430: Dawn together

Situ Jun seemed to sense her low spirits. He lowered his head and gently kissed the crown of her head with his thin lips, his voice so soft it could melt:

"What are you thinking about?"

Jiang Yan looked up at him. The morning light fell into his eyes, rippling with fragmented glints, like crushed stars.

As if possessed, she shook her head, instead reaching out to wrap her arms around his waist, burying her face deeper, as if wanting to melt into his very bones and blood.

This action seemed to carry a sense of comfort, yet also a hint of lingering reluctance, a reluctance to let go of this fleeting warmth.

Situ Jun’s eyes deepened. Within the inky vortex, emotions swirled that even he himself had not yet perceived.

He raised a hand, his fingertips gently tracing her brows and eyes, then down to her slightly swollen lips. Every spot carried a familiar sensation, and every inch made his heart burn.

He leaned down, his kiss landing on the corner of her lips, tender with the morning, a mere taste, as if afraid to disturb the beautiful dream in his arms.

Jiang Yan, however, tilted her head slightly, actively responding to his kiss.

The kiss was light and soft, carrying the faint intoxication of the morning glow, and their intertwined breaths.

There was none of last night's burning intensity or loss of control, only the gentle, flowing tenderness, like the serene passage of time.

Her fingertips traced his back, feeling the warmth of his skin. All the unease and guilt in her heart seemed to blur at this moment.

Outside the window, snow had begun to fall again at some unknown time, rustling softly against the window frame, delicate and gentle, like the most beautiful melody between heaven and earth.

The newly added charcoal fire in the warm chamber rekindled, its leaping flames reflecting their intertwined figures. Neither spoke, simply quietly enjoying this stolen time.

Jiang Yan could feel Situ Jun’s fingertips gently threading through her long hair, his movements patient and tender, imbued with a reassuring strength.

She closed her eyes, a faint, unconscious curve forming on her lips.

Perhaps, such moments, even if only fleetingly stolen, were good.

Situ Jun looked down at the peaceful sleeping face in his arms, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing.

He gently kissed her forehead, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear it, as if making a lifelong promise:

"From now on, stay in the manor. Don't go back to the Royal Capital."

Jiang Yan’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She didn't open her eyes, but only tightened her arms around him, as if responding, or perhaps, lingering.

The morning glow deepened, spreading over the soft couch, over their embracing figures, immortalizing this stolen moment of intimacy into a warm painting.

Snowlight filtered through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the brocade quilt, flickering on and off, dreamlike and illusory.

Jiang Yan's heart trembled at Situ Jun's soft promise. She abruptly opened her eyes, meeting his deep, pool-like gaze, filled with a tenderness that almost drowned her.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something—about their differing statuses, about the uncertain road ahead, about how she was, after all, the Empress of Tianqi and couldn't stay here. But the words died on her lips, turning into a soft sigh that dissipated into the air.

Her fingertips traced the faint mark on his collarbone, an imprint she had left in her panic last night, a pale pink. Now, it served as proof of their mutual surrender.

Situ Jun caught her mischievous fingers and gently kissed them to his lips. The touch of his fingertips was warm and soft, carrying a reassuring strength.

"Don't think about those worries,"

His voice was hoarse from waking, yet every word was clear, as if imbued with a certain magic:

"At least for now, you are mine."

Jiang Yan’s cheeks flushed even deeper. She turned her head away, not looking at him, but the tips of her ears quietly took on a faint red, like ripe Cherries, tempting to be picked.

She could feel his gaze on the top of her head, carrying a burning warmth that spread all the way to her heart, making her heart tremble.

Outside the warm chamber, the soft sounds of a maid cleaning the accumulated snow could be heard, rustling, yet careful not to disturb the tranquility within.

Jiang Yan then realized that the sky was fully bright. If they continued to linger like this, it would likely invite gossip.

She was, after all, the Empress of Tianqi, and he was the lord of a city in the Northern Frontier. Their entanglement was a taboo that the world would not tolerate.

She gently pushed Situ Jun’s chest, her voice faint, with a hint of barely perceptible panic:

"We should get up. It wouldn't be good if someone saw us."

Situ Jun, however, refused to let go. Instead, he hugged her tighter, resting his chin on the crown of her head, his tone carrying a hint of roguish laziness and a barely detectable reluctance:

"What are you afraid of? Anyway, you'll be my woman from now on. So what if they see?"

Despite his words, he slowly loosened his grip, though his fingertips still lingered at her waist, with a reluctant fondness, as if unwilling to release this hard-won warmth.

Jiang Yan sat up, her crimson nightgown slipping from her shoulders, revealing her fair skin and the red marks left from last night. Those marks stood out sharply against her pale skin.

She hastily pulled the quilt to cover herself, her cheeks so hot they could fry an egg, even her earlobes completely flushed.

Situ Jun looked at her shy demeanor and let out a low chuckle, his laughter deep and pleasant, exceptionally clear in the quiet warm chamber, like a stone dropped into a lake, creating ripples.

He also sat up, his moonlight-white inner garment loosely draped over him, revealing his well-defined chest. The morning light fell upon it, outlining smooth, powerful contours.

"I'll call the maid to prepare water."

Jiang Yan said, about to get out of bed, but Situ Jun pulled her back.

He embraced her from behind, resting his chin in the hollow of her neck, his breath warm, carrying the crisp scent of pine:

"Stay with me a little longer."

Jiang Yan’s body stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed.

She could smell the crisp pine scent on him, mixed with the lingering aroma of Dragons Saliva Incense, becoming his unique, reassuring scent.

They remained quietly embraced like this, listening to the sound of snow falling outside the window, feeling each other's body warmth. Time seemed to stand still at this moment, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats.

After an unknown amount of time, Situ Jun finally released her. He tidied her messy hair, his fingertips tracing the corner of her lips with a lingering tenderness, as if savoring last night's intimacy.

"Go wash up. I’ve had the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes."

Jiang Yan nodded. As she got up and stepped out of bed, her steps were still a bit unsteady, as if she hadn't fully recovered from last night's passion.

She walked behind the screen, taking off her nightgown. The woman reflected in the bronze mirror had fair skin, with a sleepy languor and allure in her eyes. The red marks on her neck were clearly visible, announcing last night's surrender.

She raised her hand to touch those marks, her fingertips trembling slightly, and her heart couldn't help but skip a beat again. The blush on her face lingered for a long time.

Soon after, a maid entered carrying hot water. Seeing her in such a state, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she dared not ask, only respectfully served her.