Chapter 4: Mutual Affection

Xiao Ding made slight modifications to the story narrated in "Mythology"; of course, he could not involve his own dynasty, and he recounted it to Princess Jingyue in a sentimental manner

Xiao Ding was startled and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you... what is wrong with you"

Xiao Ding's experience with kissing is not particularly rich, but compared to this maiden who is tasting it for the first time, it is enough to stir up a great wave of emotions. Those clumsy lips gradually begin to respond, pecking at him, while the nimble tip of the tongue seems to both resist and welcome, entangling with his tongue.

I glanced at Xiao Ding and thought to myself: I never would have guessed that this seemingly rough and boisterous man could possess such delicate thoughts and romantic sentiments. Suddenly, a thought struck me: Hmm? The princess and the general? What does that mean? This... Could it be that this guy has concocted a story to hint at something for himself?

Seeing her genuine display of emotions, Xiao Ding felt a warmth in his heart and could not help but open his arms to embrace her. Jing Yue struggled a few times, but fearing that she might touch Xiao Ding's leg, she ultimately allowed him to hold her.

While kissing, Xiao Ding's hand was restlessly caressing Princess Jingyue's shoulder and back, lingering on her full and perky round bottom. After a long while, Jingyue suddenly pushed him away, gasping for breath, her gaze filled with complexity

Xiao Ding then realized that in his moment of panic, he had grasped the lady's delicate wrist. He hurriedly released his hand, feeling awkward and unable to speak. Princess Jingyue shot him a glance and stood up, saying, "What you said is not without reason. Let me discuss it with the prince and Eunuch Huang before making a decision." She quickly walked to the door, paused, turned back with a half-smile and an odd expression, and said, "A timid man." With a flash of her figure, she seemed to flee in haste.

On the second day, it was expected that the princess would come to guide him in martial arts, but after waiting for a long time, there was still no sign of her. Little Ding stretched his neck and stood at the door, looking around like a spring chamber's resentful wife, yet she still did not arrive. He could not intrude upon the princess's chamber, leaving him with no choice but to wait anxiously.

Jingyue turned her body, pouting, and said, "You... you bad person." Suddenly feeling the firmness behind her, she was startled like a rabbit struck by an arrow, jumping out of his embrace. Blushing, she stammered, "N... no, don't touch me."

Jingyue's kick was unrestrained, and Xiao Ding only felt a sharp pain in his leg. With a cry of "ouch," he fell to the ground, rubbing his leg in distress. This sudden reaction made Jingyue anxious as well; she quickly squatted in front of him, gently touching his leg and asking, "What happened? Does it hurt?"

Xiao Ding was left speechless, his heart and eyes filled with the shyness and awkwardness of the princess as she turned back with a smile while rushing out. The teasing words, reminiscent of celestial music, made him feel as if he were floating, as if riding on clouds and mist. After a long while, he finally let out a cheer, got up and jumped a couple of times, then turned over and picked up the large hat.

Xiao Ding noticed the look of desolation on her face, yet he was unaware of her thoughts. He chuckled and said, "I have no elders above me and no children below me. When one person is well-fed, the whole family has no worries. There is no one to miss; I was merely reminded of the story described in this piece of music, which is somewhat melancholic."

Jingyue Xuan was in his embrace, her mind already a muddled mess. She let out a barely audible "mm" before regaining her senses and stammered an explanation: "No... it's not that, I just arrived, I..."

Xiao Ding looked at her delicate and timid sorrowful expression, and a stream of tears fell down, almost shattering his compassionate heart. In a moment of urgency, he could not help but grasp her fair wrist and exclaimed: "My loyalty to the prince and the princess is as clear as day. Ever since I met the princess, my heart has remained in the Zhou Wangfu. If the princess is unwilling to withdraw the fief, I will risk my life to protect the prince. No matter who it is, if they wish to harm the prince, they must step over my dead body to do so"

Xiao Ding gazed at her affectionately and softly said: "Jingyue, I love you"

Xiao Ding supported himself with both hands on her slender shoulders, and his eyes brightened at the sight before him. Today, Princess Jingyue's attire was slightly different; although she still wore a fitted outfit, the collar and edges of her robe were embroidered with light green plum blossoms. The purple silk ribbon binding her hair was tied in a floral knot. Her oval face was as radiant as jade, with a high nose bridge, and her flustered gaze resembled that of a startled doe. At this moment, her full and delicate lips were slightly parted in panic, exuding an alluring sheen

Xiao Ding blinked and smiled, saying: "By then, the Eastern Depot, the Western Depot, and the Imperial Guards will likely prioritize the protection of the Zhou King’s safety just after that of the Emperor. Just imagine, if the Zhou King, who voluntarily requested to withdraw his fief, were to lose even a single hair in the capital, what would the feudal lords across the realm think? How would the subjects of the entire nation perceive it?"

Xiao Ding was filled with excitement, unable to resist leaning down and capturing her cherry lips with his mouth. Jingyue's beautiful eyes widened in an instant, filled with expressions of surprise, embarrassment, and disbelief.

In my humble opinion, if the Zhou royal residence clearly petitions the court to reclaim its fief and relocate to the capital, and the emperor acquiesces to this request, there will be over eighty vassal kings nationwide observing the situation. The court will certainly not treat the prince poorly; the rewards and stipends will be significantly greater than they are now. At that time, the prince's safety will be absolutely assured

Princess Jingyue uttered those words, rushed out the door, feeling her face burning with embarrassment. She stamped her foot, secretly resenting herself: "How could I have said such a thing? Oh heavens, this is utterly shameful. How will I ever face him again?" Covering her face, she fled like the wind.

Princess Jingyue lowered her head in thought, while Xiao Ding remained silent, waiting for her decision. After a long while, a soft sigh escaped Princess Jingyue's lips, and two streams of clear tears flowed down her jade-like cheeks

This daughter's shy demeanor is the most captivating; unfortunately, Xiao Ding cannot see it and is instead pondering how to approach Princess Jingyue with his thoughts

This time, Xiao Ding no longer rushed to please the girl with sweet words and flattery. The first love girl was generally in a state of mental paralysis; it was not just that Xiao Ding praised her beauty and deep affection in her ear, even if he merely hummed a few notes beside her, pretending to be a fool, it would only make her feel as if she were floating in the clouds, lost in a fog. She could hardly hear what this annoying rival was whispering sweet nothings in her ear. It was all in vain for Xiao Ding, who had racked his brains to memorize many lines of romantic dialogue.

Princess Jingyue cast a resentful glance at him, her voice trembling as she said: "I regarded the general as my support, yet it turns out the general is merely an envoy sent by the court"

Although Xiao Ding is merely an ordinary person, having read numerous novels and court dramas in later generations, one can easily guess that due to the Zhou king's fief being adjacent to the capital and because it was granted by the founding emperor, the current emperor cannot arbitrarily abolish the feudal princes. Such matters are deeply taboo among the feudal lords, where a single thread pulled can affect the entire situation. However, if someone were to eliminate these lords who lie beside him, it would then be entirely justified to reclaim the fief for the state. Would that not be splendid? This is why the court remains indifferent to the matter.

Jingyue turned her head, and Xiaoding was also deep in thought, causing the room to fall silent for a moment, making Jingyue feel increasingly uneasy. Turning her head to see Xiaoding's expression, she couldn't help but ask: "What is the general thinking about?"

Princess Jingyue's face was so hot it could cook an egg. For the first time in her life, she was held in a man's arms, pressed against his bare, solid chest, inhaling the strong scent of masculinity emanating from him. Jingyue pushed him away twice but could not break free, feeling her own hands turn soft and powerless. If it weren't for Xiao Ding's other hand now encircling her slender waist, she would likely have collapsed to the ground.

The two individuals were panting heavily, staring wide-eyed at each other, each nervously speculating about the other's intentions. Princess Jingyue even quietly rose onto her toes, ready to flee the room at the slightest sign of movement

Xiao Ding raised his head and presented the life-saving method he had devised to the princess. Upon hearing this, Princess Jingyue was momentarily speechless. Noticing her calm demeanor, Xiao Ding patiently explained: "I have looked into this matter. Currently, there are over one hundred princes in the court, among whom more than eighty hold fiefs, spread across the nation. Since the Jingnan Campaign, the power of the vassal kings has been greatly diminished, yet they still evoke caution from the court. Among them, although the Zhou royal house is relatively weak, its fief is closest to the capital. How can one allow others to sleep soundly beside the bed?"

The more Jingyue thought about it, the more suspicious she felt. A wave of heat surged to her face as she secretly glanced at his handsome features. Her heart, betraying her, skipped a couple of beats. She thought to herself that despite his ruggedness, he was capable of such cunning when it came to a woman's heart. Feeling shy, she secretly scoffed and turned her head away, her face flushed.

Since the emperor has this intention, and the Zhou king is still young, the emperor is not in a hurry. If he waits until the Zhou king gradually comes of age, it is likely that under the emperor's subtle hints, even the Eastern Depot will infiltrate. While one can easily dodge a direct attack, it is difficult to guard against a hidden arrow. The Zhou king will inevitably face threats to his life sooner or later

Princess Jingyue trembled like a leaf in the wind, turning to escape through the door. Xiao Ding swiftly caught her slender waist from behind, pulling her into his embrace, and whispered with a laugh in her ear: "My dear, where do you think you can escape to? If you manage to escape today, what about tomorrow?"

Princess Jingyue was seized by the wrist, a flush of red clouding her face. She struggled twice but could not break free. Upon hearing the affection in his words, she felt her body grow warm and weak, unable to resist playfully scolding, "You... you... you quickly let go, it is disrespectful to the princess. Do you wish to lose your head?"

Jingyue felt it was inappropriate, raised her sleeve to cover her lips, shot him a disdainful glance, and curiously asked, "Oh? What story is it? Please tell me."

After practicing the Hunyuan Palm technique alone seven or eight times, drenched in sweat, and still not seeing the presence of the princess, Xiao Ding felt quite disappointed. He took off his shirt to wipe his sweat, and only then did he dejectedly open the door to the room, intending to go back and take a shower

Hearing the amusing saying "When one person is well-fed, the whole family is carefree," Jingyue couldn't help but chuckle, her laughter blooming like fresh flowers in a library, leaving Xiao Ding momentarily stunned.

As the door opened, with a sigh, Princess Jingyue unexpectedly fell in, landing in Xiao Ding's arms. Xiao Ding quickly closed the door and wrapped his arms around her slender shoulders

The two of them stared at each other for a long time, when Xiao Ding suddenly couldn't help but burst into laughter. Princess Jingyue initially held back, but eventually couldn't resist and covered her sleeve while laughing. After laughing, she rushed over and kicked Xiao Ding on the calf, saying angrily, "You audacious fellow"

The romantic and legendary love story left the princess feeling a wave of emotion, as she had never heard such a poignant and touching tale before. The girl's yearning for the romantic love story filled her with longing.

Jingyue returned to her boudoir and gazed into the mirror, only to find that not only her face but even her neck had turned red, resembling a drunken shrimp. However, the enchanting springtime allure in her brows and eyes was unmistakable, leaving her feeling utterly shy. She felt a deep sense of grievance for lowering herself in such a manner, and could not help but burst into tears.

Xiao Ding indirectly inquired about Wu Tiande's background through others and learned that, like himself, he had few relatives, which is why he said so

As Xiao Ding's tongue ventured into the soft and moist mouth of the princess, her body trembled, letting out a soft moan, and then her beautiful eyes slowly closed, displaying an expression of surrender and willingness to be at his mercy

Xiao Ding also felt embarrassed; he had simply acted impulsively in the moment, yet he did not have the courage to execute the princess on the spot. Seeing the princess in such an awkward state, he found himself at a loss for words.

Xiao Ding knew that if he laughed out loud at this moment, the girl would likely become angry out of embarrassment, so he suppressed his laughter and said, "Have you been outside the door all this time, Your Highness?"

Based on what he has learned in recent days, he realizes that the Northern Duke, without the support of the Eastern Depot, is so audacious towards a prince. It stands to reason that, as a prince, even without concrete evidence, he would not be so passive. However, the Zhou royal residence is so isolated and helpless, which poses a significant problem