Chapter 38. The taste of it all.

With a "smack," she slapped him across the face again, covering her collar as she said, "Have you been drinking with prostitutes? I can tell you're all restless and lack composure; how dare you flirt with me!"

Of course, striking first was a way for her to cover up her guilty conscience. Has this thing figured something out? Why did it suddenly come up with such a thought?

Shi Mi knew this wasn't genuine lust; he wanted to use it to check if there was a red line between her ribs. She had considered it before—cutting herself in the process to cover it up in a pinch. But upon further reflection, she realized that a living person and a puppet were not the same. If she made a cut, blood would gush out, and the line wouldn't grow as fine as his. So she decided against it.

What remained was his suspicion. The Grand Tutor was perceptive, and she knew she couldn't hide it for long. It would be best if everyone kept to themselves and avoided conflict! But this man was unwilling to be controlled and would rebel sooner or later. She had decided that if things truly came to a head, she would lay everything out in the open.

As expected, the Grand Tutor was a clever man; he was adept at assessing the situation. He managed to suppress his desire to reveal the truth, and angrily covered his face, saying, "The young lady needs to correct her habit of resorting to violence. If I were to retaliate without careful consideration one day, it might damage our harmony."

The good thing about him is that he knows his mistake and can correct it. She immediately reached out and stroked his cheek. "I'm sorry, I was going to hit you if you tried to take off my clothes. But don't think I didn't know you were secretly touching me just now. I've tolerated you for a long time. I can disregard the rule of propriety between men and women, but you can't disregard etiquette. After all, you are a scholar, your pen can shake the world, and your bow can hold a mountain, don't you think?"

He gazed at her, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment. After a long while, he chuckled softly, "I've always wanted to marry a woman who is well-versed in literature, and now my wish has come true. Other women can recite poetry, but you're different; you can compose couplets."

Upon hearing the first half of his sentence, Shi Mi's flattering smile had barely crept onto his face when the second half of the sentence slapped him to the ground, rendering him unable to get up.

"Lu Min, if you weren't so harsh, would you lose a piece of your flesh?" she said resentfully. "I'm letting you off the hook because it's your birthday today. I hope you'll know when to stop and not push your luck."

If we're not going to be polite, we often interact as if it's free, and we've developed a tacit understanding that we can say very harsh things, but we can't afford to break off relations.

He straightened up and let out a soft sigh. "Never mind. The young lady hasn't returned to her inner chambers; is she waiting for me?"

The other party offered a way out; don't hesitate, scramble down the stairs. Shimi said, "Yes, I'm so sleepy, yet I'm still waiting for you. People should know how to be content and not hold grudges over trivial matters."

He pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Would you like to get up and have a drink? I saw a purse on the table; is it for me?"

Shi Mi's expression was sincere. "Yes, yes."

He smiled gently, his elegance unparalleled, "Then I must take a closer look."

The two moved to the table and sat down. The table had already been set out, with the double tiger purse quietly placed in one corner. Shimi solemnly handed it to him, giving him a heads-up beforehand, "Don't look at the pattern, just look at the stitching. Is it tight or not? Is it good?"

I understand, let's set aside the facts.

He looked down at it for a long time, then nodded sincerely, "The stitches are good, and the shape of the purse is also nice, it's just..." He hesitated, then finally decided to let it go, "Never mind."

Shi Mi was delighted and urged him, "Stand up and see if it looks good on your waist."

Lu Min hesitated for a moment, "This is a purse, not a sachet. What's the point of hanging it on your waist?"

“Of course, it’s time to show off,” she said. “Let the generals see that you have a new purse. It’s one of a kind in the world, you can’t buy it anywhere else.”

Looking up at him again, I realized he was really easy to please; such a small thing had already made him very happy. The smile on his face was faint, like a veil, making him look gentle and a little shy.

She looked him up and down, then insincerely exclaimed how beautiful it was. She needed to quickly steer the conversation away from his wallet, as saying too much could lead to mistakes and expose her innocence. But after searching for a while, she discovered there were no drinks on the table. Without drinks, how could they celebrate his birthday?

Just as he was about to raise his voice in reprimand, Ali Dao came in from outside carrying a wine jar. "When the chef was serving the dishes, I accidentally knocked over the wine..." He stopped halfway through his sentence with a cheerful "Eh!" and pointed to Lu Min's waist in surprise, "I didn't make this..."

Shi Mi hurriedly jumped up and covered his mouth, but unfortunately, she was still a step too slow and the deception was completely exposed.

Ali struggled, making a "whimpering" sound, but Lu Min pulled her hand away and said in a gentle voice, "Why are you covering him? Let him talk!"

Ali Dao was a clueless yakuza. He actually spoke in a boastful tone, saying excitedly, "So you like the purse I made so much. Then I'll make you a dress tomorrow."

Lu Min was still smiling when he turned his gaze toward Shi Mi.

Shimi's vision went black again and again. "I never said that I made this purse... Ali Dao is my maid. Whether he made it or I made it, it's the same."

Very good, it was made by a male puppet, and I actually hung it on my waist.

He silently pulled the strange thing off, put it back on the table, and turned to instruct Ali Dao: "You and Ran Dianyan go back into the box. Even if you hear any noise, don't come out."

Shi Mi was horrified. "What do you want to do?"

He ignored her and simply gestured for Ali to leave quickly. Ali hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "You won't hit Ami, will you?"

Lu Min's tone was gentle, "Ami is my wife. Even if I hit you, I won't hit her. What are you worried about?"

Although these words sounded relatively kind, they were quite a shock to Ali Dao. He glanced at Shi Mi, and seeing that she was dejected and had no intention of asking for help, he quickly said "okay" and ran away as fast as he could.

Now only the two of them were left in the room. Lu Min said, "Lady, you may tease me as you please, I'm not angry at all. But I suddenly feel like I've lost my appetite, and I don't know if it's time. Why don't we go into the inner chamber and please examine me?"

Shimi counted on his fingers and said, "Let me calculate the time, it seems there's still a long way to go. You've been able to maintain this for half a month, and from last day to today, it's only been ten days."

But he took her hand and said with a smile, "Since you're feeling unwell, it's best to take a look. I suspect it's because you've been too busy lately and overexerted yourself. Anyway, there's no harm in giving you a boost, so let's postpone it for another half month starting today."

The foolish one disagreed, saying, "Isn't this just moving stones up a mountain..."

Without saying a word, he forcibly dragged her inside.

Walking under the silver curtain, he deliberately tried to please her, saying, "Tomorrow, I'll have the official replace the silver with gold. Gold is warm and comforting, and it suits you better."

Shi Mi blinked twice, wondering what kind of trick he was up to this time? Instead of settling scores with her, he was actually thinking of renovating her home? If that were the case, she could feel a little guilty, and the Grand Tutor's magnanimity would add to his charm.

"Are you really not angry?" he asked, pulling her to the bedside. "Are you just pretending to be magnanimous?"

He said no, "The sentiment is enough. I am in a high position, and I can get whatever I want with ease. A mere purse is nothing compared to the life-saving grace you have given me."

She was too young and naive, and chose to believe him. He patted the bed, and she jumped on it herself, found the black iron box, and said excitedly, "Take off your clothes and lie down."

He did as she asked, taking off his undergarment and lying down in front of her, his eyes gazing at her hazily. Before she could act, she suddenly remembered to prepare for the worst, "Wait a minute, let me find a rope and tie you up."

Before he could object, the rope was already in her hands. She said innocently, "Don't misunderstand, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just to save your dignity. Just bear with it, it'll be soon, at most the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and I'll let you go."

He nodded silently, and as she struggled to open her arms to bind him, he whispered, "I won't struggle. Tie me loosely, don't hurt me."

She knew who Shi Mi was; she was inherently lacking in gentleness. She responded with "okay" but tightened her grip on the rope.

Just kidding, she's not someone who's easily fooled by sweet talk. If a few kind words could lower her guard, wouldn't her future prospects be much narrower?

So you have to be ruthless, though your gaze can be greedy. The bound Grand Tutor had a peculiar air about him—a touch of frailty, a hint of shyness, a dash of humiliation, and a touch of beauty. Under the lamplight, his lips were slightly parted as he breathed; they were full and red, soft and moist, like a woman wearing delicate lip rouge.

She had long claimed she would tie him up, but had never actually done so; today, her wish had finally come true. There were benefits to doing this: firstly, it ensured her safety, and secondly, it broadened her horizons—she had never seen a handsome man stripped naked and bound hand and foot. Especially since this man was the Imperial Tutor; those who hadn't experienced it firsthand could hardly understand the thrill of blasphemy and trampling on power.

"Okay, let's begin." She lifted the lid of the iron box, and seeing that he was still staring at her, she wiped his eyelids.

But a living person is not a dead person, so erasing it is useless. He slightly lifted his eyelids, and through that slit, he could see the process of prolonging life. The iron box made a soft sound, the mortise and tenon joints coming together. After several attempts to piece it together, the bottom was joined at an angle, and a thick strand of crimson flowed down, accompanied by her silent incantation, quickly seeping into his chest.

Suddenly, a burst of golden light appeared before his eyes, and the pent-up emotions he had been holding back arrived as expected, quickly engulfing him. Bound and unable to act according to his own will, she was so close, her smiling face triggering a strong longing for intimacy within him.

After many times, he gradually developed self-control, but he didn't want to force himself. He just wanted to go with the flow and do what he felt in his heart.

She seemed quite relieved, feeling that everything was in order, and casually picked up a dried plum and popped it into her mouth, teasing in a relaxed yet triumphant manner, "Lu Min, you really look like a feast for the eyes. Once I learn to draw, I'll draw your picture and make it into a booklet to spread around."

Perhaps it was because his words were too arrogant that he angered him, but Shimi had only blinked once when he noticed that the hemp rope, as fragile as silk thread, had silently fallen to the ground beside him.

She was stunned, thinking to herself, "Good heavens, how can Ban Yan also possess the divine power of Yan Ren after he pulled out the pin? Or was his skill originally just that extraordinary?"

But what was even more astonishing was yet to come. As expected, he pounced on her again. But this time was different from any other. His lips met hers, his tongue swept across her mouth, and he said in a deep voice, "Sweet."

Enraged, she raised her hand to punch him, but he grabbed her hand mid-air. He simply pushed her down into the bed, deepened his kiss, and then teased her breathlessly in her ear, "Ami, I've wanted to do this for a long time."

Shi Mi was already disoriented, and tragically discovered that she had been taken advantage of by the half-lying that she herself had made.

As expected, this guy had no good intentions. She knew something was off; it turned out he was plotting revenge against her. Before, he only hugged her forcefully, which she could tolerate, but this time he actually dared to kiss her? She struggled to draw her weapon, to release her puppet and fight him, but all her efforts were in vain; her strength was no match for his.

He didn't intend to give up so easily. Like someone who had finally caught a bird flying in the sky, he gently stroked her long hair and silenced her before she could yell at him.

This girl, who spoke without holding back, had soft, warm lips. He wasn't a bookworm; he was self-taught. Even without any practical experience, he could slowly discover and enjoy himself.

They knew each other's bodies intimately; he knew her breasts were like the full moon and her waist like a willow. Although he never dared to look directly at her, sharing a bed with her was torture for him.

He didn't know when it started, but his affection had quietly transformed into possessiveness. He was infatuated with her; it was instinct, like breathing, impossible to ignore or quit. He just couldn't bring himself to do it when his mind was clear, so he used the delirium of moments of prolonged consciousness to fuel it. Regardless of what his mind thought, his body and soul openly screamed with desire. He knew something was amiss, but at this moment, he couldn't care less.

Shimi felt as if he was draining her of all her energy. She couldn't bear it, and she couldn't push him away. She thought helplessly that she was probably going to die today.

But if you had to describe the experience, it wasn't bad at all. After all, she was twenty years old, not a naive young girl. Perhaps it was because they had been in physical contact so much that her body had become used to it, but his deep breaths ignited a fire in her heart. His hands were on her back, wandering around her waist. He gently turned her over, and she lay on his chest.

Now it was time to send him flying, but she didn't. There was a deep-seated hatred between them for the destruction of their kingdoms, yet his body was her creation; fundamentally, hatred was rarely pure.

She also knew that she couldn't indulge in illusory desires, and that the sect's rules forbade her from developing feelings for Yan... Fortunately, she didn't develop feelings; she simply admired this body.

But tonight's events have gone too far. What respectable puppeteer would do such a thing! She struggled to get up, but unfortunately, he wasn't going to let her have her way.

His eyes were half-closed, his eyelashes thick and trembling slightly. He tilted his face up slightly, his lips like fresh, clean flowers, waiting for her to pluck them.

“It’s already come to this; giving up halfway won’t save your reputation.” He coaxed softly, “Come on, continue.”

Continuing... continuing would mean taking off her clothes. If she took off her clothes, wouldn't he notice something was amiss? She suddenly realized that this guy was playing tricks. No wonder he said he regretted it earlier. Sure enough, the remedy came in the blink of an eye.

She was someone who could extricate herself very quickly; as soon as her mind cleared, she was eager to break free. However, he held down her back to prevent her from getting up, and further coaxed, "There's a place you've always wanted to see..." His other hand slid down her shoulder, grabbed her fingers, and, to her astonishment, guided her downwards.

"No, no..." she hurriedly withdrew her hand, "I can't force myself to look at this."

He laughed, his lips brushing against hers again. She escaped in a moment of carelessness, but it didn't matter. He lifted one of her legs, draped it over his waist, and murmured, "Ami, you'll like it."

It's truly insane; it seems men can't abstain from sex for too long. A fleeting, almost imperceptible contact sparked a strange realization in her unconventional mind: it was worth the impulsive decision to relax the conditions back then.

But was he in a daze for too long this time? The embellishment is too heavy-handed; it's clearly intentional!

Thinking of this, she bent her knees and pressed them against his stomach, warning him in a harsh tone: "Whether you like it or not is another matter. If you keep pretending, I have a way to make you unable to move."

Indeed, ruthlessness is the most effective way to revive someone. The boundless romance in his eyes vanished in an instant, and his soul seemed to suddenly return to its place, transforming him back into a wise and courteous superior man.

But this time, he didn't even apologize; he just sat there with a sullen face, silent. It was unclear whether he was annoyed by his actions or regretful for failing to achieve his goal.

"Get up and go back to your own place," Shimi said irritably. "Your lips are practically swollen from kissing me, and I haven't even gotten angry, yet you're still giving me the cold shoulder."

He seemed not to hear her until she reached out and nudged him with her toe, at which point he slowly put his clothes back on.

He swept the hair that had fallen across his chest behind him, and stood on the footstool, looking down at her. "This is my first time."

"I know." Shi Mi was a little embarrassed, but as a free-spirited woman, she had to advise him to take it easy. "Anyway, we're perfectly legitimate, so a kiss won't hurt."

But it was these words that made her feel at ease after regaining her senses. He bent down and kissed her lips again. "I am Lu Min, not Xiao Wu. Make sure you understand, don't get confused."

She stood there, bewildered, while he put on his robe, turned, and left, leaving her wandering alone. This time, being lucid was no different from not being lucid at all.

"That bastard!" She angrily kicked the messy blankets, then slumped down, filled with regret for her earlier foolishness. Fortunately, her regret didn't last long. She could have let it go; it was their first time together, so there was no need to worry about who got the better deal or who lost out.

If your puppet doll kissed you, would you be angry? Of course not!

So she fell asleep almost immediately after hesitating for a moment. A person who rarely dreams, she dreamt of Lu Min pulling at his waistband, sincerely inviting her to visit. She hesitated for a moment, then actually peeked out, only to find it was pitch black below, like an abyss, and she couldn't see anything clearly. She quickly went to light a lamp, but when she returned with the candle, he was nowhere to be found.

All that's left is a heart full of regret. I'm afraid of making things go wrong with real people and events, so why can't I even see it in my dreams!

I woke up in a bad mood, and even the exquisite breakfast brought by the chef didn't taste good. Ali Dao was still beside me, asking, "Ami, why do you look so disheveled? Did the Grand Tutor hit you?"

Shi Mi glanced at him sideways and said, "They fought fiercely, but it was just a mutual brawl. They were evenly matched and it was hard to tell who was better."

Ran Dian and Yan Dian exclaimed, "Then why didn't you call for help? We could have come and helped you fight!"

Shi Mi propped up his cheeks, thinking to himself that outsiders shouldn't get involved in this kind of thing. With a third pair of eyes, the fight wouldn't be able to break out.

Just as she was feeling down, she saw the advisor peeking in and bowing to greet her, "Your Majesty, I am not feeling well today and am too weak to walk any further. Please, Your Majesty, personally escort him to the council hall."