Gu Moran held her waist, not in a hurry to move.
The fabric was damp from the heat, clinging to my palm, so I could feel even the slight curves of her waist.
He waited a while, until her breathing calmed down, before speaking in a low voice.
" Madam Liu, this little water won't even cover your legs."
Liu Ruyan gripped his shoulder, her fingertips slightly slippery.
The scent of soapberry, steamed by the heat, made the air thick and stifling between the two, making even their breath feel hot.
She looked up at him.
"How deep must the water be for my husband to be satisfied?"
Gu Moran lowered his head and whispered in her ear.
"So profound that you'll remember it clearly even when you think about it later."
Liu Ruyan's ears burned, and she looked away.
Gu Moran saw it, but stopped teasing him.
He lowered his head and kissed her.
There was still moisture behind the screen, and the damp clothes clung to the skin, making a soft rubbing sound with the slightest movement.
At first, Liu Ruyan maintained her composure, placing her hand on his shoulder, trying to steady her breathing.
Gu Moran refused to let her keep putting on this.
The kiss was neither deep nor rushed; when he pulled away, he deliberately left a little space so she could lean forward on her own.
As she made her move, Liu Ruyan's breathing became erratic, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingers tightened.
Gu Moran took her hand and pulled it down slightly to prevent her from digging into it.
The hot water gradually cooled down.
The soapberry scent has also faded.
The sound of rain outside the window had subsided considerably, with only water still dripping from the eaves.
The two were completely honest with each other.
Liu Ruyan nestled in his arms, her forehead pressed against his shoulder, her breath coming in gasps, her words unsteady.
Gu Moran looked down at her.
"Are you still afraid?"
Liu Ruyan did not respond immediately.
Her hand brushed against his back, her fingertips grazing the hardened spot of his old wound, paused for a moment, and then withdrew.
After a moment, she spoke.
"Afraid."
Gu Moran paused.
Just as he was about to back away, Liu Ruyan leaned forward and buried her face in his chest.
It's not that I'm afraid of you.
Gu Moran hugged her tighter, placed his palm on her lower back, and gently patted it twice.
"Then let's take it slow."
Liu Ruyan nodded in his arms.
"Um."
The room became even darker afterward.
When Gu Moran carried her into the tent, she gripped his wrist, her fingertips pressing on his pulse, her voice very soft.
"Don't turn off the lamp by the tatami mat."
Gu Moran looked at her.
"Weren't you complaining about how bright it was just now?"
Liu Ruyan paused for a moment before speaking.
"Keep it."
Her voice lowered.
I want to see clearly.
Gu Moran's heart sank slightly, and he lowered his head to kiss her forehead.
"Alright, it will not perish."
The curtains were drawn, and the lamplight was blocked out.
The room was filled with only dampness, the aroma of tea, and the barely suppressed breathing of two people close together.
At first, Liu Ruyan held back, even suppressing her breathing, afraid that people outside would hear.
Gu Moran close to her ear and whispered soothingly.
"The bolt is off, and no one dares to come in."
Liu Ruyan closed her eyes and suddenly gripped his shoulder tightly.
"Stop talking."
Gu Moran chuckled softly.
"Fine, I won't say."
But after a short while, she called his name softly again.
Gu Moran.
"Exist."
"Slower."
"Good."
That night.
There was no music from the Flower-Between Pavilion, no laughter at the banquet, and no one outside shouting prices.
Only the lamp she left behind remains lit.
When the rain stopped, Liu Ruyan was exhausted.
She leaned against Gu Moran's arm, her hair scattered on the pillow, and the corners of her eyes still bearing traces of red.
Gu Moran looked at her for a while, then reached out and tucked the blanket around her.
Just as he was about to pull his hand away, Liu Ruyan groped and grabbed it.
She didn't open her eyes, and her voice was weak with sleep.
"Don't go."
Gu Moran stopped.
I'm not leaving.
He leaned down to look at her, lowering his voice even further.
I just wanted to see you.
Liu Ruyan then opened her eyes.
Her face was still flushed. She stared at him for a long time before softly asking a question.
"You really don't mind me?"
Gu Moran frowned.
What do I dislike about you?
Liu Ruyan didn't avoid eye contact, but she spoke slowly.
People from the Flower-Between Pavilion have a bad reputation.
Gu Moran reached out and brushed the stray hairs from her temples, his fingertips brushing against her ear.
"You are my wife, not someone else's gossip."
"Besides, if we're really talking about this, are they even qualified to judge whether my wife is worth anything?"
Liu Ruyan looked at him, the unease in her eyes still lingering.
"Are you truly sincere when you say these things?"
"Nature."
She was quiet for a moment, then asked again.
"What if things change in the future?"
Gu Moran looked at her and suddenly smiled.
"Then replace the bolts on the gate of Misty Waters Courtyard with iron ones."
"If I come again, don't let me in."
After hearing this, Liu Ruyan couldn't help but smile.
"You're leaving yourself an escape route."
"You have too many wives; you're afraid you won't be able to manage them all."
Gu Moran closer.
" Madam Liu's words are incorrect."
"I'm afraid you'll get really angry, and then you won't even give me a chance to be honest with you as husband and wife."
Liu Ruyan's ears turned red again, and she turned her face away.
"Still not serious."
Gu Moran lowered his head and kissed her ear.
"Then do you believe I can be even more indecent?"
"Let me show you what it means to have a full range of services without any discounts."
Liu Ruyan raised her hand and pushed him.
She reached out halfway, then withdrew her hand, only lightly touching his shoulder.
"Be gentle."
"Knew."
The sky outside the window was already turning white.
The water was still dripping from the eaves, each drop tapping against the stone steps.
Another hour passed.
Gu Moran looked down at the sleeping person in his arms, and the system panel appeared in front of him.
[ Liu Ruyan's favorability has increased, now: 68.]
[Tag Updated: A Person Who Leaves a Deep Imprint on One's Heart.]
[The progress of "Sincere Love for a Beauty" has increased, and Liu Ruyan's stable threshold has been broken.]
Gu Moran stared at those lines of text, but she didn't feel the relaxation that a wise person should have at that moment.
Live in this book.
His initial motivation was simply to survive.
It's about seizing opportunities, getting the first move, and not wanting to die.
But now, looking at those numbers of favorability rating, they've long since become living, breathing people.
It was their temperament, their fate, and the trust they gradually placed in his hands.
It is also a real home.
Just as dawn broke, a very soft knock came from outside the tent.
Gu Moran first raised his hand to protect Liu Ruyan's ear, afraid of startling her.
Outside the door, Madam Chun spoke in a low voice.
Your Highness.
Gu Moran sat up and pulled on his outer robe.
Liu Ruyan woke up.
She propped herself up and sat up, clutching the corner of the blanket as she looked out of the tent.
"Mom came so early, something happened?"
Gu Moran patted her shoulder.
"You lie down first."
Liu Ruyan shook her head.
"Coming at this hour won't be a small matter."
Gu Moran glanced at her but didn't try to persuade her further.
He got out of bed, put on his outer robe, walked to the door, and opened it a crack.
The morning breeze, carrying the cool air after the rain, rushed in, instantly waking one up.
Madam Chun stood under the eaves, her skirt stained with dampness, her face even more pale than the night before.
Gu Moran asked first.
"What's wrong?"
Madam Chun didn't look into the house, but only replied in a low voice.
" The Second Prince's Residence's people found Tao Wujiu's body first."
" The Imperial City Bureau arrived shortly after, and the two sides bumped into each other at the old warehouse, immediately starting to argue."
" Su Tan did as His Highness instructed; now everyone outside is saying she fell into the water and went missing."
Gu Moran nodded.
"So, you came to see me because there's something else?"
Madam Chun's throat moved, and she lowered her voice even further.
"The master has sent me to invite you."
"Your Highness and Miss Ruyan, please go to the old building."
The sound of fabric rustling came from inside the tent.
Liu Ruyan had already put on her outer robe and walked to the screen, her hair loose and her face pale.
"Old building?"
Madam Chun lowered her head and responded.
"Yes."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"There's one more thing, which the big boss specifically instructed me to say."
Gu Moran looked at her.
"Explain."
Madam Chun remained silent for a few moments.
"The head of the household said that the door to the old building should be opened by someone from the Liu Clan."