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Rong Shu lifted her gaze to the snow-laden wutong tree branches and chuckled. "You start the fire here; I'll fetch a small red clay stove and a copper kettle. We can boil the snow for a drink."

The young maiden's eyes shimmered with clarity.

Gu Changjin gave her a glance but said nothing, promptly heading to the small kitchen to gather firewood in perfect harmony with her request.

In no time, a red clay stove was set up under the wutong tree, topped with a slender-mouthed copper kettle for boiling water. Two white jade cups were placed beneath it, and beside them was a thick bamboo mat that could accommodate three or four people.

The frost on the tree branches gradually melted into water within the copper kettle.

Kneeling on the bamboo mat, Rong Shu picked up the handle and poured the water into the two jade cups. She then lifted her gaze to look at Gu Changjin and asked, "Yunzhi, do you want to marry me?"

Gu Changjin had already understood her intentions since she started searching for wine while holding her skirt.

Silence enveloped the surroundings, with moonlight as gentle as flowing water.

A breeze swept past the tree, sending snowflakes cascading down to land in her dark hair.

Fixing his gaze on the girl's joyful eyes, Gu Changjin's voice deepened slightly as he replied softly, "Yes, I do."

Rong Shu nudged the cup towards him with a casual gesture.

"In this moment, it's truly a picturesque and delightful scene, much better than that day when I carried a jar of Tusu wine to seek a divorce from you. One could say it's heaven's blessing. Although there's no alcohol, our wedding cup doesn't necessarily have to contain wine – the spring water brewed from Phoenix Tree snow is just as fine."

She had always been so nonchalant.

When they divorced, she simply carried a pot of Tusu wine to find him in his study. Now, wanting to remarry, two cups of snow water brewed under the Phoenix Tree would suffice as their shared cups.

Gu Changjin took the cup with a smile in his voice. "Zhaozhao, after this marriage, we can't divorce again."

"That won't do," Rong Shu replied matter-of-factly. "If you don't treat me well or hurt my feelings, we'll still have to divorce. So, Yunzhi..."

The young maiden held her cup, looking at him with a bright smile. "You must be good to me, always and forever."

As she spoke, she reached out and gently encircled his hand holding the cup, sipping the snow water together.

Though there were no friends and relatives filling the hall, nor were there weeping red candles, the heavens and earth served as their matchmaker, with the clear breeze and bright moon as witnesses.

Who could say this wedding was not beautiful?

Chapter 118

Rong Shu set down her cup and lifted her gaze to meet the man's across from her. In that instant, he leaned in and kissed her deeply.

His hand cradled the back of her head as his tongue breached her teeth.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Rong Shu felt herself pressed against the tree trunk. The snowflakes on the branches trembled slightly before cascading down. They landed on her eyelashes, the tip of her nose, her cheeks, and her neck, melting slowly on Gu Changjin's tongue.

This time, she sensed a greater familiarity in his actions. He didn't bite her lips or bump her teeth, and his breath was steadier than before.

There was less urgency and more patience.

But this patience didn't last long before it was exhausted.

Rong Shu was pulled into his embrace, sitting on his lap as she felt his hands slowly move up from her waist.

His touch wasn't heavy, but it wasn't light either. Rong Shu couldn't help trembling, her fingers instinctively gripping his shoulder tightly.

Perhaps she had hurt him, for the man suddenly paused, catching his breath on her shoulder. After a moment, when his breathing had calmed, he raised his head, smoothing out the disarrayed collar of her garment.

On this chilly night, the man was burning hot like a copper kettle boiling water, scorching to the touch.

His sudden stillness left Rong Shu genuinely perplexed.

She was sitting right on him; how could she not know how aroused he was?

Staring at him with a dazed look, her misty eyes held a hint of springtime desire, while the slightly raised corners of her eyes exuded a shy charm.

Gu Changjin's recently calmed breath quickened once more upon seeing this.

He narrowed his eyes and said, "It's time to go."

If they didn't leave now, he feared he wouldn't be able to control himself. With their hurried arrival, many preparations had not been made. He didn't want to shortchange her on their wedding night.

Rong Shu's hazy gaze gradually cleared up.

She knew him so well, how could she not guess what he was worried about?

She tightened her embrace around his neck and said, "We mustn't stop. Our fate began in Songsi Courtyard."

Rong Shu spoke those words without any trace of embarrassment. This was their second marriage, and the first time, due to various reasons, they did not consummate their union. This time around, with their hearts intertwined, both were willing to fully commit themselves to each other.

How could he stop? How dare he stop?

It wasn't just him whose blood boiled; the fire he ignited in her demanded his attention to extinguish, or she would not let go!

Her gentle yet persuasive words shattered Gu Changjin's regained composure in an instant.

The man let out a heavy breath, gritted his teeth, and scooped her up horizontally in his arms, hastening towards their chamber.

The bedroom was brightly illuminated with lamps, yet without the warmth of a heated floor or a charcoal brazier, it felt chilly.

Fearful of her catching cold, Gu Changjin removed his dark cloak and draped it over her before bending down once more.

Even though Rong Shu had prepared herself, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She held him tightly, closing her eyes firmly.

His lips were warm, and his breath was scorching as he skillfully undid her waistband and robe without any hesitation.

Rong Shu tried hard to recall what her mother had taught her about fire safety before she was married in her previous life.

Yet, at this moment, it seemed insignificant that she couldn't recall.

Her gaze was fixed on the canopy embroidered with blooming pomegranate flowers, watching the vivid red petals gradually blur and fade away.

Many actions stem from instinct, and in the depths of their passion, two people long to entrust everything to one another.

The candle flame crackled.

Gu Changjin slightly lifted his body, gazing down at the girl lying beneath the cloak.

Her hairpins and ornaments had fallen, and beads of sweat trickled down her forehead. A few strands of her raven-black hair clung damply to the side of her face.

In this very instant, she resembled a piece of pure jade nestled within a pool of ink.

With her eyes half-closed, her dense eyelashes trembled incessantly.