Chapter 21: The Fourth Night

What on earth was he thinking…

“General.” Li Youqing called out softly.

Thinking he was sound asleep and hadn’t heard her, she waited a long while before hearing the man emit a low “Hmm” from his nostrils.

Like a massive beast slowly awakening, the man stretched his limbs, his figure suddenly seeming to expand.

The previously spacious bed suddenly felt cramped, the bed frame emitting a piercing creak that shattered the night’s tranquility.

She hadn’t noticed before—this bed was actually so unstable, making noise at the slightest movement.

Li Youqing shrank further inward, occupying only a small corner. Watching his robust body take up most of the bed, his lean, long legs stretched out, she felt there was almost nowhere left for her.

Moonlight poured in, clearly illuminating the contours of his high, straight nose bridge.

Her gaze followed his sharp jawline downward, where the golden jade-like Adam’s apple on his neck stood out, every curve flowing smoothly like mountains and seas.

Li Youqing thought resentfully, this man’s profile was simply too handsome.

Seeing him merely adjust his sleeping posture without saying another word, Li Youqing grew somewhat anxious and asked, “Are you awake?”

He still didn’t reply, but his breathing was no longer as even as before, sounding slightly heavier.

The golden jade protrusion on his neck moved slightly, as if swallowing, making Li Youqing inexplicably fearful.

Her side of the bed was against the wall. The bamboo window remained open, and outside, a sapodilla tree spread its enormous canopy, branches laden with heavy fruit, wafting in a faint fragrance.

The incense in the room grew stronger, that exotic scent making Li Youqing’s head begin to feel dizzy and heavy.

Uncertain how awake he was now or whether he intended to keep sleeping, she tentatively said, “General, perhaps you should rest a while longer.”

Silence lingered. Just as she thought he wouldn’t respond, a sudden heat enveloped her waist.

A powerful force swept her entire body, and in an instant, she was pulled from her own bedding.

The moment she was drawn into his quilt, it felt like being swallowed by a beast’s maw—everything went dark in a flash.

Li Youqing clenched the bedsheet tightly in her palm, her heart leaping into her throat.

By the time her senses returned, she was already lying in the spot where the man had just slept, her body sinking slightly into the mattress.

A rough, large hand wrapped around her waist, five fingers gripping her waist through the thin, plain clothing, rendering her completely immobile.

After pulling her over, his hand relaxed its grip slightly, but his arm never withdrew from behind her back.

Noticing her body still trembling lightly, Xuan Rui asked patiently, “Why are you so cold?”

Even with only a fist’s distance between them covering her, he hadn’t felt the slightest warmth.

Li Youqing looked at his face so close to hers and stammered, “I bathed with cold water tonight, wh-what’s wrong—”

In contrast to her own bedding, which had never warmed up, his quilt was warm and cozy, and far more comfortable.

To make matters worse, she felt sleepy again.

She could only bite the tip of her tongue to maintain a sliver of alertness.

In the time it took to exchange those few sentences, her undergarment had been undone—

So, he had pulled her in to facilitate detoxification.

But this time, it seemed slightly different from before.

He was clearly in a poor mood, his heavy, ragged breaths pressing densely against her ear.

Li Youqing’s ears flushed crimson red before he finally moved his head away.

Given the major incident in Rou Lan, it was natural for him to be in a foul mood. Being woken up shortly after falling asleep likely made him even more irritated with her.

As her consciousness gradually scattered, the breathing beside her ear transformed into the howling winds of years past, scattering her thoughts into disarray.

The man’s face before her suddenly shifted, morphing into a visage filled with lust and greed, his eyes gleaming with an eerie green light—utterly repulsive and perverted.

Behind the artificial rockery in Shu Yun Palace, the young girl had rushed out in shock and fury, screaming at the man to leave and never appear in the imperial palace again.

Yet not only did that person frequently return, he even sent Li Yuan to her mother’s side, stealing away all of her mother’s attention and affection.

Long-suppressed emotions surged to the surface, and Li Youqing couldn’t suppress a sharp scream—

A large hand clamped over her mouth.

Almost instinctively, Li Youqing sank her teeth deep into it.

The bite was so fierce it nearly reached bone.

Simultaneously, the trembling skin over her chest was pierced, releasing poisoned blood.

Her mind finally cleared somewhat. Her chest heaved violently as she slowly relaxed her jaw.

She had suffered another hysterical episode.

“Ge-General—” She reached for his hand, intending to check the severity of his wound, but his fingers forcefully interlaced with hers.

Her recently calmed heartbeat accelerated again. Her mind went blank as his hand firmly grasped hers, pressing tightly until their fingers were fully entwined.

His forearm lowered slightly, skin rubbing against hers, his honeyed tone stark against her snow-white complexion.

The quilt saturated with Rou Lan fragrance slid down his shoulders. The man’s arched spine was lean and powerful, the robust muscle lines at his nape visible through the fabric.

Lowering her gaze, she saw jet-black hair cascading over them, mingling with her own tresses.

The rough calluses on his palm caused slight stinging. Li Youqing shifted uncomfortably, turning to look out the window.

The full moon hung high, illuminating the dense branches framing the window.

But without the quilt, the alternating sensations of heat and cold were particularly tormenting.

Moreover, his left arm remained pinned beneath her waist, keeping her suspended until her spine felt near breaking.

Li Youqing burned with humiliation while enduring the sharp discomfort.

“Could we… not lie down—”

Xuan Rui lifted his forehead slightly, his lips stained with fresh blood from her earlier bite.

Processing her words, he rolled sideways onto the bed, pressing his temples while drawing a deep breath.

“Not lie down?” He massaged his brow, his gaze retaining untamed wildness as it fixed on her.

Hearing his unpleasant tone, Li Youqing felt wronged. Frowning, she protested, “This position is uncomfortable for me.”

“With Gu poison coursing through you, you’re still concerned about comfort?” Xuan Rui inwardly cursed, his expression growing fiercer.

Fresh irritation surged through him, throbbing pain spreading across his forehead.

I’m going mad with restraint here—who doesn’t want comfort?

Throughout this entire night, his mind had been filled with…

He exhaled deeply, swearing that if anyone dared employ such filthy methods again, he’d eliminate them before the poison could even take effect.

Li Youqing didn’t understand his sudden anger. Supporting her waist as she sat up, she knew without looking that the skin there must be bruised red.

Seeing the ominous aura radiating from him, she swallowed her pride and asked meekly, “Can’t we proceed as we did before?”

A mocking glint entered Xuan Rui’s eyes as his thin lips twisted. “What? Prefer having this general kneel for you?”

He bent one long leg, resting his right arm across it.

Xuan Rui glanced at his injury—a neat row of tooth marks imprinted across his palm.

The lingering softness and faint sweetness on his skin seemed to tease him…

The bleeding had begun to clot, yet his entire palm was stained a vivid, arresting red.

Li Youqing stared in stunned silence. The wound looked terrifying, and she wondered if he would seek revenge.

Xuan Rui let out a soft scoff. “The thirteenth young lady is full of tricks.”

Their eyes met—hers first confused, then indignant.

“Fine, have it your way,” he said indifferently, tugging at the collar of his monk’s robes. He took a deep breath. “What a deadly little thing. When you leave, I’ll surely burn a tall stick of incense in relief.”

Li Youqing choked on his words, trembling with rage.

How could every word out of his mouth be so venomous? He was utterly despicable!

The night air was cold, and the open window let in a continuous draft.

Seeing her shiver again, Xuan Rui resignedly picked up the fallen quilt and draped it over her head.

The girl burrowed into the covers, revealing only the rounded back of her head, her satin-like black hair tangled into stubborn knots.

That slender waist kept surfacing in his mind…

The feel of it in his palm—so pliant yet fragile, as if it might break—had nearly been the death of him moments earlier.

A heat stirred in his abdomen. He reached into the bedding to pull her out, but his hand stilled when it brushed her damp cheek.

“Why the tears? Didn’t I say you could have your way?” He frowned, wondering if he’d mishandled her or if lying down was truly uncomfortable.

Li Youqing peeked out from under the heavy quilt, glaring angrily. “Kneel then! Kneel until dawn!”

If he despised her so much, why had he helped her at all?

The next instant, the quilt was yanked away, and her body was engulfed by a towering shadow.

Clad in black monastic robes, the man’s waterfall of dark hair cascaded over his shoulders. Further down, the thin fabric strained against his muscular frame, as if on the verge of tearing.

Li Youqing suddenly thought he resembled a Buddha who had fallen into a sea of sin.

But no Buddha could be so ruthless.

He sighed softly, retrieved the fallen pillow, and tucked it firmly behind her lower back.

“This will make you more comfortable.” After speaking, he glanced outside and leaned over to shut the window tightly.

The room darkened, and she could see nothing.

The earlier tension dissipated as both recognized the need to avoid further provocation.

Li Youqing leaned back, sniffling. “Your hand is injured. You should bandage it first.”

After all, she only had a few days left and still needed his help to return to the capital. She couldn’t afford to push him too far.

“It’s fine.” Xuan Rui turned and knelt before her, frowning at her tear-streaked face. “Stop crying.”

Only then did she realize her cheeks were soaked.

She hadn’t meant to show weakness, but he had been so harsh earlier.

In the darkness, the scent of blood grew clearer—whether hers or his, she couldn’t tell.

Once her eyes adjusted slightly, Li Youqing retrieved her handkerchief to bandage his wound.

But as soon as their hands touched, he took the cloth away and intertwined his fingers with hers.

She looked up nervously, uneasy as she studied his face.

Why was he holding her hand again, and so suddenly—?

His heavy gaze pressed down on her. “Unnecessary.”

“No.” She lowered her gaze, feeling the space growing increasingly cramped and dark.

“No? You think you bit that hard?” The man’s tone lifted at the end, carrying a hint of roguishness.

His hand was scorching hot, squeezing her fingers until they ached.

Li Youqing didn’t dare look at their intertwined hands at all, keeping her eyes downcast and remaining silent.

This man was completely and utterly a scoundrel.