498: Chapter 498 Promise

As night deepened, moonlight streamed through the window lattice, spilling into the room and illuminating the two figures seated opposite each other at the table.

The soft glow of the Glazed Lamp, the lingering aroma of the dishes, and a quiet, subtle atmosphere filled the air.

Xia Wei's beauty, like the misty rain of Jiangnan, was gentle and soft, blooming quietly in the night, refreshing to the heart.

Situ Jun, looking at this gentle flower before him, though his heart still yearned for that radiant figure in the deep palace, had to admit that Xia Wei's beauty possessed a unique charm that was impossible to ignore.

He remained silent for a moment, then finally spoke, his tone candid and direct:

"I know it's somewhat selfish to take you away from the Royal Capital. I also won't deny that I wish to become Dual Cultivation Dao Companions with you. How do you... feel about that?"

As his words fell, the atmosphere at the table suddenly froze.

Xia Wei's fingertips, holding her chopsticks, tightened slightly. Her long eyelashes trembled gently as she lowered her gaze, completely hiding the panic in her eyes.

Though she had lived in the deep palace for a long time, knew nothing of court intrigue, and only had a superficial understanding of Cultivation, she had heard the words "Dual Cultivation" before.

Those obscure ancient texts in the palace and the hushed discussions of old palace servants had vaguely informed her that this was no ordinary Cultivation method, but rather the ultimate intimate Dao where male and female Cultivators devoted their bodies and minds, their spiritual Qi intertwined, and they became mutually reliant. Once Dual Cultivation began, there would be no secrets, and they would give their all to each other.

And she possessed a Pure Yin Precious Physique and dual Water-Wood Spiritual Roots, making her a rare and superior Cultivation partner in the world—since Situ Jun had made this clear, he wanted to hear her thoughts, to see if she was willing.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the soft crackle of the oil lamp and the night wind sweeping over the eaves outside the window, bringing a touch of bleak chill.

Xia Wei felt her cheeks growing warmer and warmer, even her earlobes turning crimson, her heart pounding almost out of her chest.

Having been in the palace for twenty years, she had strictly adhered to propriety, being cautious even when speaking a few extra words with a man, and had never been so close to anyone, let alone discussed such intimate matters.

The man before her was Situ Jun, the City Lord of the Northern Frontier, who wielded immense power and authority, her benefactor who had saved her from the bitter sea of the deep palace, and a powerful figure whom she held in awe and secretly relied upon.

To ask her to immediately agree to Dual Cultivation with him... she couldn't be that composed.

Situ Jun took in her subtle reactions, not rushing her. He slowly put down his wine glass, his voice deep and calm, without any hint of frivolity or coercion, only straightforward honesty:

"You possess a Pure Yin body and pure, flawless Water-Wood Spiritual Roots. For me, you are a rare and excellent partner. For you, Dual Cultivation with me can also cleanse your Meridians, reshape your Foundation, make up for the twenty years of Cultivation you squandered in the deep palace, and even allow you to ascend to a Realm that ordinary Cultivators can hardly reach in a lifetime."

He paused, his gaze falling upon her flushed cheeks, his tone softening slightly, showing more consideration:

"There's no rush in this matter. Take your time to consider it. I will wait for you."

Xia Wei's fingertips trembled slightly, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible:

"City Lord Situ... Xia Wei understands the City Lord's good intentions. If not for the City Lord, Xia Wei would still be trapped in the Royal Palace, living in fear day and night, not knowing when she would meet a tragic end. The City Lord has given me a new life; let alone serving you, I would... I would even be willing to be a beast of burden."

She raised her eyes, which were misty but held a hint of seriousness and apprehension:

"It's just... the matter of Dual Cultivation is too sudden. Xia Wei has never experienced such a thing, and my heart... my heart is truly flustered."

"I spent twenty years in the palace, always cautious, adhering to rules even when speaking a few extra words with a man. Now, to suddenly agree to such an intimate Dao with the City Lord, I... I find it hard to accept at once."

Her voice grew softer as she spoke, her head almost bowed to her chest, her cheeks burning intensely:

"It's not that Xia Wei is ungrateful, nor is it intentional evasion. It's just... I beg the City Lord to give Xia Wei some time."

"Give me some time to slowly adapt to life outside the palace, to slowly let go of the twenty years of restraint in the palace, and to slowly... accept the City Lord."

Her voice trembled slightly, filled with pleading and a touch of helplessness.

Situ Jun was silent for a moment, his deep gaze resting on her delicate yet stubborn profile. There was no displeasure, but rather more understanding and appreciation.

He had seen countless women who fawned over power and threw themselves at others, countless Cultivators who resorted to any means for resources.

Someone as pure, gentle, courteous, and self-possessed as Xia Wei, who maintained her original heart even in desperate circumstances, was truly rare.

She wasn't refusing, merely flustered.

She wasn't unwilling to repay him, just at a loss.

Situ Jun slowly spoke, his voice deeper and gentler than before, carrying a reassuring power:

"I understand."

These simple two words made Xia Wei suddenly look up, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

She had already prepared herself to be reprimanded or coerced.

With Situ Jun's power and status, he could have taken her by force, without caring about the feelings of a weak woman like her.

But he didn't.

Situ Jun picked up his wine cup, took a shallow sip, and looked out at the deep night sky, his tone calm:

"I never intended to force you into Dual Cultivation. A forced melon isn't sweet, and doing it reluctantly would be detrimental to both our Cultivation, and easily give rise to Heart Demons."

He turned his head, his gaze returning to her, and smiled gently:

"While a Pure Yin Precious Physique is indeed rare, I wouldn't go so far as to force you to do something you don't wish to."

"Since you need time, I will give you time."

Xia Wei's eyes welled up, her nose suddenly stinging, almost bringing tears to her eyes.

In that cannibalistic imperial palace, there was only stepping on the low and flattering the high, intrigue and deception. No one had ever truly respected her wishes or understood her anxiety and unease.

Everyone saw her as without favor or children, despising and neglecting her, even palace servants dared to secretly slight her.

Yet, Situ Jun, the City Lord of the Northern Frontier, who even dared to threaten the Emperor, was willing to slow his pace and wait patiently for her sake.

"City Lord..."

Her voice choked, and for a moment she didn't know what to say, so she could only lower her head deeply, hiding the moisture in her eyes.

"No need to say more."

Situ Jun gently interrupted, his tone mild:

"From today until we reach the Northern Frontier, you can rest assured and recuperate your body and mind along the way. Don't overthink anything, and don't bear any burdens."

"Once we arrive at the Northern Frontier, if you wish to Cultivate, I will treat you with respect and help you embark on the great Dao of Cultivation, and we will Cultivate together with one heart; if you do not wish to, I will arrange a residence for you in the Northern Frontier, with fertile land, beautiful estates, and countless servants, ensuring your lifelong peace and freedom from worry, with no one daring to disturb you."

He paused, his gaze falling on her fair and delicate cheeks, his voice softening a bit, serious and earnest:

"We will discuss this matter when your heart is at ease, no longer flustered, and you are willing to accept. Before then, I will not touch you in the slightest."

The last sentence was spoken with certainty and solemnity, like a promise, and also like a reassuring pill for her.

Xia Wei felt the taut string in her heart suddenly loosen.

The fear, unease, apprehension, and confusion of the past few days were, at this moment, gently smoothed away by his simple promise.

She softly responded, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, yet carrying an unprecedented sense of peace and warmth:

"...Thank you, City Lord."

Situ Jun watched her still flushed, yet gradually relaxing brows and eyes, a fleeting trace of extreme tenderness crossing his gaze, then vanishing.

Outside the window, the moonlight was clear; inside, the candlelight was gentle.