Volume 1, Chapter 20: Consuming the Heart-Link Gu

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Chu Linyuan heard the woman nod and reached out to open the brocade box on the stone table. He placed the female insect inside into his mouth, pried open Lin Qingwan’s lips, and fed it to her. Seeing that she had swallowed the female insect, he then took out the male insect, which was searching around without detecting the female’s scent, and placed it into his own mouth before swallowing it.

Recalling Qin Tingxian’s words, he lifted the woman in one embrace and carried her into the inner chamber.

“Your Highness, we haven’t had dinner yet,” Lin Qingwan said nervously, clutching the man’s wrist.

“I’m hungry,” he replied gently.

Tenderly, he laid Lin Qingwan on the bed and leaned over her, pulling her into a passionate embrace.

Under the influence of the heart-linked gu insect, both were completely immersed, body and soul.

Already fond of Lin Qingwan’s figure, Chu Linyuan now felt the deeper pleasures this brought, unwilling to let go of her.

“Your Highness, Wan’er is tired and hungry,” Lin Qingwan murmured, frowning slightly. The rumbling of her stomach made her eyes fill with tears of embarrassment; she pouted in grievance and turned her face aside.

Chu Linyuan chuckled at the adorable sight beneath him.

“It’s my fault for not feeding you enough, Wan’er.”

“You—” Lin Qingwan tried to push him away but found her body limp and powerless, unable to resist his every desire.

“Bring water,” Chu Linyuan ordered softly, his voice close to her ear. “Wan’er was especially cooperative today; I am very pleased.”

Laifu expertly pushed open the door and brought in a large tub big enough for two. Several small eunuchs swiftly filled it with warm water before retreating.

Chu Linyuan carried Lin Qingwan into the bath and, seeing how utterly exhausted she looked, laughed heartily.

Qin Tingxian’s arrangement was truly impressive.

Without the influence of this gu insect, this woman would have already been flushed with shame and hatred, wishing to bite him to death.

How could she possess such alluring charm now?

Her wet eyes gazed at him as if silently begging for more.

After they left the bath, the water had cooled.

Lin Qingwan, dressed, sneezed at the doorway.

The man immediately draped his cloak over her shoulders.

“I just said it’s cold at night; you must keep this on. If you fall ill, don’t blame me for being unkind.”

Lin Qingwan glared at him, her eyes red, filled with anger and the urge to bite him a few times.

She turned her face away, unwilling to speak further, since they were about to part anyway.

At the round table laden with dinner, Chu Linyuan held her close, feeding her bite by bite.

“Your Highness, can Qingwan eat by herself?”

She was neither disabled nor a child. Why did he insist on feeding her?

“I like it. If your hands are free, place them on my waist to ease the ache there.”

“When I want to feed you, just open your mouth.”

He scooped a spoonful of tofu and brought it to Lin Qingwan’s lips.

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“Wan’er, do you like my tofu?”

Lin Qingwan looked at the spoonful of tofu poised against her lips, her ears flushing scarlet. She gently pinched the flesh at his waist.

She ate the food in the spoon, then, seeing Chu Linyuan still staring at the table, quickly took his hand.

“Your Highness, Wan’er is full.”

“Truly full?”

He thought about how little she had eaten earlier; no wonder she was so slender.

Yet the curves that should be full were perfectly so—her flesh all growing just where he liked, as if made to please him.

“I’m full.”

Holding his hand, she took the spoon from him and gently set it on the table.

“You were too busy feeding me just now, Your Highness. Now that I’m full, may I serve you?”

Concern shone in Lin Qingwan’s eyes. Chu Linyuan had been feeding her, but had barely eaten himself.

He did not refuse. Leaning back in his chair, a smile curved his lips as he looked at her.

Perhaps due to the heart-linked gu, he felt she grew even gentler and more dependent on him.

Her eyes were filled with him alone, which pleased him greatly.

Looking at the dishes on the table, recalling Chu Linyuan’s tastes from his previous life, she picked out his favorites and fed them to him.

As he ate the food she fed him, Chu Linyuan’s large hand pulled her chair closer.

Her hand trembled as she picked up a dish, and some fell onto his garment.

Lin Qingwan quickly reached to wipe it off but was stopped midway by the man’s hand.

“Wan’er has dirtied my clothes. I never like to lose out; I will dirty your clothes in return.”

With that, he pressed her into his arms and kissed her fiercely.

“Your Highness, Qingwan still has something to say.”

Remembering that she would leave with her mother tomorrow, there were things she needed to make clear.

Tonight, while he was in a good mood, if she didn’t speak now, tomorrow might bring more changes.

“Speak,” Chu Linyuan commanded, pausing as his eyes darkened, gazing down at the woman beneath him.

“Wan’er will return to Yunbian Town with her mother tomorrow. I hope Your Highness will consent.”

“Would Your Highness wait for Wan’er for half a month? After that, Wan’er will return to the capital with her brother. If by then Your Highness still desires Wan’er, please take her as your bride.”

Lin Qingwan’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, her cheeks flushed a delicate rose in the candlelight, lending her even greater softness.

She was the one consumed by madness—last life’s lesson amid flames was not enough, and yet she still longed to be with him.

As she thought, tears uncontrollably welled up again.

She didn’t know if what she was doing was right, but she believed that living another life was fate.

The heavens were granting them a chance.

To let him fall in love with her, to let her remain by his side.

She would return home to bid farewell to her parents and brothers properly, accompany them for half a month, then come back to his side, never to part again.

“Do you know what it means to take a wife? I intend to secure you the position of Crown Princess.”

He remembered clearly that on the very first night they were together, she had directly asked for the title of Crown Princess.

To marry as wife, to take as concubine.

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How could she not understand?

“Your Highness, you jest. Qingwan is but a commoner. Even if she were from an official’s family, her father is not a high-ranking minister. How could she bear the title of Crown Princess?”

She looked at him gently after a moment’s thought.

“Wan’er likes Your Highness. Having decided to be with you, she cares not for status.”

“I only want your heart.”

Chu Linyuan looked coldly at the woman whose words did not match her actions.

She had just said she would return to him in half a month, yet now she wept in his arms, speaking words meant to please him.

But such lies, which even she could not believe, did she think they could fool him?

Seeing her tear-streaked face, a flush of desire stirred within him.

Since she was crying, he might as well spoil her until she wept with pleasure.

Being his woman, receiving his favor was her due.

“I can have your father appointed to a post in the capital. Once he achieves success, he could be promoted to third rank.”

“Daughters of officials ranked third and above are eligible candidates for Crown Princess.”

Lin Qingwan shook her head quickly.

“Your Highness, if Father knew he was promoted because of me, he would be angry. I beg you not to do this.”

“What I said about wanting the Crown Princess title was mere jest. Qingwan fears nothing but that Your Highness might love another.”

Chu Linyuan gently stroked her cheek.

“Wan’er, you jest. If I must marry a Crown Princess, the only choice will be you.”

Thinking this, he grew more tender, removing her clothes and drawing her into his embrace.

“Wan’er, I cannot bear to part with you. The thought of tomorrow’s separation pierces my heart like countless needles. Don’t refuse me, please.”

The woman closed her eyes, accepting his deep kiss.

Had she opened them now, she would have seen the man above her, whispering sweet nothings, yet his eyes were filled with mischief and coldness.

After placing the sleeping woman on the couch, Chu Linyuan returned to his study and sat before the desk, raising his hand.

A shadow guard immediately appeared from the beams above.

“Your Highness, your orders.”

Chu Linyuan stroked the dagger on the desk, still stained with blood.

The study was a place of utmost secrecy; no one could enter without permission. He wiped the bloodied dagger with a white cloth on the desk.

Glancing at the cleaned dagger, he casually looked down at the shadow guard kneeling on the floor.

“I heard there is someone skilled in mimicry in the shadow guard camp. Is this true?”

The guard bowed his head.

“Yes. Shadow Six is skilled in mimicry and can imitate voices he has heard.”

“Very well. I have a meeting tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Lin Qingwan, I will make you understand the cost of leaving me—a price you cannot afford.