It was rare to have such a relaxed moment.
Xu Wan cracked sunflower seeds with one hand while flipping the pages of a book with the other. The binding of this storybook was different from ordinary books—its cover was brightly colored, making it instantly recognizable.
Zong Zhao emerged from his bath and noticed she was still engrossed in the book. He approached and asked, "What are you reading?"
Xu Wan glanced at him with a smile. "Just some light reading. Probably not your taste."
Zong Zhao lowered his gaze to the small characters at the top of the page—the title of the book: The Wrongful Execution of Cui Ning.
"This is a courtroom drama," Zong Zhao remarked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you'd prefer something more relaxing." He had heard that women in the capital usually favored romance novels.
Xu Wan turned the book over in her hands and replied, "This is relaxing. The story is quite thrilling... Wait, how do you know it's a courtroom drama? Just a guess?"
Zong Zhao chuckled. "Back when I was preparing for the imperial exams, I briefly studied the storytelling industry. This book is quite famous."
Xu Wan gave him a thumbs-up. "The top scholar knows everything! Jin Cheng and the others probably wouldn’t recognize it—I never taught them these things."
Zong Zhao replied, "No matter. It’s not on the exams anyway."
After finishing that book, Xu Wan picked up another: a tale of a heroine who eloped with the male lead, only to be captured and beaten to death while pregnant. She later returned as a ghost to wed her beloved...
Tears welled up in Xu Wan’s eyes. "Why is this another tragedy? It’s like Ghost Love Story all over again..."
Zong Zhao checked the time. "It’s almost midnight. Maybe you should stop? This doesn’t seem to be improving your mood."
Xu Wan agreed, but leaving a book unfinished felt like a shame. She waved her hand. "Just wait a moment. Let me skim ahead—maybe it’s not a tragedy after all."
In the next scene, the villain returned to capture the couple. The ghostly heroine killed him before revealing herself, and the lovers tearfully parted. Moved by their devotion, the Goddess of Mercy allowed them to reunite in their next life.
Satisfied, Xu Wan closed The Jade Guanyin and fanned her face, trying to hold back tears. "So touching! It’s a happy ending—they get another chance."
Zong Zhao looked down at her. "Do you enjoy reading these storybooks?"
Xu Wan nodded eagerly. "I never had much time for them before, so I barely read any. But they’re so engaging! I feel like my emotions are completely tied to their journeys."
Zong Zhao said, "Tomorrow, I’ll have someone select more storybooks for you—all with happy endings, so they lift your spirits."
Xu Wan beamed. "Deal!"
Zong Zhao extended his hand. "It’s time. Let’s go ring in the new year."
"Ring in the new year" was a literal phrase here.
There were no rituals, no special activities—just closing their eyes as the clock struck midnight, silently making wishes for the year ahead.
Xu Wan sincerely wished: In the coming year, may my family stay healthy, may the children achieve their dreams, and may Zong Zhao... may Zong Zhao be well too.
When she opened her eyes, Zong Zhao was gazing at her. His focus was unwavering, and every time she met his eyes, her heart raced uncontrollably.
Almost without thinking, she blurted out, "Why do you like me?"
Zong Zhao paused. "I don’t know. I just do."
She pressed further. "Was it love at first sight?"
Zong Zhao gave a quiet "Mm," turning his head away.
Xu Wan recalled their first meeting—she had been accompanied by the marquis’s carriage and Cui Zhi, so her identity was obvious. But still...
Tilting her head, she mused, "Is love at first sight about looks? Compared to the great beauties of the capital, I’m hardly remarkable... Or have you just met too few women?"
Zong Zhao frowned, considering his answer.
Xu Wan dismissed her own words. "No, at all the banquets and palace gatherings, you must have seen countless women. I’ve met several stunning ladies myself—so beautiful it’s impossible to feel jealous. You must not have noticed them."
Suddenly, he said, "I only noticed you."
"What?" Xu Wan wasn’t sure she heard correctly.
Zong Zhao clarified, "Among all the women in the capital, I could only ever see you."
Xu Wan’s lips curled upward uncontrollably. "That’s because you returned as my husband. Of course you’d only see me—it’s the first impression bias."
It was long before that...
Long before their marriage, he had already noticed her.
"You have a unique aura—not just scholarly, but something... soothing and calming," Zong Zhao explained.
"Oh, so I won you over with my aura." Xu Wan’s smile turned strained.
Realizing his misstep, Zong Zhao hurried to apologize. "That’s not what I meant. You’re beautiful too. Very lovely."
Xu Wan nodded. "Keep going."
"Brilliant, no less capable than any man."
"Gentle and endearing."
"Kind-hearted, optimistic, and warm."
Zong Zhao listed her virtues one by one—traits she knew and some she didn’t—as if, in his eyes, she were the most perfect woman.
By the end, Xu Wan was laughing openly. She rested a hand on Zong Zhao’s shoulder, tilting her head up. "Zong Zhao, how is it that I like you so much?"
"Passionate about life... Huh?" Zong Zhao froze, finally processing her words.
She had said... she liked him.
Xu Wan’s upturned eyes sparkled like the most radiant galaxy, her lips curved in a soft smile. "You’re adorable."
Zong Zhao leaned down and kissed her.
Though familiar, this kiss was fiercer than usual, its intensity betraying his emotions—he seemed genuinely overjoyed.
Xu Wan looped her arms around his neck, responding eagerly, her chest swelling with sweetness. Her hands wandered—tracing his neck, brushing his earlobes—until she felt his skin grow feverishly warm.
Pulling back slightly, she murmured, "My neck’s sore. Let’s move to the bed."
"Alright." Zong Zhao’s voice was rough too. He scooped her up by the waist, kissing her again before they even took a step.
Xu Wan thought he must have been starved for affection—unable to walk without kissing her. But it felt nice, being held so securely, wrapped in his embrace.
Once on the bed, Zong Zhao covered her completely.
Kissing while lying down was far more comfortable—no craning her neck, no height disparity, just an even exchange.
Only one downside: it made her drowsy.
Xu Wan usually slept by 9 PM, but tonight, she had stubbornly stayed awake past midnight. Now, exhaustion crept in, her eyelids growing heavy. Her resistance faded, and soon, she drifted into a deep slumber. For original chapters go to novel·fire·net