Chapter 894

The sun set in the west.

The dim yellow sunlight shone in through the window lattice, casting long, slanted shadows. The attendant spread a white cloth and respectfully poured amber-colored fine wine; the dark liquid shimmered with light.

The wine remained undrunk.

Yet an intoxicating atmosphere already permeated the air.

"I have troubled Jiang Zongshi Niu to brave the wind and snow. Last night was truly busy, and I didn't know Jiang Zongshi Niu had arrived, so I failed to welcome you from afar or arrange a reception to wash away the dust of travel. I am deeply ashamed. I invited you three days ago and called you two days ago, but unfortunately, I heard Jiang Zongshi Niu had only just arrived two days ago, so I, Liang, had to set up this banquet today to apologize."

"Hearing of a name is not as good as meeting the person. Jiang Zongshi Liang became famous in his youth, is humble and cautious, and does not pride himself on his talent or status. He has even more spirit than the rumors suggest! He is truly a hero of our Great Shun!"

In the Heaven-grade private room of the Langyun Tower.

Liang Qu enthusiastically hosted the Jiang Zongshi surnamed Niu, who had sent the Xuanhuang Long Qi from Southern Zhili, with Su Guishan sitting at the head of the table as a guest.

A few words of polite exchange.

Jiang Zongshi Niu was "flattered."

It wasn't that Liang Qu spoke so beautifully or humbly; he had originally thought it was just a routine courtesy—eat a meal, receive some banknotes, and be done with it. He hadn't expected Liang Qu's joy to be so evident, his genuine feelings not appearing fake.

The end of the year was approaching, and he was a guest in a strange land.

On such a cold day, three sentences warmed his heart.

"Please." Liang Qu pulled out a chair, "Lord Niu, please take your seat quickly. Today, you are the guest of honor."

"Good! I, Niu, will respectfully obey."

The heater was warm, and the scenery of Langyun Tower was just right.

Under the same sunset.

In the bedroom of the Liang residence, the square windows were wide open, and the cold wind was circulating.

Splash, splash.

The river otters, those with brooms holding brooms, those with rags wringing rags, folded them into small squares and, with their furry backsides stuck up, wiped from east to west.

The wooden floor was so clean it reflected the sunset glow.

After cleaning the room, the river otters split into four, one for each corner, to lift the frame bed. The otter lifted the cylinder roll, took the opportunity to spread the lamb wool blanket—a specialty of the Northern Court—and straightened the blood coral at the head of the bed, placed several red candles and incense burners on the desk, and stuffed the fire-starting rope into the drawer below.

"What is the boat boss doing?"

"I don't know."

Long Yao and Long Li whispered to each other, watching the river otters go in and out, carrying buckets and pouring water, in an orderly fashion.

Usually, it was they who cleaned the Elder's room, or at most Mother Li, who often changed the bedding. Today, Liang Qu had actually acted contrary to his usual behavior and let the otter do it?

Something is fishy!

Deep into the night.

A group of warm, luxurious light was wrapped in red gauze.

The guests in the restaurant dispersed in twos and threes. Those who were not satisfied often called the boatmen at the door, threw a few copper coins, and headed to the painted boats swaying with colorful lanterns.

There wasn't much fish catch in winter, so many fishermen couldn't stay idle and all wrapped themselves in straw rain capes to do some work picking up and dropping off guests in the freezing weather. Some drunken guests were dizzy, and their tips were often generous; running into one was a big profit.

Therefore, every time they saw someone come out, it always caused a scramble.

Naturally.

If they ran into someone who pretended to be drunk and didn't pay, they could only blame their own bad luck.

"Uncle!" Liang Qu called over a fisherman and stopped Su Guishan, "My grand-nephew has something to do tonight, could I trouble you, Uncle, to please move to the government office to spend the night?"

Su Guishan half-closed his eyes, squinted at Liang Qu for a long time, and seeing his face slightly flushed, as if he understood, he tapped his index finger lightly.

"Heh, I said you brat weren't quite right today, jumping up and down practicing boxing early in the morning like a monkey on Mount Lu. What, has the Pure Yang Child Art reached the Great Completion Realm?"

"Dear Uncle!"

Liang Qu pressed his palms together.

"So you do know how to be shy." Su Guishan leaped onto the small boat and stroked his white beard, "Tonight's bill..."

Liang Qu took out some loose silver and threw it to the boatman: "Just like with Jiang Zongshi Niu, count however much it is, put it all on my tab!"

"Boatman, catch up to that boat in front."

"Alright, sit tight!"

The boatman lit the charcoal stove, pushed the pole to break the moon's reflection, and wove through the gaps between the small boats, creating layers of ripples.

Whoosh~

White foam scattered, and the water current swirled backward, shattering the moonlight.

After adding water, Long Eying took a few fire stones from a bamboo basket and threw them into the hot pool. The fluffy black algae at the bottom of the pool slowly covered and swallowed them, the water temperature gradually rose, and white mist steamed up under the moonlight.

She took off her shoes and entered the room.

In the partition.

Her clothes were all removed, falling to her ankles.

Long Eying tied up her dark hair, stepped out of the pile of clothes, wrapped herself in a cotton white bath towel, entered the steam room, leaned on a wooden stool, and closed her eyes to rest.

Before long.

The door was wide open, and a little cold wind from the partition rolled in.

Suddenly, someone stirred the white mist and sat down side-by-side.

The water mist was hazy.

Long Eying's toes gripped the ground, and her fine hairs stood up slightly. The person who sat down wasn't Long Yao, let alone Long Li; the sensation was different—taller than them, harder than them, and even more scorching than them.

The white mist flowed.

Sweat seeped from her neck and slid down along her curves.

Long Eying gripped the cotton towel tightly, exhaled a breath, and gathered the courage to open her eyes.

The two remained silent, hidden in the mist.

Their breathing was audible to each other.

Their hearts accelerated in unison, and their faces were burning hot.

Fingernail marks were pressed into her fingertips; Long Eying bit her lip and leaned gently on the shoulder of the person beside her.

Her nose was full of a faint fragrance. At this moment, no water had been added to the wooden house, yet it felt as if warm water were rising and falling beneath her, and every pore was relaxing and stretching.

Liang Qu turned his head.

Strands of hair stuck to Long Eying's temples, somewhat messy. The water mist stuck evenly to her skin, from her rounded shoulders to her full chest, half-covered by the bath towel and rising and falling slightly, all glowing with light.

Who needs Snow Pig Oil?

It's not needed at all.

He thought.

"Hoo!"

The white mist was disturbed.

Liang Qu exhaled a long breath and suddenly stood up.

His left hand wrapped around Long Eying's waist, and his right hand gathered her thighs. His fingers squeezed into the plump, soft flesh, and his palm, mixed with sweat and water droplets, slid all the way to the back of her knees.

The skin rubbed by his rough palm felt fiery, and Long Eying's heart beat up to her chest.

Bang!

Liang Qu adjusted his position, kicked open the wooden house door with one foot, stepped through the white mist, and strode toward the bedroom.

In the covered walkway.

Long Yao and Long Li, who were taking clothes to change into, widened their eyes.

They witnessed with their own eyes the candlelight being lit from inside the room, the otter running out of the room, and then the Elder carrying Long Eying horizontally, both wrapped in a cotton towel, their bodies emitting rolling white smoke, as they flashed into the room.

This, this, this...

Their young hearts received a huge shock!

The two stood frozen in place, at a loss.

Suddenly.

Long Li's thoughts jumped, and she ran quickly to the bedroom window, knocking hard.

"Elder! Remember to put down a white towel! You must remember!"

The atmosphere in the room became awkward.

After a while.

Liang Qu replied in a muffled voice.

"I know!"

Long Li breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Long Yao toward the wooden house.

"Why do we need to put down a white towel?" Long Yao asked.

Long Li opened her mouth, not knowing how to explain it for a moment: "Oh, anyway, it's the rule! The rule is just like that!"

In the bedroom.

The candlelight was dim, and Liang Qu and Long Eying looked at each other and laughed in unison.

They laughed for a long time.

In the room, only breathing remained.

Her crimson face became even redder.

Every blood vessel in her body was swollen, like flowing boiling water and magma. The heart-burning heat evaporated the little moisture left, and her lips were dry and cracked with white skin.

Liang Qu untied the bath towel, and the white towel spread out like butterfly wings. He watched her chest change from soft white to pink, and further up, Long Eying's entire face was like someone drunk on wine, glowing with a smoky fragrance.

Eyes met eyes, subconsciously shifting away, and in a moment, they couldn't help but look at each other again, couldn't help but look, like a large, transparent hand.

He could observe the edges of her pupils trembling, expanding due to excitement to cover the entire iris.

He could feel the wrist he was gripping tightly hurting slightly due to her fingernails digging in.

He could feel her abdomen softening and tightening.

Beautiful.

He bowed his head and sucked on her vermilion lips.

Her light heartbeat fell into his palm.

Long Eying grabbed the bedsheet, her slender white arches tensed.

The earth was silent.

The world was dark.

Occasionally, a meteor would pierce the darkness and stab into the Milky Way.

The candlelight jumped dimly, permeating scorching heat waves, and the red light of the blood coral flickered incessantly.

Under the eaves, the swallows folded their wings, shook off the fine snow on their bodies, and returned to their warm nests.

The lamp shines brightly. The moon is faint. The tent is warm, the fragrance is deep, and the spring night is long. Dreaming, I hear the cuckoo.

(End of chapter)