Jiang Ning and Liu Ming'an set off from the Capital City on the tenth day of the ninth month, accompanied by two guards, Qi Feng and Chen Hao.
Although Jiang Ning didn't need protection, having the two guards around made things easier for tasks like driving, running errands, and carrying luggage.
The four of them took a boat to Jinzhi City, where Liu Ming'an's seasickness persisted.
Jiang Ning and Qi Feng helped him to a guesthouse to rest, while Chen Hao went out to buy a carriage in preparation for their journey to Qushui City.
"Princess, why don't you go to the government office or the post station to have them accommodate you?"
Qi Feng was puzzled. He thought that as soon as they revealed their identity, they would be surrounded by attendants. He couldn't understand why Jiang Ning insisted on finding a guesthouse on her own.
Jiang Ning helped the listless Liu Ming'an onto the bed and explained simply, "Because this is the path we once walked together."
Qi Feng understood and then heard Jiang Ning instruct, "You can go rest. Don't worry about us. I'll call you when we're ready to leave."
"Yes."
As Qi Feng was about to leave, Jiang Ning thought for a moment and added, "Call me 'Madam' and my husband 'Master' from now on. Don't reveal our identities. I don't want any trouble."
"Yes."
After the others left, Jiang Ning immediately went to the table, filled a cup with spiritual spring water, and brought it to Liu Ming'an.
"Liu Ming'an, sit up and drink some water. You'll feel better."
Jiang Ning placed the cup on the bedside table and sat down, helping Liu Ming'an to sit up and lean against her.
"Ah Ning, I feel terrible. Just let me lie down..."
Liu Ming'an said weakly, his brow furrowed and his face pale.
Jiang Ning brought the cup to his lips, her voice gentle, "I know you're not feeling well, but drink the water."
"I don't want to. I'm afraid I'll throw up."
Liu Ming'an turned his head and buried his face in Jiang Ning's neck. He felt dizzy and nauseous, wanting to lie still and recover.
"You won't throw up. The water will make you feel better." Jiang Ning patiently coaxed.
Liu Ming'an remained silent, his eyes closed as if asleep, until Jiang Ning called his name twice, and he responded weakly, "Even speaking is painful for me now..."
Warm breath brushed against her skin. Jiang Ning looked down at the uncooperative Liu Ming'an, thought for a moment, gently laid him back on the bed, then took a sip of water herself, but didn't swallow it. She leaned down and pressed her lips to his.
Feeling the moist softness of her lips, Liu Ming'an reflexively responded with his tongue, only to find Jiang Ning feeding him a sweet mouthful of water, forcing him to swallow with her tongue.
"Do you have to make me feed you like this?" Jiang Ning murmured against his lips without pulling away.
Suddenly, the man beneath her curved his lips, and an arm wrapped around her waist. Liu Ming'an's eyes sparkled with clear delight, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam!"
"Do you feel better now?"
Jiang Ning asked, and after receiving an affirmative answer from Liu Ming'an, she immediately threatened, "Next time, I'll beat you up!"
Before the words were finished, a hand pressed against the back of her head, and Jiang Ning was pulled down. Her lips were captured in a familiar, passionate kiss that always made their hearts race.
After a long, tender kiss, Jiang Ning was still immersed in the lingering warmth of the embrace when she saw Liu Ming'an smiling like a fox, confident and proud, answering her earlier threat, "Ah Ning, I know you wouldn't bear to hit me."
Jiang Ning tried to look stern, "Are you so sure?"
"Of course!" Liu Ming'an poked her slightly flushed cheek, finding her irresistibly cute, "I'm your husband, after all. I know you love me the most!"
His words were full of pride. Jiang Ning stared at him for a moment before finally bursting into laughter.
"Alright, Husband~" Jiang Ning got up from the bed and pulled the blanket over him, "You rest now. I'll ask the innkeeper to cook some porridge. You haven't eaten much these past few days, your stomach must be upset."
"Okay." Liu Ming'an stopped fussing and obediently closed his eyes.
Although he no longer felt dizzy or nauseous, after two days on the boat with little food or sleep, he was both tired and hungry, needing to recover.
Jiang Ning went downstairs to order food from the waiter, asking him to bring it when it was almost dark.
Just as she was about to return to her room, Chen Hao came back from outside. Seeing Jiang Ning, he immediately approached and bowed, "Master—"
"Call me Madam."
"Yes, Madam," Chen Hao corrected himself and continued, "The carriage is ready, and I've checked the route. We can leave at any time."
"Good, I see. Go rest. I'll call you when we're ready to leave."
Jiang Ning planned to stay in Jinzhi City for two days to let Liu Ming'an recover before heading to Qushui City. Besides, after two days of boat travel, she wanted to rest as well. There was no rush to travel now.
After a good meal and a sound sleep, Liu Ming'an was back to his lively self the next day, eager to take Jiang Ning to see the thousand-year-old tree.
"What's so special about it? Just an old tree."
Jiang Ning was reluctant. She had once killed a lecherous man there and found the place inauspicious.
But Liu Ming'an kept pulling her hand, calling her "Ah Ning" over and over. When she didn't respond, he came closer and kissed and hugged her, making her soften and agree.
Seeing her nod, Liu Ming'an happily pulled her into another embrace and kissed her for a while.
"Ah Ning, that's a tree of love. They say if a loving couple writes their names on a red silk and ties it to the branches, they'll meet again in their next life."
After the kiss, Liu Ming'an solemnly began to recount what he had heard, and from his sleeve, he took out a folded red cloth. Unfolding it, Jiang Ning saw it was a long strip with two names written in delicate script: Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning.
"When did you prepare this?" Jiang Ning looked at Liu Ming'an's eyes, filled with a gentle smile, feeling she couldn't resist him.
"When we left the Capital City." Liu Ming'an answered truthfully.
So it was premeditated. Jiang Ning thought, a smile spreading on her lips, the dimple on her right cheek making Liu Ming'an lean in for another kiss.
"Let's go, stop fooling around."
Jiang Ning stopped the persistent man, taking his hand and heading out.
At the stairs, they met Qi Feng and Chen Hao carrying wine jars. Seeing their masters, the two guards immediately approached respectfully, "Master, Madam, are you going out?"
Jiang Ning nodded, "You don't need to follow."
The tenth day of the ninth month in Jinzhi City was neither cold nor hot. The sunlight fell gently on them, not as scorching as in summer, but warm and soothing.
Jiang Ning and Liu Ming'an walked hand in hand slowly, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the market. The vendors' calls echoed around them, and in this noisy scene, they both felt a deep sense of peace.
"Liu Ming'an, do you still believe in reincarnation?"
Jiang Ning thought of the red silk in his sleeve and the legend of the tree of love, finding his naive belief somewhat amusing.
Liu Ming'an knew what Jiang Ning was asking about. He stroked her palm with his thumb, making her feel ticklish and try to pull away, only to be held tighter.
"Ah Ning, I don't really believe in it, but what if?"
Liu Ming'an looked at her, his gaze so focused it seemed nothing else existed, "If there is an afterlife, I hope I'm still lucky enough to meet you."
"Do you like me that much?"
"Yes, you're more important than my life," Liu Ming'an said solemnly, "I've thought about it. If I die before you, that's fine, but if you go first, I'll surely follow."
Jiang Ning didn't know how to respond. Faced with such deep affection, any words seemed inadequate.
The tree of love was in the suburbs, a twenty-minute walk away. Without hesitation, Jiang Ning turned and pulled Liu Ming'an back to the inn.
"Ah Ning, aren't we going?" Liu Ming'an asked, puzzled, as he was pulled back by his sleeve.
Jiang Ning walked into the room without a word, slamming the door behind her with a loud "bang." Seeing Liu Ming'an still in a daze, she took matters into her own hands, pushing him onto the bed and following suit by pressing herself on top of him.
"Ning, you..." Liu Ming'an seemed to understand her intentions.
"The tree isn't going anywhere; we can visit it anytime," she said, lowering her head to kiss him. Her last words dissolved between their lips: "But right now, I want to sleep with you..."
Liu Ming'an had never seen Jiang Ning like this before, like a blazing fire that threatened to consume him. In the past, she had always been shy in bed, with him guiding everything. But today, everything was reversed.
Liu Ming'an didn't understand why, but he certainly enjoyed it.
"Ning, call me 'husband'?" Liu Ming'an gripped her slender waist, pressing her closer to him, making their bodies fit together more tightly.
In the past, getting Jiang Ning to call him "husband" required some effort, coaxing her repeatedly to get his wish. But today, his little wife seemed to have changed her nature. As soon as he finished speaking, he heard her soft, breathless voice spill from her alluring lips: "Husband..."
Liu Ming'an's eyes darkened instantly: "Good girl, call me again!"
"Husband..."
Why was she being so obedient today?
Liu Ming'an briefly pondered the cause and effect, hoping this state of affairs could continue. But before he could figure it out, the hands that had been propping up on his chest wrapped around his neck, and the warm, soft body pressed against him, whispering in his ear: "Do you want to hear more? Husband, husband, husband..."
Oh no, his heart was racing, and he felt like he might die right there.
That was Liu Ming'an's last thought before his reason completely crumbled.
The passionate affair lasted from the afternoon until nightfall, leaving both of them exhausted but their hearts still racing with excitement.
Liu Ming'an gently brushed the sweat-drenched hair from Jiang Ning's forehead, planting a kiss on her brow.
Jiang Ning's eyes were closed, her long lashes resting on her lower eyelids, her entire face flushed with desire. Her breathing was still a bit hurried, looking utterly exhausted.
Liu Ming'an kissed her lips with tender affection, his voice soft as ever: "Ning, are you hungry? Should I go downstairs and get you something to eat?"
Hearing his voice, Jiang Ning's lashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes to look at him, her gaze filled with seductive charm, like a siren luring him in.
"Just hold me a little longer..." Jiang Ning mumbled, nuzzling closer to Liu Ming'an's embrace.
Feeling Jiang Ning's attachment, Liu Ming'an's heart melted like water, tightening his embrace around her.
Half an hour later, when Liu Ming'an was about to ask his earlier question again, he realized that Jiang Ning had fallen asleep in his arms.
Neither of them had eaten, and they were both drenched in sweat. Liu Ming'an had originally planned to go downstairs, bring up some food, ask the innkeeper for hot water and fresh sheets, and then sleep comfortably. But now, with his beloved wife peacefully asleep in his arms, he couldn't bear to move, fearing he might disturb her dreams.
Oh well, we'll deal with it tomorrow.
Liu Ming'an pulled the quilt that had been pushed to the edge of the bed over their naked bodies and, embracing the fragrant, smooth skin, fell into a contented slumber.
The next morning, Jiang Ning woke up from hunger.
Opening her eyes, she found herself nestled in Liu Ming'an's embrace, completely naked. The wild events of the previous day flashed through her mind, and Jiang Ning felt a wave of embarrassment.
She tried to move to get up and put on her clothes, but that stirred Liu Ming'an.
"Ning, are you awake?"
His voice was still hoarse from sleep, and the words whispered in her ear made Jiang Ning's ears tingle and feel hot.
"I'm so hungry," Jiang Ning said softly, with a hint of complaint, sounding like a playful pout to Liu Ming'an.
"I'm hungry too," Liu Ming'an helped her sit up, taking the opportunity to caress her smooth, jade-like skin, a smile playing on his lips. "Let's get up and eat, then take a bath and change our clothes."
Jiang Ning nodded, bending down to pick up the clothes scattered on the floor when a sharp pain in her waist and an unmistakable sensation reminded her of how intense things had been the day before.
Her face flushed again, and her movements became stiff.
Liu Ming'an, on the other hand, was in high spirits, quickly dressing himself and then enthusiastically helping her with her clothes and hair. He then led her downstairs, ordering a lavish spread of delicacies.
"Ning, eat more!"
A golden, crispy spring roll landed in Jiang Ning's bowl. As she picked it up and took a bite, the man beside her gazed at her with deep affection, his voice full of concern: "You must have been exhausted yesterday. Next time, I'll be on top—"
"Shut up! Eat your food! If you say another word, I'll punch you!"
Before he could finish, a steamed bun stuffed with brown sugar was shoved into his mouth. Liu Ming'an blinked at the suddenly fierce woman, feeling a bit wronged.
What was going on? Yesterday, she had been sweet and soft, calling him "husband," but today she was acting like she didn't know him.
Liu Ming'an chewed the bun slowly, covertly observing the person who was almost burying her face in her porridge bowl, utterly perplexed.
Jiang Ning took a while to calm down, then took another sip of millet porridge, starting to plan the trip to Qushui City.
But as she calculated, she realized something monumental.
Yesterday... was probably the fertile period...
Jiang Ning's heart tightened with panic. She had a bad feeling.
