Chapter 495

Nan Gongdi let out a light cough and said, "Everyone, hurry and disperse."

Those who should sleep, sleep; those who should keep watch, keep watch; those who want to go out, go out and enjoy the bustle.

Tonight South Peace has no curfew.

So many people will stroll the streets all night, enjoying the festivities.

Li Qingluo heard about going out, and her eyes lit up instantly.

I want to go too!

I heard there are lantern riddles on the street.

There's lion dancing, fire-spitting, singing, and all kinds of acrobatic tricks.

I want to go, I want to go——

Duan Rongshi scooped her up in a horizontal hold, despite her struggling, and strode back toward Chinese Flowering Quince Hall.

Chinese Flowering Quince Residence

Given the ambiguity, I'll keep as "Tangdi Residence" but note it's not in glossary; but the rule says we should translate meaning. I'll go with "Hall of the Chinese Flowering Quince". That is a mouthful but faithful.

Chinese Flowering Quince Hall

Thus line: "Duan Rongshi scooped her up in a horizontal hold, despite her struggling, and strode back toward Chinese Flowering Quince Hall."

Those behind him also dared not continue craning their necks to watch; everyone hurriedly dispersed.

Once Li Qingluo realized she was actually being held by a strange handsome man, she immediately lashed out with a killing move.

Bold ruffian, you dare touch me——

I'll chop you to pay with your life!

Duan Rongshi had no choice but to set her down again, then swiftly pinned her arms behind her back and pressed her against himself.

You can't kill me.

Don't forget, your killing techniques were all taught by me personally.

Li Qingluo's eyes flickered with doubt.

You?

Who exactly are you?

Could it be that you're again Zheng Lingchuan disguised as my master?

Then you deserve to die even more!

After saying that, she actually broke free from his grip, then quickly felt her leg and produced a small dagger.

She raised the dagger and stabbed.

Duan Rongshi could only fend her off while asking doubtfully: 'Zheng Lingzhou? Has he also pretended to be your master before?'

He actually didn't know about this!

Li Qingluo: 'Yeah, how about it, do you want to come too?'

It's a pity you lack his androgynous charm; you can't deceive me into spinning circles like he did.

The more she fought, the more spirited she became; Duan Rongshi had to focus more on defending himself lest he be injured by her mistake.

However, the chill in his depths grew colder with her words.

He even touched his own face.

Not enough androgynous appearance?

He let out a cold snort.

He tore off the human-skin mask on his face in one motion.

Why don't you take another look and see who I am?

As that peerless visage appeared, Li Qingluo's killing move snapped shut instantly, her face filling with delight.

A Shi!

A Shi, I've been looking for you for a long time.

Where have you been all this time?

I'm tired; let's hurry back to our own courtyard.

In the blink of an eye, she went from a murderous female assassin to a docile virtuous wife.

Duan Rongshi: ……

When drunk, you act crazy with me.

You really have come a long way.

Before, you couldn't drink alcohol.

Nowadays, it seems you can drink even less.

He gave a cold snort, then once again hoisted her horizontally and hurried back to Chinese Flowering Quince Hall.

Upon returning, he directly took Li Qingluo to the warm bathing chamber.

He had intended to personally undress her, but when his hand reached her waist sash, Duan Rongshi stopped.

Now she sat obediently, completely still.

Just now she had already left a row of not-so-honest tooth marks on his shoulder.

Duan Rongshi felt a faint ache in his shoulder.

He summoned Que'er and Zheng Mama.

To bathe the young lady.

Both: 'Yes.'

Li Qingluo fell asleep straight away in the bathtub.

Or rather, Zheng Mama woke her by pushing.

Miss, miss?

The hot water has already been added four or five times; if you keep sleeping, it'll be the first day of the month.

Li Qingluo rubbed her eyes upon waking and yawned.

"How did I fall asleep?"

"However, she had also become much more sober."

"But it seemed something vague had happened, and she could hardly remember it."

"This head really can't handle alcohol."

"Li Qingluo hammered the hammer and asked Zheng Mama, 'Did I do anything improper?'"

"She kept feeling as if she had fought someone."

"Zheng Mama: 'You seem to have made Your Highness angry.'"

"Li Qingluo looked incredulous: 'Me?'"

"Zheng Mama said: 'Que'er followed Zhui Yu out to see the fireworks.'"

"'Miss, you should head back to your room soon. After waiting for an incense stick to burn, fireworks will be set off at the palace gate, and supposedly you can see them from outside your bedroom window.'"

"Fireworks?"

"Li Qingluo was very interested."

"She hurriedly rose from a tub full of flower petals and jumped out."

"Zheng Mama quickly wrapped her in a blanket, then helped her put on a bright red silk dudou and undergarments."

"Li Qingluo wondered: 'How could it be bright red?'"

"Zheng Mama: 'Because today is the New Year.'"

"'Miss, a moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold; please go inside quickly.'"

"Zheng Mama chuckled and gave Li Qingluo a hard push into the bedroom."

"Li Qingluo then noticed: how did the whole bedroom turn into a sea of red?"

"Red curtains, red bed, red tablecloth, red candles…"

"Even Duan Rongshi was red."

"As he turned around, Li Qingluo's heart involuntarily skipped a few beats."

"Has he regained his appearance tonight?"

"She couldn't help but walk over."

"'A Shi, what are you doing?'"

"She didn't understand; if it was just for the New Year, why change the candles to dragon-and-phoenix paired candles?"

"This room now looks more like a meticulously prepared bridal chamber!"

"Duan Rongshi stared into her eyes: 'Let's complete the ritual we left unfinished a year ago.'"

"Saying this, Duan Rongshi reached out and took Li Qingluo's hand: 'Luo'er, come with me.'"

"The two walked toward the scarlet bed, and Li Qingluo's chest pounded wildly."

"The consummation, finally coming?"

"After sitting on the bed, Duan Rongshi pulled out a large black box from inside."

"Li Qingluo: ……"

"Duan Rongshi gave her a key."

"'This contains all my wealth.'"

"'Besides the thousands of shops across the continent, there is also a stack of tokens.'"

"'From now on, these will all be Luo'er's.'"

"Li Qingluo looked at the black box he had placed in her arms, and it suddenly became scorching hot."

"'You'd better keep it yourself!'"

"She hurriedly shoved the box back."

"But Duan Rongshi hung the key directly around her neck."

"'Remember, this key is also a small token.'"

"'Perhaps someday it will be of great use to you.'"

"Li Qingluo reached out and gripped the key, watching him chatter on."

"She suddenly stepped forward and pressed her lips tightly against his."

"Since their reunion, they had not even engaged in such an act as kissing."

"Who would believe they are still a nominal couple?"

"Moreover, Li Qingluo had long wanted to do this."

"At this moment, she only wanted to follow her heart and honor her inner desires."

"To possess him."

"'A Shi, hold me.'"

"She whispered softly and reached out to actively remove the sole red undergarment on his body."

"But she wasn't very successful at taking it off."

"And it was awkward."

"Seeing her brow furrow more and more, Duan Rongshi proactively took it off cleanly."

"'Dare you look?'"

"He pulled her hand to press firmly against his pounding heart."

"'Did you feel it?'"

"She felt it."

"His heart, which was about to jump out of madness."

Li Qingluo raised her head, smiling as she looked at him.

"A Shi, let's hurry and consummate the marriage!"

Having said that, she directly pounced onto him.

Soon, fireworks exploded in the direction of the imperial city outside the window.

The sky was dazzlingly splendid.

Li Qingluo had wanted to turn over and get up to take a look, but was jerked back by a hand from inside the red curtains.

"Focus."

"But… fireworks… uh… wait!"

Garments were tossed out one by one.

Li Qingluo panted heavily: "Slow…"

Originally, the spring red curtains were still warm.

Suddenly, she let out a startled cry.