This was the first time that Jing Rong was so infuriated by Lang Po that he was on the verge of spitting blood.
However, Jing Rong had no one to blame but himself, since he was the one that gave the order in the first place. Feeling defeated, he hurriedly went after Ji Yunshu.
Lang Po, who was left standing there, was dumbfounded. "Did I say something wrong?" He was beginning to question his existence!
Lang Po clicked his tongue twice before shaking his head and pursing his lips. "There's nothing dangerous about catching chickens, right?"
Brat, do you dare to go say that to His Highness? Believe me, he will hack you into pieces!
After Jing Rong had caught up to Ji Yunshu, both of them made their way towards the North Gardens. The two were filthy from head to toe. As they walked, feathers even could be seen floating away from their clothing. It made for a rather comical image.
In a stroke of bad luck, the duo ran into Mo Ruo just as they entered the North Gardens. His jaw nearly fell to the floor in surprise as he stared at the two bizzare...creatures with a suspicious glance. "Did the both of you...fall into the chicken coop? Or were you chased down by chickens?"
Urgh! Jing Rong shot a chilling glare at him. Shut up!
Ji Yunshu, on the other hand, shrugged nonchalantly. "Doing one good deed a day."
Eh?
She did not explain further and left.
Mo Ruo picked his jaw up from the ground and looked at her receding figure before commenting. "What talent!"
As he spoke, he walked towards Jing Rong. When he got close, a stench in the air caused his nose to wrinkle. Mo Ruo involuntarily covered his nose with a hand while giving Jing Rong a look of disdain. "You smell really bad."
You don't say? I'm covered in chicken droppings, do you expect me to smell of roses? Jing Rong's face darkened as his lips thinned into a line and exuded an imposing air.
Mo Ruo continued, "didn't you two go sightseeing? How did both of you end up like this? Did you really get into a fight with chickens?"
"An accident!"
"Isn't that too coincidental?"
Jing Rong shot him a sidelong glance. "No one will think that you are mute if you don't speak."
"I am just worried about you two."
No, no, no., You're just a nosy bystander that wouldn't care if things got out of hand. Jing Rong flung his sleeve at Mo Ruo's face, shaking off some soft feathers that were still stuck. The sensation tickled Mo Ruo's nose, causing him to sneeze. "Jing Rong, you're doing it on purpose, right?"
"Yes." Jing Rong spat out
It was on purpose. So what? With that, he swaggered off, leaving Mo Ruo behind, still ranting...
After Ji Yunshu returned to her room, she bade Zhuang'er and Qiao'er to prepare some hot water for her bath.
The two maidens were stunned when they saw Ji Yunshu's state, but as servants, it was not appropriate for them to ask questions. The two obediently began to prepare the bath.
After the preparations were complete, "Teacher Ji, let us serve you."
"There's no need, both of you can leave."
"Bu..."
"Both of you are female, how can you be around when a man is bathing?"
That's true! "Then, please call for us when you're done with your bath." The two girls retreated from the room and shut the door.
It was only after Ji Yunshu had shuttered the door from her side that she felt that it was safe enough for her to disrobe. As the layers of clothing were removed, her pale, white shoulders and back were slowly revealed. Her skin as clear as crystal, so delicate that it might break at the slightest touch.
She extended out the jade-like tips of her foot to test the water's temperature before slowly sliding into the wooden tub, immersing her graceful figure into the clear, warm water. Steam from the hot water slowly undulated upwards, making contact with her exquisite facial features.
The bath was extremely comfortable.
It has been a long while since she had managed to have an opportunity to properly wash like this. How I miss that multifunctional bathtub of mine.
Ji Yunshu inclined her head to rest against the edge of the tub. As the warm water lapped against her body, she felt a wave of fatigue hit her. Giving in, she shut her eyes and took a nap until the hot water turned cool.
Ji Yunshu reached out an arm and grabbed the inner robes that hung on the screen and put them on before circling around the screen.
Yet, what she did not expect was that Jing Rong had already changed into a clean set of clothes and was sitting in her room… reading. That's right, he was casually reading a book! [1]
"Did you sleep your fill?" He asked, seeing Ji Yunshu step out.
How did he know that I was sleeping in the tub? Did it mean… As Ji Yunshu thought to herself, her arms instinctually covered her loose white undergarments. "How did you get in?"
Jing Rong replied matter of factly. "The window, of course."
Eh! "Then...how long have you been here?"
"I've been here for quite a while. However, I came after you fell asleep."
"Did you see?"
"Yeah." He was brutally honest.
"Shameless." Ji Yunshu cursed out.
Jing Rong had a wicked, smug grin on his face. Setting down the book in his hand, he walked right up to Ji Yunshu and looked straight at her embarrassed and furious face.
As she had just finished bathing, her face still carried a faint flush that would cause testosterone levels of anyone around her to exponentially increase. A trace of desire glinted in the depths of Jing Rong's eyes. He closed the distance between the woman before him once more. "How about..."
As he spoke, someone knocked hard on the door. Bang! Bang!
Perfectly interrupting what he had wanted to say.
"Ah Ji." Tang Si's voice could be heard outside the door.
Ah! Ji Yunshu tensed. If Tang Si were to see or know about what happened in this room, there would be no way she would be able to explain herself. It was still explainable if it was just between man and woman, but between...two men, this complicates things.
Although Jing Rong was still fuming from being interrupted, he seemed to have thought of something. His lips curling into a smile, he whispered to Ji Yunshu. "I'll get the door for you."
Ji Yunshu hastily grabbed onto him and stood in his way. "Look at my current state. With the room locked, if she were to find out now, there..."
"If she sees us, then let her see us."
"No!"
Tang Si's voice sounded out once more. "Ah Ji, I know you're inside, open up, I have something to speak to you about."
Bang bang bang! The knocking on the door continued.
Just then, Jing Rong took hold of Ji Yunshu's wrist, pulling her towards his direction and right into his muscular arms. Before she could react, she felt a force at her waist and the back of her neck, forcing her to raise her head. Jing Rong lowered his head, "Be obedient if you don't want her to find out."
Saying that, he planted a kiss onto Ji Yunshu's thin, crimson lips.
It was a light kiss, gentle yet passionate.
It was also mind-numbing.
Ji Yunshu froze in place with wide eyes. Looking at such a handsome face at close quarters, her long eyelashes quivered as they brushed against his features.
Jing Rong was not greedy and soon loosened his hold on her, with his forehead still resting lightly on hers. "You had better seal my lips on your own accord if you want to keep the matter of us staying together a secret. Otherwise..." Hehe!
Ji Yunshu paused for a few seconds. This piece of work would definitely go and open the door, that would be the end if that happens. She steeled herself and swiftly tiptoed, taking the initiative to kiss him.
Yes, Jing Rong was pleased. Only their lips were touching but he felt as though his entire body was paralysed. They continued to kiss passionately in a tight embrace.
Finally, Tang Si walked away from the door.
Only then, did Ji Yunshu open her eyes and lean back, separating their lips from each other.
However, her body was still securely restrained by Jing Rong and she could not break free. His long fingers brushed against her lips with lingering desire. His mesmerising eyes remained fixated on her. "I'm very pleased but...I'm not satisfied." [2]
[1] Oh my JR you cheeky bastard! You definitely didn't take in any of that book you were 'reading' did you?
[2] =.= nothing would satisfy you other than multiple rounds of ppp eh.