Chapter 49: Thirst

Light the lamp, I’m scared.

The man strode over, carrying the chill of wind and frost with him, imposing and domineering.

Li Youqing only felt a shadow enveloping her from above, the surroundings suddenly turning quiet, to the point where she could no longer even perceive the flickering of the campfire.

Catching a scent reminiscent of licorice blooming in the desert at her nose, she giggled softly and looked up with an innocent, charming expression. “Why did you only come now? You must be punished with three cups of wine!”

“Punished with wine?” Xuan Rui had just arrived from the prisoner-of-war camp, still clad in his armor. Handing his sword to his attendant, he scrutinized her from head to toe.

Though she seemed a bit disheveled, she was dressed warmly enough, and her cheeks were flushed, making one want to kiss them repeatedly.

Xuan Rui swallowed hard, his gaze discreetly sweeping over the “water pouch” in her hand before instructing his followers, “Prepare some food and bring it over later.”

With that, he unceremoniously scooped her up into his arms and turned to stride away.

Behind them, the soldiers fell silent for a moment before erupting into cheers, spontaneously following the pair and joyfully escorting them to the tent.

Li Youqing, intoxicated and far from shy, raised her wine cup high and laughed loudly, “Drink! Everyone, join in!”

Join in?

Xuan Rui’s face darkened. He pressed the restless woman firmly against his chest and strode into the tent.

“Hey, you scoundrel, what are you doing—” Li Youqing, sensing something amiss, began pounding his chest in frustration. “Why did you bring me in here? They were still toasting me! We haven’t finished drinking yet. Let me out so I can continue!”

“Xuan Rui, how dare you—” Li Youqing was tossed onto the bed, completely unaware of how improper her drunken behavior was. She glared furiously at the culprit.

Seeing his expressionless, stern face, she impulsively threw the water pouch at him.

Xuan Rui caught it and weighed it in his hand—good grief, it was already empty.

Hmph, if she had only drunk the fruit wine brewed by Liu Shi, she wouldn’t be this drunk.

He shook his head, moved behind the screen to remove his armor, washed his hands and face, and changed into a casual crimson robe.

Li Youqing, seeing that he had brought her in and then ignored her, sat dazed for a while before impatiently getting off the bed to escape.

Unfortunately, her legs were weak, and after just a couple of steps, she felt dizzy and stumbled forward.

Hearing the commotion, Xuan Rui came out, scooped her up again, and carried her back to the bed.

“Stop fussing. If you’re drunk, just sleep quietly,” he said patiently, pressing her down onto the bed and tucking her flailing arms under the covers.

Seeing her flushed face and puffed cheeks, so charming and lively, a wave of tenderness surged in his heart.

This was the first time, on a visitation night, that someone had been waiting for him back at camp.

Though this little thing was utterly troublesome, she filled him with inexplicable joy in this dark, cold night.

“I’m not drunk at all!” Li Youqing’s arms, just tucked in, reached out again unrestrainedly, insisting repeatedly, “I’m not drunk, not drunk… You’re the one who’s drunk! If you have the guts, drink with me some more!”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she narrowed her eyes slyly and grabbed the front of his robe. “I’ve discovered your big secret!”

“What is it?” Xuan Rui chuckled, his upper body leaning closer as her arm pulled him down.

Their lips were barely a hair’s breadth apart. He caught the scent of wine lingering around her, along with that faint sweet fragrance, causing his lower abdomen to tighten.

The day’s training hadn’t drained his energy; instead, it had left him more invigorated, with plenty of stamina to spare for her.

The young girl squinted with a mischievous smile, pointing her slender, pale finger at him with feigned seriousness. “You’ve been hiding wine in your waterskin! I caught you, and I’m going to tell your subordinates!”

“That won’t do.” Xuan Rui grasped her finger, gazing tenderly at the cat-like figure. “Qingqing belongs to me. How could you betray your general?”

“Wh-what do you mean, yours?” Suddenly recalling how Liu Shi and others had been calling her “the general’s lady” all evening, her already flushed cheeks burned hotter. She bit her lip and glared at him.

Xuan Rui’s breath hitched, nearly driven mad by that look.

He pressed her palm against his chest, his voice low and husky. “Aren’t you, though?”

Feeling his frantic heartbeat and the scorching heat of his chest, Li Youqing tried to pull her hand back, but he held it firmly in place.

Her five fingers were forcibly interlaced with his, pink fingertips curling involuntarily. A flicker of fear showed in her eyes, and even her drunkenness seemed to recede slightly.

Their fingers remained entwined as their bodies drew closer.

After tasting her sweet fragrance to his satisfaction, Xuan Rui gently tucked her hand back under the covers. “I’m covered in sweat. Let me go wash up first. Can you lie here quietly for a while?”

Li Youqing’s lips were still swollen and red, the corners of her eyes tinged crimson like a bullied little rabbit. She pushed him with both hands. “Go away, just go!”

Xuan Rui chuckled, turned and strode out of the tent, where he found Liu Shi waiting nearby with a tray. “You may go in,” he said calmly.

“Yes.” Liu Shi bowed her head and lifted the tent flap, first placing the tray on the table.

Rounding the screen, she saw the small lump huddled under the blankets and hurried over. “My lady, don’t suffocate yourself.”

Hearing her voice, Li Youqing peeked out. Her eyes were moist as she frowned. “My head is spinning. I feel awful.Liu Shi blamed himself, saying: “This is my fault.” I shouldn’t have given you wine without permission.”

Although the general’s lady had drunk quite a bit tonight, it was all fruit wine she had brewed herself – completely different from what the soldiers drank. There was no reason for her to get drunk.

What hadn’t bothered her before now made Li Youqing’s head throb painfully. She tossed and turned restlessly in bed.

Finally propping herself up, she pointed at the waterskin on the bedside cabinet and told Liu Shi, “I don’t know what kind of wine is in there, but it’s making me feel terrible.”

Liu Shi brought over the waterskin, pulled out the stopper and sniffed suspiciously. Her face suddenly paled in alarm. “This wine has a strong delayed effect. I’m afraid you’ll feel even worse tomorrow after you wake up.”

Seeing Li Youqing swaying even while sitting, she quickly propped pillows behind her and fetched the sobering soup. “My lady, drink this slowly.”

Li Youqing’s stomach was bloated with wine, feeling extremely uncomfortable. Supported by Liu Shi, she went to relieve herself once, but upon returning, she refused to drink anything more.

The moment her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep, heavy sleep.

Liu Shi kept watch beside her. When General Xuan returned, she worriedly reported, “The lady didn’t drink the calming soup. I’m afraid she won’t sleep very peacefully tonight.”

Xuan Rui’s hair was still damp. Unaccustomed to having outsiders in his tent, he nodded. “Understood. You may go.”

Tonight was the family visitation day at the military camp, so the women would be staying overnight.

Liu Shi said somewhat awkwardly, “General, please eat first. My mother will come later to clean up.”

The stove in the tent burned brighter than usual. Xuan Rui waited until Liu Shi left before taking off his outer robe and bending down to touch Li Youqing’s face.

She had been so lively earlier, but now she was sleeping soundly.

He wondered where she got the audacity to drink with a bunch of soldiers until she passed out.

The food Liu Shi brought in was still warm. Xuan Rui quickly finished his dinner. When Aunt An came to clean up, he instructed, “Prepare some shredded chicken congee in the kitchen and keep the calming soup warm over the fire. Leave someone alert on night duty, and you can go rest.”

“Yes, General. You should rest early too,” Aunt An said softly as she collected the bowls and utensils before turning to leave.

Xuan Rui went out to patrol the camp and, unsurprisingly, heard many discordant sounds.

In the past, he always found such intimate affairs between men and women both boring and a waste of time, but now he felt a fire rising from his lower abdomen.

He loosened his collar and stood in the cold wind for a while before returning to the tent. Seeing that the little one was sleeping peacefully, he blew out the lamp and went to the other side of the screen.

There was a recliner outside where he planned to make do for the night.

Although the general’s tent was situated separately, his hearing was exceptionally sharp, and he found the noises quite bothersome.

He had just dozed off when he was awakened by rustling sounds.

His heart tightened, and he strode past the screen just in time to catch her before she fell.

Soft jade and warm fragrance, accompanied by a faint scent of wine—just one whiff intoxicated him.

In the darkness, Li Youqing couldn’t see anything. Clinging to the man’s waist, she whispered hoarsely, “I’m thirsty.”

Xuan Rui held her and sat on the bed, tightening his arms around her before releasing her after a long moment.

Without lighting the lamp, he fetched the water kettle, lifted her head, and helped her drink.

Li Youqing held his hand and gulped down several mouthfuls. Unable to see his face clearly in the dim light, she reached out anxiously to touch it.

Her fingertips brushed his lips, and the cool, gentle touch felt soothing.

Feeling even thirstier, she murmured incoherently, “More—”

“More what?” Suddenly, he could no longer hear the noises outside; the only thing left in his mind was her soft, delicate voice.

Seeing the little one still looked dazed, Xuan Rui took a deep breath and pressed his thumb against her lips, punishing her with a firm rub.

“It hurts—” she whimpered weakly, lacking the strength to resist.

She gazed pitifully at the man’s stern face in the darkness and said plaintively, “General, my head hurts.”

Xuan Rui’s heart softened instantly. He coaxed her gently, “Lie still. I’ll go get the calming soup. Drink it before you sleep.”

With that, he made to rise.

Li Youqing barely managed to grab the hem of his clothes and said urgently, “Light the lamp. I’m scared.”

Xuan Rui immediately turned back and kissed her forehead urgently, comforting her, “Don’t be afraid, Qingqing. I’ll be right back.”

He went to light all the lamps on the other side of the screen so the light reaching the bed wouldn’t be too harsh or glaring.

Li Youqing lay quietly on the bed, waiting. Sure enough, he returned shortly.

Leaning against the man’s chest, she obediently drank the calming soup. Hearing his steady, powerful heartbeat, she began to feel drowsy again.

“Have a few bites of porridge before sleeping.” Seeing her body beginning to slide down, Xuan Rui wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into the crook of his arm. He then brought over the bowl of porridge, blowing on each spoonful to cool it before feeding her.

Li Youqing, being fed in this manner, felt increasingly drowsy. Her eyelids grew too heavy to keep open, and finally, with her head tilted, she fell asleep leaning against his chest.

[Author’s Note]

General Xuan: I’ll keep the interest for now—I’ll collect it sooner or later!

I’ve been spending all my time online these days, but I’ll update tomorrow!