A quiet and beautiful spring afternoon.

The doors and windows of the sleeping quarters were closed, making the interior slightly dimmer than the outside.

Xiao Ji's calloused hands, calloused from years of wielding weapons, rested on Shang Changge's waist, his thumb stroking the dimples of her back.

"I only fear one thing: that you will no longer love me."

Shang Changge didn't know what to say, but after a moment she did what she wanted to do and said what she wanted to say.

Her hand climbed onto Xiao Ji's broad shoulder, which was covered in hideous scars. Perhaps because she was in control, or perhaps because she was in a superior position, her voice trembled violently at the end:

"How could I not love him? I will always love him. After all, my General Xiao is so delicious and suits my taste so well."

Suddenly yet predictably, he was drawn into a sea of ​​love by the woman he loved.

Xiao Ji's Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably as he spoke in a hoarse voice, his voice filled with tender concern and worry:

"Aren't you tired anymore?"

Shang Changge was tired, and soon drowsiness overcame her as her cold and noble face rested against the man's well-defined and muscular chest.

But unwilling to part with Xiao Ji, she embraced his strong waist before falling asleep and whispered in his ear:

"Don't leave."

Xiao Ji chuckled, patted Shang Changge's head, his slender, well-defined fingers running through the woman's long, silky black hair—a gesture that was both boundless pampering and a fulfillment of his desires.

"Yes, I'm not leaving."

As night fell, the bright moon shone over a thousand miles.

The capital city, which has no curfew, is a city that never sleeps. At night, standing on a high-rise building and looking out, one can see a dazzling display of lights, just like a starry river in the sky.

People come and go on the streets in all directions; some are going home, some are leaving home, some are packing up their stalls, and some are just opening their stalls to do business.

"Come and take a look! A purse that glows in the night! A girl can give it to her lover, or a talented man can give it to his beloved..."

Some people were hawking their wares at their stalls, while others were banging gongs all over the streets.

"Knock knock knock!"

"Juggling, juggling! At the second quarter of the hour of Xu (7:45 PM), a silver spear pierces the throat, bare hands plunge into a vat of boiling oil, chest breaks a boulder... all right ahead in Peach Blossom Lane, under the peach blossom tree. Dear guests, don't miss it!"

Qingyan is bustling with activity and offers a wide variety of entertainment options. With the pleasant spring evenings, even more people are out enjoying themselves at night.

"Mother, Mother..." "Wife..."

"Little sister, wait for me..." "Da Bao, Xiao Bao..."

Amidst the bustling noise, a shadow puppet theater was packed with people, including Shang Changge and Xiao Ji.

However, General Xiao's height was so striking and distinctive that he could only stay in the private room.

"Jin Lou harbors wolfish ambitions; if he is not eliminated, he will surely become a future threat."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops..."

Inside the private room, the table was laden with a variety of fruits and snacks.

Xiao Ji was watching a shadow puppet show, a show his princess had specially put on to vindicate him and his thousands of soldiers.

Shang Changge was looking at her man, or more specifically, she was drinking tea while looking at her man's left arm, which was still not fully healed.

It's true that she doesn't mind, but it's not true that she doesn't care. Especially after learning from the imperial physician that Xiao Ji also has hidden injuries.

Compared to the few lingering health issues from injuries sustained years ago, these numerous and horrific scars are nothing.

However,

She also understood that Xiao Ji was a general who led troops into battle, and it was inevitable that he would be injured.

Thinking about these things,

Shang Changge was very worried. She wanted to grow old with General Xiao, and she wished that General Xiao also had the ability to heal himself.

Thinking to herself, she put down her teacup, picked up a delicate silver fork, and plucked a piece of candied fruit, bringing it to Xiao Ji's lips.

Xiao Ji smiled and opened his mouth to eat it. He withdrew his gaze from the shadow puppet show, got up, and picked up Shang Changge.

The two sat together, and logically they should have shared a kiss, but they didn't.

Xiao Ji has a sweet tooth, but Shang Changge doesn't like sweets.

After feeding Xiao Ji several candied fruits, Shang Changge instructed Qingyao and Zhuque to ask the waiter for two more pots of the finest tea.

One pot was for Xiao Ji to rinse his mouth, and the other pot was for him to drink, so that Xiao Ji wouldn't lose all his teeth from eating too many sweets before he even got old.