Inside the dim tent, a wave of cold instantly permeated the air.
Wei Qingge, sleeping soundly, naturally couldn't perceive it. She continued to nestle her head into warmth, muttering continuously.
Although Li Qiongyu couldn't make out what she was scolding, he could occasionally hear the words "Brother Liu" in her mumbles.
He curved his lips into a cold smile, his hand on her lower back sliding under her clothes.
Then, he also turned to lie beside her, pressing down firmly and drawing her into his embrace.
Wei Qingge remained oblivious to the changes around her. In her dazed state, she unconsciously wrapped her arms around his waist, her small face pressed against his chest, murmuring something unintelligible.
Yet, Li Qiongyu could clearly hear her calling out "Brother Liu." The sound cast a frosty shadow over his alluring features.
He frowned, raising his cold, slender hand to lift her chin and forcefully seal her lips.
The tent was instantly plunged into silence.
Li Qiongyu had intended to silence her incessant chatter, but the moment their lips met, he lost all restraint. He immediately intertwined his hands with hers, fingers lacing together.
He then covered her body, pressing close.
Wei Qingge, though deeply asleep, could feel the oppressive weight on her, making it difficult to breathe.
She twisted her body and bit down hard on his lips.
Li Qiongyu tasted the sweet, bloody tang. Ignoring it, he kissed down her cheek, nibbling on her earlobe.
She was straightforward and disliked wearing jewelry, having no ear piercings; her earlobes were smooth and round.
He kissed her for a long while before burying his face in the crook of her neck, sucking gently.
The hazy moonlight outside cast faint, shimmering beams into the dim tent.
When tranquility returned, Wei Qingge's clothes were in disarray, beyond recognition.
Li Qiongyu leaned against the bed, his eyes rimmed with red, a deep desire hidden within.
He got off the bed and went to the washroom behind. By the time he emerged, the scarlet haze in his eyes had subsided.
He casually donned a robe, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Young Master."
"Bring the medicine."
Jing Yu, accustomed to such tasks, immediately took out the medicine from his懷 and handed it over.
Li Qiongyu took the medicine and closed the door.
He returned to the bedside.
Wei Qingge was still asleep, but her full, rosy lips were now even more vibrant, slightly swollen. A flush had crept onto her delicate face, lending her a touch of seductive charm.
Li Qiongyu gazed at her for a few moments, then sat down, drawing her into his arms. He gently applied the medicine, smearing away any red marks.
After the marks faded, he stroked her slender waist, caressing it several times. He tidied her clothes before holding her and lazily leaning against the bed.
She finally stopped muttering "Brother Liu" and nestled peacefully in his arms, sleeping soundly.
Li Qiongyu lowered his eyelids, caressing her cheek, and murmured softly.
"After so many years without touching you, I truly can't bear to wait any longer."
------
Over a dozen warships sailed across the river. The night was hazy, casting faint, eerie light on the dark water's surface.
As dawn broke, the thick fog receded, making the entire river surface seem to be rimmed with gold. The water shimmered, reflecting the bright morning sun.
Ye Luan stood at the bow of the ship, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at the scenery on the river.
"Why aren't you wearing more?"
Xiao Chizhan walked over with a cloak and draped it over her from behind.
Ye Luan snapped back to attention and turned her head, frowning. "I checked on Mu Rou's condition. It's getting worse. I'm afraid she won't wake up."
Her eyes were clouded with deep worry.
Xiao Chizhan lowered his gaze, smoothing her brow, and pulled her into his embrace. "Don't be afraid, she'll be alright."
Leaning against him, Ye Luan unconsciously fiddled with the black beads on his collar, picking at them.
Just as she was about to say something, Long Tian suddenly approached, his expression betraying a hint of excitement.
"Your Highness, the General has woken up."
A flicker of undisguised surprise flashed in Xiao Chizhan's eyes. "When did he wake?"
"Just now."
Hearing this, he immediately took Ye Luan's hand and led her directly towards the cabins at the rear.
"We'll go straight to Mu Rou's room. He must have gone there already."
"Mm."
Upon reaching the room, they heard a burst of angry shouting and the sound of things being thrown.
Ye Luan raised an eyebrow. Hearing Tantai Ye's furious reprimands, she felt an urge to kick the door in. Damn him, throwing a tantrum the moment he woke up, what a spoiled temper.
She didn't bother going in and released his hand.
"You go see him yourself."
After Xiao Chizhan entered, Wei Qingge emerged from the room not long after, her skirt splattered with tea.
"A'Luan."
Ye Luan peeked inside a few times, seeing imperial physicians kneeling on the ground. She pursed her lips and stood on the verandah.
As Wei Qingge walked over, about to say something, she saw Li Qiongyu rushing towards them. She eyed the wound on his lip suspiciously and exclaimed in surprise.
"Li Qiongyu, what did you bump into? Your lip is broken."
Li Qiongyu saw the two people at the door and stopped. "He's awake?!"
"Mm, Tantai Ye is awake, he's in there."
After speaking, Wei Qingge pointed at the wound on his lip, covering her mouth in astonishment. "You're not... you're not into men, are you?"
That wound didn't look like it was from bumping into something. But this was a ship, and there were no women around.
Moreover, in all these years, she hadn't seen him with any women. Good heavens, could he really like men?!
Thinking this, she pointed at him indignantly and rebuked him.
"You've gone too far! He's still unconscious, and you're already messing around."
Li Qiongyu was angered by her words and hit her forehead with a fan.
"Ah, you死 Li Qiongyu, that hurt."
"Do you have a brain? I'm just opening it up for you."
Into men?! How could she even think of that.
Wei Qingge bared her teeth and retreated a few steps, clutching her forehead in pain and cursing him under her breath.
She would have liked to fight him, but she had learned her lesson from overeating and dared not act rashly.
In the past, when she returned from the border, they would argue at the slightest disagreement. She had a temper, and sometimes, when he angered her immensely, she would fight him.
But she always lost and was utterly suppressed.
Once, they even fell into a lake during a fight.
He had also mocked her as a "three-legged cat" fighter, which infuriated her.
From then on, she started practicing martial arts before the hour of the Ox, day after day, through winter's cold and summer's heat. Her martial arts had indeed improved considerably, but she still couldn't defeat him.
Later, she became wiser and stopped fighting him. They would just curse each other verbally; after all, a gentleman uses his words, not his fists.
"You've almost knocked my brains out. What are you using a fan for so early in the morning? Aren't you afraid you'll fan yourself to death?"
Li Qiongyu raised his eyebrows. "I'm doing as I please."
Ye Luan listened to their bickering, narrowing her eyes slightly. She took a closer look at the wound on Li Qiongyu's lip and curled her lips.
"Li Qiongyu, Qingge is right. Your lip was bitten by someone, wasn't it?"
"Exactly, exactly! And he still won't admit it."
Li Qiongyu strode inside, deliberately teasing, "Bitten by your Xiao Chizhan. Go back and beat him up."