Chapter 27 His shadow had completely engulfed her, as if…

Chapter 27 His shadow had completely engulfed her, as if...

A Chun stood guard at the door, trembling at the sight of the imposing Prince of Mobei, her legs shaking uncontrollably and her speech stuttering.

Despite being terrified to the point of weakness, she dutifully stood her ground at the doorway.

She didn’t know why the Prince of Mobei had come to see the princess so late at night, but she had a feeling it wasn’t for anything good.

Before Tuo Baxiao could speak, his guard behind him couldn’t hold back, his round eyes glaring like copper bells as he shouted in broken Chinese, "Our prince has graciously come in person, and you dare to block him outside? Your princess is already the prince’s now! Why wait until tomorrow? The prince can see her whenever he wants!"

"Open the door immediately!"

Without hesitation, he tried to push past the maid and force his way in. A Chun was nearly reduced to tears by the shouting, but at that moment, a clear female voice came from inside—

"A Chun, please let the Prince of Mobei in."

A Chun felt uneasy but had no choice but to step aside, allowing Tuo Baxiao to push the door open and enter.

His attendant instinctively moved to follow, but Tuo Baxiao paused slightly, turning his head. Under the candlelight in the corridor, his turquoise eyes gleamed with a dangerous chill. A Long’s heart skipped a beat, realizing he shouldn’t enter, and quickly retracted his foot, stepping back outside to stand guard with A Chun.

Seeing this, A Chun gave him a displeased glare. The Prince of Mobei was one thing, but a mere attendant trying to barge into the lady’s chamber? Hmph!

A Long wanted to retaliate, but thinking of the prince inside, he didn’t dare cause a scene. He could only endure the Han woman’s disapproving gaze, angrily turning his head to look at the other side of the corridor. Hmph!

Tuo Baxiao stepped into the room, casually surveying the surroundings. He slightly bent his head as he passed through the low-hanging curtains in the outer room, which were somewhat too short for his height, and appeared before Jiang Congyan.

The rooms in the post station were narrow, and the night was thick. Only two faint oil lamps lit the room, barely illuminating the outlines of the space. His tall figure stood like a wall, blocking most of the light, making the room feel even darker and more oppressive, creating a silent sense of pressure.

Ruo Lan and Si Zi were both nervous, unsure why Tuo Baxiao had come to see the lady so late at night. Si Zi, being young, was simply worried, while Ruo Lan, with more experience, couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild. A man barging into a lady’s room in the middle of the night—it didn’t seem like good intentions, especially since he had a past.

Soon, their fears were realized.

Tuo Baxiao waved his long arm, pointing at Ruo Lan and Si Zi, and casually ordered, "You two, leave."

His demeanor was so natural, as if he owned the place.

Neither of them wanted to move, their eyes fixed on the lady.

Jiang Congyan had been sitting on the bed but stood up when Tuo Baxiao entered, now standing by the bedside.

She wore a plain white silk nightgown, her black hair cascading down her back. Tuo Baxiao had arrived suddenly, and she hadn’t had time to change, only draping a silver fox fur cloak over her shoulders. The cloak, bright and snowy, looked like a pristine patch of snow in the dim light, exuding a cold, untouchable purity.

Sensing Tuo Baxiao’s unyielding dominance, Jiang Congyan thought for a moment, then nodded to the two of them, "Go wait outside."

Ruo Lan and Si Zi had no choice but to slowly retreat, filled with worry. Before leaving, they couldn’t help but glance at Tuo Baxiao, silently praying that he had come only to say a few words and would leave soon.

The room was now left with only Tuo Baxiao and Jiang Congyan.

Jiang Congyan glanced around, took two steps forward, and with one hand holding her wide, flowing sleeve, picked up a recently extinguished short bronze lamp from the table. Using the nearby oil lamp, she lit it, adding another flame to the room, which instantly brightened, making the space feel less oppressive.

Though she wore a thick fox fur cloak, her figure was slender and graceful, as light as a willow catkin, like a gentle breeze that had blown into Tuo Baxiao’s heart. Her jade-like hands, peeking out from her sleeves, captivated his gaze.

No matter what she did, even the most ordinary actions, she performed them with such grace that every movement seemed like a painting.

"Prince of Mobei, please sit," Jiang Congyan extended her right hand in an inviting gesture. "The post station is humble, I hope you can forgive its simplicity."

But Tuo Baxiao didn’t sit. Instead, he took two steps forward, his tall frame completely looming over the young woman. Jiang Congyan wanted to step back, but the table was behind her, leaving her no room to retreat. She could only tilt her neck back slightly to create some distance.

Her long, slender neck, like a stem of snow-white jade, seemed to invite the desire to pluck it.

On the ground, his shadow had completely engulfed her, like a monstrous beast.

Suddenly, he reached out, lifted her long hair that was draped over her back, and inhaled. Indeed, he caught a soothing, pleasant fragrance that seemed to calm his very soul. Tuo Baxiao narrowed his emerald eyes.

Jiang Congyan instinctively tried to dodge his hand but failed. For a moment, her calm facade shattered, but she quickly regained her composure and looked at Tuo Baxiao, asking, "Prince of Mobei, your late-night visit surely means you have something important to tell me."

She attempted to divert the conversation, trying to diffuse the increasingly intimate atmosphere, but the man wasn’t fooled.

Looking down at her, he took in her every reaction, naturally not missing her brief moment of panic. She was clearly nervous inside, yet she spoke so formally, which he found amusing.

Tuo Baxiao stroked the soft, smooth strands of hair between his fingers, feeling it was insufficient. Such a simple touch couldn’t satisfy the desire in his heart. He recalled the softness of her waist that his palm had touched that night—so delicate it felt as if it had no bones. He had reminisced about it more than once since then. He also remembered her radiant, charming appearance during the day, so alluring and approachable.

Now she was right in front of him. Without further thought, Tuo Baxiao reached out, his long arm encircling her once again, pulling the beauty into his embrace.

"Prince!"

Jiang Congyan was genuinely startled by his action, her eyes widening involuntarily. Her usually serene expression was completely shattered as she instinctively bent her arm, trying to resist his advance.

Not to mention Tuo Baxiao’s years of battle-hardened strength, his arm was almost as thick as her thigh. There was no way she could budge him even slightly. In fact, her feeble resistance seemed more like a provocation to him.

Jiang Congyan was pulled into his embrace in an absolute, irresistible manner. Her upper body was forced against his, her snow-white cheek pressed against his chest. The steady, powerful heartbeat she heard in her ear made her own heart ache, as if an invisible hand were squeezing it, making it hard for her to breathe.

Holding her delicate figure in his arms, Tuo Baxiao looked down and saw the tender, slender neck that gleamed dazzlingly white in the dim candlelight. It struck him deeply, instantly tightening his body and making his mouth go dry.

He licked his lips, suddenly wanting to taste the flavor of this porcelain-like skin.