Ling Yao watched Wu Zhoubai's retreating back, suddenly realizing what she had just said. Had her craving blurted out her true feelings?
Embarrassing, so embarrassing!
She hoped Wu Zhoubai wasn't a gossip!
As soon as Wu Zhoubai's figure disappeared around the corner, Xiao Shan hoisted her up.
"Little vixen!"
His strength was immense. He seemed even more rugged and soldierly than before. His grip, not yet restrained, squeezed her arm painfully again.
He carried her all the way to the bed, then set her down. His hands grabbed her unfastened clothing and ripped it open. He impatiently pressed his head down.
Fragrant, so fragrant. This scent had been making him yearn.
He inhaled deeply several times, his gaze then drawn to the heart-shaped jade pendant.
Why was it red, just like his?
Had it been stained with blood?
"Have you been injured?" Xiao Shan's tiger-like eyes narrowed. With a few swift movements, he stripped Ling Yao down like a dumpling.
Just as she had been with him outside, he turned her over, but saw no wounds. Instead, he noticed several bruises, on her waist and arms.
His face darkened. "How did this happen?"
They looked like fresh marks, like finger imprints!
His tiger eyes widened abruptly. Could it be him...
Ling Yao hugged her arms across her chest. Although she had become bolder recently, after not seeing him for so long, she still felt shy under his fiery gaze.
"It was you who pinched me, it hurt so much. I'm not a man, why did you grab me with such strength?"
So it was him who had caused the bruises. And so severe?
Xiao Shan was annoyed. He had been fighting battles with his soldiers here for months, either killing enemies or sparring with rough men.
His strength was sometimes difficult to control. How could such a delicate person withstand his iron hands and steel arms?
"Apply the medicine."
"I want to bathe first," Ling Yao said, hugging herself as she sat up.
That was fine too, a hot bath would relax her muscles.
"Don't get up, I'll bring the tub in."
Xiao Shan quickly went out and brought in a large tub, then carried hot water to fill it repeatedly.
Watching his efficient, hands-on actions, Ling Yao thought back to their time in Bozi Village, and her lips curved upwards.
After everything was ready, Xiao Shan came over and tossed aside the clothing Ling Yao had used to cover her chest.
His gaze fell again on the red jade pendant.
"Rude!"
Ling Yao chided him, but didn't explain the jade pendant. She lowered her arms, watching his gaze slowly move away from the pendant to elsewhere.
His wolf-like eyes seemed to want to tear her apart.
Ling Yao's chest rose and fell. She said softly, "Spring has passed, summer is coming. Isn't it time for peaches to ripen?"
Xiao Shan's Adam's apple bobbed. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his rough, panting breaths were incredibly alluring.
The flames in his tiger eyes burned fiercely, with a ferocity that could scorch the heavens and destroy the earth.
Ling Yao flinched. Would he be as unrestrained as last time?
Xiao Shan's teeth ground together, like a wild beast making its final preparations before pouncing on prey.
"Linglong said that my yin and yang are imbalanced and I need a man... uh, um... A Shan."
The fierce tiger devoured.
After consuming the feast before him with a whirlwind of passion, she was thrown into the bath. Then, with a stride of his long legs, the robust man was about to descend like Mount Tai.
Ling Yao gasped, tilting her head back. Her hair, damp with water, clung to her face. Her wet eyes were both pure and alluring.
"Crack!"
A faint sound came from the courtyard.
Ling Yao, caught in the passion, didn't hear it, but Xiao Shan's eyes sharpened, and he sprang out like a nimble prey.
"Want to die?" Xiao Shan said sinisterly.
"Heh heh, well, don't misunderstand. I just wanted to explain to the goddess." Hua Qingmu held his waist, his eyes secretly glancing at Xiao Shan's muscular physique.
Eight-pack abs.
Strong and powerful.
Did the goddess like this kind of man?
"Scram!"
"Hey, General, the goddess..."
Xiao Shan raised his foot. Hua Qingmu's bright face changed. He placated him with his hands, "Alright, alright, I came at the wrong time. I'll leave now, I'll leave. General, please don't forget to explain for me. I, Taotai, respect the goddess the most."
After chasing Hua Qingmu away, Xiao Shan closed the door and locked it.
Only then did he return to the room.
Ling Yao was no longer in the bathtub. She lay on the bed with her back to him, covered by a thin quilt.
"What, so fast? Finished bathing?"
Why didn't she wait for him? He had wanted to share a bath with her.
Damn Hua Qingmu.
Xiao Shan had washed and applied medicine once upon returning. Now, he hastily wiped himself with the clean, clear water in the tub. Without bothering to remove the tub from the room, he grabbed the medicine and rushed to the bedside.
"Come, be good, let me apply the medicine first."
He lifted the thin quilt and turned her over. Ling Yao pulled the quilt back, positioning it across her chest and abdomen.
"What, shy again? Weren't you teasing me quite happily just now?"
Xiao Shan scooped up some ointment and applied it to her arm. Her slender arm was like jade, pure and clear, her skin as smooth as cream. The fire in his eyes began to rekindle.
"Princess Taotai is beautiful, she saved your life, and she's the ruler of a country. Do you really not have any feelings for her?" Ling Yao glanced at him sideways.
It seemed like all advantages and no disadvantages.
Xiao Shan's eyes were deep. His fingers playfully pinched her, eliciting a soft, unbearable hum from the beauty.
His fingers had become much rougher, abrasive.
"Guess?" Xiao Shan teased.
He then applied the ointment to her waist, gently rubbing it in circles, working the medicine into her skin.
"I saw her. That woman is fair and beautiful, with a large chest. She must feel comfortable to touch. I guess, I guess..."
Seeing her struggling to guess, Xiao Shan burst into laughter. He tossed the bottle aside, and his tall body covered her. "Silly girl, you're even jealous of men."
"What, what men?"
"Don't talk about it. Yin and yang harmony is more important."
Xiao Shan's hand touched the top of her head and removed the hairpin. Her dark hair cascaded down. He glanced at it, paused, and casually tossed it aside.
Before losing consciousness, Ling Yao was still wondering what he meant.
While the General's mansion was bustling with activity, a room in a civilian residence was also filled with excitement.
Feng Shihao and Qu Linglong were a married couple. As husband and wife, they were supposed to sleep together. However, Feng Shihao was truly afraid of Qu Linglong.
She was becoming more and more unrestrained. Wasn't she very indifferent to him before? Since coming to the southwest, why had she become like a possessed spirit?
What kind of good woman stared at a man changing clothes all day?
He was so scared that he slept fully clothed, yet she still wanted more?
Now she had even sneaked in while he was bathing. He really wanted to slap her to death!
"Your concubine will help Your Highness wash."
Qu Linglong stepped forward with a cloth.
"Qu Linglong, get out!" Feng Shihao gritted his teeth, his hands under the water already clenched nervously.
He felt uncomfortable and hated anyone looking at him.
Especially her, her eyes shone like a rogue about to commit a crime against a respectable young maiden.
No, what kind of description was that? He wasn't a woman.
"Wei..."
Just as he was about to call for someone, Qu Linglong quickly covered his mouth. In an instant, Feng Shihao's body stiffened.
Her body pressed tightly against his back, one hand around his neck, the other covering his mouth.
He could even smell the medicinal fragrance on her hands.
"Don't call out. No one will come even if you do. I've sent Wei Hu away. Others will only think we are a couple flirting."