Doupo: Marry a Young Doctor and Be Rewarded with Douhuang Cultivation

153: Take a bite!Xiao Ze’s voice, hoarse from their recent kiss, mingled with the soft rustle of the mountain breeze, sending a shiver through Xun’er when it reached her ear.

Then, Xiao Ze’s hand, wrapped around Xun’er’s waist, which was barely a handful, tightened slightly, turning her and leading her towards the bamboo house, clearly with ulterior motives.

Though Xun’er knew this, she did not refuse.

The interior of the house was simply furnished: a wooden bed covered with a bamboo mat rested by the window, and on the bed lay a stack of plain brocade quilts, carrying the scent of sunshine.

Xiao Ze leaned over and gently placed Xun’er on the bed, his palm slowly moving up her side from her waist, his fingertips hooking the tie of her dress, and with a gentle tug, the ribbon binding the green skirt fell to the edge of the bed.

His kiss fell again, with an undeniable possessiveness, moving from the corner of her lips to her chin, and further down, leaving a trail of burning red marks on her neck through the thin fabric of her clothes.

His actions conveyed an unmistakable urgency, yet they were exceptionally tender, as if he were handling a long-lost treasure, each touch a delicate caress.

He could clearly feel the slight trembling of the person in his arms, and his own reflection in her eyes.

Those eyes were filled with dependence and shyness, yet not a hint of resistance, a sight that completely broke down the dam of his longing.

As the night deepened, the warmth inside the house grew ever stronger, weaving this tender reunion completely into the silent depths of the night.

...

When the sky brightened, the first ray of morning light streamed through the gaps in the bamboo window, falling on the scattered green skirt and dark robe on the bed.

Xun’er was the first to wake, her gaze resting on his well-defined features, a hint of contentment in her eyes.

She recalled how, despite his urgency last night, his actions were exceptionally gentle, his carefulness when he feared hurting her, and the longing he whispered in her ear as he held her; a smile unconsciously curved her lips.

The loneliness and pressure of these years in the ancient clan had all dissipated into thin air in the warmth of their reunion; at this moment, being able to quietly gaze at his sleeping face made all the waiting feel worthwhile.

She gently leaned in, pressing a soft kiss on his cheek, and just as she was about to pull away, her wrist was suddenly seized by him.

Xiao Ze had woken up at some point, his eyes still hazy with sleep, yet firmly fixed on her, the warmth from his palm making her wrist tingle.

“Woke up and already trying to run?”

His fingertips gently caressed Xun’er’s smooth back, clearly feeling her delicate skin and the slight tension in her waist from shyness.

The tenderness of last night seemed vivid, making him unable to resist lowering his head and pressing a light kiss into her hair.

Xun’er’s cheek rested against his chest; she could clearly hear his steady, powerful heartbeat, a sound that completely dispelled all her anxieties.

She gently wrapped her arms around his waist, her fingertips tracing circles on the skin of his side, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum: “Brother Xiao Ze, it’s morning, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony is about to begin.”

No sooner had she spoken than she felt Xiao Ze’s kiss land on her ear, accompanied by his warm breath: “Stay with me a little longer. With you here, a little delay won’t matter; no one would dare to speak out.”

The two of them lingered in bed, embracing, until the sound of the Black Annihilation Army’s orderly footsteps came from outside the window, mixed with the faint distant sound of gongs and drums. Only then did Xun’er blush and gently push Xiao Ze.

“We really have to get up. Any later and we’ll miss the start of the ceremony.”

Xiao Ze chuckled softly, then reluctantly got up, reaching out to pull her up as well. He casually picked up the brocade quilt from the bedside and wrapped it around her, fearing she might catch a chill from the morning dew.

He quickly put on his outer clothes, but his fingertips didn’t forget to pinch her flushed cheek.

“If you’re this shy again next time, I’ll really keep you trapped in my arms and let them wait.”

Xun’er’s ears burned from his words; she slapped his hand away and turned to pick up her scattered clothes, but Xiao Ze embraced her from behind.

His chin rested on her shoulder as he watched her fumbling to straighten her clothes, his eyes full of amusement: “Don’t rush, I’ll help you.”

Saying that, he picked up the tie of the green skirt, brought it from behind to her front, his fingertips gently passing through her falling hair, carefully tying the ribbon into a neat bow.

His movements were as gentle as if he were tending to a rare treasure, even adjusting the tightness of the tie twice, fearing it might be uncomfortable for her.

When the two of them were ready and walked out of the bamboo house, the morning light had already filled the courtyard. On the stone table, the Black Annihilation Army had, at some point, set out warm rice porridge and several delicate side dishes.

The crisp and tender pickled bamboo shoots and the sweet steamed yam were all flavors Xun’er loved.

Ling Quan, accompanied by two warriors, was guarding outside the courtyard. Seeing them emerge, he immediately lowered his head, his tone respectful but not daring to look up.

“Your Excellency Xiao Ze, Young Miss Xun’er, breakfast has been prepared. The Elder sent word that the main plaza for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony has been arranged, and asks if you two wish to depart now. The unicorn is already waiting outside the courtyard.”

Xiao Ze led Xun’er to the stone table, picked up a bowl, and brought it to her lips, first feeding her a mouthful of warm rice porridge, then casually looked at Ling Quan.

“Understood. We will be there after we finish eating.”

He then picked up a chopstick of bamboo shoots and placed it in Xun’er’s bowl, the tenderness in his eyes impossible to hide, completely disregarding Ling Quan’s tense expression.

For him, what was most important was never whether the ceremony was on time, but that the person beside him could eat breakfast peacefully, without any grievances.

Xun’er sipped her rice porridge in small mouthfuls, her fingertips gently touching Xiao Ze’s hand, and softly said: “Don’t make the Elders wait too long; let’s eat quickly.”

As she spoke, she also picked up a spoon, scooped a spoonful of yam, and offered it to Xiao Ze’s mouth, a faint smile in her eyes.

Xiao Ze opened his mouth and swallowed, looking at the tenderness in her eyes, the curve of his lips deepening a few more points. In the morning light, they fed each other, a simple breakfast imbued with an intimacy that others could not intrude upon.

In a moment, both had finished breakfast.

Xiao Ze casually picked up a handkerchief and wiped Xun’er’s lips, his movements so natural as if he had done it thousands of times.

Xun’er’s cheeks were slightly flushed, but she didn’t pull away, allowing him to gently wipe them. Once he was done, she took his hand and walked out of the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, a unicorn, pure white all over, stood with its head held high, its snowy wings folded by its sides, its eyes like clear blue sapphires. Seeing Xun’er approach, it docilely lowered its head and rubbed its forehead against her palm.

Xun’er smiled and stroked its head, then gracefully swung herself onto the unicorn’s broad back, reaching out her hand to Xiao Ze and saying: “Brother Xiao Ze, come up.”

Xiao Ze touched the ground with the tip of his foot, his figure lightly landing behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, securely holding her in front of him.

Xun’er felt the familiar warmth behind her, instinctively leaning back into his embrace, and softly said to the unicorn: “Let’s go to the main plaza.”