Mercenary Princess - Chapter 109
The clothes covering her body, under his rough hands, transformed into fluttering, tattered butterflies, scattering in all directions. Buried in the fragrant, smooth, delicate skin, Tuoba Chen's head writhed ecstatically, lingering and roaming, igniting passions wherever it went, sending shivers down the tender, snow-white skin. He forcefully parted Rong Yue's fingers, intertwining them with his own, as if holding them meant holding the entire world…
"Chen." In contrast to her fiery body, the voice that came from her lips was clear and cold.
The voice, devoid of lust, filled Tuoba Chen with a sense of defeat. He moved forward swiftly, his burning lips sealing hers just in time, preventing Rong Yue from uttering the rest of her words. His intuition told him that what would come from her icy lips would surely be words that would silence him in the face of the present situation.
Tuoba Chen's intuition was undoubtedly correct. Taking a breather from him, Rong Yue struggled to finish her sentence, panting, "After tonight... will we be even..."
His fist slammed heavily onto the white jade pillow, right next to Rongyue's ear!
"You mistress, don't even think about severing ties with me! We can never be even! Never! Never!!" His handsome face was contorted, and beneath his fierce exterior lay unspeakable pain.
Turning her head, Rongyue's voice drifted like a fallen leaf in the autumn wind: "I'm sorry... but I don't like being forced..."
His burning body suddenly trembled. He swiftly rolled over, pulling a thin quilt to cover Rongyue's naked body, gently embracing her as he whispered in her ear, his voice filled with anguish, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
"You heard it after all..."
"No, I didn't, I didn't hear anything, I don't know anything! I know you're just my mistress, you're nobody, just my mistress!"
She gave a bitter smile. It turned out she wasn't the only one in the world deceiving herself…
The next morning, a jailer came to deliver a message, saying that Dongfang Yao was willing to hand over Damo Tinglan, on the condition that he could stay by her side, even if it was just as a lowly soldier.
Rongyue couldn't understand Dongfang Yao's persistence. He had made his words so clear that day, so why was he still so stubbornly unwilling to let go?
A stalemate is not a solution, and the longer Tuoba Chen's poison is left untreated, the more disadvantageous it will be for him. Helpless, Rongyue can only temporarily agree to Dongfang Yao's conditions in exchange for the Great Desert Orchid.
Taking the Desert Orchid from Cao Sen's incredulous gaze, Rong Yue smiled noncommittally. What kind of look was that? It was as if she were holding a knife to Dongfang Yao's neck, forcing him to make this decision. You see, if possible, she really hoped that this General Dongfang could play a role and forcefully suppress their stubborn little prince.
"Your Highness, are you really going to stay in the enemy camp? Aren't you afraid... Your Highness, this is no small matter, you must think it through!" Cao Sen blocked Dongfang Yao's path and tried to persuade him relentlessly.
With a wave of his hand, Dongfang Yao's face was full of determination: "My mind is made up, so don't say any more. Cao Sen, the outcome of this battle is already decided. Don't even think about making a comeback. Pack your bags and take your army back home as soon as possible!"
Cao Sen was furious at Dongfang Yao's blatantly pro-enemy tone. Had this prince forgotten which country he truly belonged to?
"Your Highness, don't you think about what will happen if we go back and leave you alone in the enemy camp? How will we explain this to the Emperor?" Could we really say that Your Highness voluntarily stayed in the enemy camp? No one would believe that!
"Alright, alright, enough with the nonsense!" Seeing that Rongyue had already galloped dozens of meters away, Dongfang Yao impatiently pushed him aside, leaped onto his horse, and said, "When the time comes, just tell my brother that the scenery in Louxi is exceptionally beautiful, and I want to stay here a few more days. I'm sure my brother won't punish you..." Before he could finish speaking, he spurred his horse and galloped away, the rest of his words lost in the howling wind...
The scenery west of the building is exceptionally beautiful... Alas, if I were to say such a thing to the emperor, I'd probably die even faster!
A single petal of the desert orchid was taken, mixed with other medicines, and decocted for half an hour, eventually becoming the concentrated medicinal liquid in Rongyue's hand.
Excitedly holding the medicine, Rongyue carefully stirred it a few times with a spoon, then scooped up a full spoonful and brought it close to Tuoba Chen's lips.
Unlike the excited Rong Yue, Tuoba Chen's mood was heavy, as if several invisible mountains were pressing down on him, making him feel suffocated.
Just as the medicine spoon touched his lips, he coldly turned his head sharply, his lips brushing against the edge of the spoon: "I won't drink it."
Rongyue's eyes widened in surprise: "Why?"
With a furrowed brow, Tuoba Chen coldly retorted, "Why do you keep him by your side?"
"Of course, it's to exchange for the Great Desert Orchid!"
"Take it back! Take back all the medicine and the rest of the Tinglan! And get rid of him!"
Volume Two: The Resolute Heroines, Chapter Thirty-Nine: If You're Capable, Check It Yourself
The medicine spoon stopped at the side of Tuoba Chen's lips. Holding the medicine spoon, Rong Yue remained silent and composed, gazing quietly at Tuoba Chen, as if trying to see through his cold and handsome face to understand him completely.
Rongyue's prolonged silence made Tuoba Chen feel somewhat uneasy. He turned his face slightly to the side, still speaking coldly, "Little San, you must remember, I, Tuoba Chen, cannot be dismissed with a mere bowl of medicine!"
“I never thought that way.” Removing her gaze from Tuoba Chen's face and the medicine spoon she was holding, Rongyue placed the bowl of medicine in his hands, dusted off her robes, and stood up. “Since I’ve accepted it, there’s no reason to take it back. Whether you drink it or not is your right; I have no right to decide for you. The medicine is now in your hands; you decide. If you don’t want to drink it, you can simply throw it away and remain blind for life. Yes, perhaps in that case, out of a sense of responsibility and guilt, I would fulfill my previous request.” "I promise to marry you. But Tuoba Chen, remember this: you can only hold my body, not my heart. Is a loveless, heartless relationship, sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams, really what you want? Besides, you only make me despise and scorn you. How can a man who forces a woman into submission be called a man? Moreover, who am I, Jian Xiaosan? Only a great hero, a true warrior, a man who sheds blood but not tears, can walk hand in hand with me for a hundred years, not a useless person who needs to be taken care of every step!"
With a flick of her sleeves and a gentle sway of her hair ribbon, Rongyue took a step, about to leave. Suddenly, an arm wrapped tightly around her.
He tilted his head back and gulped down all the medicine in his hand. The bowl was thrown away, and another arm wrapped around him, pulling Rongyue forcefully into a warm body.
"My dear mistress, you underestimate me, Tuoba Chen! Even if I yearn for you to the point of madness or death, I will never force you to do anything against your will! My dear mistress, think about it: these past few days we've shared a bed, and although there have been times when I couldn't control myself, I always considered your feelings and held back. As for marriage, since you're unwilling, I naturally won't use the debt of saving my life to blackmail you into marrying me. But I will not give up! One day, I will make you happily and willingly wear the fiery red phoenix coronet and wedding robes, and become my woman for life! My dear mistress, I will prove to you that I, Tuoba Chen, am worthy to stand beside you, to be your man, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with you to see the vastness of this world!"
Looking at the empty medicine bowl shattered in two on the ground, Rongyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she was deeply moved by Tuoba Chen's heartfelt expression of emotion. This man, who had compromised for love, truly made her heart ache slightly. For her sake, he was willing to cut the ropes binding her, willing to let go at the very moment he was about to achieve his wish. How could she ever repay such kindness...?
"Thank you, really, Chen... Actually, you're a good man. If possible, I hope I could... Never mind, I won't say anymore. You must be sleepy after taking the medicine. Take a nap; the effects will last about an hour or two. When you wake up, I believe your vision will be back to normal..." As she said this, Rongyue couldn't help but look up at his lifeless eyes. The terrifying scene of Tuoba Chen shielding her from a knife flashed through her mind. Her expression softened slightly, and Rongyue couldn't help but reach out and gently touch the contours of his eyes, stroking them, while silently sighing in her heart. Tuoba Chen, no matter what the future holds, I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life...
The soft, cool touch sent a shiver down Tuoba Chen's spine. A tingling, numbing pleasure spread from his fingertips throughout his body. He comfortably narrowed his eyes, fully enjoying the tingling sensation from his fingertips. His thoughts began to wander freely, fantasizing about another enchanting spring scene…
His breathing suddenly quickened, and his voice became hoarse. Tuoba Chen's red lips parted slightly, and his deep voice revealed a sexy allure: "You little devil, are you trying to torture me to death?"
Her fingertips trembled slightly, but what terrified her even more was the burning, hard object that pressed against her soft abdomen at the same instant. She recoiled as if electrocuted, but a wicked hand wouldn't let her have her way, gently enveloping it and pulling it to his lips with a soft yet firm touch.
His wet, slippery tongue suddenly licked the soft palm, and he chuckled lightly: "So sweet."
The crimson sunset obscured the original rosy hue of her face. She struggled, but to no avail. Rongyue snapped, "Stop being so shameless!"
Tuoba Chen chuckled in a low voice: "I've always been a rogue. Didn't you already know that, Xiao San, from the first day you met me? Don't you think a rogue would be wasting his reputation if he didn't act like one?"
"How dare you say that!" Rongyue felt a surge of anger as she recalled their first encounter: "You were a complete scoundrel, bullying me, an outsider, and forcing me into this damn archery range! That's bad enough, but you shameless little scoundrel, tell me honestly, in which of those three archery matches did you win? Cheating, trickery, and worst of all, you even claimed the Heavenly Merit from the last match for yourself! You stuck your arrow in the throat of a dead tiger, and you think that's a win? Every time I think about it, I get so angry!"
Although he couldn't see her angry expression, Tuoba Chen could still picture her indignant little face in his mind from her furious words and righteous indignation. She must have bulging almond eyes, looking like she wanted to devour him alive; her willow eyebrows raised in anger, her face flushed red, like a delicate flower in March, utterly endearing; her cherry-like lips pouting, and without even trying, he knew they could hold a five-ounce oil bottle; her flat chest rising and falling slightly with her anger, making him imagine what a sight she would be like if the corset were removed…
Mistress, you always say you're just an ordinary, insignificant sprout, but little do you know that the unique charm and allure you exude, despite your self-perceived insignificance, is enough to drive any man in the world who can recognize true beauty crazy...
With a flick of his finger, Tuoba Chen accurately struck Rongyue's delicate cheek. Tuoba Chen teased, "If I hadn't been shameless, wouldn't we have just passed each other by and missed each other forever? How could we have gotten to know each other, become acquainted, and have this destiny today?"
"A predestined marriage?!" Rongyue's voice suddenly rose: "I think it's a doomed marriage!"
Knowing she had misunderstood him, he was happy to see it happen and too lazy to explain, so he lazily smiled and said, "Even if it's a tragic fate, it still has the word 'fate' in it, which means we are ultimately destined to be together, isn't it?"