After taking a bath.
Gu Moran leaned down and kissed her.
Murong Xue did not close her eyes, staring at him as if she wanted to determine the winner of this confrontation.
Gu Moran did not rush to attack the city.
He lightly touched the corner of her lips, stepped back half an inch, and then pressed his lips back against hers.
Murong Xue's hand pressing on the back of his neck slowly tightened.
Gu Moran.
"Um."
Do you also nag your family members like this?
"Madam is beautiful, and quite well-endowed."
Murong Xue bit him.
Not heavy.
With her usual indomitable spirit.
Gu Moran took a soft breath and pulled her into his arms.
The ends of her hair brushed against the back of his hand, carrying the scent of dried grass and trees.
Murong Xue noticed his restraint and instead reached out to pull open his outer robe.
"Are you so slow because you think I don't know how?"
Gu Moran was speechless after hearing her words.
"Princess, what you said is dangerous."
Are you afraid of danger?
"I'm not afraid tonight."
A glimmer of hope finally appeared in her eyes.
"Then hurry up."
Gu Moran reached out and removed the hair ornament from her temple.
The silver ornament landed on the table with a soft clatter.
Murong Xue's long hair was loose, losing its daytime neatness and gaining an undeniable air of femininity.
She wasn't used to being looked at like that, and raised her hand to tidy her hair.
Gu Moran took her hand.
"Don't cover it up."
Murong Xue turned her face away.
"Do men in Central Plains all love watching this?"
I only love seeing you like this.
She turned back and stared at him.
"That's a lie."
You can trust me.
How can you prove it?
Gu Moran his head and kissed her lips again.
"Take your time and savor it."
Murong Xue's breathing became erratic, and she raised her hand to push him away.
This push wasn't forceful; it was more like giving himself a way out.
The lights are too bright.
Gu Moran looked at the lamp.
He gently pressed his fingers on her wrist.
"Eliminate half?"
Murong Xue frowned.
"The light can still go out halfway?"
Gu Moran picked up the lampshade and blocked half of the light.
The room darkened slightly, illuminating her profile.
"Does this make you feel more comfortable?"
Murong Xue remained silent for two breaths.
"I'm not uncomfortable."
"Then let me see you clearly."
Murong Xue.
" Gu Moran, say that again and I'll really bite you."
Where to bite?
Murong Xue raised her hand and covered his mouth.
"Shut up."
Gu Moran's lips pressed against her palm, his warm breath falling upon it.
She curled her fingers slightly, but stubbornly refused to remove them.
"How can you even kiss someone's hand?"
"Your hands are mine too."
"Who wants it from you?"
"I belong to you, is that alright?"
Murong Xue's gaze hardened, her chest heaving noticeably.
"That makes more sense."
She took a step forward and hugged his waist.
This movement was clumsy.
Not gentle enough, and not skilled enough.
It was more direct than any other statement.
Gu Moran looked down at her, his chest burning where her forehead had been pressed against his.
He reached out and hugged her, his palm stroking her back inch by inch.
Murong Xue spoke into his arms, her voice much softer than usual.
"On the grasslands, if a woman shows her father's riding whip to a man, it means she acknowledges him as someone who can enter her tent."
Gu Moran paused for a moment.
She showed him her most precious possessions, yet pretended not to care.
This is Murong Xue.
The blade faced outwards, and so did the heart, only covered by armor.
Gu Moran lowered his head and whispered in her ear.
"Then I'll keep watch over your tent tonight."
Murong Xue looked up at him.
"Just guard?"
Gu Moran suppressed a smile.
What does the princess want me to do?
She raised her hand and pressed it against his collar, pushing it down little by little.
"Ask less."
Murong Xue stared at him, her lips red from being kissed, but her eyes still held a hint of pride.
Gu Moran.
"Exist."
Hold me.
Gu Moran bent down and picked her up.
Murong Xue immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, and the moment her body lifted off the ground, she muttered a curse in the Northern Territory language.
Gu Moran understood half of the sentence.
She probably thought he was too slow.
He carried her inside.
The animal skin blanket was very soft, and there was Northern Territory pattern hanging beside the bed, along with a copper bell by the pillow.
Murong Xue saw the bronze bell, reached out and pulled it off, then stuffed it under her pillow.
Gu Moran put her down and couldn't help but ask.
What is this for?
Murong Xue looked away.
"It makes a sound."
What will happen if it rings?
" Batuer will hear you."
Gu Moran looked at her reddened earlobes.
"Is the princess afraid she'll hear?"
"I'm afraid she'll recite it to the whole college tomorrow morning."
Gu Moran down and braced himself on his hands beside her.
"Let her learn."
He lowered his head and kissed her from her forehead to the tip of her nose, and then to her lips.
This time, Murong Xue neither argued nor bit.
She tried to respond, awkwardly but earnestly.
Gu Moran paused for a moment after each step he took, waiting for her.
He would stop if she gripped his sleeve tightly.
He would only continue if she took the initiative to approach him.
Layers of clothing fell onto the edge of the tatami mat.
The sound of sharpening knives faded into the distance.
The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance.
Only her breath remained close to his ear.
Gu Moran.
"Um."
"Ah..."
Murong Xue couldn't help herself and quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth.
Gu Moran pulled her hand down.
"Don't cover it."
"Why?"
I want to hear it.
She looked at him, her eyes gradually reddening.
"Men from the Central Plains are really good at lying."
"So, do you believe it or not?"
Murong Xue buried her face in the side of his neck.
"Letter tonight."
The curtain falls.
The lampshade blocked half the light, and the remaining light was diffused by the gauze curtains.
When Gu Moran kissed her shoulder, Murong Xue grabbed his arm, her breathing erratic, but she didn't back down.
"Say it if it hurts."
I've fallen off my horse on the grasslands.
"This is different from falling off a horse."
You dare talk back?
I'm afraid you're just being stubborn.
Murong Xue bit her lip, then released it after a moment.
"Then slow down."
Gu Moran pressed his forehead against hers.
"Good."
The darkness pressed down on the windowpane.
She touched the copper bell under her pillow, and it rang very softly.
Only suppressed breathing could be heard inside the tent.
Half an hour later, Murong Xue rested her forehead on his shoulder, her hands still gripping his back.
Gu Moran gently gathered her disheveled hair, his fingertips brushing against her sweaty temples.
Are you alright?
Murong Xue breathed heavily with her eyes closed.
"Don't ask."
Gu Moran hugged her tighter.
She was quiet for a moment, then suddenly spoke.
Gu Moran.
"Um."
Come again tomorrow night.
He looked down at her.
"Is this an order from the princess?"
Murong Xue opened her eyes, her eyes still damp with lingering heat, yet she had regained her pride.
"Yes."
Gu Moran kissed her forehead.
"Good."
Murong Xue buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled against his skin.
"Go back, I can't sleep with you here."
After saying that, she raised her head, reached under her pillow for the copper bell, and placed it in Gu Moran's palm.
"This is for you."
Gu Moran looked at the small copper bell in his palm.
The bell is engraved with tiny wolf patterns, and its edges are smooth from years of handling.
What kind of rule is this?
Murong Xue looked at him, speaking slowly and deliberately.
"No one can take my people away."
Gu Moran just entered the study.
Uncle Fu was already standing at the door, holding a lamp.
Your Highness looks quite well tonight.
Gu Moran entered the room and first pushed the window open halfway.
"Stop teasing me. What's the specific situation with Chu Tianxing?"