The atmosphere grew faintly ambiguous as Su Linghuang slightly shifted her gaze and mustered the courage to meet Gu Shenzhi’s eyes.
But just as their eyes touched, she hurriedly lowered her delicate head, the dimples on either side flushed a vermilion hue, her snow-white skin delicate and soft, like a luscious peach—so tempting one almost wanted to take a bite.
“Is it that you, Huang’er, aren’t ready yet, or do you dislike me?” Gu Shenzhi revealed a sly smile.
“I don’t dislike you, but I wouldn’t say I like you much either. If I had to say, maybe just a little…” The white-haired girl’s voice was as faint as a wandering mosquito. Her small, pale hand clenched the scarlet hem of her dress tightly, visibly nervous.
“A little bit is how much exactly?”
Gu Shenzhi pressed on, more experienced in matters of the heart than the inexperienced Red Lotus Saintess.
“At most, I might graciously allow you to hold my hand.”
Su Linghuang snorted lightly, smoothing her disheveled white hair with her hand to cover up her inner fluster.
“Oh? Is that so?”
Before she could react, Gu Shenzhi had already taken her slender hand, their fingers interlaced as he smiled softly, “Looks like my Huang’er has also learned to lie.”
“Who’s your Huang’er? Let go of my hand!”
Su Linghuang immediately protested strongly but only struggled symbolically before allowing their fingers to remain entwined.
“Besides me, does anyone else call you Huang’er?”
“No, but—”
“I’m the only one allowed to call you that, so isn’t that enough to make you my Huang’er?” Gu Shenzhi cut her off, giving no room for explanation.
“That’s so unfair, taking advantage of me again.”
Su Linghuang muttered softly, deliberately averting her lively eyes from the black-clad youth. She didn’t know the point of this behavior—maybe to vent her inner “displeasure,” but more so to have her husband coax her.
“I’m not taking advantage of Miss Su at all.”
Just then, the waiter set down a jar of Osmanthus Wine on the table and respectfully said, “So the two of you are old acquaintances? You really scared me just now. Are you friends or lovers?”
“Just ordinary friends, nothing more!” The Red Lotus Saintess said decisively, a hint of embarrassed anger in her tone.
Being intimate when alone was natural, but she simply couldn’t bring herself to say “husband~” in front of others.
But who deliberately emphasizes “ordinary friends”? Naturally, the waiter misunderstood and smiled broadly, “Got it, got it. Please enjoy your meal.”
“Didn’t expect Huang’er to be quite honest this time—rare indeed.” Gu Shenzhi reached out and gently pinched her cheek.
“It’s obviously that person just now who misunderstood…” The Red Lotus Saintess flicked away his hand, then leaned over the table with a faint sigh.
“A misunderstanding it is!” Gu Shenzhi opened the jar of Osmanthus Wine, the sweet aroma instantly filling the air, as if surrounded by autumn’s falling osmanthus petals.
“Osmanthus wine is truly fine wine. Miss Su, would you honor me with a drink?”
Sniffing the fragrance, the snow-haired girl raised her head slightly and asked him with surprise, “You actually drink wine?”
In the months they’d spent together, aside from that one night on their wedding day when he was forcibly made to drink by Mu Zhonghua, the Red Lotus Saintess had always thought her husband was a teetotaler who loved fragrant tea.
Drinking voluntarily was completely out of character for him.
“A little drinking is fine. Besides, if a Sword Immortal got drunk just by touching wine, could he still be called a Sword Immortal?”
At this, Su Linghuang burst into laughter, her phoenix eyes shining with triumph. “I remember that night you were utterly drunk and even begged me to call you husband. So it seems the renowned Gu of Muyun Continent, famed for his unparalleled swordsmanship and talent, isn’t really a Sword Immortal either!”
“Then is the Red Lotus Saintess considered a Sword Immortal?” Gu Shenzhi asked, feigning curiosity as he sipped his wine.
“This Saintess can with one sword destroy a city, sever a river, and slay a mosquito atop a mountain. Doesn’t that qualify as a Sword Immortal?” The white-haired girl pouted coquettishly.
“In that case, let’s see if the Red Lotus Saintess is also easily drunk.”
Saying so, Gu Shenzhi immediately poured more Osmanthus Wine and thoughtfully pushed the cup toward Su Linghuang.
Staring at the cup, the Red Lotus Saintess—who besides once drinking under Mu Zhonghua’s tutelage and then passing out on the floor—had never really drunk before, clenched her teeth, stomped her foot, and drank it all down.
It wasn’t a matter of getting drunk; it was a matter of dignity and face.
“Is that… all there is to it?”
“Good, let’s continue,” Gu Shenzhi leaned forward again, refilling her cup.
Unfazed, Su Linghuang closed her beautiful eyes tightly and swallowed down another cup. Thankfully, Osmanthus Wine was mild; if it were the common strong liquor from the markets, she would surely have collapsed by now.
Taking a deep breath, the Red Lotus Saintess pointed at the black-clad youth before her: “I’ve had two cups already; it’s your turn now.”
No sooner had she spoken than Gu Shenzhi grabbed the wine jar and downed a mouthful, some of the liquid trickling down his neck, giving off a slightly reckless charm.
“Enough?”
“Not enough, that doesn’t equal two cups. Again.”
At this point, Su Linghuang’s head was a bit dizzy, and she hadn’t even noticed the problem with this indirect “kissing-drinking” method.
Perhaps she was simply used to Gu Shenzhi’s closeness and had given up resisting.
After another hearty gulp of Osmanthus Wine, before Gu Shenzhi could pour more, the Red Lotus Saintess grabbed the jar and gulped it all down, disregarding the consequences entirely.
Though Osmanthus Wine was mild, it couldn’t withstand being drunk by the entire jar. And for Su Linghuang, who usually got drunk after just three cups, this was far beyond her limit.
“This Saintess… is much stronger than you.”
Her cheeks flushed crimson, Su Linghuang staggered as she tried to stand and leave, nearly falling before being caught by the black-clad youth.
Her disheveled white hair framed her exquisite face, the stunning girl weakly leaning against Gu Shenzhi’s shoulder, her lovely cheeks flushed with a rosy glow, warm breath exhaling Osmanthus Wine fragrance from between her thin lips.
Seeming to realize her current state of weakness, a wave of regret suddenly washed over her—she shouldn’t have been stubborn with her husband. After all, the welcome ceremony was inevitable, and since he’d already fulfilled his promise, it was better to face it sooner.
She didn’t claim the first “blood,” but the second she would fight for!
The girl’s crimson lips parted, emitting a few soft, tender murmurs, as if asking for something. Dazed and overwhelmed by initial embarrassment, Su Linghuang couldn’t utter a single word.
Yet, the usually perceptive Gu Shenzhi made a rare mistake at this moment, misunderstanding the Red Lotus Saintess’s meaning. He softly said, “Let’s return to the Moonshadow Sect. Sister Mo and her father should already be waiting near the spirit boat after bidding farewell.”
Su Linghuang hesitated briefly, her expression forlorn, but ultimately didn’t object and relaxed, leaning into Gu Shenzhi’s embrace.
ps: Within three chapters, the Red Lotus Saintess will be won over!
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