"I know, I know, I know," Xiao Shan hugged her, kissing her forehead. "But I still want to bring you here, because..."
She didn't know that after she fell asleep last night, he had thought for a long time and finally understood some things.
"I always thought I treated you well, meticulously cared for and protected you, smoothing your wounds until they left no trace. I thought I had healed you. But I didn't realize that in places I couldn't see, your heart was still scabbed, your soul scarred. I was negligent, so I hurt you without knowing."
"Xue Niang, you were shackled from birth. You yearned for freedom, but after one mistake, you feared it. You longed for love, but doubted the love spoken by others. This is not your fault; they were wrong. The former emperor was wrong, the Great Shaman was wrong. They said they loved you, yet they confined you."
"That was wrong, which is why you couldn't feel love. I thought I loved you, but it was only superficial. I didn't see the tiny wounds all over your heart."
That's why she appeared so strong on the surface, yet her inner self was incredibly fragile, bleeding profusely at the slightest disturbance.
"But I know now, Xue Niang, I love you, I truly love you. Open your heart completely, don't be afraid. I will protect you. Expose your wounds, cut out the festering sores, heal them, and make them strong and fearless."
Ling Yao stared blankly. Was she really sick?
"Now, your body is free, and your heart must also be free. Destroy anything that hinders you without mercy! Shatter it!"
"This is yours, the entire capital, the entire world is yours. Cast off the old and welcome the new. You are the new ruler of Jing, let all the unspeakable filth die! The empire is yours to command, the land is yours to tread!"
"You say it's heaven, and it's heaven. You say be quiet, and it's quiet."
"You are the most noble, beyond compare."
"And I will no longer hinder you. I will always stand behind you, embrace you, lift you up, and give you all my strength."
Xiao Shan had never spoken so much at once. Ling Yao looked at him dazedly, finding him somewhat unfamiliar, yet so incredibly moving and touching.
He was the rough, unrefined man others spoke of, yet for her, he had poured all his heart and effort.
Her hidden timidity and inferiority, the hidden ailments even she herself was unaware of, he saw them all clearly.
She had always felt she was sick, but didn't know where the illness lay.
It turned out the root of the sickness was here.
Her heart had been confined for too long; it had already fallen ill.
It wasn't her fault; they were wrong.
Love is freedom, not shackles and restraints.
Love makes one strong, not overly protected.
She was no longer afraid. In fact, she found it laughable that she had lived in fear of a mere dead bug.
Love makes one fearless, no longer timid and cowardly.
The scab on her heart must be removed.
"Xiao Shan, you are my god."
She blinked her burning eyes and entered the room, her face now relaxed and bright, her voice soft, "Close the door."
God? What god? He didn't want to be a god; he only wanted to be her man.
Had she finally figured it out? Xiao Shan felt he had spoken at length, and some points might not have been perfectly clear, but this was the best he, a rough man, could manage after racking his brains.
"You are right. I am the most noble goddess of Jing. Nothing can make me fear."
The room faced the sun. Sunlight streamed through the glazed window, illuminating Ling Yao's fingers as she slowly traced the carved wooden chair, her skin appearing translucent in the light.
She was bathed in sunlight, like a fairy descended from heaven.
She removed her outer robe, her cotton shirt, her undergarments, and stood there, completely naked.
She was glowing.
Xiao Shan's nose felt hot. He unconsciously wiped it, his hand covered in blood.
Was this blasphemy?
He fumbled to wipe it away, asking in a muffled voice, "What are you doing? What are you doing?"
He had asked her to open her heart, not her clothes.
"I want to offer myself as a sacrifice to the god."
"You are my god."
Oh, so that's how it was. Then he was willing to be her god.
Happiness arrived unexpectedly.
The First Prince, the King of Jiangbei, was drinking alone in his room. Upon hearing his subordinate's report, he casually inquired, "Have you ordered any food?"
"No, only hot water was requested."
Hmph, he knew it.
They couldn't get enough of each other in the palace, and now they were making a scene outside.
"Arrange some music and dance to entertain the General."
...
Xiao Shan carried Ling Yao into the adjoining bath. The bath was steaming, filled with flower petals. Clean towels hung on the wooden rack, and various essential oils were arranged on the nearby counter.
This was not much different from the imperial palace.
"The weight of the three of us is as light as a quilt."
Ling Yao lazily grabbed his ear. "Do you come here often?"
"I don't have time to come often. I've only been here once to have craftsmen build this bath and renovate the room. I was planning to add some of your favorite trinkets, but you arrived before I could finish."
"Mmm~"
Ling Yao leaned against Xiao Shan's broad chest, her hand unconsciously caressing the scars on his chest and the bite marks she had left. Her flushed cheeks and eyes, hazy from the steam, were captivating.
Beneath the clear water, her snow-white, delicate body was undeniable.
Xiao Shan's pent-up desire from the past few days was somewhat released today, but her unprecedented allure and queen-like command still made him lose control.
His large hand stroked her rounded belly, and he asked cautiously, "Are you not feeling well?"
"Don't worry, our child isn't that weak." Ling Yao's finger slowly moved, pausing for a moment on his Adam's apple as it bobbed up and down.
"Wife, please don't cause any more trouble." His self-control was very weak at this moment.
Ling Yao chuckled, a lazy, seductive charm in her voice, and then moved her fingers upwards to his well-defined lips.
Just as Xiao Shan was about to suck her fingers, those soft, tender hands "slapped" his mouth.
"This is a punishment for not being gentle. You said you bit too hard."
"I, I just wanted to drink..."
"It's gone now. Don't use so much force in the future; it hurts."
"I was wrong, wife~" Xiao Shan pleaded.
But she was truly too alluring, stretching out so freely. Her shyness and timidity were even more captivating now, driving him to madness.
Just then, faint sounds of revelry could be heard from outside.
This room was specially designed so that sounds from inside could not escape, but they could hear what was happening outside. Various angled windows offered a clear view of everything happening below.
Xiao Shan frowned. What was going on? Wasn't the music and dance scheduled for the evening? Why was it starting now?
"What is it?" Ling Yao listened intently.
There was also the sound of music.
"It must be the music and dance performance starting."
"Let's go see." Ling Yao started to get up.
"What's there to see? Can't we soak for a while longer?" Xiao Shan was reluctant to get up.
He was so comfortable holding her!
But Ling Yao had already climbed off him. Fearing she might fall, he resigned himself to getting up as well.
If this wasn't Feng Shihao's doing, he wouldn't be called Xiao. That scoundrel must be in this building.
After dressing, Xiao Shan led her to the glazed window beside the soft couch. He pushed it upwards, and the window slid open. The sounds from the hall below suddenly became louder, entering their ears clearly.
On the stage in the main hall, the storyteller was gone, replaced by a group of dancers. Their attire was revealing, their bodies twisting provocatively, enchanting dancers who made one's blood boil.
Around the stage, a circle of wealthy men were gathered.
Among them were envoys from Beidi and Tujue.
Colorful lanterns rotated on the stage, illuminating the dancers beautifully. The deliberately created sense of mystery made the audience cry out in excitement.
This was the most luxurious restaurant? Not only could you eat here, but you could also seek pleasure?
Ling Yao pulled the window shut and turned to look at Xiao Shan.