The delicate ornament hung on her snow-white ankle, making her small, slender feet appear as exquisite as jade carvings. Coupled with the silver silkworm silk, it was indescribably refined and exuded a captivating allure.
Murong Chong’s pupils were as deep and vast as the ocean, an unfathomable azure. Gazing at her adorable, slender feet, he was captivated, finding them perfectly fitting in his large palm.
He had never imagined that a woman’s slender feet could be so beautiful, especially in his eyes. Every part of her was lovely and charming.
Now, his heart was filled with peace, knowing there was someone in the world he deeply cared for, someone he wished to dote on, someone whose beauty he wanted to shield from all others, to possess even a sliver of her.
Thus, when he made his plans, he had hidden himself deeply. Gone was his former ferocity, his sole focus on revenge and reclaiming what was rightfully his. Now, he not only sought to reclaim what was his but also to ensure his own safety.
For he wished to pamper this girl for a lifetime, no, for countless lifetimes. Ever since he met her, each of his lives felt complete.
“This is the Feng Jue, the only one of its kind in the world.”
Murong Chong spoke casually, gazing at the girl with doting affection. Perhaps things that others would marvel at caused her distress. Looking up, he indeed saw Yun Xiao’s reluctant expression as she tugged at his arm and swayed.
“Murong, I don’t want to wear this.”
Her demure and delicate appearance stirred his heart, making him hesitate to act further. However, he hadn’t expected her to change her tactics. Her pouting demeanor was truly captivating, the very expression he yearned to see.
On the surface, it seemed she had him completely under her thumb. In reality, who was truly in control? He only wished for her to possess the finest things in the world, to cherish and pamper her for eternity.
“It’s very beautiful.”
Murong Chong admired it as he spoke. Every woman possessed a desire for beauty. Upon his words, Yun Xiao’s large eyes blinked as she examined it intently, pursing her lips.
It was indeed quite beautiful, but she no longer wanted anything from him. See, the half-blooming lotus tattooed on her hand, now hidden by her sleeve, which was already half a size too long. And now, the Feng Jue.
Although it was exquisite and beautiful, she didn’t want to wear it. If he didn’t take it off, she would secretly remove it herself.
Yun Xiao thought fiercely. Just as the thought crossed her mind, Murong Chong immediately sensed it. He spoke softly, “This cannot be removed. I have used my inner energy to seal it with wax.” Unless he opened it, no one else could.
The Dragon Phoenix Jue was a pair, crafted from the world’s purest and most natural jade, enabling a spiritual connection. It was the Shangguan family’s heirloom treasure, known only to a select few.
The Dragon Phoenix Jue were a pair of naturally formed miraculous jades, warm in winter and cool in summer, and capable of mutual connection. If one were injured, the other would sense it. This was why he had given it to Xiao’er; any hint of danger to her, and he would immediately know.
However, he didn’t want to tell her these things, lest it cause her worry.
“Murong, you’ve gone too far.”
Yun Xiao immediately protested with flailing arms and righteous indignation, glaring at the overbearing man above her. She was a woman, couldn’t he indulge her just a little?
“If you truly wish to remove it, that’s fine too.”
Murong Chong spoke slowly, his expression filled with a gentle smile, as warm as jade, his eyes clear and flowing like a spring, transparent as colored glaze. Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao’s face lit up, her large eyes sparkling like a little fox as she swayed Murong Chong’s arm.
“Murong is the best. Come.”
She lifted her delicate, lotus-root-like foot and offered it to Murong. Seeing him look, she even mimicked women, her eyes twinkling like a vixen’s, her long eyelashes fluttering.
Though not quite a vixen, she was imbued with an alluring charm that made Murong gasp, desiring to consume her whole.
This damned girl was truly cunning. But at this moment, he couldn’t concern himself with that. He reached out his large hand, as if to unfasten the Feng Jue, and spoke leisurely.
“Actually, it’s not impossible to remove this. But if you don’t have this with you, then I’ll have to accompany you.”
Yun Xiao’s body stiffened. She withdrew her foot and firmly pushed against his hand, her eyes wide and watchful.
“What do you mean?”
“Originally, I thought having this Feng Jue with you would be like me being by your side. Now that you want to remove it, go ahead. Instead, I’ll accompany you to sleep every night.”
Yun Xiao glared at him in shock and anger, fiercely protecting the Feng Jue on her foot with her small hands, shaking her head repeatedly.
“Murong, this is truly beautiful. I really like it. Please wear it, wear it.”
She hated him, was angry with him, wanted to scream, wanted to bite him. If she bit him, he wouldn’t even flinch. If she screamed, it might alert the people in this building, so she could only endure, glaring at him, her eyes searing into him. Murong Chong then reached out his hand again.
“Xiao’er, it seems you want me to accompany you more. Come, let’s remove the Feng Jue.”
“No, no, Murong, this is truly beautiful,” the woman said, putting on a foolish smile, which was not far from crying.
Murong Chong withdrew his hand with satisfaction. Now he knew how to handle this girl. No matter how arrogant she was, if he grasped her weakness, she would be much more obedient.
However, the premise was not to provoke her, and he struck the right balance, which was why he could control this fox-like girl. There was probably no one else in the world who could control her.
“Murong, I’m tired. You should go. I need to sleep.”
Yun Xiao was genuinely tired. Failing in their battle of wits was more exhausting than fighting. Now, all she wanted was to sleep and wake up to another beautiful day.
“Sleep. I’ll leave once you’re asleep.”
His deep voice sounded like a lullaby, and Yun Xiao truly closed her eyes and rested in his broad embrace.
Smelling the faint scent of half-blooming lotus on him, elegant and refined, mixed with his unique masculine aroma, it enveloped her as she slowly drifted to sleep.
The moon shifted westward. The person by the bed gently placed her down, gazed at her with doting affection, and extended his long, slender hand to caress the end of her foot.
The cool and warm aura of the Feng Jue passed through his palm to his body, faintly carrying the scent of her skin.
Beneath the moonlight, he was clad in flowing white robes, his mask gleaming with silver light, his eyes as deep as a pool of clear blue water, upon which rested a precious pearl, forever unmoving.
Murong Chong withdrew his thoughts, his figure blurring as he silently departed.
Not far from the house, in a large tree, Zhuì Yuè and Liú Xīng exchanged glances. The former wore a beaming smile, while the latter looked displeased. With a cold snort, he turned over and fell asleep.
The night was deep. The crescent moon and gentle breeze graced the sky, their pale light cool and thin. Dewdrops condensed on branches and treetops. In the dark night, cicadas chirped softly.
Shangguan Yao’s carriage departed from Prime Minister Sima’s residence and ambled through the streets for a while. Song Yuan, fearing any mishap, quickly spoke, “Your Majesty, perhaps we should return. Your Majesty is still of golden status. If there were any danger, it would be troublesome.”