Hibiscus as a Painting

Chapter 173

Startled, Zi Jin forcefully pried Xiao Bai's hand away. Xiao Bai groaned in pain, and Zi Jin dared not be too rough, finding herself utterly helpless against him. Xiao Bai's fingers clung tightly to her neck, refusing to let go. He sobbed, haphazardly nibbling and licking Zi Jin's forehead, eyes, brow, face, and lips, his actions filled with a pleading intent. His warm eyes were brimming with tears, his snow-white hair disheveled. His pitiful and helpless appearance would move anyone to tears.

Xiao Bai's tongue clumsily tried to pry open the tightly closed lips, but the lips showed no sign of opening. She tried again and again, panting heavily, but refused to give up.

Zi Jin watched quietly as he struggled desperately, his eyes filled with pain and reluctance.

Exhausted, Xiao Bai clung tightly to Zi Jin, refusing to let go, burying his face in Zi Jin's shoulder and sobbing softly. After a long while, he raised his head and stared intently at Zi Jin, biting his lower lip hard. His tear-filled eyes were filled with unspeakable grievances and innocence. Even the hardest heart could not withstand his silent accusation.

Zi Jin slowly closed her eyes, telling herself not to look, she couldn't look, but the sobbing echoed in her ears, lingering for a long time. Finally, Zi Jin slowly reached out and gently stroked the person who was crying so hard they could barely breathe. As if encouraged, Xiao Bai kissed Zi Jin's earlobe and neck again, the gentle movements filled with a heavy sense of appeasement and pleading.

Zi Jin slowly turned her head to the side: "Even if we become a couple, I will still send you away. Have you thought it through?"

Xiao Bai didn't reply, but continued to lick Zi Jin's neck in a fawning manner.

Zi Jin took a deep breath, gently embraced Xiao Bai's body, and pressed her lips to his. With one hand, she slowly unbuttoned her shirt and took Xiao Bai's hand, placing it on her chest. Her fingertips caressed and stroked his back, inch by inch.

Gradually, Xiaobai stopped crying, her breathing becoming heavier. Under Zi Jin's gentle touch, waves of emotion surged within her; a strange and unfamiliar tingling sensation instantly spread throughout her body, reaching her very heart. An uncontrollable groan escaped from her lips…

Zi Jin had already removed her clothes, her body rubbing tightly against Xiao Bai, her slightly swollen hands caressing Xiao Bai's body without restraint... Noticing the changes in Xiao Bai's body, Zi Jin smiled faintly and whispered in Xiao Bai's ear, "Do it yourself."

Xiao Bai felt a fire burning fiercely in his heart, but he didn't know what to do. He rubbed his waist against Zi Jin's body, but he didn't know how or how to do it. After a long while, he raised his eyes and looked at Zi Jin pitifully: "Xiao Zi, I feel uncomfortable."

Zi Jin was slightly taken aback: "You don't know how?"

Xiao Bai buried her head in Zi Jin's shoulder and said with a wronged expression, "No one said that. They don't do that. I... Xiao Zi, don't be angry."

"Didn't you and Nan'er ever do that?" Zi Jin asked softly.

"Nan'er, I don't dare, and Xiao Zi, I... like her. I'm stupid... I don't know how, but Xiao Zi, please don't be angry, I... I'm stupid... I don't know..." Self-loathing flashed in Xiao Bai's gentle eyes, and she lowered her head tightly.

Zi Jin gently stroked Xiao Bai's back and whispered in Xiao Bai's ear, "Heh, I really like that Xiao Bai won't."

"Little Purple?..."

Before Xiaobai could finish speaking, Zijin lowered her head and kissed Xiaobai's parted cherry lips. This kiss was not one of plunder or roughness, but full of comfort and tenderness.

Xiao Bai's face was flushed, his body trembled slightly, his breathing gradually became rapid, and his waist unconsciously rubbed against Zi Jin's body.

Zi Jin slowly reached out and grasped Xiao Bai's... guiding him towards her... enduring the pain as she pushed in. Under this clumsy guidance, Xiao Bai slowly advanced. Zi Jin tightly closed her eyes and bit her lower lip hard to keep from crying out in pain.

Xiao Bai, covered in sweat, suddenly stopped, his dark eyes fixed on Zi Jin: "Xiao Zi, it hurts. I..."

Zi Jin opened her eyes and smiled warmly: "It doesn't hurt when you touch me, but it hurts when you stop. I like... Xiao Bai..."

Xiao Bai's gentle, jade-like eyes stared intently at Zi Jin for a long time, then began to move slowly and gently. Zi Jin endured the pain caused by Xiao Bai's clumsy movements, maintaining her gaze into Xiao Bai's eyes with a gentle smile. She slowly relaxed her body, trying to keep up with Xiao Bai's movements. Gradually, a misty haze appeared in Zi Jin's clear eyes.

Under Zi Jin's gentle guidance, the inexperienced Xiao Bai trembled uncontrollably, staring at Zi Jin's increasingly bewildered expression. Her movements became even softer, a deep affection mixed with pity and reluctance. As if sensing Zi Jin's lingering affection, Xiao Bai quickened her pace slightly.

A groan escaped Zi Jin's lips, her eyes glazed over as she gazed into Xiao Bai's eyes: "I like... Xiao Bai... Xiao Bai... I like him very much..."

Encouraged by Zi Jin's soft moans, Xiao Bai's movements gradually quickened and deepened.

Zi Jin's moans grew louder as she hugged Xiao Bai tightly, calling his name repeatedly.

No longer satisfied with the slow movements, Xiao Bai intensified and sped up his actions. Suddenly, he shuddered violently, and Zi Jin screamed, her body convulsing. Xiao Bai let out a soft moan, collapsing weakly onto Zi Jin, trembling slightly with each thrust.

Zi Jin hugged him tightly, stroking his back to soothe his trembling body.

After a long while, Xiao Bai slowly withdrew from Zi Jin's body, his gentle, jade-like eyes fixed on her for a moment, and lightly kissed her lips: "Xiao Zi...so good..."

Zi Jin hugged Xiao Bai's neck and whispered, "Xiao Bai, where's your ring?"

"You don't like it, I..."

"Take it out and I'll tell you a secret."

Xiao Bai was both uneasy and anxious, staring intently at Zi Jin's expression. He fumbled under the bed with one hand, finally pulling out the ring after a long while: "Xiao Zi, actually... it's not important. If you don't like it, I won't..."

"Put it on." Zi Jin's voice was even softer.

Xiao Bai glanced timidly at Zi Jin, reluctantly put the ring on her hand, and tried to hide her hand, but was frightened by Zi Jin's somewhat annoyed look and stretched her hand out in front of Zi Jin again.

Zi Jin looked at the ring for a while, then slowly reached out and gently removed it, saying, "You don't need to thank me; consider this my reward for healing you."

Xiao Bai stared at Zi Jin in astonishment for a long, long time. Slowly, a ripple of joy spread across his eyes, and he gently pulled Zi Jin into his arms: "It's Xiao Zi, it's Xiao Zi, it's Xiao Zi... Xiao Zi didn't say anything, she never said anything, it's Xiao Zi, but Xiao Zi won't say anything, won't say anything..."

Zi Jin smiled and nestled obediently in Xiao Bai's arms: "It won't happen again. I'll treat you well from now on."

"You want me to leave..." The voice was full of accusation.

"No...no...we won't leave, we'll never leave again."

"I like it, it's so good... Little Purple... Little Purple..." Little White, still sleepy-eyed, leaned on Zi Jin's shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

As evening fell, the short leaves brushed against the clear water, reflecting thousands of emerald green willow branches on the calm surface of the lake, where the faint chirping of cicadas could be heard. At the Liuran Pavilion on the shore of Weiyang Lake, the man gently pulled at the cloak draped over the sleeping woman in his arms, his eyes overflowing with tenderness. The woman's brows were furrowed, her eyes were dark and swollen, and her face looked slightly haggard.

"Your Majesty!" A palace servant stumbled over.

"Be gentle, His Majesty is sleeping." The man glanced at the person and gently patted the person in his arms who was about to wake up.

The palace maid looked anxiously at the still-sleeping empress, seemingly at a loss for what to do.

"What happened?" The Empress asked lazily, her eyes still closed, as she remained nestled in the man's arms.

"The scout reports that five days ago, General Hong was sent to serve in the Eight Wilderness County, and none of his three thousand soldiers survived..."

"What!" The Empress suddenly opened her eyes and asked in surprise.

The man comforted the person in his arms, then looked up at the palace servant: "Go down."