Chapter 458 - Attached to Love (1/2)

Her icy cold little hands had been clasped within a pair of warm palms. It felt very cozy and comfortable. Yu Xiaocao’s eyes curved in a smile and then she turned to look at the always stunningly handsome face of Zhu Junyang. She quietly asked, “Isn’t it snowing right now? I was afraid that it might snow too hard and crush the greenhouse pavilions, which is why I ran to take a look at the Imperial Plantation. I was wearing the fox fur scarf and gloves you had given me, but when I found out you were back I was so happy that I forgot them at the farmstead!”

Zhu Junyang supported her back and moved her from her side sitting position to astride on the horse. This little lass’s waist was too thin. He wasn’t sure if she had been eating right in the past month or so but even when she was wearing thick winter clothes his two hands were able to encircle her waist. Perhaps it was because her life had been too hard when she was young but in his memories, she had always been thin and weak in such a pitiful way. When she reached her age of majority and married him, he planned on making sure that she was eating and drinking well so that she could nourish her body!

He had Xiaocao comfortably lean back on his chest while he wrapped his sable overcoat tightly around her. He cupped his large hot hands around the little lass’s icy cold ones and leaned over to gently breathe hot air on them. He continued to ask, “What? Were you this excited to see me? If you miss me so much, then marry me earlier. That way you’ll prevent me from being bewitched by an evil spirit!”

After hearing the little lass state that she was so excited to see him that she hurriedly rode her horse over and forgot to wear her scarf and mittens, Zhu Junyang simultaneously felt a wave of tenderness and sweetness hit his heart as if he was suddenly drinking honey. The little lass had always been deathly afraid of being cold.

When the little red horse saw that its master had been taken over by Fierce Wind’s [1] owner, it still obediently followed behind the stallion despite having no rider. It walked behind at a leisurely pace. Although Fierce Wind now had two people riding it, its steps were still light and easy. From time to time, it would move its head a little to look Little Red in the eye.

Xiaocao turned her head to roll her eyes at Zhu Junyang and snorted, “Why would I want a man who was so easily taken by others? Tell me! This time, when you left the capital, did you end up saving any little white flowers or encounter a poor but pretty girl who had sold herself into prostitution for the sake of her father?”

Little white flowers? Was that the term the little lass used to describe women who loved cry out sob stories and act pathetic ah? Just what type of taste did she think he had that she would believe that he would fall in love with one of those people? Wasn’t it tiring to be around someone all day who constantly lamented and wept with an aggrieved expression?

“Did you forget just what kind of person I am? Do you think I would easily fall for the wiles of those women who don’t have pure thoughts? Don’t worry, other than you, I won’t be interested in anyone!” Zhu Junyang could tell that there was a faint undertone of jealousy in Xiaocao’s words and he immediately felt gratified. He made sure to make his thoughts clear such that she knew that he was only loyal to her.

Yu Xiaocao had warmed up so she was in the mood to banter with him, “Men are all the same ah! They always say the sweetest things but then do the exact opposite! The person with the mind-reading abilities is you, not me. How am I supposed to know what you’re actually thinking about?”

Zhu Junyang pulled over one of her little hands that had warmed up and placed it on the area of his chest where his heart was and stated, “Do you feel it now ah? My heart only beats for you! In order to see you sooner, I galloped at top speed as soon as I left the Imperial Palace. I am totally devoted to you alone. If you still don’t believe me, then you’re truly too simple-minded!”

After hearing his heartful vow, Yu Xiaocao felt like the goosebumps on her body were about to fall off. He was being too corny! Where did this fellow learn how to say such things? Was he not afraid that other people might be sickened by his saccharine words?

“Can you be more normal ah? You need to tell the truth. Just who taught you to speak in such a sickening way? It’s really not your style at all!” Yu Xiaocao endlessly roasted him. Zhu Junyang blinked his seductive phoenix eyes twice and then let out a sigh, “I knew you wouldn’t like this at all! When I get back, I’m going to beat the crap out of those Jinwei youngsters who urged me to say such corny things. However, Xiaocao, you need to know my heart only has room for you in it!”

Although his last few words were plainspoken, why did they sound so good in her ears? Yu Xiaocao lowered her head to think a bit. Royal Prince Yang had the status and power. He also had a well-shaped body and alluring appearance. In addition, he had the talent and abilities...the most crucial point was that he didn’t stubbornly cling onto the ancient people’s ways of thinking and didn’t expect his significant other to embody ‘the three injunctions and four virtues’ [2] of women.

In reality, she would be hard pressed to find a second man like him in the entire Great Ming Empire. If he was truly sincere about his feelings and had a heart that would never waver, then what was she hesitating for? Although she claimed that she’d be fine with never getting married, in such an environment and society, it’d be an extravagant hope for her to be able to live a happy and prosperous life alone as an unmarried spinster. She had the abilities but no significant background. Furthermore, she was female, so when things happened, she’d be the one who’d likely lose out.

When he saw that the little lass had her head down and was seemingly thinking hard about something, Zhu Junyang gently stroked her head and softly said, “Don’t make things too complicated. I won’t give you pressure! Didn't you say that you would only consider marriage once you turned eighteen? There’s still five to six years to think about this! Take your time, I’m sure that the next five to six years will truly show my intentions and sincerity to you!”

Yu Xiaocao felt her eyes well up with hot tears when she heard such understanding and sweet words from him. Her nose got stuffy and, in the spur of the moment, she almost promised him something due to her roiling emotions. Ahem ahem! She needed to calm down now! Royal Prince Yang was right. There was still five to six years for her to contemplate this. She needed to take her time and then make her decision!

The blustering snow seemed to linger around the two affectionate people. The whole sky was filled with fat flakes of fluffy snow and they seemed to dance around like graceful butterflies as they circled around these two people.

Suddenly, the sound of a horse’s urgent gallops could be heard from behind them. A somewhat old and shrill voice hollered through the night, “Miss Yu, please go a bit slower. It’s hard to travel in such snowy conditions. If something happens to you, what can this old servant say to the master?”

The owner of the voice stared closely at the scene in front of him. Oh! The back of that person seemed quite familiar, wasn’t that his master? He could now see Miss Yu snuggled within the master’s arms and they seemed to be quite content. Liu Fusheng hurriedly shut his mouth and obediently followed them from behind as they slowly rode forward. Miss Yu had already safely met up with the master so there was nothing he needed to do anymore. All he had to do now was follow silently from behind and fade into the background properly!