Chapter 287: Shared Bath, His Redemption
Chapter 287: Shared Bath, His Redemption
Lu Yuan was caught off guard and fell into the warm spring water.
Although this hot spring was not as large as the one outside, it still had varying depths, and it could be dangerous for those who couldn't swim.
Lu Yuan's first instinct was to push her up and prevent her from being dragged underwater by him.
He quickly broke the surface, his face cold as he gritted his teeth and said, "Meng Xiaojiu!"
Meng Qianqian looked innocent, "Oops, it was an accident."
Lu Yuan glared at her coldly.
Meng Qianqian had no idea he was worried about her swimming ability. If she knew, she would have told him that she was a good swimmer.
She blinked her eyes and said, "We're already in the water, let's soak for a while. I'm telling you, your cold condition can't be treated with strong medicine. Soaking in hot springs is a beneficial treatment method, and I just tried it for you. It's really effective. Since we're here at the hunting ground, we should make full use of it."
Lu Yuan let out a cold hum.
Meng Qianqian couldn't tell if he agreed or not, so she continued gently, "It's just a treatment, and we won't do anything else. Or...are you worried that I'll take advantage of you?"
Meng Qianqian swore, "I won't. I'm being honest."
After saying this, as if to prove her integrity, Meng Qianqian moved to the other side with utmost propriety, leaving enough space between them to fit three Bao Zhu Zhu.
In the end, Lu Yuan stayed.
The two leaned against the pool, silent.
Meng Qianqian stole a few glances at him discreetly.
His expression seemed normal, but sometimes, understanding a person doesn't require just observation; it requires feeling with the heart.
She was born to her mother who passed away during childbirth, but she didn't grow up alone. She had her father, brother, sect, uncle and aunt, and younger brother and sister.
They showered her with as much love as they could.
Later, when she was adopted by the Prince of Chu, in her fragmented memories, the Prince's family also treated her with sincerity.
She was unfortunate, but at the same time, she was also lucky.
Their love nurtured her, ensuring she didn't become a mere shell driven by hatred on the path of revenge.
But not everyone is as lucky as her, finding redemption while waiting in despair.
Meng Qianqian took a deep breath and smiled, asking, "Have you been here before?"
Lu Yuan replied softly, "When the Crown Prince was alive, I came with him."
Meng Qianqian: "..."
Why bring up that topic?
The atmosphere was already tense.
Meng Qianqian didn't give up, continuing, "Then, who was the Martial General last time?"
"A member of the Han family, the younger brother of General Han, Han Feng Nian."
"That name sounds familiar."
"He sacrificed himself during the war against Northern Liang."
Meng Qianqian closed her eyes, wishing she could punch herself, "Why does it have to be someone who passed away?"
Why can't I ask about someone alive?
After a while, not hearing a response from Meng Qianqian, Lu Yuan asked indifferently, "Why aren't you asking anymore?"
Meng Qianqian muttered, "I'm afraid I'll ask someone into nonexistence."
What kind of talk is this?
The person was gone before she asked about them.
Lu Yuan glared at her speechlessly, wanting to say something but stopping.
Meng Qianqian moved closer to him without drawing attention, observing his expression. Seeing no reaction, she quietly moved half a Bao Zhu Zhu closer.
One, two, three.
She was touching him.
Meng Qianqian gathered her courage and said softly, "Grand Duke, when my father was unhappy, a hug would make him happy. Do you want to try it?"
Lu Yuan gritted his teeth, "Meng Xiaojiu, I'm not your father!"
Meng Qianqian said, "Just try it, it works when Zhao Zhao is unhappy."
Lu Yuan hummed, "Does that little one ever get unhappy?"
"Of course, she's a child, not a piece of wood. When she can't get dog food, or cat food, or when she loses to Tan'er..."
Meng Qianqian counted on her fingers, familiar with the little one's troubles.
Lu Yuan listened, his head buzzing, "She has so much to do every day?"
Meng Qianqian pouted, "You think so. Also, if you come home late, she'll get angry too."
"Is this worth getting angry over?"
Lu Yuan was puzzled, "I think she's doing it on purpose. At such a young age, she's more heart-eyed than a beehive."
Meng Qianqian raised an eyebrow, "Like father, like daughter."
"Meng Xiaojiu!"
"I was wrong."
Lu Yuan closed his eyes and stopped talking.
Meng Qianqian tilted her head to sneak a glance at him.
One eye, two eyes, three eyes.
When she saw him for the fourth time, Lu Yuan stretched out his arm and pulled her into his embrace.
Meng Qianqian's cheek rested on his firm and full chest.
She could clearly hear his heartbeat, like a drumbeat within his chest.
"Don't move."
He said in a hoarse voice.
Meng Qianqian nodded obediently.
In her memory, aside from close relatives, he was the first man to have skin-to-skin contact with her.
His embrace was somewhat like her father's, but not quite the same.
It was an indescribable feeling, very novel, and it didn't make her disgusted.
In fact, she even liked it a little.
She gently embraced his waist, devoid of any excess flesh, with clear lines and firm, powerful muscles.
She took a deep breath, "Marquis, you smell so good."
She always caught a faint fragrance from him, a unique manly aura that she had never smelled on any other man.
But Ban Xia and Li Tuo Tuo said that he didn't have any special scent, only the fragrance of soap.
Lu Yuan's throat slid involuntarily, and he tightened his hold on Meng Qianqian's arm.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Meng Qianqian, who was lying on his chest, squinting in enjoyment. He lowered his head and covered her soft lips.
"Sister!"
Meng Qianqian pushed Lu Yuan away and pushed him into the water.
Tan Er ran in, asking, "Sister, Ni is here? I thought you went out fighting!"
Meng Qianqian replied seriously, "Finished fighting."
Tan Er stomped her foot, "Why didn't you call me for the fight?"
Meng Qianqian: "I'll call you next time."
"Where's the Marquis?" Tan Er asked.
"He's gone back to his room. You should go to sleep too. Tomorrow, I'll take you hunting."
"Okay!"
Tan Er skipped away.
Meng Qianqian sighed in relief, pulled Lu Yuan out of the water, and said timidly, "Let me apologize first, I'll admit my mistake!"
Lu Yuan's words were stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down.
He sighed, "Forget it, it's getting late. It's time to go back and rest."
Meng Qianqian: "Oh."
Lu Yuan got up and left the pavilion.
There were no clothes of his in the pavilion, only Meng Qianqian's.
Meng Qianqian thought he had left, so she leisurely changed her clothes. When she came out, she found that he had been waiting at the door the whole time.
Lu Yuan said, "I'll sleep in the front."
There were too many female family members in the rear yard, so he decided to squeeze in with Yu Zichuan.
After waiting for so long, all he wanted to do was talk to her about this.
Meng Qianqian thought of the soft touch in the bathing pool, like a dragonfly skimming the water's surface, and touched her lips uncertainly, "Just now... is it...?"
Lu Yuan kept his hands behind his back, and his ears turned red in the darkness.
He didn't deny it and gave a cold 'hm' in reply.
Meng Qianqian was startled and touched her lips, murmuring, "Is this... too fast?"
"It was indeed abrupt of me," Lu Yuan said solemnly, "Next time, I'll control myself."
Meng Qianqian spoke softly, "What I mean is, before I could react... it was gone..."
How about a monthly ticket for a kiss?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
