Chapter 8, Tenderness

Murong Ke felt quite pleased as he seemed to notice the change in Chu Si's attitude towards him. He adjusted Chu Si's position, allowing her to nestle sideways in his embrace, holding her tightly as one would hold an infant.

Chu Si did not respond, nor did Murong Ke wait for her answer. He sat on the white cloth prepared for him by the soldiers, and as the crowd set out wine and provisions for him, he held Chu Si securely on his lap.

As the sound faded, the hoofbeats came to an abrupt stop. Everyone dismounted from their horses in unison and took out their provisions from their luggage to eat. Chu Si had long been fatigued, her back and waist aching, and at this moment, being lifted by Murong Ke, she did not resist. Not only did she not resist, but she also leaned in closer, making herself more comfortable nestled in Murong Ke's embrace

Chu Si's question once again deeply pleased Murong Ke. He laughed heartily and joyfully pressed a kiss on Chu Si's face: "Si'er, are you worried? Don't be afraid, although they may not agree, I will definitely persevere to the end."

At this moment, Chu Si, whose mind was in a state of confusion, finally regained a bit of clarity. She turned her head and saw that this place was no longer a vast wasteland, but rather a dense forest with trees standing tall and weeds growing abundantly, stretching endlessly to the horizon, resembling an ordinary northern landscape

Clearly, her small gesture also caught Murong Ke's attention. He opened his mouth and laughed heartily, while laughing, he embraced Chu Si and walked briskly towards a large tree on the left side of the official road.

A dozen or so soldiers leaned against a row of white poplar trees, each either standing or sitting, eating their rations in large bites. Chu Si's gaze wandered around, and the soldiers all turned their heads away, none daring to meet her eyes

Chu Si languidly rested all her weight on him, not uttering a word. At that moment, Murong Ke suddenly lowered his head to gaze at her, and after a moment, he said in a somewhat hoarse voice: "Si'er, how wonderful it would be if you could always be this gentle"

Chu Si raised her eyes, quietly gazing at his perfectly exquisite features, and could not help but say: "Are you going to take me back to Yan?"

A group of people did not enter Ye City, but instead turned northward. After riding for four hours, Murong Ke shouted, "Let's take a break"

Gazing at the handsome face of Murong Ke, which was so close at hand, Chu Si once again found her heart uncontrollably racing. The man before her possessed features that were exquisitely crafted, with no flaws in any part, perfect as if carved from jade. His slightly lowered brows and eyes carried a hint of weariness, indicating that he had borne quite a bit of worry on this journey to find her

Ah? Alright. Murong Ke picked up the water jug and brought it to Chu Si's lips. Just as Chu Si was about to reach for it, he chuckled softly and moved it away. With a tightening of his arm, he inadvertently trapped Chu Si's hand under his armpit and brought the water jug closer again

Murong Ke is currently in a very happy mood. He picked up the wine jug and brought it to Chu Si's lips, his amber-like eyes gazing at Chu Si, and with a grin, he revealed his snow-white teeth: "Come, have a sip."

Continuing to ride north, Murong Ke pointed ahead and said with a smile: "Si'er, by tomorrow you will be able to catch up with my troops. In another month, we will be able to enjoy delicious food in my general's residence."

Murong Ke seemed to be quite pleased as soon as she spoke, and he quickly nodded, saying: "Of course, upon arriving at Yan, I will report to His Majesty and formally establish you as my wife"

Feeling the gaze of Chu Si, Murong Ke slowly raised his head and looked at her with a smile: "What is it, does this young man have a fine appearance?"

Chu Si found it very strange. She scrutinized them closely and noticed that all these individuals were exceptionally tall, with noses that were higher than those of ordinary Han people, somewhat resembling the appearance of the Xinjiang people, each with distinctly defined features

Chu Si snorted: "I don't remember."

Chu Si could do nothing but raise his head and let him slowly pour the water into his mouth. Watching the water trickle out from the small mouth and seep from the corners, flowing down the jade-colored chin and gradually towards the neck, Murong Ke's eyes grew increasingly profound.

Murong Ke let out a light exclamation: "Did you not know?"

He felt his burning gaze. Chu Sicai took a sip and then closed his lips, turning his head to say: "That's enough"

Murong Ke's voice carried a hint of displeasure: "Si'er, you should remember my matters in the future." Chu Si did not respond to him

Murong Ke gazed deeply at her, suddenly tightening his arms and pressing her small face against his neck, his breath somewhat disordered as he said: "Si'er, we must get married as soon as possible."

Murong Ke chuckled softly and said: "Very well, but you must remember this in the future. I am seventeen this year"

At this point, he smiled to himself and said: "We Yan people have never had as many complicated customs as you Jin people. However, Si'er is the one I cherish in my heart, and I am naturally willing to give you the best of everything."

Chu Si nestled at his neck: "Murong Ke, how old are you?"

seventeen

Chu Si shook her head and said softly, "Please give me some water to drink"

Chu Si's face flushed, diverting his gaze.

The dry rations were quickly consumed, but Murong Ke found it difficult to part with the gentle Chu Si, feeling somewhat reluctant to leave. The group lingered here for an entire hour. Only then did Murong Ke once again embrace Chu Si and leap onto the horse's back

Unexpectedly, Chu Si blushed. Murong Ke was momentarily stunned and remained silent, just gazing intently at Chu Si. Suddenly, he reached out and pulled off the gauze hat from her head. Casually tossing the hat to the ground, Murong Ke leaned closer, carefully examining the blushing Chu Si, his large fingers continuously caressing her brows, his voice lowered to a whisper: "Si'er, this is the second time I have seen you blush. You look truly beautiful when you blush." At this point, he seemed unable to restrain his emotions, tightening his embrace around Chu Si, and softly said: "Si'er, let us get along well from now on"

Chu Si seems a bit amused: Oh my, at seventeen he is still just a little brat. I wonder if people in ancient times matured particularly quickly; looking at him, he hardly resembles a mere seventeen-year-old kid.

Chu Si fluttered her long eyelashes and said softly, "Will Your Majesty agree?"

At that moment, her chin tightened, and a scorching gaze locked onto her. Chu Si turned around and met Murong Ke's cold and mocking eyes: "What are you looking at?"

Sensing Chu Si's emotions, Murong Ke's low laughter continuously filled her ears. That laughter was brimming with joy and a certain smugness of a scheme coming to fruition