Chapter 255: Seeking Shelter from the Rain

Chapter 255: Seeking Shelter from the Rain

The rain was pouring heavily, its pitter-patter drowning out all other sounds.

Yet, Princess Yu Lan could distinctly hear her own racing heartbeat, pounding like a drum, as if it wanted to break free from her chest.

Staring at Princess Yu Lan's flushed cheeks, Lord Zhou could no longer restrain himself and bent down to kiss her crimson lips.

"Mmm..." A soft moan escaped from the woman in his arms, reaching Lord Zhou's ears, darkening his gaze and deepening his breathing.

Princess Yu Lan had one hand clasped by Lord Zhou, while the other weakly pressed against his chest, tilting her head to accept his fiery kiss.

"Princess..." Lord Zhou called out in a low, hoarse voice, his long arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her firmly onto his lap.

Now, Princess Yu Lan was slightly taller than Lord Zhou, turning the kiss from upward to downward.

Lord Zhou held her waist with one hand and supported the back of her neck with the other, his jaw clenched as he leaned forward, deepening the kiss.

The muffled sounds of their passionate kisses were drowned out by the pouring rain, and the gray mist mingling with the rain curtain made their figures faintly visible.

After a long kiss, Lord Zhou embraced Princess Yu Lan, breathing heavily with a mix of desire and joy.

He was a normal man, no longer young, and it was natural to have a reaction when facing the woman he loved.

Perched on Lord Zhou's lap, Princess Yu Lan naturally felt his arousal, so she dared not move, her face flushed with shyness as she leaned on his shoulder, breathing lightly.

The warm, moist breath brushed against his neck, causing Lord Zhou to feel a tingling sensation, so much that he kept swallowing.

Just a little longer, only three more months until the wedding.

Closing his eyes, Lord Zhou took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart.

The raindrops hit the ground densely, splashing into endless puddles.

By the lakeside, Zhuiyun, looking through the rain curtain at the figures in the pavilion, hesitated briefly before turning back with the umbrella in hand.

Jiang Shu and Yu Zheng were talking in the side hall when they saw Zhuiyun return alone with the umbrella, somewhat surprised.

"Couldn't find them?" Jiang Shu was astonished. Although the back garden was large, it was open, so it shouldn't be hard to find someone.

She and Yu Zheng had only left for a short while, and when it started to rain, they hurried back. Seeing that Princess Yu Lan and Lord Zhou hadn't returned, they quickly sent Zhuiyun with an umbrella to find them.

But Zhuiyun had been gone for so long and still couldn't find them?

Zhuiyun said, "I saw the princess and Lord Zhou taking shelter from the rain in the pavilion from a distance and didn't disturb them."

Hearing this, Jiang Shu and Yu Zheng immediately understood.

Since the rain was so heavy, they couldn't leave anyway, so it didn't matter where they took shelter.

"Dismissed," Yu Zheng said calmly.

"Yes," Zhuiyun retreated.

Only Jiang Shu and Yu Zheng remained in the hall. Jiang Shu ate an orange while looking at the rain outside, saying meaningfully, "I wonder how long this rain will last."

Yu Zheng also looked at the rain outside, his expression complex.

As a man, he knew exactly what men would do when alone.

The rain came in a rush and left just as quickly. By the time Jiang Shu had eaten her second orange, the rain suddenly stopped.

After about the time it takes to sip a cup of tea, Zhou Boxu and Yu Lan returned.

Both looked as usual, except Yu Lan's lips were slightly swollen, and her eyes held a hint of shyness.

As for Zhou Boxu, his dark brows lifted, eyes bright, looking refreshed and spirited.

Jiang Shu smiled with understanding and handed over a teacup: "The rain's chill is damp, sister, have some hot tea to warm yourself."

Yu Lan accepted it, sipping slowly.

Zhou Boxu also grabbed a teacup and downed it in one gulp.

He wasn't cold, just genuinely thirsty.

Yu Zheng observed quietly with his deep, dark eyes, neither speaking nor asking.

Once the tea was finished, Yu Lan rose and said, "It's getting late, I should go back."

Zhou Boxu also stood up: "I'll escort you back."

Now engaged, he could openly accompany her home.

It was indeed late, and Jiang Shu was sleepy, so she didn't press them to stay, allowing Yu Zheng to escort them out.

When Yu Zheng returned to the main house after their departure, Jiang Shu lay on the soft couch, eyes closed, uncertain if she was asleep.

Noticing this, Yu Zheng's dark brows knit slightly. He stepped forward and bent to lift her.

"Husband?" Suddenly airborne, Jiang Shu's eyes flew open in surprise.

"Go sleep in the bed," Yu Zheng said as he carried her towards the large bed.

Though the couch sufficed, it was a bit narrow. With her belly larger now, the bed offered more space and safety.

Exhausted, Jiang Shu let Yu Zheng settle her on the bed and tuck her in.

As she closed her eyes, ready to sleep, she felt someone settle beside her.

Jiang Shu opened her eyes slightly in surprise: "Husband, are you going to sleep too?"

"Yes, nothing to do this afternoon, I'll nap with you," Yu Zheng said, wrapping his arms around her.

Nestled in Yu Zheng's warm, reassuring arms, Jiang Shu's sleepiness ebbed. She thought of something and asked with interest, "Alone in the rain, what do you think sister and Lord Zhou did?"

She was asking knowingly.

Yu Zheng glanced at her with his dark eyes, raised his brows, and said, "Do you want to know?"

Jiang Shu blinked, a mischievous smile floating on her face.

Seeing her like this, Yu Zheng couldn't help but feel amused and whispered, "I'll tell you."

"Hmm?" Jiang Shu looked up in confusion. How did he know? Did Zhuiyun tell him?

Before Jiang Shu could figure it out, his distinct fingers lifted her chin, and a passionate kiss descended.

"Mmm—" Jiang Shu let out a soft moan in surprise.

Yu Zheng skillfully slid his tongue, easily prying open her teeth and entwining with her soft tongue in a dance.

Jiang Shu had just eaten an orange, and a faint fruity fragrance lingered in her mouth, making her lips taste sweet as well, all the more intoxicating.

It wasn't until Jiang Shu was almost out of breath that Yu Zheng reluctantly pulled away.

"Now you know," Yu Zheng glanced at her moist, soft lips and couldn't resist stealing another kiss.

Jiang Shu, her face flushed, lay limp in his arms, burning even more at his words.

He must have done it on purpose! she thought, her cheeks burning.

Feeling both shy and annoyed, Jiang Shu closed her eyes and feigned sleep.

Yu Zheng didn't ask further, contentedly tucking her in and holding her as they fell asleep.

As dusk fell, the rain started again. It continued intermittently until the next afternoon when it finally stopped completely, and the long-overcast skies brightened.

In the evening, Cao Qian stepped into Grand Tutor Cao's room.

Grand Tutor Cao lay in bed, blanketed by a quilt, but his body was already cold and stiff.

Cao Qian walked to the bedside and knelt down, looking at Grand Tutor Cao on the bed in silence.

He knelt until midnight before rising to sit beside the bed, addressing the figure behind the screen, "Come out."

"My lord," an old, thin figure stepped out from behind the screen, bowing respectfully to Cao Qian.

Cao Qian looked at the face so similar to Grand Tutor Cao's, his expression calm but his heart heavy with emotion.

After staring at the old man for a long time, Cao Qian declared solemnly, "From tonight, you are Grand Tutor Cao."

"Yes," the old man acknowledged.

Cao Qian stood up and called his trusted aide to wrap Grand Tutor Cao in a quilt and stealthily transport him through the back door to a carriage.

Then, Cao Qian threw on a black cloak and boarded the carriage to leave.

The streets were empty and silent, the carriage wheels crunching softly against the gravel as it moved through the thick night, unseen by any soul.

After passing through the city, the carriage ventured deeper into the outskirts, finally stopping in front of a graveyard.

"My lord, we've arrived," the trusted aide announced, opening the carriage door.