Chapter 148: Little Ai's Self-Talk (Three)

【That night, I had a beautiful dream I hadn't had in a long time——

I dreamed that I was still that mighty, awe-inspiring cat king from my previous life.

I also......

I also dreamed of her.

Outside the eaves, wind and snow first fell.

The charcoal in the brazier had not yet turned to ash, and the whole room was deeply warm.

I lay on her lap, my four legs curled up, the tip of my tail lazily resting on her ankle bone.

She was holding an old felt blanket, half-leaning against a hidden pouch, her hands empty of books or scrolls, only placing one palm on my back, stroking my fur with just the right pressure.

That hand was fair, the knuckles slender without showing bone; as her fingertips passed, it was like spring ice just thawing, stream water flowing over blue stone......

At first it was slightly cool, then immediately warmed by body heat into a thread of warmth.

Occasionally she lowered her head a bit, and a few strands of loose hair slipped from her temples, brushing over my ear tip.

Those strands of hair were dark and dense, carrying the faint, soapberry-like scent that had not yet fully dissipated after washing.

I narrowed my eyes, a gurgling sound rolled out of my throat, so satisfying that even I felt it was a bit excessive.

She pressed her index and middle fingers together, slowly tracing down from the base of my ear, around the shoulder blade, all the way to my waist.

Each time she reached a spot, I involuntarily arched my back slightly to meet her touch.

Her fingertips weren't rough, but bore thin calluses from daily crossbow handling; as they brushed over my short fur, they sent a fine tingling numbness.

Then she turned her hand over, tapping my belly with the back of her fingers, lightly stroking the bell on my body.

I was originally guarding that soft spot, and by rights I should have turned away, extended my claws, and gently bitten her tiger's mouth with my teeth.

But she was so gentle, so gentle, so comforting that I just wanted to squint my eyes, not wanting to move at all.

So I slowly turned my belly upward, four legs in the air, exposing that finest patch of white fur.

She gave a soft laugh, the corners of her mouth slightly curving, a faint arc appearing on her cheek, like a crescent moon fallen on snow......

So faint, so warm.

She then placed her palm over it, slowly, slowly making circles, the pressure just like kneading a lump of unbaked dough—afraid to ruin its shape, yet reluctant to lose its softness.

I closed my eyes, my consciousness gradually drifting away.

I felt like I had become a teacup steeped in warm water, nothing left but a cup of hot, half-asleep, half-awake comfort.

The hearth fire occasionally crackled, light and shadow flickered in the room, and she switched to her other hand, continuing that unhurried stroking.

Her face in the firelight flickered light and dark, her brows and eyes so gentle as if veiled by a thin sheet of xuan paper, needing no rubbing to know she was beautiful.

Outside the window, moonlight and snowfall descended together.

But inside the room, it was just like a warm daytime.

She seemed to have waited a long time for that bell's sound; when the bell rang, she comfortably narrowed her eyes......

Good.

Everything is good.

Now the wind is fine, the snow is fine, the moonlight gently surrounds.

At this moment, the clear dawn scenery is wonderful; thereafter, year after year, beautiful nights will long endure.】

The cold night deepens, scattered snow first arrives.

When Du Shanü finally sensed the chill, the clapper outside had already passed half past midnight.

Not the same.

Not the same.

Different people really give very different feelings.

If one were to say the past was an unsurpassable mountain-shouting, sea-roaring torrent, now it is merely a tipsy warm dream.

The brocade mattress is still warm, the interest remains strong.

Although a bit sleepy, Du Shanü still didn't want to sleep, so she turned her head and looked at Yu Baobao beside her.

The night was deep, a trace of pale moonlight seeped through the window lattice, softly scattering between the bed and canopy.

The clear radiance washed over his straight nose bridge, faint brows, all manner of charm immersed in the hazy moonlight......

Indeed, he was a natural-born handsome bone structure.

At this moment his brows and eyes were slightly closed, as if still savoring the daytime warmth.

Du Shanü's heart stirred, she embraced him, and softly coaxed in the night:

"Good baby...... I still want to play with the bell, how about you?"

Whether to say it or not, Chūzi is indeed somewhat slow in certain matters.

But after all the fuss, he finally managed to get a bite of something hot!

Although there are still many things, outside it seems the first snow of the year has already fallen......

But outside affairs, let's just leave them outside for now.

Even if the sky were to collapse, it probably wouldn't matter to them this moment; why not take advantage of this beautiful night to savor it a little more?

Du Shanü felt as if bitten by tiny mosquitoes in her heart, suddenly terribly itchy, guessing that Yu Baobao was probably feeling much the same......

However, the next instant, she heard Yu Baobao emit a series of fine, comfortable nasal sounds:

"Hūlūlū...... hūlūlū......"

Du Shanü: "......"

Du Shanü: "...... Yu Baobao? Yu Baobao?"

Yu Baobao: "Hūlūlū...... hūlūlū......"

Silence.

Deathly silence.

Du Shanü was rarely at a loss for a few breaths before she realized what on earth had happened——

Good heavens!

How could she forget—living isn't like reading a storybook!

Yu Baobao is nothing like those cool, overbearing, arrogant jerks in the storybooks!

The two were drenched in sweat before they managed to make their first meal; prior to that, Yu Baobao had never even tasted a decent bite!!!

He didn't even realize the meal was self-serve, and that he could eat more when more dishes came out!

After eating his fill, isn't it just time to sleep!

I'm impressed.

Du Shanü was utterly impressed.

But after that surge of emotion passed, hearing the soft snore beside her ear, Du Shanü belatedly found it rather amusing——

She had initially chosen Yu Baobao precisely because of his innocence, hadn't she?

Well, she had known all along.

All that's been proven now is merely the word 'pure'.

Awkward, flustered, too shy to go all the way......

Good quality.

Truly good quality.

Du Shanü couldn't resist and kissed the lips of her newly minted legitimate husband.

In the moonlight, the innate silver birthmark on Yu Baobao's lower lip shimmered like water for an instant; Du Shanü lingered a breath, then sat up, lifted the curtains, and stepped down from the bed.

She wasn't unwilling to rest more on her wedding night; the key was that she urgently wanted to know Ruansizong's attitude.

Yesterday was the date she abruptly set for the wedding, and also the time Ruansizong had agreed to come over.

Amid the blaring drums and gongs, she saw the renowned Ruansizong, the Prefect......

Naturally, she also clearly saw the look of shock on his face.

Chinu's suggestion that she first show weakness actually made some sense.

But Du Shanü had her own mind; others' advice was always just reference, and she would not blindly follow it.

If she merely showed weakness, she would inevitably lay traps for the future.

Therefore, Du Shanü directly pulled the plug, preparing no idle chitchat with him at all.

Chinu could go plead with Ruansizong to surrender, because he is a Minister.

But if Du Shanü rushed to show herself and earnestly invited Ruansizong, it would make him think she was a rare find and would lower her own value.

As the old saying goes, 【Don't readily reveal your talents, or else others will realize you have none】.

Therefore, it's best to let the other party speculate and judge the value themselves.

Therefore, she merely held a grand wedding feast, and while greeting the guests, she seemingly casually greeted him......

She then subtly revealed things she hoped Ruansizong would notice.

For example, her identity as a woman.

For example, the city's adoration.

For example...... the Young Emperor's whereabouts.

As for the remaining pros and cons, let Ruansizong ponder and weigh them himself.

The advantage of this is that the other party temporarily cannot see through Du Shanü's hand.

The disadvantage is......

I don't know whether the other party will take the bait.

Besides, besides, when they bowed yesterday, she also saw Chinu's grim expression.

Chinu has always been jealous, never tolerating even a speck in her eye.

This time she has actually married Yu Baobao, and who knows how long Chinu will keep causing trouble with her......

Thinking of this, Du Shanü sighed, and the good mood of the night mostly dissipated.

The room was dim, the moonlight thin and faint.

She bent down to look for a piece of clothing to cover herself, but upon reaching out she found nothing on the floor.

Du Shanü's brow twitched slightly; before she could react, a tiny spark ignited nearby, a match struck out of the darkness and lit the candle holder.

The fire hissed softly; this night was dim and quiet.

A beautiful ghost held the candle, who knows how long it had been watching the two in the shadows.

However, however.

What made Du Shanü tremble most was not that Chinu would be here.

But rather, the beautiful ghost of the night now wore......

It seemed to be Yu Baobao's wedding attire.

?? Yu Baobao eats slowly, slowly, savoring......

? Chinu eats heartily.