Chapter 51: Ointment

Chapter 51: Salve

A simple sentence nearly caused Jiang Congyan to lose her composure.

She shot him a quick glare, then regained her composed demeanor, elegantly seated in the carriage, though her cheeks still flushed uncontrollably. Fortunately, they were now inside the carriage, and no one could see.

She fussed with her skirt, avoiding his gaze, and kept a straight face as she looked straight ahead.

Tuo Baxiao gave her a lingering look before turning and mounting his Li Eagle.

With a wave of his hand, he set the procession in motion again.

Flanking the wedding carriage were not just young men and women but also some children.

Si Zi, A Chun, and A Fei, the maidservants, were dressed beautifully today, wearing new red and blue ruqun, their hair tied with red ribbons fluttering in the wind, their cheeks painted with bright red rouge, like little fairies trailing a goddess. They carried delicate flower baskets, continuously tossing candies.

"Scattering wedding candies!"

"Wedding candies!"

They spoke in Han Chinese, and at first, the crowd didn't understand what they were saying until someone peeled one and tasted it, exclaiming, "It's candy! So sweet!"

Candy?!

This instantly sparked the crowd's enthusiasm, and a frenzy ensued, not just the children but even the adults casting aside their dignity to grab some.

"Give it to me, I got it."

"I want some too, I want candy."

"So sweet!"

"This is candy! So delicious!"

...

These were the malt sugar candies Jiang Congyan had prepared long ago. Compared to rock sugar, or sugarcane sugar, malt sugar was much cheaper, but it didn't lessen the crowd's excitement.

In this era, sugar was a rarer commodity than salt, especially for the grassland tribes. Sugar had to be obtained through external trade, and only the highest nobles could afford it. Many people lived their whole lives without ever tasting sugar.

A Chun and A Fei, seeing how fiercely they were scrambling, worried that they might rush over to snatch the candies from their hands. Fortunately, Tuo Baxiao's prestige was strong enough that no one dared to disrupt his wedding.

After tossing the candies, the Xianbei people were still eager for more.

"Is that all?"

"More, please!"

"If the king and princess held weddings every day, could I eat candy every day?" said a five or six-year-old child, which made everyone laugh.

"Sure, go tell the king to marry the princess every day and be a groom every night," someone teased.

The child, not understanding the adults' jest, nodded seriously.

"Hahaha..."

However, everyone realized that this Han princess was truly generous. So much candy could be exchanged for many sheep.

They wondered if there would be more opportunities to taste sugar after today. Since the princess could scatter so much candy for fun, perhaps she had more. If they offered sheep in exchange, would she agree?

The distance was short, and after the wedding carriage arrived, it circled around the royal tent three times before finally stopping in front of the red carpet.

Jiang Congyan was assisted out of the wedding carriage and stood on the red carpet with Tuo Baxiao.

On both sides of the red carpet were colorful flags fluttering in the wind—red, white, and blue, vivid and lively—but the most eye-catching were the two newlyweds of the day.

Tuo Baxiao's tall and handsome figure, combined with his commanding and powerful presence, was impossible to ignore. Jiang Congyan, standing beside him, though much shorter and slimmer, radiated a graceful, dazzling beauty like the morning sun, captivating all who beheld her.

The two—one strong and one gentle—complemented each other perfectly, creating a harmonious balance.

Tuo Baxiao reached out his hand to her, and Jiang Congyan hesitated for a moment before placing her hand into his broad palm. As their hands met, his large hand enveloped hers in warmth.

They walked forward for a while and arrived at a sacrificial altar, where an elderly Xianbei shaman in a long robe stepped forward.

She wore a colorful robe, her face painted with symbols in various colors, and a hat adorned with colorful feathers on her head. Her deep, narrow eyes were filled with mystery.

The Hu tribes also had their own sacrificial customs. They revered spirits and deities, offering sacrifices to heaven, earth, the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and ancestors, using cattle and sheep as offerings, which were burned after the ceremony.

Among them, the Heavenly God held a special place.

At this moment, the surrounding laughter and chatter ceased, and the atmosphere became solemn and dignified.

The two ascended the altar, where a bronze cauldron stood, with offerings and a live sheep placed beside it.

The Xianbei shaman held a bell in her hand, continuously dancing a ritual dance in front of the altar, chanting incantations.

Those who could stand at the front to witness the ceremony were either Xianbei nobles or powerful figures within the tribe.

Jiang Congyan looked ahead, calmly observing the crowd. Among them were a few familiar faces: General Modolou, Chigan Balie, and Su Li. However, they were not in the front row. The front row was dominated by unfamiliar faces, with the only somewhat recognizable one being the Sixth Prince Tuoba Wuxi. The rest were well-dressed nobles in their thirties or forties, possibly Xianbei chieftains or high-ranking officials from the royal court.

Jiang Congyan could feel dozens of eyes staring directly at her. Most of them wore serious expressions, subtly revealing emotions of scrutiny, disdain, and wariness, though they tried to hide it in front of Tuo Baxiao.

Jiang Congyan took a deep breath, disregarding the myriad of gazes upon her, straightened her back, and followed the shaman's instructions, performing the ritual with grace and precision.

After the Xianbei shaman finished a long series of blessings, the sacrificial ceremony concluded. Then, under the watchful eyes of heaven, earth, the Heavenly God, and the crowd, the two became husband and wife. They shared wine and each consumed two bites of millet and meat, completing the final union ritual.

The atmosphere reignited with liveliness as a group of young men and women in colorful attire stepped forward to perform a dance for the king's wedding. Nearby, many people holding drums and fiddles played and sang continuously.

The enchanting fiddle melodies, pulsating drum rhythms, and spirited dances electrified the crowd, driving them into a frenzy.

As night gradually fell and the sky darkened, Tuo Baxiao ordered the central bonfire to be ignited. It seemed to contain special fuel, as the moment it was lit, a high flame shot up, instantly illuminating everyone and bringing the atmosphere to its peak.

"Warriors, today is the wedding of your king and the princess. You may feast, drink, dance, and revel to your heart's content," Tuo Baxiao raised his wine cup to the crowd and then drank it all in one gulp.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

With the formalities concluded, the celebration began in earnest.

Besides the central bonfire, smaller fires were lit around, and many people joined hands, dancing joyfully around the flames. The vibrant skirts twirled gracefully in the air, while others roasted sheep nearby, cutting off pieces for anyone who approached.

The fat sizzled as it dripped into the flames, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat.

Of course, the most fragrant was the area around Jiang Congyan's group. The unique blend of spices tantalized everyone's senses, amplifying the scent of the roasted lamb to its fullest. The roasting area was bustling with Xianbei people, eagerly chatting like hungry puppies.

Besides the roasted meat, there were also basins of Central Plains delicacies, yogurt, dried cheese, and other foods.

They alternated between dancing, resting, and feasting.

In a typical wedding, the bride and groom might join the guests in dancing around the bonfire, but Jiang Congyan, in her flowing wedding gown, moved with deliberate grace, far from dancing.

She had no close friends locally, so no one came to invite her to dance.

"I think I'll go rest in the tent for a bit. You can continue drinking with them," she said to Tuo Baxiao.

Tuo Baxiao's eyes gleamed. "I'll go with you."

Jiang Congyan: "..."

She wasn't naive about what the man meant by that. It was still so early, and he already wanted to...

He wasn't afraid of being ridiculed, but she wasn't as shameless.

Just as Jiang Congyan was on the verge of refusing, a male voice suddenly came from beside them. It was Su Li. "My King, you've finally married. Everyone is very happy and waiting to drink with you."

Jiang Congyan quickly nudged his arm. "See, so many of your subordinates and guests are waiting to drink with you. Don't disappoint them."

As they spoke, others also gathered around, chattering. "My King, today I must get you drunk!"

"Haha, getting drunk won't do. Today is your wedding night!" someone joked.

"Given the King's tolerance for alcohol, you can't get him drunk. Just drink with him."

According to their grassland customs, on the day of the wedding, all warriors were equal. Even though Tuo Baxiao usually commanded great respect, he couldn't be too serious today. The subordinates became more relaxed, seizing the rare opportunity to drink with the King without regard for status.

Tuo Baxiao shot her a meaningful glance but was eventually called away by Su Li and the others.

Jiang Congyan then entered the royal tent.

Tuo Baxiao's royal tent was lavishly decorated today. The dome was draped with vibrant silk, and the floor was covered with intricately patterned carpets. Many finely crafted utensils were arranged around, and even the tables were carved with complex designs. Most of the decorations were gold, inlaid with various gemstones. The gold and gemstones reflected dazzling light in the candlelight, leaving Jiang Congyan feeling slightly dazzled.

She ventured further in and noticed a black iron bow hanging on the wall, with a quiver below it. Beside it was a silver spear and a set of black armor, all belonging to Tuo Baxiao.

The black armor, propped up on a wooden stand, looked very imposing. The cold, dark armor plates radiated a profound solemnity. When worn by Tuo Baxiao, it appeared even more majestic, like an iron mountain pressing down, instilling fear in all who saw it.

Circling around the front, she arrived at the area where he rested and slept.

The bedding had been replaced with luxurious brocade, and the walls were decorated with colorful ribbons.

Though lavish, it was also somewhat crude, with some details not quite perfect. It seemed this was a temporary arrangement, as his usual style was not like this.

Jiang Congyan cautiously stepped into the inner chamber but didn't sit on the bed. Instead, she sat on a round stool nearby.

Then Ruo Lan came in with A Chun and A Fei.

"My lady, would you like me to assist you with your bath?"

Having worn the heavy wedding gown for most of the day, Jiang Congyan was a bit tired. She nodded, letting Ruo Lan take off her hair ornaments and help her out of her wedding gown.

A Fei instructed the maids to bring water, and Jiang Congyan removed her makeup and washed her face.

Near the wall at the foot of the bed, a screen partitioned off an area. Behind it was a washstand and the tub Jiang Congyan had brought, all prepared yesterday for the wedding.

The tub was filled with steaming water, and Ruo Lan added a small bottle of fragrant oil, emitting a delicate orchid scent. As the steam rose, the subtle fragrance of orchids wafted through the air.

Jiang Congyan pinned up her hair, though a few strands escaped, dampened by the steam, clinging to her slender, graceful neck like a scene from a beautiful snowscape.

Ruo Lan continued to observe, catching a glimpse of her snow-white shoulders veiled in the mist. Her shoulders were slender but not bony, with soft, smooth skin glowing faintly, flawless and radiant. Even the most exquisite snow-white satin would pale next to the lady's skin.

The water shimmered, gently rippling.

Beyond her snow-white skin, Ruo Lan knew just how stunning the lady's figure was—almost enchantingly so.

At seventeen or eighteen, the lady's body had nearly reached its full maturity. Back then, no expense was spared to nourish her, with precious medicinal foods sent to her courtyard. As her health gradually improved, the young girl's figure also underwent changes day by day.

Though slender, the lady's jade-like bosom had already blossomed, while her waist remained strikingly narrow. Further down, her curves softened into fullness, with long, graceful legs—a beauty rarely seen by others.

Unlike the voluptuous allure of mature women, she exuded a charm beyond that of a young girl, her proportions flawless—any more would be too bold, any less too plain.

Though unmarried, Ruo Lan, having lived many years, had overheard plenty from women discussing domestic affairs. Once, when male servants whispered about the lady, she discovered it and dealt harshly with the culprit.

Back then, she had also pondered what kind of man the lady might marry someday. After much reflection, she concluded that no man was worthy of the lady—not even the sons of noble houses. She never imagined the lady would end up marrying the Prince of Mobei.

By age and accomplishments alone, the Prince of Mobei was a prodigy, seemingly a match for the lady. But he was a barbarian, his manners coarse and uncouth. The first time he upset the lady, Ruo Lan began to resent him.

And the way he looked at the lady during their journey sometimes sent shivers down her spine. A wolf starved for months finally catching a rabbit—and the most delectable one at that—could he hold back?

Ruo Lan felt both anxious and sorrowful. Jiang Congyan, oblivious to Ruo Lan's inner turmoil, soaked briefly to ease her weariness before rising.

At the sound of water, Ruo Lan snapped back to attention, swiftly wrapping the lady in a large, soft, snow-white towel. She then assisted her into nightclothes, draping a pink robe over her shoulders before guiding her to a low couch.

Once everything was in order, Ruo Lan dismissed A Chun and A Fei, taking a seat beside the lady herself.

"My lady, did you look over the booklet I gave you last night?"

Jiang Congyan: '...' Huh? Was there something to review?

"...I read it."

In truth, she hadn't. She didn't want to, knowing full well what it contained.

"That's good. At least you have some understanding now." Ruo Lan still hesitated, her mouth opening as if to add more.

Jiang Congyan frowned: "Auntie, is there something else you need to say?"

Hadn't all the pre-marital education been completed?

Ruo Lan then produced a wide-mouthed, round-bellied porcelain bottle from her sleeve, her expression growing even more awkward, her gaze darting away. After a long pause, she finally murmured, "This... is an ointment I obtained from Mr. Zhang."

Jiang Congyan blinked, somewhat confused. Hadn't they already prepared ointments for reducing swelling and relieving pain?

Meeting the lady's wide, innocent gaze—so pure, as if untouched by the world—Ruo Lan felt a wave of embarrassment. But she had no choice but to press on, leaning closer and whispering in her ear, "This isn't an ointment for after... it's for before. If the first time is too difficult..."

For the lady's sake, Ruo Lan had gone to great lengths. As a nearly forty-year-old unmarried woman, she had to steel herself to ask around. After Tuo Baxiao had mistreated the lady, she had been worried about this matter ever since.

Though the lady was not short, her frame was too delicate. The Prince of Mobei was so tall and robust, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The physical disparity between them was so great that it was easy to imagine the difficulties in their marital relations.

She had even specifically asked Zhang Fu, and according to his judgment, the Prince of Mobei was indeed well-endowed.

At that time, Ruo Lan was deeply concerned. The Prince of Mobei's temperament didn't seem gentle, and she feared he might harm the lady in his eagerness. So she asked Zhang Fu if there was any solution, and he told her about this ointment.

The ointment was extremely lubricating, melting at slightly higher temperatures.

After hearing this, Jiang Congyan instinctively refused.

This is really too much...

Just thinking about Ruo Lan asking Zhang Fu about this matter made her mortified, her face flushing red all the way to her neck, her skin tinged with a light pink hue.

Even though she was close to Ruo Lan and looked up to her as an elder, discussing such a private matter still made her feel utterly mortified.

"My lady, this is not the time to be stubborn," Ruo Lan said, shoving the porcelain bottle directly into her hand. "Your health is the most important, after all."

Jiang Congyan was about to refuse, but Ruo Lan had already stuffed the bottle into her hand and quickly ran off, her speed unlike her usual composed self.

"My lady, you must use it when the time comes. Remember, don't be too shy."

"..."

The cool porcelain bottle suddenly felt burning in her hand. She wanted to throw this burden away but didn't know where to toss it. After looking around, she finally hid it in a cabinet.

Sneaking around, like a thief.

Outside the tent, distant sounds of music and singing could be heard, still lively and intense. The crowd was still celebrating, and Jiang Congyan guessed that Tuo Baxiao wouldn't be back for a while. She picked up a book and sat by the lamp, hoping to pass the time.

But she couldn't concentrate on a single word, her mind in chaos, all thanks to what Ruo Lan had told her.

Outside the tent, Tuo Baxiao was being dragged by Su Li and others to drink. His subordinates kept toasting him relentlessly, while the elders sat far away by the bonfire, drinking on their own, not bothering to join in.

The firelight flickered in the night breeze, casting a flickering light on their faces.

Tuo Baxiao drank every toast, with A Long following behind, constantly refilling his wine bowl.

Suddenly, Tuoba Wuxi cut in abruptly.

"You got married today, so it's only right I toast you. You won't refuse, will you?" Tuoba Wuxi raised a jar of wine, lifting his eyebrows and looking provocatively at Tuo Baxiao.

The surroundings went quiet instantly. The subordinates stopped their actions, subduing their expressions as they turned to look at the two, the atmosphere suddenly tense.

Tuo Baxiao also paused for a moment, his deep green eyes looking over. "Of course not," he said, then held up his hand and shouted, "Pour the wine!"

Someone immediately filled their wine bowls to the brim.

The two exchanged a glance, then each tilted their heads back and downed the wine in one gulp.

Drinking was supposed to be a lively affair, but they made it seem like a duel.

After finishing the jar, Tuoba Wuxi wanted to continue, but Tuo Baxiao had no patience left. He held up his hand and said, "Tuoba Wuxi, it takes too long to determine a winner by drinking. Are you brave enough to duel with me?"

He didn't want to waste most of the night on a drinking contest.

Tuoba Wuxi, seeing the disdain in his eyes and the confident look on his face, as if he were a weak opponent who could be knocked down with a single punch, was provoked into a rage. He slammed his bowl down and said, "Fine, a duel it is! You think I'm afraid?"

If a Xianbei warrior is challenged to a duel and refuses to participate, he would be mocked as a coward.

The crowd dispersed, forming a circle to give the two space.

Tuo Baxiao removed his royal hat and took off his ornaments, revealing a head of thick, dark hair.

Unlike most Xianbei people who braided their hair, he tied it up like the Han people.

The others, hearing that the king was going to duel with the Sixth Prince, were filled with curiosity and excitement, gathering around.

They naturally split into two groups of spectators. General Modolou, Chigan Balie, and others stood on one side, excitedly raising their arms and shouting, "The king will win! The king will win!"

"King! King! King!"

On the other side, Tuoba Wuxi's subordinates were also cheering for their Leader.

"Leader! Leader!"

The scene was even more lively than the wedding before, with everyone's emotions reaching their peak.

Tuoba Wuxi glanced around, his eyes scanning the crowd. If he could defeat Tuo Baxiao today, it would greatly undermine Tuo Baxiao's prestige.

He flexed his wrist, sprang off the ground, and lunged at Tuo Baxiao with lightning speed. Tuo Baxiao's brow furrowed, his emerald eyes narrowing slightly. Just as Tuoba Wuxi's fist was halfway through the air, Tuo Baxiao intercepted it with a powerful grip, twisting his opponent's wrist and pulling him off balance. At the same time, he drove his knee toward Tuoba Wuxi's abdomen.

Sensing the danger, Tuoba Wuxi swiftly adjusted his stance, tumbling forward to evade the attack. However, this dodge left him somewhat disheveled and diminished his momentum.

Chigan Balie's camp erupted in thunderous cheers, applauding their king's fierce performance.

Hearing this, Tuoba Wuxi's expression darkened, and he locked eyes with Tuo Baxiao once more.

The two slowly shifted their feet, crouching low, their bodies radiating an aura of danger, like two tigers testing and waiting for the other to reveal a weakness.

Tuoba Wuxi attacked again, but this time Tuo Baxiao didn't dodge. Instead, he met the assault head-on.

Back and forth they fought, their movements bold and thunderous, swift as lightning and fierce as tigers. The duel between the mightiest warriors of the Xianbei tribe was indeed a sight to behold.

After a while, Tuo Baxiao's lips curled into a sharp smirk. "Tuoba Wuxi, four years have passed, and yet you still haven't improved."

With that, he seized an opening and increased the force of his strike, his fist slamming hard into Tuoba Wuxi's side and sending him crashing to the ground. The punch felt like it could shatter Tuoba Wuxi's internal organs, leaving him momentarily unable to rise.

But what shocked him most was the implication behind Tuo Baxiao's words. What did he mean? Was he saying that he had been holding back all along?

Four years ago, when Tuoba Wuxi had just returned from the Helan tribe, seething with anger upon learning that Tuo Baxiao had seized the throne, he had angrily confronted him in a fight. At that time, the sixteen-year-old Tuo Baxiao had already been able to defeat him. That incident had plagued him for years, driving him to train harder in hopes of defeating Tuo Baxiao. Yet, while he had grown stronger, Tuo Baxiao had progressed even further.

In a one-on-one fight, there was probably no warrior in the Xianbei tribe who could match him now.

Tuoba Wuxi slammed his fist into the ground, his heart burning with unwillingness to accept defeat.

The arena was filled with roaring cheers. Their king was the bravest warrior, and at such a young age, he would surely lead the Xianbei to dominate the entire grassland!

Tuo Baxiao paid him no mind, casually brushing off his clothes before striding confidently toward the royal tent.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner far from the royal tent, the atmosphere was unexpectedly lively.

A small camp had been set up, with several bonfires crackling warmly, over which large copper pots were placed.

"It smells incredible!"

"It's lamb soup!"

"What does lamb taste like? I've never had the chance to try it before."

Laughing, they replied, "You'll get to try it today."

...

Jiang Congyan had shared some of the sheep Tuo Baxiao had gifted her with the craftsmen, asking them to slaughter and cook the meat for soup today. Everyone would get a share, which was undoubtedly an immense surprise and blessing for the craftsmen. The craftsmen were overjoyed, their faces lighting up with gratitude. The aroma of the lamb soup filled the air, drawing everyone closer to the fires.

Most of them hardly ever had meat in their daily meals, and only a few highly skilled craftsmen who had been heavily relied upon received occasional rewards during festivals. As for the fish and shrimp caught on the road, they couldn't compete with the Xianbei Cavalry, and in fact, they were scarce.

The rich, white mutton soup bubbled and steamed in large copper pots, with large chunks of mutton floating and sinking within. The savory aroma of the meat wafted through the air, and with a sprinkle of salt, the scent was so enticing that everyone couldn't help but swallow their saliva and lick their lips, staring intently. Just the smell was so enticing; imagine how delicious it must taste!

Finally, when the meat was tender enough, the cook announced that it was time to eat. Everyone quickly grabbed their bowls and formed a line, craning their necks to get a better look.

This was one of the rules set by Ruo Lan after she took charge of the team: no fighting for food; everyone must line up to receive their meal, ensuring that everyone could eat.

Before Ruo Lan took over, these craftsmen had many bad habits. They were gathered from various places and had no camaraderie, naturally leading to various conflicts over interests, forming cliques, and the most straightforward was over food.

Ruo Lan employed a mix of rewards and punishments, catching a few who didn't follow the rules and making an example of them with severe penalties. Only then did they develop a sense of respect and gradually correct their behavior.

With both gratitude and respect, the subsequent rules were easier to enforce.

Jiang Congyan sought not a disorganized crowd but a disciplined army that belonged entirely to her, could follow her commands, and become her strong arm.

Everyone got their mutton soup and meat, and despite the heat, they couldn't wait to take big gulps, even if their tongues were scalded, they couldn't bear to spit it out.

"Delicious, so delicious!"

"Ah, this is the taste of mutton. I never thought I'd live to eat meat."

"Delicious, meat is truly the best thing in the world."

...

Fu Blacksmith and his son also got a bowl of mutton. They sat by the fire, and Fu Blacksmith held the bowl, staring at it for a long time without taking a single sip.

"Father, why aren't you eating?"

Fu Blacksmith's hands trembled, but he was afraid of spilling the soup, so he tried hard to control his shaking, resulting in a very twisted posture. But when he looked up, his cloudy, aged eyes brimmed with glistening tears, brighter than the stars in the night sky.

"Princess..." he choked, "this is the princess's generosity!"

"To be able to enjoy such a bowl of mutton soup before I die, my life is complete."

Seeing his father like this, the son was also moved to tears, "It's all thanks to the princess that we have today."

Fu Blacksmith's lips trembled, his sparse, gray beard shaking uncontrollably, "Son, I don't have many years left. You must repay the princess, heed her commands, and do whatever she asks."

"Yes, Father, I know, I will work hard to repay the princess."

Besides Fu Blacksmith and his son, many others also thought of the princess, particularly those who had been nursed back to health on the journey.

The emotions of the crowd swelled, and it was unclear who influenced whom, but eventually, they all silently looked towards a distant place.

There, the princess was holding her wedding.

They weren't privileged enough to attend the king's wedding, so they sat on the grass under the starry sky, silently offering their heartfelt blessings.

"May the princess enjoy a life of peace and prosperity!"

—

Jiang Congyan heard the boisterous cheers outside the royal tent, shouting "King," perhaps Tuo Baxiao had made another grand gesture.

She didn't venture out, just sat holding her book in a daze. Later, the cheers gradually faded, but she still couldn't help thinking about Tuo Baxiao. If only he would get drunk, but no, that wouldn't do—what if he caused a scene while drunk!

Besides, he would never allow himself to get so drunk that he lost control.

Jiang Congyan's mind was swirling with chaotic thoughts, a cacophony of confusion.

Her thoughts were so scattered that she didn't hear the man's footsteps until he stood directly in front of her. Suddenly, her vision darkened. Startled, Jiang Congyan looked up abruptly, causing the book to fall from her hands.

She instinctively stood up, her arms dangling limply in front of her. "Sire," she murmured, but her eyes dared not meet his face.

Tuo Baxiao gazed at her silently, his eyes direct and intense, unabashedly fixed on her.

Even without looking up, Jiang Congyan could feel the searing intensity of his gaze, her scalp prickling with unease, her entire body locked in place.

Abruptly, Tuo Baxiao took a step forward.