Since that parting, the two of them had not been together for a long time.
A wu was born with a unique constitution, and now having been kept quietly at home, pampered and delicate, the narrow path through the quiet mountains had long gone unused.
Yet now, suddenly embraced by Emperor Jingxi within these secluded city walls, in the cool, chilling wind, it carried an entirely different flavor.
She couldn’t endure this position at all and could only painfully wrap her arms around him, struggling to tilt her face up, letting out a whimper that sounded almost like crying.
She wanted to plead for mercy, saying it was better to stop, after so long apart, suddenly like this—who could bear it?
But Emperor Jingxi naturally would not stop.
He had already dismissed the attendants to ensure no one could hear or see.
He wanted to hold his A wu, look at his Eastern Sea, and here, claim her.
Moreover, the moment he entered, he felt it was exquisite; walking slowly forward, immersed in the moment, it was better than anything in the world.
No man could stop now.
The night wind blew stronger, and flowers wildly beat against the dark, weathered old city wall.
Inside the grand, ancient Chenglou, among the worn battlements, a tall and stern man held a fragile and beautiful figure.
She was seductive.
The man was too fierce; poor A wu did not dare make a sound, biting her lip silently, enduring both the unbearable and the pleasure.
The sea roared, waves churning; in the hazy night, great oars thudded against the water with a moist, muffled sound.
Then suddenly, as if everything froze—the wind halted, the waves stilled.
This stillness lasted only a moment before a gentle trickle like spring water poured down in bursts.
Emperor Jingxi did not find satisfaction but forced himself to restrain.
He kept his original posture, eyes lowered, feeling the delicate and hidden comfort, also carefully observing the woman in his arms who seemed utterly lost.
Her face flushed, her eyes misty, reflecting the moonlight.
The wind stirred, the delicate hair of the girl brushing softly against the ancient city wall.
The coldness of the Imperial Army and the softness of the girl merged strangely at this moment.
Thus, a deep and complex love surged in Emperor Jingxi’s chest.
The distant sea—this was his realm; the softness in his arms—this was his beloved.
He also thought of Lu Yunjian, thought of the Imperial Son—had she ever shown such moving affection in the arms of those two men?
He lowered his head, kissed her soft hair, and in a hoarse voice said, “A wu, guess who I visited tonight?”
A wu, still dazed, heard this and replied instinctively, “Who?”
Emperor Jingxi looked into her eyes: “I went to see Lu Yunjian.”
At this, A wu shivered, her confused eyes widened as she looked up at him.
She didn’t understand, really didn’t—this man, clearly tense to the extreme, still wore a gentle expression, coaxing her, holding her.
He was questioning her.
He took advantage of her vulnerable state—her scattered thoughts and distracted mind—this was when she was most relaxed.
Then, Emperor Jingxi casually said, “He told me many things about your past.”
A wu never expected him to bring this up now.
She wanted to know, yet felt anxious and afraid, perhaps more wanting to avoid it.
She hugged his shoulders, trembling, wrapping her legs tightly around his narrow, strong waist, then gently entwined herself.
Emperor Jingxi saw through it immediately: “Trying to seduce me? Don’t want me to talk about it?”
His fingers, tinged with coldness, lightly stroked her cheek: “Avoiding it?”
A wu pouted, wanting to cry; she thought he was too much, and felt ashamed of herself—wasn’t pillow talk usually the woman’s weapon?
Why was she the one caught?
Emperor Jingxi’s voice was calm and even: “He said you used to be addicted to his beauty, that you were lost in it and couldn’t extricate yourself, and that you loved him desperately.”
As he spoke, Emperor Jingxi suddenly pressed forward.
A wu, already weak and soft, collapsed utterly, trembling uncontrollably, unable to resist.
Emperor Jingxi supported the trembling little thing and continued: “He said you fell in love with him at first sight, shared deep passion. Come, A wu, tell me—is that true?”
He laughed softly at her ear, a cold laugh: “The woman I hold in my arms, the woman who has received my favor—did she ever lust after another man’s body?”
A wu’s eyes darted nervously, murmuring, “No, of course not!”
She refused to admit it, simply wouldn’t.
Emperor Jingxi lowered his eyelids, moving forward slowly then retreating.
He clearly sensed the little one was scared—so scared she instinctively tried to push away, to shrink.
He sighed softly above her: “A wu, why are you holding on so tight?”
This clumsy phrase was hardly like him, but at this moment, after being shattered by the news about Lu Yunjian, A wu couldn’t think of anything else.
Her mind was filled with only this matter.
She had no desire to mention it and didn’t know how to face it.
After hesitating, she said, aggrieved: “There really was a time…”
Emperor Jingxi looked at her: “Hmm? Really?”
A wu: “But it’s all in the past!”
She suddenly recalled and firmly declared: “The Lu Yunjian matter has nothing to do with me anymore. It’s long past! I’ve already forgotten him!”
Emperor Jingxi sighed gently.
Under the mellow moonlight, his gaze was as tender as the early March melting snow.
He lowered his head, slowly and lovingly kissed her nose.
“Alright, I understand. Lu Yunjian is lying.” His large hand lightly cupped the back of A wu’s head.
“I will take care of this.”
Hearing this, A wu finally felt at ease and relaxed.
She thought this was all behind them now, never to be mentioned again.
But then Emperor Jingxi bent down, leaning close to her ear.
Because they were already entwined face-to-face, pressed close, even the slightest movement stirred waves for A wu, let alone now as he leaned over.
A wu shook her head helplessly, eyes brimming with tears, trembling as she said, “Please, no more, okay?”
She was already fulfilled; she didn’t want any more.
But the man was still ready, not satisfied.
She tried to use every trick, twisting her waist, hoping to make him relent.
Emperor Jingxi naturally felt her stirrings—her twisting and turning, her desire and thirst.
He chuckled lowly between breaths: “A wu, why are you so greedy?”
In the past, she would have blushed at such words, but now she couldn’t care.
Her heart hardened, shamelessly softening her voice to plead, “Your Majesty, please give A wu what she wants, A wu wants to eat, please give…”
Though she was tender and innocent, her words were shamelessly bold.
Emperor Jingxi’s temple twitched twice.
He clenched his teeth to restrain himself and said, “But when I think of my baby having been with other men before me, having been touched by other men, it pains me inside… Baby, what should I do?”
The vague discomfort was suddenly laid bare, and confrontation was inevitable.
A wu’s mind went blank; she was unprepared.
Her eyes filled with tears, she murmured, “What should I do…?”
Emperor Jingxi’s eyes darkened as he stared at her bewildered, helpless expression, unable to resist letting out a shallow sigh.
The soft girl let out a low cry; tears clung to her lashes, falling down her fair, translucent cheeks.
Emperor Jingxi said, “A wu, weren’t you always the sweetest talker?”
‘Sweet talk?’
In her confusion and pain, A wu suddenly grasped the key.
Almost instinctively, she flopped her arms around the man’s large neck, staring with autumn-water-like eyes, pleading tearfully, “A wu may have had other men, but none compare to Your Majesty. None are as big, and none make A wu feel as comfortable. Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”
She tried desperately to find sweet words, finally giving up all pride: “Too big, A wu can’t take it… Your…”
The bright moon hid behind clouds; beneath the city wall, the waves surged.
Within the dim, secluded Chenglou, the tender girl’s voice was so seductive it seemed to squeeze water out of air.
Such was her nature now—asking for heaven and earth—and at this moment, all must be given.
Besides, she was only pleading.
Emperor Jingxi’s large, defined hand held her steadily; his strong, muscular form leaned forward slightly, then—waves rolled with overwhelming force.
***
When it was over, A wu was like soft noodles, wet and limp, hanging on the man.
She tested placing her feet on the ground but her legs were weak and trembling; she couldn’t stand.
Emperor Jingxi simply cradled her horizontally, then wrapped her tightly with his cloak.
A wu lay against his chest, softly protesting, “No, it’s not good if someone sees.”
Emperor Jingxi shielded her head with the cloak and said hoarsely, “It’s fine. No one can see.”
A wu clung to his narrow, strong waist, murmuring complaints.
Though no one could see, two went in, one came out—who wouldn’t guess?
But she steeled herself and closed her eyes, burying herself in his arms.
The scent on the man was pleasant—though away from the palace and less rigorous, he was always clean, with a faint citrus aroma, perhaps bergamot?
It was refreshing, and A wu couldn’t help but nuzzle him.
The man was fond of morning exercise; his waist and abdomen were strong, even a bit firm, a stark contrast to her softness.
This made her all the more enchanted, loving it so much her toes curled.
With such stamina, he could hold her like this for so long—she almost wished to merge into him completely.
Emperor Jingxi carried her down the steps from the city tower, where a carriage was waiting below.
He bent slightly to climb in, then placed her on his lap, letting her straddle him.
A wu’s slender arms wrapped around his neck, her face buried in the hollow of his shoulder, pretending to be clueless.
Actually, the city wall wasn’t too far from their residence.
When they finally returned to the room, A wu suddenly remembered something: “I’ll go back to my own room.”
She felt she lacked resolve, having yielded to his desire, but she didn’t want Brother Ye Han and the others to know about her and Emperor Jingxi—somehow it felt shameful, as if she was stealing something.
Yet Emperor Jingxi naturally wouldn’t let her go.
In fact, earlier in the Chenglou, she had been somewhat at ease, but he hadn’t had enough.
He had only spared her to ease her suffering; now back in the room, he planned to take his time, slowly indulging.
A wu whimpered in protest, wanting to leave.
She felt this was their difference—she would be satisfied with one time, wanting to lie back and sleep, but he went on again and again, endlessly.
She pushed his arm: “No more, please.”
But Emperor Jingxi firmly grasped her slender waist: “You don’t know how much I’ve missed you these days. Be a good baby, obey.”
A wu sobbed; she didn’t want to obey, but she couldn’t help it.
Beside her came the sound of Emperor Jingxi’s panting: “Mm, just like that, so good.”
***
He praised her for being good, said she was fragrant, said he missed her.
His words and gaze were intoxicatingly gentle, but his actions were fierce.
A wu couldn’t take it anymore and finally fell into a deep sleep, muddled, feeling Emperor Jingxi still holding her, whispering beside her ear.
He spoke of Lu Yunjian, telling her not to be afraid, promising to handle everything, saying she had nothing to worry about, and mentioning her father and brothers, assuring they would be taken care of.
A wu didn’t listen carefully.
She wanted to tell him not to let her father and brothers know about them—it would embarrass her—but she had no strength.
The next day, A wu was awakened by the sound of military drills outside.
Opening her eyes, she saw bright daylight and sunshine.
The man beside her was gone.
At that moment, a young maid came in to help her wash and eat.
Breakfast was fresh lotus root porridge paired with fish cakes—delicious.
Just as she finished breakfast, Emperor Jingxi entered, clad in full military attire, his aura imposing.
A wu curiously looked at him a few more times.
He smiled, “I went to review the Imperial Army this morning. Just got back. Have you eaten?”
A wu: “Yes.”
As the maid brought various washing supplies, Emperor Jingxi, who had just exercised, wiped sweat from his brow with a white cloth.
He said casually, “In a few days, I will formally visit.”
A wu: “What?”
Emperor Jingxi looked at her with a playful smile: “To propose, to discuss the betrothal gifts.”
A wu was shocked: “Ah?”
He said, “Before, your father was absent, so it felt incomplete. Now that he has returned, I should formally come to propose and talk about the gifts.”
He added, “We’ll also have to perform the formal wedding rites again.”
A wu: “!!!”
She glanced at him quietly: “Who told you that? That’s not necessary, is it? Ye Han wouldn’t have said that, right?”
Emperor Jingxi: “Why wait for others to say it? I just hope we can start over, following your hometown customs.”
He paused, then said, “I hope this time to make up for all the regrets of the past.”
A wu naturally hadn’t expected him to say that.
To be honest, it moved her; a warm flush crept over her face.
However… she recalled what her father said.
She still felt somewhat unwilling or, rather, inclined to argue with him.
So she hesitated, “Maybe it’s not necessary…”
Emperor Jingxi: “Not necessary?”
He stopped wiping, looked up at her: “Why not?”
A wu’s gaze flickered away, avoiding his eyes: “I never said I wanted to marry you…”
Emperor Jingxi silently studied her.
She pretended seriously, “Let’s not talk about it yet.”
Emperor Jingxi: “Then what about last night?”
A wu played dumb: “Huh? Last night? What about last night?”
Emperor Jingxi laughed angrily and walked over, looking down at her: “Don’t remember? Who was holding on tight last night? Who was crying like crazy asking me to give?”
Though she said no, when given, she had enjoyed it greatly.
Any man without good stamina would not have satisfied her!
And now this greedy little thing woke up and started saying this?
A wu hung her head, looking troubled.
Emperor Jingxi: “Hmm? Want me to help you remember?”
A wu stammered, “I remember…”
Emperor Jingxi said coldly, “Then you should take responsibility, right?”
A wu took a deep breath, then slowly reached into her sleeve, pulling out something and stuffing it into Emperor Jingxi’s hand.
It was a silver ingot, ten taels.
Emperor Jingxi raised an eyebrow in confusion.
A wu took another deep breath and quickly said, “This ingot is ten taels. That should be enough, no need to give change!”
After speaking, she turned and ran like she was escaping.
Emperor Jingxi held the silver ingot, stunned for a moment, then slowly realized what it meant.
A wu ran headlong without looking back, and unexpectedly, ran straight into Ye Han and Ning Sanlang.
Ning Sanlang: “What’s wrong with A wu?”
Ye Han’s eyes immediately fell on her face.
She was flushed from running, her fair skin tinged with red.
He frowned: “What happened?”
A wu, feeling terribly ashamed after last night’s reckless night and then her morning words to Emperor Jingxi, bit her lip and said softly, “Nothing.”
She brushed past them and ran away.
Ning Sanlang was puzzled: “Who offended her?”
Ye Han slowly lowered his head, silent for a moment: “It should be nothing serious.”