Chapter 55 A Strange Feeling

"Contraceptive."

The three words resonated deeply.

After Shen You finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Green Ivy had no time to be surprised that the Duke of Zhenguo was in his own daughter's room, and could only stand outside the screen with a lacquer tray, unable to go in or out.

After a while.

Shen Youcai then spoke, "Bring it in."

"Yes," Green Ivy replied, taking small, quick steps to bring in the medicine, then quickly taking small, quick steps back out.

The door closed again.

Chu Xiao sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on the dark, murky medicine soup from that night.

His eyes were dark and unclear, and his throat felt sore and dry.

He really wanted to persuade her not to drink the contraceptive medicine, as it was bad for her health.

But what qualifications does he have?

He was already planning how to furnish Chenfeng Courtyard, but he forgot that she wouldn't change her mind because of this unexpected intimacy.

“Chen You…”

Chu Xiao spoke softly, looking up at her with wet eyes, filled with disappointment and sadness, "Actually, you didn't have to drink it."

He paused for a moment, recalling what had happened after returning to the Duke's mansion last night, and hesitated to speak.

I wanted to say it directly, but I was afraid she would be embarrassed and angry if she heard it.

Shen You thought he wanted to use this opportunity to talk about their relationship again, so she reached out to take the medicine without thinking, but he grabbed her hand.

With a slight pull, the man drew her into his arms, his long arms encircling her lower back. He whispered something in her ear.

With a "boom".

Shen You's face turned completely red.

She pushed him away, her usual elegant and calm demeanor gone, and retorted with a stiff neck, "...Even if you wash it, it's not guaranteed to be safe."

"You still need to take this medicine."

After saying that, she reached out again, picked up the medicine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.

The contraceptive was at the perfect temperature, but it was extremely bitter. Shen You frowned, almost vomiting.

The next moment, a small piece of osmanthus-flavored hawthorn preserve was pressed against my lips.

She was stunned for a moment, and Chu Xiao had already freed his fingertips to hold her chin, forcing her to open her mouth slightly, and the dried fruit entered her mouth.

The sweet and sour taste filled my mouth, and the dried fruit also carried a faint fragrance of osmanthus, which immediately suppressed the bitterness of the medicine.

Shen You's expression finally relaxed a little.

She watched as Chu Xiao placed the medicine bowl back on the lacquer tray, then wiped his fingertips—which had just been handling the candied fruit—with a handkerchief placed to the side, his movements as natural as if he were in Chenfeng Courtyard, in his own room.

The scene before me felt somewhat surreal, overlapping with certain moments from my time in Qingxi Town.

That was her first year in Qingxi Town.

Winters there are completely different from those in Lin'an. They are damp, cold, and chilly. Even when the sun is out, the cold air of the dead of winter seeps into every crevice of your bones, especially when it rains.

Shen You was not used to it and caught a cold after a winter rain.

In my hazy, feverish state, I only felt a large heater beside me.

She hugged herself tightly, pressed her cheek against the heater, and slept peacefully through the night.

It wasn't until she woke up in the morning that she realized there was no such thing as a heater; what she was holding was Chu Xiao, a living, breathing person.

And in an extremely strange posture.

She almost buried her entire body in his arms, her head resting on his chest, the sound of his strong heartbeat filling her ears.

Her face instantly turned completely red.

Chu Xiao had already woken up. When he saw her open her eyes, he naturally reached out to touch her forehead to check her temperature. After confirming that her fever had subsided, he got out of bed.

Shen You had been lying down for a day and a night, and his bones felt like they were melting. He followed behind Shen You and wanted to get up too.

But before she could move, Chu Xiao, who was halfway through changing her clothes, turned around and tucked her back into bed, his brows furrowing slightly. "You're not better yet, don't get up."

When he made these movements, his expression was as indifferent as ever, his profile sharp and rugged, as if he were somewhat displeased.

Shen You pursed her lips and obediently lay back down.

She remembers it very clearly.

It was a bright and sunny day. The winter morning sunlight streamed in through the window, softening the man's sharp facial features.

At that moment, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

She felt that although he was not talkative and his tone was stiff, he would take care of her for a whole day and night when she was sick.

She thought their relationship would get better and better, but she never expected that she would be met with such a cold shower.

As his memories returned, Shen You's gaze towards him became much colder.

Perhaps noticing the change in her gaze, Chu Xiao moved closer to her. "What's wrong?"

"Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

She shook her head, remembering that she had something important to ask him.

"I heard that the bandits in Xishan recently robbed another merchant caravan?"

Chu Xiao paused in tucking her in, somewhat curious as to why she had suddenly asked this, but he didn't hide anything from her. "Yes."

"If the banditry in Xishan is not eliminated, the people and merchants coming and going will find it difficult to live in peace."

Xishan is located to the west of Lin'an City, but it is actually quite a distance away from the city.

During the years that Qi Wulin was in power, he disregarded the lives of the people, and it was during that time that the bandits in Xishan became rampant.

After Qi Jincheng ascended the throne, the prefectures near Xishan sent troops to suppress the bandits several times. Although they did not come up empty-handed, they were never able to completely wipe them out.

Some time ago, I heard that they had made a comeback and wiped out a caravan of dozens of people who were trying to enter the capital.

Such a big event naturally reached the ears of the people in Lin'an.

Qi Jincheng had also discussed this matter with Chu Xiao.

However, the terrain of Xishan is complex, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. If we want to wipe out the bandits in one fell swoop, we need to come up with a foolproof plan.

But this matter cannot be delayed. At the latest, the bandits in Xishan must be wiped out before the end of the year.

Why are you suddenly asking this?

Taking advantage of the conversation, Chu Xiao subtly moved closer to her.

Shen You pursed her lips, cautiously raised her eyes to look at him, and tentatively asked, "Suppressing the bandits in Xishan should be of utmost urgency, shouldn't it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Xiao seemed to realize something.

The man's sharp black eyes flickered slightly, then he looked at her knowingly, "Just ask whatever you want to ask."

"Could you tell me when you plan to suppress the bandits?" She had barely asked the question when she realized it wasn't appropriate, so she added, "If it involves classified information, it's fine if you don't want to tell me."

“It’s related,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “From now on, I have no secrets from you.”

"I'll tell you everything you want to know."

Shen You stared at him intently, waiting for him to continue.

Chu Xiao leaned in close, bracing himself on his arms beside her. He didn't speak very directly, but he conveyed all the information she wanted.

"We must ensure that the people of Lin'an City and the area around Xishan have a good New Year, don't you think?"

Shen You instantly understood what he meant.

The plan that had just begun to take shape in my mind was almost complete at this moment.

Chu Xiao seemed to see through her thoughts. He stretched out his long arm and gently pulled her into his embrace, whispering, "Do whatever you want."

"I told you, you can use me."

The man's cool, refreshing scent suddenly enveloped her. As he embraced her, he held the back of her neck, making her lean against his shoulder.

Shen You suddenly panicked, "Aren't you going to ask me what I'm going to do?"

"You will speak when you want to."

"This concerns the bandits of Xishan. Aren't you afraid I might do something bad?"

He slowly tightened his arms, bringing the two closer together.

It was as if, without making a sound, it was gradually dismantling her resistance to physical contact between the two of them.

“It’s okay if you don’t do things well,” he said, his palm resting on her head, gently stroking her black hair, his voice unusually teasing. “Just do it.”

"I'm actually looking forward to seeing what kind of bad things you're referring to."

“Chu Xiao…” Shen You subconsciously shifted his body. “You don’t need to do this.”

Noticing that she seemed to be trying to break free from him, Chu Xiao tightened his long arms, his tall body encircling her.

He lowered his head, buried it in her neck, and inhaled the fragrance of her neck.

Since waking up, Shen You hadn't gotten out of bed. She was only wearing a single layer of clothing, but now that he was holding her tightly, her inner garment had changed from loose to form-fitting, perfectly outlining the girl's beautiful curves.

With her soft, fragrant body in his arms, Chu Xiao's heart felt full and warm. He said in a muffled voice, "Chen You, you can't just ignore me after lifting my skirt."

"I..." Shen You's words of refusal stuck in her throat; she couldn't bring herself to say it as calmly and decisively as before.

But Chu Xiao was still afraid that she would push him away, so he pulled her hand and groped in front of him, saying, "You clearly liked it yesterday too."

After saying that, he even tried to open his shirt and guide her hand inside.

Shen You was shocked and stammered, "...What...what are you doing?"

The man's high, straight nose brushed against the crook of her neck, his warm breath seeming to bewitch her. "I don't mind using my looks to please you."

He was willing to give her anything she liked, as long as he had it.

He could tell that Shen You at least appreciated his physical appearance.

At this point in their relationship, he no longer cared about saving face; as long as he could stay by her side, anything was fine.

Shen You's ears burned from his bold statement. She raised her hand to push him, but couldn't budge him. She could only say, "How can a dignified Duke of Zhenguo say such a thing?"

Will you give me this chance?

He finally loosened his grip on her slightly, staring intently at her.

A distinct expectation flickered in those long, narrow, dark eyes, shining with an astonishing brilliance.

Shen You felt a chill run down his spine, somewhat bewildered. Just moments ago, the two of them were discussing serious matters; how did things turn out like this?

"Using one's looks to please others..." She instinctively swallowed, her gaze uncontrollably falling on his slightly disheveled collar.

The man's body was strong and muscular, with smooth muscle lines. Beneath his dark, tight-fitting clothes, his muscles were clearly defined and his lines were sharp.

He is indeed the type she admires and likes.

Shen You's thoughts were unusually slow, and for a moment he even thought the suggestion was good.

But then a strange feeling welled up inside me.

Seeing that she didn't answer, Chu Xiao moved closer again, like a large, loyal dog, his tall body lowered and his gaze following her with a sticky look.

Shen You coughed lightly, pushed his head away, and looked away from him. "Chu Xiao, you should go back."

Hearing her tell him to leave, Chu Xiao subconsciously looked at the water clock in the corner of her room.

He loosened his grip on her arms slightly.

Taking the opportunity, Shen You escaped from his embrace and heard him say, "The Criminal Investigation Department has a case, and I will be leaving Lin'an City for a few days."

"I know you have your own plans regarding Shen Linhui's matter, but he won't let it go after being beaten by you today. Be careful these next few days."

Shen You understood this principle and nodded seriously.

Even with the doors and windows closed, the sound of the wind outside can still be faintly heard on a late autumn night.

It was already very late.

Chu Xiao stood up, his gaze still fixed on her.

I longed for a farewell kiss, but I knew it was impossible.

The man's tall frame blocked some of the candlelight. Shen You hugged the quilt and hid herself under it, saying in a muffled voice, "Help me put out the candle in the outer room."

She didn't want to call the wisteria and ivy in, and she was too lazy to get out of bed anyway.

Chu Xiao obediently left the bedside, and soon after, the candlelight in the outer room was extinguished.

He went back, took a deep look at her, and then jumped out of the back window.

The windows opened and closed again, and the room became completely quiet.

The man's clean and refreshing scent seemed to linger by the bedside. Shen You, as if remembering something, raised her left hand and stared at it for a long time, until her cheeks turned slightly red, before closing her eyes.

However, after a short while, she suddenly opened her eyes again.

She finally realized where that strange feeling she had just had came from.

Back in Qingxi, he clearly didn't know anything and just kept working hard. So why did he have so many tricks up his sleeve yesterday in the wooden house?

In these four years, has Chu Xiao had relationships with other people?