CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 408: THE VIRTUOUS SCHOLAR UNDER THE MOON

After just finishing a bath, the hard-earned coolness was dispelled in an instant by a sudden heat.

Shang Ruyi felt as if her whole body had ignited, and the flames, following Yu Wenye’s hand, burned inch by inch across her skin. As her clothes loosened and her skin was exposed, it gradually seeped into her body as if intending to kindle her from within.

It was obviously her who initiated, her who incited the fire, yet now she was the one who regretted it the most.

"No, no—"

Shang Ruyi instinctively wanted to refuse, but the words that came out were incoherent.

Yu Wenye kissed her forcefully, and soon, Shang Ruyi’s lips were swollen and her whole body so weakened, she had no last strength to push him away and could only shrink back continually.

Just as she was struggling and retreating, she suddenly bumped into the dressing table beside her, the copper mirror atop clattering down, landing right beside the two of them.

Reflecting this moment.

Shang Ruyi turned her head and saw herself in the mirror, clothes disheveled, and all over her body were marks left by Yu Wenye’s weighty touch and pink traces.

Her face turned crimson.

Finally, she mustered a bit of strength and gently bit him.

"Hmm?"

Yu Wenye frowned slightly and instinctively let go of her, slightly raising his body, only to see Shang Ruyi’s face flushed, shielding her eyes with her hand in embarrassment.

Originally stung by her bite, Yu Wenye felt a trace of slight anger, but seeing her like this, he couldn’t help but feel a burning sensation in his lower abdomen.

He bent down again, pressing his lips against her slender, fair neck.

Then slowly downward.

This time, Shang Ruyi finally endured her shame, whispering, "Don’t!"

Yu Wenye slightly raised an eyebrow, not angered, and leaned his face to her burning red ear, blowing softly, "Why not?"

"..."

"Wasn’t it yourself—"

The words weren’t finished, and the hand that covered her eyes immediately rose to cover his mouth.

Seeing her so embarrassed that even her skin was turning red, though his mouth was covered, Yu Wenye’s eyes were still full of amusement, just watching her.

Shang Ruyi felt a fluster in her heart under his gaze, and could only blurt, "I’ve bathed already, and you haven’t!"

Yu Wenye paused, looking down at her, "You think I smell?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment.

Actually, he didn’t smell at all, even though he had run around all day and sweated a bit, but at this moment, that faint sweat scent on him only heightened the nearly explosive emotion between them.

But now, to drive him away, she could only brace herself and admit it.

Shang Ruyi nodded vigorously, "Hm!"

Yu Wenye slightly raised an eyebrow, lifted himself a bit more, and looked down at her.

The two hot bodies separated, and a coolness immediately rushed in, though a bit more comfortable, yet an indescribable mild dismay arose from within her, but Shang Ruyi still let out a sigh of relief.

But just as she exhaled, a mischievous flash appeared in Yu Wenye’s eyes as he suddenly leaned down again, murmuring deeply, "Smell, bear it!"

As he said this, he forcefully captured her lips, engaging in a deep kiss.

Shang Ruyi felt almost suffocated by his kiss, her mind a blank, that breath allowed him to take and return, as if her entire being lived and died with his breath.

At this moment, footsteps sounded from afar.

Hearing those footsteps getting closer and closer, Shang Ruyi’s heart raced, and using the last bit of strength, she gripped Yu Wenye’s shoulder, hoarsely saying, "Someone’s coming."

Finally, the overbearing man halted his demands.

Although at this moment, Shang Ruyi had been utterly melded into a puddle, breathing heavily, body softened, her rosy lips still trembling lightly, eyes misty, filled with a confused and helpless look, seeing her like this, Yu Wenye couldn’t help but curve a smile at the corner of his mouth.

But at the same time, he slowly sobered up.

He realized he might have been too impulsive just now.

Though many things happened today at Dayan Temple, in truth, everything was just a prelude, the truly important matters had yet to formally begin, but were also imminent.

He indeed shouldn’t have at this moment—

Thinking of this, he lowered his head once more to gaze at Shang Ruyi, cheeks flushed and panting in his arms, gritting his teeth, forcibly pressing down the heat within his heart, and finally, let her go.

And those footsteps had already reached the door.

Yu Wenye immediately said, "Who’s there!"

The footsteps suddenly stopped, and then Chang Wan’s voice sounded from outside the door. She probably didn’t expect that before she could speak, the person inside the room had already questioned her. She answered cautiously, "Second Young Master, the hot water for bathing is ready and can be used at any time."

Yu Wenye’s eyes darkened slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "I understand."

He felt a pang of bewilderment in his heart.

Even without considering other issues, he was supposed to bathe and attend the family dinner tonight, and he really shouldn’t have been so impulsive just now—

Thinking of this, he glanced at Shang Ruyi again.

By this time, she had barely put on her clothes, but even though the ambiguous marks left by the recent entanglement were covered, there were still some that couldn’t be hidden. They remained on her flushed cheeks, misty eyes, and hazy gaze. Seeing her nearly helpless appearance, Yu Wenye took a deep breath and leaned close to her ear, saying in a deep voice, "Go change your clothes."

"...!"

Shang Ruyi, with flushed eyes, glared at him fiercely.

Yu Wenye seemed almost afraid to look at her further, stood up and walked out. Chang Wan stood outside the door, seemingly aware of something, and dared not look inside, quickly following to serve him.

Once they had all left, Shang Ruyi finally exhaled a breath of relief.

She reached out, picked up the copper mirror that had fallen to the ground. Reflected back at her, her lips were still somewhat rosy, her breath slightly uneven, seemingly returning to calm. But thinking of how the mirror had just shown her submitting to desire made her uncontrollably ashamed, as she blushed and flipped the copper mirror onto the table.

At this time, Tushere walked in.

She had just served Shang Ruyi’s bath, stayed behind to tidy away the changed clothes and bathing utensils, only returning now. Upon entering, she saw Shang Ruyi with flushed cheeks over the copper mirror flipped onto the dressing table, and couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Miss, why is the mirror flipped like that?"

Seeing it was her, Shang Ruyi was afraid she might discover something, and could only awkwardly reposition the mirror properly.

Tushere walked over and saw her hair still somewhat damp, and strangely unruly. She carefully dried her hair and, while combing, softly said, "Miss, you shouldn’t keep your hair wet like this; it’s easy to fall ill. Look at you, your face is all red now, and your ears are so red too..."

Shang Ruyi couldn’t even speak.

Luckily, the maid didn’t think much of it, and soon combed her hair and helped her change into new clothes.

But when she picked up Shang Ruyi’s discarded clothes, she suddenly noticed a corner seemed torn, and couldn’t help but say, "Oh, what’s this—"

Shang Ruyi’s expression changed, just about to interrupt her, when fortunately someone came to call from outside.

The dining hall had already prepared the dishes, inviting the Second Young Master and the Young Madam over to eat.

Tushere immediately disregarded the clothes and said, "But the young master is not back from bathing yet."

Shang Ruyi thought for a while and said, "I’ll go ahead. You stay in the room, and once he’s back, hurry and help him dress and follow over."

Tushere could only nod, watching Shang Ruyi leave.

Actually, at this time, the sky was just starting to darken, but since lanterns had been hung early throughout the Yuwen Mansion, it was as bright as day, not feeling the dimness of the evening at all. Shang Ruyi had just arrived at this mansion on the second day, rather unfamiliar, and upon leaving this courtyard and walking a certain distance, she faintly felt like she was lost.

Shang Ruyi hesitated as she looked around, wanting to find a servant to ask the way, but at this moment, there was no one around.

Just as she was at a loss, a light sigh suddenly came from in front.

This sound caused her heart to sink.

Looking up, she realized she unknowingly walked near a pond—although the Duke Mansion in Daxing City was big and well-laid-out, its only flaw was the scarcity of water. Having walked half a day, there was only this one pond. Fortunately, the pond was sizable, with a tall rockery standing in it, and now as the sky turned dark, the moon was just rising, its clear light casting over the serene pond, reflecting a pool of radiance.

That radiance also shone on the face of a tall and elegant figure standing by the pond.

As soon as she saw that person’s back view, Shang Ruyi’s steps fell heavily, immediately intending to turn and leave.

Because that person was Yu Wenqian!

But just as she turned to leave, a soft, seemingly amused voice came from behind, leisurely saying, "Sister-in-law."

"...!"

Those two words, like an arrow, shot through her foot.

And pinned Shang Ruyi to the spot.

At this moment, neither leaving nor staying felt right, even turning back was difficult.

She never expected to encounter Yu Wenqian here, let alone thought that although she tried to avoid, Yu Wenqian still called out to her.

Could he not know that facing each other alone would be awkward, would be uncomfortable?

Despite her inner turmoil, since he had already spoken, Shang Ruyi couldn’t just walk away. Thinking of this, she took a deep breath and turned her face slightly to the side.

Under the moonlight, Yu Wenqian wore a blue robe, appeared indifferent, his eyes clear and cold, especially with the moonlight reflected from the pond making him look like a noble figure under the moon, isolated from the world.

Shang Ruyi said, "Elder brother, I have some matters, so I’ll first—"

She hadn’t finished speaking, nor taken a step to leave, when she saw a faint smile appearing on that handsome face.

Yu Wenqian said, "Sister-in-law, if you just walk away now, then in the coming years, our interactions will only become more awkward, more uncomfortable than right now."