Luo Jiu tossed the kettle at Xiao Zhuo and turned her face away, not wanting to look at him, even though she couldn't see him even if they were facing each other.
"What's wrong? Is Xiao Jiu angry?" Xiao Zhuo turned to Luo Jiu. "I just wanted to help you relax because I saw you were scared."
Luo Jiu ignored him, biting down hard on the bun in her mouth as if she were biting into Xiao Zhuo's flesh. Xiao Zhuo watched with a lingering fear, yet also found it inexplicably cute.
After finishing the last bite, Luo Jiu casually wiped her mouth with Xiao Zhuo's robe, reverting to her demeanor as a sheltered young lady.
"Is there anything else?" If not, you can leave.
Luo Jiu muttered to herself, but on the surface, she maintained that ethereal, otherworldly demeanor, making her impossible to fathom. Yet, for some reason, he wanted to peel back her facade and see her soft, shy figure nestled in his arms.
Xiao Zhuo chuckled awkwardly, "So you want to use me and then throw me away?"
Luo Jiu nodded. Xiao Zhuo was amused and gave her smooth cheek a retaliatory pinch.
"You little ingrate! I was looking forward to seeing you as soon as I got back. And you, you're the one who chases me away as soon as we meet."
Xiao Zhuo circled around Luo Jiu once, then sat down next to her. "Then I'm not leaving!"
Luo Jiu "..."
"Tell me, how did you end up being locked up here?"
"Don't you know everything? Guess!" Luo Jiu said somewhat resentfully, clearly still remembering the time Xiao Zhuo teased her.
"Huh? You're going to argue with me now?"
Xiao Zhuo stretched out his large hand and rubbed Luo Jiu's body. Her originally smooth, flowing hair was instantly ruffled and a few strands even stuck up.
Luo Jiu's ethereal image vanished instantly, her tuft of hair standing straight up on her head, making her look somewhat silly yet undeniably cute.
Xiao Zhuo chuckled softly, combed her hair back into place, and played with her hair with his index finger, thoroughly enjoying himself.
"I'm going to marry Liang Ye," Luo Jiu said somewhat sullenly.
Only when you're full can you think about what Luo Chentian meant by those words today.
Liang Ye went to ask for a marriage decree? Has he lost his mind? He wanted to marry me, and I agreed?
Xiao Zhuo's fingers paused, his voice low and surprised as he asked, "He wants to marry you?"
"Yes, it was a marriage bestowed by the emperor. From now on, I will be his concubine."
Luo Jiu scoffed at herself, inwardly cursing the system. What kind of lousy plot was this? Marry Liang Ye? He's not even the male lead. You want me to seduce the male lead? Are you dreaming?
However, in Xiao Zhuo's eyes, Luo Jiu's words were full of mockery and helplessness.
"Is there no room for maneuver?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"Yes!" Luo Jiu turned to look at him and chuckled, "I'll marry you, take me with you."
Luo Jiu's voice lingered in Xiao Zhuo's mind through the wind.
On that summer night, moonlight bathed the earth, and countless stars twinkled in the night sky, illuminating the entire darkness through the thin mist. A gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of gardenias.
Xiao Zhuo began to imagine that if Luo Jiu's eyes could see, then they must be the brightest eyes in the world.
Those small eyes occasionally flashed with a cunning glint, but when she looked at you, her eyes should be bright and sincere, for they held a myriad of stars within them.
"I……"
He wanted to tell her he was taking her away, but hesitated at the last moment. He admitted he was tempted, but he still had things to do, and Luo Jiu…
Luo Jiu paused for two seconds, and when she didn't hear the answer she wanted, she turned her head back.
As expected, you have to rely on yourself.
"It's alright. You're a master thief, after all. If you take me along, you won't be a master thief anymore! I understand."
Xiao Zhuo remained silent, the smile that usually graced his face vanishing. He stared at the woman before him, forcing a smile while feigning indifference, a sharp, piercing pain rising in his heart.
For a fleeting moment, I felt regret. I regretted not agreeing earlier, and I regretted causing Xiao Jiu'er such sadness because of those so-called "things".
Xiao Zhuo sat with Luo Jiu in the lonely ancestral hall. It was late at night, and Luo Jiu, unable to resist her drowsiness, buried her head between her legs.
Seeing that Luo Jiu had fallen into a deep sleep, Xiao Zhuo quietly rested her little head on his shoulder and gently stroked her face with his fingers.
My fingertips traced the outline of her eyes. If she hadn't gone blind, what breathtaking beauty she would possess.
Then, his fingertips moved to Luo Jiu's lips. Luo Jiu's image kept flashing through his mind. When she was putting on an act, the corners of her mouth would always be slightly upturned, respectful and polite, but the smile never reached her eyes.
In front of me, she speaks softly and sweetly; when she's angry, her lips are pouting, yet she inexplicably wants someone to kiss her.
Xiao Zhuo, who had tasted the flavor of her lips, could never forget it. Her soft lips lightly touched his cheek, as if he were surrounded by clouds, incredibly soft.
but……
Xiao Zhuo felt a pang of sadness at the thought that Luo Jiu would be in another person's arms, laughing and whispering sweet nothings to him, leaving everything to that person.
A voice entered Xiao Zhuo's mind: Hide her away, make sure no one can see her, then no one will covet your treasure...
Xiao Zhuo clenched his fists tightly until he pinched deep red marks. His inner reason told him that he couldn't.
Desire is a constant temptation, painting a picture of Eden, making Xiao Zhuoqing fall irrevocably into it.
He turned his head to look at Luo Jiu, who was fast asleep on her shoulder, chuckled softly, and his eyes were full of confusion and bewilderment.
How could I have fallen for this silly little fox?
He gently helped Luo Jiu adjust her robes and carried her back to the prayer mat in the ancestral hall. He took off his outer robe and gently covered Luo Jiu with it, afraid that this frail young woman would catch a cold.
...
"Miss, Miss?" Jinxia's voice woke Luo Jiu.
"Hmm?" She opened her eyes somewhat groggily, and through the white silk, she saw light once again. The scorching sunlight dispelled the darkness and loneliness of the room, making Luo Jiu feel a little uncomfortable.
"Jin Xia?" Luo Jiu reacted, asking uncertainly. She hadn't spoken in a long time, and her voice was hoarse, which was heartbreaking.
"Miss."
Jinxia grasped Luo Jiu's hands, her voice trembling with tears. Although the young lady's daily needs were usually quite limited, when had she ever been locked alone in the ancestral hall overnight?
The young lady is so delicate, she's sensitive to both cold and heat, and she's also very timid. How could she possibly endure being locked up like this all night?
At this thought, tears welled up in Jinxia's eyes. The master was so cruel. Miss was his own daughter!
Luo Jiu noticed something was off about Jin Xia's voice. She looked down at her face and found it was wet. She said helplessly, "Silly girl, what's there to cry about? Your young lady isn't that frail."
"Come, tell me, what does His Majesty mean by bestowing this marriage upon you?"
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