“Sure,” Chu Qiao quietly responded. Leaning her head on his shoulders, she felt as though the heavens had favored her so much.

Yan Xun’s chest heaved lightly as he replied, “I will always be good to you.”

Chu Qiao lightly smiled and nodded so slightly that one could hardly notice. “I will always trust you.”

Within this room, all noise ceased to be. Beyond the thin silk veils that flowed down from the ceilings, one could occasionally hear the sound of the hourglass. The falling of the sand sounded much like the rustling of the silkworms munching on the Mulberry leaves in spring.

“AhChu, let’s get married after the war in the east is done.”

Chu Qiao lifted her head, and the two looked at each other. Gazing intently into each other, their gazes were pure and warm. It was as though they suddenly traveled back in time, when the young boy looked into the young girl and swore, “I will definitely kill whoever dares to hurt you!”

Right now, Yan Xun held her in his embrace and lightly cooed, “AhChu, all the ruckus is over. We are still together.”

Yes, anyone will change, except us two.

“Sure.” A bright smile erupted on her face. Hugging the young man’s body, it was as though even merely breathing was satisfying. I will always trust you. Forever, ever, and ever. The breeze caressed the two intertwined figures, as the veils rustled, and the candle flickered. It was a scene of complete serenity and peace.

Yan Xun came back, and the while the two of them were eating, Chu Qiao saw that Feng Zhi was hurriedly packing something for Yan Xun. She casually asked, “Are you leaving soon?”

Yan Xun chewed on his food while opening up a letter from the east. He calmly nodded, “Yes, soon.”

“Let me go with you.”

Yan Xun put down the letter and lifted his head up. Firmly, he stated, “The East will see endless war and fighting, especially now that the Xia Army is stronger than ever. Your body is also not feeling very well, I really cannot bear to bring you long distances with me. Considering the peace we enjoy here in Yan Bei, I think you should just stay here.”

Chu Qiao frowned, and anxiously retorted, “I have mostly recovered, just let me go with you. I can help you, I can…”

“AhChu, I have never doubted your ability, but it is about time you take a rest.” When Yan Xun said this, his tone was especially firm. With a scalding gaze, he looked intently at her and said, “AhChu, you have already been through so much. Leave the rest to me. Do you doubt me?”

At that time, Chu Qiao froze up from the mix of emotions that swirled within her heart, her hand holding the chopsticks shook slightly, and she almost lost her grip. Taking a deep breath, she slowly replied, “I am merely worried about you.”

Yan Xun’s expression loosened up, and he stretched out his hand across the table. Gently smiling, he held her hand. “Don’t worry.”

Chu Qiao smiled gently, but she did not know how to reply. Suddenly, she remembered, ever since Yan Xun came back, she had not asked about the military affairs. Right now, she did not even know the rough location of the Xia troops.

With the chilly wind blowing coldly outside, even if there was a warm fireplace in the room, it still felt cold. Yan Xun liked to eat chestnuts, so when she had nothing to do, she would peel chestnuts for him. Now, the entire room was filled with the sweet smell of chestnuts. On the bedside, the desk, the table, and in fact anywhere in the room that was easily accessible had bowls of peeled chestnuts.

The blankets were thick and soft, with embroideries of a golden dragon. The bed was huge enough for even seven to eight people to sleep on. Chu Qiao stretched out her hand and helped him to make his bed, her heart being completely at peace. Perhaps only when she was doing something for him would she feel completely at ease.

Footsteps resounded from behind. Chu Qiao did not turn around, and merely casually informed, “The water is already boiled. You can…” Suddenly, she was embraced from the back. The man’s gentle breathing could be felt on her pristine white nape. Chu Qiao stood up straight and chuckled while lightly pushing him away. “Don’t play. I am making the bed.”

“Who would think that the heroic Master Chu Qiao would also tend to such simple stuff.”

Knowing that he was teasing her, Chu Qiao poked fun at him, “That was so mean of you. I had taken care of you for almost ten years. Yet according to you, I am like a valkyrie of war, not knowing anything except war.”

Yan Xun laughed. “No way. I am merely exclaiming my good fortune.”

Chu Qiao turned around and joked, “Then let me follow you! That way I could keep taking care of you.”

Looking at her, Yan Xun’s face turned dead serious again. Looking at Chu Qiao for a long while, he asked, “AhChu, do you know what my greatest wish is?”

Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow but did not reply.

Yan Xun did not seemed to have wanted her to reply, as he continued in a monologue, “All these years, whenever I see how you have run about for me, I swear deep down in my heart that one day when I rise to power, I will make sure you will not be wronged or hurt ever again. I will ensure that you get the best treatment, and live happily ever after, and enjoy all that a woman would want to enjoy. AhChu, I am a man. Rather than letting you go to the battlefield with me, I wish to see you make the bed, and cook food for me.”

Yan Xun’s expression was extremely calm, but his gaze was particularly serious. Looking at him, Chu Qiao found it difficult to describe her feelings at that moment. Lowering her head, a mix of emotions surfaced in her heart. Finally, she stretched out her hand and hugged Yan Xun by the waist, and whispered, “I know. I will wait here for you. You must quickly come back safe and sound.”

Chu Qiao’s voice was gentle as ever, and Yan Xun was immediately moved, as he could not help but stretch out his finger. Grabbing her chin, he lifted her head up as stared into her eyes. Following that, they slowly inched together into a kiss. His arms hugged her tightly, locking her by her waist, and amidst the passionate kiss, one could hear occasional soft moaning. It was so seductive, as though attempting to tear apart his reasoning.

Yan Xun’s breathing started to become irregular as he felt blood pooling towards his lower body. His large hands forcefully caressed her back, yet he still desired for more. The touch of the lips was no longer enough to satisfy him, as though he desired for even more, even more. The gigantic bed could be seen through the layers of silk veils and exuded an unusual attraction for him. Yan Xun flipped Chu Qiao up into a bridal carry and laid her down on the bed.

Upon touching the bed, Chu Qiao was panicking as she suddenly felt a sense of coldness. Helplessly she widened her eyes, but her weak defense was instantly overwhelmed by his rising passion and scalding breath. He was on top of her, and their bodies rubbed against each other. Their body heat easily transmitted through the thin fabrics.

“Yan…Xun…” A breathless voice sounded. One could not tell if she was happy or upset, or if she was consenting or rejecting.

The hand that had held blades all year round opened up her blouse and slid in. When he contacted the silky smooth skin, Chu Qiao yelped in surprise. By this time, it was impossible for him to stop. Her breath became more panted. Such a wonderful feeling, his last vestige of reasoning began to burn up. With a hoarse voice, he whispered beside Chu Qiao’s ears, “AhChu, I think I can no longer endure anymore.”

Chu Qiao had already lost her ability to speak. Her slightly open mouth was completely covered, and could only give out stifled moans. The dull sensation of her teeth being licked by his tongue sent electric shocks down her spine, giving her wave after wave of goosebumps. The weight atop her body seemed so heavy, yet she felt so at ease. Her clothes slid off her shoulder, revealing her smooth and white shoulder. Illuminated by the candle, she seemed like porcelain.

At this moment, she suddenly had a thought flashing through her mind. Chu Qiao struggled her mouth free, before uttering, “Yan Xun, how old is Jing Yue’er?”

Yan Xun was taken aback. She just asked how old is Jing Yue’er, and not Chu Qiao. What difference was there anyways? This man who did not know anything seemed to feel resentment, as he chided, “AhChu, you are seducing me!”

Chu Qiao shook her head desperately, “Since when?”

“Each time you appear before me so beautifully is a form of seduction!” Yan Xun took a deep breath as he kissed her pure white earlobe, before continuing to blame her, “What’s more, every time after you seduce me, you do not take responsibility.”

Another wave of goosebumps appeared. Chu Qiao could not help but arch her back, yet her mouth continued to speak in broken sentences, “You…are being…unreasonable.”

“Precisely because I was too reasonable, that was why I could not do anything to you.” Yan Xun sighed. “AhChu, how I wish to marry you now.”

“Why not just do it?” a certain person spoke without thinking.

After the words came out from her mouth, Chu Qiao’s face turned beet red as she buried her head in the blanket. Yan Xun was slightly taken aback, followed by loud laughter. Chu Qiao felt as though she must have been crazy, how could she seem to be more eager than him?

“That cannot do.” Yan Xun pulled her out from the blanket and cuddled her on his legs. “The Yan Xun now is still a rebel in Yan Bei which is merely a breakaway province. The entire Yan Bei is barren and still awaiting much rejuvenation. How could I welcome my wife with such a miserable room? Once the war in the east is settled and the internal of Yan Bei is stabilized, I will build a golden palace for you, and use the entire Northwestern Food stockpiles as the bride price. I must make sure that my AhChu is the most revered bride in the entire continent to show that you are my one and only love for eternity.”

Despite knowing his emotion since long ago, Chu Qiao could not help but feel her heart shake at his words. With her vision turning cloudy, her tears almost fell. Slowly lowering her head, she leaned onto his body and lightly said, “I do not want any of those. I only want you to be safe and sound.”

“You may not want, but I must make sure I give you.” Yan Xun gently smiled and kissed her forehead. “I know how you had struggled through these years. Such is my wish, one that I had for many years. I had really owed you too much, and could only use my remaining life to repay you.”

As though her heart had been placed in warm water, Chu Qiao lightly sighed. “Between us, are there still such things as debts and repayment?”

Yan Xun’s voice softened one notch. He replied, “I know how much you had gone through for me.”

The candles continued to flicker, as the layers of layers of silk swayed. The vague shadow of the duo could be seen.

After showering, Yan Xun did not wear his pajamas, and put on clothes to go out. Chu Qiao asked, “What are you going out for?”

Yan Xun casually picked up a robe and draped it over her. Smiling, he said, “I am bringing you back to your room.”

“Back to my room?” Chu Qiao was a tad stunned. In the past few days, she had been sleeping with Yan Xun. Actually, that was no big deal. When they were young, they had always slept together. In fact, in the past few days when she was sick, Yan Xun had guarded beside her day and night, and they had also been sleeping together. What happened how that he must send her back?

“What? Are you missing me?” Yan Xun teased but immediately donned a frown. “AhChu, we are no longer kids. In the past few days, I could not sleep at all, and it was even worse than in Zhen Huang City.”