Three years old—so young to have lost his mother and raised in the palace. No wonder his temperament was strange, ready to kill.
“Before the age of twelve, I never stepped out of the palace. The emperor kept me under tight watch,” Chu Yuan said, still with closed eyes. “But he can’t confine me forever.”
His voice carried weariness and loneliness. Ruan Ning felt compassionate, becoming gentler in her movements. Chu Yuan noticed, grasping her hand and pulling it to his lips, whispering, “Stay by my side. I need you.”
Ruan Ning hesitated, fearing for her life if she angered him. But the warmth of his hand and his soft voice made her heart soften. So she whispered, “I’m afraid you’ll kill me.”
Chu Yuan was silent for a moment, then kissed her palm softly, his voice low: “I won’t kill you. How could I kill you?”
He had waited over twenty years to meet someone so special. How could he bear to harm her?
Ruan Ning instinctively believed him, and her heart settled.
With his hair washed, partially dried, and tied with a silk thread, Ruan Ning hesitated about leaving when she heard him say, “Help me bathe.”
She subconsciously thought she could finally touch his abs, her face burning as she nervously avoided looking.
A splash of water startled her. Chu Yuan, puzzled by her stillness, noticed her crimson face and red earlobes. Realizing she was a pampered young lady, not a servant, he understood she had probably never seen a man’s body.
This shy demeanor was unfamiliar to him. For a moment, his heart seemed to stop, overwhelmed by an indescribable sadness. Yet, this was quickly replaced by a soaring joy. Before he realized it, he grasped her, pulled her closer, and kissed her.
Unsure how to proceed, he continued until his tongue accidentally brushed her lips. The hot, steamy bathroom left Ruan Ning breathless, and his passionate kiss gave her a dizzying illusion.
In an almost suffocating experience, she tried to open her lips to breathe, and he inadvertently broke in. Suddenly, a new world opened up, and emptiness was filled. Chu Yuan pulled her into his embrace with great joy, her clothing’s hem drawing an arc before gently falling into the water, splashing droplets on his bare body, which he was oblivious to, only wanting to take more.
At first, he charged recklessly, but gradually became more skilled, entangling with her, continuously exchanging and giving. He felt her soft body trembling against him and heard confused murmurs from her lips, all of which intoxicated him. He only wanted to knead her into his body.
Ruan Ning realized she had been pressed against the pool’s edge, more than half her body submerged, her clothes soaked through. His body pressed against hers, his eyes slightly narrowed. From her angle, his relaxed brow and straight nose were distinctly defined, his chest pressed tightly against her rising and falling form. The heavy pressure felt somewhat strained but left her vaguely anticipating such a burden.
She was dazed, realizing a man’s beauty could be so alluring. Chu Yuan noticed she had opened her eyes and asked softly, “Why wouldn’t you look at me just now?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he was surprised by how low and hoarse his voice sounded, like a person parched for sweet rain.
Ruan Ning’s heart stirred; his desire quickly infected her. She silently hugged him, closed her eyes, and offered her lips. That small doubt was instantly forgotten. Chu Yuan was struck by pleasure, wanting more, and unknowingly tore off her clothing.
In the chaotic sounds of water, they embraced tightly, greedily caressing each other until Ruan Ning accidentally touched his wound, getting fresh blood on her hands.
Reason awakened. Ruan Ning breathed, “Don’t move, the wound is bleeding.” Chu Yuan kissed her, whispering, “It’s fine.” Ruan Ning covered his lips with her hand, eyes slightly closed, “No, the doctor said not to get it wet.”
As passion subsided, Ruan Ning realized her clothes had fallen off, with his kiss marks on her exposed shoulder. Blushing, she pulled her clothes together, trying to break free from his restraint. Chu Yuan felt her resistance. Although reluctant to stop, he halted since she was unwilling.
A stack of soft, dry cotton towels lay on the stool by the pool. Chu Yuan reached out, took one to wipe his wound, his gaze returning to Ruan Ning.
Her wet clothes clung tightly, outlining her curves. For the first time, he discovered a woman’s beauty. She was different from his knives, horses, and falcons—soft and delicate, yet sharper than anything else, able to pierce his heart.
Chu Yuan stood, stepping out of the pool to fetch his replacement clothes from the rack. “Wear mine first, I’ll find you clothes later.”
Water droplets fell as he moved, his fit body exposed. Ruan Ning gasped and covered her face, realizing they were actually strangers. The passionate touches and kisses now seemed abrupt. She wondered if she had been dazed by male beauty, acting so boldly.
Chu Yuan sat on the pool’s edge, legs stretched in the water. He held her on his knee, somewhat curious: “Why won’t you look at me again?” He pulled her hands away, carefully examining her before starting to undress her. Women’s clothing was complex. He had easily removed most of it earlier, but now, fully conscious, he struggled to undo it.
Ruan Ning blushed, her heart racing. She could see the desire in Chu Yuan’s eyes but felt relief when he only removed her wet clothes, dried her with a towel, and dressed her in his garment. Still, she felt a subtle disappointment.
The clothes were too large, making her look especially small and alluring. Chu Yuan took a deep breath, draped his outer robe, and carried her horizontally to the bedroom.
“Stay and sleep with me,” he said, placing her on the inner side of the bed and lying down beside her. Last night, he had been worried about wild beasts and her falling from the tree, resulting in a sleepless night. Now he felt tired.
Initially, his thoughts were filled with her beauty, but later, her faint fragrance and soft breathing calmed him as he finally drifted into sleep.
In the palace, a eunuch sneaked through a small path to the emperor’s bedroom and whispered to the head eunuch. Soon, Chu Allowing was informed that Chu Yuan had bathed with a newly entered palace woman. Afterward, he carried her out, and in broad daylight, he took her to his bedchamber.
Chu Allowing stood in the hall, his face alternating between joy and worry. He had a woman now; this child had finally become a man. But would this make him want to leave more? No, he was the only remembrance she left behind; he absolutely could not let him go.
After Chu Yuan fell asleep, Ruan Ning slowly opened her eyes and moved slightly to look at his sleeping face.
His expression was peaceful, with the previously furrowed brow now relaxed, leaving only a faint line between his eyebrows. Inexplicably, Ruan Ning reached out and touched that line, hoping to make it disappear.
Seemingly feeling her touch, Chu Yuan’s eyelashes fluttered, and Ruan Ning quickly withdrew her hand. But he did not wake up, so she continued to look at him. He had discarded his black robe and was presumably naked. Ruan Ning wanted to touch his abs.
She held back but finally couldn’t resist exploring his lower abdomen. Her fingertips traced the outline of his muscles, finding them hard, just as rumored. She bravely poked again, and then her hand was caught.
Chu Yuan’s voice was hoarse: “What are you doing?”
Caught, Ruan Ning panicked and blurted out, “I just wanted to feel your abs, nothing else. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“Abs?” he repeated, opening his eyes. “What are abs?”
“The muscles on the stomach,” Ruan Ning explained.
“Here?” Chu Yuan lifted the blanket.
