Qin Yining quietly steeled herself mentally, gritted her teeth and pushed open the door. Before she could even step inside, a large hand pulled her over and held her tightly in an embrace.

The “creak” of the door closing sounded behind her, then the world spun around. Her back pressed against the cold wall, yet a burning body pressed against her front. Before she could speak, her lips were fiercely sealed.

Pang Xiao’s mouth had a faint bitter taste of medicine, but more than that was a scorching heat that could burn her to ashes. Qin Yining felt as if she were on fire, her body seeming to lose all its bones. If not for Pang Xiao’s arms supporting her, she would have collapsed long ago.

The room, where the lamp had been extinguished long before, was pitch black. Only the sounds of their kissing and heavy breathing filled the air. One of Pang Xiao’s hands pressed against the back of her head, preventing her from retreating, while the other caressed her slender back.

Only when both felt they could barely breathe did they finally part.

With her arms around his neck, she gazed up at the handsome face so close to hers, breathing heavily, and whispered, “Pang Zhixi.”

This was the first time she had called his courtesy name in such a tone.

Fire ignited in Pang Xiao’s eyes as he hummed a low “Mm” in her ear.

Qin Yining buried her face in the hollow of his neck and whispered, “How wonderful it would be if you didn’t have to go back.”

Pang Xiao’s heart felt as if it had been violently squeezed. All the romantic feelings from moments before shattered completely, leaving only pity and guilt for her.

Holding her tightly in his arms, Pang Xiao placed a reverent kiss on her forehead.

“Everything will be fine. There will come a day when we can stay together.”

Qin Yining nodded, but thinking of Qin Huaiyuan and Sun Shi, thinking of Yuchi Yan and Li Yanyan, her heart still felt somewhat heavy. However, being an extremely rational person, she wouldn’t easily voice such demands.

Yet Pang Xiao sensitively detected her emotional downturn. After thinking for a moment, he asked, “Worried about your father?”

Qin Yining nodded along with his words.

Pang Xiao said, “When chaos breaks out on the battlefield, it’s indeed very dangerous. I’ll arrange for those four elite Tiger Guards to stay by father-in-law’s side to protect him. Rest assured, as long as it’s a situation I can control, I won’t let father-in-law come to harm.”

Qin Yining obediently nodded.

Seeing she was still downcast, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.

Recalling that she had been fine before Sun Shi’s visit, but became melancholy after chatting with Sun Shi for a few moments, Pang Xiao, being extremely clever and well-informed about matters concerning these important people, thought of how Qin Huaiyuan had an extremely beautiful woman following him in the outer city military camp, and guessed the situation.

Pang Xiao tentatively said, “When you marry me, I promise not to take concubines, not to sleep with servant girls, and not to visit pleasure houses. There will only be you alone. Is that good?”

Qin Yining was startled by his sudden promise and looked up at him in surprise. “You… what a strange person. Why say this so suddenly?”

Seeing her expression, Pang Xiao knew he had guessed correctly. This silly girl had just been uncomfortable about the matter between Qin Huaiyuan and Sun Shi. He laughingly pinched her fair cheek, “Don’t you like it?”

Qin Yining’s face reddened as she glared at him again. Her eyes, sparkling like water, couldn’t hide her joy, yet she said insincerely, “That’s what you say, but isn’t it normal for you men to have multiple wives and concubines? Even if you don’t bring them home, there are still social obligations and casual affairs during business entertainment.”

Pang Xiao laughed when he heard this, “I didn’t expect you’ve already thought about our future.”

Only then did Qin Yining realize what she had said. Her face flushed red as she turned and walked toward the inner room.

Pang Xiao followed behind her, laughing, “I’m very happy that you think this way. You’ve suffered so much because of me. If I don’t treat you well, wouldn’t that make me less than human? Besides, my feelings for you are like ‘having seen the vast ocean, other waters seem small; except for Wushan’s clouds, other clouds pale in comparison.'”

Pang Xiao followed her steps and sat together on the canopy bed.

Qin Yining said, “You only know how to sweet-talk and coax people.”

“I never coax people,” Pang Xiao said seriously. “A true man’s word is his bond.”

His seriousness made Qin Yining feel somewhat uncomfortable.

She got up and fetched a pillow and thin blanket from the cabinet, saying, “Hurry and rest. You sleep here, I’ll go outside.”

Seeing her blush and change the subject, Pang Xiao smiled knowingly and didn’t pursue the explanation. He took the pillow and placed it on the bed, saying, “Whether you believe me now or not doesn’t matter. You don’t need to remember what I said – just watch what I do in the future.”

As he spoke, he pressed Qin Yining to sit on the bed, saying, “You sleep on the bed, I’ll sleep on the footstool. This way we can still talk.”

“You’re still running a fever. How can I let you sleep on the footstool?”

“Do you think I came to the army to enjoy luxury? I’ve slept in grass sheds and horse stables. Having a footstool to sleep on is already quite good.” Pang Xiao smiled as he took the mattress and spread it on the footstool outside the canopy bed’s outer compartment. He placed the pillow down and lay straight down, unable to resist letting out a comfortable sigh.

“After being tired all day, lying down feels so comfortable.”

Qin Yining sat on the bed’s edge, watching him curl up his legs and lie stiffly straight, not daring to turn over. Her heart couldn’t help but ache.

“Why don’t you come onto the bed instead?”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao suddenly opened his eyes wide and slowly propped himself up to look at her.

Qin Yining’s face grew hot, but she maintained a stern expression, “Don’t think too much. I mean this bed is so big, the two of us sleeping on it could still fit a small table between us. You sleep on the outer side, so if someone comes, it’ll be convenient to hide. Although it’s summer now, there’s still wind from the ground. You’re injured and running a fever – do you want to get even sicker sleeping on the floor?”

Pang Xiao laughed, “Then I’ll respectfully accept your gracious offer.”

Qin Yining glared at him and took off her shoes to get on the bed, moving the pillow and blanket to the inner side, placing the small table in the middle.

Pang Xiao took his pillow and placed it on the outer side. He also moved the mattress to the foot of the bed, then lowered and arranged all the gauze curtains of the canopy bed, placing their shoes side by side in neat rows. Looking down at her beautiful, delicate embroidered soft-soled shoes placed right next to his black boots, his heart filled with sweetness.

Pang Xiao blew out the lamp and slowly lay down.

The bedding carried an elegant, subtle fragrance that belonged uniquely to Qin Yining, and the pillow seemed to still hold the jasmine scent from her hair. Pang Xiao slowly turned over, burying his face in the thin blanket and taking a breath. He couldn’t help but laugh, “People say daughters are made of water, but my treasure is made of flowers. Just sleeping beside you, I feel my nose is full of fragrance.”

Qin Yining lay on her side facing inward, her back to him. Although there was a small table between them, his voice seemed to be right in her ear, making her close her eyes tightly, not knowing how to respond.

Pang Xiao didn’t wait for her answer and laughed, “I must remember today well – this is the first time we’ve slept together.”

Qin Yining frowned and thought darkly: These words are far too awkward.

A large hand landed on her head.

Pang Xiao gently scratched her scalp, and the tingling, numbing sensation instantly spread throughout her entire body.

He then lovingly and gently pinched her earlobe before whispering softly, “Treasure, sweet dreams.”

Qin Yining closed her eyes. Although her face was red and her heart racing, she was also extremely elated.

She had thought she would suffer from insomnia, but this night she slept more peacefully than ever before. Even the nightmares that had troubled her for so long didn’t come to disturb her.

When she woke up, the space beside her was already empty.

Qin Yining jolted awake with a start.

Had he left?

Sitting up, Qin Yining called out, “Someone come.”