It was late into the night when Zhao Changdu returned to his manor.
With many affairs happening in the palace today, and the preparations needed for the palace banquet three days later, he came back later than usual.
The servants at Changfeng Pavilion were all fast asleep.
A dim, warm bean lamp was lit in the master chamber.
Zhao Changdu felt a warmth in his heart. Leaving aside Huaian, he took off his cloak and walked into the room.
"Master! We haven't finished discussing the dissolution and resettlement of the Qilin Army..."
"We'll discuss it tomorrow."
After throwing out a line, the man pushed open the door into the master chamber.
The desk in the room was scattered with unfinished copied scriptures, but the person on the bed had tucked their head to sleep, their entire body buried under the brocade quilt, protruding an adorable little mound that made one's heart itch.
He sat in front of the incense burner to warm his cold, snow-laden body before walking to the bedside. Looking at the sensual shape under the quilt, his throat tightened.
After not seeing the little girl for a day, he naturally missed her somewhat.
In previous years without having touched a woman, without knowing the pleasures of clouds and rain, ever since he started, his mind would occasionally ponder over it.
Just thinking about it now, he took off his clothes and slipped under the quilt, reaching over with his big hand around her waist.
"Asleep?"
The little girl didn't answer.
It was warm under the quilt, making one's heart irritated. His palm held a piece of soft, beautifully shaped cloud.
He moved over, his body pressed against her back. Tilting his head, he tangled with her neck and red lips. Under the dim candlelight, the man's breathing gradually grew heavy, somewhat impatient.
Gu Ying was actually not yet asleep.
She endured it at first, but seeing him growing more and more excessive, she simply opened her eyes, struggled free of his arms, and pressed against his chest as she retreated to the corner of the big bed.
"Changdu, I'm not feeling well...it's not very convenient tonight..."
The man's gaze was fiery, staring intently at her snow-white little face that was pitch black in the night, seeming like he had drank strong wine with his hoarse voice. "What's wrong? Come over and let me take a look."
"My monthly affair is about to come, my stomach doesn't feel good. It's nothing major."
Gu Ying was unwilling to go over. Who knew what he would do to her.
Although since getting married, they were very harmonious in husband and wife intimacy, when she thought about how he possibly only liked her because she resembled Huo Qiyun...
It made her feel a little uncomfortable in her heart.
Gu Ying hastily put her clothes back on properly and tied her sash before getting off the bed, crossing over him.
Zhao Changdu leaned lazily on the bed...his unsatisfied gaze looking towards her back seemed to stare fixedly at prey.
Gu Ying felt very uneasy all over. After putting on an outer garment and tying on a cloak, she took a deep breath to calm herself then walked to the desk to continue transcribing the scriptures sent over by the Chengs.
When he returned, she was originally peacefully copying books, and didn't know if it was to wait for him or for the palace banquet three days later.
But when he really came back, her heart suddenly panicked for a moment, and she hurriedly ran back to bed to pretend to sleep.
She felt guilty, and also didn't know what she felt guilty for.
Transcribing scriptures calmed her down, but not long after, the man clung onto her from behind, resting his chin on her neck, speaking hoarsely, "What's wrong, you don't look very happy?"
Gu Ying's breathing grew urgent, her heart beating very quickly, yet she still forced a smile, pretending everything was fine. "Husband is overthinking, I'm really fine...it's just that every time before my monthly affair, I get irritated. I'm used to it."
Zhao Changdu rubbed his face against hers, chuckling lowly, "Shall I help relieve you?"
The cold, bloodthirsty King of Hell outside, yet at home he was like an spoiled big puppy begging for affection.
Gu Ying's breath hitched, her face already halfway red. "It tickles...Changdu, stop playing around. I still have to copy scriptures. Mother sent them over for the palace banquet."
Zhao Changdu casually glanced at the scriptures she was copying. The words were graceful and flowing, with style. He asked casually, "When did Ying learn to write?"
Gu Ying imperceptibly tensed. "When I was young."
Zhao Changdu continued asking. "Who taught Ying?"
Gu Ying choked. She casually found an excuse. "I...taught myself...following the words in books..."
Afraid he wouldn't believe her, she deliberately showed her special skill - she had specifically imitated a piece of his handwriting.
Although it was just a few strokes, it was vividly lifelike.
She did have the talent to imitate others' writing style.
Zhao Changdu's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. His slender fingers picked up that piece of paper, the light in his eyes casually falling upon the words as he spoke, "Written very well. One can't achieve this style without years of practice. Merely imitating can't produce such grace. With such intelligence, no wonder you're my Ying."
Gu Ying's heart instead tightened, sensing something off. "Why is Changdu suddenly so concerned with my writing?"
Zhao Changdu smiled. His big hand stroked her lower abdomen. "Ying, I care about every part of you, but I always feel you're hiding something from me."
He lowered his head, his thin lips falling on her earlobe. As he spoke, his cold breath blew onto the back of her ear.
Gu Ying couldn't help shivering all over. The wolf hair brush in her hand nearly slipped out. "Changdu...why do you say that?"
Zhao Changdu turned her body to face him. His deep eyes were fixed on her pale little face. "I'll ask once more. Who taught you to write?"
"I...taught...myself..." She couldn't continue. Facing his earnest, handsome face, she discovered she couldn't lie.
Zhao Changdu smiled self-deprecatingly, not making things difficult for her. His big hands held her face, kissing it. "There's no need to be afraid. You're my wife. Naturally I won't do anything to you."
Since he had touched her body, he had determined in his heart that she belonged to him. Even if she hid something from him, he believed it wouldn't be a big deal, as long as it wasn't beyond his bottom line.
He could forgive it.
He only suddenly understood that although the little girl had married him and consummated their marriage, her heart didn't hold love for him yet.
There was a wall in her heart, isolating everyone outside, including him.
It seemed that the road to pursue his wife would still be very difficult.
Zhao Changdu sighed nearly imperceptibly. "I can wait for you to be willing to speak to me."
Gu Ying's nose suddenly went sour, a momentary impulse to tell him everything she experienced.
But she still didn't dare to. She believed no one was willing to accept her past. She also didn't want to be in a passive position...abandoned once more.
"Okay." She smiled with reddened eyes. Her small hands hugged his waist. "When the time is right, I will personally tell you everything."
This timing was probably when she left him.
By then, she wouldn't fear anything anymore.
She could dashingly and neatly take her younger siblings away from the Duke's residence, away from Bianjing, not needing to care about anyone.
"Alright, it's settled then."
Gu Ying smiled lightly. "Yes, settled."
Zhao Changdu's gaze was fixed tightly on her tear-filled eyes. The majesty in his pitch black eyes didn't diminish in the slightest. He simply picked her up and placed her on the desk.
Gu Ying realized what was happening. Her ears instantly burned red hot.
"Changdu, is this okay?"
"In my territory, there's nothing wrong."
Zhao Changdu moved towards her, burying himself in the sweet snowy sea.
His lips carried a trace of coolness, and also a trace of heat.
The hazy morning light seeped in through the green gauze window lattices, casting Gu Ying's blushing little face with a layer of faint white radiance.
