Chapter 148 But he’s a beast.

Chapter 148: But He Was a Savage

Tuo Baxiao looked at her expectantly. "This isn't asking too much, right?"

Jiang Congyan stayed silent. Compared to those weird requests, this was indeed not bad. Judging by the man’s expression, he seemed genuinely interested in just watching her dance—not some weird game—but she still hesitated.

"You know I can’t dance. At this year’s Spring Fair, Lan Zhu dragged me into it, and I made a fool of myself."

The memory of messing up the steps still felt somewhat ridiculous now.

But Tuo Baxiao said, "Just dance the one you performed in Liang State. Back then, I only got to see half of it before those assassins suddenly interrupted."

Even now, he still thought about that moment with regret. He believed he would never forget how his heart had skipped a beat when he first saw her like that.

"You’re sure you want this as your birthday present?" Jiang Congyan asked hesitantly.

Tuo Baxiao nodded without hesitation.

"And I can decide how to dance?" he said.

"Mm," he replied.

Jiang Congyan thought it over. It was just a dance—not really asking much. She also considered that the man probably wouldn’t pull anything shady, so she reluctantly agreed.

"If I dance poorly, you're not allowed to complain," she gave him fair warning.

"How could I complain? As long as it's you dancing, I’ll love it."

"Fine, I agree. Let’s sleep now."

Tuo Baxiao hadn’t planned on doing anything tonight, but her words reminded him of that fleeting glimpse of her that night, making him restless with desire.

"It’s still early. Maybe we could—"

"I’m tired. Sleep," Jiang Congyan quickly cut him off, closing her eyes and making it clear she was done talking.

Tuo Baxiao sighed in disappointment, lying back down and pulling her into his arms.

——

Over twenty days passed in a flash, and soon it was Tuo Baxiao’s big day.

The weather was perfect that day, with a beautiful sun that took the edge off the cold of autumn and winter.

At Changning Courtyard, a rowdy lunch feast was held. In the past, such celebrations would have lasted for hours, possibly even stretching into the evening.

This time, however, Tuo Baxiao was too focused on what she'd promised him. As soon as the meal ended, he started kicking people out.

"He Rangan, have you finished taking stock of the livestock you were assigned?"

When his name was called, He Rangan couldn’t argue and looked down, embarrassed.

"General Modolou, shouldn’t you be watching for trouble near Helan Mountain?"

General Modolou grudgingly put down his wine jar.

"Zhang Zheng, are those weapons you're in charge of done yet?"

Zhang Zheng had no reply.

After this exchange, the others quickly caught on. Though they didn’t know the reason, it was clear the King didn’t want them lingering for long. Those who knew what was good for them quickly made their excuses and left.

Once most of the guests had departed, Tuo Baxiao turned to Lan Zhu, who was still standing motionless. "Lan Zhu, have you recruited all the people you needed?"

Lan Zhu blinked in confusion. She had been busy lately and hadn’t visited in a long time. Was it too much to ask to stay a bit longer with Sister Ah Yan?

Lan Zhu threw Jiang Congyan a helpless glance, but Tuo Baxiao ignored it and simply pulled her along without ceremony.

"Sister Ah Yan, look at the King!"

The King was being so unreasonable—only he was allowed to cling to Sister Ah Yan, while others couldn’t even exchange a few words.

Jiang Congyan knew exactly what the man was up to. Equal parts amused and exasperated, she stepped forward to intervene, finding his rough handling was too much. "My King, let go of Lan Zhu. Lan Zhu, the King has matters to attend to, so we’ll have to send you off today."

Lan Zhu pouted but eventually stomped off in a huff.

With everyone gone, the courtyard fell silent at once. The man’s gaze turned to her, his intent crystal clear.

Jiang Congyan glanced up at the sky. "We’ll discuss it later. It’s still early."

Tuo Baxiao was displeased but reminded himself that she’d given her word, after all. No amount of begging later would change his mind if she went back on it now.

Though he reluctantly agreed, his eyes remained fixed on her, making Jiang Congyan shiver under his gaze.

Back at Tongling Garden, she had only felt stifled and humiliated, nothing more. But now, agreeing to dance for him felt charged with an intimacy that seemed like teasing.

"I need to prepare. Stay put in the front courtyard. Don’t come in unless I call for you."

Tuo Baxiao hated being away from her even for a second. Seeing her flushed cheeks and hearing her mention preparations only heightened his anticipation.

She wasn’t brushing him off—she was seriously preparing for the dance she had promised him. Just imagining it was enough to make him stiffen with anticipation.

Suppressing his impulses, he nodded. "Fine. I’ll wait for you to call me."

Jiang Congyan retreated to the rear courtyard alone. Sitting before her vanity, she psyched herself up for a while before summoning A Fei to help her dress and apply her makeup.

Her makeup was meticulously done. Her skin was already fair and flawless, so accentuating her features was enough to make her radiant. She styled her hair, adorned it with delicate hairpins, and changed into her dance attire. By the time she finished, over two hours had passed.

The autumn and winter days were short. The once-bright sun had now dipped westward, casting a crimson glow over the waters of Rouge Lake.

Once fully adorned, Jiang Congyan examined herself in the mirror and hardly recognized herself. She had never dressed like this before.

Tuo Baxiao had waited in the front courtyard for two hours. At first, he held onto his patience, but as night fell, he was practically vibrating with impatience. He was tempted to barge in and see what was taking so long—why hadn’t she called for him yet?

He sent a maid to inquire, only to receive the reply: "The lady asks the King to wait a little longer."

Those two hours stretched like an eternity. Just as he began to suspect she might have changed her mind, a messenger finally came.

A Fei announced, "My lady is ready. Please follow me, my King."

Tuo Baxiao's face brightened, and he strode toward the rear courtyard.

A Fei quickly added, "My King, not the rear courtyard."

Tuo Baxiao stopped dead and glared at her.

A Fei swallowed under his intense gaze and said, "Please follow me, my lord."

Tuo Baxiao followed her, puzzled as she not only didn’t head toward the backyard but instead exited the main gate.

The night was ink-black. A Fei guided him, lantern in hand, walking several hundred steps before finally stopping.

"My lord, the lady is just ahead. From here, you’ll go alone," A Fei said.

He’d already glimpsed the distant glow through the reeds and bushes.

When Tuo Baxiao pushed past the thicket, his vision suddenly opened up, and the sight before him left him stunned.

A narrow wooden pier stretched from the shore of Rouge Lake, leading to a modest circular platform floating on the water’s surface.

The platform was encircled by lotus lanterns, their light bathing the area and revealing the breathtaking scene before him.

Beyond the platform, dozens of lotus lanterns floated on the water, swaying gently with the ripples. The crescent moon in the night sky was dim, but the stars shone brilliantly, their reflections dancing on the clear lake alongside the lanterns, creating a dreamy, romantic haze in the silent darkness.

But he barely noticed any of it, for his gaze was entirely fixed on the ethereal figure standing at the center of the platform.

She stood facing away, her skirt fluttering lightly in the breeze. Hearing his hurried footsteps, she slowly turned to face him.

The turn of her head was hauntingly graceful.

She stood amidst the lotus lanterns, dressed in a flowing pink-white gown that clung delicately to her slender frame. A long, sheer pink-purple silk scarf draped over her arms fluttered in the night wind, gossamer as mist, she seemed wrapped in a veil of smoke—cold and untouchable, as though she didn’t belong to this world.

Tuo Baxiao strode forward but halted abruptly just before stepping onto the pier. He stared, frozen—both fearing to interrupt and that she’d disappear into the moonlit sky.

Jiang Congyan was actually a little nervous. Her lips quirked into a small smile.

That smile thawed her icy elegance.

"I promised you—a dance," she said softly.

Tuo Baxiao watched her, silent.

She could’ve just learned a short dance and performed it in the bedroom or the garden with minimal decoration.

But in the end, she chose this place.

Rouge Lake wasn’t just vital to the royal court’s people but also a symbol of their romantic aspirations. It was said that lovers who made wishes by its shores would remain happy and devoted forever.

Now that her sole audience had arrived, Jiang Congyan wasted no more time in the chilly night breeze. Slowly, she lifted her arms and arched her toes.

A delicate chime sounded—only then did one notice the delicate golden anklets adorned with tiny bells around her fair ankles, their chimes keeping time with her steps.

A far cry from her sword dance’s steel-edged grace, this dance was gentle and flowing.

She had never formally learned to dance, so she couldn’t perform intricate techniques. One arm curved naturally before her, the other extended gracefully into the air, her feet taking small, measured steps. Her skirts flared like petals, the silk scarf fluttering around her like a prop, her pale face flickering in and out of view behind its folds.

Trained dancers had precision; she had poetry. Though her steps were simple—even just a spin—they carried a unique charm and artistry, her figure light and ethereal, making you forget form, lost in her mesmerizing beauty.

Under the starlight, the shimmering lake, and the glow of the lanterns, she blurred into the starlight—yet she stood alone, transcendent.

Jiang Congyan had hastily learned this dance, a mere few minutes long.

When she finished, he stood spellbound, as though time had stopped.

Jiang Congyan caught her breath slightly. Doubt crept in. Seeing him motionless and silent, uncertainty gnawed at her.

This was the best she could do, having deliberately chosen this location to compensate for her lack of skill with the ambiance crafted by the night and the flickering lantern light.

"How was it? Did you like it?" she asked softly.

The man seemed to snap out of his daze, his gaze refocusing as he replied hoarsely, "It was perfect."

"This is the most beautiful dance I’ve ever seen, even lovelier than that performance in Liang State."

Back then, there had been many spectators, but this dance—only he had witnessed it, and she had performed it solely for him.

"You’re not just humoring me, are you?" Jiang Congyan raised her voice slightly, speaking in a soft, lilting voice.

"I’m not. In my eyes, you are the most beautiful," Tuo Baxiao said earnestly.

Whether he was flattering her or just lovesick admiration, she was genuinely pleased by his response. After all, she had put her heart into preparing this.

To surprise him, she had sneaked in practice, avoiding his notice.

A night breeze stirred, and Jiang Congyan shivered slightly. "I’m a little cold. Let’s go back."

Only then did Tuo Baxiao finally emerge from the dreamlike enchantment. He hurried forward, pulling her into his embrace and grasping her hands—they were icy cold. His brow furrowed with worry, he muttered, "It’s freezing out here. Why wear such a thin dress? What if you catch a chill?"

Jiang Congyan nestled closer to him, seeking warmth. "I’m wearing an underlayer."

A dance dress had to be light and flowing to look graceful. Slender as she was, she didn’t appear bulky even with the extra layer, but it still wasn’t thick enough to ward off the cold for long.

Knowing how delicate her health was—she had fallen ill twice in the past two months—Tuo Baxiao wasted no time. He swept his outer robe off and draped it over her shoulders before sweeping her up in his arms and striding back.

At this hour, few people were outside, and the darkness kept them hidden from prying eyes. Jiang Congyan obediently looped her arms around his neck.

The man, who had been so earnest in his concern earlier, changed as soon as they were inside.

She was like a rabbit carried back to a wolf’s den, and he set about claiming his prize.

After kissing her for a while, the silk sash of her dance dress slipped to the floor, her belt was tugged loose, and her collar slid off her shoulder, revealing skin as fair as mutton fat.

Tuo Baxiao deepened the kiss, his hands roaming further.

Breathless from his kisses, Jiang Congyan still managed to remember her makeup. Catching her breath, she murmured, "Let me wash my face first."

Tuo Baxiao dismissed it. "It’s fine."

But he paused, lifting his head to study her. In the dim light outside, he hadn’t gotten a proper look, but now he noticed the fine makeup enhancing her normally bare face. He didn’t understand the intricacies of women’s cosmetics, but her brows seemed darker, her features more defined than usual—yet the overall effect remained subtle. Combined with her naturally ethereal aura, her beauty was both dazzling and ethereal.

The fairy maidens from legends probably looked like this—no, she was even more beautiful.

Suddenly, Tuo Baxiao lifted her and carried her to the window, perching her on the high writing desk nearby.

The window was framed with rare and expensive glazed tiles. As the weather grew colder, sunlight could still filter through during the day without opening the window—brighter than candlelight and warm from the sun’s rays. She occasionally sat here to read, finding it perfectly comfortable.

The desk wasn’t large, its surface tidy except for the book she had been reading earlier. It was swept aside by the man’s movements, pages fluttering as it landed on the nearby daybed.

"Now what are you scheming?" Jiang Congyan chided softly.

Seated on the high desk, her back against the window, she faced Tuo Baxiao as he stood before her. Though they had done this before, she still flushed with shyness—especially away from the bed, where he seemed even more exhilarated.

Tuo Baxiao gazed down at her, his gaze worshipful. "Are you a celestial maiden descended from the heavens? You ought to live on the moon."

Jiang Congyan glanced back. Through the glazed window, a pale crescent moon hung in the night sky.

Instead of answering her, he made playful banter. She turned her face away, "There are no such things as fairies in this world. If I were one, I'd surely put a spell on you to keep you still—how could I allow you to treat me like this?"

The man laughed, his gaze arrogant and domineering. "Who knows? Maybe they do exist. But even if you were a fairy, I, an uncouth mortal, have already dragged you down to this earthly realm to savor mortal desires with me."

Jiang Congyan blushed furiously at his words and moved to cover his mouth. The man took the chance to kiss her palm, forcing her to pull her hand back.

Tuo Baxiao truly believed she was like a celestial maiden—both in appearance and temperament, she lacked the mundane air of the mortal world. Only when he pushed her to her limits would she soften her voice and plead with him in tears. And he loved her most in those moments, as if all her emotions were under his control.

Reason told him he shouldn’t make her cry, but he was a beast.

Just like now—he still wanted to see her cry.

Though they were talking, the man never stopped his movements. The dance dress hung loosely from her arms, revealing vast stretches of snow-white collarbones and soft curves. Her breasts nearly spilled free, yet he didn’t pull the garment down further.

The weather was cold—leaving it like this was just right. Besides, this teasingly half-undone state had its own allure.

With one hand gripping the back of her neck, the man kissed her while using his free hand to undo his own clothes.

Fabric pooled at his feet, and he kicked it aside carelessly before gripping her waist. Amidst the light jingling of bells, two smooth, pale legs peeked in and out from beneath the fluttering skirt.

Jiang Congyan let out a quiet, stifled gasp and bit her lip.