Waiting for you to recover
He took off that unpleasant battle robe, revealing his strong physique. He was tall and imposing, with every muscle taut, like a cheetah ready to pounce.
The candlelight cast varying shadows on his well-defined chest and abdominal muscles, and sweat slowly slid down, bringing a sense of sensuality from the wilderness.
Gu Jinghong's body went limp from his kisses, her mind a complete blank. She could only feel his burning body temperature and firm frame, as well as the omnipresent, heart-pounding pressure.
She instinctively wanted to agree, but he stopped her.
"Jinghong..." he murmured softly against her lips, his voice hoarse with emotion, "I missed you."
The shimmering gauze was piled haphazardly in her arms, revealing more of her snow-white skin.
"I miss you as well."
Xiao Chengyan's kisses became frequent and hot.
She scratched haphazardly, and even his hard muscles left deep and shallow marks on his skin.
...
She seemed a little tired.
She leaned against Xiao Chengyan's chest.
For some reason, she still felt very hot all over just now... She didn't quite understand, was it like this for everyone?
"Jinghong," Xiao Chengyan noticed Gu Jinghong's absent-mindedness, his tone gentler than ever before, "Everything in the Southwest is settled, I must take you back to the capital immediately..."
Before he could finish speaking, he noticed that her lips were a little pale.
Yes, she is a deputy head of the Qianyuan Pavilion, not a noble lady raised in seclusion. With so many things to do, how can she be at ease?
Furthermore, she is unaware of her identity... If she were to find out, the obstacles facing the two would be even greater.
Xiao Chengyan frowned subconsciously, his warm hand naturally touching her lips. He changed his words, "Did I hurt you again just now? Or..."
Gu Jinghong gently rubbed her cheek against his calloused palm, like a cat seeking comfort.
This intimate gesture instantly melted Xiao Chengyan's heart.
"I'm not feeling unwell, it's just... I can't sleep." She propped herself up slightly, the quilt slipped down, revealing her slender collarbone.
Xiao Chengyan immediately pulled her, blanket and all, into his arms: "What's wrong? What are you thinking about?"
Gu Jinghong leaned against his chest, her fingers unconsciously twirling the sash of his nightgown, her voice muffled: "Your Highness,... could we... travel back to the capital by water?"
Xiao Chengyan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this: "Why? The land route is the fastest, and my personal guards can also protect us along the way, making it the safest option."
"I know... but I want to see the scenery along the river."
She buried her face in his chest, her voice even softer: "And then there are Zhao Qian's remaining followers... I'm afraid they might encounter danger on the road, and I'm afraid... I'll cause you more trouble."
Xiao Chengyan's arm tightened instantly.
Zhao Qian's remaining forces are not to be feared. Having suffered a great loss, it will take time for them to recover.
But Xiao Chengyan knew very well that what Ah Hong was afraid of was not Zhao Qian, but the power behind her true identity—Qianyuan Pavilion.
Given this major event, it's impossible that the Qianyuan Pavilion was completely unaware. On the contrary, they may have already sent people to kill their two Grand Secretaries. If they could travel by water, they could handle the situation more flexibly.
Xiao Chengyan gently stroked her chin with his fingertips: "Okay, as you wish."
He lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, his tone firm yet gentle: "We'll take the waterway."
As for the threat from the Hidden Abyss Pavilion... he will send ten times more people to protect her in secret, and will never let any danger get close to her.
"Go to sleep." He tucked her back into the warm bed and stroked her long hair. "I'll take care of everything."
Gu Jinghong finally closed her eyes obediently, as if she was truly at ease.
...
A few days later, in the evening, Xiao Chengyan and Gu Jinghong arrived at Jinjiang Wharf with Changfeng.
According to Gu Jinghong, she did not want to travel on the official ship, so Xiao Chengyan had Changfeng book the two largest cabins on the merchant ship.
After Xiao Chengyan and Gu Jinghong returned to their room and sat down, they looked out the window and suddenly saw two figures, one in red and one in white, appear in front of them.
"Wait for us! Wait a minute! Ah Hong!"
It was Xie Yan and Xuan Ru.
Xiao Chengyan's eyes sharpened, and he immediately tugged at the purse on his body, giving Xuan Ru a wink.
Xuan Ru rolled her eyes, then let out a soft "Ouch!" and grabbed Xie Yan's trouser leg as he was about to leap towards the merchant ship.
Xie Yan lowered his eyes and looked at the ship that was getting farther and farther away from him. He sighed and squatted down helplessly.
Gu Jinghong glanced at Xuan Ru and Xie Yan, then looked back at the impassive Xiao Chengyan, and suddenly elbowed Xiao Chengyan.
Xiao Chengyan let out a soft "Ouch!" and seized her "violent" hand, pressing it against his waist. He then took a step closer, trapping her between the window and himself, and whispered, "Such strength? Looks like you've rested well? Hmm?"
Gu Jinghong turned around and looked up, her face full of fake smiles, and reached out to straighten Xiao Chengyan's clothes.
For some reason, Xiao Chengyan always felt that Gu Jinghong was holding back some nice words.
After a moment, Gu Jinghong slowly spoke: "Your Highness, there are three of us, but you only asked for two rooms. So today, Your Highness will have to make do with Changfeng!"
Xiao Chengyan frowned as he looked at Gu Jinghong: "Ah Hong, you really are... pragmatic. I am a prince, so naturally I cannot live with Changfeng."
Gu Jinghong raised an eyebrow: "...Then how about you have a room by yourself, and I'll share one with you..."
"You dare!!!"
After a moment, he smacked his lips and said indifferently, "Don't even think about it," before obediently taking a less desirable jade pillow and heading towards Changfeng's room.
A short while later, Xiao Chengyan reappeared in Gu Jinghong's room.
The moonlight was cool and clear. Gu Jinghong leaned against the window of the boat, watching the scenery on both banks slowly recede. Xiao Chengyan stepped forward and hugged Gu Jinghong from behind.
Moonlight streamed down, shimmering on the water's surface. A gentle breeze occasionally blew by, and her hair swayed and entwined around his fingertips.
At this moment, Xiao Chengyan suddenly understood what Gu Jinghong meant.
It turns out that her decision to travel by water and on a merchant ship was not only for safety, but also because... she wanted to experience a peaceful and happy life with him.
But why the rush?
As if sensing something, Xiao Chengyan leaned over and rested his head on Gu Jinghong's shoulder: "As the years go by, this land, the moon and the stars, whatever you desire, I will accompany you through them all, and slowly witness them all."
Gu Jinghong was stunned for a moment.
Xiao Chengyan seemed to... sense her inexplicable loneliness?
The night breeze swept through the room, bringing with it the commotion from the rooms downstairs.
Judging from the voices, the people in the downstairs room were businessmen, and they were all men. Soon they started talking about the beauties of Bazhou, the brothels and entertainment venues in Southwest China, and the women they met there.
Those people seemed oblivious to the soundproofing issues of the merchant ship, and being in a private room, they drank and boasted, immediately spouting all sorts of lewd remarks.
Gu Jinghong was initially preoccupied with how to return to Zhuoyue Tower and uncover the secrets of Zhiji Pavilion on the top floor, so she didn't hear very clearly.
But then she seemed to hear the breathing around her getting heavier and hotter, and Xiao Chengyan's arms around her tightening. Only then did she realize that it was the nonsense the person downstairs had said that had aroused his reaction.
As if he could no longer bear it, he suddenly let go of her hand and went to Changfeng's room.
Changfeng immediately ran downstairs, then kicked the door open with a bang and cursed angrily.
The chatter downstairs abruptly stopped.
Upon returning, Xiao Chengyan reached for the teacup on the small table and drank the cold tea in one gulp.
Just then, Gu Jinghong recalled the image of Changfeng, clad in armor and wielding a sword, appearing before several merchants. He immediately found it amusing and burst out laughing.
The laughter sounded particularly clear and alluring in the empty private room.
When Gu Jinghong realized that her laughter seemed a bit off, she looked up and met Xiao Chengyan's dark and burning gaze.
That look... Gu Jinghong recognized it...
Xiao Chengyan bent down and reached out to hug Gu Jinghong.
Gu Jinghong seemed to only then realize what was happening and said, "Your Highness..."
As soon as she opened her mouth, Gu Jinghong realized that her once clear and melodious voice was now quite hoarse.
Xiao Chengyan was taken aback, then simply picked up Gu Jinghong and placed her on the bed.
Gu Jinghong felt a chill in her heart—it was over, this time it was even more difficult to explain.
The soft moonlight streamed gently through the window, bathing Gu Jinghong in its light. She was dressed in a clean and crisp moon-white outfit, but her flowing black hair, cascading over her shoulders, exuded an undeniable charm. Especially striking were her small, delicate face, her bright eyes and brows that seemed to harmonize with the moonlight and starlight, and the striking red beauty mark…
A feast for the eyes.
The ancients were truly particular about the words they used.
At this moment, Xiao Chengyan's eyes were extremely dark, and a desire to completely integrate Gu Jinghong into himself suddenly rose in his heart.
He reached out and touched Gu Jinghong's flushed cheeks, his palm burning hot, his voice extremely suppressed and hoarse, "Is it okay?"
Gu Jinghong's heart was pounding at an alarming rate.
For a fleeting moment, she did think about it.
However, at this moment, Gu Jinghong suddenly heard the door to the downstairs room being kicked open again, and then a familiar voice entered his ears.
"You lot, come here, stand aside!"
The voice was soft, yet it was instantly recognizable to Gu Jinghong! This person was none other than Lu Feng, the steward of the Qianyuan Pavilion's Quanzuo Pavilion!
This realization instantly extinguished the sparks that had just been ignited by the lewd talk downstairs and the handsome man in front of her.
She pressed down on Xiao Chengyan's hand that was resting on her waist, "...No."
Xiao Chengyan stopped moving.
He propped himself up and looked at her carefully in the moonlight, trying to find any trace of joking or coquetry on her face, but he only saw a calm determination.
"Why?" His voice lowered, tinged with doubt and a hint of suppressed dissatisfaction. "Is it... still painful? Or is it me..."
He thought that his lack of discretion over the past few days had frightened her.
"No!" Gu Jinghong immediately denied. "You're very good. It's just..."
She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them, and said softly, half-jokingly, "...My body is still very sore, I really... have no strength left. Your Highness, please have pity on me, okay?"
As she spoke, she leaned forward and planted a fleeting kiss on the corner of his lips.
Xiao Chengyan remained silent.
Seeing her unusually tired expression, tinged with a hint of coquetry, even his hardest heart softened. The frustration and confusion that had arisen from being rejected were gradually soothed by her gentle kiss and soft pleading.
Yes, he has indeed been... a bit too demanding these past few days. She's not made of iron; it's normal for her to get tired and scared.
For a moment, Xiao Chengyan's chauvinistic vanity was even satisfied—he had made her unable to resist.
Finally, he sighed helplessly, pulled her back into his arms, rested his chin on the top of her head, and said in a muffled voice, "...It was I who was too impatient."
He paused, then added, "Until you recover."
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