Xiao Chi Zhan dismissed it with a smile, carrying her towards the inner chambers.
"You've been busy all day, let's go rest."
Ye luan was carried away by him. Just as she was about to speak to Chi You, she saw the young girl gazing at Liu Rong Ruo with eyes full of a watery, spring-like gaze.
She recalled the gossip Wei Qing Ge had mentioned and pursed her lips, falling silent.
As the two left, Li Qiong Yu lazily ambled towards the glazed racks behind them.
He took down a jug of wine and smiled at Liu Rong Ruo, his expression dissolute.
"It seems this wine won't be enjoyed after all."
Liu Rong Ruo's expression remained placid. "Let's go to Qu You Tai."
"Got it." Li Qiong Yu strode out, chuckling suggestively, "You should settle your romantic debts first."
Everyone was gone.
Liu Rong Ruo lowered his brows, his expression unreadable.
Chi You stood obediently to the side, watching him, and couldn't help but blink.
Older brother looks so handsome. His face, sculpted like white jade, was incomparably cool and detached. His obsidian eyes were like the lonely bright moon in the sky. His features were nearly perfect, exuding a sense of coldness, yet his brows carried a hint of recklessness, giving him an aura of being both righteous and wicked.
Her gaze was too fervent.
Liu Rong Ruo couldn't help but notice.
He ignored her, picked up the scrolls on the table, put down the tea, and walked out without even glancing at her.
Seeing him about to leave, Chi You tiptoed and followed behind him.
He walked very fast, and she couldn't keep up, so she could only lift her skirt and follow.
The weather grew hotter and hotter. After only a few steps, she was covered in sweat and a thin layer of cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
"Older brother."
A soft, panting voice came from behind.
Liu Rong Ruo stopped and turned back.
Chi You, caught off guard by his sudden stop, crashed into his embrace. His crisp scent filled her nostrils. She quickly steadied herself, rubbing her sore nose, and stepped back.
She raised her teary eyes and asked curiously, "Why did you stop walking, older brother?"
"Why are you following me?"
His voice was neither angry nor pleased, but calm.
Chi You dared not look at him, pouting and kicking at the pebbles under her feet.
"I want to go home with you. I don't want to stay in the palace."
A gentle breeze brushed past her face, and the air was filled with silence.
Suddenly, his cold, indifferent hands gripped her jaw, and his crisp presence enveloped her. She looked up, her gaze meeting his deep, dark pupils.
The world around her suddenly fell silent.
His eyes were like ink stones submerged at the bottom of a lake, or like the endless abyss of hell, making it impossible for her to read his emotions.
Her heart trembled inexplicably, and she called out softly.
"Older brother."
He remained silent, his dark pupils fixed on her lips, his throat subtly bobbing.
Chi You fearfully took a step back. Her older brother's gaze was too dangerous.
Liu Rong Ruo naturally noticed her movement and let go of her.
His gaze turned indifferent. Fearing he would leave her again, Chi You immediately reached out and tightly clutched his sleeve, looking up at him with her clear, dewy eyes.
She was stunningly beautiful. Her lustrous black hair cascaded to her waist. Her delicate, charming face was flushed. The corners of her eyes were misty, and her ruby-red lips were slightly pursed. Despite her alluring, spring-like beauty, she exuded a hint of fragility.
If it were any other man, seeing this scene, they would surely feel pity.
Unfortunately, the person before her was Liu Rong Ruo.
His heart was cold to the point of being heartless. Beneath his refined and noble exterior lay a vile shell of a cold-blooded, cruel being devoid of empathy.
"I've told you, you are here from Nan Jiang for a diplomatic marriage. You are married to the Emperor and are a concubine in the palace. You holding onto me is inappropriate."
Chi You didn't understand and said anxiously, "But I don't want to be a concubine. I only like older brother."
An old crow perched under the glazed eaves flapped its wings and flew away. The surroundings were quiet and still.
Liu Rong Ruo looked down at her, a hint of cold amusement playing on his sharp features.
"Do you truly like me?"
His voice held a teasing quality.
Chi You couldn't tell and nodded.
"I don't want to stay in the cold palace."
"Mm."
Chi You's eyes reddened with grievance.
"There are many bad people here. I only want older brother."
Liu Rong Ruo cast his gaze down at her injured palm and raised his eyebrows slightly.
He said nothing, turned, and walked away.
Chi You was stunned for a moment before quickly running to catch up.
Liu Rong Ruo often stayed in the palace, at Qu You Palace, which was very close to here.
Upon entering the hall, he placed all the scrolls on the desk and beckoned her.
"Come here."
Chi You walked towards him slowly, taking small steps.
Liu Rong Ruo sat on the rosewood chair, propping his head with one hand. His slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk, his gaze calmly fixed on her.
His gaze made her feel uneasy.
He was tall, and even while seated, he exuded an oppressive aura.
"Older brother, you've changed."
Before, although he was indifferent and detached about everything, he had treated her very well. Now, why had everything changed?
Hearing her words, Liu Rong Ruo's thin lips curved slightly.
Chi You lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers, wanting to continue her complaint.
Suddenly, a cold hand reached out, pulling her forcefully backwards.
The light and shadow before her darkened, and she fell into his embrace.
Chi You was startled. She looked up and met his proud, cold black pupils, bottomless and deep.
"Do you know what it means to like someone?"
He held her waist, his cool fingertips lifting her chin. His body pressed close, leaving no space between them.
They were mere inches apart, their breaths mingling.
Chi You was startled by his actions and instinctively clutched the front of his clothes. Her lips, slightly parted and flushed, panted nervously. In the lamplight, her face held a captivating, otherworldly charm.
He looked at her indifferently, his cool hand brushing through her dark hair, stroking it gently.
"Mm?"
His voice was soft and faint, his tone lowered, carrying a hint of allure.
A shiver ran down Chi You's spine. The sensation quickly gathered from her limbs to her chest. Her heart felt as if it were about to leap out.
"Mm—Mm—It means wanting to be close." She tightly gripped his clothes, mustered her courage, and said, "I only want to be close to older brother."
Liu Rong Ruo curved his lips and watched her for a moment. He reached out and removed the hairpin from her head, and her three thousand strands of black hair fell like flowing clouds, accentuating her fair, alluring face even more.
She carried a very faint scent of peach blossoms, which he sniffed as he lowered his head.
Chi You's body trembled slightly and she couldn't help but shift back.
"Older brother."
Her trembling voice made him glance over.
He stared at her for a few moments. Suddenly, he leaned in abruptly, cupped the back of her head, and lowered his head, kissing her fiercely.
A gentle breeze blew in from outside the window, and the small hammer on the sandalwood stand on the desk made a咚咚咚 (dong dong dong) sound.
Chi You's eyes widened, staring rigidly at the person before her, her mind about to explode.
He was kissing her?!
Why was older brother kissing her? Did he like her?