Chapter 51 - Sleep
Bai Rouyun was sleeping peacefully on Li Moyun's lap. Her lips were pouted slightly, and she would, from time to time, rub her cheek against his thigh.
Her unconscious actions were igniting an evil fire within Li Moyun, but he used all his willpower to extinguish it.
As they returned home to the palace, Li Moyun personally lifted Bai Rouyun into the bedroom, and placed her on the bed, allowing her to sleep soundly.
No one in the palace dared to say anything, those he passed even stopped breathing, out of fear of waking up Bai Rouyun.
There was no doubt that this woman was special to Li Moyun. If he had only married her for the sake of appeasing the emperor, then he would never do so much for her.
Realizing that this woman was indeed their Madam, everyone was full of shock and decided to change their attitude towards her in the future. Previously some had been condescending, and others had pitied her, but now they understood that she was, in fact, not to be pitied or looked down upon.
Even if she had been a fool, she now had the backing of Li Moyun. It would be impossible to cross her in the future, since everyone in the palace knew of Li Moyun's secret; that he was, in fact, the Shadow Lord.
Li Moyun looked at the sleeping woman on the bed, and he was considering if his work could wait until the day after. After thinking about it for some time, he nodded his head, took his boots off, and laid down on the bed together with Bai Rouyun.
He then found a blanket and covered the two of them, but before he could finish the movement, he felt how Bai Rouyun began inching closer and closer to him, before she placed her head on his arm, and her arms reached out and circled his waist, pressing her body against his.
A low giggle escaped her lips as she began stroking her head on his chest. The actions indeed fanned the flames in Li Moyun's body, and he gritted his teeth. "Little girl, do you know what you are doing?" he asked with a low and hoarse voice, his hand landing on her slim waist.
But as soon as his hand landed on her waist, Bai Rouyun stopped moving after finding a comfortable position in Li Moyun's arms.
Li Moyun was troubled. He wanted nothing more than to punish the woman in his arms, but she was sleeping soundly, and he could not bear to wake her up.
At the same time, the feeling of having her lying in his arms like this was immensely comfortable. He did not want her to leave his embrace.
Hence, he decided to allow her to continue lying in his arms, his eyes continually looking at her face, trying to remember her features forever.
She was an absolute beauty, the most outstanding figure in the entire Empire. In fact, Li Moyun had traveled to many places, and he had never seen anyone who looked as attractive as her, and he could not help but tighten the arm that held her waist.
This woman was his wife. Although they had not consummated the marriage, she belonged to him now, the entire Empire knew this, and he did not doubt that one day her heart would also belong to him.
But he was also worried. He had spent a long time investigating the previous life of Bai Rouyun, and everything he had found out had made him feel heartache on her behalf.
She was an orphan, thrown away by her parents when she was born. She had been picked up by a wandering cultivator, who decided to raise her, but when she turned four, this woman had also abandoned her.
After this, she was forced to rely on herself. She had been a thief, and she had worked various jobs to earn money to pay for her food. She had even been a beggar for some time of her life. How could someone as proud as Bai Rouyun be reduced to such dire straits?
Not only that, but when she became old enough to cultivate, she had really done her best, but because of rushing through the ranks, and not having received any guidance, her foundations were never firm enough.
She had ventured into one grave after another since every resource was held by the prestigious sects and families.
She had been faced with death more times than he could ever imagine, and she had never back down. Although her cultivation base was unsteady, she had managed to reach the purple realm and was able to look down on the world.
But even then, she was unable to escape her destiny of being hunted and killed by the sects and families who wanted to dominate the cultivation world.
Li Moyun sighed as he thought of her life. She was stronger than so many others, but she was also fragile. He could sense her worries and her discomfort, but he was not going to allow her to become doubtful of herself. She was a brilliant star that shone on him. She had brought life and happiness to him, so he would make sure that her dreams were accomplished.
Lowering his head, Li Moyun placed his lips on her forehead and gave her a slight kiss before he closed his eyes. He, too, needed some sleep, and sleeping by her side had proven to be immensely addictive.
Like this, the two fell in a deep sleep, and the rest of the palace was walking on tiptoes, worried about disturbing them.