Chapter 73 His urgent, passionate kiss left her breathless...

Sparse stars and flowing moon, a light breeze and dew, a curtain of newly blossoming plum blossoms, graceful and fragrant.

Xu Congjing received an imperial decree to go to Yangzhou and had to leave that night. The two of them took a walk to clear their heads and stopped at Xu's residence. Lou Yanxu looked up at the gleaming plaque in front of the gate and asked, "Why did you bring me to Xu's residence?"

He led the person into the courtyard with great interest and mystery, saying, "I have something to give you."

Passing the screen wall, through the covered walkway and through the moon gate, it's a few miles further on. Before even seeing the interior, a burst of plum blossom fragrance fills the air. In the blink of an eye, you'll see long silk ropes hanging down, securely tied to the crossbeams, with the Chinese toon wood beneath swaying gently in the wind.

Xu Congjing tugged at it a few times, beaming, "This is the swing I made for you. Do you like it?" He had personally dismantled the last swing after Meng Lingshang sat on it, but this one suited his taste even better.

"Did you make this yourself?" Lou Yanxu's eyes sparkled with joy. Without her saying a word, he could tell she was extremely happy.

Back in Suzhou, there was a swing like this in the Lou family courtyard. Unlike many reserved young ladies from Jiangnan, she swung wildly on the swing, always swinging high with both feet on the wooden platform, bright and lively.

Seeing that she was lost in thought, he pushed her over, "Try standing on it."

She didn't refuse; with a slender hand, she firmly stepped onto it. At first, he only pushed her forward gently, but she wasn't satisfied with the speed and urged impatiently, "Faster...faster!"

Her colorful skirt fluttered, her figure swayed gracefully, and her smile was as beautiful as a flower. She swung in mid-air, seemingly about to ascend to heaven, a scene that could be described as "a play of a half-immortal." The early winter wind was a bit sharp, making her face stiff and pale, but a thin layer of sweat still appeared on her back. She hadn't experienced such a comfortable moment in a long time. She swung faster and faster, almost flying away.

Xu Congjing was worried when, in the blink of an eye, she actually lunged forward. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and caught the young lady in his arms.

Be careful.

A faint scent of cypress lingered around her. With just a slight lift of her head, she could see his unwavering gaze and the hand on her waist tightening noticeably. She tensed up instantly, her reserved eyes carrying a hint of anticipation.

But after a burst of frantic barking, there was still no movement. She was too embarrassed to stand it, so she lowered her head and broke free, saying, "Let me go."

“You…” He stared blankly, subconsciously letting go of her hand. His eyes glanced down and he noticed that she was wearing the single Pisces pendant today. The promise they made was vivid in his mind; the day she wore the pendant was the day she would entrust her life to him.

She wanted to have a small family, and he secretly made a note of it.

"What are you doing?" Feeling that gaze, she became a little embarrassed and turned her head away, retorting, "You gave me this, so I'm not allowed to wear it?"

His lips curved into a gentle smile, his eyes brimming with laughter, his brows relaxed, and his warm voice reached her ears, "You are a perfect match for me. Under the bright moon, the myriad scenes of flowers, birds, insects, and fish are nothing more than this."

Such an open display of affection caused Lou Yan and Xu Jun's faces to flush red. Being caught stealing a glance only made the blush spread further.

Xu Congjing rarely saw her like this, and with his emotions running high, he couldn't hold back any longer. He immediately grabbed her slender wrist with one hand, took two steps and pinned her against the wall, his urgent and surging kisses leaving her breathless.

She leaned obediently against his chest, the clatter of their heartbeats echoing in her ears. She tilted her head back to receive his teasing and stimulation, and a tingling sensation quickly took over her body.

"Um……"

She couldn't help but let out a soft, delicate hum, which startled Xu Congjing. He paused for a moment, but the young woman in his arms was like a flower bud just beginning to bloom. He felt it wasn't enough, not enough. In the blink of an eye, he opened his lips again.

To conquer cities and seize territory.

As their passion subsided, the kisses gradually slowed and ended. As he withdrew, he stared intently, licking his glistening lips, still savoring the memory.

Lou Yanxu was too embarrassed to look up, staring at the tips of her shoes, her lips pressed together again and again.

After a while, he noticed a small creature hiding behind his heel. He bent down to take a look and smiled with surprise, "How did this cat end up in your house?"

Xu Congjing curled his lips into a smile, "After you left, I brought it back to raise. It was seriously ill a few days ago and was lying there listlessly. Today it has regained some energy and spirit, and it came out as soon as it smelled your scent."

She left in a hurry, but the cat got lost while playing, so she didn't take it with her. Unexpectedly, Xu Congjing took it back to his residence and raised it. He picked it up and estimated that it had gained several pounds.

"Did you miss me?" She picked it up, playfully rubbing its nose. The cat seemed aggrieved, meowing softly and rubbing against her neck.

When she got tired of playing, she sat on the beautiful chair in the pavilion with her in her arms. As soon as Xu Congjing came over, the cat wisely broke free from her embrace and went to play by itself.

The early winter evening breeze was chilly. Lou Yanxu grinned as she looked at the cat's shadow, but as she smiled, a chill crept in and she couldn't help but sneeze.

Xu Congjing touched her hand, feeling its warmth, and asked gently, "Do you feel cold?"

Her cloak was a bit thin, and the wind couldn't keep out. She rubbed her sore nose and saw him unfasten his cloak. She thought he was going to put it on her, but instead he pulled her into his arms, and the two of them shared the warm clothes.

They were pressed close together, each able to feel the rise and fall of the other's chest with every breath. The slightest movement brought their skin together in an incredibly intimate touch—a feeling that was almost addictive, drawing them closer and closer. She bit her lip, suppressing a laugh, and nudged him with her elbow. "Where did you learn all these...tricks?"

The so-called status of the empress and the behavior of a courtesan—isn't Xu Congjing just like that? He was actually proud of it, gently pressing his head on top of hers, and snorted, "There's more than just Lu Hengzhi outside who's eager to become your mistress. What's wrong with me vying for your favor?"

"He already has a family, why are you bringing him up again?" Lou Yanxu said helplessly. Lu Hengzhi was already married, but he still couldn't let go of that past and was always on guard. "I don't think he's a settled person."

"So you're going to be a docile one?" She glanced at him sideways. "There's still room for maneuver between us. Whether you become a mistress or the principal wife depends entirely on your behavior."

"If Wanwan wants me to be her mistress, I have no objection." Xu Congjing fawned like a lackey, his eyes suddenly flashing with a fierce light. "But if anyone dares to ask to marry you, I will make them taste the bitter fruit."

Lou Yanxu listened silently, understanding his meaning: she could be a mistress, yet she wanted exclusive favor. What an audacious person! She scoffed, "Which mistress is as domineering and audacious as you?"

He'd really made something of himself. He chuckled cheekily, forcefully intertwining his fingers with hers. Leaning down close to her ear, he whispered in a deep voice, "I'm utterly useless and unworthy, I'm just taking advantage of your affection for me."

The words sounded vaguely familiar, and it took her a while to realize that she had said them herself. Realizing that he was joking, she immediately slapped him on the back.

Then, he lifted her up and placed her on his lap. His rough fingers twirled her disheveled hair behind her ear. He couldn't stop after just a few kisses. He couldn't help but cup her tender face in his hands and gently kiss her eyes, her brow, her nose, and the corners of her mouth, leaving a dense, lingering kiss that made her heart pound.

The man's calloused skin brushed against the back of her neck, making Lou Yanxu's breathing more rapid and heavy. She felt her body gradually weakening, and she could only use her last bit of strength to push him away, "You...you should go."

"I don't want to leave..." he mumbled, burying his head in her neck. His cool lips kissed and nibbled behind her ear. As passion surged, she caressed his Adam's apple with a charming smile, "Are you going to disobey the imperial decree for the sake of beauty?"

He meant to tease him, but unexpectedly, the man suddenly grabbed his hand and whispered in his ear in a hoarse voice, "Wanwan, don't tempt me." A man's Adam's apple is not something you can easily touch. If this continues, he might not be able to hold back.

"I didn't!" Lou Yanxu hurriedly explained. He smiled and hummed in agreement, then stepped back with extreme restraint and took off his cloak to drape it over her.

He should go.

Lou Yanxu saw him to the door, only realizing how reluctant she was to part ways at the moment. It was only a month's absence, but it felt like an eternity. She could only hide her longing with a smile. She said softly, "Have a safe journey."

"I'll have someone send you back." He pulled his cloak tighter around her, and only felt relieved when she nodded. He tried to find a trace of reluctance beneath her calm exterior, but couldn't, and couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, but he didn't show it, only responding with a smile.

But as he turned around, the woman he couldn't bear to part with embraced him from behind, her arms wrapped around his waist, her face pressed against his back and gently caressing him. At that moment, he finally felt the overwhelming longing hidden beneath her calm demeanor, and the weight in his heart lifted instantly. He turned back to hug her, wishing he could embed her into his very being.

She pulled away from him, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear, "I'll wait for you to come back."

Hearing the words he had been waiting for so long, Xu Congjing was filled with happiness. He gently kissed Lou Yanxu's forehead and leaped onto his horse.

After thinking for a while, he dismounted, his expression showing some unease, and cautiously asked, "Let's get married when I come back."

She smiled radiantly and nodded in agreement, "I'll wait for you to marry me."

He grinned foolishly, heading south with hope in his heart.

After he left, Lou Yanxu followed her routine, and the days were not as difficult as she had imagined. There were no major ups and downs or any surprises until that day when she had a day off and went to Panlou on a whim. There she met Lu Hengzhi's newlywed wife outside the side room.

He intended to walk away quietly, but Ning Jingran called out to him, "Madam Lou."

Ning Jingran approached with a gentle smile, waving her handkerchief. "I've heard that Lady Lou and Young Master Xu are getting married soon. Is that true?"

Lou Yanxu understood what she meant. She was just a poor woman who was worried about her husband being taken away, so she said, "We'll get married when he comes back."

The fire started in a group of side rooms behind them and spread rapidly, with thick smoke billowing and flames crackling. People poured out of the side rooms and crowded together on the steps, making it impossible to move.

The two squeezed in with the flow of people, but there were too many, and Lou Yanxu lost her footing and was pushed into the room. The flames engulfed the entire room, the beams crackled and popped, and finally, unable to withstand the pressure, they crashed straight down on her head.

She lunged to the side, but was too slow. The broken half of the beam hit her leg, causing her to cry out in pain. She couldn't pull her leg away from the scene and could only watch helplessly as the fire dragon danced and the broken tiles shattered.

She suddenly felt a sense of despair.

Lou Yanxu looked up and never expected Ning Jingran to turn back and save her.

But she had only taken two steps when the remaining half of the shaky beam gave way and crashed down, trapping her in a corner amidst the raging flames.

Immediately afterwards, the young man appeared in the firelight. Lu Hengzhi was soaked in sweat and looked at the two young ladies from left and right.

With the fire raging and every second precious, he had to choose between his wife and his beloved. Who should he save first?