Chapter 4 Extra 1: The Couple's Relationship Mode (Part 2)
Ning Jue remained clear-headed. During the encounter, he was afraid of hurting Bai Hua, so he restrained himself and tried his best to be gentle as he completed their first time making love.
Even though he only got about 30-50% of the enjoyment out of him, Bai Hua was still sweating profusely and panting heavily, like an exhausted fawn.
Ning Jue raised his hand and gently massaged Bai Hua's lower back, easing the tension from her bending over for so long.
At the same time, he talked to her to distract her from dwelling on the feelings she had just experienced.
“I don’t think General Meng is as upright as he seems on the surface. Although he and his wife have been separated for several days and miss each other, he must know that Miss Gu is resentful of his long absences and needs to be coaxed. So when he returned, he specially brought some nourishing and aphrodisiac meat. Once the couple is in love and in bed, what can’t be resolved in bed? Even if Miss Gu has a hard heart, he can coax her into tenderness and gentleness. However, we happened to be visiting the general’s mansion, so his schemes naturally implicated us as well. Today, we should share the blame with him.”
Bai Hua's eyes were half-closed. She had no mind to think about Meng Yu at the moment. She replied sullenly, "You can blame it on whoever you want. I'm only blaming you. The person who just wanted to tear me apart was none other than yourself."
Ning Jue continued massaging her lower back, saying kindly, "Alright, alright, I'll take the blame."
Bai Hua was listless and stopped responding.
After a short while, Ning Jue stopped, suppressed the thirst in her throat, and got out of bed.
He stood in front of the table, tilted his head back, and drank several cups of cold tea. Then he strode into the bathroom, picked up a bucket, and poured water over the entire body.
The coolness seeped into my body, the anxiety vanished, and in an instant, I felt much more comfortable.
The water in the bucket was originally warm, but the two had been trying to work together for a long time, so things didn't go smoothly at first. He was also more vigorous than usual, and the two were not a good match, so the process was full of obstacles and often doubled. As the water gradually cooled down, it was just the right time for him to lift it up to extinguish the fire.
The fire was extinguished, but only temporarily.
Ning Jue wiped the moisture from his cheeks, braced his hands on the edge of the bathtub, and took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself down.
However, the coolness from the floodwaters was clearly fading, and in just a short while, desire arose again below.
Ning Jue cursed inwardly, thinking that if a real man couldn't even suppress such a wicked thought, what kind of willpower did he have?
Of course, he wouldn't be so passive if it were anyone else, but when Bai Hua's charming face flashed through his mind, all his calmness, restraint, and self-control became meaningless.
She was too special, and too easily aroused his most primal desire as a man to conquer the woman he loved.
Unstoppable, unavoidable.
Ning Jue sighed softly and reached into the bathtub.
The water inside was also slightly cool. Without hesitation, he straddled it and submerged his entire body in the water, trying to maintain his rationality in this way. After about half an incense stick's time, he returned to the room and found that Bai Hua had fallen into a deep sleep from exhaustion.
Ning Jue approached quietly, bent down to stroke Bai Hua's slightly tired face, and then sighed almost imperceptibly.
Once on the couch, Ning Jue lay down beside Bai Hua, one arm under his neck, eyes closed, calming his mind and remaining motionless.
However, the fire that had been extinguished by the cold water quickly reignited and spread rapidly, burning from below the abdomen to the whole body, raging fiercely.
Ning Jue opened his eyes, unable to bear it any longer. His eyes gradually turned bloodshot. He turned his head and stared intently at Bai Hua's fair and delicate neck once again.
Like a lion eyeing its prey.
She had just fallen asleep, and Ning Jue couldn't bear to wake her without any pity. However, she was right in front of him, and he was suffering both physically and mentally. It would be even more difficult for him to do nothing.
Thinking of this, Ning Jue turned to the side and carefully turned Bai Hua's body around.
This was the only compromise he could think of.
The two gradually adjusted their breathing to be in sync, maintaining a harmonious rhythm. He held his breath and tried to relieve the friction.
Effective, but limited.
Before she even came out, Bai Hua was already woken up uncomfortably by the rubbing.
"you……"
Bai Hua frowned, followed her senses and looked down. After a moment's delay, her cheeks and neck flushed red.
She blinked, looked at Ning Jue innocently, and pouted with a wronged expression.
Ning Jue gently kissed her earlobe, sincerely apologizing again and again: "I woke you up, it's my fault, Hua'er."
Bai Hua pursed her lips, paused, and said resentfully, "You really went too far."
Ning Jue nodded and admitted, "I know this is bad for you, but I can't help it. After eating the venison and forcibly circulating my internal energy, I feel like my body is being roasted whenever I see you. Hua'er, you have now become my deadly curse."
It's as if she's the one who's harming people.
Bai Hua felt even more wronged.
Ning Jue was close to her, his breath hot. Bai Hua felt an itch behind her ear and subconsciously tried to pull away, but she was immediately pulled back into Ning Jue's arms as soon as she tried to move away.
She complained to him in a low voice, "But just now, you were clearly having so much fun..."
Ning Jue sighed hoarsely, "How can once be enough?"
It was already very late at night. Bai Hua looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise and a little lost.
Ning Jue coaxed her to continue, exerting overwhelming force, determined not to stop until he had completely devoured her. Bai Hua's waist was like a fragile flower stem broken by a storm, swaying precariously, on the verge of collapse.
The brocade quilt with mandarin ducks playing in the water pattern on the couch had been thrown to the ground at some point. Even though the pattern of red feathers and golden beaks on it was lifelike, no one had time to appreciate it. However, because of this, it was spared from being damaged.
As for the pale yellow silk quilt that was laid under the two of them, it was not so fortunate. Because it had endured too much pressure and pulling, it was already unbearable to look at. It was covered with wrinkles and stained with all kinds of white and yellow dirt. It had been soaked through five or six times. How could Bai Hua have contained it all by herself?
This mattress must never be seen by anyone else again.
Otherwise, she would be too ashamed to face anyone.
Before Bai Hua completely collapsed from exhaustion, she struggled to maintain her last shred of clarity and urged Ning Jue, "Burn it, burn it..."
Ning Jue reassured him, "Okay."
In the latter half of the night, a fire briefly broke out in the bedroom of the villa. A patrolling guard noticed something was wrong and rushed over to investigate. Ning Jue pushed open the door and went out to explain to the guard that he had woken up in the middle of the night to pour himself some tea or water, and accidentally knocked over a candlestick, which set the curtains on fire. He then quickly pulled the mattress over the fire to smother it, and fortunately the flames were small and were quickly contained, so there was no major problem.
Hearing this, the guard was still shaken and hurriedly said to Ning Jue, "Fortunately, no one was injured. Xiangcheng is windy and the climate is dry, so it is indeed easy for fires to start. Actually, there are water tanks outside each courtyard. If there is another such emergency, please remember to call for help, and we will come to the rescue as soon as possible."
Ning Jue replied absentmindedly, "I understand, thank you for making this trip."
The patrol guards took their leave.
Seeing that the person had walked away, Ning Jue looked away, adjusted his outer robe, and turned to go back into the house.
Pushing open the door, Ning Jue saw Bai Hua lying motionless on the bed, fast asleep. His eyes were filled with annoyance and guilt.
He himself is now completely at ease, but Bai Hua has suffered and will probably need to rest for a few days before she can barely recover.
Ning Jue went over, covered Bai Hua with the blanket, tucked the corners in, and then went to the window, opening both windows wider to help dissipate the unpleasant smell of burning in the room more quickly, so that Bai Hua could sleep more comfortably.
As the rain subsided and the dawn broke, Ning Jue crouched down, gazing at Bai Hua's beautiful yet languid sleeping face. He couldn't help but wonder if, during those earth-shaking moments, he had already stuffed the baby into Hua'er's belly.
...
The next morning, Bai Hua naturally woke up late.
The sun was high in the sky outside the window. She opened her eyes somewhat dazedly, and after a moment, she realized what time it was and naturally remembered why she had gotten up late.
The intense lovemaking from last night was still vivid in her mind, uncontrollably creeping into her thoughts. Even though she tried to restrain herself from thinking about it, she couldn't help herself. She raised her hand to cover her face, her cheeks already flushed with embarrassment.
With no one around and the temperature cool, it's easy to imagine that Ning Jue got up and left the house very early.
They were clearly interacting and were both exhausted at the same time. Moreover, Ning Jue was obviously working hard and using much more effort than her. So how come she still felt heavy and weak in her limbs after a night, while he was able to do his own thing as usual as if nothing had happened?
The physical strength difference between men and women is too great, it's just how they are born, it's so unfair!
Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside. Bai Hua was lost in thought and didn't notice the footsteps approaching from outside.
She looked up and saw Ning Jue. She wasn't surprised, but she really had nothing to say to him at the moment, so she pulled the blanket over her head and avoided seeing him.
"woke up."
Ning Jue's voice came from above her head, clearly very close.
"Mmm." Bai Hua's voice sounded a little muffled through the blanket. Even though she had been bullied by him last night, she still asked with concern, "Are you still feeling unwell?"
Ning Jue sat down on the edge of the bed, worried that she might feel uncomfortable from holding it in, so he reached out and tried to pull the blanket covering her head down a little.
Bai Hua tried to fight back, but couldn't. As soon as her face was exposed, she immediately raised her hands to cover it.
Ning Jue reluctantly loosened the blanket, stroked her hair, and said in a soft voice, "Is Hua'er angry with me?"
Bai Hua turned to the side and hummed softly, "Judging from your current appearance, you must not be in pain anymore."
Ning Jue replied truthfully, "I completely calmed down in the latter half of last night. Hua'er helped me release all my anger and was a great help to me. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have really been stabbed to suppress my desires with pain."
Thinking about the hardships and suffering she had endured last night, and then hearing his shameless words, Bai Hua blushed and felt suffocated.
She said with a hint of temper, "I already regret it. It would have been easier and less strenuous to stab you with my sword back then."
Although these words sounded harsh, when Bai Hua said them in a playful and slightly resentful tone, they had a unique charm that made Ning Jue feel even more relaxed and happy, rather than angry.
Following her words, Ning Jue leaned closer, unfastened the sword from his waist, poked Bai Hua's arm with the hilt, and said with a smile, "If Hua'er really wants to stab me, then I can only obediently hand over the sword."
Bai Hua let go of his hand, her round eyes glaring at him; she had no intention of actually hurting him.
Ning Jue, determined to tease her, insisted on putting the sword hilt into her hand, then looked at her closely with a smile.
Bai Hua was held there with the sword at her side, unsure of what to do.
After thinking for a moment, her eyes suddenly turned fierce. She then gripped the scabbard with one hand, turned the sword over, and thrust the hilt directly at Ning Jue.
She used considerable force in that thrust; although the scabbard wasn't sharp, it still made Ning Jue wince in pain and let out a muffled hiss.
Bai Hua feigned fierceness and said, "Let's see if you dare to provoke me again!"
Ning Jue patted his chest and sighed, then slumped onto the bed, leaning against Bai Hua. He hugged her and said weakly, "You're so prickly, it hurts..."
Bai Hua was skeptical: "How much pain could it hurt from the hilt of the sword I'm using?"
"It really hurts." Ning Jue frowned, looking uncomfortable. He then bent down on the couch, snuggling close to Bai Hua and resting his head on her lap, saying, "Hua'er, rub it for me."
Bai Hua couldn't do anything about him and was ultimately soft-hearted, so she reached down and touched Ning Jue's left chest with her palm. She had only touched that spot just now.
After massaging her abdomen for a couple of seconds, Ning Jue turned to his side, facing her lower abdomen, so that she could massage it more easily.
After he changed his posture, Bai Hua's wrist did feel less strained, but in that position, his breath was burning hot and itchy with each inhale and exhale.
Bai Hua's face flushed even more. She awkwardly pulled in her lower abdomen and leaned back to try and dodge, but Ning Jue caught her arm in time, precisely blocking her retreat.
"Keep rubbing for a while longer."
"Then stop tickling me..."
Ning Jue asked her with a smile, "Then I'll hold my breath and not breathe?"
Bai Hua: "..."
Ning Jue then asked, "Are you hungry?"
Bai Hua's voice was weak: "I just woke up, I don't feel it yet."
After answering, she thought about how Gu Junman had been waiting for her to eat together in the past few days, but today she woke up late and missed both meals. Junman had been waiting for her for a long time and must have started to wonder.
She knew she had shared a room with Ning Jue last night, so who knows what she might be thinking.
Thinking of this, Bai Hua's cheeks flushed, and she became absent-minded while massaging.
Ning Jue stopped pressing against her abdomen, turned his head downwards, facing down, wrapped half his arm around her waist, and pulled her face to face with him while his knees spread apart.
Bai Hua was startled. By the time she came to her senses, her legs had already been spread apart by him. His hot breath no longer bothered her abdomen, but instead moved downwards towards the more forbidden area.
"No..." Bai Hua's voice trembled slightly as she tried to stop her.
Ning Jue said, "I applied the medicine to you this morning. Let me see if the swelling has gone down."
No wonder she felt an unusual wetness down there after waking up. She initially thought it was because she hadn't cleaned properly, but it turned out to be from the ointment she had applied.
Just how badly were they tortured that they needed to use ointment...?
Bai Hua suddenly thought of something else and hurriedly asked, "Where did you get the medicine?"
Ning Jue reassured her, "Don't worry, I didn't find it at the General's Mansion. I went out at 9:00 AM to find it at a pharmacy outside the street."
Upon hearing this, Bai Hua breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Ning Jue had considered it; otherwise, she would have been too ashamed to stay in the General's Mansion any longer.
She pushed him away, still refusing to look, saying, "I don't feel uncomfortable, I should be fine, I don't want you to see."
Ning Jue stopped insisting and stared at her face, which was as red as a ripe apple, and had no choice but to give up: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
After the two finished speaking, Bai Hua felt her stomach was empty and she did feel a bit hungry.
Ning Jue allowed her to wash up and change clothes, while he went to the outer room to wait. After a short while, Bai Hua finished dressing and came out. She glanced at Ning Jue with some displeasure in her eyes.
"What's wrong? Shall we go together?" Ning Jue asked, puzzled, as he led the way.
Bai Hua glared at him, stamped her foot behind him, and said in exasperation, "Can you slow down a bit?"
Ning Jue turned around, lost in thought, and did not reply immediately.
Bai Hua sighed and said helplessly, "I... I can't walk fast right now, I can only take small steps. Wait for me."
Ning Jue then understood. He walked to Bai Hua's side and, without saying a word, picked her up and carried her in his arms, saving her the trouble of walking.
Bai Hua struggled slightly in his arms, saying, "No, put me down quickly, or someone will see us."
Ning Jue reassured her, "Don't worry, no one will see us. I'll take you through the back path, and if we encounter anyone, I'll put you down immediately."
Hearing him say that, Bai Hua finally gave in.
Right now, every step she takes is a painful ordeal for her inner thighs, an indescribable discomfort that she simply can't bear.
If it weren't for the medicine I applied, thank goodness I applied it, otherwise even finding a place to stay would have been difficult.
...
It's not long since lunch, and the leftover food in the kitchen is still fresh. The cook has helped reheat the dishes to improve their taste.
The food was heated up and served. Ning Jue wasn't hungry, but he still ate a couple of bites while sitting next to Bai Hua.
Bai Hua asked him, "Did you have lunch with Junman and the others?"
Ning Jue shook his head and replied truthfully, "I dined with General Meng and did not see Miss Gu. She must have woken up as late as you."
Bai Hua exclaimed in surprise, "Why did Junman wake up so late too..."
Ning Jue, making sure no one was around, lowered his voice and reminded him, "Didn't you notice last night? General Meng also ate quite a bit of venison."
Bai Hua quickly grasped his implication. Her expression became slightly unnatural, but she felt much more at ease.
Junman woke up late just like her, so naturally neither of them could laugh at the other.
Bai Hua then asked, "Neither you nor General Meng are good at talking. Without drinks to liven things up, and without Junman and me there to lighten the mood, do you feel uncomfortable dining face to face?"
Ning Jue replied, "It's alright, men naturally have things to talk about."
Bai Hua asked curiously, "What did you all talk about?"
Ning Jue truthfully replied: "General Meng invited me to visit his camp outside the city in three days, and to have a friendly sparring match. He will use a spear, and I will use a sword."
Bai Hua, having learned some details beforehand, told Ning Jue everything: "I heard that General Meng practices the Meng family's spear technique, which is passed down from his ancestors. His strength should not be underestimated. Husband, are you confident that you can win?"
Ning Jue didn't answer; instead, he threw the question at her: "What does Hua'er think?"
Bai Hua shook her head and replied, "I don't know. My husband is undoubtedly a martial arts master, but people from the martial arts world and military generals have always kept to themselves. There has never been a precedent for them to fight each other. Besides, spear techniques and sword techniques are very different, so it is really hard to judge who would have the advantage in actual combat."
Hearing her rational analysis, Ning Jue said quietly, "Actually, you don't need to think about these things. You just need to trust your husband at all times."
Bai Hua put down her spoon, looked at him, and asked, "Are you so sure?"
Ning Jue: "After all, you'll be watching from the sidelines. How could I possibly lose to another man in front of you?"
Bai Hua was overjoyed upon hearing this, but also worried: "Can I go too? It's a military camp, a heavily guarded area, I'm afraid..."
Ning Jue dispelled her concerns: "I will naturally make sure you have the opportunity to join in the fun. I will go first, and you and Miss Gu will follow behind."
Bai Hua nodded happily and agreed, "Okay!"
Three days later, she should be fully recovered, both physically and mentally, making it the perfect time to join in the festivities.
Ning Jue must have cherished and cared for her, which is why he declined to go and compete with General Meng three days later.
Thinking of this, Bai Hua felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
...
The border camp was heavily fortified, making it difficult for strangers to approach.
However, with Gu Junman's token, the carriage bypassed the several barricades around the camp's perimeter, making its way to the main camp, and then proceeded smoothly to the general's tent inside the camp.
No one was seen inside the tent.
Gu Junman asked the soldiers patrolling nearby. The captain greeted the two ladies and then pointed to the training ground diagonally behind the tent.
"The contest between the General and Young Master Ning has already begun in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. The two are evenly matched and are engaged in a fierce exchange of moves. Ladies, please hurry over and don't miss the excitement."
Upon hearing this, Bai Hua and Gu Junman quickly got back into the carriage and headed towards the training ground.
The two could hear the cheers and jeers of the soldiers from afar.
Bai Hua couldn't help but lift the carriage curtain and peek out. She saw that the two on the stage were locked in a fierce battle, and it was hard to tell who had the upper hand. The soldiers watching from below the stage were not cheering for either side.
The atmosphere at the scene was great, with two opposing camps, one with red flags and the other with blue flags. Whoever gained the upper hand on stage received cheers from the supporters of the corresponding camp.
This is fair to outsiders; otherwise, if all the soldiers support their general, the voices of support on the spot will inevitably be biased, which could easily affect the enthusiasm of the fighters on the stage.
Meng Yu skillfully resolved this potential problem.
Bai Hua saw this and silently admired General Meng's thoughtfulness.
Gu Junman then called out to her, "Huahua, let's get out of the car and walk a few steps to get there."
Bai Hua lowered her gaze, simultaneously lowered the carriage curtain, and nodded in agreement: "Okay."
In the bold and unrestrained Northwest, there are not many formalities and rules. Although Gu Junman and Bai Hua are women of the inner quarters, they do not need to dress up as men when entering and leaving such occasions.
As a result, the appearance of two stunningly beautiful women amidst the men, their graceful and elegant movements instantly attracting the eager gazes of many soldiers present.
However, upon realizing that the visitors were the general's wife and her distinguished guests, they quickly averted their gazes and dared not look at them again.
Gu Junman and Bai Hua sat down in their designated seats one after the other, and immediately someone served them fruit and tea.
The two sat not far apart, almost touching each other if they leaned slightly to the side. Bai Hua turned her head and whispered to Gu Junman, "There's tea and fruit here. I feel like we're here to watch a theatrical performance rather than a fight."
Upon hearing this, Gu Junman couldn't help but chuckle. She quickly covered her mouth with her sleeve and said, "Let's say this in secret, otherwise they'll get angry. Alright, let's just treat today as a martial arts performance and see which young man on stage is more skilled."
The two of them whispered boastfully, feeling both guilty and pleased.
After exchanging a few words, the two began to focus on watching the competition and sparring on the stage.
Bai Hua wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt that it was only after she and Junman sat down and focused on the stage that they started to seriously unleash seven or eight tenths of their power. Their previous back-and-forth exchanges were clearly more about probing than about delivering any real damage.
Now, it's truly a battle of wits and strength, with swords and spears gleaming in full force.
It was a coincidence that Bai Hua's seat faced the blue flag camp of Ning Jue's supporters, while Gu Junman, who was just one table away, was seated facing the red flag camp of Meng's supporters.
The two watched the field together, and the rhythm of their cheers gradually drifted apart.
Ning Jue unleashed a sharp sword strike, and Bai Hua put her hands to her mouth and shouted.
When Meng Yu received the powerful shot, Gu Junman also raised her arms and shouted.
The atmosphere was incredibly enthusiastic, suggesting that this competition was no longer just a casual sparring match; it was attracting attention within the military and was crucial to morale.
Bai Hua suddenly felt that, in the long run, General Meng should not have lost today.
It's not that I can't, it's that I shouldn't.
However, she couldn't communicate with Ning Jue at this moment, and Ning Jue was the kind of person who never hesitated once he picked up a sword.
Bai Hua continued watching patiently, but as she watched, she suddenly felt that the two people's moves were a bit strange.
She was the only person present today, besides Ning Jue, who understood the subtlety of the Guihong Sword Technique of first suppressing and then raising the level. However, when Ning Jue fought General Meng on the stage, he obviously only used a few moves of "suppressing" and deliberately did not "raise" the level of the sword technique.
Ning Jue was deliberately hiding his true abilities.
After watching several rounds, Bai Hua became even more certain that Ning Jue had no intention of winning today.
He only needed a few moves of "suppression" to fight Meng Yu to a draw, and Bai Hua knew in her heart what the actual outcome of their battle would be.
She guessed what he was thinking; they probably shared the same concerns.
Sure enough, half an hour later, Ning Jue's swordsmanship suddenly made a mistake. Meng Yu seized the opportunity and thrust his spear into Ning Jue's throat. Ning Jue had no chance to retaliate.
The outcome is decided; Meng Yu wins.
At that moment, both the red and blue camps raised their arms and cheered loudly for General Meng. For a time, the shouts were like waves, and the morale of the troops was greatly boosted.
Meng Yu put away his gun, glanced at the echo below the stage, then looked at Ning Jue, but didn't say anything on the spot.
After the onlookers dispersed and the noise subsided, the group returned to the general's main camp. Meng Yu then asked Ning Jue, "Young Master Ning, were you intentionally yielding just now?"
Bai Hua showed no reaction upon hearing this, while Gu Junman, who had not previously noticed anything amiss, was inevitably surprised to hear Meng Yu say this.
Ning Jue replied, "General Meng's spear skills are superb. I have already had my fill. The purpose of exchanging martial arts skills is to have fun, isn't it?"
Meng Yu smiled, not pressing the matter further, and poured Ning Jue a full glass of wine. The two then clinked glasses and drank heartily together.
Bai Hua and Gu Junman exchanged a glance and smiled at each other.
Gu Junman said, "They speak like they're telling riddles, can you even hear them?"
Bai Hua feigned equal bewilderment: "I don't understand. Let them be. We, as the audience, will just enjoy watching."
Gu Junman nodded in agreement.
...
When they left the military camp, Bai Hua and Ning Jue rode in the same carriage.
With no one else around, the two could talk without any worries.
Bai Hua said frankly, "My husband deliberately concealed the sharpness of his sword, perhaps to boost the morale of the army. However, you rarely put in such good care for others, and I was surprised for a moment after I guessed your thoughts."
Ning Jue: "I don't like meddling in other people's business, because it's often thankless work. But General Meng is a smart man, and he understands my intentions."
Bai Hua: "Your support for General Meng will boost morale, and this will translate into his unstoppable momentum in the future battles against the Western Xia. General Meng will naturally understand your intentions."
Ning Jue nodded.
For the sake of national security and family stability, what does it matter if we lose a contest on the surface?
He used to live outside the mortal world. Apart from his master and mistress, he didn't think that anyone's life or death was related to him, and he had no so-called feelings for his country or family.
Now, however, he has his own little family and people he wants to protect with all his might, so he naturally cherishes a stable life more and is willing to do his best to help and support them.
Bai Hua knew his intentions, so she affectionately took his arm, smiled close to him, and said, "I've noticed that we're becoming more and more in sync. I was thinking that if you beat General Meng in the competition on the military training ground, it might damage morale. However, you were on the stage and I was off the stage, too far apart to communicate. I was preoccupied and could only keep watching. The more I watched, the more I felt that your swordsmanship was wrong. After thinking about it carefully, I realized that we were thinking the same thing."
Ning Jue: "It's a meeting of minds, but it's also because of your influence. You're always generous and kind to others, and I don't want to always be the bad guy."
Bai Hua said this with considerable pride.
Bai Hua said awkwardly, "Alright, stop flattering me like that."
Ning Jue raised an eyebrow and teased her, "What, you can't handle praise?"
After a few playful exchanges, Ning Jue changed his tone and got down to business, saying, "We've been bothering you in Xiangcheng for quite some time now, shouldn't we prepare to say goodbye?"
Bai Hua's smile faded, and she nodded with her eyes lowered: "Yes, all good things must come to an end. Although parting is sad, everyone has their own life to live."
Ning Jue placed his palm on the back of her neck, gently stroking it, and comforted her, saying, "It's alright. Even if all the feasts in the world come to an end, I will always stay by your side."
Bai Hua nestled into his arms: "We will never be apart."
Ning Jue: "Never to part."
...
Bai Hua and Ning Jue finally decided that five days later, after the sandstorm sweeping through Xiangcheng had passed, they would officially set off south to return to the capital.
They had been away from the capital for over a year. Bai Hua was now tired of the unstable life and the bumpy ride in the carriage. Once this journey was over and she returned home, she wanted to settle down for a longer period of time.
Gu Junman was naturally reluctant to part with her.
As they talked about saying goodbye, tears welled up in their eyes and even streamed down their faces.
"Huahua, those fine fabrics you gave me, I sent them to the tailor to make clothes, but they're not finished yet. It's a pity I can't wear them in front of you."
"It's alright. We made a few simple shirts together before, so I've seen how they look on you."
That's different... Gu Junman sighed softly.
Bai Hua didn't forget to instruct, "Junman, remember to give me the jade bracelet I left behind on Sheng'er's next birthday."
Gu Junman wiped away her tears, nodded in agreement, and then waved to the maidservant beside her.
The latter immediately brought over two exquisite wooden boxes that had been prepared in advance, with a sandalwood box wrapped in red silk on top and a carved red lacquered wooden box underneath.
Gu Junman personally opened the top, revealing a pair of warm, smooth mutton-fat jade longevity locks inside. The lock pendants were tied with a gold-threaded concentric knot, and the front of the lock body was engraved with a double lotus pattern.
Then open the larger lacquer box below, inside are ten sets of swaddling clothes embroidered with a hundred children pattern. The stitches are fine and the embroidery skills are superb. The patterns of children chasing and playing on the clothes are even more lifelike.
Gu Junman presented the two gifts and said to Bai Hua, "Recently, the Western Xia people have been making frequent troop movements, and the border is not peaceful. The general has been ordered to guard the border and vows to live and die with Xiangcheng. I'm afraid we won't be able to return for a year or two. In that case, I estimate I will miss the birth of your first child. I've prepared a full-month celebration gift and a first-year celebration gift for you in advance, so that even if I'm not by your side, I can still bring you joy."
As they spoke, the two of them began to weep and grieve.
Bai Hua calmed herself down and started thinking on her own: "Junman... if, I mean if, we could arrange a marriage between our children."
Gu Junman stared at Bai Hua's flat stomach and joked, "Then you'd better get pregnant soon. Our Sheng'er is already a year old. If the two babies are too far apart in age, it will be difficult to arrange the marriage."
Bai Hua placed her palm on her stomach, blushing slightly as she murmured, "It should be soon."
...
On the day of departure, amidst the wind and sand, General Meng and Gu Junman personally saw the guests off at the city gate.
As the carriage drove away, the two bold characters of Xiangcheng on the city gate grew smaller and smaller in her eyes. Bai Hua leaned out of the carriage with the curtain open, waving her arms back and forth, reluctant to leave.
Ning Jue squeezed her wrist and reminded her, "They can't see us from this far away. The wind and sand are strong outside, Hua'er, be careful not to hurt your eyes."
Upon hearing this, Bai Hua finally lowered the carriage curtain, turned around and sat down, looking listless and uninterested.
Ning Jue comforted her, saying, "If you ever want to come to Xiangcheng again, I'll accompany you. Is a temporary separation really worth shedding tears for?"
Bai Hua replied, "Junman is doing very well. General Meng treats her with great care, so I am actually at ease."
Following this, Ning Jue raised an eyebrow and asked in return, "Then, does Miss Gu trust me?"
Bai Hua glanced at him with her beautiful eyes, her mind working quickly: "Then go ask Junman yourself and find out if you've passed the test."
Ning Jue chuckled and said, "I guess I passed the test. Before I left, Miss Gu generously gave me several jars of General Meng's privately collected deer blood wine. I could see the reluctance hidden in General Meng's eyes."
Bai Hua was startled: "What... those jars of wine just now were deer blood wine? I thought it was some rare wine, but it turns out it's something harmful."
Ning Jue retorted with a smile: "How could it be something harmful? Deer blood wine is a rare commodity, especially the deer blood wine from Xiangcheng, which is the most exquisitely brewed. In the capital, this wine is a rare and precious item."
Remembering the suffering she had endured because of it, Bai Hua scoffed dismissively, "Deer blood mixed with wine, it doesn't even sound appetizing."
Ning Jue laughed at her for being too arbitrary: "You don't know, if such a jar of deer blood wine appeared on the market in Jingqi, it would definitely be sold at a high price. The wine is rare and has miraculous effects, and there is no shortage of wealthy merchants in the capital. Therefore, this wine is naturally priceless."
This was the first time Bai Hua had heard of such things. She couldn't understand them and found them rather improper.
She said quietly, "You men are truly shameless."
Ning Jue teased her, "The miraculous effect I mentioned is a great tonic effect. What kind of dirty thoughts are you having, Hua'er?"
Bai Hua didn't get the upper hand verbally; instead, she was teased until her face turned red, and she lost the argument, feeling truly unwilling to accept defeat.
Ning Jue poured himself a cup of tea and considerately asked Bai Hua if she wanted some.
Bai Hua shook her head, staring at the white porcelain teacup in Ning Jue's hand. Suddenly, she thought of something and hurriedly instructed him with lingering fear: "You are not allowed to drink those wines on the way. If, if it happens again like that day, I will not care about you."
Ning Jue smiled and agreed, "I know. I won't drink on the way; we'll talk about it when we get back to the capital."
Who said it would be fine once we returned to Beijing!
Bai Hua turned her eyes away, her cheeks flushed, and ignored him.
The journey from Xiangcheng back to Jingqi by carriage took almost a month. At first, Bai Hua didn't find it too difficult, but after ten days of travel, she couldn't help but feel nauseous at the slightest bump. She also lost her appetite at the inns and taverns along the way.
Seeing that Bai Hua was getting thinner and thinner, Ning Jue worried that she was suffering from an illness due to overwork. So he went into a city along the way to find a clinic and asked a local doctor to take Bai Hua's pulse.
After examining Ning Jue, the doctor looked relieved and quickly congratulated him, saying, "Young master, do not worry. Your wife is pregnant, so her previous vomiting symptoms are explained."
Bai Hua was surprised to hear this, never expecting that her words would actually come true.
Ning Jue extended his palm and gently placed it on Bai Hua's lower abdomen, asking the doctor, "Sir, can you determine the exact gestational age?"
The doctor replied, "It's probably not enough for the baby to be born."
Ning Jue thought for a moment and roughly estimated the time of conception. It should be the night when the venison soup was served. The two of them were wild and unrestrained, and they went on a wild and unrestrained journey until dawn. Like arrows being fired in a volley, one of them was bound to hit the target.
After seeing the doctor off, Ning Jue returned to his room at the inn and sat on the edge of the couch, keeping watch over Bai Hua.
He was cautious, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet. He wanted to reach out and touch Bai Hua's belly again, but he was afraid that touching her too much would cause her to have an adverse reaction. So he froze, and after reaching out, he awkwardly withdrew his arm.
Seeing his absent-minded appearance, Bai Hua couldn't help but smile and say, "You seem even more nervous than me."
"I didn't," Ning Jue denied vehemently, then repeatedly inquired about Bai Hua's condition with concern, "Are you feeling any better? Is your stomach still churning? This inn was found on short notice, the environment is so-so, I'll go out and find a better one later. You need to rest here for a couple of days before we can continue our journey. By the way, should we send a letter back to the capital to announce the good news first?"
He rarely talks so incessantly.
Bai Hua looked at him tenderly and couldn't help but laugh out loud. She took his hand and they both placed their palms on her stomach.
She told him to be quiet and savor the moment.
Bai Hua: "That's wonderful... This child arrived at just the right time, when his parents were most looking forward to his arrival."
With it pressed against her like this, Ning Jue felt her fingers curl up slightly in tension.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he said with restraint, "I've been looking forward to it."
Looking forward to having your child.
I look forward to our ordinary family of three.
This peaceful and ordinary happiness was finally within his reach.
Author's Note: Here I am! [Orange Candy][Orange Candy][Orange Candy]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
