490: Blooming Beauty

Liu Airu opened her eyes, gazing at the disappointment deep in his eyes. A strong sense of guilt actually arose in her heart, along with a desire to make amends.

She thought of Situ Jun's strength, of how even Li Xuan was somewhat wary of him, and of how as long as he was around, she would have an extra layer of protection in this deep palace, and the Liu Clan would also have a bit more security.

This reliance was her only source of confidence in this deep palace.

At this thought, Liu Airu no longer resisted. Instead, she leaned in slightly, taking the initiative to draw closer to his chest. Her hands gently encircled his waist as she buried her face in his black robes.

The pine aura on his robes enveloped her, and his steady heartbeat transmitted through the fabric, instantly calming her frantic heart.

This initiative caused Situ Jun to startle slightly. Immediately after, the throbbing in his heart surged like a tide, drowning out all disappointment and annoyance.

He froze in place, only slowly raising his hands after a moment to gently grasp her waist. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his strength so great it was as if he wanted to rub her into his very bones and blood.

Liu Airu looked up, her eyelashes still damp with moisture. The tears in her eyes had long been wiped away, replaced by a different kind of charm.

She raised her hand, her fingertips lightly grazing his neck. The slight coolness of her touch carried a hint of deliberate provocation, and a faint smile played on her lips.

That smile was no longer the gentle and dignified look of an Empress, nor the proper decorum of a daughter from a prestigious Family. It was the coquettishness and tenderness belonging to a woman, like a peony quietly blooming in the middle of the night, shedding all restraints, radiant and soul-stirring.

She deliberately tried to please him, displaying her beauty before him without reservation.

The coquettishness at the tips of her brows, the charm at the corners of her eyes, the smile on her lips, and those inadvertent touches all carried a thick sense of affection, stirring the long-suppressed flames in Situ Jun's heart.

She knew that being like this was absurd and shameful—clinging to her status as Empress while having a private tryst with an external official; worrying about her Family while also coveting his warmth.

But she couldn't control herself.

In this cold, deep palace, Situ Jun's embrace was her only harbor, and his strength was her only reliance. She could only use this method to hold onto this warmth and this support.

Seeing her coquettish appearance and her deliberate attempts to please him, the flames in Situ Jun's heart were instantly ignited. That trace of annoyance born from her rejection also transformed into an intense possessiveness.

He leaned down and kissed her lips fiercely. This kiss lacked the cautiousness and probing of the previous night; there was only domineering plunder and burning tender affection, carrying a hint of punishment, yet showing carefulness everywhere, for fear of hurting her in the slightest.

His lips were scalding, and he kissed with force, carrying a powerful intensity that brooked no refusal.

Liu Airu did not resist; instead, she actively responded to him. Standing on her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck, turning all her grievances, loneliness, and longings into a lingering response.

He picked her up horizontally and strode toward the canopy bed. The light of the red candles reflected the deep affection in his eyes and the lingering tenderness in hers.

The bright red brocade quilt was pulled back, and the black robes intertwined with the moon-white inner garments, becoming indistinguishable from one another.

The bed curtains hung low, obscuring the scene within the hall, leaving only the crackling of the burning red candles and the intertwined breathing of the two.

This night's passion was hotter and more domineering than the night before.

Situ Jun, with a trace of annoyance from her rejection and a thick sense of possessiveness, loved her fiercely. The strength in his fingertips carried a heavy touch of punishment, yet instinctively softened when touching her delicate skin, showing carefulness everywhere for fear of hurting her in the slightest.

His kisses fell all over her neck, shoulders, and collarbone, carrying a scorching temperature that made her whole body burn and caused all the worries and shackles in her heart to vanish, leaving only the person before her and the tenderness of the moment.

Liu Airu immersed herself in his gentleness and dominance, actively catering to him and completely surrendering herself. In this hidden corner of the deep palace, she cast aside her status as Empress and her Family responsibilities, simply being his woman and enjoying this moment of indulgence and happiness.

She was like a flower meeting rain after a long drought, wantonly blooming her beauty in his arms and venting her emotions.

After an unknown amount of time, the passion gradually subsided, and the panting in the hall slowly leveled out.

Situ Jun held Liu Airu tightly in his arms, his chin resting on the top of her head. His breathing was still somewhat hurried, and his voice carried a lingering hoarseness, along with an unquestionable command that was both domineering and gentle:

"Airu, remember, from now on, do not let Li Xuan touch you in the slightest. If he dares to touch you, I will certainly not forgive him. I will personally go and warn him, let him know that you are mine."

His dominance, however, brought a sense of unprecedented peace to Liu Airu's heart.

She nodded gently and buried her face deeper, feeling the warmth of his chest. Her voice was muffled, carrying a satisfied softness:

"Okay."

She knew Situ Jun was a man of his word.

With these words from him, even if Li Xuan had suspicions in his heart, he would certainly not dare to approach her easily again or cross any boundaries. And she would be able to have a bit more security in this deep palace, and the Liu Clan would also have an extra layer of protection.

Feeling her obedience, the anger in Situ Jun's heart finally dissipated completely, leaving only a tenderness so thick it couldn't be dispersed.

He raised his hand and gently stroked her waterfall-like long hair, his fingertips passing through the black strands. His movements were gentle, and his tone softened a bit, carrying a hint of expectation and indulgence as he slowly spoke:

"I will return to Beijiang tomorrow. The court affairs are complicated, and Beijiang also needs me to preside over it; I cannot stay long. Airu, if one day you grow tired of being the Empress, no longer want to guard this deep palace, and no longer want to worry about that Liu Clan, then come to Beijiang City to find me. No matter when, no matter where, I will be waiting for you in Beijiang. The gates of Beijiang will always be open for you; my position as Dao Companion will always be reserved for you."

Liu Airu's body stiffened imperceptibly in his arms for a moment, then softened again like a pile of snow melted by the spring breeze, clinging to his warm chest and refusing to let go, coveting this final warmth.

Outside the hall, the third watch clapper sounded. The "dong—dong—dong—" echoes resounded through the deep palace, which was so quiet that only their overlapping breaths remained.

The red candle had burned down to its core, crackling as it sputtered small sparks that fell to the ground and extinguished in an instant, leaving only a wisp of faint blue smoke.

She looked up, her eyelashes still damp with moisture, but her eyes no longer held the panic and grievance from before, only a settled tenderness.

Her fingertips lightly brushed over the tightened line of his jaw, where a faint red remained from the repeated rubbing of last night and tonight—some bitten by her, some kissed by him. Stroke by stroke, it was carved into the most hidden corner of this deep palace, becoming a secret belonging only to the two of them.

"Will you still think of me when you return to Beijiang?"

she asked softly, her voice as soft as water-soaked clouds, carrying a trace of cautious expectation.

"Whether you think of me or not, I will think of you. I'll think of the wind of Beijiang, the sand of the great desert, and... think of you."

Situ Jun lowered his head and kissed away the tears on the tips of her lashes. His lips brushed against her cool eye corners with an unmistakable seriousness, his tone full of lingering affection:

"I will. I'll think of you day and night. If there's anything here you can't resolve, remember to find the State Preceptor. Mysterious Clarity Master is my man; he will help you and protect you on my behalf."

Liu Airu moved a bit closer into his arms, her pink lips lightly pecking the corner of his mouth like a kitten scratching an itch, carrying endless attachment and coquettishness. Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of acting spoiled:

"Mm, I know. Hus... Husband, I want even more of your love, you..."