After their meal with His Majesty, the couple made their way back to the Dragon Pavilion. Instead of heading to their chambers, however, Zheng Liang led Yang Ning to his study. While she trailed behind him without raising any questions, curiosity bubbled within her.
She pondered over the reason he had chosen this formal setting for their conversation. What could he possibly want to discuss that warranted such privacy? He could have said it simply while they were in their chamber.
"Why did you bring me here? Do you have something to discuss?" Yang Ning asked, her tone a mix of confusion and nonchalance as she settled into a chair. Her eyes darted over his working desk, scattered with documents, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was appropriate to bring her to the study, as this room was typically off-limits to everyone, including her, without prior permission.
The study was a restricted area, a place where few were permitted entry and it was limited for work only. Even Yang Ning, the Crown Princess needed prior authorization before setting foot inside. Given that it stored sensitive and confidential documents, her visits here were limited to specific meetings or assignments when called upon by him.
Her curiosity piqued, and she couldn't help but wonder why he had chosen to bring her to the study instead of their chamber. It seemed to imply that whatever he had in mind was of significant importance.
Yang Ning glanced around the expansive study, her eyes widening at the sheer number of books and documents that filled the shelves. "Is someone else coming here for a meeting?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of wonder.
Zheng Liang, seated beside her, turned to face her, a warm smile on his face. Captivated by Yang Ning's puzzled yet endearing expression, he was unable to resist the urge to pull her chair closer and kiss her rosy lips.
Yang Ning was taken aback when instead of answering her question, Zheng Liang silenced her with a kiss. Caught off guard by his unexpected gesture, she soon melted by his sweet, passionate kiss, closing her eyes to fully immerse herself in the intoxicating feeling of love.
It now became clear why he had asked Gu Lan and Xiaowei to wait outside and even shut the door on them. He had no intention of working from the beginning.
Such a sly man!
Under the intensity of his kiss, Yang Ning's body began to feel weak, her legs like jelly. She might have slid down from the chair if not for his steady grip on her waist. Fortunately, Zheng Liang's firm grip on her waist kept her securely in place.
His hands worked their magic, one at her waist and the other cradling the back of her head, gently guiding her and deepening their passionate kiss.
Yang Ning's eyes widened in surprise at his audacious words, and her face reddened even further. Playfully, she hit him with her fist and whined, "Enough of that. You're getting shameless day by day. Did you bring me to the study room for this?" She shot him a mock glare.
She narrowed her eyes, wondering if this was some peculiar preference of his. Otherwise, why did he bring her to the study and not to their chamber instead?
Zheng Liang couldn't help but chuckle at the suspicion in her gaze. He confessed with a mischievous grin, "You're to blame for this, you know. Who told you to be so irresistibly beautiful?
I brought you here for a conversation, but when I saw your rosy lips, I couldn't resist the temptation to savor them." He licked his lips sensually, as if he just tasted a delicious, sweet dessert, while his gaze remained fixated on her soft lips.
Yang Ning was left momentarily speechless, her mouth agape in disbelief. This man... How could he be so unabashedly direct?
Ugh, he's such a flirt!
Seeing her silently gazing at him, Zheng Liang recognized the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind. Yet, he could only focus on her plush, inviting lips. Without wasting another moment on words, he sealed her parted lips with his own, plunging into yet another realm of intense and passionate kisses.
While kissing her with much passion and intensity, he felt an insatiable hunger for her; a mere kiss could hardly suffice. What spell had this woman cast over him, making him feel so vulnerable, yet so deeply in love?
Once, work was his sole focus, and he remained detached from the world. With his mother no longer in this world and a strained relationship with his father, there had been no one to protect or prioritize.
He harbored no love, only a singular duty: to become the successor to the Zheng Empire, a responsibility he had tirelessly pursued since childhood.
However, after encountering Yang Ning, he discovered his affectionate and possessive side. He realized that he was capable of protecting the person he loved and would go to any lengths to protect this woman who was in his embrace.
He wouldn't allow anyone to harm this woman, not even himself. His love for her was overwhelming, and it amazed him that someone could wield such power over him — to make him willingly kneel and offer his all.