Warning: This chapter may contain sexual contents. Not heavy. And not the part yet so chill yall. Calm your lightties ٩(๑'^'๑)۶

The sun's soft kiss on her face and the rocky roads stirred her awake, and she found herself safely in Yu Jian's warm embrace. He had not notice that she was awake, since he was so focused on the road yet—at the same time—the road wasn't the focus. His inattentive gaze and the way he was so absorbed within his thoughts, shows that something was bothering him. She touch his neck and Adam apple. He jerked in surprise, but was quick to lean down and kiss her forehead when he realized that it was her.

"How is your wound?" she asked as she carefully touched his bandaged eye, "Have you taken your medicine?"

"I'm fine, but Rui-er, my dear, does your face still hurt?" he narrowed his eye as he observed her bruised face, and he recalled how she had suffer. Rui shook her head lightly, making the small strands of loose hair wave in the air and follow her movement.

The corner of her lips then curved in a sheepish way, "But I am hungry."

"En, I thought you would say that." He chuckled with his velvety voice, while she blushed a little. Looking at him again, she couldn't help but to stare at him for a little longer. From this angle, she could see his dense long eyelashes and sharp jawline. His long hair was tied loosely to the side in its own beautiful flow. When the wind lightly breezed past his hair, she swore that she saw a deity.

With one hand, he reached for his bag and pulled out a wrapped oil paper, which contained sun cakes. She smiled softly and nibbled on the sweet, flaky pastry like a hamster. Seeing her eat so happily, he couldn't help but to kiss her on the lips. Rui frowned lightly and gently pushed him, "Yu Jian, I'm dirty right now. Plus, my lip..."

"Hm." He kissed the corner of her mouth this time, the opposite side of her injury, and disregarded of how unkempt she was. Rui blushed in happiness, a feeling she never felt before—not even with Cai Zhi. It was the type of warmth that trickles down the heart yet refuses to fall; the one where smiling becomes inevitable.

"Yu Jian-ah, how did you know that I was at my father's manor?" She have been curious for a quite some time now, but haven't had the chance to ask.

"I asked the worker at the resting house where you went." He replied casually, simultaneously glancing back at the road every once in a while.

"Ha? That's it?" She scrunched her nose in disbelief.

"And I followed you."

She looked at him blankly. He continued, "But I didn't know my way around the manor, so I got lost after jumping over the wall."

She still gave him a blank look. He also gave her a blank look.

She blinked twice and said with slight disappointment in her tone, "Do you happen to do this a lot? Sneaking into people's residents?" She let her thoughts wander around. Perhaps he had snuck into other girls' manors before. He's so handsome; how could he not have a lover or two at his age?

'Ah, how old is he again?'

"No, but I do sneak out." He replied without a second thought.

Rui stared at the man, who was holding her ever-so-gently in his strong arms. He was starting to reveal more about himself, which made her happy. She was glad that he was finally opening up to her. What was she thinking? Yu Jian is not the type to fool around with girls anyway.

"Yu Jian-ah, who are you really? You're so mysterious. You don't have an ordinary background. You're not from Nangong. Your dialogue and accent is different. Your martial arts exceeds a general. Your intelligence pars to a scholar. Your air holds the same air as a noble. You are no simple man."

"Curious now, are you?" He gave her an unreadable smile, but did not deny any of Rui's accusations, "You'll learn soon."

She pouted, unsatisfied with her unanswered curiosity. The discomfort settled in her chest as she asked, "Then, where are we going?"

"To the central city of Wujin, Bingxu."

"Bingxu?" she exclaimed, nearly falling out of his arms if it wasn't for his grip on her. Bingxu is the most famous place in Wujin, known for its beautiful architectures, unparalleled men and women, sensational food, and large festivals. Only those that are the wealthiest and most powerful are given the opportunity to live in the city; it's not even guaranteed for royalties. She looked at Yu Jian again, this time in a new light.

"Ah, shit." She cursed all of a sudden. Yu Jian lightly knocked the back of her head while frowning.

"Don't curse."

"Easy for you to say!" she mumbled under her breath. If he lives there, then he must be from one of the top-five official families of Wujin. Although it's not an unpleasant surprise, she doesn't know why he would leave his clan.

As they travelled closer to civilization, they came across a small market. The two stopped by a stall that sold hats. Yu Jian plucked a white veil hat off the hook and gave it to Rui to wear. Strangely enough, he didn't...pay?

"Wait, the money—" Yu Jian gave her a reassuring smile that told her not to worry. So she spoke no more.

They continued their travel, for days and nights to the famous city. The entire time, they did not pay a single tael or copper for their meals, stays, and other purchases. Rui began to wonder if the culture here was different. Perhaps, they don't use currency?

Every single person that came across them have said nothing and let him have his way.

"Ah, fuck." Yu Jian turned towards her again and she quickly held her hands up in surrender, "Sorry, sorry."

'Don't tell me he's the son of the first ranked family here? Their surname starts with a 'y,' but I can't remember if it was Yuan or Yan.' Rui thought to herself and felt like she was slowly going mad. She pierced daggers at the back of his head with her glaring eyes, heavy with suspicion.

Before they reached the city, Yu Jian suddenly changed the route with a small jerk on the reins and the horse neighed in response, "Let's go to my residence first."

The first time he had said that, she obviously could not react due to the dire dilemma they were facing at that time. Now, she gave him the most confused face: her eyes squinting, eyebrows furrowing to the point of contact, and a dropping jaw.

It wasn't before long that they arrived in front of a manor, labeled 'Moon Resident' in gold characters. She stood outside, dumbfounded as a servant boy took the leash of the horse without a single word, and silently bowed out of respect. The guards lowered their heads and opened up the large doors.

No one has spoken a word. Literally no one has spoken a single word.

"Are people here mute?" Rui asked bluntly, without any ill meanings. Yu Jian gave her a disapproving look and shook his head. She felt wronged. There's no explanation, no words being spoken, and no answers! Is this a cult? Was she the one that was uncultured? Is something wrong with her?

"Take her to the bathing room and bring her new clothes. Make it simple. Prepare a light meal." He ordered to no one in particular, as they walked into the residence. She has to say, his visual taste is quite the artist. His residence is beautifully designed and styled. It was not a large place; rather, it was a comfortable size. Her thoughts about Yu Jian being a first-ranked son slowly fades.

Suddenly, a group of maids appeared by her side and took her away in a blink of an eye.

Before she knew it, she was in the warm, milky water, bathing with rose petals and other scented flowers. She blinked again.

"Ah? How did I get here...?" She was dressed in a red silky robe, flowing like a gentle breeze against her skin. It matched her reddish pink lips and flushed-toned skin. Her silky black hair was styled with two simple, but elegant, side-braids and adorned with small buds of flowers at the back. All was held together by a single jade hairpin. She had the natural floral scent, with a hint of redwood.

She looked in the mirror. The bruises have already faded and the cut on her lip healed, leaving her a clean look on her face. She smiled with her plump lips at her reflection. She felt pretty, even if she wasn't covered in jewelry.

She took out the simple, wooden flower pendant and held it in her hands like it was made out of glass instead, "Liling, we are safe now..."

When Rui was guided to a large room, she spotted Yu Jian from far away. He was talking to a man in black clothes, who was kneeling on one leg while his hands cupped respectfully. When Yu Jian saw her, he waved his hand, dismissing his person. She glanced curiously at the man as she walked closer before he blended in with the shadows of the night. The maids closed the doors gently after she stepped in.

He had the white bandage around his eye replaced with a black leather eyepatch instead, making him look more mysterious and alluring. His hair was still slightly wet from his bath.

"Sit here." He patted a seat next to him with a gentle smile. Regardless of—whatever—status he seems to have, Yu Jian was still humble. The food platings aren't exaggerated, the furnitures weren't extravagant—everything was simply...him. And she likes that about him.

Before she could sit down on the chair, he grabbed her by the waist and seated her on his lap, "Hm, I changed my mind."

"What—" her words were cut short from his kiss. He sucked on her bottom lip and slipped his tongue inside of her mouth. They had never kissed like this before, so Rui didn't know what to do or how to react. She only closed her eyes tightly and tried to push his tongue out. Somehow, it became a fight between pulling and pushing.

She placed her small hands against his firm chest and gasped for air. Yu Jian only grinned like a fox against her swollen lips. She pursed her red lips with a redder face, "Are you done eating?"

"We barely started..." he said in a low, seductive voice. She pushed his chest and faced forwards to actually eat. However, she encountered a...problem.

"Hey..." Rui trailed off with red cheeks as she felt something hard against her bottom. He chuckled, making his chest rumble a little and he hugged her from behind.

He whispered in her ear and held the shell of it between his teeth, "Bear with it for now, okay? I can't just make it go away."

Rui blushed harder while clutching the skirt of her dress with her fingers, "This is not proper..."

"Hm? What's not proper between husband and wife?" He teased knowingly, keeping his lips near her ear.

"We have yet to be officially married!" She complained and leaned away from his burning touch, but his arms kept her locked in his embrace.

"Ah? Are you not wearing a wedding dress right now?"

"Ha?" Looking down, she finally noticed that he was also wearing a red robe and her eye twitched. It suddenly clicked in her head; that explains why he had a cunning smile! The gentle smile was a disguise all along! She looked back up to face him with a dark expression, "You sly son of a—"

"You said that you don't need a grand wedding to be a wife. Well? Are you taking back your words?" His face suddenly got closer to her, a breath away from connecting their lips.

"No, but you could've at least told me beforehand!" If she had known, she would try to look prettier. After all, how many weddings can a girl have in a lifetime?

"Mh, that is my fault." He pecked her on the lips, "Do you remember what you promised me when we first met?"

Rui rolled her eyes and wanted to hide her face with her hands, but he had grabbed them before she could. He brought one of her hands to his lips, "You vowed that you would do anything. Would you be willing to marry me?"

Her lips protruded, while her face flushed with redness all the way to her ears. Even her fingertips were blushing with embarrassment.

"Stupid..." after freeing one of her hands easily, she retrieved something from her belt and shoved her birth jade into his face, "You wasted a promise..."

Yu Jian caught the jade before it fell and glanced at the cold object in his hand. He laughed and gently kissed her finger tips before capturing her lips once more, "A worthy promise though."