Chapter 49 My Heart Belongs Only to One Person (Part 6) "Cold Spring...soaking in the cold..."
Ye Yixiang trembled all over, and broken sobs escaped from her lips: "I don't know..."
Before the words were finished, a loud bang suddenly rang out. The wooden door shattered, and amidst the flying wood chips, a tall and slender figure stood against the light.
"Let her go!"
"My good nephew arrived quickly." Chu Xi not only did not let go, but a smile appeared on his lips as he gently stroked her burning cheek with his fingertips: "Look how worried he is about you."
Before he finished speaking, he pulled her to the side and turned her around. His dark robes unfurled like butterfly wings in the night, deftly avoiding the cold light that was aimed straight at her throat.
"Have you decided what you'll offer in exchange?" Chu Xi looked up at Chu Huaili, who stood holding a knife, her tone as leisurely as if she were discussing romance.
Chu Huaili's longsword trembled, and drops of blood rolled down the blade, splattering like red plum blossoms on the ground. "Use your life."
"Blood relatives, are they really going to turn against each other with swords?" Chu Xi shook his head and sighed softly, but a playful ripple appeared in his eyes.
"Yan Qing..." Ye Yixiang murmured in a daze, her breath filled with the allure of ambergris.
"Still calling me by that name?" Chu Xi whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her reddened earlobe. "Didn't the Empress Dowager bestow upon you the name 'Shuo'..." Before he could finish speaking, the blade had already slashed through the air. He pulled her back gracefully, the blade barely grazing her throat.
"Fine." Chu Xi suddenly let go and pushed the person forward. "Uncle has no interest in her, so I'll return her to you."
Chu Huaili sheathed his sword with a swift, fluid motion, catching the slender figure steadily in his arms. "I'm here, A'Rao." He scooped her up in his arms and turned to leave.
Just then, a figure in bright yellow robes rushed over, pulling along a young man in a bamboo-gray robe: "Brother Shaoheng, there are things in the back meditation room that are even more worthy of appreciation than the original ink-white painting..."
Zhao Ning's voice trailed off as she stared in shock at the scene in the courtyard: "Royal brother? Why are you here!"
Xiao Mo's gaze swept over Ye Yixiang, whose clothes were disheveled, in Chu Huaili's arms, and his brows furrowed slightly: "Your Highness? Miss Ye? This is..."
Chu Huaili ignored Xiao Mo's question, his icy gaze piercing Zhao Ning: "Chu Se!" He had never called her by her full name before. "If you dare to conspire with others to hurt her again, don't blame me for not showing any brotherly affection."
Zhao Ning stared blankly at Chu Huaili's cold profile, tears suddenly streaming down her face: "Royal brother! I hate her! I despise her!"
Xiao Mo sighed softly, his jade-like fingers tightening slightly: "Princess, you have indeed gone too far today."
"I'm going too far?" Zhao Ning turned around abruptly and glared at him. "She stole Sister Lingyi's sweetheart, and now she's trying to steal you away! Brother Shaoheng, do you know how much I hate her?" Her voice was choked with sobs. "Why didn't she die six years ago! It would have been so peaceful if she had died!"
Xiao Mo raised his hand to wipe away her tears, but paused in mid-air and finally slowly withdrew it: "Everything is predestined, and you can't force it."
"My grandmother wants to send me to a marriage alliance..." Zhao Ning suddenly threw herself into his arms, tears soaking his lapel, "To marry that philandering Left Wise King of the Northern Barbarians... I don't want to go..."
Xiao Mo stiffened slightly, and after a moment of silence, his voice was low but firm: "No. I, Xiao Mo, hereby swear that I will protect the princess, even if it means dying on the battlefield, I will never let you suffer the pain of a political marriage."
Chu Huaili carried Ye Yixiang and strode away from the temple, holding her tightly in his arms, shielding her from all the noise and unpleasantness behind him.
"Your Highness, what about Jiayou Palace..." Pei Hong led his horse over, his face showing worry.
"I'll settle her in first," Chu Huaili said in a low voice, carefully lifting the person in his arms onto the horse's back. "Then I will go to apologize to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor."
The night breeze brushed her face, but couldn't dispel the heat coursing through her body. Ye Yixiang leaned weakly against his chest, feeling that his firm chest was her only support. As the horse jolted, she let out a soft moan, her consciousness rising and falling in the scalding waves.
“Yan Qing…” she murmured unconsciously, her fingertips clutching his drooping collar.
"Just bear with it a little longer, we'll be there soon." His suppressed voice came from above, carrying a reassuring magnetism.
She bit her lower lip, trying to hold onto the last shred of clarity: "Cold spring...soaking in the cold spring is fine..." She was terrified that once the drug took full effect, she would do something irreversible.
"Cold Spring?" Chu Huaili lowered his eyes, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "With me here, there's no need for anything else."
The sound of horses' hooves ceased, and he carried her into a secluded courtyard. The room was filled with the delicate fragrance of styrax, and pale purple gauze curtains fluttered gently in the breeze. She was gently placed on a soft quilt, the coolness of the satin easing the heat.
When his cool lips touched hers, she instinctively chased after the coolness, only to have his breathing quicken. Warm palms gripped her waist, their heat burning through her clothes.
She groggily opened her eyes and met a pair of deep, dark eyes. Gone was his usual coldness; only a surging desire remained, as if it wanted to devour her completely. Sunlight danced on his sharply defined profile, his high, straight nose almost touching hers, his thin lips glistening with moisture from their recent kiss.
"Yan Qing..." she called out timidly, her voice so soft it could melt water.
"Hmm?" His Adam's apple bobbed, his low, husky voice carrying a seductive undertone. "Arao doesn't like me?"
“I like it…” she answered softly, her fingers darting helplessly up to the cloud-patterned embroidery on his lapel. In the sunlight, her cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes misty with tears, and her slightly swollen lips parted slightly, like a fox who had inadvertently fallen in love, innocent yet alluring.
"That's enough."
The curtains swayed gently, like ripples in the night mist, shattering the dim light in the room into fine gold dust.
“Arao…” His deep voice sounded in my ear, tinged with suppressed emotion, “Look at me.”
She opened her eyes groggily, meeting his deep gaze. Her clothes were already loose, half-concealing her figure, adding a touch of alluring mystery. Her long eyelashes, as delicate as butterfly wings, drew cool, icy arcs in the dim light.
"Does it hurt?" He gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips.
She shook her head, her dark hair cascading onto the brocade pillow, each strand seeming to whisper a silent invitation. Her body was as limp as a lake ruffled by the wind, left to be supported by his strong arms, floating and sinking in the swaying waves.
His lips brushed lightly against the side of her neck, where her pulse was pounding rapidly. Each touch was like igniting a flame, spreading along her veins and burning reason to ashes.
It's as if a high mountain is embracing a secluded valley, majestic yet gentle.
"You are mine." His hot breath brushed against my earlobe, his husky voice carrying an undeniable command, "Call my name."
"Yan Qing..."
Unconsciously, her slender fingertips dug into his firm back, like vines clinging to rocks, leaving a few faint red marks, like red plum blossoms blooming in the snow.
The faint sobs, like pearls falling from a broken string onto a jade plate, always dissolved into indistinct nasal sounds between his closed lips and teeth, dissipating into the enchanting fragrance that filled the room.
From noon to night, and from night to dawn, the temperature inside the curtains never dissipated.
As night fell, fireworks seemed to bloom in the sky.
Chu Huaili gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, his fingertips lightly brushing her slightly damp forehead. Seeing that the abnormal flush had finally faded and her breathing had become even and long, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly settled down. Carefully tucking her in, he put on his robe and got up, the morning light casting dappled shadows on his strong back through the window.
As he pushed open the door, he immediately saw Uluzhu standing guard in the courtyard. The girl's arms and hands were wrapped in thick bandages, yet she still stood there stubbornly.
“Next time you encounter an opponent you can’t defeat,” he paused slightly, his voice low, “just go and seek reinforcements.”
Urozhu hurriedly looked up: "I didn't want anyone to hurt my sister, so..."
"That's just reckless courage," he interrupted her. "It will not only harm yourself, but also delay the opportunity to save others."
“Yes, Uroju remembers!” The girl nodded vigorously.
Chu Huaili said no more, turned around and strode away, his dark blue robes sweeping across the stone steps, stirring up a gust of cold wind.
When Ye Yixiang woke up, it was already the afternoon of the next day.
Sunlight streamed through the crimson gauze window, casting warm dappled patterns on the brocade quilt. She slowly sat up, surveying the unfamiliar bedroom—a carved rosewood canopy bed, a white jade incense burner on a jade table, and a delicate, cool fragrance filling the air. Every furnishing showed signs of meticulous attention, even the lotus scroll pattern embroidered on the bed curtains was exceptionally delicate.
She threw off the covers and got out of bed, her legs buckling as she nearly fell. Warmth slid down her legs, making her blush instantly. Looking down, the red marks on her fair skin were as striking as fallen plum blossoms, and the blush-inducing images of last night flooded her mind.
In a daze, she felt as if he had imprisoned her in his arms again, and in the heat of passion, she took the initiative, pinning him down...
"Is Madam awake?" Chun Tan's gentle inquiry came from outside the door.
She hurriedly pulled her clothes tighter: "Come in."
Chun Tan carried the food tray in quietly and placed several delicate dishes on the table: "Wuluozhu was injured, so I took the liberty of letting her rest first."
"How badly are you injured?" Ye Yixiang's heart tightened.
"The general has already had a doctor examine her, and she is now recuperating at home," Chun Tan replied gently. "Madam, please rest assured and rest well."
Ye Yixiang pursed her lips, the question "Where did the general go?" lingered on her tongue for a moment, but she ultimately couldn't bring herself to ask it.
Chun Tan seemed to sense something and said softly, "The general instructed that Madam should stay here with peace of mind. He will take care of things with the Empress Dowager."
Where is this?
“This is a new residence bestowed by His Majesty.” Chun Tan raised her eyes and smiled, her words carrying a deeper meaning. “The general specifically instructed that this bedroom is reserved for the future princess.”
Ye Yixiang paused slightly as she picked up her jade chopsticks, a warmth rising in her heart, only to be replaced by worry. The Empress Dowager had already bestowed the marriage, and her current situation... Thinking of this, she sighed softly. After her meal, she should still go and apologize to the Empress Dowager.
A series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a loud announcement:
"By imperial decree of the Empress Dowager—"
Chun Tan quickly took the cloak and carefully fastened it for Ye Yixiang. He then helped her walk quickly to the courtyard, where the two knelt together under the eaves to receive the imperial decree.
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