Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Kiss Me

She walked slowly, and to the man whose eyes were fixed on her, each step seemed like a fairy floating on water, a lotus blossoming beneath her feet. As she approached, he even forgot to breathe until his arms were suddenly filled with a soft, fragrant body, her delicate arms gently wrapped around his waist and back.

Qin Jingyao's entire body shuddered, his throat churning as he suppressed the muffled groan rising to his lips. Just as the bracelet was about to fall, he suddenly clenched it tightly in his hand. Then, raising his arm, he embraced her deeply with a slow but irresistible force.

He pressed his ten fingers on her waist and shoulder blades, tightening them inch by inch.

He opened his lips slightly, and wanted to speak, but he felt his throat burning with dryness, and he lost his voice for a moment.

The person in his arms seemed oblivious. The top of her fragrant hair gently rubbed against his neck, and she spoke lazily, "Are you done?"

Qin Jingyao's chest rose and fell violently, and he murmured in a low, hoarse voice. Lan Nongnong then looked up at him, then lazily lowered her head, closing her eyes and muttering, "I'm so sleepy. Please sleep with me. It's cold sleeping alone."

“…”

Qin Jingyao said nothing, but his body suddenly tensed. He stood up and lifted her into his arms. With his sleeves fluttering, he reached the bed in a few long strides. He didn't put her down, but simply helped her sit on the edge.

His Adam's apple rolled, his eyes fixed on hers, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "Do you know what you are saying?"

Lan Nongnong raised her hand to take off her cloak and casually threw it on the table beside her. Then she hooked her arms around his belt and leaned back. When he leaned over, she raised her arms and wrapped them around his waist, snuggled up to him, closed her eyes, and whispered softly, "Don't hold my hair down," and then she fell into a deep sleep with a steady breath.

Qin Jingyao was left alone, aroused by her gentle gesture. With her soft and fragrant body in his arms, she took the initiative to move closer, completely defenseless.

He knew every part of her body, knew where to kiss and suck her to make her lose her defenses and moan. He also knew exactly which touch would make her tremble like spring rain, gather like a swamp, and take her to the peak of lovemaking.

And at this moment, all this happened just by raising his hand.

His vein-riddled palm slowly covered her waist, his fingertips wandering down, suddenly enveloping her slender waist completely in his palm. She seemed to feel uncomfortable and moved slightly. His palm instinctively raised and lowered again, stroking along the spine to her back, patting gently and rhythmically until the body in his arms gradually softened, without stopping.

After a long time, he withdrew his hand, spread her long black hair carefully on the pillow, and then unfolded the quilt to hold her tightly.

The glazed roof above the mansion kept out the wind and snow. Not only could one not hear much of the sound of falling snow inside the deep curtains on the bed, even standing in the courtyard.

Qin Jingyao hugged her tightly, his eyes burning as he lingered on her sleeping face.

Her breathing was light and even, like the rustling of snow outside the house, filling him with a sense of peace. He raised his finger and carefully traced the slightly exposed side of her face, his lips curling up slightly. This was probably what she had said about the pleasure of listening to the rain and snow.

The candlelight outside the tent gradually brightened, and the person in his arms finally showed signs of waking up. Her curled-up body slowly stretched out, and her little face, buried in his chest, rubbed against his chest like a cat, letting out a low, contented sigh.

The next moment, she opened her eyes, stunned for a moment, then suddenly raised her face and looked at him. Her pale lips lifted slightly, and a hoarse voice rang out.

"What time is it?"

Their words were so natural and intimate, as if they had always been in love as before and had never had any resentment.

The few words were like a blazing flame slamming into Qin Jingyao's heart, nearly causing him to lose his composure. He held his breath for a few moments, suppressing the turmoil in his chest, but his heart remained tense, his eyes locked tightly, unwilling to miss even the slightest change in her expression.

"...It was the beginning of the evening hour, almost time for dinner. Nong Nong woke up just in time."

Lan Nongnong withdrew her hand upon hearing this, gently covering her stomach. Belatedly, she felt hungry, so she nudged him, "Then get up quickly. I'm so hungry. What's for dinner? Do I need to avoid any other foods?"

Qin Jingyao hadn't expected her to continue whispering to him so nonchalantly even after waking up. He was stunned by her unconventional approach, unsure how to respond. Or perhaps, he didn't want to disrupt this precious moment of tenderness.

He had to act like a puppet in her hands, following every command. He helped her up, handed her clothes, and gently held her hair while she changed. Finally, she took his hand and walked out of the bedroom together.

Lan Nongnong was taking extra care of herself these days, so after washing her hands, she ordered a bowl of nourishing soup. After the warm soup had soothed her stomach, she realized he was still sitting there motionless. She was startled, and her expression suddenly changed.

Qin Jingyao was secretly clenching his fists, his heartstrings tense, but he heard her voice rise with disbelief and surprise: "Do you really want to wait for me to serve you?"

Before he could respond, Lan Nongnong had already put down her bowl and chopsticks, turned around to face him, and said solemnly with a stern face, "Just tell me clearly now, but do you really want me to set the table for you when you eat, change your clothes and help you hold your shoes before you get up, see you to the door when you go to court, and greet you at the steps when you return home? If you say east, I can't go west. If you say one thing, I can't say two."

The maidservants in the room had already quietly retreated at his signal. Qin Jingyao was momentarily intimidated by her aura, and hesitated for a moment before he smiled cautiously, "Nong Nong is my beloved wife. She deserves to live a life of luxury and comfort. You don't need to be involved in these trivial matters."

Lan Nongnong, however, was not pleased with his dismissive words and snorted coldly, "Now you've changed your tune. Was it someone else who said that before?"

Seeing that she was trying to make a fuss about the topic, Qin Jingyao immediately stood up and walked to her side. He picked up the serving chopsticks, rolled up his sleeves and placed a spoonful of her favorite sweet and salty snacks for her. He also poured a small bowl of fresh fish stew and placed it in front of her. He bowed his head and said in a low voice, "This is my husband's arrogant words. I hope my wife will be magnanimous and not hold a grudge against a vulgar person like me. Please forgive me this time, okay?"

Lan Nongnong seemed to be feeling happy, a hint of pride on her face. Her eyes flicked to the tips of his fingers holding the bowl, then she looked up to scrutinize his expression, as if trying to discern the truth from his words.

Qin Jingyao did not urge her, but held the bowl and cup in his hands and did his servant's work with a good temper, his face still showing the elegant smile that she used to be most obsessed with.

He was left like this for about ten breaths before a pair of slender jade fingers condescended to take the soup bowl.

Qin Jingyao felt relieved, but he did not return to his seat. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves a little higher, picked up the serving chopsticks and said with a smile: "Today, I will be your messenger. Wherever your eyes lead, I will obey."

Lan Nongnong didn't respond, but she couldn't hide her smile. She slowly took two spoonfuls of fish stew, then pushed it aside and started to serve without any courtesy.

Sometimes she glanced at the farthest dish, took a bite and then, if it didn't suit her taste, pushed it away. Sometimes she looked to her right, then said she didn't want to eat it anymore when he picked it up. She pointed at every dish on the table and ordered him around, clearly trying to make things difficult for her.

Only after he was full did he reluctantly stop and said, "Let it go this time. If it happens again, I will divorce you and find another husband who doesn't need a wife to serve him—"

As soon as she finished speaking, her chin was suddenly lifted. The man who had just smiled gently and let her do her bidding now had a dark expression, his eyes shrouded in sternness. "Don't worry, Madam. I will take this as a warning. But Nong Nong must also remember that you must never say something like that again. Do you understand?"

Lan Nongnong felt her neck stretched uncomfortably, so she raised her hand to pat his wrist. There was no fear in their eyes as they exchanged glances. Instead, she raised her eyebrows and glared at him, "As long as you don't do it, I won't tell anyone. I'll only mention it when you make me unhappy! Anyway, if you hear it again, it's definitely you who's at fault!"

She frowned and said angrily, "Don't hold my chin like that. My neck hurts. Let go."

Qin Jingyao let go of his hand and looked at her rubbing her neck angrily and glaring at him. Her expression seemed to have returned to the arrogant look when his identity was still unknown. Although he was happy, he was also overwhelmed by a sense of uncertainty.

He sat back in his chair, his eyes still locked on her, wondering why her attitude had changed so much. Just a day ago, they were a forced couple, on the verge of becoming a bitter couple. Today, she'd just met a few people and slept with them, and it seemed like all the past grudges had been forgotten?

He considered her personality, her past principles, her emotional connections with monks and nuns, and even tried to put himself in her shoes, but he felt that any situation should not be like this.

Since he couldn't figure it out, he decided to ask directly. Truth and lies always leave a trace. Besides, he really didn't like the feeling of being controlled like this.

"...I used to be strong and healthy, and I could easily climb mountains and run. But now that I'm married to you, I've become a sickly person."

Her sudden accusation stopped the question that was about to come out of his lips.

Qin Jingyao put down his silver chopsticks, concealed the strange look in his eyes, and when he raised his eyes again, his brows were full of pity: "It's my fault that I didn't take good care of Nong Nong. Don't worry, I will let Mo Chou take good care of you. But--"

He took the warm towel and wiped his lips and fingers, then took her hand and walked slowly towards the small study on the north side.

The door closed with the tap of his heels. He stopped by the desk and looked at her with deep eyes: "From now on, don't run around recklessly anymore."

Lan Nongnong's heart moved slightly, her nose wrinkled slightly and she snorted, turning her face away reluctantly and said, "You are a national chess master, and I am just a chess piece in the game. Even if I fall far away, how can I jump out of your chessboard? Besides, when Lord Ling is angry, the whole temple will be burned down. How can I dare to run around when you are so majestic..."

Qin Jingyao narrowed his eyes slightly, then suddenly grasped her waist and gently lifted her up, settling her down beside the desk. With his arms at her sides, he leaned down to meet her eye level, his tall figure completely looming over her. "Is this really why Nongnong has changed so much?"

He came too close, and the intense pressure felt like a dense net. Lan Nongnong instinctively leaned back to avoid it, but a large hand firmly supported her waist, pulling her closer to him.

"...You're too close to talk, get out of here!"

She crossed her arms and rested them on his shoulders. Her waist was restrained, her shoulders and neck were still leaning back, her whole body almost bent into a hunch, and she glared at him angrily.

She had not received strict training, so it was difficult for her to control her body's instinctive reactions, and naturally she could not hide her true thoughts.

Qin Jingyao helped her sit firmly, then released her hand as instructed. Then, with a long arm, he lifted the armchair to the table and calmly sat down. He planted his legs slightly apart, leaning back against the chair, his arms resting lightly on the armrests. Despite his slightly lowered position, his demeanor was composed, as if he were examining her. Then, with his palm facing upward, he gestured, as if listening attentively.

"Please feel free to give me some advice."

Lan Nongnong seemed undeterred by his imposing presence, merely finding it difficult to sit suspended in this position. She considered moving the chair behind the desk, but then realized she'd be at a disadvantage if she looked up at him. Suddenly, she caught sight of the tiger figurine she'd assembled in her spare time and simply turned to retrieve it, placing it beside her. The half-foot-tall wooden tiger was just the right height for a leaning table, and with her elbows resting lightly on it, it was the perfect height.

Qin Jingyao didn't urge her, but just watched her busy herself quietly.

Lan Nongnong crossed her legs and swayed gently, leaning most of her weight on the wooden tiger. Her posture was relaxed, her expression calm, and she looked calm and composed. Fortunately, the craftsmen used solid materials and meticulous workmanship, and the wooden tiger supported her and remained as stable as a rock.

"I think you already know what I said to my aunts today."

Lan Nongnong mentioned it casually, and without waiting for his response, she continued, "As I said just now, you are strong and I am weak, the difference is as huge as a chasm. Even if I rack my brains, I can't escape your eyes and ears. Besides, I have learned enough lessons this time."

At this point, she unconsciously frowned, pursed her lips, and turned her head slightly away as if she didn't want to recall the past. After a few breaths, she turned back.

"Besides, you haven't hurt my aunts in the end. I'm still in my prime, and I still have decades to live. Since what I'm asking for is doomed to fail, I might as well change my mindset and cut my losses. At least I can choose how I want to live my life from now on."

Her eyes were clear, like a cold spring. "I don't want to be depressed all my life. I want to live happily and freely from the heart."

Lan Nongnong suddenly raised her eyelids, her dark eyes fixed on him without blinking: "As long as you can treat me sincerely, obey me in everything, take care of me, and protect me... from now on, we will live a good life."

After the words fell, the small study fell into a long silence. It lasted so long that Lan Nongnong began to feel uneasy. Her brows knitted slightly, and she was about to lower her eyes to ponder her next move when the man who had been silent all this time suddenly stepped forward.

He looked up into her eyes, his jaw clenched, his Adam's apple rolling slightly, and he uttered only two words.

"Kiss me."