Chapter Nineteen: The Longing Kiss

The cold wind howled past with even greater force, the weather shifting suddenly, growing oppressively gloomy.

“Xue’er, don’t worry. Trust me.” Ji Wuqing gently stroked the trembling back of the young woman in his arms.

He softly pried her hands apart and lifted her chin. Her face was pale, eyes tightly shut, lips smeared with traces of blood, and marked by that uneven bite.

Xuexue felt a sharp pain gradually invading her senses. Her sightless eyes burned as if aflame, the pain so intense that tears streamed down her face. She had always known that this body was frail, riddled with a deadly poison.

The poison resided in her eyes—on rainy, overcast days like this, agony would tear through her as though her eyes were set ablaze.

Now, she could almost sense how cold and miserable it was outside, for her eyes hurt so terribly.

She had never imagined her dreadful appearance would be revealed before Ji Wuqing so soon.

“Xue’er, open your eyes. Hmm? Trust me.” Ji Wuqing gazed at her pained expression, his voice gentle, coaxing her with the patience and tenderness one would show a child.

But Xuexue would not listen. She turned her face away, unwilling for Ji Wuqing to see her at her worst.

Trust him? And why should she put her faith in him?

He always wore a gentle demeanor, but she knew he saw everything, simply waiting for her to reveal her weakness...

Yet Ji Wuqing was insistent. His warm hand supported her chin, and in the next instant, his lips covered hers.

Outside, a fine drizzle drifted in, falling quietly on the lake and sending tiny ripples across its surface. The breeze carried the rain away, leaving the air heavy with moisture.

Within the bedchamber, the lamplight glimmered softly.

“Mmm...”

Ji Wuqing’s kiss descended without warning, and Xuexue, startled, instinctively opened her eyes. In that moment, her blood-red irises were reflected in Ji Wuqing’s gaze. Those eyes were not frightening—on the contrary, they were beautiful, clear as gemstones, glowing with a faint, eerie crimson light.

Ji Wuqing closed his eyes, his lips lingering tenderly on hers.

A bitter taste spread through her mouth, and before long, Xuexue regained some clarity; strangely, the pain in her eyes eased considerably. What had Ji Wuqing given her?

She was bewildered, suspicious, and her resistance to him showed without hesitation.

She began to push against his chest, refusing his intimate touch. Ji Wuqing paid her no mind, holding her close and kissing her thoroughly.

At last, Xuexue lay in his arms, her face flushed, breathing heavily. Ji Wuqing, meanwhile, nonchalantly licked his lips, though his ears seemed tinged with the color of dawn—rosy red, a sight Xuexue missed.

His long, slender fingers leisurely traced her cheek, which now glowed as though painted with rouge—vivid and alluring. The delicate beauty of her face was suffused with a hint of seductive charm.

“Feeling better now? My dear, you should know: my kisses are a remedy for all ills.”

His hand tightened around her waist, his touch almost feverish.

“Your Majesty, just who are you?” Her crimson eyes, unshielded, met Ji Wuqing’s gaze directly.

Though blind, the force of her gaze was undiminished.

“Who am I? Why would you ask that, Xue’er?” Ji Wuqing stared, entranced by her blood-red eyes, his voice growing ethereal. “Naturally, I am your husband. A husband must protect his wife.” His voice was melodious, his words pleasing to the ear.

Was that so? If what he said was true, then this world was truly beyond her comprehension.

Xuexue fell silent, not intending to seek answers from Ji Wuqing’s lips.

But why did he know her secret? More than that, how did he have a way to ease the agony of her eyes? This was a puzzle Xuexue could not solve.

“Xue’er, you must be tired. Let us rest.”

With that, Ji Wuqing lay down on the bed, still holding Xuexue. She did not protest, for she was indeed exhausted.

But in the next moment, her composure was utterly shattered.

That scoundrel Ji Wuqing was untying her sash!

“What are you doing?” She clamped his hand, her voice gritted with anger.

For the first time in her life, she was truly losing her temper.

Ji Wuqing was amused by her stern expression. “Why, I am simply helping my beloved change for bed,” he replied breezily, peeling her small hand away with perfect composure.

“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s kindness.” She edged away, clearly refusing his... attentions.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but wonder—was Ji Wuqing truly an emperor? Though she had once been Snow Empress, she had never shared a bed with Lord Yu, so she had no idea if such casual intimacy was local custom. Still, this seemed wildly out of the ordinary.

“What is there to fear? It’s just a little marital affection,” Ji Wuqing said, feigning innocence at her evasions. He pulled her back, and in a few swift motions, he removed her outer robe.

When Xuexue finally realized what was happening, she escaped into the bed, burrowing under the covers. She felt uneasy—not for any other reason, but because of Ji Wuqing’s inexplicable tenderness. Had they truly been strangers before? Or did Ji Wuqing somehow know her?

No, perhaps he knew Yuan Xue, the original soul of this body? That couldn’t be—there was no trace of such memory...

As she pondered, Ji Wuqing moved closer from behind. At first, he kept some distance, and Xuexue, stiff as she was, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

But in the next instant, he pressed in completely, without warning. Xuexue’s body tensed, and Ji Wuqing reached from behind, drawing her into his embrace.

Now even her face was frozen.

“Your Majesty, are you cold? Perhaps we should add another quilt?” She chose her words carefully, hoping he would catch her meaning.

Please, don’t come so close!

“I was thinking the same, but should we really call the maids to bring more bedding at this hour?” Ji Wuqing seemed resigned, implying that this closeness was not entirely his own idea.

“But like this, I feel a bit warm.” She truly didn’t want to be so near him; it felt strange and unsettling.

She knew it was the feelings of a young maiden at work—she had never been so intimate with a man, and it left her flustered, wishing only to keep her distance.

“Warm?” Ji Wuqing opened his eyes, a peculiar light gleaming within. “Shall I help you undress further, then? If you’re warm, perhaps you should wear less.”

“No need, Your Majesty. I can endure it.” She sighed inwardly. Better to just sleep.

“That’s better. I feel a bit cold myself. Cuddle closer, and you’ll be more comfortable too.” As he spoke, he drew her even closer, his large hand firmly around her waist.

Xuexue could only fall silent.

She listened to the gentle patter of rain outside, and gradually, her heart grew calm.

……Author’s Note……

Ah, they kissed, they kissed! ~(@^_^@)~