A thin layer of mist, like smoke or cloud, floated in those bottomless black eyes. The corners of her eyes were slightly upturned, with a dark blush on them. Her eyes were captivating and alluring, a sight that could not be found in this world. How could a human being be so bewitching?
His fingers traced the contours of her collarbone downwards, wrapped around the silk ribbon, and with a gentle tug, the sachet he had just slipped inside slid off the bed along with her warm orange coat.
"Ugh...be gentle!" He bit her hard on the chest, and even through the fabric, it still felt numb and painful.
"Don't move." He raised his head, his eyes filled with affection and a smile playing on his lips.
"It hurts so much!"
"I know." As she spoke, she grabbed both of my wrists with one hand and lifted me onto the pillow, while untying the belt of my shirt with the other.
"Then... ah..."
Without warning, he stuck a finger in from below.
"You think your little schemes can escape my notice?" His voice was already clear and melodious, but now it was lowered, hoarse and with a hint of allure.
This man is always the most patient, and this is no exception. He remained inside without moving, and a warm current surged through my lower abdomen. I was so aroused by his teasing that I could hardly move. As soon as I moved, his legs pressed me down. We remained locked in this stalemate, and I was sweating profusely from holding it in.
"Yunzhi..." I bit my lip, unable to do anything else, so I deliberately called him in a hoarse voice, just like him, and squinted my eyes, not believing that he could hold back.
His soft, smoky eyes narrowed, his breathing grew heavier, and his thin lips, stained red from passion, slowly pursed. Suddenly, he leaned down and inserted another finger. Before I could cry out, his soft, sweet red lips sealed my mouth. This kiss was anything but gentle; his tongue probed in like a whirlwind, leaving no stone unturned, a dense, cool fragrance filling my mouth, making it difficult even to breathe.
He went too far today. I was furious and embarrassed, so I bent my knee and shoved it into his groin. He grunted and pulled away from my lips, his brows furrowing in displeasure.
"With war breaking out in the northern desert, do you really think Xiao Lianjue just came here to test Juyi Manor? If he hadn't taken an interest in something, he could have easily handed it over to his subordinates. Why would he need to come in person?" He paused, his phoenix eyes narrowed, and with a fierce look, he pushed his half-inserted finger all the way in.
“…Mmm!” I squeezed my legs together, feeling hot all over from his gaze.
"Given his character, judging from the tone you just spoke to him, anyone else would have been dead several times over. But not only was he not angry, he responded to you in that manner. He's a person who's used to being carefree, and it's impossible that he's holding back because of Rong Cheng... You're so smart, do I need to continue?" After saying that, he slowly withdrew his finger. "This is your punishment. If you don't want to, you can call it a stop now, I won't force you."
How can there be such a person? Just when you're itching to the point of unbearable desire, they suddenly become nonchalant and act like they're ready to leave at any moment. Who started this whole thing?
"...You..." she began, then felt incredibly wronged. This was the kind of bullying one could inflict!
He paused, his gaze softening, flowing gently like warm spring water. After a barely audible sigh, he leaned down again, gently kissing away the warmth from the corner of my eye, then my brow and the tip of my nose, finally kissing my lips. This time, he was extremely careful and incredibly tender; I was almost melted away by his sweetness.
"When did Lian'er become such a crybaby?"
I turned my face away; if my hands hadn't been held down by him, I would have punched him a few times first.
"Alright, it's my fault. I was thinking about random things again." He said, turning my face towards him. "Lian'er, be good, stop making a fuss."
Don't try to fool me.
He smiled, a bitter smile on his face. "I'm afraid you'll have to slowly cure this problem for me in the future. I can't guarantee it won't recur anytime soon."
I stared at him for a while, and this kind of person actually showed an expression that was almost begging for mercy. I actually felt sorry for him. I guess I'm doomed to be stuck with this person for the rest of my life.
Beauty is a curse. I did not want to be swayed by it, but he relentlessly dragged me along. In the end, he conquered the city and marched straight in, plundering everything I had. I had no power to resist, or perhaps, I should say, I didn't even have the will to resist.
He was always very careful when he came in, even that time under the influence of the drug he was extremely restrained, barely hurting me the first time. Sometimes I feel sorry for him when I think about it. I was also under the influence, so I know the dosage was definitely high. His kisses weren't gentle then, but he managed to regain his last bit of rationality at the most crucial moment. After that experience, I finally understood how much he cherished me.
By evening, I was exhausted, and when I saw that he was coming again, I glared at him fiercely.
"Are you really going to knock me out before you're satisfied?"
Although he toned it down a bit after I glared at him, he stubbornly refused to get off me, and chuckled softly as he pressed against my neck.
"Lian'er was very good today, so I lost control. Besides, you were the one who made me hold back first. I'm going to collect the debt I owe you for the past two months."
"Who calculates things like that? You're a scoundrel."
He just smiled, his eyes clear and bright, like the pure and spotless stars and moon. It was probably the happiest smile he'd had in the past two months.
"..." He had no choice but to sigh, "Are you hungry? Your injury has only just healed and you're already like this... Um, go and eat something quickly."
"Mmm." He leaned in and pecked my lips. "I'll have them bring up a bucket of hot water. What would you like to eat tonight? I'll cook it for you."
"I'm craving the lamb bone porridge that Qionghua makes for you; it smells so good."
"Why didn't you say you wanted to eat it sooner? He always cooks a big pot of it, and I can't finish it all. Every time, a lot of it is wasted."
I frowned and snorted dismissively, "Who cares about what he cooks? He treats his pot like it's his most precious possession just because someone glances at it a couple of times. Seeing him like that, even if you're hungry or craving food, you won't have an appetite."
He laughed and flicked my nose. "You're quite picky."
"Aren't you going? You're not hungry, but I am!"
Only after he said that did he get up, put on a gauze robe, and leave the room.
Later, he personally brought up hot water, washed me, and helped me change. After dawdling for a long time, I finally managed to get rid of him. If I hadn't been careful and kept a close eye on him, he might have pounced on me in the luxurious bedchamber again, and we'd be entangled in our passionate lovemaking right now.
Chapter 106
It's the third day of the eighth lunar month now, twelve days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the Moon Altar on Phoenix Mountain is no longer as quiet as it used to be.
"Who is coming?"
"Who else could put on such a grand display? The dragon and phoenix painting is a perfect example of the Xiao family's rule that only members of their family can use it."
"Your eyesight is so good you can see the mountaintop?"
"There's no need for me to bother looking; my little master has already reported everything."
"Now I finally understand why He Xiuqi fought so hard to protect Bai Xiaosheng. How could he find out what was going on inside the palace?"
"That's right, otherwise..."
"How have you been lately, elder brother?"
Gemini Ann was interrupted before he could finish speaking, and the voice sounded to him like a death knell from hell.
His expression of seeing a ghost in broad daylight was truly comical. Unfortunately, the lychee he had just put in his mouth got stuck in his throat from the shock, turning his pale face red.
"Hmm, to know that the Dragon and Phoenix Rainbow Painting was unaware of the Twins' danger at Bieyun Manor, your little master is truly remarkable."
I clapped my hands, made some sarcastic remarks, and continued peeling my lychees, eating and watching the show.
"My elder brother's charm is truly irresistible. Even after losing several thousand taels of silver, Zhao Hequan is still relentless. You may know how to live a carefree life, but you've ruined a lot of my peace and quiet."
He spat out the lychee pit with all his might, coughed violently, and when he calmed down, his clean forehead was covered with fine cold sweat.
“Wei’er, our parents died young…” He turned his head, wrinkled his nose, and tears streamed down his face.
The person whose sleeve he grabbed lowered their head, looking down at him with disdain, without even raising an eyebrow.
"I raised you with great difficulty, I deserve all the credit and hard work..."
"Lian'er".
Just as I was watching Gemini An's tearful lament, I heard someone calling me from outside the pavilion.
"Come here, I'll show you something fun."
The man stood tall and elegant on the steps, wearing a royal blue satin robe embroidered with chrysanthemums. His skin was as white as jade, his eyes were clear and bright, and his long hair was tied up with a gold snake hairpin, revealing his slender and fair neck.
The fragrance of laurel blossoms drifted into the yard on the warm breeze. I forced a smile, ran over, and hugged his lean waist tightly, rubbing my hands against his clothes.
Before she could even rub against him, a long, strong hand grabbed her away. "Don't keep using my clothes as handkerchiefs."
"Oh." She replied while vigorously wiping her hand, which he hadn't grabbed, on his sleeve.
He looked down at me, then suddenly smiled brightly. My scalp tingled, and I tried to run away, but as soon as I turned around, someone grabbed me by the back of my collar, spun me around, and dragged me out of the yard.
"What could be more fun than dealing with the Gemini crisis and bringing peace to the Geminis?"
"have."
Inside the New Goose Pavilion, an eagle has appeared on the gold-lacquered and carved white marble railing. Despite it being the height of summer, a fierce and murderous aura, as if carrying the wind and frost, is emanating from it. Speaking of which, why does that sidelong glance look so familiar?
Doesn't it look familiar?
"I feel like I've seen this somewhere before."
"Indeed, you should have met him."
I was startled by the tone of his voice, but when I looked back at him, I couldn't see anything wrong with his expression.
"It lingered outside the city for several days, and it took Xiao Jinse a lot of effort to catch it... Oh, by the way, you must recognize this treasure sandbag, right?"
When I saw the palm-sized, bluish-purple sachet in his hand, I widened my eyes. "Isn't this my older brother's?"
"When we caught it, it was hanging around its neck, so I think it was looking for you."
He spoke softly, his eyes fixed on the cylinder on the eagle's foot, his gaze unfathomable.
It was only then that I realized something was wrong; this person was trying to manipulate me into doing what he wanted!
“I’m afraid this thing will attack me. You know I was pecked by a parrot when I was a kid, and I feel like killing any bird I see.”
"I know, I can get your things for you."
After speaking, he walked over. With each step, the eagle shifted slightly to the side along the railing, making a crisp sound as it tugged on the metal axle at the other end of the silk rope. When the man stopped in front of the eagle, he casually untied the red rope from its leg, pinched the ring on the cylinder with his fingertips, and walked back to give it to me. Looking at the eagle, its eyes had lost the imposing look I had when I entered. It stood frozen at the top of the railing, as if stunned, not daring to move. I could see its trembling feathers were almost entirely filled with terror.
"Should I open it for you or will you look at it yourself?"
I hate his current attitude. "I'll see for myself!"
He snatched the cylinder, still feeling indignant. He unfastened the clasp, revealing a section of silk gauze. Unfolding it, he saw a map drawn on the white silk gauze.
"Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunion. The moon rises in the sky on the fifteenth, and you should go out the north gate at the second watch. Carry a beautiful picture in your heart, and you may meet a good person. Be careful in everything you do."
The person standing behind me read out a line of small print below the picture. I shuddered, and the white veil fell to the ground, as if I were guilty. Actually, I was just scared by him.
"Didn't you say you weren't going to watch it?"
"When did I say that, and when did you hear it? Besides, by laying it all out like this, you're just making it obvious to everyone."
I also hated his indifferent expression. "What does this mean? What kind of nonsense is this?"
No one bothered to pick up the silk gauze on the ground. He glanced at it sideways and said, "The map of the imperial city."
"...Who's so stupid? You intercepted the eagle's message! This is a frame-up, a way to frame me. Someone is trying to harm me."
“If you hadn’t said that, I might have thought so too.”
My throat tightened, and I felt choked up. "After hearing what you said, even if I didn't have that thought before, I now want to betray you."