The dim room was filled only with the sound of the cold wind rustling outside the window.
Liu Rongruo wiped his hands with a handkerchief and looked at her sideways.
"Why are you staring at me?"
Chi You whispered, "I'm afraid brother will leave."
Her voice was extremely low, like a clear spring, soft yet incredibly penetrating.
Liu Rongruo tugged at his lips and slowly walked to the bedside, looking down at her.
"You don't want me to leave?"
His expression remained cool, but upon closer inspection, a subtle hint of danger flickered in his eyes.
Chi You sensed his unusual behavior, tightly clutching the quilt, and shifted backward.
Watching her movements, Liu Rongruo let out a cold scoff.
He leaned down, cupped her chin, and forced her to raise her head.
They were very close, his nose touching hers, his eyes fixed on her lips, his gaze inscrutable.
The pale moon outside shone in, illuminating half his face, making it appear to flicker in and out of visibility.
Chi You nervously clutched the quilt, her eyes misting over, blurry like the moon, hazy as water.
"Brother--"
As soon as she spoke, he abruptly pressed her head down, capturing her lips in a kiss, his touch fierce and demanding.
Chi You's body stiffened. Her delicate frame, like a willow in the wind, instantly tensed. The quilt slipped from her waist, revealing large expanses of snow-white skin.
Her eyes widened, staring at the face before her in disbelief, her hands sweating from nervousness.
Intertwined, ragged breaths filled the air. She opened her mouth to call out to him, but only broken, soft sounds escaped.
The tips of her ears instantly flushed red.
Liu Rongruo lowered his gaze, a flicker of an unreadable emotion crossing his indifferent eyes.
He sat on the bedside, his arm encircling her waist. With a strong pull, he lifted her yielding body into his embrace and leaned down to kiss her again.
His lips were cool, his clear breath enveloping her, making her limbs weak.
Chi You's eyes were flushed crimson. She felt as though she could barely breathe, her small face turning red from the exertion.
She kicked her legs weakly, her pale hands gripping his collar.
His lips brushed across her cheek, descending to her fair neck.
Finally gaining a moment to breathe, her body went limp, and she slumped onto his shoulder, gasping for air.
For a moment, only her disordered breaths could be heard within the tent.
Liu Rongruo's eyes were tinged with a flush of red. He reached out and pulled down her pale pink chemise, lifting her waist. His lips, buried in the hollow of her neck, moved downwards.
Their bodies pressed together, and Chi You could feel the tension and heat radiating from him.
Afraid, she tried to pull away. "Brother, I'm scared."
Her voice trembled, yet it stirred a primal violence within Liu Rongruo.
He pinned her hands and pressed her body onto the bed.
Inside the hall, silence reigned, broken only by their gasping breaths.
Chi You tried to push him away, wriggling her body, but his eyes were scarlet, filled with a deep, aggressive madness. He pressed down on her, her body completely immobilized.
"Liu Rongruo!"
Suddenly, the person beneath him let out a piercing cry, her previously moist eyes instantly turning sharp and resentful.
Liu Rongruo raised his eyes, swiftly catching her attacking wrist and forcing it above her head.
She was entirely pinned to the bed, unable to move.
He lowered his gaze, looking at her furious little face, and licked his lips.
"It's you."
Chi You was infuriated, wriggling her body, her long legs kicking in the air.
But his strength was immense. His legs pressed firmly against hers, restraining her, making it impossible to break free.
Liu Rongruo watched her struggle in silence, his expression a dark, unreadable hue.
Yet, Chi You could clearly feel the teasing, mocking glint in his eyes. She felt like prey in his hands, with no hope of escape.
Angrily biting her lip, she regained her composure and calmed herself.
She was truly exasperated. Waking up, she found herself entangled with him again.
Strange, what was happening to her lately? She would fall asleep intermittently and then suddenly wake up, completely unlike her usual self.
She had no idea what was going on.
Chi You's mind raced. Sensing his gaze upon her, she quickly suppressed her inner thoughts and looked up at him.
"Prime Minister, are you not going to release me?!"
Liu Rongruo released her, stood up, and adjusted his robes.
The light in the room was dim. He stood by the bedside, straightening his clothes, and she couldn't clearly discern the changes in his expression.
"You damnable beast."
Chi You shot him a fierce glare and got up to dress.
She lowered her eyes, looking at the marks on her body, and couldn't help but speak sarcastically.
"If Prime Minister desires this body of mine, I wouldn't be opposed to giving it to you."
Liu Rongruo turned his head, glancing at her. "Do I need to teach you to shut your mouth again?"
"---"
Chi You pursed her lips and said no more.
He turned and left.
The wind outside howled as it blew in. Chi You shivered and pulled the quilt over herself, her mind wearily recalling recent events, unable to make sense of anything.
"If the Saintess falls in love, the Toad King Gu will begin to act, automatically protecting itself when attacked, and the body will only return to normal after the Toad King Gu is dispelled."
Recalling the Great Priest's words, she lowered her gaze and rubbed her forehead.
Annoying!
Chi You resided in Qu You Palace. Every morning, she would prepare food and first find Xia Yun, handing it to him quickly. After a brief chat, she would rush back to the palace to await Liu Rongruo after court.
He would take her to listen to operas and also take her out of the palace to play. More often, he would play chess in his study, and she would sit by his side, watching him obediently.
However, for some unknown reason, her body had recently been prone to falling asleep.
When Liu Rongruo entered with medicine, he saw her waking up, sitting by the soft couch with a bewildered expression, her eyes filled with panic.
He slightly narrowed his eyes. "Come and take your medicine."
Seeing him, Chi You's head suddenly throbbed. She shook her head vigorously and, slipping into her shoes, hurried over and sat opposite him.
"Brother."
Liu Rongruo's expression was calm. He sat at the tea table, gazing at the moon outside.
After drinking the medicine, Chi You ate a piece of candied fruit, savoring the sweetness as she looked at the person opposite her.
Brother had been very good to her lately. It was as if they had returned to how they were when they were in the Prime Minister's mansion.
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, she sighed in dejection again.
Lately, for some reason, when she looked at him, her head would ache, and strange images would flash through her mind, causing her immense pain.
Liu Rongruo naturally noticed her change in mood. He looked at her calmly, his gaze filled with an unreadable meaning.
"Brother, you eat too."
She leaned forward, holding a pastry and offering it to him.
Liu Rongruo paused, then lowered his head and took a bite.
Bai Ze happened to witness this scene as he entered, his eyes flashing with surprise.
Seeing that the person opposite her had transformed back into A Wu, he let out a weary sigh.
He didn't know how the master endured it. These past few days, he had been driven to the brink by the split personality of this Southern Border Saintess.
From time to time, she would suddenly become ferocious and fight with the master.
Or else she would revert to this docile state, clinging to the master relentlessly.
He felt as though he was on the verge of developing an illness himself.
"What is it?"
A cold voice inquired.
Bai Ze quickly walked over and said, "His Highness sent word, stating that the Prime Minister should decide for himself."