440: Warmth and Deep Affection

After an unknown amount of time, the two slowly pulled apart, their noses touching and their breaths intertwining.

In each other's breath, their scents mixed—pine wood and begonia intertwined, becoming a scent unique to them.

Situ Jun looked at the misty moisture in her eyes, her reddened lips, and the spring-like flush that touched her eyes and brows. His Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously, and his gaze deepened.

“Yaner,”

He called her softly, his voice carrying a subtle sigh of emotion, sounding like both a lament and a stroke of luck.

“Once Yun Niang and the others have their children, would it be alright if you all married me together?”

Before Jiang Yan could speak, he continued hurriedly, as if afraid she would refuse, his tone carrying an unprecedented seriousness:

“I want to give you all a grand wedding—with phoenix crowns and embroidered robes, ten miles of red dowry, and an eight-man litter to carry you through the doors to be my, Situ Jun's, wives for a lifetime. Would that be alright?”

Jiang Yan's body stiffened as if a binding spell had been cast on her. She looked up at him abruptly, her eyes full of shock and disbelief, and even her breathing stalled for a moment.

Her pupils dilated slightly, reflecting his handsome features and the burning affection in his eyes, yet she couldn't bring herself to believe what she had heard.

Her entanglement with Situ Jun had begun with an accidental encounter.

If Li Xuan hadn't begged her to come to the Northern Border to pray for blessings, willing to humble himself to befriend Situ Jun and consolidate the Tianqi national fortune, she might still be in the royal Harem.

Later, due to the vast difference in their status, she had never dared to hope for an official title.

She knew full well that as the former Empress, she was a 'gift' sent to the Northern Border by Li Xuan.

And Situ Jun was the lord of a city, a high official of Tianqi, and the Marquis of Zhenbei who held great power in court.

If Situ Jun truly welcomed her through the gates with an eight-man litter, the entire Tianqi would likely be in an uproar. King Li Xuan would lose all face, and the already weakened Jiang family would be pointed at by the world, drowned in the spit of public criticism.

Seeing her stunned expression, Situ Jun thought she didn't believe him. His heart tightened, and he quickly reached out to support her delicate shoulders. His grip was urgent as he forced her to meet his gaze, his eyes serious to the point of being devout, each word spoken with weight:

“I know what you're worried about. Those rumors and the worldly gaze—I will crush them all one by one. Whoever dares to say a word against you, I will pull out their tongue; whoever dares to stop you from entering the Situ Manor, I will tear down their residence. Yaner, trust me.”

Jiang Yan looked at the burning affection in his eyes, the determination in his brows, and the way he was willing to make an enemy of the world for her. Her nose prickled, and hot tears fell uncontrollably, splashing onto the back of his hand and making his heart tremble.

It wasn't that she didn't believe; she just didn't dare to believe.

She was once the high and mighty Empress, yet she ended up abandoned and deposed. She had already tasted the fickleness of human nature and seen the coldness of the world.

She didn't dare to hope—didn't dare to hope that this heavy affection could truly fall upon her, or that she could still have such a grand wedding and a shoulder to lean on.

“Situ Jun...”

She spoke with a sob, her voice thick with emotion. Tears flowed more and more, blurring her vision:

“Do you know... I'm afraid...”

Afraid this tenderness was but a reflection in the water, gone in an instant; afraid this affection was a fleeting dream, leaving no trace upon waking; afraid the people of the Dynasty would point and stare, despising her for being shameless and disgracing her family.

Situ Jun raised his hand and gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, his movements soft and full of pity, as if afraid he might break her.

His fingertips were slightly cool as they brushed her burning cheeks, wiping away every single tear.

“Don't be afraid,”

He whispered, pressing his lips to her forehead in a devout kiss. In that kiss was a promise, a treasuring, and an affection that would not change in this lifetime.

“With me here, no one can harm you in the slightest. From now on, I am your sky, your earth, and your support.”

Outside the bed curtains, the morning sun had already risen high. The warm golden glow spilled over the silver-clad snow of the Northern Border City, dyeing the vast white world in gold.

The light penetrated the window frames, gradually illuminating the passion in the room, the two people embracing, the tear tracks on Jiang Yan's face, and the glimmer of hope reignited in her eyes.

After a long time.

Jiang Yan snuggled in Situ Jun's arms, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling the warmth of his palm and the reassuring scent coming from him. Her long-tensed nerves finally relaxed.

She closed her eyes, a peaceful smile tugging at the corners of her lips, though tears still slid down silently. This time, however, the tears were of touched emotion, relief, and a heart full of joy.

Perhaps this love, which she had gambled her life on, could truly have a Perfection ending.

Just then, a series of brisk footsteps came from outside the Warm Chamber, accompanied by Princess's charming and crisp voice, breaking the silence of the room:

“Sister Jiang, husband, look what good things I've brought!”

Before her voice had even faded, Princess pushed the door open and entered the outer hall, holding an exquisite food box.

She was still wearing that pink fox fur coat, the fluffy fur at the collar making her beautiful small face look even more adorable.

Perhaps having just come in from outside, her cheeks were flushed red by the cold wind like ripe apples, and her eyes were curved with a joyful excitement.

“Danying.”

Jiang Yan quickly scrambled up from Situ Jun's arms, her cheeks instantly burning again. She subconsciously smoothed the hair at her temples, tucking a strand of golden-lit hair behind her ear, her eyes filled with the bashfulness of being caught in an intimate moment.

Situ Jun looked at her shy appearance, his eyes full of doting laughter.

He reached out to help her straighten her slightly crooked collar before getting up to dress himself, his movements calm and composed.

“I'll go out and tell the maid to bring in some hot water for you to wash up.”

With that, he turned and walked out. A moment later, he reached the hall and met Princess's mischievous smile.

He shook his head helplessly, his tone carrying a bit of doting:

“On such a cold day, why did you run out again? Aren't you afraid of freezing?”

“I was thinking of Sister Jiang and husband.”

Princess giggled, her lively eyes darting around. Her gaze fell behind Situ Jun and then glanced toward the Warm Chamber.

A moment later, as if she had discovered something incredible, her eyes widened and she asked in confusion:

“Where is Sister Jiang? You... she couldn't have been left unable to get out of bed, right?”

Princess's question was so blunt that Situ Jun gave her a look that was both annoyed and amused. His ears turned slightly red, and he gave a light cough, feigning seriousness:

“What nonsense are you talking? She's inside waiting for hot water to wash up. I'm ordering the maids to bring it. It's cold outside; come over and warm yourself by the fire first.”

After saying that, he gave a few instructions to the maids waiting at the door, telling them to quickly prepare the hot water. He also had someone add charcoal to the brazier to ensure the Warm Chamber was cozy, before turning back into the hall.

Jiang Yan heard everything clearly from the bedroom, her cheeks hot enough to fry an egg. She quickly got up, using the reflection of the bronze mirror to tidy her messy sleeping robes and gather the hair scattered over her shoulders. Only then did she wait for the maids to bring the water.

Before long, the maids filed in carrying bronze basins and hot water. They carefully laid out towels and fragrant soap before quietly withdrawing...