She startled abruptly and quickly withdrew her hand. "You… you misunderstood. I thought I saw a bug."
"My dear wife, how could there be bugs in this ice chamber?"
Upon hearing this, she blushed at the hurried lie. How could there be bugs in the ice chamber? She truly was embarrassing.
"My dear wife, am I handsome?"
She subconsciously raised her head, only to discover he had already removed the human skin mask. His breathtaking beauty was revealed, a perfect, flawless face like that of a divine being. His eyes, like a converged sea of stars, were brilliant and dazzling.
She was instantly mesmerized.
"My dear wife, am I handsome?" he asked again.
She snapped back to reality and lowered her head. "You… you truly have no shame. Who praises themselves like that?"
"Then, my dear wife, do you say I am handsome?" He also lowered his head to look at her downcast gaze.
She felt her face was about to burn. She pushed him away, intending to rise, but he grabbed her. The sudden force left her no time to react, and she crashed into his chest.
"You… what are you doing?" A surprised voice rang out.
She raised her head and saw Yu Yun looking at her with astonishment. She instinctively lowered her head, seeing her hand touching his chest. She quickly withdrew her hand and kicked him away.
"Uh, don't misunderstand, I…" She looked at him, bare-chested, and then at her own slightly rumpled clothes. Suddenly, she felt that anything she said now would be weak and ineffectual.
"Leave." Song Xiuyuan sat up, looking at Yu Yun with icy eyes.
Yu Yun trembled and knelt on one knee. "Master, your subordinate…"
"Scram," Song Xiuyuan's voice was like a furious lion, striking a chill into anyone just by its sound.
"Yu Yun, aren't you leaving yet? Didn't I tell you not to disturb the Master again?" Feng Yun, who had arrived shortly after, was also angered. She grabbed Yu Yun's arm and pulled her out.
Feng Yun appeared angry, but she knew this was definitely for Yu Yun's own good. After all, barging in without the Master's permission was not a minor offense.
However, these were not her subordinates, and her subordinates would not commit such an error. So, she would just watch.
"I…"
Before Yu Yun could speak further, Feng Yun sealed an acupoint on her, rendering her speechless.
"Master, Miss Xue, I beg your pardon. It is my fault for not watching Yu Yun properly. I beg for your punishment." Feng Yun knelt on one knee and said.
"Indeed, your performance is lacking. From today onwards, I do not believe you are fit to be the leader of the Shadow Guards."
Feng Yun lowered her head upon hearing this. "Yes, Master."
"Hei Yun will temporarily assume the position of leader. You may go!" Song Xiuyuan waved his hand.
Feng Yun left with Yu Yun.
The door to the secret chamber was closed. When Song Xiuyuan turned back, the icy aura he exuded had completely vanished.
"My dear wife…"
"I just remembered I have something to do, so I'll be going back now." Saying this, she fled the secret chamber as if escaping.
Song Xiuyuan gazed at the retreating figure, a trace of brilliance like shattered stars flashing in his eyes.
After leaving Song Xiuyuan's room, she breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her own room. She lay down on the bed, feeling much more comfortable. She stretched out her hand, looking at her fingers, and suddenly remembered how Yu Yun had burst in while she was in the secret chamber. Her hand had touched Song Xiuyuan's body, and that springy, firm touch… even now, she could still feel it.
Her face instantly flushed red. She and Song Xiuyuan had slept fully clothed, for an entire night. Thinking of this, she felt intensely shy.
"Mu Xingzhi, come out here." Song Xiuyuan, on the ice bed, waved his hand. The clothes hung on the rack were put on him, but without the waist sash, they appeared somewhat loose. The white inner garment inside was also creased from the past night.
Yet, even so, it could not conceal his extraordinary grace.
He merely leaned against the ice bed, his head propped on one hand. His sleeve had slipped down his arm, revealing a segment of it, its beautiful lines showcasing the perfection of his arm.
"Oh my, so angry? Shouldn't you be grateful to me?" Mu Xingzhi appeared from nowhere, and as his voice fell, he was already in front of Song Xiuyuan.
However, before Mu Xingzhi could steady himself, his neck was seized. He felt the world spin, and he was already lying on the ice bed. The culprit, Song Xiuyuan, held his neck. "Can you be gentler? This pose of yours could be misinterpreted."
"Misinterpreted?" Song Xiuyuan curved his lips into a cold smile. His eyes, as brilliant as stars, flashed with a hint of severity. "I am not afraid."
"You… aren't you afraid of your…"
"Mu Xingzhi, talking too much might be fatal."
"I'm serious, aren't you? But if you kill me, I won't tell you a secret," Mu Xingzhi suddenly said.
Upon hearing this, Song Xiuyuan looked at Mu Xingzhi. "What secret do you have?"
"Why wouldn't I? Xiuyuan, don't you want to know how your little Yueyue would react when I reveal those things?"
"Don't call her little Yueyue." Song Xiuyuan tightened his grip slightly.
Mu Xingzhi quickly said, "I mean, you're really serious, aren't you? Even if I don't say it, she'll find out later anyway. It's better to say it now, at least there's a chance for a buffer. Or do you never plan to tell her?"
Song Xiuyuan was stunned. At this moment, Mu Xingzhi pushed Song Xiuyuan's hand away and slid off the ice bed as if gliding. He flipped over and stood firm, then retreated a few steps before clutching his neck and gasping for breath. "Song Xiuyuan, you truly have a heavy hand."