Chapter 9: A Kiss

At this moment, inside the Flower Pavilion.

As its name suggests, the Flower Pavilion was a pavilion within the garden.

It could serve as a gazebo, but it was much larger than a typical one.

It was well-furnished, with open ventilation on all four sides and large windows that offered scenic views.

The surrounding area was covered with thin silk drapes, and it was often used for banquets and flower viewing.

Seated within, one could enjoy the sight of blooming flowers outside.

This was a two-story pavilion.

The first floor had a tea table, allowing guests to enjoy tea tasting.

The second floor housed a guqin, where one could play music.

At this moment, Bai Yuning and Zhou Chiye were on the second floor.

The elegant and otherworldly young lady sat behind the guqin, playing a melody.

Meanwhile, the tall and handsome young man stood by the window, watching her.

Sunlight streamed in from outside, casting bright beams that illuminated the tiny specks of dust floating in the air.

Amidst these floating rays of light, the goddess-like woman sat quietly behind the guqin, her fingers gently strumming a melody.

The flowing music entered his ears, sounding like a heavenly tune weaving into a dream.

Zhou Chiye leaned against the window, watching her in a trance.

At that moment, he forgot everything.

He forgot that she was the daughter of a condemned criminal, burdened by troubles.

He forgot that she once had a marriage contract with his elder brother.

He forgot that his mother had once tried to drive her away.

At this moment, all he remembered was himself and her.

A young man does not understand love.

But in a lifetime, there is nothing more unforgettable than the moment his heart is stirred.

As he gazed at her, Bai Yuning’s face slowly began to flush.

His heated gaze was so intense that she could feel it piercing through her.

How could she not know what it meant?

And if she were honest with herself she preferred Zhou Chiye over Zhou Yuantin.

Zhou Yuantin was just like the Loyal Marquis cold by nature, too calculating, and overly cautious.

He weighed every action, only doing what benefited himself.

The reason he treated her well now was not because he loved her.

It was because he loathed his wife, the Young Madam.

Being with Bai Yuning made him happy, while being with the Young Madam disgusted him.

That was the only reason.

From beginning to end, everything Zhou Yuantin did was for his own pleasure.

If he truly ended up with her, it wouldn’t be long before he began to resent her background.

Sooner or later, he would compare her to other high-born noble ladies and find her lacking.

When Zhou Yuantin first heard that he was to marry someone else, he had not even protested.

It was only when he met his wife and found her lacking that he began to stir trouble.

Had his wife been clever and captivating, he would have never looked back at Bai Yuning.

Through this constant push and pull, Bai Yuning saw through his true nature.

To keep Zhou Yuantin’s love, she would have to constantly act, constantly perform, and suffer countless grievances.

But Zhou Chiye was different.

Bai Yuning could sense it Zhou Chiye was fierce and passionate, like a blazing fire.

He did not care about noble ranks or social status.

He did not look at other women.

Loyalty and devotion ran deep in his blood a trait inherited from the Qin family.

If she were with Zhou Chiye, he would never make things difficult for her.

He would never force her to suffer.

If only she could be with Zhou Chiye instead…

But she had just recently used him.

These thoughts flashed through her mind, and for a moment, her fingers stumbled on the guqin keys.

She made a mistake in the melody.

She froze for a moment.

And in that very instant, she heard Zhou Chiye’s voice.

“Bai Yuning made a mistake.”

His voice was low and husky, laced with an indescribable tension.

A shiver ran down Bai Yuning’s spine.

She lifted her gaze, only to see Zhou Chiye approaching.

Today, he was dressed in a dark warrior’s robe, embroidered with silver bamboo patterns.

Since he had not yet reached adulthood, his hair was simply pinned up with a black jade and silver hairpin.

His sharp, striking features stood out boldly.

He slowly stepped forward, lowering himself into a squat across from her, with the guqin between them.

He had stepped into the light, his figure blocking the bright golden sunlight behind him.

As he moved closer, his features blurred against the brightness.

She could no longer see his face clearly.

All she could hear was the pounding of her own heart.

Then, he asked

“Were you distracted because you were thinking about me?”

Was she?

Bai Yuning didn’t know.

All she could hear was the deafening sound of her heartbeat.

All she could see was his slightly parted lips, dark pink against his fair skin, as if pulling her in.

His intense gaze landed on her kissing her before his lips even touched hers.

Her body moved on instinct, leaning toward him.

Closer.

Zhou Chiye’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he, too, leaned in.

In the silent Flower Pavilion, the warrior’s rough hands gently cradled the girl’s delicate nape.

Her pearly white teeth softly bit into his dark pink lips.

With every breath, her heart pounded in her ears.

At that moment, time seemed to stop.

Love surged like an unstoppable tide.

Zhou Chiye was lost in this overwhelming desire.

His ears deafened, his vision blurred, his heart clouded.

He had forgotten everything so much so that he did not hear the approaching footsteps on the stairs.

At this very moment, on the staircase, Zhou Yuantin was eagerly climbing to the second floor.

He was sure he had not misheard.

The guqin melody being played belonged to Bai Yuning.

It was a song about the deep longing between lovers.

For her to be alone in the Flower Pavilion, playing such a tune it had to be for him.

She must have been missing him terribly during these past few days of his confinement.

Now that he was here, how happy would she be to see him?

His heart burned with anticipation.

His mother had relaxed her stance toward Bai Yuning.

Liu Yandai was never an issue.

Although Bai Yuning was not officially his concubine yet, as long as he never touched Liu Yandai, it didn’t matter.

All he had to do was get Bai Yuning pregnant first.

Then, even his mother would have no choice but to accept her.

In the future, he and Bai Yuning would be together every day.

As for Liu Yandai…

Out of respect for her uncle, he would allow her to keep the title of “Equal Wife.”

With this thought, he quickened his pace.

The moment he reached the second floor, he eagerly called out

“Bai Yuning”

But the moment his voice echoed through the room, and he stepped inside

He froze in shock.

There, inside the Flower Pavilion, his beloved Bai Yuning was kissing his younger brother.

Zhou Yuantin’s entire world shattered.

The realization hit him like thunder, roaring through his mind.

He stiffened, unable to move.

His breath caught in his throat.

His vision darkened.

And in that moment, everything fell apart.