Chapter 120: with translation of chapter title

Nightfall descends, still shadows sink like jade.

When Yu Baobao was gently pushed onto the couch, the candlelight flickered for a breath.

He still had a hint of bewilderment in his eyes, like a cat whose belly is pressed, sinking softly into the bedding.

Du Shanü peeled away his clothing layer by layer, revealing his fair shoulders and chest.

He felt a bit shy, wanting to raise a hand to block, but she held his wrist.

Du Shanü's fingertip first touched his cheek, tingling and numb; Yu Baobao couldn't help but shrink his neck, the corners of his mouth already curving up.

As that finger slid over his neck, a laugh involuntarily escaped his throat.

Clear and crisp, like a willow branch tickled by the wind.

The beauty's skin was delicate and fine; Du Shanü tried to focus to admire it.

However, when her fingertip landed on his chest, Yu Baobao finally couldn't hold back.

He curled up like a shrimp, dodging and laughing:

"Don't… don't touch there, it's so itchy——"

His pale face flushed crimson, brows and eyes curved; he was both shy and annoyed yet had no temper, even the strength to dodge carried a hint of coquettishness.

He didn't understand what this ambiguous touch meant; he only knew that his beloved's fingertip, light as a feather, brought only itchiness wherever it went.

Laughter came in broken bursts, mixed with panting, lightly echoing within the bed curtains...

However, no, that's not right.

Where the finger passed, the feeling was not reluctant welcome but a slight tremor.

Where the gaze passed, what was received was not eager anticipation but...

but rather a pure goodness that left one more at a loss than fear.

This feeling, it's as if both of them are playing a game.

Except, the one wanting to play is not the same 'game' at all.

Du Shanü tried several times to focus, but finally, after Yu Baobao's deadly question "Why is it always you tickling me? Shouldn't we switch and let me tickle you?" she chose to give up in a crash—

All her busy work, and Yu Baobao still thought she was just scratching an itch!

Moreover, she truly wanted to kneel and beg Yu Baobao...

Stop laughing, really stop laughing!

After great effort to return home, such a lovely night, such a fine atmosphere, with no one to disturb—what is there to laugh about!

Her laughter is like an old gambler's dice—

'Reputation' completely gone!

She wore a face of utter despair, resentfully withdrew her hand, and lay down again beside Yu Baobao.

Yu Baobao had just suggested switching, when he saw Du Shanü withdraw her hand, thought he had angered her, and propped his head on her pillow, laughing:

"Oh dear, Wife Master, if you want to tickle, just keep tickling, don't get angry......"

Not angry, of course not angry.

Just a bit lacking in spirit.

Du Shanü's mood was very desperate; she subconsciously wiped away a bitter tear:

"Yu Baobao, how...... how could you be such a Baobao......"

"I touch you, could it really be that you feel not the slightest bit 'uncomfortable'?"

Suffering two consecutive setbacks on Yu Baobao.

Du Shanü's morale could be said to have sunk to the lowest point—

How could Yu Baobao be such a Yu Baobao?

Surely, surely there can't be truly no reaction at all?

But having said that, Yu Baobao left his parents early; the Grand Ancestor doted on him, but certainly wouldn't have taught him about male-female matters, after all the Grand Ancestor's own lifelong affair remains unsettled.

When Yu Baobao grew a little older, the Grand Ancestor fell gravely ill and needed attending; after the Grand Ancestor's death, mourning and the northern border troubles came one after another...

If one doesn't understand, that too is only human nature???

"Of course there would be a little discomfort; I don't know why, but I always feel like going to the privy......"

A soft whisper sounded beside her ear; Du Shanü's heart, which had turned to ashes, showed a trace of dead ashes reigniting.

But before she could climb up again, she heard Yu Baobao mutter softly:

"Mm, maybe it's because I just drank too much porridge."

"Wife Master, do you want to go to the privy? Outside it's dark and raining; if we go together we can support each other a bit!"

Du Shanü: "......"

Du Shanü lay back down heavily, saying, "I'm not going!" (with an annoyed pout).

Who wants to hold hands like a child and go to the privy!

Even if she were to hold her breath until death, die here, be carried out, she would not give up getting up from this bed!

After a few breaths, the two walked out hand in hand.

Yu Baobao didn't know why Wife Master suddenly looked utterly despairing again, while searching for an outer garment to drape over Du Shanü, he asked softly:

"Didn't Wife Master say she wasn't going?"

Du Shanü: "(t▽t)"

Du Shanü: "...... Children shouldn't ask adult matters."

Otherwise...

Adults really are too embarrassed to answer!

Yu Baobao didn't understand why, yet still held the candlestand in one hand and Du Shanü's hand in the other, walking slowly.

He seemed quite happy; outside, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, yet he continued to hum an unknown folk tune in a leisurely manner.

Du Shanü's spirit was slightly eased by his singing, and she pushed the door open.

The door creaked, cold wind wrapped in rain streaks swept over their faces, and both involuntarily narrowed their eyes.

When this earthen fort was constructed, an empty well was also left at its center.

At this moment, they were driven out the door, and happened to see the wind raging outside, the branches and leaves rustling with mournful sounds.

Outside the rain was extremely heavy, like a breach in the heavenly river, pouring down in dense sheets onto the blue‑brick ground, sending up a sheet of white mist.

The lanterns under the eaves had long been extinguished, only a few burnt ribs left swaying in the wind.

Between heaven and earth there was nothing but the sound of rain and wind.

Just then, a bolt of lightning split the dark clouds, and a ghastly white flash instantly illuminated the courtyard.

Du Shanü only now finally saw—

A few steps away, beside the carved wooden window on her left, stood a person.

That person stood right under the window, back against the window frame, his form hidden in the shadows; without that flash of lightning she would never have noticed him.

He did not know when he had arrived, nor how long he had stood there; his clothes were already soaked through, clinging to his body, rainwater trickling down from the hem, and a small pool had gathered at his feet.

Yet he remained utterly still, like a piece of dead wood, or like a stone statue abandoned in the rain.

His whole being exuded a sinister aura, silent and soundless, a chill that penetrated to the bone.

Before the lightning had fully faded, she made out his face.

That was a face astonishing beyond compare—

His eyebrows and eyes were exquisite, his contours like a painting, his skin white to the point of near‑transparency; rain slid down his jaw, making his lip color look ever paler.

Clearly it should be the appearance of a living person, yet he lacked any warmth of life, resembling instead a gorgeous ghost stepped out of an ancient painting.

Beautiful as he was, he sent a chill down one's spine.

Du Shanü instinctively halted her steps; Yu Baobao, pulled along by her, staggered a moment later, only then noticing the person beneath the window, and she called out:

"Chinu?"

That person remained utterly still, only in the final instant as the lightning faded did he slightly lift his eyes.

His eyes were black as an abyss, scanning up and down their roughly neat attire, and he let out a half‑snicker:

"Chen Weifang sent word—the dikes of the Liangjiang Circuit have burst, Ju Cheng is flooded, and the waters will soon reach Cang Cheng."

"If you still want this world... then come with me tonight."

?? Shasha (forcing a smile): Why do I always feel a sense of guilt...

? Chinu (realizing he hadn't gotten to eat, still managing a laugh): Hey! Cattle and horse! Get to work!