
It was still elegant, still designed to accentuate her natural grace, but it offered her the modesty she needed to face the world beyond these walls.
As he handed her the dress, their fingers brushed briefly, and the electric tension between them seemed to crackle in the air.
Chen Yulan took the garment from him, her heart still fluttering wildly in her chest, her cheeks still burning.
She found herself at a loss.
Finally, she raised her head, her eyes flickered with confusion as she stared at him.
"I... umm..." Her lips parted as if to speak, but then closed again, her words faltering.
She wanted to ask him to turn around, to grant her a moment of privacy, but the thought made her hesitate.
Wasn't she just asking to be teased by him?
She was certain he wouldn't let such an opportunity slip by.
Her cheeks flushed, knowing that she was probably right.
Her understanding of Zhang Wei was spot on; he'd likely roast her mercilessly if she dared to voice such a request.
With her ears burning with embarrassment, she turned her back to him and hesitantly began to undress.
The soft rustle of fabric filled the room as she slipped out of her pajamas, her movements delicate and self-conscious.
Zhang Wei, meanwhile, made his way to the bed, sitting down with an amused gleam in his eyes, as if anticipating a good show.
He watched with unmasked interest as she shed her clothes, revealing the milky white expanse of her back.
Her skin glowed in the soft light, smooth and flawless, as she pulled her top over her head.
His gaze lingered on the fragile curve of her shoulders, the strap of her red bra running across her back, accentuating her slender frame.
Her waist was narrow and beautifully defined, a perfect complement to her delicate build.
If it weren't for the fear of startling her, he might have given in to the urge to wrap his arms around her from behind, to feel the warmth of her body against his.
But for now, he contented himself with watching, his eyes tracing every graceful movement.
As Chen Yulan slid her pajamas down, the long, graceful lines of her legs came into view.
They were soft and smooth, glowing like polished jade, her calves were round and smooth.
Her buttocks were perfectly rounded, firm yet soft.
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