When Ji Yuluo spoke words of love, she always did so with a serious expression. Her eyes would narrow slightly as she gazed at you, with a hint of serious teasing, stirring an itch in your throat and heart that could only be quenched by devouring her whole.
Unfortunately, the timing was not right at this moment.
Huo Xian just let out a light laugh, “Does it smell nice? Want another whiff?”
Ji Yuluo, however, did not sniff again. Huo Xian did smell nice, but she felt like she herself was about to spoil, so she bypassed him and walked behind the screen, where she indeed saw a tub of water.
The water was what Huo Xian had just used and had long since gone cold.
The cold water in winter was undoubtedly off-putting, but Ji Yuluo was worried about being discovered, and she hadn’t dared to bathe in the common tub in the tent for the past few days. Now, seeing this tub of water, she didn’t care whether it was hot or cold.
She immediately began to remove her armor.
The water rippled gently, making a slight sound.
Huo Xian was about to stop her but reconsidered and stayed silent. Any ordinary woman bathing in cold water during winter would ruin her health, but luckily Ji Yuluo had a strong constitution. So he just picked up the clothes on the floor, hung them up, tested the water temperature with his hand, and then rubbed her shoulder and neck before moving behind the screen. He placed the teapot on the brazier to warm and asked, “What happened?”
She wouldn’t take such a risk without a reason, so she must have received some news.
Ji Yuluo poured the cold water over her neck, her teeth chattering slightly as she spoke, “Your plan might have worked. There are rumors that Xiao Cheng will soon raise an army to attack Tongzhou. I don’t know the exact date, but I think it’s soon.”
Huo Xian looked sideways at the screen shrouded in darkness, “Are you sure?”
“Not sure,” said the person behind the screen. “But I need the people outside to be prepared in advance.”
Huo Xian said nothing, and Ji Yuluo also fell silent. The only sound in the tent was the slight ripple of the water.
They both understood what this meant.
To notify the people outside, Ji Yuluo had to leave first. The nearest opportunity was tomorrow when the girls came to deliver food. If Ji Yuluo wanted to leave, she had to do it then.
Not long after, the sound of the water rippling grew louder. Huo Xian, with his keen hearing, approached with a large towel and covered the freshly bathed Ji Yuluo, brushing her dripping wet hair back over her shoulders.
She shivered violently, taking a deep breath.
Tonight, the moon was obscured by dark clouds, and nothing was visible in the night. Fortunately, Huo Xian was familiar with the place, navigating around all obstacles to bring her to the brazier.
Ji Yuluo bent down and leaned closer, placing her hands over the warmth.
The water had warmed up, and after a few sips, she felt her body gradually thaw.
Huo Xian took another towel and wrung out her hair. The silence persisted, so quiet that even the faintest breaths could be heard.
Her body, now dry and warm, relaxed and unconsciously leaned against the man’s legs.
But the atmosphere was far from pleasant.
Outside the tent, soldiers’ footsteps could be heard. Each time the footsteps drew near, her body tensed slightly, alert and watching the tent’s entrance. Huo Xian, accustomed to such an environment, kept his hands busy without pause.
When the footsteps receded, Huo Xian finally spoke, “It’s probably true. Xiao Cheng hasn’t come by these past few days, likely busy preparing to attack Tongzhou. He underestimated Tongzhou’s forces and doesn’t have enough troops himself. He won’t launch a massive attack like he did when he headed north last time; he’ll likely opt for a flanking maneuver. He won’t take many troops with him, so it’s still dangerous here. You and the others need to be ready for a strong assault.”
Ji Yuluo acknowledged this and, without worrying about warmth, began to outline the route through the outer camp and the troop strength at each sentry post. Since they couldn’t light a lamp or use pen and paper, she had to rely on verbal descriptions while the patrolling soldiers were away.
Fearing Huo Xian might forget, she repeated the details twice. When she didn’t get a response, she asked, “Did you remember? Let me tell you again—”
The action of wringing her hair suddenly stopped, and she felt a slight tug on her scalp. Next, the man’s warm lips pressed against hers, forcing her to tilt her head back. She let out a soft “Hmm.”
The towel covering her slipped slightly.
Ji Yuluo raised her hand to hold it in place. As Huo Xian sucked on her upper lip, she trembled and whispered, “Huo Xian…”
She was almost speaking in a breathy voice.
Huo Xian also lowered his voice, “I remember.”
He paused and added, “Luo Luo, you saved me.”
Ji Yuluo hesitated.
The patrolling soldiers circled back, their heavy armor clanking with each synchronized step, getting closer and closer.
The perilous environment seemed to heighten their emotions, acting as a dangerous catalyst. He called her a name he only murmured in moments of overwhelming passion, and her breathing grew hot.
They waited until the soldiers passed by before she steadied her breath and said, “I don’t save people lightly. Anyone I save has to risk their life for me.”
Huo Xian didn’t immediately respond or straighten up.
He remained bent over, as if deep in thought.
But soon, he lifted Ji Yuluo into his arms.
She clutched the towel with one hand and covered her mouth with the other, swallowing a startled cry. She murmured, “What are you doing?”
Huo Xian replied, “Risking my life for you, warming your bed.”
Ji Yuluo was placed on the bed, the quilt thrown over her head. Huo Xian followed, pressing down on her. His body was warm, like a human heater, pressing against her to warm her up.
Her body was still cold, and the touch of such a heat source made her shudder. She simply reached into Huo Xian’s clothes to feel his warmth.
Huo Xian let out a chuckle through his nose, “Does it feel good?”
Ji Yuluo murmured, “Mm.”
Then he asked, “Satisfied?”
Her face buried in his collar, she replied, “It’s alright.”
But Huo Xian was having a harder time. He asked in a low voice, facing the darkness, “Is there a difference between risking your life and selling your body?”
Ji Yuluo’s hand moved downwards as she responded, “Is there a difference?”
—
The winter night’s wind blew through the withered mountains, the bare branches making no rustling sound. The wind, unimpeded, howled like a wolf’s cry, eerie and unsettling.
That night, neither of them slept.
Ji Yuluo’s body was thoroughly warmed, slick with sweat like a loach. Huo Xian’s slow, relentless movements had worn her out, his unhurried pace felt like a dull knife scraping her, teasing her until she was unbearably itchy, her toes curling as she tried to arch her back. But the flimsy bed couldn’t withstand their passion, so she had to endure.
It wasn’t until he reached the deepest point that she felt truly alive.
Despite the cycle of life and death, Ji Yuluo found it immensely satisfying.
They rolled in waves of passion when the soldiers were far away, and exchanged silent kisses when danger approached. They caressed each other, their breaths entwined, like lovers on the brink of parting. The whispered words, mixed with gasps, were enough to drown them in emotion.
Huo Xian felt like he was on the verge of death.
Terrified of dying.
Amid the pure pleasure, there was a looming fear of their impending separation. He had never been so afraid of the fine line between life and death.
Ji Yuluo had saved him, yet also killed him. Now, as he touched her chest, her hands, every inch of her skin, he felt as though his heart was being pierced. The pain was only alleviated by holding her tightly.
—
Shen Qingli was going mad.
One person hadn’t left the wolf’s den, and another had entered the tiger’s lair. And the one who had slipped away was now taking his anger out on him!
Rubbing his temples, he said, “What do you mean by this? This is my room! Chaolu, you were such a good girl when you were young. How did you turn into such a ruffian after a few years with Ji Yuluo? This won’t do.”
Chaolu ignored him and said, “You’ve already found them, so why haven’t you taken action?”
Shen Qingli said, “How can we take action? The reinforcements from the capital have just set out. If we rashly go in, are we delivering ourselves into the tiger’s mouth? Besides, it’s not certain whether Ji Yuluo is inside. Even if she is, your lady is quite capable. She might not be in trouble yet. If we startle the enemy, both she and Huo Xian could lose their lives, you know? Just wait a bit longer, wait a bit longer!”
Chaolu was frantic, “Then I’ll go by myself.”
Shen Qingli was startled and chased after her, shouting, “Hey, come back here!”
Just then, a girl with twin braids suddenly entered from outside. She pushed Chaolu back with her index finger on Chaolu’s forehead, saying, “Where do you think you’re going? So reckless.”
Chaolu was stunned for a moment. When she realized who it was, her eyes filled with tears and she cried out, “Miss.”
Shen Qingli almost didn’t recognize her in this outfit. He looked her up and down, making sure she was unharmed before asking, “What happened to your mouth? You have two cuts. Ji Yuluo, were you hiding in the mountains feeding mosquitoes?”
