Zhao Changdu held her nape tightly, closed his eyes for a moment, and felt hot and tense all over.
Moreover, the little girl had grown into an enchanting beauty. Her eyes were wet, and the charm between her brows was enough to take one's breath away.
Gu Ying leaned against him. Her slender, fair fingers gradually became damp with sweat and extremely hot.
Zhao Changdu's breathing grew heavier.
That slender waist would be the end of any man.
He heaved a muffled sigh, caressing the smooth, jade-like skin on her waist. His voice was low and hoarse to the extreme.
"Gu Ying, you really are a witch."
...
A few days later, the court had prepared supplies and Zhao Changdu took the Qilin Army to depart for Yueyang.
Ye Qingchi, the youngest imperial censor from the Censorate, also went along.
Before leaving, Gu Ying specifically made him a pair of boots and a sachet, and put in a talisman for safety.
After the man received the gifts, he was extremely reluctant to part with her and kept asking her to make love.
Gu Ying already had feelings for him so she naturally did not reject such passionate intimacy.
She had experienced indifference in her previous marriage and neglect from Jiang Yin. This was the first time she met someone as... for a while, she felt somewhat unaccustomed.
She had always believed that she would no longer feel anything for men.
But whenever she was with him... she could deeply feel that her heart was burning hot.
She was willing to bloom for him, and willing to let her heart be warmed under his fiery kisses.
On the day the two men departed, Gu Ying went to see them off.
In the carriage, the man stroked her tender cheeks.
Gu Ying's face was slightly red, but she still remained relatively calm. In the small space, she nestled in his arms and could feel his heavy breathing.
Zhao Changdu's eyes were dark and profound. He said hoarsely, "I will be back in a month at most. You must be careful at home. I am leaving Huo Qiyun to you. For any matter, you must consult him before making a decision, do you understand?"
"Mm... I understand."
"You must protect yourself well. Nothing else matters."
"Alright, I know."
The man looked at the girl's sensible eyes and gave a low laugh. "And remember to miss me."
"Okay..."
"Take good care of yourself. When I come back, give me a big, fat son."
Gu Ying looked up at him with watery eyes. Her heart softened a little. She paused and said, "I'd like a daughter..."
Hearing this, Zhao Changdu was overjoyed. He held her face and deepened the kiss. "Ah Ying, did you just promise me?"
Gu Ying's breathing grew chaotic, her little face red. "I guess... I guess so."
Anyway, she had forgotten to take her medicine several times already.
If she did get pregnant, she would keep the child. If not... it was fate.
The carriage rattled as it traveled. Soon, they reached the outskirts of the city.
Several dozen Qilin Army soldiers were standing neatly on the highway outside the suburban relay station. Behind them was an endless stream of grain, forage and supplies.
After getting out of the carriage, Gu Ying's face was still red.
Ye Qingchi glanced at her and silently scolded Zhao Changdu. *That dog of a man really knows how to take advantage of people.*
And at a time like this, he still couldn't forget about that!
However, regarding Huo Qiyun's matter, Zhao Changdu's arrangements aligned well with his own intentions.
Not just him - Father and Mother also looked at the Crown Prince in a new light. Everyone in Bianjing City was saying that Gu Ying had married well!
The Crown Prince's reputation for doting on his wife excessively has been firmly established.
The wind and snow were even more desolate outside the city than inside. Gu Ying smiled and bid farewell to Ye Qingchi.
Just before leaving, Ye Qingchi wanted to ruffle the little girl's hair but seeing the Crown Prince's cold gaze, he decided against it. "Ah Ying, take good care of yourself alone in Bianjing. Remember to visit my parents often."
Gu Ying's mouth curved up. "Who said I'm alone? I still have my brother, Yin Zhu, Yin Lan, Yan Zhi and the people the Crown Prince left to protect me."
Ye Qingchi smiled slightly. "Then I won't worry."
Ye Zhuoning was Father's only daughter. Now Gu Ying is Auntie's only daughter too. Of course the entire Ye family dotes on her like a precious jewel.
After discussing with Zhao Changdu, Ye Qingchi had specially arranged for Ye family guards to secretly protect the Duke's Residence and ensure this young lady's safety.
Gu Ying wore a thick fox fur coat but still felt she couldn't stand the piercing north wind. Her little face was reddened by the cold, like a spring honey peach. "Alright Cousin, you and Ah Du are equally naggy!"
Ye Qingchi was dissatisfied. "How am I as naggy as him?"
Gu Ying laughed and complained, "You are! Both of you are not that old but you act like my dad!"
Zhao Changdu and Ye Qingchi smiled at each other. He authoritatively gathered her under his cloak and after repeatedly exhorted her, still felt uneasy.
Especially regarding Jiang Yin.
"I know," Gu Ying's eyes turned cold. "I'll be careful around him."
Not just careful, she wanted to properly meet with him too.
She wanted to know if he really reincarnated like her.
After sending off the Crown Prince and Cousin, Gu Ying took the carriage straight to the Ye residence.
Uncle is temperamental. Knowing she had come, he didn't enthusiastically welcome her but later when Auntie said, "You know, he was overjoyed in his room! He changed his clothes three, four times before coming out to see you!"
Gu Ying's nose turned sour when she heard this and her eyes grew wet.
"Uncle... Ah Ying was in the wrong before. I won't distance myself from the Ye family anymore in the future."
Ye Zhuohua glared at Qin. "Nonsense! Who said I was overjoyed! Ah Ying is my Ye family's child. Coming home is just like any other normal visit. Why would I be especially happy!"
"Don't listen to your Auntie. She's always been brazen and loves to exaggerate!"
Qin retorted unhappily, "It's just your temperament, I don't even know why I was attracted to you back then! Hmph!"
"If you weren't attracted to me, who else could you be attracted to?"
"I can be attracted to whoever I want, what's it got to do with you?"
"You dare! Who else dares marry you apart from me?"
"Ye Zhuohua! How bold of you!"
The couple quarreled aggressively, neither willing to back down.
Gu Ying, with red-rimmed eyes, also laughed. "Alright Uncle, stop pretending to be tough."
Qin held Gu Ying's little hand excitedly and laughed. "That's right, however silver-tongued you may be in the imperial court, can you win against me at home?"
Ye Zhuohua held his forehead, feeling that he had completely lost face in front of his niece. "You, you, Ah Ying is still here! Can't you give me some dignity?!"
Doting on one's wife seems to run in the Ye family bloodline judging by how afraid of madam this is.
Gu Ying heard that paternal grandfather is already ninety years old but he still fears paternal grandmother!
After the meal at the Ye residence, Gu Ying's heart felt soft and warm. Apart from marrying the Crown Prince, she felt that nothing was happier than reuniting with family.
Just before leaving, Ye Zhuohua was on the verge of tears.
As an elder, he couldn't lose face. If Gu Ying had not taken the initiative to visit today, the knot in his heart would remain unresolved.
Now that they have cleared up the misunderstanding, all is well.
...
