Chapter 26

After the snow, the sky cleared, and sunlight fell on the bare branches.

The light and shadow shone through the window lattice, falling perfectly on the girl's bright face.

Jiang Mian woke up in bed, but Shen Ji was still not beside her. She pursed her lips and, thinking of her bold actions last night, suddenly felt a little guilty.

Last night, although she pretended to sleepwalk and approached him, she was too tired and went to bed early, so she didn't know whether Shen Ji had slept in the same bed with her.

If he also rests here, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting that their relationship has taken another step closer?

Jiang Mian suddenly got down from the ground in a hurry. She pushed open the door, thinking she was going to look for Shen Ji, but to her surprise, he was sitting in the pavilion in the courtyard, seemingly admiring the plum blossoms.

Hearing footsteps, he turned his head slightly, and for some reason, when he looked into those snow-covered eyes, Jiang Mian suddenly stopped.

"Good morning, cousin." She used a smile to hide her awkwardness, came to his side, and sat down naturally.

Shen Ji nodded.

"Last night..." she began, but seeing his lukewarm response, she continued, "Did I sleepwalk last night?"

Jiang Mian was somewhat uncertain. Although she believed her disguise was flawless, she was still not confident in front of Shen Ji.

"Hmm." Shen Ji's reaction remained indifferent.

Seeing that he hadn't noticed anything amiss, Jiang Mian finally breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, she had managed to fool him.

"How is my cousin's injury?"

"It's alright."

That's good. She was worried that she might have pressed on his wound while he was sleeping last night, but seeing how calm he is now, he should be fine. However, his weak appearance last night left a deep impression on her.

She had rarely seen Shen Ji so vulnerable.

She took a breath and decided to take the opportunity to express her feelings to him. Regardless of whether he had slept in the same bed with her, it was certain that she loved him. When she returned to the mansion, her aunt would definitely force her to get married. However, if Shen Ji protected her, it would be much easier for her to do things in the future.

While this was a major reason, the bigger reason was that it was the first time she had met someone as aloof and indifferent as her cousin, and she wanted to see what it would be like for him to fall in love with someone.

I'm even more curious to see what it's like when such a pure and holy person is overcome by lust because of her.

Jiang Mian suddenly moved closer to him, just about to speak.

Unexpectedly, Yun Qing suddenly appeared.

"Young master, everything is done."

Yun Qing was unaware of Jiang Mian's presence. Only after he finished speaking did he suddenly see a pink figure behind Shen Ji, and he immediately fell silent.

"Keep people watching."

Shen Ji gave the order in a deep voice.

"yes."

Jiang Mian couldn't understand their conversation, but when she saw Yun Qing, she suddenly remembered that she had called him several times around 9 PM last night, but he wasn't there.

Thinking of this, Jiang Mian stood up, somewhat puzzled: "Guard Yun, where did you go last night?"

Shen Ji glanced at Yun Qing subtly, his gaze somewhat cold.

Yun Qing suddenly knelt on the ground, clasped his hands and said, "This subordinate knows his mistake. This subordinate should not have abandoned his post."

"Why are you kneeling down? I didn't blame you." Jiang Mian was a little at a loss. She had only asked out of curiosity, but she didn't expect the other party to perform such a grand ceremony. But after realizing what was happening, she suddenly understood that Yun Qing was apologizing to her cousin.

Last night, Yun Qing was arranged by her cousin to protect her, but he left on his own. Although she didn't know why he left, judging from the current situation, it seemed that disobeying orders was an extremely serious matter.

Jiang Mian suddenly felt a mix of emotions. She was pleased that her cousin had specially sent someone to protect her, but she also felt that Yun Qing's frightened appearance must mean that he knew he had made a big mistake.

But he's always been a man of principle; there must have been something more important than protecting her last night.

Jiang Mian didn't blame him at all.

"Go and accept your punishment."

Shen Ji's voice was as cold as shattered snow, and she looked at him without any emotion.

Yun Qing lowered her head: "Yes."

He did not intentionally abandon his post last night, but the young master was in danger and he could not stand idly by. There was a spy among his men, and if he did not rush to deal with it, the young master would be attacked from both sides and would suffer heavy losses. He did not regret it, and he would accept the punishment from the young master. After all, if the young master had not rescued him, he would have died in the fire long ago.

However, he only learned today that the Fifth Miss was probably in some danger last night.

If his unauthorized actions put the Fifth Miss in danger, the young master will likely punish her even more severely.

Fortunately, no major mistake was made.

Jiang Mian was somewhat puzzled. She wanted to plead for Yun Qing, but seeing Yun Qing's willing acceptance of the punishment, she felt that she was being superfluous. Nevertheless, she still said, "Cousin, wasn't the punishment a bit too harsh? Guard Yun was on guard outside all night. His sudden departure must have been for something very important."

"You want to plead for him?" Shen Ji put down his teacup and turned his gaze over.

Jiang Mian remained silent for a while, then nodded.

Although Yun Qing disobeyed orders, he was extremely loyal and almost always obeyed Shen Ji's orders, putting him first in everything. Such a good subordinate was hard to come by.

"Then this punishment will be waived, but there must be no next time."

He said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Yun Qing suddenly looked up, somewhat surprised.

"Thank you, young master, thank you, fifth young lady. I will remember this and never do it again."

Shen Ji nodded.

Yun Qing withdrew.

Jiang Mian breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't expected her cousin to be so easy to talk to. She remembered what she was about to say and suddenly felt more confident. If he rejected her after she expressed her feelings, given his manners and temperament, he probably wouldn't hurt her too much.

Thinking of this, Jiang Mian moved even closer to him, almost pressing her whole body against him, her eyes sparkling, "Cousin, can I keep coming to see you from now on?"

A few plum blossoms drifted down, accompanied by fresh snow, landing right between Jiang Mian's brows. She ignored them, instead looking at him expectantly, her charming face bright and clear, even more dazzling than the plum blossoms.

"You can come whenever you want in the future," Shen Ji said calmly, but the faint blue veins on the back of his hand revealed that he was not as calm as he appeared.

She approached so suddenly.

He lowered his gaze slightly, which landed on her rosy lips. The taste of last night had been too light, but even with just that light touch, he still felt an uncontrollable surge of emotion rising within him.

He turned his head away, avoiding looking into Jiang Mian's eyes.

Seeing that he didn't seem to understand her meaning, Jiang Mian became a little anxious: "What I mean is, like this..."

Approaching without any warning, her eyes seemed to hold a sky full of stars, he could clearly see her eyelashes trembling, and he could feel the soft warmth on her lips; he wasn't dreaming.

Jiang Mian suddenly closed her eyes and gave him a very light kiss. She didn't know how to kiss people, and she didn't know what to do at this moment. She could only rely on her instinct and hold his lips in her mouth. She felt that her face must be extremely red. But when she thought that even if her cousin pushed her away and rejected her harshly, she would not lose out. At least her heart was beating extremely fast right now, and she was even a little excited that she couldn't control herself.

Shen Ji was surprised by Jiang Mian's reaction. Without even thinking, he instinctively wanted to respond.

She is just too attractive.

The softness of her lips and her clumsy attempts to explore were constantly testing his self-control.

If it were anyone else, they would probably have been killed by him by now.

But this person was Jiang Mian, and he couldn't bring himself to push her away.

The veins on the back of his hand bulged again. He tried his best to suppress the crazy emotions in his heart so that he wouldn't do anything out of line. This was only the beginning, and he couldn't scare her.

Jiang Mian kissed him haphazardly for a while, and when she realized that her cousin didn't react, she quietly opened her eyes and saw a hint of coldness in the man's deep pupils.

Her heart tightened, and she hurriedly took a step back.

"Cousin, I..."

She hesitated for a moment, suddenly finding herself speechless. But thinking that she had already kissed him, she had to press on now. Remembering the words those who coveted her beauty would utter, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "Cousin's lips are so soft, like candied fruit."

As he finished speaking, the man's eyes turned extremely dark and intense.

Does she realize how devastating her words and actions can be to a man?

His gaze involuntarily fell on her delicate lips. They weren't completely closed, and he could see her little tongue hidden behind her pearly teeth. Just now, she seemed to have unintentionally licked him.

"Cousin."

When Jiang Mian saw that he didn't respond, she suddenly bent her knees and placed her head on his lap, her long hair cascading down. Her tone was somewhat disappointed and sad, though it was an act, but anyone who heard it would want to hug her and cherish her.

"I didn't mean to, it's just that my cousin was too tempting and I couldn't control myself. Can you please not blame me?"

"If my cousin doesn't like it, I won't do it again next time."

If she could change, she wouldn't be Jiang Mian. She said this casually to coax him. Right now, she wanted her cousin to feel her feelings so that he might be moved.

"Cousin, please don't reject me. I really, really like you."

As she finished speaking, a single tear fell perfectly from the corner of her eye, perfectly embodying the image of someone pitiful and vulnerable. Anyone, no matter how cold-hearted or hard-hearted, would be moved by such a sight.

Although she wasn't sure, she was very confident.

No matter how pure and aloof her cousin may be, he is still a man. She didn't believe he was without desires. Once there was affection, everything would be much easier.

Shen Ji did not push her away, so Jiang Mian became bolder, rubbing her cheek against his knee, and sweet words came out of her mouth: "Cousin, I will only love you in this life."

Shen Ji's eyes darkened slightly.

Did she realize that her actions at that moment resembled those of a kitten trying to please its owner, something she was absolutely powerless to resist if he wanted to do it?

Seeing that Shen Ji still didn't speak, Jiang Mian got up again. Now that she had already confessed, she had no room to back down. Instead, she sat down on his lap with all her might and hugged his neck.

My eyes are filled with him.

A moment later, she parted her lips, her soft, fragrant breath close to his, gently seductive: "Cousin, don't you want to kiss me?"

"I am yours if you want me to."

She leaned in affectionately, ready to kiss him whenever he wanted.

Once he did that, there was no turning back.

She is his.

He will be hers too.

Jiang Mian was confident that Shen Ji would not remain unmoved.

These past few days, he has indulged her, protected her, and even tacitly allowed her to intrude into his territory time and time again. All of this shows that Shen Ji also has feelings for her, and may even like her, but he just hasn't realized it yet.

What she had to do was add fuel to the fire.

Let him confirm his feelings.

It would be best if it were someone else.

But she didn't expect that just as her lips quietly approached, the man suddenly stood up. Caught off guard, she fell to the ground on her knees, and a stinging sensation spread throughout her body.

She bit her lip, looking at him with resentment.

"Cousin..."

Shen Ji didn't even look at her, and strode around into the house behind him.

Jiang Mian was still immersed in the surprise and did not notice that Shen Ji's back view carried a hint of fleeing in panic.