Almost all the air in her lungs was taken away. It wasn't until both of their breaths became ragged that Shi Luohan finally let her go.
Yaoguang's legs went weak. She half - leaned on Shi Luohan's shoulder, her lips rosy and glistening with a soft sheen.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Yaoguang knew that Shi Luohan would surely come to question her.
But his tone didn't sound like an interrogation. Instead, it was a mix of annoyance and heartache, and she could also sense the deep - seated disappointment in his heart.
Yaoguang's long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she bit her lips.
Her eyes seemed to be evading his gaze. Shi Luohan felt frustrated and pinched her chin, looking straight into her eyes.
"Did Liang Yuzhou tell you not to say anything?"
He had an important escort mission to undertake in person. On the night before his departure, Yaoguang's initiative and enthusiasm had made him overjoyed.
If it weren't for the need to conserve his strength, he really would have wanted to die in Yaoguang's arms that night.
He had even been self - satisfied, thinking that Yaoguang was reluctant to part with him.
It turned out that she had made up her mind to do such a dangerous thing while keeping it from him. She probably felt guilty and was using her body to compensate him.
"No, the master didn't interfere with my decision. It was I who didn't want to tell you." Yaoguang said softly.
Shi Luohan was deeply hurt. "Why, Yaoguang? We've already had the most intimate relationship. Am I not worthy of your trust?"
Yaoguang looked into his eyes. "If I had told you, would you have let me go?"
Shi Luohan was stunned.
Yaoguang had hit the nail on the head.
"You're a woman. You shouldn't do such a dangerous thing." Shi Luohan said in a low voice. He wasn't very in favor of Liang Yuzhou's plan. Although the result was good, but putting Yaoguang in such danger, if anything went wrong in any link, she might be doomed.
Yaoguang asked him, "In your heart, what kind of woman am I?"
Shi Luohan was stunned again.
Yaoguang gave a faint smile. "Brother Han, I don't need you to protect me in the way you would protect your wife."
"I didn't..."
Shi Luohan instinctively wanted to deny it, but he only got halfway through his words when he suddenly remembered Wan Chu's words.
She didn't want to always hide behind a man. She also wanted to take responsibility and stand up when necessary.
Even a gentle woman like Wan Chu didn't want to be a dodder flower relying on a man.
Not to mention the brave and resolute Yaoguang?
Seeing the softening in his eyes, Yaoguang's smile widened a bit. "Brother Han, I never doubt your love for me. But the man I need is one who will fight side by side with me and be my solid backup, not a complete shield. I don't just want to sit back and enjoy the benefits while hiding behind you.
My bloodline determines my responsibility. My people are being massacred and trampled by the Hu people. My warriors are fighting to the death against the Hu people. If I want to restore my country, I have to rush to the front line and fight with them. If I hide behind you, my people will think I'm weak and unworthy of being their king."
Shi Luohan's eyes gradually cleared up. The anger on him dissipated, and he rubbed his chin against Yaoguang's forehead.
"You've convinced me." His tone was indulgent with a hint of helplessness.
If Yaoguang were to become the queen of the Gaochang Kingdom in the future, he would be willing to submit to her.
What he loved was precisely Yaoguang's perseverance, fearlessness, and uniqueness.
And the gentle and charming side of Yaoguang was only for him to enjoy. What else could he be dissatisfied with?
Yaoguang's hands climbed onto his shoulders and wrapped around his neck.
Shi Luohan was so tall that she had to stand on tiptoe to reach his lips.
She just gave a gentle kiss, like a playful seduction. Shi Luohan's Adam's apple rolled, and his breathing became heavy.
Her soft lips then rubbed against his ear, breathing like an orchid. "Brother Han, I miss you so much."
Shi Luohan's body was instantly ignited. He grabbed Yaoguang's slender waist, his voice hoarse. "You're really bold. Don't force me to punish you here."
There were many pairs of eyes watching outside.
Yaoguang's hand slowly moved down and hooked his belt. Her eyes were full of charm. "What are you afraid of? Can they break in?"
Shi Luohan didn't come out of the courtyard until two hours later. Shi Minglang had already finished dealing with a large number of official duties.
He smelled a scent on Shi Luohan that wasn't there when he came.
A delicate and charming fragrance. Only those who had been immersed in a woman's embrace for a long time would have such a scent.
Damn it!
Everyone was so lucky in love, but he hadn't even tasted the taste of a woman!
The cute and playful face of Chu Yueying appeared in his mind.
The copy of *The Poetry Collection of Mingxi* that he had transcribed with his own hands was gathering dust on his desk.
It was a pity that the Chu family didn't receive guests or go out recently. He didn't even have a chance to express his feelings.
After seeing Shi Luohan off, a yamen runner came to report, "Grandma Yue said she wanted to see you, sir."
Shi Minglang was surprised. "The Yue family has been blocked by the crown prince. How could Grandma Yue's message get out?"
Then he figured it out. It must be the crown prince who deliberately let the news out.
He was intensively collecting evidence of the Yue family's crimes. To uproot the Yue family completely, just convicting Yue Chengkong wasn't enough.
Grandma Yue was the wet - nurse of the princess. Her status was too special. The emperor might spare the Yue family out of consideration for her kindness to the princess.
The crown prince needed enough evidence to prove that every member of the Yue family had blood on their hands, that they were extremely guilty and deserved to die!
The crown prince wanted him to go and find out the Yue family's attitude, to see what cards the Yue family still had to play.
Shi Minglang thought for a while and then went to the Yue family in his official uniform.
Grandma Yue was said to have just woken up from a coma.
She was in poor spirits, and all her hair had turned white in just a few days.
But she still had a strong presence. She sat upright in the main hall, like an anchor that could calm people's hearts.
"Lord Shi is here. Jiaojiao, hurry up and serve tea to Lord Shi."
Yue Jiaojiao pouted and reluctantly served tea to Shi Minglang.
She was clumsy, and the tea overflowed from the cup, scalding Shi Minglang's hand.
Fortunately, his skin was thick, and he didn't feel much pain.
Grandma Yue forced a smile. "We've spoiled this girl a bit in the past. Now that she's at the age of getting married, we've started to teach her the rules. She's very smart and learns quickly."
Shi Minglang forced a smile as a response.
But he thought to himself, What a daydream! You don't even know if your whole family can live to see Yue Jiaojiao's wedding day.
Yue Jiaojiao stared at Shi Minglang and asked, "Aren't you a close official of the crown prince? Why didn't the crown prince come?"
The crown prince is collecting evidence against your family!
Shi Minglang didn't want to say a single word more to Yue Jiaojiao.
Grandma Yue glared at Yue Jiaojiao, and Yue Jiaojiao obediently sat back on the chair, idly pulling at the tassels on her belt.
"I've invited Lord Shi to my humble abode today because I have a favor to ask."
Grandma Yue had always been very arrogant. For her to speak to Shi Minglang so politely really surprised him.
"Please go ahead, Grandma Yue."
"My unfilial and useless son framed the princess for the crimes he committed in order to seize the Blood - Drop Rose. Such a rebellious son is no longer recognized by our Yue family. Please tell the crown prince on my behalf to sentence him to death. Our Yue family won't complain!"
Shi Minglang was shocked but also had to admire Grandma Yue's ruthlessness and determination.
To save the entire Yue family, she could even sacrifice her own son!