Chapter 235: Returning to Great Zhou

His kiss fell, lacking the tenderness of the past and carrying an air of dominance.

His breath was scorching, brushing against her cheeks as their lips and teeth intertwined. Su Wan was overwhelmingly nervous, her fingers clutching tightly onto his lapel as she clumsily responded.

The bed curtains descended, enveloping them. The soft texture of the bedding and his searing breath swept over her, leaving her in a daze.

Su Wan lay there, her eyes misty with desire, her fingertips pale as she tightly gripped the bedding. Muffled sounds escaped her throat, teetering between resistance and pleading, yet they carried an undertone of invitation.

Feeling utterly mortified, she bit down on her lip, trying to suppress her emotions. She wanted to struggle but found herself firmly held in place.

“Wanwan,” his low voice murmured, “if you’re going to coax someone, you should see it through. How can you stop halfway?”

But… she never intended to coax him like this!

Su Wan wanted to say something, but her thoughts were utterly scrambled by him, leaving her on the brink of collapse.

She felt as though she might perish under the torment of his lips and fingers.

Her mind was in a whirl, as if she were adrift in crashing waves.

“Knock, knock—”

The sound of someone knocking on the door broke the moment.

Su Wan tensed up, her fingers frantically grabbing Gu Huaizhi’s arm. The flush on her face quickly faded as she stammered in panic, “Huaizhi, s-someone’s here.”

Gu Huaizhi’s dark eyes fixed on her, no longer cold as usual. Instead, they churned with a turbulent intensity, as if he intended to devour her entirely.

Su Wan’s watery eyes carried a hint of pleading, silently begging him to stop.

Gu Huaizhi chuckled softly and withdrew his hand. “Wanwan, you promised that there won’t be a next time.”

Su Wan immediately nodded to show her sincerity. Her weak gaze caught sight of him wiping his hands with a handkerchief, and she felt like dying on the spot. Rolling over, she wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, even burying her head under it.

Gu Huaizhi got out of bed, washed his hands, and picked up her clothes, placing them neatly on the pillow. When he looked over, her dark, glistening eyes peeked out from under the blanket, causing his throat to tighten slightly. He reached out and gently touched her forehead.

Su Wan had initially tried to appease him because of her mistake, only to let him take complete advantage of her. Now, seeing that he was perfectly composed, his attire immaculate, while she was in such a disheveled state, she felt a surge of indignation. She glared at him fiercely, her frustration barely contained.

“Wanwan, don’t look at me like that,” Gu Huaizhi said, the corners of his lips curling into a smile. His voice carried a lazy hoarseness as he added, “There are still people waiting outside.”

Su Wan immediately caved, retreating back into the blanket and biting down on it to vent her frustration.

Gu Huaizhi brushed off his robe, his wide sleeves flowing like clouds. His demeanor was elegant and refined, like an untouchable flower on a high mountain.

He opened the door and, before the people outside could get a clear look, stepped out and closed it behind him.

The guard said, “Young Master, the Regent requests your presence.”

Gu Huaizhi nodded. “Lead the way.”

The guard led ahead, and as Gu Huaizhi stepped out of the hall, he turned to the palace maids stationed at the door and instructed, “Wanwan has already gone to sleep. Do not disturb her.”

The maids froze for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment, still somewhat dazed.

Gu Huaizhi entered the adjacent palace hall, where Ji Xuan was seated on a soft couch, holding a bowl of medicine. He drank it down, his complexion much improved compared to when he had left Great Zhou.

“You handled today’s matter well. It wasn’t convenient for Minmin or me to show ourselves,” Ji Xuan said, setting down the medicine bowl and gesturing for Gu Huaizhi to sit. “How are things in Great Zhou?”

“Everything has been properly arranged,” Gu Huaizhi replied in a low voice before asking, “How is your health, Godfather?”

“No problem,” Ji Xuan replied, then asked about Su Wan. “Did Zhao’er get hurt?”

Gu Huaizhi couldn’t help but recall the scene from earlier. His fingers lightly tapped the armrest. “She wasn’t injured, but there was a mishap during the Crown Princess’s appointment ceremony. May I ask when Godfather plans to return to Great Zhou?”

“It’s not possible to return for now,” Ji Xuan said, coughing lightly, his mind occupied with other considerations. “You and the others can return to the capital ahead of me.”