"But since this is His Highness's first visit to Misty Waters Courtyard, he is seated in the guest seats."
You said you just came to see if I was settling in.
I didn't believe it that day.
Gu Moran recalled the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms from that night.
"Do you believe me now?"
Liu Ruyan nodded.
I believe it.
She walked to the unlit lamp by the bed and took out a tinderbox.
He paused for a moment when his hand touched the copper cover, but still managed to light the fire.
The flames lit up, illuminating the outlines of the tabletop, teacups, and window frames.
She turned the lampshade halfway, darkening the area around the tatami mat while leaving light on the table.
The teacup she had drunk from lay there, with a trace of rouge still on its rim.
Gu Moran's throat tightened.
" Ruyan."
Liu Ruyan closed the tinderbox.
"His Highness just said that if I lower the bolt from the inside, the gate to Misty Waters Courtyard will be able to block the wind."
She walked to the door and raised her hand to lower the latch.
The wooden bolt went into the groove, the sound muffled by the rain.
Gu Moran stood still.
This step cannot be rushed.
I fear that if I take one step forward, I'll force back the courage she's just mustered.
Liu Ruyan raised her hand and took the unscented hairpin from her hair, placing it on the table.
Half of her black hair was loose, falling onto her shoulder, the ends brushing against her clothes with a soft rustling sound.
Gu Moran looked at the hairpin.
Liu Ruyan held out her hand to him.
"Tonight, it's not about repaying a debt of gratitude; it's that I want Your Highness to stay."
Gu Moran did not grasp it immediately.
A surge of heat rose in his chest, and images of Su Tan's blood, the ashes of the old warehouse, and her fingertips that had just turned cold flashed through his mind.
Are you sure?
"Saving Su Tan was the right thing to do."
Liu Ruyan's hand froze in mid-air, her fingertips curling slightly before slowly releasing.
"Your Highness, please stop."
"Tonight, I truly did it willingly."
"We've been married for a month, but haven't consummated our marriage yet. Only Your Highness is willing to indulge me like this."
"If it were anyone else, I don't know how many times I would have died by now."
She took half a step forward, her fingers touching his palm.
"Please allow me to assist Your Highness with your bath."
Gu Moran took her hand.
My hands are still cold.
He pulled her closer and first tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
As the back of her finger brushed against her earlobe, Liu Ruyan's breath hitched.
She looked up at him, her face devoid of the smile she had learned from the Flower-Between Pavilion; instead, it showed barely suppressed nervousness.
Gu Moran his head and placed a kiss on her forehead.
Liu Ruyan closed her eyes.
The only sounds in the room were the faint crackling of the burning lamp wick and the staggered breathing of the two people who were too close together.
Gu Moran's palm rested on her shoulder, and through the thin fabric, he could feel that spot was taut and hard.
Are you scared?
Liu Ruyan opened her eyes and pinched his collar with her fingertips.
"Afraid."
"Are you afraid you'll still keep me here?"
"We cannot let fear prevent us from doing what we should do. This is Ruyan learned from His Highness after entering the palace."
Gu Moran chuckled softly.
"You learn very quickly."
Liu Ruyan looked at him, her expression softening slightly.
"Your Highness has taught well."
The servants quickly brought in hot water and then hurriedly left.
The bathtub was placed behind the screen, and steam rose out, carrying with it the scent of soap.
Liu Ruyan reached out to unbutton his outer robe, but her hand got stuck on the buttons.
I went around in circles twice, and the more anxious I got, the more confused I became.
Gu Moran down on the back of her hand.
"Relax."
He lowered his head close to her ear, his warm breath filling her earlobe and stirring up a few stray hairs.
"You're so tense, how can you untie it?"
Liu Ruyan's ears turned bright red, but her fingers obediently loosened their grip a little.
She slowly unbuttoned the clothes, and the fabric slipped open half an inch, revealing an old scar.
Her hand touched the scar and stopped.
I was afraid of hurting him, and I was also afraid that if I went any further, I would lose my composure first.
Gu Moran looked at her, who dared not move, and his throat moved.
"You can't even take it anymore after it's only just begun?"
Where did that stubbornness go when you locked the bolt?
Liu Ruyan glared at him, but couldn't bring herself to be truly angry.
"Your Highness, please stop fooling around."
Gu Moran stopped laughing, took the handkerchief, and used it to wipe the ink stains from her fingertips.
A handkerchief wrapped around her slender wrist, the moisture clinging to her skin and rising upwards.
Liu Ruyan's breathing became even more erratic. She wanted to pull her hand away, but she held back.
Gu Moran used the web of his hand to hold her wrist bone, pressing his thumb next to her pulse point, and only slowly released her when he was sure she hadn't retreated.
"Stop wiping."
"I'll go with my husband to get clean."
"Don't get the tatami dirty later."
Liu Ruyan's neck turned red.
She lowered her head and responded with a soft "yes".
Gu Moran her into his arms.
She carried no scent of osmanthus, only the fresh aroma of soapberry, ink, and rainwater.
This tastes so authentic.
He didn't rush to do anything.
He simply placed his hand on her back, slowly moving it down through her clothes until it stopped beside her sash.
The pressure on Liu Ruyan's shoulders gradually eased.
Her hand moved from his collar to his waist.
Your Highness.
"Um?"
The lights are too bright.
Gu Moran turned his head and glanced at the lamp that had been dimmed.
"Still bright?"
The blush on Liu Ruyan's ears deepened.
"This is the first time I've left the light on."
Gu Moran understood; it was shyness.
He raised his hand and turned the lampshade halfway around again.
The room grew even darker, with only the light from the table illuminating the plain hairpin and teacup, making them glow warmly.
"So?"
Liu Ruyan nodded.
"Um."
Gu Moran down and picked her up.
Liu Ruyan grabbed the fabric of his clothes on his shoulder, holding it very tightly.
She is very light in weight.
The food at the Prince's mansion has been quite good this month, but she still hasn't gained much weight.
Gu Moran placed the person by the basin and first helped her take off her outer garment, which was covered in old dust.
The fabric slipped off his shoulder, and Liu Ruyan pressed down on his hand.
Gu Moran stopped.
"Regret it?"
Liu Ruyan shook her head.
"No."
She looked at him, somewhat worried, and decided to make things clear.
"Your Highness, although Ruyan is known as the most beautiful courtesan, she is inexperienced in the ways of the world and may not be very good at serving people. Please do not find her unworthy."
Gu Moran felt a pang in his chest from those words.
He leaned closer to her and placed his hand on the back of her neck.
I don't need you to serve me.
Tears welled up in Liu Ruyan's eyes.
What can I do?
Gu Moran took her hand and brought it to his heart.
"Just tell me where you feel uncomfortable, where you don't want to go, and when you want to stop."
Liu Ruyan's palms were pressed against his clothes, and she could feel the heat below.
She asked softly, "What if I don't tell you?"
Gu Moran looked at her.
"Then I'll go slower."
"Until you're willing to speak."
A tear rolled down Liu Ruyan's cheek.
Gu Moran lowered his head and kissed it away.
" Madam Liu, tonight is not for settling debts."
"It was our consummation of marriage."
Liu Ruyan closed her eyes and slowly tightened her grip on his clothes.
Gu Moran.
This was the first time she had addressed him without using the title "Your Highness".
Gu Moran responded to her.
"I am here."
She buried her face in the side of his neck.
"I'm ready."
(⁄ ⁄·⁄ω⁄·⁄ ⁄)
[Thanks to Garfield for the gift king, Yun Baqi for the flowers, Yefeng for the update reminder, Xiaorao for the milk tea x2, King for the flowers, Seren for the update reminder, 10477915 for the milk tea x2, Guzong for the flowers. And thank you to all the babies for your love and support.]
[I was shocked today. Do I deserve such a huge gift? You guys are here to read books and support us out of love. I've already eaten very well. I'm so touched.]
I'll post 5 chapters today; posting too many at once might get me flagged as a studio.
(Actually, it's because I'm such a loser, I really have no drafts left. I'm not very satisfied with what I posted tonight, so please bear with it.)
(๑´ㅂ`๑)
[I promised 3 chapters a day, so this time it's an extra 2 chapters. I missed one chapter because I went to the hospital the day before yesterday, so I owe a total of 4 chapters.]
I'm off working on the outline. I've also compiled the guest star list. They won't all appear at once, so there will be an order. Please allow me to make slight changes to any names that aren't quite right. (●◡●)