Yun Ya waited for a few breaths, but when he heard no response from Feng Miaojun, he turned to see her eyes glistening with moisture. He quickly moved closer and asked, “Why such an expression? Have you grown to like me more?”

Despite his playful demeanor, his peach blossom eyes were too bright, making Feng Miaojun uncomfortable. She instinctively averted her gaze: “If you had told me these things earlier, I might have found you less annoying.”

Yun Ya sighed: “In your eyes, am I only annoying?”

Feng Miaojun quickly changed the subject: “Come, let’s talk about what happened after you turned eight. How did you get by?”

In this world, it wasn’t easy for an eight-year-old child to survive alone.

Feng Miaojun rapidly adjusted her mindset, eager to hear what other bitter and tearful stories the powerful and invincible State Preceptor Yun might have. But he merely shrugged: “A year after my mother passed away, my master took me in, taught me the arts of the Dao, and helped me fight against my heart condition.”

“You even had a master!” Feng Miaojun said enviously. “Who was this powerful figure? Let’s see if I’ve heard of him.”

“My master lived hidden from the world, uninvolved in worldly affairs. Even if I told you his name, it would be useless—you certainly wouldn’t have heard of him. He had some connection with my mother, which is why he agreed to take me as his disciple. After I mastered the arts, he left again.” Yun Ya said casually, “It’s been many years since I last saw him.”

“Your abilities—were they all taught by him?” Why were there so many hidden masters in this world, yet she could never find one to accept her as a disciple?

“Yes.” He pointed at the last piece of bamboo shoot on the plate. “Still want it?”

“You have it.” She generously pushed the plate toward him.

After the meal, Feng Miaojun stood up to collect the dishes: “Go rest. There’s nothing for you to do here.” Having brought no maid with her, and with a patient before her, she had to clean up herself.

Feng Miaojun fetched water and washed the dishes twice in the back kitchen before letting out a soft sigh. At that moment, the wooden door behind her creaked open. Without turning around, she knew it was Yun Ya coming in.

A pair of arms extended from behind, wrapping around her waist.

Feng Miaojun struggled slightly: “Let go.” Her mind was in chaos, and she didn’t want to see him at all. What she needed most right now was to be alone.

He didn’t release her. Instead, he rested his chin on her shoulder and whispered: “You once said that as long as I’m not the State Preceptor of Wei Kingdom, you would marry me?”

She made a sound of assent.

“Will you keep your word?”

“A gentleman’s promise is binding.” The heat from the male body pressed tightly against her back transmitted over, making her mouth dry.

Her resistance to this fellow seemed to be growing weaker and weaker.

He chuckled softly: “Neither of us qualifies as a gentleman.”

She snorted: “I always keep my word.”

Yun Ya suddenly turned her around to face him, gazing deeply into her eyes: “An’an, do you have feelings for me?”

His gaze was too intense and too stubborn. Feng Miaojun opened her mouth in a daze, not knowing how to answer. Deny it? But she felt something. Admit it? She didn’t dare.

He asked very seriously: “If you don’t like me, why did you come to save me this time?”

“That’s…” There was a misunderstanding, but she couldn’t say it directly. Feng Miaojun bit her lower lip, suddenly thinking, “You want to marry me because I saved you?” Was he offering himself in return?

“Since Wufu Snow Mountain, I’ve often thought of you,” he pressed his forehead against hers. “Hated you so much that my teeth itched, thinking about what I would do to you when we met again. Hmm, but you gave me quite a surprise.”

His voice carried resentment, and Feng Miaojun wanted to laugh but couldn’t. The back kitchen was too small, the air too stifling. She felt a bit dizzy.

Ah, she had drunk quite a bit of wine earlier.

He continued through gritted teeth: “Want to know how I plan to deal with you?”

“No…” She meant to say “don’t want to,” but just as she formed the first sound, which required her to purse her lips, the “want” that was to follow was pushed back into her mouth by him.

Yun Ya was kissing her again. His mouth was very fresh as if he had just chewed mint leaves.

This calculating man!

He held her tightly, and the kiss conveyed a sense of urgency. Feng Miaojun instinctively pushed him away twice, eliciting two muffled groans from him, apparently in pain. Only then did she remember he was injured and didn’t dare use more force?

Then he became even more persistent. She knew this person was taking liberties with her, but she felt like she was soaking in hot water, her limbs soft and powerless.

Passion is most addictive; once touched, it’s hard to stop.

Her mind and body seemed to split in two. Though her consciousness was sounding alarms, her body refused to obey, willing only to sink deeper.

In this half-submerged, half-floating state, suddenly there came two loud wails from outside, as loud as a steam whistle!

Deep, resonant, tearing through the night sky. Most importantly, it called Feng Miaojun’s soul back.

Having been with the army for months, she knew exactly what that sound was:

Three blasts, three calls—the Wei army had sounded the bugle for attack!

She jolted, instantly becoming clear-headed, and pushed the man’s head away. “The battle has begun!”

He clung to her like an octopus, still looking for places to kiss: “It won’t reach here.”

“Still, we can’t.” Her voice still carried a hint of softness, but she reached out to grasp his handsome face. “Get off!”

Her determined attitude made Yun Ya realize that once again, he had no chance. He loosened his grip and collapsed directly onto her, hoarsely complaining: “My little ancestor, are you trying to kill me?”

“Who…” Before she could finish speaking, Yun Ya maliciously pushed against her twice. Then she understood which part of him was in mortal danger.

Blushing, she said: “Don’t be absurd, stop fooling around.”

Yun Ya’s gaze carried both resentment and fire.

Watching the delicacy swiftly escape, he wanted to tear apart whoever was blowing that horn.

“It won’t be that easy to breach.” He stared at her intently. “We still have plenty of time.”

He was also aroused, his face flushed, peach blossom eyes veiled as if with a thin mist.

Feng Miaojun forcefully poked his shoulder: “Have you forgotten where you’re injured?”

He had been stabbed in the lower back; it couldn’t have healed so quickly!

Key point: lower back.

Yun Ya made an “ah” sound, his face showing some dejection: “You remember so clearly.” Indeed, he couldn’t do anything yet.

Feng Miaojun pushed him away and hurried to the small courtyard, taking water from the vat to splash on her face. Only then did she quickly calm down.

What had possessed her! While Inzi City was facing calamity and thousands of households were in terror, she had been oblivious to the outside world, nearly rolling in the sheets with that demon!

That’s right—it had been a long time since the two of them had chatted so harmoniously. She had merely felt a tiny bit of sympathy for his childhood, and thus slightly lowered her guard. He had seized the opportunity to take advantage of her vulnerability!

She shouldn’t have sympathized with him! There were so many children in the world without parents, and she had seen life stories a hundred times more tragic than his. Why did she soften her heart only for him?

Her chest felt cool. Looking down, she discovered that all the buttons on her front were undone, and her undergarments crooked, revealing an unlimited view.

Damn it! Had this fellow developed a knack for undressing her? Why were his movements becoming more and more skillful?