Chapter 266 - 262: Unhinged Couple 26

Chapter 266: Chapter 262: Unhinged Couple 26

Ji Xiaosong leaned against the carved window, counting the passing hours by the water clock. Her fingertips unconsciously stroked the twin lotuses embroidered in silver thread on her cuffs.

A bronze bell on the corner of the eaves chimed softly. Before she could turn, she was pulled from behind into an embrace filled with the scent of sandalwood.

"Has the Lord Vice Minister forgotten how to use the front door?"

She tilted her head with a soft laugh, her earlobe brushing against Wu Chufeng’s cool lips. Usually, when she teased him like this, he would bite her ear as punishment. But tonight, he only held her tighter. A faint scent of blood mixed with the Agarwood on his black brocade robe assailed her senses.

Wu Chufeng buried his face in her neck and took a deep breath, then let out a low chuckle. "Song Song, did you know? The Ministry of Justice delivered a golden knife today."

His fingertips traced her slender waist, finally stopping on the silk sash holding her pearl forbidden step. "They say it’s a new tribute from Nanzhao. The sheath is inlaid with Pigeon Blood Stones, and the blade was quenched in Snow Mountain Cold Spring water."

"Just the thing for cutting away filth."

He took the delicate skin behind her ear, as thin as a cicada’s wing, between his lips, sending a shiver down Ji Xiaosong’s suddenly rigid spine.

A sudden downpour began outside the window, and the flame on the bronze candlestick sputtered, flaring brightly.

Ji Xiaosong stared at their overlapping shadows on the floor, suddenly feeling that a ferocious beast was hidden within the inky darkness.

She remembered Wu Wenxuan’s crazed laughter as he was dragged away during the day. The sensation of his Lapis Lazuli Ring scraping her wrist still clung to her skin, but now it was completely overwhelmed by the scent of ambergris from Wu Chufeng’s lapels.

"You..."

As she turned, she saw the dark pattern on his collar—a Bì’àn embroidered in silver thread, gleaming coldly in the candlelight.

The youngest Lord Vice Minister of the Ministry of War let her grab his collar, even cooperatively leaning down to reveal a half-hidden bandage on his cuff. It was fresh, still seeping with a vermillion-like stain of blood.

"Wu Wenxuan ran his mouth. He dared to disrespect you, so I had him castrated."

Wu Chufeng smiled and licked away the trace of rain from the beauty mark by the corner of her eye. His voice was as gentle as if he were reciting wedding vows.

"But there’s no need to tell my father about this. We wouldn’t want him to worry so at his age."

A clap of thunder tore through the night sky outside. The scabbard that slipped from his sleeve happened to roll into the candlelight, the Pigeon Blood Stone reflecting a crimson light so vivid it was piercing.

Ji Xiaosong’s pupils contracted slightly, her fingers unconsciously tightening their grip on Wu Chufeng’s lapels.

The image of Wu Wenxuan’s lecherous face flashed through her mind, along with his insolent words and actions from earlier that day.

Her initial shock was quickly replaced by composure, and then by a cold, sharp smile.

"He deserved it."

She said softly, her tone devoid of any pity, as if she were stating a simple fact.

Her Divine Sense quietly unfurled, her thoughts extending like threads to quickly connect with the two robots by Wu Wenxuan’s side.

’Keep a close watch on Wu Wenxuan. Don’t let him tell anyone about his... hidden ailment, and don’t let anyone get too close to him. Report any unusual activity immediately.’

Wu Chufeng noticed her momentary lapse in focus. He lowered his head to place a kiss on her forehead, his voice deep and gentle.

"What are you thinking about?"

Ji Xiaosong looked up at him, a glint of cunning in her eyes.

"I was just thinking, did you leave any loose ends when you did it?"

Wu Chufeng chuckled softly, his fingertips caressing her cheek.

"Don’t worry, I’m always clean with my work. Wu Wenxuan’s ’sudden illness’ is perfectly plausible; not even the Imperial Physician could find anything amiss. As for anyone who might have talked..."

He paused, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "They’ve already been silenced forever."

Ji Xiaosong nodded, the corners of her lips curling into a satisfied arc.

"Good. Still, Wu Wenxuan is the second son of the Wu Family, after all. If your father grows suspicious, it could be troublesome."

"He won’t."

Wu Chufeng’s tone was certain. "Wu Wenxuan has always been a degenerate. My father gave up on him long ago. Now that he’s ’gravely ill,’ my father will only think he brought it on himself and won’t investigate further."

Ji Xiaosong hummed softly in agreement, leaning against his chest and tracing idle circles on it with her fingertip.

Her Divine Sense was still connected to the two robots, ensuring Wu Wenxuan’s every move was under her control.

This was something she didn’t need Wu Chufeng to know. Some secrets didn’t need to be shared, not even with the person closest to you.

The sound of the rain outside grew heavier. Amid the flickering candlelight, their two shadows overlapped, as if melting into one.

The bronze bells on the eaves were struck by the downpour, clanging chaotically. Ji Xiaosong’s back was pressed tightly against Wu Chufeng’s slightly damp brocade robe.

The sable-fur collar of his dark cloak tickled her neck, and the skin behind her ear, where he had licked her moments ago, still tingled.

"The rain is so heavy. Perhaps the Lord Vice Minister could..."

She deliberately drew out her words, her fingertip hooking his jade belt. Through the thin silk of his inner tunic, she could feel the firm line of his waist. "...make do in the front hall for the night?"

Wu Chufeng’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He suddenly seized her mischievous hand and pinned it against the window lattice.

The carved pattern of twin lotuses in the red sandalwood pressed painfully into her palm. His breath, tinged with the scent of blood, brushed past her temple.

"Since when did my Song Song become so stingy? You won’t even spare me half of your couch?"

Rain seeping through the crack in the window dampened half of Ji Xiaosong’s sleeve.

She turned her head to avoid his searing gaze and let out a soft laugh.

"My lord is joking."

She suddenly twisted free from his grasp. "If word got out that an unmarried maiden was hiding a man in her room, I’m afraid the memorials from the Imperial Censorate would bury you tomorrow."

Wu Chufeng chuckled, releasing his grip on her. A trace of helplessness and doting affection flashed in his eyes.

He took half a step back, letting the rain splashing in from the window frame soak the hem of his robe, but he didn’t move from his spot.

"Song Song, you’re truly cruel."

He sighed with feigned grievance, his fingertips gently rubbing her wrist where he had pinned it against the lattice. "This rain is so disruptive, and the front hall is cold. Aren’t you afraid I’ll catch a chill? What if His Majesty notices something is off when I attend court tomorrow?"

Ji Xiaosong glanced at him, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly. She turned, pulled a thick fox-fur cloak from a wardrobe, shook it out, and tossed it directly into his arms.

The weather in the Capital City was fickle this time of year; the difference between day and night felt like switching between summer and winter.

"If the Lord Vice Minister catches a chill, that’s a failing of your own constitution. What does it have to do with me?"

Wu Chufeng caught the cloak and lowered his head to sniff it. The fox fur still carried the scent of the Agarwood she always used.

The smile in his eyes deepened, but he feigned a sigh. "Song Song won’t even spare me a new cloak. How heartbreaking."

"Stop your nonsense."

Ji Xiaosong huffed softly and walked to the door to summon a servant. "Take Lord Wu to the front hall to rest. And prepare some hot tea and a charcoal brazier. Don’t be negligent."

The servant answered respectfully, head bowed, not daring to look up.

But Wu Chufeng remained where he was, staring at her with a burning gaze. "Won’t Song Song see me out personally?"

Ji Xiaosong raised an eyebrow, tapping her finger lightly on the doorframe.

"If the Lord Vice Minister dallies any longer, I’ll have someone throw you out the back door."

Wu Chufeng let out a low laugh and finally stepped out the door.

After seeing Wu Chufeng off, Ji Xiaosong began to plan her visit to Wu Wenxuan.

’Wu Chufeng castrated Wu Wenxuan so brazenly today. Wu Daniu and Wang Cuihua won’t let him off easily. And they won’t have a good attitude toward me, either.’

She didn’t care about that, but if things became too tense, it would lead to more trouble down the line.

She had always disliked trouble.