Xiao Ji left as soon as his wound was treated, leaving decisively and without lingering for a moment.

Shang Changge was inexplicably annoyed, and as he led Qingyao and the others back to the palace, he grumbled and cursed.

"What's wrong with you? Coming to someone's house in the middle of the night and disturbing their peace, then just leaving without even saying thank you? How rude!"

Qingyao wanted to agree, but she was afraid that if she said too many bad things about the general, the princess would dislike him even more and turn her affections to Michan instead.

But it was too painful for her to say nice things about the general against her will, so in the end, Qingyao chose to silently follow along and keep quiet.

Half an hour later, the night grew even deeper.

The stars and moon hanging in the sky shone brighter and swayed more brilliantly than they had half an hour ago, thanks to the even darker night.

Shang Changge was still awake and angry.

Lying in bed with a book in my arms, I flipped through it aimlessly, not feeling sleepy at all.

Feeling a bit thirsty as he looked around, he didn't turn his head and instead instructed Qingyao, who was sleeping in the outer room:

"Qingyao, bring me a glass of water."

Qingyao was always quick and efficient; soon the layers of curtains in front of the bed were lifted, and a cup of water was brought to Shang Changge's side.

Shang Changge put down her book, turned over, and her clear, sleepless eyes unexpectedly met Xiao Ji's gaze.

...

He shifted his body slightly, his gaze sweeping over Qingyao on the soft couch in the outer room.

They sleep very soundly, either because they've been put to sleep by pressure points or inhaled sleeping gas.

Looking at Xiao Ji again,

The man changed his clothes; it seemed he had gone back to take a bath.

With the sleeves covering it, you can't tell that there's an injury on his arm.

Shang Changge didn't call out to anyone, calmly accepting the water Xiao Ji offered and taking a sip.

With its other free hand patting the bed, it said with a wicked grin:

"Come sit here, Qingyao. The strange and unusual stories written in this book give me the creeps."

"You won't sleep outside tonight; stay here and sleep with me."

Shang Changge not calling for help was within Xiao Ji's expectations, but this reaction was unexpected. He leaned closer.

He kissed the woman's delicate lips, still glistening with moisture from drinking water, and opened his mouth:

“Princess, this is probably inappropriate.”

Shang Changge's beautiful eyes widened, gripping the cup, she remained unresponsive as Xiao Ji's kisses grew more and more intense.

It wasn't that there was anything wrong with the water they had just drunk, but rather that the voice coming from Xiao Ji's mouth was none other than Qing Yao's voice.

This guy can even imitate other people's voices?!

Wow, that's amazing! I'm tempted to become Xiao Ji's apprentice!

Xiao Ji noticed that Shang Changge was lost in thought, and chuckled silently as he lightly bit her lip as if punishing her.

His voice, steady and gentle, was close to his ear; this time, he used his own natural voice.

"Focus, my princess."

That voice was incredibly sexy and alluring, especially considering the skill and technique Xiao Ji had somehow learned.

He stroked Shang Changge's cheek with his high, straight nose, his warm breath tickling her.

Everything right now is against the rules, so against the rules!

Shang Changge is a normal woman who couldn't help herself and didn't even want to. She took the initiative to act as the host while still holding the water glass.

What are you doing?

What could a woman as weak as her possibly do to Xiao Ji, a man who was nearly two meters tall and strong? Just kiss him.

After a kiss that didn't align with core socialist values, Shang Changge's beautiful face was flushed with satisfaction.

He beckoned to Xiao Ji with his finger, and when the man leaned closer to whisper in his ear, he brought it up again:

"Xiao Ji, you are definitely not just attracted to my beauty. I can confirm that you love me."

What is the basis for this?

It's not convenient to bring this up right now, so I'll leave it for now and bring it up when it's more convenient later.

There are no outsiders here now, just like last time in the study.

Shang Changge was prepared for Xiao Ji to stubbornly deny it, but...

After the kiss, her lips, now even more luscious, were kissed again, this time a light, tender, and restrained kiss.

Xiao Ji: "Hmm."

Xiao Ji admitted it. Under Shang Changge's astonished gaze, Xiao Ji's large, well-defined hand enveloped Shang Changge's hand.

This time, the force was neither too light nor too heavy, as if there was no intention to restrain her, but simply a desire for closeness.

Xiao Ji: "I am in love with the princess, and I don't care about the outcome."

Shang Changge clearly felt her heart skip a beat, and for a fleeting moment, her reason strayed from her home.

But he quickly came to his senses and withdrew his hand without hesitation.

Xiao Jijun's handsome face had sharp, defined features, and his expression remained unchanged. After the kiss, his lips, which appeared even more beautiful, were pressed into a straight line.

The burly figure sat motionless by the bed, looking as lonely as if abandoned.

It's a bit pitiful.

No, it's extremely pitiful.

But as the saying goes, "If you pity a man, you'll be unlucky for life." Shang Changge had no intention of feeling sorry for him; she sat up straight, ready to reason with him:

"Xiao Ji, do you want me to like you and fall in love with you too?"

Under the soft, hazy moonlight, Xiao Ji looked earnestly at Shang Changge and frankly expressed his feelings and desires:

"yes."

Shang Changge: "Sure, but do you know what price you'll have to pay?"

Xiao Ji didn't know, and Shang Changge also knew that Xiao Ji didn't know, so she frankly admitted it as well:

"I won't have your children. Not only will I not have your children, but I also won't allow you to have any other women besides me."

If I find out you've betrayed me, I'll do everything in my power to kill you. Do you still expect me to like you or love you then?

Xiao Ji did not answer immediately, but looked at Shang Changge and smiled silently.

Shang Changge: "?"

She opened up to this jerk, and not only did he not answer seriously, he even laughed. She wanted to curse him out.

I held back, because the most important thing right now is to explain things clearly.

Shang Changge composed himself and said seriously, "Xiao Ji, what I just said wasn't a joke."

So, let's leave the feelings here. All the kissing and hugging starts tonight...

Her waist tightened, and she fell into a broad embrace that was no longer unfamiliar.

Shang Changge didn't understand; she felt she had explained things clearly enough...

Xiao Ji: "I want to."

Shang Changge peeked out from Xiao Ji's arms, puzzled: "What?"

Xiao Ji: "I have told the princess that I do not intend to have children. I did not say this just to appease the princess; there is a reason for it."

Despite Xiao Ji's solemn words, Shang Changge remained skeptical. It wouldn't be so bad for an ordinary man, but Xiao Ji was a great general of Qingyan.

Although there is no throne to inherit, the glory and excellent genes of the Xiao family, a family of military generals, should be passed down, right?

Xiao Ji didn't miss the suspicious look on the beauty's face in his arms. His prominent Adam's apple bobbed as he let out a deep, muffled chuckle.

He lowered his head and kissed Shang Changge's nose, which had an equally excellent curve:

"If Your Highness is willing, I can explain the reasons to you in detail. As for the rest..."

"Promises are too vague and unrealistic, and I know the princess doesn't like them, so I've just thought about it and decided to try a different approach."

Starting tomorrow, whenever I have free time, I will teach the princess martial arts. From now on, if I have any women other than the princess, the princess may kill me without hesitation.

Shang Changge: ...

Don't do that, it'll make her heart flutter.