Chapter 70: “Why Did You Light the Lamp?”

Chapter 70 "Why are you lighting the lamp?"

She had just finished her menstrual cycle yesterday, but it would be healthier to wait another day or two before having intercourse. However, judging by the man's current demeanor, even if she said she wasn't clean, he wouldn't believe her.

Since he had started indulging in carnal pleasures, the man had never abstained for so long. A couple of nights ago, he had lain beside her, initially just kissing and cuddling, but eventually, he got aroused again and couldn't resist. He had grabbed her hand and made her assist him, but that was all that had happened.

On the day her period started, she had provoked him. Judging by his expression at the time, she knew he wouldn't let her off easily afterward, especially since this incident had occurred in between, which had truly angered him.

With old resentments and new grievances piled up, how could she have a peaceful night tonight?

Before coming to apologize, she had dressed up a bit, which itself hinted at what was to come. She had anticipated this situation, but now that it was upon her, Jiang Congyan realized she was still a bit afraid. Her neck retracted slightly, and her eyes appeared timid.

As the sky grew darker, her tender, bamboo-like neck became even more strikingly white. Her cheeks, flushed with rouge, were soft and vibrant, her eyelashes trembling lightly, like a dew-kissed rose swaying in the breeze. He couldn't help but want to ravage her until she was utterly broken.

Tuo Baxiao's entire body quivered with excitement, emitting a silent roar.

Seeing the man like this, Jiang Congyan even regretted her earlier words. If she hadn't said those things, she might still be at peace now.

After a moment of silence, she didn't respond, and the man, losing patience, assumed consent and leaned in to kiss her.

His kiss mirrored his rough personality, never tender. He bit down hard, making it feel less like a kiss and more like a ferocious bite, as if Jiang Congyan had turned into a piece of meat.

He sucked and bit, and within moments, her lips were swollen and sore. She had intended to indulge him this time, but she could no longer endure it. She reached out and pinched his jaw, leaving a faint mark on his skin as she pushed him away.

"Be gentler, it's painful!"

Her tone was muffled as he consumed her words.

Tuo Baxiao finally paused, displeased that she was still resisting him at this point. He looked down and saw that her lips were indeed red and swollen. He quickly recalled his actions and realized he had kissed her too harshly. He chuckled softly, holding her and coaxing, "Then I'll be more gentle."

He leaned in to kiss her again but was halted by a hand covering his mouth, soft as water.

"Go clean yourself," she said.

Tuo Baxiao: "..."

At a time like this, she wants him to go bathe?!

He lifted his arm and sniffed. There was a faint scent of sweat, but it wasn't unpleasant.

He hadn't gone out riding or practiced martial arts today, but the summer weather was warm, and with his furnace-like constitution, he had still sweated a bit.

The odor wasn't noticeable from afar, but now that they were close, Jiang Congyan could detect it.

"It's just a bit of sweat," he said, already impatient and unwilling to let her go.

Jiang Congyan could compromise on other matters, but not this. It wasn't just about cleanliness but also health. However, the man looked like he couldn't wait another second. Afraid he might proceed regardless, she softly coaxed, "Go wash up, and I'll indulge you tonight..."

The last few words were nearly inaudible, uttered with great embarrassment. Her ears turned crimson, her cheeks aflame, and she lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.

Tuo Baxiao's heart stirred, his eyes brightened, and his body stiffened even more. "You said it!"

He kissed her firmly on the cheek, then released her and leaped off the bed, striding toward the bathroom at the rear.

When he lived alone, his royal tent was simply arranged. The front had a large hall for meetings, and the back was where he lived and slept. In one corner, a simple curtain partitioned off a small space for bathing. There was no bathtub, making it quite rudimentary, nowhere near as complete and refined as her setup.

A few buckets of cold water were placed on the ground, but there was no hot water. He didn't need hot water anyway. He quickly stripped off his clothes and poured water over himself, grabbing a handful of soap powder and scrubbing rapidly. After a few splashes, he rinsed off with a few ladles of water.

Seeing him go to wash up, Jiang Congyan quickly adjusted her collar. She knew it was futile, but doing something helped calm her nerves, as if she were back on her wedding night, filled with unknown anxiety.

She even entertained the thought of running away, but quickly dismissed it. She could hide for a while, but where would she go once he caught up? It would only provoke him further, making him torment her even more harshly.

Jiang Congyan, her heart filled with anxiety, waited until the man quickly finished his bath and strode over.

She shrank into the corner of the bed, avoiding his gaze. The man grabbed her ankle and, with a gentle tug, pulled her toward him.

A shadow fell over her, and Jiang Congyan quickly said, "I... I haven’t bathed yet."

Tuo Baxiao’s arms slid under her arms, pulling her into his embrace. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply the natural scent of her skin and hair. "You’re not dirty—you haven’t even sweated. You smell wonderful."

If he were a furnace, she was a piece of cold jade, her body temperature always much lower than his, rarely sweating, always clean and fresh.

"But there’s still powder on my face," she added quickly.

Tuo Baxiao chuckled. "We’ll have to wash it off later anyway. I’ll wash it for you then."

"..."

Jiang Congyan couldn’t argue, so she had to let him have his way.

However, the man seemed to suddenly remember something, abruptly leaving her and getting off the bed.

Jiang Congyan opened her eyes in confusion, seeing a strong, shadowy figure in the dim light. His back to her as he tinkered with something. Moments later, an orange flame flickered to life.

"Why are you lighting the lamp?"

"To see you!"

"..."

Heat rushed to her cheeks, her whole body burning as if she were about to catch fire.

"Put out the lamp," she chided softly.

Not only did the man not extinguish it, he moved the lamp to the nearest table and turned around. "What’s wrong with looking?"

Furious, Jiang Congyan threw a pillow at him, which the man casually caught.

They had shared a room many times before, and naturally, they had seen everything. But now, with him deliberately setting this up, it felt so... so...

Finally, unable to delay any longer, the man’s patience ran out, and he pressed down on her completely.

But this time, he didn’t rush to tear at the clothes on her chest.

Jiang Congyan thought the man had changed, feeling a bit relieved, when she felt the intimate pants on her thighs being harshly pulled down.

...

The crimson skirt piled up at her waist, layer upon layer of red gauze, like the clouds filling the sky. The girl's bright eyes and beautiful face half-hidden in this rosy hue, her skin glowing like snow, still carrying a spring-like allure, both sacred and decadent...

...

She didn’t know what had suddenly enlightened the man, making him learn these tricks. Even though she was still wearing clothes, she felt more ashamed than if she were naked.

After who knows how long, maybe an hour or two? She couldn’t take it anymore—it was starting to hurt—so she softly begged him.

The man pulled away, leaving her.

Jiang Congyan thought he was finally going to let her go, closing her eyes to catch her breath and calm down, when she suddenly felt him approach again.

When she saw the bottle in his hand, her pupils dilated in shock, and she asked, her voice trembling, "What is this?"

The man smiled and replied, "Ointment."

"Where... where did you get it?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Thinking of a certain possibility, she was so mortified and furious she could have died. She struggled to push herself up, her body sore and weak, trying to grab it from him.

The man let her pounce on him, then his long arm snaked around her waist.

"I asked. Your physician knows how to prepare it. It's good stuff. Don’t you need it as well?"

Who did he ask? Did he go and ask himself?

It was their first time as newlyweds. If Ruo Lan had been worried and requested it as a precaution, that would have been one thing. But one jar wasn't enough, and he actively went to ask for more. The embarrassment had reached others.

What did he mean, 'she needed it'? She didn't need it! If it weren't for this dog of a man being so overbearing...

"When did you go and ask for it?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"The day after your period started."

"..." He had planned this far in advance.

The man added, "Didn’t you agree earlier to go along with me?"

"..." I didn’t expect you to be such a dog!

Tuo Baxiao genuinely thought this stuff was good. Not only did it make things easier and more enjoyable for him, but it also helped her avoid injury. He didn't understand why she was so unwilling.

Jiang Congyan still wanted to snatch it, but the man easily grabbed both her arms with one hand. She was too sore and weak to put up much of a fight.

...

Jiang Congyan didn't know when she had fallen asleep. She slept like a log.

When she woke up, she was still extremely tired. Her eyelids felt like they weighed a ton, and it took several attempts to open them. When the fog in her vision cleared and she saw her surroundings, her mind went blank momentarily.

This was actually her own tent?

Then how did she get here? When did she get here?

Her heart raced. As soon as she moved, she gasped in pain. Her whole body ached as if it had been broken into pieces, almost comparable to the time she had been abducted by Wudati Hou.

That dog of a man! She cursed him eight hundred times in her heart, taking advantage of her momentary weakness to bully her mercilessly.

After lying quietly for a while, she heard a faint rustling in the room and hesitantly called out, "A Fei?"

A Fei quickly came over and lifted a corner of the bed curtain. "Miss? You're awake? Would you like some water?"

Jiang Congyan shook her head lightly. "How did I get here?"

"Just before dawn, the Prince of Mobei brought you back. He said there would be meetings in the main tent during the day, and he was afraid it would disturb your sleep."

"Did anyone see us on the way?" she asked cautiously, her face turning red.

A Fei also blushed. "No, just the two of us."

Jiang Congyan felt a little better. At least no one else had seen them. Otherwise, she really wouldn't have been able to face anyone.

"Open the tent. I need to get up."

A Fei hooked up the bed curtain, and Jiang Congyan saw that the light coming through the window was quite bright. "Did I sleep until noon?"

A Fei: "...It’s just past the hour of Wei (1-3 PM)."

Jiang Congyan: "..."