It was the season of autumn harvest, with crisp, clear skies. Compared to being cooped up in a stuffy carriage, the world outside was undoubtedly more expansive.
Especially when it was with the one he loved, so when Zhu Nian proposed they ride horses together, Bai Li Chong Yan agreed without hesitation.
And then he willingly allowed himself to be "stolen" away by Zhu Nian.
They traveled along the official road, lined by lush green woods on both sides.
Last year's snow disaster had not affected these plants at all. They remained verdant, flourishing when they should, withering when it was time, and waiting for spring…
This, perhaps, was where humanity's fragility lay, when contrasted with nature.
"Do you guess they've discovered it by now?"
The person behind her wrapped an arm around her, their chin gently brushing against her head. "They probably have."
The horse ambled forward leisurely, their bodies pressed close, incredibly intimate.
"Yang Huai must be furious."
That guard, who had always been loyal to Bai Li Chong Yan, had also been endlessly forbearing and protective of Zhu Nian.
Now that Zhu Nian had spirited away his master, he must be feeling quite unhappy.
Bai Li Chong Yan didn't care about that at all. "Did you steal me away just to talk about other people?"
Zhu Nian turned her head and smiled at him. "Of course not. I also wanted to talk about us, but we're too familiar. Mmm… I understand every part of you so thoroughly, I don't know what to say."
Bai Li Chong Yan's heart surged.
Her words were too ambiguous, making him think of things he shouldn't be thinking about at this moment.
"Heh," Zhu Nian shifted her body slightly and chuckled. "It seems I've made you yearn for too long. We're on the road, after all."
Bai Li Chong Yan: "..."
Even though he didn't want to admit that this beast in human clothing wasn't him, he couldn't refute her, because at this moment, he truly harbored inappropriate thoughts.
He might as well throw caution to the wind. "It's you who's made me yearn for too long. You used to say that marital rites, the pleasure of yin and yang, were things between husband and wife. Now, you can't even satisfy me with that."
"Ha," Zhu Nian couldn't help but laugh again. "So, do you want me to satisfy you now?"
This person was truly something. She still often remembered his youthful innocence when he hadn't recovered yet. Now, less than a year later, he was even more adept at talking dirty than she was.
Bai Li Chong Yan held her close, his voice deepening. "I want to, but I can't. So, don't provoke me anymore."
Zhu Nian paid no heed. "Forty li ahead is a restaurant opened by Song Fang Hua. Her 'Mandarin Duck Room' is said to have many novelties. Do you want to..."
"Yes!"
Bai Li Chong Yan was practically exploding with desire.
He suddenly kicked the horse's belly and tightened the reins. "Giddy up!"
With this, the person behind them was left far behind, several tens of kilometers away, unable to keep up for a while.
Song Fang Hua, possessing a soul from another world, had many novel ideas that were unheard of in this world. When she opened her restaurant, she created various categorized rooms.
Compared to the previous first, second, third, and superior rooms, her luxurious and Mandarin Duck rooms were more popular, especially the Mandarin Duck room, which was exclusively for couples on their travels and came with various fun little amenities.
It was very conducive to harmonious marital relations, hence its popularity.
Seizing this rare opportunity, they naturally had to stay there.
That night.
In a Mandarin Duck room, resembling a newlywed's bridal chamber, it was another night of weeping red candles.
When it came to matters on the bed, ever since Bai Li Chong Yan had recovered, Zhu Nian found it difficult to maintain the dominant position.
For one, she preferred to enjoy herself more. Secondly, now that she finally had someone in her heart, she had to indulge him a little.
However, some of Bai Li Chong Yan's words today had truly displeased Zhu Nian.
So, after Bai Li Chong Yan had had his fill, she flipped over and took charge, launching another siege.
In the end, both of them were too exhausted to lift their hands.
But Zhu Nian had the upper hand. Her body was weary, but she could regulate it with spiritual energy. Bai Li Chong Yan, however, needed time to recover.
This was the time for her to take the lead.
So, early in the morning, the waiter doubted his own eyes.
The couple who had entered last night, the husband was clearly much taller than the wife. How was it that now, the wife was taller than the husband?
However, looking at "her," although her physique was a bit larger, she was beautiful and delicate, appearing frail. The little husband must have been happy about it.
Moreover, despite her petite frame, she possessed considerable strength. She easily carried her much taller "wife" downstairs without any burden.
"Safe travels, young sir. Come again when you have the chance!"
Zhu Nian smiled meaningfully at him. "I will come again."
The waiter was so captivated by her smile that he stood there in a daze for a long while.
When he came to his senses, they were already gone.
He sighed and muttered, "The little husband is not only petite, but his voice is also so clear and soft. And he married such a robust wife. Besides her beauty, it's also..."