Chapter 30 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)

Chapter Thirty

When Pei Zan returned to his tent, the medicine to dispel the cold had already been placed on the table outside the screen. The soldier who delivered the medicine knew that there were women staying in the tent, so he did not dare to trespass and left after placing the bowl of soup.

Pei Zan had only changed into wet clothes and had not yet washed or bathed. His eyes were calm as he glanced at the steaming medicinal soup and then at the sleeping girl on the bed.

Lin Rong lay on her side, her face turned outwards. Her almond-shaped face and peach-like cheeks were illuminated by the firelight, casting flickering shadows. A thick quilt covered her, wrapping her up like a ball.

It seemed to be stiflingly hot. Lin Rong even reached out to struggle, but the blue robe was like a cocoon, binding her tightly. She couldn't break free and could only give up and continue to sleep.

Pei Zan watched quietly for a while, then brought over the medicine bowl with one hand and coldly called to her, "Get up and drink your medicine."

Lin Rong was frightened and cold all night and didn't sleep well.

When that cool hand touched her cheek, Lin Rong quickly opened her eyes.

Lin Rong was still sleepy, without a trace of resentment. Before she could get up, the rim of the porcelain bowl was already pressed against her cherry lips.

Lin Rong was dazed and confused. Her chin was being pinched, and she struggled to open her mouth. In no time, the thick medicinal liquid was poured into her throat. Before she could complain about the bitterness, Lin Rong swallowed the medicine whole.

Lin Rong coughed lightly twice and wiped away a bit of black juice from the corner of her mouth.

She looked up and met Pei Zan's cold and indifferent dark eyes.

Lin Rong realized that this was a medicinal soup for treating illness, and she thanked him softly, "Thank you for feeding me the medicine, young master."

"Hmm." Pei Zan put down the soup bowl and ignored her.

The soldiers brought hot water and charcoal braziers for washing up one after another.

Lin Rong knew that as Pei Zan's concubine, he certainly didn't want her to appear in public in such a lazy and dissolute manner.

Therefore, Lin Rong wisely lay down and pulled the thick blanket over half of her face.

She fumbled around in the warm bed and was surprised to find that all her clothes and underwear had vanished. The robe she was wearing was loose and baggy, made of high-quality brocade with a subtle sandalwood scent... It was clearly Pei Zan's outer garment.

Lin Rong understood. She was covered in wet lake water and it was not suitable for her to get on the bed. Pei Zan disliked her being dirty, so he took pity on her and helped her change her clothes.

After hot water for bathing was prepared in the tent, the noise gradually subsided.

Knowing no one was coming, Lin Rong sneaked out of bed.

Lin Rong turned her head and saw that the screen was shrouded in mist, from which she could faintly hear the rustling sounds of clothes being undressed.

She suddenly realized... Pei Zan personally fed her the medicine simply because he wanted to finish her business quickly so she could take a bath and change.

Although a brazier was burning in the tent, Lin Rong's hair was half-dry from being soaked in the lake water, which was really uncomfortable. She thought of the finger marks left on her slender waist and the crimson kiss marks branded on the snowy hills and valleys, and felt a little depressed.

Regardless, she still wanted to wipe herself down before going to sleep.

Lin Rong heard the sound of water dripping from behind the screen. She subconsciously looked up and saw the man slightly raise his jade wrist and hang his dark black robe and snow-white inner garment on the landscape screen one by one.

The screen was a painted screen with a gauze cover, and the flickering light of the copper lamp illuminated the back of a tall and imposing man.

Lin Rong realized that Pei Zan was a clean freak and that he had already taken off his clothes and gone into the water to bathe.

Lin Rong knew very well that she was not someone who could be brought to the table, and she had no right to ask the soldiers to bring more hot water to wipe her body.

Country folks wash their faces and feet with a basin of water; there's nothing to complain about.

Perhaps Lin Rong's absent-minded look while sitting on the edge of the couch was too silly, because a deep, magnetic voice suddenly came from behind the screen: "Aren't you going to sleep?"

Lin Rong looked up and exclaimed. When she realized it was Pei Zan who had asked her, she said awkwardly, "I still smell a bit fishy from the lake, so I wanted to wipe myself down before I went to sleep."

Perhaps fearing that Pei Zan would find her meddlesome, Lin Rong added apprehensively, "Young Master, you don't need to worry about me, nor do you need to trouble those cooks to boil water in the middle of the night... You take a bath first, and I'll just borrow some water to wipe myself down."

Lin Rong hadn't forgotten how she had narrowly escaped death; she was already grateful to have survived, so how could she dare to negotiate with Pei Zan?

Before she could finish speaking, Pei Zan suddenly called out again, "Lin Rong, come here."

Upon hearing this, Lin Rong immediately realized that Pei Zan was inviting her to bathe together!

Lin Rong was stunned when she thought of the fact that she was only wearing a blue robe and was completely naked underneath. She felt a sense of urgency and said, "Young Master, I'm feeling a little sleepy right now. I think I can fall asleep without wiping myself down."

"Lin Rong, come here." Pei Zan's voice grew colder. "...Don't make me say it a second time."

Even though she couldn't see Pei Zan's cold and aloof face, Lin Rong could still sense the impatience and sternness hidden in his oppressive words.

Lin Rong didn't dare to go against Pei Zan. She was stunned for a moment, but unexpectedly, Pei Zan got up, put on his clothes after getting out of the water, and walked slowly towards her.

As the tall, imposing figure drew closer, Lin Rong's throat tightened, and she shuddered, quickly climbing out of bed.

Before she could even stand up straight, Pei Zan had already firmly grasped her fair wrist in his hand, wrapped his strong arm around her waist, and pulled Lin Rong into his arms.

Lin Rong fell into the man's boiling embrace, the intense heat of his breath overwhelming her, and the man's vigorous heartbeat pounded in her ears like molten lava.

Almost instantly, the bitter incense from the Buddhist hall spread, penetrating almost every nook and cranny, entering Lin Rong's mouth and nose, filling her five senses, and making her dizzy and disoriented.

Lin Rong once really liked the sandalwood scent emanating from Pei Zan, and also felt that the string of Bodhi beads held by Pei Zan's delicate hand bones had a divine quality.

It wasn't until he pinned her down and held her in his arms that she realized just how terrifying this compassionate incense could be. It could cause Guanyin, who was adorned with sandalwood, to shed her benevolent facade of universal salvation in an instant, transforming into a cruel and ruthless demon.

Pei Zan never showed any mercy towards her.

Lin Rong was terrified. Her consciousness was hazy, her limbs were stiff, and she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

She recalled the remaining bite marks, some light and some heavy, on her chest... and couldn't help but tremble.

Perhaps Lin Rong's reaction was too resistant, causing Pei Zan to close his eyes and lower his head. He threw Lin Rong into the bathtub, then pinched the girl's delicate chin, stared into her misty almond eyes, and warned her word by word.

"What you've dirtied... is my tatami mat."

Therefore, she should apologize, make amends, and cleanse herself thoroughly so that she can serve her husband.

Lin Rong had no way out.

Lin Rong thought of the sharp arrows, the warm horse blood splattered on her cheeks, and how she almost drowned in the lake when Pei Zan held her in his hand... She valued her life, so she did not resist.

Lin Rong gripped the edge of the bathtub tightly with both hands and nodded slowly, "I will wash myself properly and dare not dirty the young master's bed."

Perhaps because Lin Rong's submissive demeanor was so docile, Pei Zan glanced at her indifferently and did not make things difficult for her.

He undressed in front of Lin Rong.

The long robe fell from Pei Zan's muscular, elegant arms, revealing his smooth, jade-like shoulders and back.

This tall and muscular man's body, though as white as snowflakes in the moonlight, bore several dark, old scars on his neck and waist, adding a touch of ferocious and ruthless killing intent that made him a force to be reckoned with.

Pei Zan was born with cold eyes and delicate eyebrows, broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and a tall and graceful figure, making him undoubtedly a beautiful person.

Lin Rong was terrified of his methods, and no matter how handsome a man was, she dared not get close to him.

This was the first time Lin Rong had seen Pei Zan's naked body up close like this. Her almond-shaped eyes widened, and she was a little at a loss.

Although she had been in close physical contact with Pei Zan before, they hadn't actually gone all the way.

As for her first time making love, she had her back to Pei Zan and only remembered the pain and soreness, with no other impressions.

In the moment Lin Rong was lost in thought, the bathtub water had already soaked the floor.

She retreated in a panic, but Pei Zan leaned in and forcefully cornered her in the cramped bathtub.

Lin Rong stammered, "Young...Young Master..."

Lin Rong lowered her head again, speechless.

He is a fierce and tough young master.

Pei Zan pressed Lin Rong's shoulder and neck, feeling the warmth of her fair and smooth skin.

She no longer had a fever and was in good health. After drinking a bowl of herbal soup, her illness was relieved, and she was no longer at risk of catching a cold.

Therefore, the punishment for Lin Rong can continue.

Ignoring Lin Rong's struggles, Pei Zan pinched her soft waist and forced her to turn over.

Lin Rong was at someone else's mercy; she had no room to refuse and could only cower and submit to their control.

She gripped the bathtub in terror, her heart pounding with unease, a chill running through her body.

However, Pei Zan had already bent his knees into a kneeling position, and his lower back was being pressed tightly into his palm.

Pei Zan forced her to turn her back to him.

His long fingers, like wildfire, burned on the back of Lin Rong's neck. His large palm roamed around, then covered Lin Rong's thin throat again, gripping her lifeline, feeling the trembling beneath her slender, lotus-stem-like neck.

"Lin Rong, if you take another step back, I won't be able to stop my strength."

Pei Zan offered a low-pitched advice.

Lin Rong dared not move again.

She let him do as he pleased, fearfully pressing herself against Pei Zan's lean waist, her buttocks touching his well-defined, hard abdominal muscles, and then she froze.

The man's gentle kisses landed one by one on her snowy back.

Lin Rong bit her lower lip in silence, not daring to make a sound.

Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with tears, as she was afraid of disturbing Pei Zan and making him hit harder, and also afraid of arousing his interest and making him torment her for a longer time.

Lin Rong's restraint ultimately angered Pei Zan.

On her snowy buttocks, her finger bones were slightly clenched.

The soft flesh was held in his palm, and the jade-like flesh almost overflowed from between his fingers.

Pei Zan lowered his head, quietly scrutinized Lin Rong, and sneered.

"Lin Rong, kneel down properly."

A few long fingers brushed through Lin Rong's long, glossy black hair, hooking behind her flushed ears.

However, after slightly raising his head, Pei Zan reprimanded him with deep resentment.

"You've gone to the wrong place... Don't blame me."