Recklessly Breaking a Delicate Branch - Chapter 69

It seemed the man found this particular position to his liking, for he remained standing as he pleasured her. Unable to endure it, Jiang Wanshu bit down on the firm muscle of his shoulder with her teeth. Zhou Yan seemed to be suddenly emboldened by the stimulus, thrusting so deeply that she felt suspended between heaven and earth. He then teased her by momentarily loosening his grip on her body, forcing her to cling tightly to him for fear that she might fall to the ground the very next second.

Finally, after the moon had completely retreated behind the clouds, the two lay down to rest on the canopy bed.

Half an hour had passed since their last bout of intimacy, and Jiang Wanshu had finally regained some of her strength.

She recalled the letter and the red string he had been clutching so tightly before jumping through her window earlier that night. She lazily opened her eyes; traces of sweat from their exertion were still visible on the man’s body. Blushing, she looked at him with a mock-reproachful glare, meeting his gaze.

Seeing her eyes land on his abdomen, Zhou Yan raised an eyebrow. He took hold of Jiang Wanshu’s slender arm, unfurled her palm, and guided it to rest against his abdominal muscles.

His voice carried the hoarseness of post-satisfaction as he gave a low chuckle. “He’s your man. If you want to touch, then touch.”

“I—” Startled by his blunt words and the searing heat of his skin, Jiang Wanshu tried to pull her hand away immediately.

But Zhou Yan was unyielding. He instantly caught the back of her hand and pressed her palm against his abdomen once more.

Faced with Zhou Yan’s persistence, Jiang Wanshu found it difficult to struggle. Since things were as they were, she decided to simply enjoy it. She pushed the moral dilemma aside, thinking: it wasn’t that she was shameless, but rather that he had forced her hand. Besides, he had touched her so many times; what did it matter if she touched him once?

Finally, freed from any psychological burden, her hand began to wander slightly over the man’s muscles.

She had to admit, the muscles of his torso were indeed pleasant to the touch. Though they lacked the softness of a woman’s body, the feeling of the six well-defined ridges beneath her palm radiated a masculine strength—a sensation entirely foreign yet intriguing.

Watching her delicate, blushing face, Zhou Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on her white shoulders, which were covered in over a dozen “red plums” he had left behind. A fire still simmered in his heart.

Damn! This woman was like a poppy to him—addictive and dangerous.

However, seeing her pitiful, worn-out state after the “storm,” his heart softened.

As for Jiang Wanshu, her thoughts seemed to have been somewhat “tainted” by Zhou Yan’s influence. As she continued to touch him, she inexplicably recalled the chaotic intimacy they had just shared. A sudden tremor ran through her body, and she hurriedly snatched her hand away from his abdomen.

Zhou Yan naturally noticed the gesture. Remembering something, he pulled her happily into his arms, pressing her face against his chest.

“You see? You enjoyed tonight just as much as I did. Therefore, I am unilaterally declaring that our ‘once every ten days’ rule is null and void.”

It was impossible for her to admit it while blushing like that, but it didn’t matter. She said she liked him; everything else could be taken slowly. As long as she continued to like him, he would find a way to break her stubborn habits.

The human brain can always find a way.

Jiang Wanshu didn’t say a word in response, merely shooting him a sidelong glance.

She didn’t want to waste her breath discussing this with such an untrustworthy man.

Understanding her mood, Zhou Yan pulled her back into his embrace.

This time, Jiang Wanshu did not struggle. Listening to the powerful heartbeat within his chest, she brought up the reason for his visit again.

“Zhou Yan, was the thing you were holding when you came in meant for me?” Now that they both knew each other’s feelings, she was straightforward. Since they had already been intimate several times, she didn’t see the need for excessive reserve; she had already grown accustomed to him.

Only then did Zhou Yan remember the train of thought that had been interrupted earlier.

His large hand remained restless, stroking the delicate skin of her back beneath the brocade quilt. “It’s a letter from my elder sister, and a red string.”

“A letter from Sister Ma’er?”

So, his disappearance for the better part of the day was because he had gone to the courier station alone to collect the letter.

Thinking of the gentle woman, Jiang Wanshu sat up abruptly. Realizing she was unclothed, she reflexively snatched the quilt covering Zhou Yan to wrap around herself.

Zhou Yan’s eyes darkened with lingering desire, but he controlled himself and stood up to walk toward the daybed.

Compared to Jiang Wanshu, he was far bolder. Even though he was as bare as she was, he moved before her with complete unconcern.

He leaned down and picked up the letter and the red string that had fallen beneath the daybed. Seeing his uninhibited state, Jiang Wanshu’s face flushed a deep crimson and her ears burned. She turned her back to him, refusing to look.

Having retrieved the items, Zhou Yan noticed her turning away. He gave the quilt-wrapped girl a light pat. “Don’t you want to see what Sister said?”

He had gone to the station today because of a prior agreement with his sister. She had written one letter for him and one for Jiang Wanshu. He saw no need to read a private letter between women, which led to the scene where Jiang Wanshu, after finishing the letter, held it with trembling hands and tear-filled eyes. She suddenly threw her arms around him, weeping softly.

“Zhou Yan, why are you so foolish!” her voice broke, soft and full of sorrow.

Zhou Yan immediately understood why she was saying this. He pulled her close and patted her back soothingly.

While he loved the sound of her voice when it was broken and breathless during their intimacy, he hated to see her cry like this.

The sight of her like this made his heart ache.

He stroked her back and coaxed her gently, “It’s fine. It’s just a title of ‘Tegin.’ Once I take the martial arts examinations and earn my merits, it will be the same if your Father Emperor appoints me to a position.”

“How is it the same? By all accounts, the grasslands are your home. If your position there is gone, how will you support yourself when you return in the future?” Jiang Wanshu struggled slightly within his embrace, her small fists lightly drumming against his chest.

Zhou Yan knew that a delicate girl like her needed coaxing. Besides, as someone who had been picked up and brought to the grasslands by his sister, did he ever truly have a home to begin with?

That place where he had lived for so long was merely a roof over his head; it didn’t carry the weight of the worries Jiang Wanshu was expressing.

However, from the very first moment he laid eyes on Jiang Wanshu, he had developed an affection for that dilapidated house. It was because, within those walls, he had spent time with her. In his mind, that was what made it a home.

Zhou Yan instinctively countered, “Wherever you are, that is my home. My only fear was that you would look down on me for having no rank, or that you would suffer from the mundane hardships of daily life after we wed. I feared even more that once you knew I had relinquished my title as a Tegin of the grasslands—losing the power to keep you by my side—you would sweep me out the door.”

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Jiang Wanshu’s gaze softened and reddened. She threw her arms around him, pressing her cheek against his chest.

Her body was as soft and sweet as lotus cake. Moved by his words, she spoke softly, “I am a Princess. Even if my husband is a commoner, so long as my Imperial Father and Mother are here, I could never be forced to live a life of grievance. And… and…”

She paused, stealing a glance at Zhou Yan before continuing with a flushed face, “And, since I have already confessed my heart to you, in my mind, I acknowledge our marriage back in the grasslands. You needn’t worry that I would ever abandon you for such reasons.”

The moment she finished, Zhou Yan tightened his grip on her waist. His eyes flashed with excitement and fervor, so much so that he nearly overlooked her promise not to abandon him.

In truth, Zhou Yan didn’t think the loss of his title was a significant matter. He hadn’t told her earlier simply because he didn’t want her to think he was shiftless; having a rank proved he was ambitious and worthy of her respect.

As for his “worry” that she might abandon him, he was merely playing along with the mood. In reality, even if it meant death, he would never give her the chance to leave him. With his martial prowess, whether through persuasion or force, he would never let her escape his grasp.

Of course, he would keep these dark thoughts buried deep in his heart to avoid frightening her. Besides, he quite enjoyed evoking her pity. “Wanwan, do you truly acknowledge me as your Mageba?”

Jiang Wanshu didn’t notice the predatory shift in his gaze; she simply nodded shyly. “I do.”

Upon hearing this, his hands actually trembled with exhilaration. Unlike the times he had pressured her into saying it, this was a sincere admission. He finally knew his place in her heart, and to him, these words were extraordinary.

He suddenly wanted to pull her closer and indulge in her softness. But just as he was about to kiss her brow, a small hand pushed against his chest. “Zhou Yan, wait.”

In a jubilant mood, he loosened his hold and asked, “What is it?”

“I said that in my heart, I acknowledge you as my husband. But here in the Central Plains, no one knows of this. I must have a proper wedding by the customs of my home. You must work hard to earn merit and fame, then officially request my hand from my Imperial Father and Mother. That is the proper way.” Her hair had become a bit tousled in his arms, making her look like a charming, ruffled little kitten.

Having spoken her piece, Jiang Wanshu lowered her eyes, shyly awaiting his response.

She wasn’t someone who ignored propriety. She knew that if their feelings were true, a wedding in the Central Plains was a necessity. It wasn’t just for show; it was to let the world know she was wed through proper channels, ensuring their love story would be seen as beginning from the moment she brought him to the palace, rather than focusing on their initial, less-than-ideal encounter.

Naturally, Zhou Yan had no objections. If she didn’t find the trouble of a second wedding beneath her, he would gladly do whatever made her happy.

He nodded easily, his long arm snaking around her slender waist again. Jiang Wanshu beamed, looking up to meet his eyes. “Really?”

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?” Zhou Yan looked radiant.

“When haven’t you…” Jiang Wanshu muttered under her breath. Zhou Yan caught it instantly; he shifted, pinning her down and looming over her.

He looked down at her beautiful face, his tone teasing. “Wanwan, what was that you said?”

In a flash, Jiang Wanshu squeaked out a “Nothing!” and quickly covered her pink lips with both hands.

Zhou Yan gave a devious smile. He leaned in close to her face, causing her breath to hitch. This feeling of being caught in his gravitational pull was both dizzying and irresistible.

Under her watchful gaze, Zhou Yan took her wrists in one hand, using a bit of strength to pin them above her head.

In the flickering candlelight, Zhou Yan looked down and kissed her forehead. “Very well. I will work hard for merit, win your father’s favor, become a high-ranking official, and then formally ask your parents for your hand. When that time comes, Wanwan, don’t you dare regret it.”

His sudden seriousness caught Jiang Wanshu off guard. Seeing his intensity, she matched it with her own. She looked at him steadily and gave a solemn nod.

“As long as it is you.”

Support