Chapter 126 -
Yueqing’s wide, dark eyes locked onto his, her whole body trembling under the weight of his stare. Her lips were swollen, red, and parting for breath, but no sound came out.
[He... he really means it...] her inner voice whispered, suddenly quiet, stripped of all its usual fiery banter. [He isn’t thinking about her at all right now. He’s only looking at me...]
Before she could process the sudden flutter in her chest, Wenzhe lowered his head and captured her mouth once again. This time, the kiss was deeper, hungrier, as if he were trying to brand his mark onto her very soul.
His large, calloused hand beneath her inner robe didn’t stop. His broad palm slid higher, fully molding around the soft shape of her breast, while his thumb continuously stroked and flicked her tight, sensitive nipple. Every deliberate rub sent sharp, thrilling sparks of pleasure straight down to her lower belly.
"Mmph... aah..."
Yueqing’s head rolled back against his broad shoulder, a long, helpless moan escaping into the kiss. She had completely forgotten about her aching back. She had forgotten about the cold wind howling outside the military canvas. All she could feel was the scorching heat of his bare chest against her spine and the merciless rhythm of his fingers playing with her skin.
Wenzhe broke the kiss just enough to trail his lips down her jawline, his sharp teeth gently nipping the delicate skin of her throat.
"Say it," Wenzhe demanded, his low voice a rough, husky hum against her ear while his fingers gave her peak another firm, maddening squeeze. "Say you won’t give me away."
"I... nnngh... I won’t..." Yueqing whimpered, her resistance completely shattered as she clutched tightly at his arms, arching her back blindly into his touch.
As his hand kept teasing her, a huge wave of intense pleasure suddenly rushed through Yueqing’s body. Her whole frame went tight.
"Wenzhe—!"
She let out a soft, breathless cry as her body shook with intense relief. Wenzhe held her tight in his arms until her trembling finally stopped.
She had no energy left. Completely tired out, Yueqing fell back against his broad chest. Her head felt heavy on his shoulder. She rubbed her face softly into his neck and closed her eyes.
"So sleepy... don’t touch me anymore, you block of wood..." she mumbled, her voice just a tiny, sleepy whisper.
Wenzhe laughed quietly. He kissed the top of her head softly, gently pulled his hand out from under her nightshirt, and fixed her clothes.
He carefully laid her down on the mattress and stood up. He walked over to the table and blew out the oil lamp, leaving the tent lit only by the warm, flickering orange light from the fire.
He climbed back onto the big bed and lay down right beside her. He pulled Yueqing close to his warm chest, held her tight, and pulled the heavy fur blanket over both of them to keep out the freezing cold night air.
Yueqing’s eyes fluttered open as the soft light of dawn peeked through the tent. She stretched lazily, reaching out her hand to touch Wenzhe’s broad chest but she only felt cold, empty sheets.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes. Wenzhe was completely gone.
For a second, her mind was totally blank. Then, every single thing from last night came rushing back to her head.
His warm hands on her bare skin. His loose dark hair. The deep kiss. The way his fingers touched her breast, and how she had moaned and surrendered completely in his arms.
"AHHHHHHH!"
Yueqing yanked the heavy fur blanket right over her head, her face turning as hot as boiling water.
"NINE!" she shrieked out loud in complete panic, her hands wildly clutching her flaming cheeks under the dark blanket. "NINE! GET OUT HERE RIGHT NOW!"
DING!
A glowing blue panel popped up right in front of her nose under the blanket.
[System 009: Good morning, Host. Congratulations on surviving the night without dying of embarrassment. How can this System assist your mental breakdown today?]
"DELETE MY MEMORY!" Yueqing yelled in her mind, her internal persona rolling around on the floor in pure agony. "DELETE IT RIGHT NOW! WHAT WAS THAT LAST NIGHT?! WHY DID I MAKE THOSE EMBARRASSING SOUNDS?! WHY DID I SAY I WOULDN’T GIVE HIM AWAY?! HE BEWITCHED ME WITH HIS MASSAGE HANDS!"
[System 009: System Log Check: Host was not bewitched. Host simply lost all willpower after three minutes of physical affection. Would you like me to replay the audio recording of your moans to confirm?]
"NO! DO NOT REPLAY IT!" Yueqing screamed internally, her face turning an even darker shade of red. "YOU PERVERTED SYSTEM! WHY WOULD YOU RECORD THAT?!"
[System 009: It is stored in the historical log under ’Host’s Total Failure as a Villainess.’ Truly an inspirational performance. You went from ’I hate you, die in a ditch’ to ’Mmm, Wenzhe stop’ in record time.]
"I AM STILL A VILLAINESS!" Yueqing argued back furiously, kicking her feet against the bed. "I was just... taking advantage of his massage skills! That’s all! Where did that block of wood go anyway?! Why isn’t he here?!"
[System 009: The ’block of wood’ is currently outside commanding ten thousand soldiers in the freezing rain. Unlike some people who sleep until noon after a little nighttime exercise, he actually has a real job.]
"Shut up, Nine!" Yueqing huffed, throwing the blanket off her head and glaring at the floating blue screen. "I hate you!"
[System 009: The feeling is mutual, Host. Now please put on some proper clothes. Your collarbone is covered in red marks and your maid is about to enter the tent.]
Yueqing froze, looking down at her robe and immediately let out another high-pitched scream.
Just as Yueqing was frantically trying to adjust her collar to hide the red marks, the tent flap opened and her maids stepped inside carrying warm wash basins, fresh clothes, and breakfast trays.
Knowing she was in a rough military camp and not the luxurious capital, Yueqing chose a simple, practical outfit instead of a traditional long hanfu. She put on a fitted dark blue riding robe tied snugly at the waist with a leather belt, complete with flexible leather boots. It allowed her to move around easily without dragging long silk skirts through the muddy ground.
After washing up, Yueqing stepped outside the tent into the crisp morning air. The border camp was buzzing with intense activity. Heavy carts loaded with supplies rolled past, soldiers carried wooden crates, and weapons clanked in the distance as troops performed morning drills.
As she walked along the dirt pathway, three guards approached her two tall male soldiers and a young woman clad in dark leather armor. They all stopped in front of her and gave a deep, respectful bow.
One of the male guards stepped forward to speak. "Greetings, Young Madam! General Wenzhe ordered us to assign a personal guard to protect you while you remain in the border camp. This is Guard Lu Yue."
The young female guard, Lu Yue, stepped up with a confident stance. She looked to be in her early twenties, with sharp, bright eyes, a slight dusting of freckles across her nose, and a wide, friendly smile that immediately made her look warm and approachable. Despite the sword strapped to her waist, she had an easygoing, bubbly energy.
"It is an honor to meet you, Young Madam!" Lu Yue said brightly, bowing again with energy. "General Wenzhe told me that my only duty in this camp is to keep you safe and comfortable. If anyone bothers you, or if you just want someone to carry your snacks, I’m your girl!"
Yueqing blinked, surprised by how cheerful the girl was in such a gloomy, cold military camp.
[Oh?] Yueqing thought, her inner voice perking up as she looked Lu Yue up and down. [A female guard? And she actually smiles? That block of wood actually did something thoughtful for once! She looks like a capable girl.]
"Lu Yue?" Yueqing murmured out loud, crossing her arms and trying to sound like a dignified lady. "Can you fight well? I won’t accept a weak bodyguard."
Lu Yue grinned, patting the hilt of her sword with a proud chest. "Don’t worry, Young Madam! I beat five male recruits in the martial arts tournament last week just to earn this post. Plus, I know where all the best food stalls in the nearby town are hidden!"
Yueqing’s eyes sparkled slightly at the mention of hidden food stalls, her sharp villainess persona softening just a bit. "Well... I suppose you will do just fine then."