Watching the person walking towards her, Su Muqing's heart pounded. Heaven knew she had to summon great resolve to take this step.
The man was tall and well-built, with a chiseled physique. His handsome abs and chest were faintly visible beneath a somewhat sheer silk bathrobe.
He had a delicate face like a character from a two-dimensional comic, with deep-set, narrow eyes that seemed to draw people in, making them want to sink into their depths.
His nose bridge was high, and his lips were thin yet perfectly shaped and rosy, looking like a fresh, juicy cherry. One couldn't help but want to gently bite it, chew it, and swallow it.
His half-dry silver hair was casually draped down his back, its tips still dripping water. A stray lock of hair playfully rested on his handsome lips, and a water droplet traced a path down his chest, disappearing beneath the bathrobe.
Truly, a picture of unparalleled human beauty! Huo Qiyuan possessed a certain captivating aura.
Looking at the person lying on the bed, Huo Qiyuan clenched and unclenched his fists, repeating the action, unsure of what to do next.
"Muqing, you..."
"Shh... come here!" Su Muqing interrupted him, extending her slender, graceful hand towards him with alluring eyes.
Huo Qiyuan took her soft, boneless hand and lightly kissed it. Su Muqing pulled him to sit on the bed, then slowly sat up and lay down on his taut thighs.
Feeling Huo Qiyuan's entire body stiffen and his body temperature rise to a burning heat, Su Muqing reached out and traced his features in the air, or gently stroked his silver hair.
"Brother Huo, do you like this birthday gift?" Su Muqing asked, her face flushed, her large, wet eyes fixed on the man before her, her voice trembling with shyness.
"I love you!" Huo Qiyuan raised his hand, caressing Su Muqing's face, tucking the strands of hair that had fallen onto his lips behind her ear. Gazing at her vibrant, dewy lips, he slowly lowered his head...
A room filled with lingering romance, a space brimming with passion...
The two spent several days in the space. When they emerged, it was just seven in the morning the next day. Madam Zhou had been lingering by the door. In fact, she had checked on them several times the previous night.
But there had been no movement from their room, nor had anyone called for water. When the night was almost over and she still heard no calls, Madam Zhou, frustrated by their lack of progress, finally returned to her own room to rest.
Then, early the next morning, she was back again, waiting. She was determined to say something to Huo Qiyuan. The Prince was truly missing such a golden opportunity. For an old woman like herself, she had to worry about so many things every day!
"Mama, is there something you need so early?" Seeing Madam Zhou, both of them were curious. Su Muqing quickly composed herself, her expression a mix of awkwardness and shyness.
Although they were engaged, they hadn't yet had their wedding. Su Muqing wondered if Madam Zhou would find her actions a bit too forward.
Seeing Su Muqing looking relaxed and refreshed, with a shy smile on her face, but showing no signs of fatigue, Madam Zhou felt a pang of dissatisfaction.
Judging by their appearance, she knew her anticipated event had not happened last night.
"Your Majesty, good morning!" Madam Zhou curtsied to Su Muqing, then tugged on Huo Qiyuan's sleeve, her tone laced with a hint of reproach.
"Prince, you too. It's still so early, why didn't you let Your Majesty rest a bit longer? You must have been exhausted last night!" Although she suspected nothing had happened between them, Madam Zhou was still unwilling to give up and decided to probe indirectly.
"Cough, cough! It's nothing. She... we both rested well and slept soundly," Huo Qiyuan said, covering his mouth with his hand and coughing twice. Madam Zhou's question made him feel rather embarrassed.
Of course, they had rested well! The time in the space was five times longer than outside. They had indeed "rested" very well!
However, if it weren't for the many people waiting for them outside, Huo Qiyuan truly wouldn't have wanted to leave. After all, that feeling...
Stop it, no thinking about it! Or he'd be embarrassed later.
Madam Zhou looked at Huo Qiyuan's "satiated" appearance with a strange expression, a feeling of dread welling up inside her!
The Prince was tall and robust, and physically strong. Could it be that he was internally so weak? She had waited outside the door for so long last night and heard no movement, yet he looked so content...
This is bad, very bad! It must have been that previous poisoning that damaged his core, which is why he was satisfied with just a casual... a couple of times. This wouldn't do!
No wonder Your Majesty had been smiling all along. Could it be she was laughing at the Prince? It must be! Your Majesty must not be satisfied. No! No... I must think of a way to nourish the Prince, so Your Majesty won't abandon him...
Based on their expressions, Madam Zhou's mind had conjured many scenarios. Scenes that were inappropriate for children and disharmonious, where the Prince was abandoned by Your Majesty for a new love. She would go make some soup right away; she had to invigorate the Prince's body so that Your Majesty would never be able to leave him again!
No sooner said than done! Madam Zhou hastily bowed and rushed off to make the soup. The consequence of drinking too much nourishing soup was that the internal heat became difficult to quell!
After Su Muqing and the others left Sian Prefecture, on the road as the army marched, Huo Qiyuan continued to suffer from nosebleeds...
If Su Muqing knew what Madam Zhou was thinking at that moment, she would absolutely, definitely, resolutely, positively, refuse this well-intentioned gesture.
Huo Qiyuan didn't need nourishing soup; what he needed was a "cooling-down" soup. Because this fellow's stamina was truly... terrifyingly formidable! It was the kind of experience that, after one encounter, would leave you weak in the knees at the mere thought of seeing him again.
Her own back still ached. If it weren't for the many matters waiting for her outside, Su Muqing would certainly have stayed in bed for two days and two nights.
Huo Qiyuan's inner monologue: Qingqing, I'll lie with you!
Su Muqing's inner monologue: Go find a cool place to stay...
On June seventeenth, everyone gathered to celebrate Huo Qiyuan's birthday. Madam Zhou prepared a table full of delicious food in the small kitchen and specially brewed several bowls of "Ten-Complete Nourishing Soup" for him. Su Muqing personally made a birthday cake for Huo Qiyuan.
Surrounded by his loved ones, Huo Qiyuan felt immense happiness. He closed his eyes, made a wish, and then blew out the candles with Su Muqing.
Today was a joyous celebration. Everyone mingled without reservation, putting aside their statuses, and indulging in pure fun. Although the soldiers in the camp couldn't drink alcohol, their meals were also the best they had ever had.
The feast began at noon and continued with eating, drinking, and playing until past six in the evening. The sky suddenly darkened, looking like a severe thunderstorm was about to break.
Huo Qiyuan had indeed drunk quite a bit today. Even with his good tolerance for alcohol, he was a little tipsy. Madam Zhou brought out the special nourishing soup she had prepared for him, coaxing him into drinking it with both gentle persuasion and firmness, and then sent him back to his room.
Soon, a heavy rain began to fall. The muggy air was washed clean by the rain, and the atmosphere immediately felt much cooler. After sending Huo Qiyuan back to his room, Madam Zhou hurried to call Su Muqing, saying that Huo Qiyuan was looking for her.
Su Muqing assumed Huo Qiyuan was feeling unwell from drinking too much and rushed into the inner chamber. The others, thinking something might have happened, were about to follow to check, but Madam Zhou scolded them all back.
Seeing the triumphant expression on her face, everyone guessed the meaning behind Madam Zhou's actions. After all, they had all witnessed Huo Qiyuan drink down those bowls of "Ten-Complete Nourishing Soup." If he didn't find an outlet, he would probably explode from holding it in!
With ambiguous smiles on their faces, some people started playing cards, others rested, and some chatted, making the atmosphere even more lively.
Su Muqing returned to the inner chamber and saw Huo Qiyuan tossing and turning on the bed. His face was flushed, his forehead covered in sweat, and the front of his robes was dishevelled, making him look very uncomfortable.
Before she could get closer, Huo Qiyuan abruptly opened his eyes, pulled her into his arms, and held her tightly. Seeing his aroused state, Su Muqing's heart stirred, and she led him into the space.
Another beautiful day unfolded...