When they collapsed onto the bed, Qi Yue was almost suffocated by the weight pressing down on her.

Chang Yuncheng somewhat awkwardly probed with his foot to kick away whatever unknown object had nearly tripped him, while using his hand to prop up half his body.

Qi Yue had already coughed several times.

“You bastard…” she cursed.

“What’s all this clutter in the room, why didn’t you clean it up properly,” Chang Yuncheng said with a flushed face.

“When would I have time to clean!” Qi Yue replied irritably.

This unexpected exchange interrupted the tension that had arisen from Chang Yuncheng’s sudden movement, and also made the atmosphere somewhat strange.

The two lay on the bed still maintaining their position with one above and one below.

Chang Yuncheng seemed to suddenly notice the soft, tender, fragrant sensation beneath him, and his face turned completely red.

What, what was he doing?

Fortunately, the night concealed everything.

But it couldn’t conceal the increasingly heavy and rapid breathing.

“Get up,” Qi Yue said in a low voice.

Chang Yuncheng breathed a sigh of relief. He was truly afraid this woman would keep silent – when she didn’t speak, he was scared, but when she did speak, it was better.

He relaxed and leaned down closer to her.

This little rascal really had guts!

Qi Yue widened her eyes and raised her hand to press against his chest.

“Get up quickly!” she shouted again, “You’ve gone too far!”

Chang Yuncheng ultimately didn’t dare to force himself on her.

“I won’t get up,” he answered sullenly.

Qi Yue couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“Get up,” she said, this time with a much gentler tone, reaching out to push him, “Your clothes are poking into me.”

Chang Yuncheng was wearing official robes with protective gear – hard and rigid.

He obviously just realized this and immediately got up.

“Then I’ll take them off,” he said.

As the restraints left her, Qi Yue hurriedly sat up as well, seeing Chang Yuncheng indeed beginning to remove his clothes. She couldn’t help but spit in disgust.

“In the middle of the night, you just randomly come to a woman’s place and strip! Get out now!” She lifted her foot to kick him.

Chang Yuncheng, nervous and half-kneeling on the kang, found these clothes that he normally wore and removed with ease extremely difficult to unfasten at this moment. A layer of sweat formed on his nose, and Qi Yue’s kick made him sit down on the kang.

Chang Yuncheng became annoyed and simply tore at the fabric clothing, ripping it apart while pulling off those protective pieces.

Qi Yue felt both angry and amused, lifting her foot to kick him again.

“Get out, get out,” she said.

This time her raised foot was caught by Chang Yuncheng’s outstretched hand, and then with another pull, accompanied by her low cry, she was pressed beneath him again.

“It’s not poking anymore, right?” Chang Yuncheng didn’t forget to ask.

Qi Yue couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

In the night, their close faces were hazy and indistinct. Yet Chang Yuncheng seemed to clearly see the bright, beautiful face of the woman before him.

He slowly leaned down, and Qi Yue quickly turned her head aside. Chang Yuncheng’s head fell beside her ear.

Qi Yue thought he would move again, but the head beside her ear remained completely still, with hands passing beneath her body, tightly embracing her.

“Yueniang.”

The murmuring voice by her ear, the warm breath, made Qi Yue’s skin slightly tremble.

“Yueniang.”

He murmured her name, his voice seeming to cry and laugh at the same time, with no other words, only this sound after sound of whispers coming from deep within his chest.

Qi Yue’s body gradually softened.

“What are you calling out for? Didn’t you want to chase me away? Get up quickly. Don’t block me from leaving,” she said with a huff.

“Yueniang,” Chang Yuncheng buried his face in her shoulder, pressing against her soft hair and said in a muffled voice, “Rather than wait for you to say you’re leaving, I’d rather say it first myself. Because I cannot, not even a little bit, bear your rejection.”

“Well now I’ve said it – I want to leave. Get up,” Qi Yue said irritably, patting him with her hand.

Chang Yuncheng tightened his embrace, and Qi Yue made muffled sounds due to the suffocating tightness.

“Now I’m not afraid anymore, and I won’t be afraid in the future either. No matter what you say, no matter how you make a fuss, whether you hit me or scold me or cry, I absolutely will not let you go,” he said, raising his body to look at Qi Yue.

Able to breathe again, Qi Yue couldn’t help but gasp for air with her mouth open.

Chang Yuncheng lowered his head to kiss her lips, easily exploring between her lips and teeth.

Obviously his technique was still clumsy. Qi Yue felt she was about to suffocate, but this man had thick skin and didn’t seem to feel anything despite her scratching and clawing.

Just when Qi Yue felt she was about to die, Chang Yuncheng suddenly released her, propping himself up with one hand while the other began tearing at the already half-torn clothing on his body.

With their bodies pressed tightly together, Qi Yue could clearly feel his burning hardness.

“Don’t you dare! Get out!” she cursed in a low voice.

Chang Yuncheng, no matter how rough, wouldn’t be stupid enough to obediently listen and roll out at this moment.

He didn’t speak either, only quickened his movements. Soon he had removed his upper garments and pressed down again, one hand pressing against Qi Yue’s clothing.

Qi Yue pressed down on his hand.

“I’m telling you…” she was about to shout when Chang Yuncheng suddenly reached out to cover her mouth.

“Someone’s coming,” he said in a low voice, while suppressing his own rapid breathing.

Someone?

Qi Yue was startled.

Listening carefully, she indeed heard the sound of someone landing outside the room.

This sound was very light – if Chang Yuncheng hadn’t reminded her, she wouldn’t have noticed it at all.

This showed the person had martial arts skills.

Qi Yue couldn’t help but widen her eyes. Chang Yuncheng pressed against her cheek and gently nuzzled, as if comforting her.

The rough, stubbled skin rubbed against her somewhat painfully, but she suddenly felt at ease.

Neither spoke as someone approached the window.

“Miss Qi.”

A soft voice sounded outside.

This voice made both people pressed together on the kang suddenly tense up, their eyes widening in disbelief.

“Miss Qi, it’s me, Jiang Hai.”

The person outside gently knocked on the window.

“Miss Qi? Miss Qi?” he called again.

From his manner, he seemed to have no intention of leaving without getting a response.

“Ah, ah,” Qi Yue had to answer. Due to her panic, her voice trembled somewhat, making it sound more like someone suddenly awakened from sleep.

“Miss Qi, I’m Jiang Hai,” Jiang Hai said happily.

Qi Yue felt Chang Yuncheng exhale heavily by her ear, making her shiver involuntarily as she reached out to pinch his waist hard.

“What is it? What’s the matter at this late hour?” Qi Yue said to the outside.

“Nothing, nothing,” Jiang Hai said in a lowered voice, “I just came to say goodbye!”

Goodbye?

Qi Yue had no idea about this. She had been busy all day, thinking that Jiang Hai and the other soldiers were even busier. Not seeing each other was perfectly normal.

He was actually leaving?

She wanted to push Chang Yuncheng to get up herself, but was afraid Jiang Hai would hear something amiss and barge in – that would be utterly humiliating!

Chang Yuncheng, whether from not daring to move or not wanting to move, just held her without letting go.

“Do you have military duties?” she could only ask this way.

“Yes, I’m going to Liaodong,” Jiang Hai said.

Where was Liaodong? Qi Yue had no concept.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?” she asked.

“Yes,” Jiang Hai answered.

In fact, he had left today, but after walking half a day, he kept thinking about it and felt uncomfortable not saying goodbye. He finally turned back, not daring to let anyone discover him. He had snuck in by climbing over the wall.

“So urgent,” Qi Yue wanted to get up but couldn’t, so she could only glare fiercely at Chang Yuncheng.

“It’s nothing, nothing. I’ll be back soon…” Jiang Hai said happily outside.

Chang Yuncheng snorted coldly in his heart.

“…Then be careful,” Qi Yue instructed.

Outside, Jiang Hai grinned.

It was indeed worth coming back for these words.

“…You be careful too, you should still go back to the interior… I’ve asked someone to take care of those plum blossoms, I’ll send them to you when I return… and some fabric knots… for New Year’s, hang them up for celebration…” Jiang Hai chattered outside.

Qi Yue listened with both warmth and sourness in her heart, while Chang Yuncheng was being improper on top of her. His hand explored inside her clothing, kneading and making her almost moan aloud. Angrily, she raised her head to bite his chin hard.

The suppressed breathing of both people was now quite obvious.

At this moment, footsteps could be heard again.

“Who? Who’s there?” A’Ru called out tremblingly.

Jiang Hai quickly turned to respond.

“You, what are you doing? It’s so late!” A’Ru said with relief, stamping her foot, “Are you trying to ruin my mistress’s reputation?”

Most crucially, there was still a man inside the room!

What kind of situation was this!

She had deliberately sent away Xiao Qu and the others to prevent them from hearing what they shouldn’t. She alone kept watch outside, never expecting it would make it convenient for Jiang Hai to sneak in!

If, if…

A’Ru stamped her foot, not daring to think further!

“I’m leaving now, I’m leaving now…” Jiang Hai said awkwardly, while speaking to the room through the window, “Miss Qi, if you need to find me, just have Lord send me a message!”

Qi Yue heard the grinding of teeth from the man beside her ear, and she patted him.

“Yes, I understand. Be careful out there,” she said.

Jiang Hai happily agreed and took quick steps toward the wall. Reaching the wall, he suddenly stopped and looked at A’Ru.

“Eh?” he frowned and asked, “Why are you outside? Then…”

He suddenly looked toward the room.

“Who’s the person inside the room?” he asked.

Everyone inside and outside the room held their breath for a moment.

“It’s A’Hao! What business is it of yours!” A’Ru said, pressing her heart.

Jiang Hai made an “oh” sound, chuckled, and with a leap climbed over the wall.

“The door isn’t even open!” A’Ru stamped her foot. She glanced at the room, stamped her foot again, and walked away.

The courtyard returned to tranquility.

Qi Yue didn’t even have the strength to hit Chang Yuncheng anymore.

“I’m being crushed to death!” she cried.

Chang Yuncheng rolled to one side, burying his head in the pillow and letting out muffled laughter.

“You’re still laughing!” Qi Yue said angrily, raising her hand to hit him.

Chang Yuncheng’s laughter grew louder.

“Just get out! If someone comes and sees, what would I become!” Qi Yue said, angrily trying to get up.

Chang Yuncheng reached out to pull her into his arms.

“What’s there to fear! What would you become? You’re my woman, so what!” he said.

“Ex,” Qi Yue said.

Chang Yuncheng’s laughter stopped abruptly. He held her tightly and bowed his head in silence.

“Yueniang, I’m sorry,” he said.

Qi Yue turned to look at him. In the night, she saw him seem to open his mouth to say something but unable to say anything.

Seeing him like this, Qi Yue wanted to both laugh and felt a bit heartbroken.

Only when you like someone to an incomparable degree would you become so trembling with fear.

She sighed, reached out to embrace his waist, and pressed against his chest.