Tears slid down Xiao Changning’s cheeks. She bared her sharp little canine teeth and bit down hard, causing blood to instantly seep from the corner of Murong Yao’s mouth.
Xiao Changning curled her body into a ball, trembling hands shielding her chest as she stammered, “No! In broad daylight, you mustn’t!”
Murong Yao winced in pain and released his grip on Xiao Changning. He reached up to touch the blood at the corner of his mouth, and upon seeing the crimson stain on his fingers, burst into wild laughter.
“You belong to me. You have no right to refuse. Whenever I desire you, be it day or night, it matters not.”
“If you wish to avoid too much pain, you’d best obey.”
Murong Yao’s voice was low, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Changning’s damp, rabbit-like eyes.
Seeing her pitiable appearance, the last thread of restraint in his mind snapped.
He pounced on her like a starving wolf, his fingers trailing slowly down her pale neck as he removed her clothing.
Xiao Changning stiffened in fear, her disheveled hair clinging to her damp cheeks. She clenched her teeth, staring stubbornly and helplessly at the ceiling above.
Murong Yao held her captive in his arms with an emperor’s unique domineering air. He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her flushed earlobe, his eyes swirling with possessiveness as he spoke with a hint of cruelty, “Do you think putting on this act of a chaste martyr will soften my heart?”
“Remember, only when I am satisfied will I be in a good mood.”
He leaned close to Xiao Changning’s ear, his words full of threat: “If not, then I can only find pleasure in the thrill of slaughter.”
He spoke of human life with such ease, as if discussing what to have for dinner.
Then, while his fingers continued to explore, he said, “Considering how obedient Changning has been, I won’t pursue whom you were waiting for last night or what you intended to do.”
Xiao Changning broke out in a cold sweat of fear, guiltily averting her eyes. Had her every move been under his surveillance all along?
But why?
Could there be a traitor by her side?
Murong Yao reached out to smooth Xiao Changning’s furrowed brow, then pushed her down onto the bed, eagerly turning over to press down on her.
“Focus. It’s not good to keep thinking of other things.”
…
After a long while, Murong Yao lay on his side, gazing at the sleeping Xiao Changning, feeling as though it were all unreal.
From the moment he first saw her five years ago, had he finally obtained the one he had yearned for all this time?
He bent down and gently kissed Xiao Changning’s cheek, then reluctantly rose.
Before leaving, he carefully tucked the blanket around her, gave her a little water to drink, and applied ointment he had prepared earlier to every mark without missing a spot.
Eunuch Feng, the personal eunuch, leaned against the railing outside the tent with a horsetail whisk in hand. A young eunuch beside him fawned over him, massaging his shoulders and serving tea.
Eunuch Feng enjoyed the comfort leisurely, but just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Murong Yao’s voice beside him.
Startled, he quickly straightened his hat and followed Murong Yao away, bowing respectfully.
In her sleep, Xiao Changning seemed to dream of something terrifying. Beads of sweat covered her forehead as she struggled awake, only to find Murong Yao already gone from her side.
She felt sore all over, but her body was clean and dry, clearly having been attended to.
Ali saw her mistress wake up and hurried over with a cup of hot tea, her voice trembling with urgency. “Princess, have some tea.”
Xiao Changning looked at her, her voice hoarse with surprise. “Why are you here?”
“Didn’t I give you a sum of money so you could return home to care for your mother and live a peaceful, quiet life?”
Ali knelt on the ground, wiping her tears as she spoke. “This servant couldn’t bear to leave the princess, so I bid farewell to my mother.”
“It took great effort to find my way outside the city.”
Xiao Changning let out a bitter laugh and said, “Why go through such hardship?”
“Once we go to Beiyuan, returning home will be harder than climbing to the heavens.”
She continued, “I am the princess of marriage alliance personally appointed by the Emperor. There’s truly no need for you to accompany me.”
Ali’s gaze was resolute. “This servant has followed the princess since childhood and has never left her side, no matter where she went. This time, no matter what, I must follow!”
Seeing her unwavering determination, Xiao Changning finally nodded without saying another word.
“Gurgle, gurgle~” Suddenly, a rumbling sound echoed through the empty room. Xiao Changning propped herself up and leaned against the railing by the bed.
She rubbed her stomach, pouting as a faint voice escaped her throat. “I’m hungry.”
“From morning until now, I haven’t eaten a single thing, and just now, I…”
Of course, Ali understood what Changning meant by the “ordeal,” but she was powerless to help.
She silently took Xiao Changning’s hand and patted it gently to comfort her. “Princess, you’ve suffered.”
Xiao Changning wiped the tears from the corner of her eye. “Forget it, let’s not talk about it.”
“Is there anything to eat?”
Ali smiled, as if she had anticipated this. She took out a piece of pastry wrapped in oilcloth from her bundle. “Princess, this is osmanthus cake made by my mother.”
“My mother said she couldn’t do much, but she hopes the princess won’t mind.”
Xiao Changning took a bite, then broke into a smile. “I don’t mind. This osmanthus cake has a light, sweet flavor. I like it very much.”
But in her heart, she couldn’t help but wonder: osmanthus cake isn’t easy to store, yet this one seemed freshly made.
She looked at Ali, and in that moment, the Ali who had grown up with her felt strangely unfamiliar.
So unfamiliar that she almost didn’t recognize her.
Outside the tent, Eunuch Feng wasn’t so fortunate. Listening to the conversation inside, beads of sweat dripped down his forehead one after another.
Murong Yao’s icy gaze fell upon him, as if questioning why no one had brought her food all day.
Eunuch Feng was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a thud, pressing his forehead tightly to the ground. “Your Majesty, with the recent flurry of affairs, this old servant was negligent.”
“Please punish this servant, Your Majesty.”
Murong Yao was in an unusually good mood. He sighed and said, “Rise.”
Eunuch Feng felt as if he had been granted a great reprieve. Bowing his head, he said, “This old servant will go to the kitchen immediately and have some food prepared and delivered.”
“Mm.”
With that, Eunuch Feng picked up his horsetail whisk and scurried away in a flash.
Murong Yao watched the mistress and servant laughing and playing inside the tent, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Not far away, Lu Ran approached. “Your Majesty, everything has been arranged. We can lead the elite cavalry back to the country tomorrow.”
Murong Yao nodded, walking as he spoke. “Give the order to protect Changning discreetly.”
“Yes.”
Lu Ran pulled out a letter sealed with yellow paper from his chest. “A letter has arrived from Her Majesty the Empress.”
Murong Yao took the letter, his eyes following the black ink strokes as his brow gradually furrowed, nostrils flaring with anger.
“Burn this letter.”
Lu Ran nodded, and flames instantly surged up, reducing it to ashes in no time.