Chapter 147: Flesh at the Lips (Second Update)

"..." What did he mean by saying he had already seen everything?

Xue Xue glanced at him, then wrapped herself in a towel without a word. She stepped onto the stairs of the bathhouse and climbed out in silence.

Ji Wuqing squatted there, watching her movements. He saw her wet body wrapped in a sodden towel, her long, ink-black hair clinging tightly to her exquisite, slender frame.

Xue Xue surely did not know that she looked even more seductive like this than when she was submerged in the bathhouse, hidden from view. Her thin, graceful figure was now imbued with a certain charm—a charm like a lotus emerging from the water—a beauty far more intoxicating than mere curves.

He watched as she walked barefoot behind the screen, leaving wet footprints illuminated by the lamplight.

Finally, under the scorching and playful gaze of his Majesty, she successfully reached the safety of the screen. Sheltered from his burning eyes, she let out a slight sigh of relief.

She reached out to grab the clean clothes laid out nearby, intending to discard the heavy, wet towel. Suddenly, a large hand hooked around her waist. He was standing right behind her, pulling her close, unbothered by her wetness, his own robes pressing against her damp tresses.

"Ji Wuqing..." Just as she started to speak, his Majesty gripped her slender waist and turned her around.

Xue Xue was startled by the movement. The towel wrapped around her body was already loose, and as her hand instinctively relaxed, a corner of the fabric slipped.

She moved to catch it, but his Majesty suddenly enveloped her, shielding her with his wide robes. The towel fell unceremoniously to the floor at her feet.

She stared at him, wide-eyed, momentarily unsure of how to react.

"I didn't expect my Xue'er to have such a silly side. It's truly adorable." His hand rested against her slender waist without hindrance; the smooth, supple touch deepened his smile, and a flicker of ambiguous light danced in his dark eyes.

Xue Xue clutched his robe tightly against her chest, her beautiful brows slightly raised. "You snuck in while I was bathing, and now you won't even let me put on clothes?"

"If you put them on, I'll just have to take them off again in a moment..." he said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, his smile wicked. "Isn't that right, Xue'er?"

He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers, his grip tightening slightly as he pulled her into his arms.

His hand slowly roamed over her back, his scorching palm making Xue Xue’s scalp tingle. She held on to his robe tightly, her palms damp with sweat.

"Don't be nervous, Xue'er..." His kisses fell in a dense, soft pattern, moving slowly from her forehead downward.

Xue Xue lifted her head, finding a moment to speak. "Ji Wuqing, you... you..." You jerk!

She was pressed tightly against his chest, forced to lift her head and accept his demands.

Face to face, they could see each other's eyelashes, and their own reflections in the depths of each other's eyes, drawing ever closer...

He lifted her up, keeping her shielded within his robes, revealing only her fair shoulders and lovely calves.

Finally, her back touched the soft mattress, and the distance between them widened slightly. Before she could catch her breath, his Majesty’s gaze fell upon her chest, where the soft, pale curves were partially visible through the gaps in his robes.

Even though they had been intimate before, Xue Xue felt a flash of annoyance and reached out to push his face away.

"That's enough..." You've already taken enough liberties.

His Majesty chuckled, his low voice husky and magnetic, enough to make one’s heart race.

"Not enough, Xue'er." With that, his hand landed accurately on the rising and falling curve of her heart, pressing firmly through the thin sleeve of her undergarment.

He turned his head, kissing her palm in the process, his deep eyes now clouded with passion.

By now, even though Xue Xue had been trying to remain clear-headed, she was powerless to resist. Just when she expected him to take further action, he pulled the nearby quilt over her, wrapping her up tightly.

She looked up at him, surprise showing in her eyes. She had expected him not to let it end there...

"Don't be disappointed, Xue'er. Have you ever seen a wolf let go of meat once it's within reach?" He smiled wickedly as he held her, then took a clean towel and draped it over her head, gently drying her dripping hair.

"Can you speak properly for once?"

"You are that piece of meat." His Majesty continued to wipe her hair, watching her reactions with keen interest.

"..." Xue Xue lowered her gaze, focusing on enjoying the care he was giving her.

Ever since she learned of Ji Wuqing's condition, her heart had grown heavy. She longed to do something for him...

As she was lost in thought, Ji Wuqing lowered his head to kiss her. He kissed her cheek softly, one hand still resting on her head, the towel still covering her hair.

Xue Xue was annoyed by his kisses. She was so worried about him, yet he...

At that thought, she lifted her head to meet his kiss, voluntarily offering her lips to his.

The bedroom was quiet, save for the sound of their breathing as they kissed...

The towel was tossed to the floor, and he reached out, pressing her down onto the mattress through the quilt...

I do not know how much time had passed. A large hand brushed the wet strands of hair from her forehead; both of them were covered in a thin layer of sweat, their skin sticky.

Once everything had settled, he wrapped her in a thin quilt, slipped on his shoes, and carried her to the washroom.

"There now, get some good sleep." Shortly after, he carried her out of the washroom, fresh and clean, and cradled her in his arms, saying softly.

Xue Xue drifted into a hazy sleep, while Ji Wuqing propped his head up to watch her, his gaze filled with boundless tenderness and deep affection.

The next day, it was well past noon when Xue Xue finally rose from the bed.

She still felt dizzy and heavy, as if she had been taken apart and put back together again. Last night, they had indeed been quite unrestrained...

"Your Highness, the King left orders that you must eat all of this. He had it simmering on the stove since early this morning." Yuzhi looked at the meal on the table. The soup was something the King had specially ordered to be prepared, saying it was to help restore her strength.

"Mm." She nodded, feeling a bit awkward.

"The King has gone to the military camp. It seems something happened there."

The military camp? It shouldn't be anything major, right?

She furrowed her brow, feeling a sense of unease. However, if it was Ji Wuqing, surely it would be fine.

Thinking this, she felt relieved. She took the soup Yuzhi served; it was indeed rich and fragrant.

After lunch, she went for a stroll around the estate to aid her digestion. Feeling tired afterward, she returned to her bedroom to catch up on some sleep.

Her head had barely touched the pillow when she quieted down, her breathing becoming steady as she drifted off.

The room was silent. A faint breeze drifted through the half-open window, causing the bed curtains to sway gently...

Quietly, a wicked figure sat on the edge of the bed.

Those long, narrow phoenix eyes, as cunning as a fox's, scrutinized the woman's face on the bed.

Her eyes were covered by a white silk blindfold. Her serene face was calm, devoid of joy or sorrow, as if nothing could move her.

It was the same face, the same tranquil aura. But something had changed. His "Little Snow" had been tainted—tainted by the scent of Ji Wuqing.

The corners of his lips curled into a wicked, cold smile. A slender hand reached out, as if to touch her face.

However, with a sharp *slap*, his hand was swatted away. It was just like the first time they had met.

"Lord Wu is as rude as ever," she said, sitting up slightly and stating a simple fact.

"And you are still as fond of pretending to be asleep." Zuoqiu Liye was not angry but laughed instead. His alluring face was deathly pale, like a spider lily that had lost its vibrant color, appearing even more eerie and bewitching.

She had not expected Zuoqiu Liye to still be in Qin City, let alone risk his life to sneak into the Yishouli Estate. If she gave a single command, he would be captured on the spot. He was not a man who would fail to understand this, unless he had come prepared.

"Speak plainly," she said, sitting up straight, signaling for him to state his purpose.

"Little Snow is still so cold to me; it truly breaks my heart." Zuoqiu Liye looked at her, his smile undimmed. "Perhaps I should tell you something you would be interested in. For example, the poison in Ji Wuqing's body..."

"How do you know about that?" She could not help but be anxious. Could it be that he had the antidote?

"I knew it. Only matters concerning Ji Wuqing can move you." He seemed to have grasped her weakness, reaching out to pinch her chin. "I truly wonder what expression you would have if Ji Wuqing were to die. Would you be heartbroken, or would you follow him to the grave? It is truly curious."

"If Lord Wu has come all this way just to talk nonsense, I don't mind detaining you until Ziqing returns so we can have a proper chat." Xue Xue assumed a cold, distant demeanor, one that rarely allowed strangers to get close.

"Are you threatening me?" Zuoqiu Liye dismissed her words. He squeezed her delicate chin, a flicker of gentleness—extremely faint—passing through his eyes. "Not to mention that I came prepared, even if I were to alert the guards of the Yishouli Estate, what could they do? As long as I have you in my hands, they are powerless."

"Using me as a bargaining chip? For a man of your stature, such behavior is truly despicable," she said, completely unperturbed.

"Heh. You dare speak to me like that?" He seemed a bit angry, squeezing her chin firmly enough to leave a red mark. "Little Snow, don't force my hand, okay? I want to be gentle with you, too."

"Are you joking?" Xue Xue remained unmoved by his words.

"Very well. It seems we can only have a proper conversation if we continue talking about Ji Wuqing." He released her chin. "I assume you have noticed that the 'Thousand-Foot Poison' in Ji Wuqing's body has transformed into another type of toxin, one that 'Soul-Departure Grass' cannot cure. It is a poison that affects internal energy; once he exerts his power, the poison flares up. Coincidentally, our Wu Kingdom possesses a sacred medicine that can cure this poison."

"A sacred medicine?" She had no knowledge of such a thing.

"Do not wear that skeptical expression, Little Snow. It makes me want to destroy everything."

"..."

"I sensed it during my battle with Ji Wuqing a few days ago. So, his current condition is not very good, is it?"

"Dealing with you is still more than enough."