Chapter 457: Chapter 455 Zhaozhao, Love Me
The Stone Palace was dimly lit, and the faint sound of an underground river flowing could be heard.
Lu Ying wrapped one arm around Shen Yinning’s waist, his lips transferring the sweet taste of rouge to hers.
Shen Yinning leaned into his embrace, her breath filled with his scent. Gradually, his kisses left her dizzy and weak, her body melting into his. She would have fallen to the ground if he hadn’t held her waist.
Her breathing grew heavier, her delicate palm gently brushing against Lu Ying’s chest.
But Lu Ying caught her hand in an instant.
Lowering his head, his voice hoarse and alluring, he murmured, "Zhaozhao, beg me."
Shen Yinning, fueled by defiance, reddened cheeks resembling warm jade. Waves of heat surged over her, threatening to drown her in a tide of irrationality. Yet, she steeled herself, her expression frigid, and shoved his chest firmly.
Lu Ying caught her hand as if he had anticipated the push.
He chuckled softly, then kissed her brow and lips again before lifting her horizontally into his arms and pushing open a nearby stone door.
Behind the door was a simple palace chamber.
A curtain hung over the stone bed, which was layered with a smooth and lustrous tiger pelt.
Her pale skin against the golden-yellow tiger pelt, framed by her dark hair, revealed a face tangled in intoxicating disarray. Her brows and eyes carried an untamed sensuality that whispered of wild temptation, and her glimmering eyes held a rebellious fierceness. It seemed not so much that she was being conquered by the man, but rather that she was enjoying this man completely.
Lu Ying kissed the tip of her nose.
His kisses fell thick and endlessly, landing sequentially upon her crimson lips.
Those lips, so full and rosy, were the only vibrant hue in the cold and solemn Stone Palace—like a tender cherry waiting to be plucked and devoured.
Shen Yinning’s eyes narrowed under his attentions.
Strands of disheveled hair fell over Lu Ying’s forehead, beads of sweat forming at his waist.
Shen Yinning’s lashes trembled lightly, her slim fingers brushing against the stern and upright face before her. The man’s scarlet, narrow eyes seemed capable of peering straight into her soul. They brimmed with fiery passion that intertwined in their depths, igniting a blaze that threatened to consume her entirely.
"Zhaozhao..."
He whispered at her ear, "Zhaozhao, love me."
His voice was raspy, laced with yearning.
Sweat from Shen Yinning’s temple dampened her sideburns.
In the height of passion, her hoarse voice squeezed out the words, one by one: "Never."
A bead of sweat dripped from the tip of Lu Ying’s nose, dissolving into the softness of the young woman’s cheek.
Lu Ying laughed lowly, though the emotions in his eyes remained unreadable.
Elsewhere.
Guan Songyuan accompanied Huo Mingyan as they entered the Stone Palace.
Han Sang led the way ahead, muttering vacantly, "The palace maids said they saw from afar a beautiful woman and a handsome man enter this place. Based on their descriptions, that woman seems to be Shen Yinning."
A few weeks ago, Huo Mingyan, in her resolve for frugality, had dismissed many palace maids and eunuchs. However, with insufficient staff remaining in the palace, she had to urgently purchase new servants, who were still unfamiliar with their duties and struggled to recognize people.
Guan Songyuan remarked, "The man must be Young Master Huo. Princess Zhaoning truly harbors ill intentions, shamelessly dragging Young Master Huo along to such a questionable location!"
"Oh?" Huo Mingyan arched an intrigued brow. "What’s the story behind this Stone Palace?"
Guan Songyuan sneered coldly, "With its dim lights and narrow spaces, doesn’t the Stone Palace offer the perfect opportunity for lonely men and women to sneak away for private trysts? Who knows what His Majesty was thinking, but I, as a humble servant, believe such a place should be demolished immediately. Otherwise, wouldn’t it only encourage illicit rendezvous and improper conduct within the palace? What a vulgar disgrace!"
Huo Mingxu nodded in agreement, casting him an approving glance. "I never would have guessed, but Master Guan and this palace share the same opinion as me. Matters of matrimony should always be dictated by parental consent and the arrangement of matchmakers—it’s unthinkable for one to choose freely! As the saying goes, ’Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog.’ Women should obey their fathers at home and their husbands after marriage. Should anyone engage in clandestine behavior and promise themselves without matchmaker oversight, they’d bring disgrace upon a woman’s reputation!"
The two seemed to have found a soulmate in each other, even their expressions and postures grew noticeably more intimate.
Upon entering the Stone Palace, Guan Songyuan asked, "If Princess Zhaoning were to seduce Young Master Huo into committing immoral acts, how would the Empress deal with her?"
"I would naturally not spare her, nor would the Huo Family behind me!" Huo Mingyan replied coldly. "Even though His Majesty might shield her, this concerns my younger brother, and I certainly won’t take it lying down!"
The two continued walking forward, but the uneven and dark layout of the Stone Palace caused Huo Mingyan to stumble over some stones and cry out in surprise.
"Your Grace!"
Guan Songyuan immediately rushed to support her.
He held her waist tightly, keeping her steady in his arms, and asked with concern, "Your Grace, are you all right?"
Huo Mingyan raised her brows and pushed him away. "I’m not one of those pampered young ladies from the Capital. I’ve grown up on horseback. It’s just a stumble—not worth mentioning."
"But Your Grace is still just a young girl!" In the flickering light, Guan Songyuan’s face was etched with worry and affection. "The more stubborn Your Grace acts, the more unbearable it is for me to witness! How much hardship must Your Grace have endured in the past to become so strong today?! ’The road is difficult, the road is difficult’—from now on, I wish to pave the road ahead for Your Grace so she never has to shoulder this strength again! I hope Your Grace can be like other young ladies, carefree, playful, and unbridled—never needing to force yourself to be tough again!"
In the dim silence, Huo Mingyan’s heartbeat thudded wildly.
She had barely met Guan Songyuan a few times.
She knew perfectly well he was inferior to her cousin.
Yet the shock he brought her far surpassed that of her cousin!
He understood her better than her cousin ever did!
He understood her feigned strength, her vulnerable heart, her every hidden facet!
Huo Mingyan clenched her fists tighter, lowering her gaze as her voice turned cold and obstinate: "My affairs are none of Master Guan’s concern!"
"What if I insist on being concerned?!" Guan Songyuan seized Huo Mingyan’s hand forcefully, refusing to let her break free.
Their skin touched, and Huo Mingyan looked at him in shocked disbelief. "You—"
"I only want to guide Your Grace!" Guan Songyuan stared deeply into her eyes. "If I hold Your Grace’s hand, you won’t stumble again."
His tone was as gentle as flowing water.
In the darkness, Huo Mingyan’s cheeks silently flushed red.
She allowed Guan Songyuan to hold her hand as they walked forward, step by step.