Her lips felt numb as if shocked by electricity, thoroughly plundered from the inside out, her throat parched intensely. The lingering warmth of breath still clung to her skin, and Su Baiyue could feel the swollen curve of her lips, like a bud forced to bloom, slowly releasing its fragrance.

Su Baiyue never thought that a mere smile could almost leave her breathless from a kiss.

“I… I… I need to change!” Su Baiyue wanted to flee in panic but was abruptly pulled back by the man gripping her cheek.

Her apricot eyes shimmered, dewy and bright, while her delicate eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings due to nervousness. Under the man’s unwavering gaze, the cool indifference at the corners of her eyes slowly faded, tinting with a noticeable peach blossom hue. Her cheeks, tender and smooth, were cupped in the man’s palm, emphasizing her enticingly swollen lips.

As his gaze deepened, Lu Gan wondered if he could really hear the soft, tender moans from his dreams.

“…Endure it.” The rest of the words were fed into Su Baiyue’s mouth by the man. The word “endure” was ambiguous, unclear who was supposed to endure, or what exactly.

The eagle grips a cherry dripping with desire, wishing it could crush it and swallow it whole.

Su Baiyue was placed on the desk.

A pile of memorials as high as a small mountain was tossed to the floor, and ink and brushes were scattered all over. The bare desk, made from fine sandalwood, exuded the bone-chilling cold of winter.

Su Baiyue shivered from the cold, instinctively clutching tighter at Lu Gan’s robe.

Voices came from outside, soft and tender, clearly that of Wei Shengwan, the pretentious false white lotus.

“Is His Majesty inside? I have something to discuss with His Majesty.”

Su Baiyue, startled, tried to push Lu Gan away but was further restrained by the man, her mouth more firmly sealed.

The thrill was real.

People were still talking outside.

The eunuch, previously arrogant towards Su Baiyue, now wore a flattering face towards Wei Shengwan, hinting, “His Majesty is inside with Mistress Ling Yun.”

Wei Shengwan’s expression changed, feigning indifference she raised her voice and laughed, “Could it be that Mistress Ling Yun already knows about her brother’s trouble?”

Caught in the middle of being kissed, dizzy and breathless, Su Baiyue suddenly opened her misty eyes wide, tearing at Lu Gan, gasping, “My brother is in trouble?”

Liu Chen was leading troops outside, fighting to suppress the Prince of Xingyuan. But the Prince of Xingyuan’s forces were strong, and the attacks were unrelenting. Liu Chen, impulsive as always, made the grave mistake of pursuing a defeated foe too far, getting trapped in the mountains by the Prince of Xingyuan, who burned everything clean.

Lu Gan frowned slightly, gently placing Su Baiyue on the grandmaster’s chair behind the desk.

The chair was specifically lined with white fox fur, soft and warm, very much to Su Baiyue’s liking.

Just as Su Baiyue settled down, the door to imperial study was flung open. Wei Shengwan stood at the doorway, pretending to be concerned, not entering, and her eyes twitched fiercely at the sight of the mess, seeming resentful and jealous.

Su Baiyue followed Wei Shengwan’s gaze to the “scene of the aftermath,” feeling unjustly accused. She pinched Lu Gan’s arm harshly.

Feeling the strength of her gentle cat’s paw, Lu Gan suddenly turned to look at her, his eyes filled with an emotion Su Baiyue couldn’t understand.

“For the first time, my lady took the initiative to touch me.” The man unabashedly held Su Baiyue’s tender hand in his, right in front of Wei Shengwan, the intruding third wheel.

Seeing the man’s possessive demeanor, Su Baiyue suddenly felt her brain wasn’t working properly. Had she really touched him? It was clearly a pinch… Sneaking a glance at Lu Gan’s hand back and seeing the crescent-shaped pinch mark, Su Baiyue confirmed that she was not the one mentally fading.

Su Baiyue, usually a stickler for cleanliness, kept her fingernails much shorter than other noble ladies, neatly trimmed and naturally pale pink, thin and delicate. She had just pinched Lu Gan’s rough skin, and it actually hurt a bit.

Lu Gan, still cherishing Su Baiyue’s hand, displayed an indulgent affection that nearly overflowed.

On one side, the pair exuded deep affection, while on the other, Wei Shengwan’s face twitched even more, forcibly compressing her beautiful features into a contorted mask.

Wei Shengwan, having heard from Wei Sa that Lu Gan would rather lose the Wei An Manor than marry her, thought that given the current circumstances, Lu Gan could only talk tough briefly. Yet as winter passed, Lu Gan maintained his composure.

Lu Gan was calm, but Wei Shengwan could no longer keep her cool. She had waited too long. What was so special about Mistress Ling Yun that Lu Gan esteemed her so highly? Was it just because of her beauty?

“Speaking of which, I did hear an interesting piece of gossip,” Wei Shengwan lifted her skirt and stepped into the imperial study, smiling, “The former empress, also known as Mistress Yang Shi, who was executed on the spot in the palace, was actually an old friend of Mistress Ling Yun. It seems they met over a minor horse servant.”

Unbeknownst to Wei Shengwan, that minor horse servant was Lu Gan, and she felt she had grasped a great secret of Mistress Ling Yun. This seemingly cold and noble woman, in reality, had countless men behind her back. Wei Shengwan wanted Lu Gan to understand that a woman like Liu Ling, frivolous as water, could bring him no benefits other than her beauty and would only tarnish his reputation.

Su Baiyue realized that Wei Shengwan’s visit was aimed at utterly ruining her reputation.

From her “love-hate entanglement” with the former emperor to her “bitter romance” with a small horse servant, the legendary Mistress Ling Yun, seemingly a celestial being, was actually another “Mistress Yang Shi” in disguise.

Only, Mistress Yang Shi was known for her promiscuity, while she was the secretive type, bold in action but not in acknowledgment.

With too many labels overhead, Su Baiyue didn’t want to bother anymore, especially since Wei Shengwan’s innocent façade was thoroughly stretched.

Indeed, how could the woman who becomes the main female lead for a man like Lu Gan be a mere white lotus? Turns out, she’s a dark-hearted man-eating flower instead.

Su Baiyue glanced unconsciously at Lu Gan, only to see that the man was still staring intently at her, not even sparing Wei Shengwan a glance.

“Hey, big brother, your main female lead is right there.”

Caught by that fleeting glimpse from Su Baiyue’s misty apricot eyes, Lu Gan momentarily felt his body soften, a rush of heat spreading throughout him, making him stiffen up.

The man seemed not to understand the meaning behind her gaze, simply reaching out to wipe her lips, which were reddened from being sucked on, and said in a husky voice, “My lady has tarnished my reputation, you need to take responsibility.”

Su Baiyue: Male lead, you’re so wild I can barely keep up with you.

Following Wei Shengwan, Wei Sa, who had hurriedly caught up, just heard that phrase and quickly lowered his voice to Wei Shengwan, saying, “Lu Gan is that horse servant.”

Wei Shengwan’s face, originally carrying a light smile, froze, turning to Wei Sa in disbelief.

Wei Sa, holding his forehead, gripped Wei Shengwan’s wrist and said, “I told you before, if he doesn’t agree, he really doesn’t. Why do you have to be like this?”

“Why do I have to be like this? Am I not doing it for the Wei An Manor!”

“You’re doing it for yourself,” Wei Sa interrupted her, “You’re my sister, how could I not know what you’re thinking?”

Wei Shengwan didn’t know why, but from the first time she saw Lu Gan, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Su Baiyue, overhearing their subdued conversation, didn’t pay much attention, only subtly tugging at Lu Gan’s wide sleeve, her expression anxious, “Is my brother really in trouble?”

That shouldn’t be right, her silly brother should be surrounded by descendants, enjoying a long and blessed life.

Lu Gan remained silent, looking at the wide sleeve pulled by Su Baiyue, then tilted his head and nuzzled her cheek, “Kiss me.”

Su Baiyue: come again?

“Kiss me, and I’ll tell you.”

Su Baiyue pouted her swollen lips, pained by a “sting.” Her wings are hardened, ready to rebel!

Recalling the male lead’s obedient and cute demeanor as a youth, and then looking at the tall and imposingly handsome young man before her, Su Baiyue deeply sensed the world’s malice towards her.

Oh well, just a kiss, it won’t cost a piece of flesh. After all, they’ve kissed so many times before.

Su Baiyue glanced at the doorway where Wei Sa and Wei Shengwan were still arguing, their faces flushed.

She swallowed, cautiously approached, and lightly pecked Lu Gan’s cheek.

Feather-like touch, with a scent that lightly floated by. Lu Gan, half-propping himself up beside Su Baiyue, cast a large shadow as he leaned down. From Su Baiyue’s angle, she could see his throat bobbing, and she could even imagine the sound of him swallowing.

What does this man-eating expression mean, big brother!

Under Lu Gan’s expression, which seemed like he could devour her, Su Baiyue quickly drew out her small feather duster, stealthily poking it against him, pressing firmly.

Lu Gan looked down at the spot where the feather duster touched.

Su Baiyue followed his gaze and immediately her face flushed, her eyebrows and eyelashes tinting with a glamorous allure, very different from her usual appearance. Yet, this look in Lu Gan’s eyes matched exactly with the beautiful scene he had imagined in his dreams.

If those eyes could contain tears, her rosy lips trembling, entangled with him…

Taking advantage of the moment Lu Gan was dazed, Su Baiyue shifted the small feather duster slightly, moving it up three inches to rest on Lu Gan’s stomach.

Earlier in her hurry, Su Baiyue accidentally sullied her small feather duster. But despite the man’s muscular build, there was still a bit of soft flesh.

Poking Lu Gan’s firm abs, Su Baiyue looked up at him with wide eyes, “Is my brother really in trouble?” and then waited obediently for an answer.

A beauty usually appeared as if not part of the mundane world, but Lu Gan was fortunate to have seen her charming, gentle beauty. Lu Gan knew she was such a girl, and he wanted to cherish her for a lifetime.

“No, it’s all just a strategy,” Lu Gan didn’t hide it, sharing such a significant military secret with Su Baiyue so generously.

“It’s just a lure-the-enemy-into-the-pot plan.”

Indeed, news soon arrived that Liu Chen had triumphed over the Prince of Xingyuan, capturing him alive. And from that day on, Su Baiyue might not have seen the Wei siblings, who had been arguing at the door of the imperial study. It was said that Wei Shengwan was confined by the King of Wei An and was looking for a husband, soon to return to Wei An. But for some reason, Su Baiyue always felt that things wouldn’t be that simple.

Palace rumors gradually dissipated over time.

In early spring, Liu Chen returned with his troops, and a grand banquet was set in the palace, with the city’s people lining the roads to welcome them.

“Mistress, there’s a grand banquet today; you must dress up nicely and overshadow all those other noble ladies,” Lu Gan said. His harem was empty, and the women attending the banquet today were all harboring different thoughts.

Su Baiyue faced the mirror, slowly playing with her long black hair, revealing her slender, beautiful neck and collarbone.

This skin was truly beautiful. Even without makeup, she could overshadow everyone just with her looks.

Jing Wen held the rouge box, carefully sweeping a bit of rouge on Su Baiyue.

Su Baiyue’s skin was exceptionally white and fine, almost translucent jade-like, and after a bit of rouge, her originally delicate face immediately took on a touch of rosy allure, her eyes carrying a hint of seductive charm.

“Mistress, this lip rouge is made from petals, I heard it’s sweet,” Jing Wen brought out a box of lip rouge, handing it to Su Baiyue.

Su Baiyue glanced down, dipped her fingertip in it, and smeared it on her lips.

Sweet and full of rose fragrance, with a rich honey taste, truly delicious.

“I’ll do it myself.” Su Baiyue indicated for Jing Wen to place the lip rouge on the dressing table, then leisurely applied it herself in front of the mirror.

Seeing this, Jing Wen turned to tidy up Su Baiyue’s clothes.

Su Baiyue licked her lips, eating a bit of the lip rouge, then another bite, sweet as rose-flavored honey cakes. If diluted with water, it would probably taste good too?

“It’s all gone.” Suddenly, unbeknownst to her when he entered, Lu Gan emerged from behind Su Baiyue, his long, fair fingers twirling a lip rouge box. His fingertip trailed along the edge of the box, picking up a bit of the remaining rouge, placing it beneath his lips, and leisurely licked it, then remarked, “Sweet.”

Caught by the man tasting the lip rouge from the box, Su Baiyue’s face immediately flushed. The peach blossom pink hue spread from her neck upwards, suffusing her ears and cheeks, making her look like a budding pearl flower ready to bloom.

The man watched, his breath hitching. He rubbed his rough fingertips, gently wiping Su Baiyue’s lips.

The woman’s lips were coated in a thick layer of rouge, the beautiful sandalwood hue masking her natural lip color, adding a touch of graceful warmth to her alluring face.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed, and Su Baiyue, almost subconsciously, began to play with her long black hair as if putting on an act.

Her hair loosely hung around her neck, tied up with a creamy white jade hairpin, which seemed almost too heavy as it began to slip, caught by Lu Gan in his palm and lifted slightly. Not lifting it would have been better, for as he did, her normally secure hair cascaded down like a waterfall, covering his hands and arms with silky strands.

“My hair…” Su Baiyue reached back instinctively, catching Lu Gan’s hand amidst her flowing hair.

The man gripped tightly, intertwining a few strands of her hair with her hand in his.

Jing Wen, ever perceptive, had already discreetly exited.

Su Baiyue sat awkwardly at the dressing table, surrounded by the sweet scent of rose and honey. She tilted her head slightly, feeling the pull on her hair that made it impossible to move.

“Let go, you’re hurting me,” Lu Gan’s assertive demeanor was a slow, quiet encroachment that seemed gentle on the surface but was contrary at heart. Since the day he stepped on her white silk fabric with those dark, sooty boots, leaving countless footprints, all of Su Baiyue’s cleanliness obsessions ceased to work around this man.

It seemed he really did hurt her unintentionally, as when Su Baiyue looked up at him, her eyes were brimming with tears, the cool detachment gone, replaced by ink-like dilution, ready to spill over the next moment.

Lu Gan leaned over, his emotions suppressed, and gently kissed the corner of her eye.

Her eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings at the warm touch, tears trickling down, then swallowed by the man.

“Lady’s tears are even sweeter,” he murmured, sweeter than in his dreams. Lu Gan had long fantasized about seeing her weep beneath him, but now was not the time.

“Lady is too frail to dress herself, let your husband help,” Lu Gan said, encircling Su Baiyue’s slender waist and lifting her from the dressing table.

Standing in front of the wardrobe, Su Baiyue looked at the plain long dress hanging behind her and stammered, “No need, I’ll call Jing Wen…”

“Shh,” Lu Gan pressed a finger to Su Baiyue’s lips, his smile broadening as he watched her shrink back, “Let your husband do it today.”

Damn you, you wretched, perverse male lead, she thought, bitterly.

By the time Su Baiyue was dressed, it was already time to light the lamps.

She touched her swollen lips, feeling a tingling pain at the tip of her tongue, a faint taste of blood mixed with the lingering scent of rose and honey.

Is he a dog? Has he become addicted to licking her?

Su Baiyue touched her dry eyelids, feeling as if her eyelashes were about to be gnawed away by the man.

“Lady,” the man, serious and looking every bit the part in his dark regular clothes, stood in front of Su Baiyue and extended his hand.

Su Baiyue hesitated for a moment, then let her sleeve fall and, through the thin fabric, placed her hand in Lu Gan’s.

He didn’t mind, and as he led Su Baiyue out, his face wore a satisfied, almost perverse contentment. Su Baiyue thought if Lu Gan had a tail, it would surely be wagging vigorously now.

The banquet was elaborately prepared, not just to welcome Liu Chen back and wash away the dust of travel but also to show support for the Wei An Manor.

Su Baiyue, led by Lu Gan to the main seat, sat upright and glanced down; the hall was filled with people kneeling, a sense of regal pride swelling within her, bringing a rush of exhilarating superiority.

No wonder everyone wants to be emperor; it feels incredible!

The King of Weinan and the Queen, dusty from travel, arrived from Weinan, relieved to see Su Baiyue intact, next to Lu Gan, though their faces still held traces of worry.

Su Baiyue’s eyes flickered lightly as she glanced in the direction of the King and Queen of Weinan, giving them a small, light smile.

Suddenly, a sharp pain in her fingertip caused Su Baiyue to turn towards Lu Gan, who huffed and said, “Don’t smile.”

Su Baiyue: …

As the evening drew on, Liu Chen had yet to arrive at the palace.

Instead, the Wei An Manor family sat at a secondary seat, all smiles, even Wei Shengwan wearing a strangely triumphant grin.

Su Baiyue, feeling unnerved by Wei Shengwan’s intense gaze and the lack of news from Liu Chen, grew increasingly agitated, Lu Gan beside her also darkening his expression.

“Assassins have invaded!” shouted a eunuch, running in like mad, disrupting the banquet.

The banquet descended into chaos.

Su Baiyue felt Lu Gan’s muscles tense beside her. He pushed her towards the King and Queen of Weinan, slipping a dagger into her hand in the process.

Su Baiyue, holding the dagger, was quickly squeezed under the banquet table by the King and Queen on either side.

Su Baiyue: …Stop pushing, I really can’t fit.

“Protect the emperor, guard him!” shouted voices outside, the chaos intensifying.

Struggling, Su Baiyue poked her head out from under the table just in time to see Lu Gan surrounded by a swarm of guards, invisible among them.

Numerous assassins in black stormed in, Su Baiyue’s sharp eyes spotting the Wei An Manor’s people standing in a corner, clearly untouched by the assailants, while other ministers were either dead or wounded, the festive banquet turning into a bloody slaughterhouse.

This was the doing of Wei An Manor.

Had Wei Sa, originally a sycophant of the male lead, turned traitor just because Lu Gan hadn’t married Wei Shengwan?

“Ling’er, get down…”

As an assassin charged towards Su Baiyue, she gripped the dagger tightly, her body rigid with tension.

Lu Gan suddenly appeared, blocking her front.

The assassin was kicked away, but Wei Shengwan, appearing out of nowhere with a sharp dagger, took the opportunity to stab into the man’s chest. Su Baiyue could even hear the sound of flesh tearing. Her face was warm with splattered blood droplets.

The scarlet color nearly blinded her.

Pulling out the dagger, Wei Shengwan’s face twisted as she said, “You forced me…” before a grunt cut her off.

Su Baiyue’s hand, guided by Lu Gan, plunged the dagger straight into Wei Shengwan’s chest.

Wei Shengwan looked down incredulously at her bloody wound, then collapsed weakly.

The man’s face was grim as he clutched his wound and knelt down.

“Lu Gan!” Su Baiyue cried out as she embraced Lu Gan, falling to her knees with him.

Thick blood dripped from the wound, staining her entire hand red.

“It’s dirty.” The man gasped for air, slowly reaching out to wipe Su Baiyue’s face.

Tears flowed uncontrollably from Su Baiyue as she desperately pressed on Lu Gan’s wound, frantic and angry. What does it matter if it’s dirty now?

“I like it when Lady smiles. But Lady looks exceedingly beautiful even when crying,” the man said, his face turning pale rapidly due to excessive blood loss.

“Stop talking,” Su Baiyue urged, looking at his pallid face, tears streaming uncontrollably. “You can’t die! What will I do if you die?”

“Cough, cough… If Lady doesn’t let go soon, I really might…”

Su Baiyue quickly loosened her grip on the wound, her movements flustered yet endearing.

Watching Su Baiyue with her nose red from crying, Lu Gan managed a weak smile.

The assassins surrounded the pair, and Wei Sa, standing at the forefront and seeing the lifeless Wei Shengwan, his expression changed slightly but did not erupt in anger, stupidly rasping, “Lu Gan, it’s not that I wanted you dead today; you brought this upon yourself.”

Su Baiyue clung tightly to Lu Gan, her fingertips turning white from tension.

Lu Gan’s eyes drooped, seemingly passing out from blood loss. His heavy body leaned entirely on Su Baiyue, as if it were filled with lead.

Wei Sa glanced at Su Baiyue, whose white dress was now drenched in blood, closed his eyes, and ordered, “Kill.”

A loud “bang!” resonated as the long-absent Liu Chen suddenly burst through the sealed palace doors, leading his troops inside.

Wei Sa spun around, his face a picture of disbelief, “How did you get in!” For today, Wei Sa had specially forged an imperial decree to intercept Liu Chen on the road. There was no way Liu Chen should have been here today.

Liu Chen, in full battle attire, laughed wildly and unrestrainedly, “Did you really think only your Wei An Manor could plot and scheme? Heaven intends to destroy your Wei An Manor, not I, Liu Chen.”

The situation turned abruptly. What seemed a sure victory for the Wei An Manor was now encircled by Liu Chen’s elite troops like pigs and dogs.

Su Baiyue, holding Lu Gan, cried out to Liu Chen for help, “Brother!”

“He’s not dead yet, don’t rush,” Liu Chen called for a military doctor to check Lu Gan’s pulse and dress his wound.

After a chaotic flurry, Lu Gan was carried to a couch inside the hall, and Su Baiyue’s eyes hurt from crying.

“Little sister, you…” Just after having the Wei An Manor people detained, Liu Chen saw Su Baiyue crying miserably.

Liu Chen had never seen his little sister in such a pitiful state. She was always high and mighty, like a celestial being.

“Little sister, go change your clothes,” Liu Chen softly suggested, even attempting to embrace her but was poked away by the man who was supposed to be lying dead, using a feather duster.

“Lu Gan!” Su Baiyue threw herself into the man’s arms.

Liu Chen, holding the feather duster, felt wronged.

“Your wounds haven’t healed; you can’t move around,” Su Baiyue admonished with tearful eyes.

In truth, such injuries were nothing for Lu Gan. “My wounds are healed,” he paused, then added, “and my waist is even better.”

Su Baiyue: …

“Let me see your wound,” Su Baiyue urgently tugged open Lu Gan’s shirt, exposing his lean, pale chest.

The fierce wound was wrapped in white cloth, oozing crimson blood stains.

Su Baiyue frowned, her voice buzzing with a slight nasal tone, “How is that healed? It’s clearly very serious.”

“It’s just some flesh wounds.” Lu Gan comforted Su Baiyue, carefully pulling her into his embrace, his face unable to hide a smile.

“I still have to conquer a realm for my wife.”

In the first year of Qihan, the new emperor traversed the realm with his cavalry, dominating the lords, unifying the territories, historically known as the Iron Blood Emperor.