“Military Advisor Lu…”

General Wei Cong’s boisterous voice suddenly arrived, then abruptly retreated.

Still somewhat shy, embarrassed at being discovered, Luo Lingyu backed away, covering her mouth with the back of her hand, unwilling to continue kissing. Her eyes were moist, containing what seemed like a layer of mist, hazy, about to fall but not quite. Above the water gleamed flames, sparks splashing in the watery, lustrous reflection.

So beautiful.

Lu Yun wasn’t necessarily deeply entranced; after all, he had just returned from the battlefield, both mentally and physically exhausted. When Luo Lingyu backed away, he didn’t stop her. But when he lifted his eyelashes and glanced at her wet eyes, his heart suddenly emptied, as if losing his soul.

Though Lu Yun’s face still carried traces of coldness, when the young lady’s waist retreated, he reached out to support the back of her head, pulling her back into his embrace. He lowered his mouth to kiss her again.

Suddenly passionate.

The temperature of their entangled mouths suddenly rose.

Luo Lingyu pounded his shoulder with her hand, wanting him to release her: “Mmm!”

Lu Yun kept his eyes closed, the firelight illuminating his face, shadows dancing beneath his eyelashes. His face remained somewhat pale, but his heart had grown warm. His sudden surge of deep emotion and the burning temperature between their lips and teeth nearly suffocated Luo Lingyu—

What had come over him?!

The firelight was dim, the candlelight weak, and the night wind crashed against the iron horses, horse gear, and weapon racks, creating constant clanging sounds. From near and far came the soldiers’ cheers, drinking game calls, and drunken babbling, all audible. In other parts of the camp, patrolling soldiers moved about in twos and threes. A lantern had fallen beside an antique-style saddle on the ground, nearly stepped on by a passing patrol.

Nearby came constant cursing.

In the brilliantly lit distance, strong wine was being poured, a victory feast was underway, and the main dishes were being served. Performers wearing masks and elaborate clothing danced and sang before the soldiers, pushing everyone’s victorious spirits to their peak. Entertainment was rare in the military camp, and the singers drew from real experiences, sitting cross-legged on the ground, striking their chopsticks as they sang:

“Gathering wild herbs, gathering wild herbs, the herbs have grown tall. Speaking of return, speaking of return, but the year draws to its end.

No home, no dwelling, because of the barbarians. No time to rest, because of the barbarians…”

All of that gradually grew distant. What remained before her eyes was only the young lord’s downcast, peaceful face. His features were so clear and bright, his temperament as open as mountains and waters, deeply moving. Luo Lingyu was momentarily dazed by his kiss, her hands trembling as they clutched his clothes at the shoulders, then heard his hoarse voice as he sucked at her lips: “I thought I would never see you again…”

Luo Lingyu’s pupils contracted, and her heart suddenly struck, scattering her spirits, her heart aching—

Yes, her future husband had a death prophecy.

A person who knew he could die at any time, who never showed it. He always appeared composed and in control, his expression deceptive, making her think he must have everything planned, causing her to forget about his prophecy.

But deep inside, Lu Yun must have been afraid too, right?

Luo Lingyu’s eyes grew hot, her heart wrinkled as if soaked in water. She suddenly tightened her arms around his neck, her body passionately meeting his. Originally, he had calmly held the back of her head while kissing her, but as she met him with intimacy, not only did she bury herself completely in his embrace, but she also pushed him backward.

Who cared if someone else might see?

Almost impatiently, she tightly embraced his young, vigorous shoulders and back. The haystack was soft, and Lu Yun was truly pushed down. He was also surprised, raising an eyebrow, and then giving a muffled laugh. Somewhat indulgent, somewhat teasing, as if he hadn’t expected his little sister Yuyi to be so brave.

Lu San-lang was pushed back to recline on the haystack, the sash at his waist becoming disheveled in their interaction. Their bold and passionate embrace, with kisses moving to the neck, when the young lady tremblingly took his Adam’s apple in her mouth and lightly licked it, she felt his body suddenly shake, his throat releasing an extremely hoarse groan.

Lu Yun’s voice was hoarse enough to capture souls: “Sister… continue…”

The young man’s neck suddenly arched high, the blood vessels beneath becoming visible. His long neck, prominent and beautiful Adam’s apple, and hands suddenly gripping her waist forcefully… Lu Yun’s body burned hot as he pressed her toward him, his hands uncontrollably caressing her. Those movements that were usually so composed and indifferent were now full of anxiety and frustration.

Urgent.

Luo Lingyu was surprised by his reaction, her face growing hot from his touch. She had never seen how a beautiful man looked when consumed by desire, had never seen Lu Yun like this when sober… so this was how strongly he reacted to having his neck kissed.

It made her blush crimson.

As they pushed and pulled at each other, their clothes became disheveled, and Luo Lingyu felt both joyful and embarrassed. Her hands rested on their pressed-together chests, and as he caressed her, she didn’t know how she was responding to him in her difficulty to endure. She almost felt they would consummate things here, feeling both afraid and excited by the prospect. But suddenly, Luo Lingyu touched somewhere unknown and felt the young lord beneath her hand tremble and stiffen, letting out a muffled groan as his body instinctively drew back.

Not from excitement.

But from pain.

Luo Lingyu suddenly became clear-headed: “Brother Xuecen, what’s wrong?”

Lu Yun calmly gripped her hand, preventing her from touching him further. His lips pressed against her clear collarbone as he laughed softly: “Brother is just feeling pleasure.”

How could Luo Lingyu be so easily fooled: “Lu Yun!”

She pushed away his face from her shoulder hollow and stared at him with wide eyes, seeing the slight sweat on his forehead and how his face, though flushed with desire, showed a ghostly paleness beneath. Luo Lingyu immediately became serious, her hands feeling his waist: “You’re injured, aren’t you?! Where are you hurt? Are you hiding it from me? Lu Yun!”

Lu Yun’s face showed slight discomfort.

Yet he still maintained a smile, continuing to draw her into his embrace, speaking vaguely: “I’m not injured, it’s such a beautiful moment, why must sister spoil the mood?”

Luo Lingyu looked up, her gaze containing light that scattered like a lake full of starlight, swaying and mesmerizing.

Lu Yun: “…”

Even though he knew in his heart that she might not be as upset as she appeared, being stared at accusingly by the young lady with eyes that said “You deceived me,” “I’m so wronged,” “Lu Yun is a scoundrel,” even the stone-hearted Lu Yun couldn’t help but pause. Lu Yun turned his face slightly, quite embarrassed—he was truly rarely led around by a young woman.

Luo Lingyu knew well not to truly anger Lu Yun, after all, they weren’t married yet, and if she upset him too much, what if he decided not to marry her? To handle a proud and aloof man like Lu Yun, one had to proceed gradually.

Luo Lingyu used all her knowledge of captivating men on Lu Yun.

Thus, when she saw traces of displeasure on his face, she tremblingly, weakly embraced his neck, and clung to him, whimpering and crying.

Lu Yun: “…”

Luo Lingyu sobbed: “I worry so much about you, whether you’re eating and staying warm enough, thinking about you all day. I think of you in everything I do, the military camp environment is so terrible, why do you think I stay here? Isn’t it all to help you? I spend all day moving among smelly men, seeing blood every day, and getting acupuncture every day. I’m so scared…”

Lu Yun: “…”

He had to give in to Luo Lingyu.

The young lord smiled helplessly: “Alright, alright, I’ve wronged you, made you suffer. Your work in the military camp isn’t because you fear Nanyang will fall, not to build a good reputation, not for that bit of righteousness left in your heart, it’s all for me. It’s me, it’s me, it’s all because of me, causing little Yuyi to fall into such a state. So wrong, crying and sobbing, look, even your nose has turned red from crying…”

Luo Lingyu’s face reddened at his words which were both teasing and mocking. When he lowered his head to kiss her again and pinch her cheek, she broke into a smile through her tears.

Luo Lingyu: “So are you injured or not?!”

Lu Yun hesitated for a moment, then nodded: “I am slightly injured, but it’s not serious.”

When he said it wasn’t serious, Luo Lingyu didn’t believe him at all and insisted on pulling at him, wanting to see clearly. After much back and forth between them, perhaps because Lu Yun was mentally exhausted, or perhaps because he truly liked Luo Lingyu, when she pulled him to stand and demanded to return to the tent to examine his injuries, Lu Yun couldn’t refuse and gave in. Neither attended the evening banquet, instead returning to Lu Yun’s tent, where Luo Lingyu eagerly urged him to remove his clothes.

Lu Yun glanced at her sideways: “Do you know no shame? This is the first time I’ve seen a young lady so eager to remove a young lord’s clothes.”

Luo Lingyu: “Brother Xuecen, at this point, shouldn’t you stop trying to irritate me with clever words?”

Her beautiful eyes flowed with emotion as she shot him a reproachful glance. Lu Yun lowered his head and smiled, truly unable to delay any longer, and had no choice but to kneel on the couch under Luo Lingyu’s gaze and slowly begin to untie his sash. Broad shoulders and narrow waist, after removing his outer robe and untying his belt, his unhurried movements were like strolling through a garden, like a night orchid blooming alone, extremely alluring.

Luo Lingyu was still somewhat younger, and even though she had already been intimate with him when he glanced at her, she still couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable. Her eyes darted away, somewhat afraid to look.

However, these romantic feelings disappeared when he removed his upper garment, and Luo Lingyu saw the sword and knife marks on his chest and back. Though not severe enough to require bandaging, and insignificant compared to other men who had been on the battlefield, but, but… Lu Yun was so much more handsome than other men, and the injuries on him were like dust clouding a bright pearl, most disappointing.

Luo Lingyu stared at the wounds on his shoulders and back, checking them over and over, using all the methods the military doctor had taught her, and found they were indeed minor injuries. She couldn’t help feeling disappointed: “Is that all?”

Lu Yun glanced at her: “From your tone, it seems you’d rather I was bedridden with severe injuries?”

Luo Lingyu’s face reddened: “Of course not!”

She had only thought, from his earlier reluctant reaction, that his injuries were extremely severe, affecting his vital meridians, which was why he was unwilling to tell her. Luo Lingyu’s heart had been full of worry, already guessing that Lu Yun might have an incurable illness, wondering what if she had to support him for the rest of his life… Her heart was tangled, on one hand terrified that Lu Yun would throw the responsibility onto her, on the other hand unable to bear leaving him. Luo Lingyu had nearly frightened herself to death, only to find that Lu Yun’s injuries were truly, as he had said, not serious.

Just like when he accidentally cut himself while shaving, just minor wounds.

Luo Lingyu was disappointed but forced herself to brighten up: “Let me apply some medicine for you.”

Lu Yun pointed, and she retrieved the ointment from where he indicated, returning to apply it to him. He wore only his middle trousers, his upper body bare, and his slim frame containing strength like a sword cleaving mountains. His muscular lines flowed smoothly, like fine silk draped over a coiling dragon, continuous and majestic, the mountain’s contours undulating, all leading down to his narrow waist and hips.

Luo Lingyu’s hands pressed against him.

Lu Yun looked at her.

The young lady grew annoyed: “Why are you looking at me like that? I’m applying medicine for you, I’m not looking or touching inappropriately. What’s with that almost-smiling expression? What does it mean?”

Lu Yun laughed lightly: “I haven’t said anything.”

Luo Lingyu: “You haven’t said it, but it’s written all over your eyes. Again thinking I’m being overly emotional and blinded by desire… hmph, with such a high and mighty attitude, you deserve…”

Lu Yun suddenly interrupted her, speaking gently: “Little sister Yuyi was thinking a lot just now, wasn’t she? Did you wonder what you would do if I were truly fatally injured, or had an incurable illness?” He reached out to curl her hair around his finger, smiling slightly, lowering his gaze to examine her, his tone coaxing: “You did think about it, didn’t you?”

Luo Lingyu was silent for a moment: “Brother Xuecen, it’s best not to test love during peaceful times.”

Lu Yun’s pupils contracted, his expression pausing for a moment before he smiled and pulled her waist, drawing her into his embrace to kiss her: “Little sister Yuyi is right, I was wrong. Better not to test it, brother should just love you well for a lifetime…”

He kissed her tenderly, full of affection, successfully making Luo Lingyu soft as water again as she embraced his waist. When her hands touched his warm skin and the cool ointment, she could barely spare a thought: ah, she hadn’t finished applying medicine to Brother Xuecen.

Luo Lingyu struggled: “No, no, no…”

Lu Yun was displeased: Why another “no”?

Luo Lingyu spoke brokenly: “Don’t touch your injuries…”

Lu Yun paused for a moment, the light in his eyes growing gentle as he said hoarsely: “It’s fine. I don’t mind the pressure, the injuries aren’t serious. Lingyu, Lingyu…” His long fingers stroked her hair, pressing neither too hard nor too soft. He concealed his emotions, forcing himself to remain controlled and calm. He maintained that degree of control, though his body was already trembling with heat; outwardly, he still only embraced and kissed her.

Lu Yun murmured: “Lingyu… with matters of state taking precedence, is it wrong for me to indulge in romance and private pleasure?”

Luo Lingyu, kissed until she was breathing in light moans, curled up like a cat. When she opened her wet eyes to answer, she found that Lu Yun didn’t want her answer. Lu Yun muttered to himself: “Let me indulge then, the state isn’t mine anyway. I won’t take you, I’ll just kiss and touch…”

He couldn’t lose her.

But that death prophecy, that death prophecy… made his eyes darken with anxiety.

And Luo Lingyu, pressed against the bed as he kissed her, felt his uneasy emotions, like a volcano being suppressed. A brief confusion flashed through her mind, wondering why, when the soldiers all told her that military advisors wouldn’t enter battle unless necessary, Lu Yun got these injuries. Was it related to his current emotional state?