Zhao Changdu's chin was resting on her hair crown, and the body in his arms was soft and supple, just like holding a cloth doll, full and plump, bringing up a surge of inexplicable satisfaction in his heart.
He recalled when he lost his mother in childhood, his father Zhao Changxing indulged Zhao Changxing's bullying of him, Cheng was hypocritical, acting nice to him in front of his father but torturing him viciously behind his father's back.
He stood in front of his father full of wounds.
Cheng panicked, but his father instead scolded him, questioning why he went out to cause trouble and fight with others.
Since then, he understood what was meant by being indulged without fear.
His mother went mad, jumped off a cliff and died, his father didn't like his mother, and by extension also didn't like him. No matter how injured he was, his father would not give him a shred of care.
He thoroughly chilled his heart, knowing his father liked Cheng and didn't love his mother, so he could only grit his teeth and endure.
At that time he was only six or seven years old. It was already extremely difficult to survive in the Duke's manor.
But during those arduous and difficult years, Huo Qiyun appeared by his side like a small sun. She had also lost her mother and went from a favored legitimate daughter to an unfavored little pity.
She understood his pain and knew his helplessness.
She often went hungry herself, but still tried to steal food to give to him. She smiled at him, eyes curved, and said "Zhao Changdu, we have to live on together, live on beautifully together."
At that time he always felt Huo Qiyun was the hope for him to live on. He swore to try his best to give Huo Qiyun good days.
But later Huo Qiyun abandoned him and instead married the person he hated most.
On a June day, he suddenly felt bone-chilling cold, almost unable to continue living.
But now, he was like a restless and lost person who had finally found someone he could hold and feel satisfied.
He didn't dare pin too many feelings on her. Although they had an arranged marriage, this cooperative arrangement might last longer than love.
At least in front of their common interests, she wouldn't casually abandon him.
"It's late, sleep." After being lost in memories for a long time, Zhao Changdu finally came to his senses. He patted Gu Ying's back and the corners of his lips curled up slightly. "I brought medicinal ointment for you that can vitalize the blood and disperse bruises. Remember to have Yin Lan apply it for you. And this pill is a lifesaving medicine gifted to me by a shaman from the borderlands. It fortifies the foundation and nourishes vital energy, and can help preserve your brother's vitality first."
Gu Ying had started to doze off. Hearing this low, sexy voice, she suddenly opened her eyes and sat up from his embrace.
Seeing the lingering blurriness in her eyes and the faint red mark on her cheek from being pressed against him, Zhao Changdu placed his palm over her brow. "Still dazed from sleep?"
Gu Ying pursed her lips without speaking, also wondering why she would relax her vigilance in his arms.
Since her rebirth, she had maintained awareness at all times, even when sleeping she still tried her best to stay alert.
But Zhao Changdu easily broke through her boundaries, making her feel a thread of insecurity in her heart.
"Go back to sleep." Zhao Changdu got up and placed the two bottles of medicine on the table in the room, glancing at her. "I'll deal with Prince Shu. Don't worry too much."
Gu Ying raised her eyes to look at him. In the dim lamp light, the man's handsome features were flawlessly beautiful. His tall, upright figure was like an orchid or jade tree, mesmerizing.
She didn't speak, and neither did he. Their eyes met, with thousands of indescribable emotions.
After Zhao Changdu left through the window, Gu Ying gradually pulled back her thoughts. Her gaze slowly fell upon the two bottles of medicine.
The lamps in Twilight Studio stayed lit through the night.
She was heavily preoccupied and did not sleep the entire night.
...
Three days later, at Riverside Pavilion.
Li Yang had arrived early in the morning and waited in the pavilion. This pavilion was enclosed on four sides against the wind. It had incense burners, screens, and heated couches inside, for nobles to relax and enjoy themselves.
The third floor elegant room overlooked a panoramic snowscape of the river through the large carved lattice divider.
He was determined to obtain Gu Ying, and had also seen the ample ambition in this little girl's eyes.
Ever since the winter hunt, he had been unable to forget her. Even though she was about to become Zhao Changdu's wife, he still couldn't restrain the desire in his heart, thinking...no matter what, he had to make this little girl owe him a favor first.
Thinking of Gu Ying's bewitching little face that was oblivious to its own charm, Li Yang couldn't help lifting the curtain by the window with his folding fan, his gaze sweeping over the heated couch again. A heat rose in his heart.
He expected that Gu Ying would have difficulty leaving home, and might come in disguise.
But he never imagined that as the sun set, instead of Gu Ying, a grim reaper dressed in black robes came.
Li Yang's body stiffened slightly and he lowered his voice. "Commander Zhao, why are you—"
Zhao Changdu walked in carrying the chill air with him. Right in front of Li Yang, he shook the snowflakes off his greatcoat, and smelling the faint fragrance in the room, his clear, cold eyes lifted. "I heard Prince Shu wanted to meet my fiancée. She is unwell, so I've come in her place."
Li Yang's expression was ugly. He clenched his fists.
Zhao Changdu sat down calmly across from Li Yang, his dark pupils profound. "My wife and I are one body. If Prince Shu has anything, speak with me directly. She is a young lady, it's improper to casually meet other men."
Li Yang was caught off guard for a moment, not knowing how to respond. "What does Commander Zhao mean by this?"
"I don't mean anything else." Zhao Changdu smiled faintly, his gaze indifferent yet carrying a chilling aura. "Just kindly advising Prince Shu, don't get ideas about Gu Ying."
Li Yang flushed with shame and anger. "This prince has always been upright and stayed away from women. Don't use a villain's mindset to assess a gentleman!"
Zhao Changdu spoke lightly, turning the situation with a few words. "Prince Shu, you've lost your composure."
"This prince has not!"
"Hmph." Zhao Changdu let out a cold laugh, looking at him with deep, indifferent eyes. "Do I need to clearly elaborate to you about your indecent affairs?"
Being able to press down and arbitrarily handle a prince, in all of Bianjing only he aside from that person in the palace could do so.
Li Yang was furious but hadn't completely lost his reason.
He paused for a while, then smiled, his peach flower eyes curving. "Commander Zhao really misunderstood...This prince has no intentions towards Miss Gu at all..."
