"What is this zither called? Where did you get it?"
Yun Xiao gently wiped the body of the zither, her movements filled with tenderness. She slowly covered it with a silk cloth and stood up, asking the man opposite her. His shock was no less than hers.
She hadn't expected their first collaboration to be so perfect. He knew then that they were destined to be together.
"This zither is called Rao Liang, and I obtained it from a friend."
This friend was not imaginary; to be willing to part with such a precious instrument showed the depth of their affection.
Rao Liang. A flicker of memory crossed Yun Xiao's mind. She recalled a friend mentioning the Four Great Zithers of antiquity, and Rao Liang was among them. She wondered if this Rao Liang was the same one owned by King Zhuang of Chu, but what did it matter? It belonged to her now.
"Thank you, Murong, you are so good to me. What can I do to repay you?"
Yun Xiao murmured to herself, knowing that this man doted on her excessively. She wondered if she would be able to cope if one day he no longer did.
Murong Chong's pupils darkened, and his form moved to her side. He leaned in slightly, his voice intimate, "Reward me with a kiss."
At this moment, he was completely unlike the refined musician from before. Instead, he exuded a hint of demonic allure, his eyes burning with a fiery passion, his entire being radiating an untamed charm.
Yun Xiao intended to refuse, but upon seeing the plum blossom marks on his neck, a sense of guilt washed over her.
He had been so good to her, and she had even bitten him. It was truly inexcusable. Thus, she quickly stood on her tiptoes, planted a kiss on Murong's lips, and with a fleeting movement, darted to the large bed.
Murong Chong was stunned. He pointed to himself, protesting with dissatisfaction, "This counts as a reward?"
It was merely a butterfly's kiss, not even long enough to register a sensation. However, the gesture at least indicated that she accepted him more now. He was still pleased. Glancing over, he saw that the person on the bed had pulled up the thin quilt and closed her eyes in rest.
"Sleep, sleep. I'm tired. Don't bother me."
Murong Chong found it both amusing and exasperating. She was like a little ostrich. He walked over slowly, indulging her, and sat down beside her. Naturally, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace. Yun Xiao protested, but he issued a possessive threat.
"If you don't let me hold you, I'll kiss you."
The young woman immediately fell silent. The reason was simple: her lips were still aching.
She had thought she wouldn't be able to sleep, but nestled in his arms, she drifted into a deep slumber, feeling utterly at peace. It was the most restful sleep she had had in nearly a month, as she trusted him implicitly to protect her.
For the past month in the palace, although outwardly everything seemed fine, she had been on high alert, fearing Shangguan Yao, that wicked man, might plot against her. This had prevented her from sleeping soundly, and now, finally, she could sleep at ease.
The next morning, Wanwan rose to attend to her mistress, only to find the small building empty. Not a soul was in sight, causing her to gasp in alarm. However, remembering that her mistress had been with Murong Chong the previous night, her heart settled.
The transcendent melody from yesterday still echoed in her ears. She hadn't expected the Palace Master of the Divine Dragon Palace, Murong Chong, to be so multi-talented. As Wanwan pondered this, her sharp eyes caught sight of the zither stand below the window. She darted over and lifted the cover to examine it. Soon, her eyes sparkled. This was a truly remarkable zither.
It must be a renowned instrument to produce such a magnificent and exquisite melody. When her mistress returned, she would definitely have to let her play it, just to satisfy her own craving.
Yun Xiao was taken away by Murong Chong before dawn. A faint, pale blue light tinged the horizon. He leaped out of the window, holding Yun Xiao in his arms.
A refined carriage appeared on the quiet street behind the small building. He mounted the carriage and swiftly departed from the Poppy Medical Hall.
At this hour, everyone was still immersed in dreams. Only a few early risers at the shops began selling breakfast, and no one paid any attention to the passing carriage.
When Yun Xiao awoke, the sun had already risen. The morning glow streamed through the window, bathing the floor in a golden light. She rubbed her eyes and habitually called out, "Wanwan."
A maid with delicate features entered, but it wasn't Wanwan. Then, she belatedly realized something.
This was not her room at all. Yun Xiao's expression darkened abruptly, her eyes sharp as she cast a cold, piercing glare at the young maid standing by the bed.
"What is this place?"
The little maid looked at the woman who, moments before, had been languid and casual. In the blink of an eye, she exuded a fierce killing aura, as if a wrong word would lead to her demise.
Her gaze was so ferocious it was terrifying. The little maid couldn't help but swallow nervously, cautiously taking two steps back, not daring to breathe, her hands twisting the hem of her clothes.
"This, this place?"
Yun Xiao's eyes grew darker. Just as she was about to erupt in anger, steady, restrained footsteps approached from beyond the glass screen. A magnetic voice called out, "Xiao'er has woken up."
It was Murong. Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, her brows relaxing. In an instant, her ferocity dissipated, and she cast a nonchalant glance at the little maid.
The little maid finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, looking at the person emerging from beyond the screen, she dared not move even more.
The Palace Master had never brought a woman from outside before. She never expected him to bring a woman back this time. Therefore, everyone in the manor knew that she must be the Palace Master's woman. Who would dare to provoke her?
"You may go."
Murong Chong waved his hand. Once the little maid had left, he strode forward, sat on the edge of the bed, and smiled tenderly at Yun Xiao, his playful words echoing, "So our Xiao'er snores when she sleeps."
Yun Xiao was already annoyed. He had brought her to this place without a word. Upon hearing his words, she immediately covered her mouth and shook her head, forgetting her complaint. Her eyes blinked rapidly as she denied, "No, I don't snore. Last night must have been an accident."
"Was it an accident? Oh, I see."
"It really was an accident. Perhaps I was just too tired. You know, when people are extremely tired, they snore."
Yun Xiao defended herself, fearing he wouldn't believe her. A woman adorns herself for those who appreciate her. Naturally, Yun Xiao didn't want the man she liked to see her unglamorous side.
Murong didn't question her words, which made her feel a little happier. However, the man continued with his next remark.
"Not only do you snore, but you also drool."
"Drool?"
This time, Yun Xiao was aghast. Her eyes widened in anger. Finally, she decided to let go of all pretense. She leaped off the bed abruptly, hands on her hips, and declared defiantly, "So what if I snore and drool? If you don't like it, then leave."
Murong Chong found it both exasperating and amusing. He reached out to pull her down and began to help her dress, putting on the clothes he had ordered to be prepared and placed there beforehand.
He had done so because he knew that one day he would bring her here, and all preparations had been made.
It was a set of perfectly simple women's clothing, pale yellow in color, with only some tassels added to the hem and no other elaborate patterns. It suited Yun Xiao quite well. Yun Xiao took the clothes and began to dress herself.
Murong Chong's gaze grew even happier as he watched her. Being with Xiao'er filled his heart with warmth.
It seemed that fate had truly sent him a treasure. Because of his overly domineering and cold personality, fate had sent him this muddle-headed and adorable individual who would occasionally throw small tantrums and act coy.
When not provoked, she was a gentle woman. If provoked, she was an inferno, ready to unleash misfortune. And he, being a man who always controlled matters, would wisely retract his claws at the appropriate times.