Chapter 70 Promise "Then perhaps, I will stay with you."...

The few remaining candles flickered in the wind, and the pleasant fragrance in the room grew stronger, mixed with the herbal scent on the man's body, and also with a touch of Shi Wan's delicate fragrance.

At first sniff, it's hard to tell us apart.

The man's tall figure almost completely enveloped the person in his arms. The brocade quilt slipped down and quietly piled up around her waist, making the woman's slender, white neck appear even more fragile. As far as the eye could see, below, was that familiar, exquisite spine.

Jiang Xu instinctively held his breath and said, "...Don't move."

A deep, hoarse voice rang out, its commanding tone greatly diminished. This time, it sounded more like a seductive sigh: "If only you could be more obedient."

Don't think about escaping, don't think about leaving him.

"I'm just telling the truth." Shi Wan's voice still trembled slightly, her lowered eyelashes fluttering gently, like a butterfly, trying to take flight but unable to. Her fingertips unconsciously gripped the cloud-like satin spread out beneath her.

"The truth?" Jiang Xu countered, "Really?"

One of his hands encircled her waist, pressing Shi Wan deeper and tighter against his burning chest, while his other hand remained on her shoulder, holding her captive with undeniable force.

"Bang bang..."

"Bang bang..."

Two equally intense, almost evenly matched heartbeats sounded one after another. Unlike hers, Jiang Xu's heartbeat was stronger and equally rapid, pounding against her chest like a drum.

The next moment, a slight coolness came from my neck.

This time, it wasn't the sharp teeth that fell first, but the lips.

Cool, soft lips, along with Jiang Xu's distinctly hot body temperature, spread and touched the smallest patch of skin on her neck.

Just now, this person was like a mad dog, and it seemed he could still smell the faint scent of blood emanating from the mark. As Shi Wan thought about it, her body tensed up involuntarily, and even her toes gradually curled up.

Realizing that Shi Wan was afraid, Jiang Xu's strange sense of satisfaction intensified. "Did you hear that?"

“Shi Wan”.

"What do you mean?" she said coldly. "There are some things we both know, so there's no need to bring them up again, is there?"

"Why not mention it?" Jiang Xu smiled, slightly opening his mouth. A moment later, his warm, wet tongue gently licked the area, and sure enough, the person beneath him trembled.

“You’re always running away.” Jiang Xu sighed softly, his smile, which he had been hiding for years, now revealed a hint of pure joy and sincerity.

“But… I know, Shiwan, you heard it.” She heard his heartbeat, but she didn’t respond.

After a while, the person in his arms remained silent. Jiang Xu lost his patience and gently closed his teeth, turning the kiss into a nibble, his teeth digging into Shi Wan's soft flesh.

Instantly, a subtle pain flowed through her body like water. Shi Wan lost her strength and simply let Jiang Xu do as he pleased. In any case, if she didn't cooperate, this man would only go even further.

but......

He must be deliberately going against her.

The biting force was controlled at a delicate threshold, causing pain, vaguely accompanied by a tingling sensation. In the end, it didn't feel like a punitive revenge, but rather like...flirting.

After a long while, until Shi Wan was completely limp on his body, Jiang Xu finally gave in. After repeated "processing", the crimson mark became even more conspicuous, like a red plum blossom in the snow.

He gently stroked her fingertips twice, his words carrying an almost obsessive pity and madness, "So beautiful."

Silence spread.

Shi Wan's cheek muscles twitched unconsciously. Faced with Jiang Xu's praise, she felt horrified and nauseous. "Now that you've finished your work today, let me go to sleep." She paused for a moment, then added, "You've been busy all day, you must be tired."

Her tone was indifferent, even when she was expressing concern, her words were still stiff and formal, as if the intimacy and warmth between the two of them just now had disappeared, leaving only coldness.

Her cold demeanor and self-deception made her resistant to everything about him.

Jiang Xu's heart churned with hatred. His face was grim as he spoke, each word distinct and clear: "Every time, your body's reactions go beyond this. You clearly have feelings for me too, but you always refuse to admit it." He could barely maintain his usual facade, his eyes filled with deep desire and obsession. "...Why?"

He recalled the moment he had been lying on Shi Wan's neck, her veins pulsating gently beneath her teeth, so vibrant and beautiful, just like the scene he had witnessed from afar on New Year's Eve.

Instead of now, joy, anger, resentment, and ignorance are all completely irrelevant to him.

After a moment, seeing that Shi Wan still did not answer, he became even angrier, his burning breath on her earlobe, "I would rather you argue with me like you used to."

“Have a good argument, confront each other head-on, instead of standing there like a block of wood, not saying a word.” After saying this, Jiang Xu turned around and went to rest alone without waiting for Shi Wan’s reply.

After the footsteps faded away completely, Shi Wan vaguely touched the mark on the back of her neck. The fading mark was repeatedly deepened, and it would probably take many more days for it to disappear completely.

After a moment, Shi Wan gently touched her chest.

By now, my heartbeat had already slowed down.

The frequency is no longer what it was when Jiang Xu was around.

......

*

After the start of summer, the temperature gradually rises, and the various flowers planted in the courtyard are growing well, lush and verdant. The faint fragrance of the flowers, carried by the moonlight, climbs up to the chaise lounge in the bedroom.

Shi Wan's menstrual period had just ended when Jiang Xu came again that same day. He seemed determined to get her pregnant as soon as possible, making no attempt to hide his intentions, whether openly or secretly.

She had some snacks and was leaning on the couch to digest her food while reading when Jiang Xu returned after washing his hands. He saw the beautiful woman with her jade-like wrists slightly drooping and her lotus-colored gauze dress slipping off her shoulder, just like in a painting.

Realizing the light was blocked, Shi Wan looked up and asked, "Look at you, have you had dinner yet?"

Jiang Xu had been in a terrible predicament these past two days, and now he was rushing to get close to her cold shoulder. He was in such a hurry that he naturally didn't need to, so he coldly denied it. But on the other hand, seeing Shi Wan's half-hearted words of concern, he couldn't help but glance at her a couple more times.

She rarely angers him now; instead, she's become increasingly obedient and charming, but based on experience, she might have ulterior motives.

Seeing Jiang Xu deny it, Shi Wan hurriedly put down her book and got up to make arrangements. Half an hour later, the small kitchen brought in several dishes: tender white tofu with chopped wild vegetables and a few spoonfuls of crab roe, all mixed together and floating on top of clear cabbage soup. It was also served with chilled apricot yogurt, small silver fish, and other dishes, making it very appetizing.

Shi Wan personally served Jiang Xu a small bowl of tofu and crab roe soup, and also placed two pieces of silver fish on the side. Upon seeing this, Jiang Xu asked in a curious tone, "Why are you being so attentive today?"

"Didn't you come here to spend the night with me? If so, it's always good to eat your fill." Shi Wan's words were surprising. Jiang Xu noticed her unusual behavior and couldn't help but feel suspicious. In addition, he also felt a bit of dissatisfaction that he himself was not aware of.

She was unwilling to be a concubine, but during their intimate moments, although she initially resisted, she later became quite cooperative.

Now, they make no attempt to hide this matter, which ultimately reveals the inherent flaws of their background in brothels.

"On this matter, you haven't changed at all." Jiang Xu remained noncommittal, taking a sip of the soup she had served, and then asked, "Did you ask the kitchen to make you some contraceptive soup a few days ago?"

Shi Wan said calmly, "I know you're telling me to give up on this idea."

"I have thought about this over and over again these past few days, and today I have come to seek peace."

"Seek peace?" Jiang Xu's eyes flickered slightly. "If you truly seek peace, the sun must be rising in the west."

Shi Wan ignored him and continued, "I have conditions."

These words were exactly what Jiang Xu wanted to hear. If the other party had suddenly shown goodwill, he would have been very cautious and suspicious. But now, by being frank and open about the conditions, and explaining them in detail, the other party's words seemed more genuine and credible.

"What are the conditions?" Her health is improving day by day. With him personally overseeing her, carefully nurturing her, and working together every day, it's only a matter of time before she conceives a child.

As her thoughts returned to normal, she heard Shi Wan say, "From now on, when I go out, I don't want so many people watching me. Also, I want to choose my own personal maid."

Jiang Xu's expression remained unchanged. "You have ulterior motives. I'm only doing this to prevent things from happening in the first place." As he spoke, the resentment in his heart deepened.

As expected, they came to exchange her "freedom".

He has shown her that favoritism and given her space, so why is she so stubborn?

What's so good about living alone in a foreign land, with an uncertain future?

Jiang Xu's tone was slightly cold. Thinking about why he had come today, he felt even more pathetic. He knew that Shi Wan would only upset him, and he knew that all he would get after coming here were unpleasant words, but his heart was drawn to this corner of the world.

Subconsciously, he always wanted to stay with her, in a space where the two of them could be alone, as if that way, his hysterical resentment and loss of control could be better soothed.

In reality, the matter of Youzhou is not the same, nor is the matter of offspring...

His tone inevitably carried a hint of resentment, "I can decide the number of people who serve me, but... if you don't want to be watched by so many people when you go out, you can reduce the number by one or two."

Upon hearing this, Shi Wan subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. "Then you'd better keep your word."

A gentleman's word is as good as his bond.

Jiang Xu casually replied, but then, remembering her scolding him for not being a gentleman, he unconsciously smiled. However, this smile looked strange to Shi Wan no matter how she looked at it.

She belatedly glanced at him, then moved the small dish of silver fish pieces closer. "Are you... in a bad mood today?"

Jiang Xu's eyes dimmed slightly, his eyelids drooping, but his tone remained indifferent, "What does it matter whether I'm in a good mood or a bad mood?"

The process of the other party agreeing to her request was much smoother and faster than she had imagined. If she ignored it at this moment, it would seem rather heartless. After a slight hesitation, Shi Wan immediately asked, "What's wrong? Is the war not going well?" She had heard that some people in the Jingbei army had defected during the battle with the Turks.

Jiang Xu blinked. "Actually, these are all old stories."

He said that he wanted to say a few words, and Shi Wan should have stopped talking at that moment, but... strangely enough, she also wanted to hear him confide in her.

She heard herself say, "Tell me about it." After saying that, she immediately moved her body as if trying to escape.

"My father once fought alongside the Grand Marshal of Youzhou to resist the foreign tribes, but unfortunately... later, this scoundrel betrayed my father and did all sorts of dirty things."

"And now, they've even given my father's skull to the Turks." His voice suddenly lowered, his face half-turned, his entire being shrouded in shadow, a sense of inexplicable loneliness emanating from him. "Although we repelled the invaders and fulfilled my father's last wish, in reality..."

Jiang Xu didn't continue speaking, his expression was extremely calm, showing no emotional fluctuations, but Shi Wan was increasingly alarmed by his words.

She already knew many rumors, and now that they had been confirmed, piecing them together would reveal most of the truth. Both of them had secrets, but she had only exchanged a few polite words and hadn't expected Jiang Xu to actually tell her.

Such unknown matters and such secret feelings would always give her a slight illusion, as if... the two of them were very close.

But between the two of them, they only engaged in intimate acts; in reality, they were sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams.

She whispered, "You are doing a great job now. The people live in peace and prosperity, and you are resisting foreign tribes. In the north, you are the people's favorite." Having seen Jiang Xu's usual demeanor, her current tired and weak appearance actually brought her a lot of comfort. "If your father were alive, he would be proud of you."

Jiang Xu lowered his eyes, and Shi Wan couldn't see his expression. She only heard his slightly hoarse and dejected voice, "So, you mean... I also have many merits, right?"

“...Yes.” Shi Wan answered the question sincerely, paused, and then said, “You will achieve great things.”

"Achievements...? In the North?"

Shi Wan thought for a moment, then lowered her voice even further, "Perhaps, it's more than that."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu seemed greatly pleased and smiled, "Then that is the world."

It is an undeniable fact that the emperor is young and the court is in chaos. However, Luoyang is the legitimate capital of the country. If the sword is pointed at there, those who support him may very well turn into contempt immediately.

Jiang Xu remained undecided. He had little interest in Luoyang, but a battle was inevitable in Youzhou.

“We just disagree. As for your talent, I have never thought of denying you, Jiang Xu.” Shi Wan’s amber eyes shimmered with light, like flawless gems, their luster making his heart warm and irresistible, and he couldn’t help but want to possess them.

Seeing that Shi Wan was resistant to gentle persuasion but not to force, he lowered his voice and said, "What if I possessed the entire world?" He murmured to himself, but in a corner where Shi Wan could not see, his dark eyes were somewhat unsettling.

He seemed to be making a pre-planned move, or perhaps drawing nourishment from it, praying for a vague and comforting promise.

Even if it's fake.

"If I possess the whole world, you will have the freedom of the whole world."

"And then what?"

Summer nights are often rainy. Outside the window, the sound of rain began to fall, a soft patter. Inside, the candlelight flickered in the sudden night breeze, and Jiang Xu's face twitched slightly, the light casting shadows that shifted between light and shadow.

As Shi Wan listened to the pattering raindrops outside the window, her eyelashes trembled slightly. "If you possessed the entire world, I would probably have nowhere to escape." In this rare moment of peaceful conversation, she unconsciously relaxed considerably and casually replied, "Then perhaps, I would stay with you."

Jiang Xu suddenly reached out and took her hand. His eyelashes were lowered, and he didn't make any other movements for a long time, but he looked very... vulnerable.

Shi Wan thought he would say a few more tender words to prolong this rare atmosphere, but to her surprise, he suddenly hugged her gently. The hug was very soft, and her tense body gradually relaxed.

But, completely unaware, behind him, a dark glint flashed in Jiang Xu's dark eyes, the unyielding ink containing an almost scalding temperature.

His lips curled up for an extremely brief moment, a kind of almost ferocious, wanton satisfaction creeping into his eyes.

It is not joy, but the satisfaction and gloom of having been comforted and then completely locking the treasure away in a cage.

The man was tall and imposing, completely enveloping Shi Wan, just as he had done many times before, yet this time it was different.

Jiang Xu's voice remained hoarse and low, tinged with a morbid, heart-wrenching tenderness born of triumph. "Okay." It was as if the words lingered between his lips and teeth, catching a glimpse of the mark on Shi Wan's nape, before being uttered as if branded.

Reinforcing it, "Since you said you'd stay with me."

"That......"

You absolutely must keep your promise.

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Author's Note: Today! Is! A super long chapter!!! (Proudly puffing out his chest)