Chapter 52 Rules

Three Kisses a Day

Normally, Li Youqing would be awakened by Xuan Rui’s early morning movements, but today she unexpectedly slept until the sun was high in the sky.

Opening her eyes and seeing him still beside her, she mumbled drowsily, “What’s going on? Aren’t you going to train the troops today?”

“I’ll go in the afternoon.” Xuan Rui’s gaze flickered, feeling somewhat uneasy.

After last night’s activities, he couldn’t bear to wake her early.

Li Youqing stretched lazily and turned her back to him, wanting to sleep a little longer, but the man’s robust body immediately pressed against her.

Feeling him becoming increasingly unreasonable, Li Youqing turned and hit him hard, saying angrily, “What are you thinking about so early in the morning!”

Xuan Rui hugged her and kissed her, whispering, “Thinking of you.”

Li Youqing buried her face in his chest, finding it hard to breathe. As soon as she emerged from the blanket, he eagerly sealed her lips.

Neither wanted to let go of the warmth, and they lingered together a while longer.

Remembering last night’s incident, Xuan Rui restrained himself from doing anything improper.

Leaning in the crook of his arm, slightly breathless from the kisses, Li Youqing pinched his cheek and chided, “General… no Public Indecency during the day.”

“If you take more initiative, I could indulge more thoroughly.” Xuan Rui’s gaze fell on her fair arms wrapped around him, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Li Youqing tightened her arms, leaned in to kiss his chin, and said seriously, “This princess may, but you may not.”

“Why?” His heavy breath pressed closer, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

She felt a sudden fear, but thought if she didn’t establish Rules now, she would be completely at his mercy later.

“You’ll know when we return to the capital. Before marriage, the palace will assign someone to teach you the Rules.” Li Youqing slightly narrowed her eyes, her soft lips lingering on his chin, gently nuzzling.

This appeasing attitude pleased him greatly, making him automatically ignore the arrogance in her words.

Xuan Rui cupped her face, his tone muffled, “I’ll listen to you.”

After a moment, Li Youqing pushed him away, catching her breath, “Then from now on, General must gradually get used to it.”

Xuan Rui frowned, “Get used to what?”

“In the future, you can still sleep with me.” Li Youqing’s face reddened as she said this. Seeing him secretly smiling, she quickly added, “But without this princess’s permission, you cannot touch me anymore.”

At first, Xuan Rui thought she was joking, but seeing her speak so earnestly, he sneered, “Are these Rules before marriage or after?”

“Both… always.” She blinked, appeasingly kissed his chin again, looked at him and said, “Don’t take offense, General Xuan, these are Ancestral Rules. It’s one thing here in the northwest, but if we continue like this in the capital, people will criticize us.”

With that, she sat up, ready to get out of bed and wash up.

Xuan Rui sat up as well, wrapping his arms around her from behind, pressing close to her ear, he said fiercely, “In the end, I’m afraid this general doesn’t satisfy the princess.”

“That’s not true.” Li Youqing answered honestly, turning to face him with an innocent expression, “My two elder sisters were the same. Besides their respective consorts, their households also had countless…”

“Countless what?” Xuan Rui nibbled her ear, his breathing growing increasingly heavy and dangerous.

Li Youqing shrank her neck slightly, not daring to mention keeping male concubines. Evading the main issue, she said, “Since you wish to become a consort, you must abide by the palace Rules—honoring me as the princess in all matters. If you cannot comply, go marry some noble lady instead. We should just—”

Xuan Rui let out a soft chuckle, his large hand gripping her chin while the other cupped her fullness, waiting to hear what clever words she might utter.

Li Youqing ended up melting weakly against the man’s chest, her voice as feeble as a kitten’s, lacking any threat: “Xuan Rui, how dare you.”

Xuan Rui slowly stroked her cheek, leaning closer as he suppressed his heartache and murmured, “Qingqing, are you joking with this General?”

“What this General wants isn’t some worthless consort title—I am your husband.” He seized her hand and pressed it to his chest, declaring, “We will be like any ordinary married couple. Forget those Ancestral Rules. Remember, I’d give my life for you, but don’t even think about those hollow formalities.”

Feeling his steady, powerful heartbeat, Li Youqing’s palm grew warm.

Yet her mind remained somewhat confused by his words.

She had never witnessed how ordinary couples behaved together, nor did she understand the difference between a husband and a consort.

From childhood till now, Li Youqing had never encountered a man as rough and domineering as him.

He never cared for her moods, never asked her wishes—simply did as he pleased.

Wild and unrestrained, acting on every impulse.

After speaking, he kissed her again.

As if trying to mend their earlier discord with this fervent kiss.

But as the kiss deepened, its nature shifted once more.

Xuan Rui grasped her slender calf, his hand habitually caressing upward—

“I said we can’t do this.” Li Youqing’s voice trembled with unshed tears, yet she couldn’t resist his teasing, gradually softening into a puddle beneath the covers.

Xuan Rui hooked an arm around her waist, moving purely on instinct—mostly driven by anger from her earlier remarks.

“I’ve spoiled you into lawlessness. Let your husband teach you what words to say and what deeds to do.”He kissed her neck while guiding her hands, his voice low with suppressed fury: “The Eldest Princess keeping male concubines is common knowledge.” If Qingqing wishes to follow suit, this General will have no choice… but to eliminate every one I see.”

“No, I don’t—” Li Youqing’s body burned with heat while cold dread seeped into her heart. She shook her head repeatedly: “I won’t, don’t think that.”

Xuan Rui smiled and caressed her cheek, though his chest remained tight with anguish. He threaded fingers through her raven hair, steadying her head.

Seeing her tear-glazed eyes and flushed cheeks glaring at him, a bittersweet ache surged in his heart.

He couldn’t help asking: “When I kiss and touch you like this… does it feel unpleasant?”

“What?” Li Youqing stared blankly, not understanding his meaning.

Xuan Rui remained expressionless, his face stern as he pressed: “Answer me. When we’re intimate like this—is it unpleasant?”

Li Youqing pondered carefully, first shaking her head, then nodding.

Xuan Rui’s expression darkened further, his eyes shadowed with irritation: “Explain.”

Under his intense gaze, she forced herself to answer: “It’s not unpleasant… just… I’m afraid of that.”

Xuan Rui knew exactly what frightened her. Some of his pent-up frustration eased as he wrapped her hand around himself: “Like this? Are you scared?”

Li Youqing could no longer respond to him and, unable to hold back, began to sob quietly.

“What are you crying for? Blaming me for not understanding the rules?” The man’s eyes remained calm, but the redness at their corners betrayed his true emotions.

“Don’t worry, I promised you yesterday—I won’t hurt you again.” It was true he wouldn’t cause physical harm… but that was the extent of his restraint.

“As long as you’re not uncomfortable, to hell with those damned rules. I’ll touch you when I want, kiss you when I please.” His gaze was frank, completely unaware how vulgar and shameless his words sounded.

An hour later, Li Youqing had cried herself to exhaustion.

Finally, she sank her teeth hard into his shoulder, only releasing when the metallic taste of blood reached her tongue. Staring blankly at the man who had finally achieved his satisfaction, she watched as he…

What hadn’t been completed last night had ultimately been accomplished by him. Wrapping herself miserably in the quilt, Li Youqing shrank backward.

Xuan Rui said nothing, simply threw on his clothes and went out.

Outside the tent, the sun was already high in the sky.

Shortly after, Liu Shi entered to help her wash and dress. Noticing the marks on her body, she thoughtfully fetched water.

Once freshened up, Li Youqing stepped around the screen and saw the man who had just returned from outside, her heart tightening instinctively.

Nearby, Aunt An had just laid out steaming breakfast. Sensing the tense atmosphere, she exchanged a look with Liu Shi, and both withdrew outside.

Xuan Rui sat upright at the table in dark robes, having resumed his usual cold and steady demeanor.

Li Youqing wore a light apricot-colored padded jacket with a large fox fur collar that made her appear even more jade-like and adorable.

She had noticed since returning to camp that besides his clothes, there were several large chests filled with women’s clothing and jewelry.

According to Liu Shi, General Xuan had prepared all these things for her in advance.

Xuan Rui sat eating noodles by himself, remaining silent even after she took her seat.

Seeing his still gloomy expression, Li Youqing’s heart grew colder.

Probably all men in the world were like this—turning cold and distant once they left the bed.

She sat sipping her porridge in small mouthfuls. When nearly finished, she made to leave but felt his gaze upon her.

She hadn’t expected her words to provoke such a strong reaction from him, that his anger would linger this long.

After stepping outside into the cold wind, Xuan Rui reflected on his actions and realized he’d truly behaved like a scoundrel.

As he worried about how to apologize, he saw the little figure shuffling slowly toward him.

“Even ordinary couples aren’t like you, constantly thinking about… that sort of thing all day,” she mumbled, her face reddening.

“You keep saying you like me, but every time we’re together, you only want to do those things. Is this what you call liking me?”

As she spoke, genuine sorrow welled up in Li Youqing’s heart. Fighting back tears, she said, “Would you stop liking me if I became ugly, or if my figure changed and became deformed, or if I were disabled or sick?”

A tear drop pattered onto the back of his hand.

Xuan Rui pulled her into his arms, his tone urgent. “What nonsense are you talking!”

“But it’s true…” Li Youqing could no longer restrain herself, sobbing as she accused him, “You complain I’m too short, too thin, that I have too many rules. I’m not like the women here in the northwest—then go find them instead!”

“Enough of this foolishness!” Xuan Rui cut her off, rubbing his temples in frustration. “How old are you now? Why are you still acting like a child!”

Li Youqing froze for a moment, then began crying even more violently, tears flowing uncontrollably like a burst dam.

Xuan Rui’s temples throbbed painfully from the noise, and finally, with no other choice, he conceded, “Fine, we’ll do things your way. Is that acceptable?”

The crying stopped abruptly. The little one looked up timidly, tears still in her eyes, and nodded.

Seeing that she had gotten her way, Xuan Rui gritted his teeth and added, “But don’t even think about copying The Eldest Princess’s methods.”

Li Youqing neither agreed nor disagreed, freeing herself from his grasp as she said, “Once you learn how to be a proper consort, I’ll treat you well.”

Xuan Rui was both angered and amused by her words. Crossing his arms, he stood there watching her and asked, “So now you believe I actually like you?”

Li Youqing couldn’t hold back a small smile, raising an eyebrow as she replied, “Just make sure you control yourself and don’t get too carried away by beauty. In a few days, when I’m in a better mood, I’ll summon you for Attending the Emperor/Empress in bed.”

Xuan Rui glanced at her exquisitely beautiful, fair face and thought to himself that she was indeed quite lovely—but he wasn’t the type to lose his head over looks alone.

“Whatever you say,” he agreed readily, picking up his sword and turning to leave the tent.

Just as Li Youqing breathed a sigh of relief and began planning a trip to the town, the man who had just left strode back in.

Xuan Rui pressed a firm kiss onto those lips that always knew how to charm and infuriate him, yet also made his heart ache.

After the kiss, he said with utmost seriousness, “Let me kiss you three times a day. The rest is up to you.”