After Su Li returned to her room, bathed, and changed, she sent the maids away to rest. She picked up a book and leaned against the headboard, reading.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the window. Su Li startled, sitting upright, her hand reaching for the small porcelain bottle. When she saw the familiar figure, she released the bottle.
"You just left; why are you back again?"
Jun Mo came over and sat beside her. "I circled around and came back. Anyway, I won't be sleeping tonight, so I came to chat with you." Her small response just now had delighted him. He couldn't stop the urge to see her, and by the time he regained his senses, he was already in her courtyard.
Jun Mo chuckled wryly. He had fallen into a trap, but he was willing.
Su Li tugged the blanket higher. Since she hadn't expected him, she was wearing her sleeping robes after bathing. This rather obvious attempt to cover up made Jun Mo, who hadn't been paying attention, glance at her. That one glance made the tips of Jun Mo's ears quietly turn red.
Her sleeping robes were loose and thin, and beneath the white fabric, the vibrant red of her undergarment subtly showed through. Noticing his gaze, her face gradually flushed. Her cheeks were translucent, tinged with pink, her beautiful eyes wet and somewhat hazy in the lamplight, her delicate upturned nose, and her full, cherry-red lips...
Jun Mo's Adam's apple bobbed. He forced himself to look away. "You didn't dry your wet hair again. You'll know how painful it is when you get headaches later." He said, taking a cloth and gently holding her dark hair to dry it for her.
Su Li softly hummed, "I have medicine."
Jun Mo felt as though he hadn't drunk any wine tonight, yet he was somewhat intoxicated. Even her simple hum seemed to carry an extra hint of charm and grace. With such a beauty before him, radiant like a spring flower.
Jun Mo managed to dry her hair, then tidied it for her. His fingers brushed against the tie at the back of her neck, and his hand stiffened. Su Li noticed his prolonged silence and turned to ask, "What's wrong?"
His face was exquisitely handsome, especially his eyes. Normally deep and detached, now they sparkled like moonlight, carrying a three-tenths intoxicating quality, seemingly imbued with some unusual emotion. Even one as dispassionate as she couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart at the sight.
Perhaps it was the ethereal, boundless moonlight, or perhaps the lingering scent of a maiden inspiring fanciful thoughts. His expression suddenly deepened, his gaze moving from the woman's picturesque eyebrows, blush-tinged cheeks, to her full red lips, before slowly lowering his head.
"You... Mmm!"
Su Li's eyes widened. She was startled, and before she could react, she felt him cup her hair and deepen the kiss. His lips were as cool and detached as he was, yet the kiss was tender and firm, sweeping shamelessly over her tongue and pearly teeth. A strange sensation enveloped her.
Su Li, having lived two lifetimes, had never been treated like this before. It was as if she were a fragile treasure, cherished with utmost care by the other party. It was laughable to think she had been married in her previous life, yet had never even been kissed.
Just as Su Li felt she might pass out, Jun Mo released her.
"Foolish girl, you need to breathe."
Su Li glared at him, a glare utterly devoid of intimidation. "Have you... been with many people? You're so skilled?"
Jun Mo chuckled, his chest vibrating. Some things were simply instinct.
"You're still laughing."
This coquettish complaint was like ripples spreading across a blue lake, transforming into countless waves that settled deep within one's heart. Jun Mo pulled her back into his embrace.
"The more we practice, the better you'll get, Li'er. You're clever; you'll learn quickly."
"Who wants to..."
Her protests were swallowed whole by Jun Mo.
Jun Mo gazed at her shimmering, beautiful eyes, and said with a gentle smile, "Good girl, close your eyes."
Meeting his tender gaze, Su Li gently closed her eyes. With her eyes closed, her sense of touch intensified. So, kissing could be this wonderful. His embrace was warm and strong, as if she could never escape it in a lifetime, and she had no intention of escaping. Something exploded in her chest, making her heart tremble.
Su Li again felt her brain lacking oxygen and struggled slightly. Jun Mo released her.
Seeing her eyes soft with emotion, he chuckled, "You've made some progress."
Su Li, her eyes glistening with tears, accused, "You're bullying me!" Her voice was soft and lingering, completely unlike her usual calm and distant demeanor.
Jun Mo wanted to lean in again, but Su Li quickly pushed him back. "My lips hurt." In truth, it was more of a tingling numbness.
Jun Mo looked at her and ruffled the top of her hair. He sighed, "Only half a year left!"
Su Li looked at him in confusion.
Jun Mo smiled, "Li'er's coming-of-age ceremony is still half a year away."
Su Li slanted a glance at him, "But the Imperial Astrologers said there are no auspicious days next year."
Jun Mo scoffed, "Who believes them!"
"The Emperor does."
Jun Mo chuckled, "Then tell me, whose words carry more weight: Grandmaster Kongjian or the Imperial Astrologers?"
Su Li looked at Jun Mo in surprise. "You want Grandmaster Kongjian to step forward? But can he be persuaded?"
Jun Mo gave her a profound look and said, "Grandmaster Kongjian is my martial uncle."
No wonder. Su Li smiled playfully, "But my parents said they want to keep me a bit longer."
Jun Mo said pitifully, "Li'er, can you bear to let me sleep in an empty room every day?"
Su Li's face flushed crimson, as if it would bleed. She cursed, "What nonsense are you saying!"
Jun Mo lifted his lips in a silent laugh. "When there is a beauty, she cannot be forgotten. A single day without seeing her, I yearn like mad."
Alright, this person was getting more and more carried away with his words.
"Prince Jing, where is your noble reserve and restraint?"
Jun Mo raised an eyebrow and said, "What is that?"
Just as Su Li was about to speak, there was a disturbance at the window. Jun Mo grabbed the quilt, wrapped her into a ball, leaving only her head exposed, then got up and lowered the curtains before walking to the window. He pushed open a small gap and took a note.
He unfolded it and curled his lips into a smile. Closing the window, he walked back to her side. Su Li poked her head out and asked, "How did it go?"
"Tomorrow, the memorial reporting the discovery of the iron mine will appear on Father Emperor's desk. Those pleasure houses were also completely ransacked, and the women in the secret rooms were rescued. They've also been intervened by the authorities and sealed off. Several gambling dens have been shut down too, leaving only three or four out of ten."
Su Li smiled. "Tonight will be a sleepless night for Jun Hui. But you still need to be careful; I'm afraid he might resort to desperate measures."
Jun Mo held her hand and said, "Li'er is worried about me."
Su Li nodded earnestly, "Yes, I am worried."
Jun Mo ruffled her hair and said, "Don't worry, he can't harm me."
The sound of the night watchman's drum came from outside. Su Li said, "Go back quickly, it's late."
Jun Mo said gently, "The mountains and rivers have dimmed; it is time for rest. Though we may not share a pillow, I wish for us to share the same dream. Sweet dreams, Li'er."
Su Li smiled, "Go quickly." This man, ever since they had spoken openly, was like someone who had opened up his Ren and Du meridians; sweet words flowed effortlessly from his mouth.
Jun Mo leaned down, pressed a soft kiss on her lips, then turned and departed.
Su Li touched her lips; there was a slight stinging sensation. Her heart jolted. She quickly got out of bed and went to the bronze mirror, cursing silently, "Hooligan." She took out a medicine bottle, gently applied the ointment, and then returned to bed.
On the surface, she was nonchalant, but inwardly, she felt a certain joy. It was as if delicate flowers were blooming one after another. She tossed and turned like a pancake on the bed for a while, before finally falling asleep with a smile on her lips.
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