Chapter 16

Chapter 16

This was the first time I had looked at him so closely.

The brilliant starlight and the burning candlelight both paled before his golden eyes.

“What are you looking at?”

His voice was unusually gentle, making my heart tremble.

“I’m looking at your eyes. They’re beautiful.”

Leaning against his chest, I stood on my tiptoes, stretching my hand out as far as I could, but I still couldn’t reach his eyelashes.

He was high and unreachable, like the star I had foolishly wanted to pluck back when I was just a tree.

Perhaps it was because I was tired from straining my body, but I thought I heard him let out a soft chuckle.

I must have misheard.

Before I could think further, he actually tilted his head and lowered his face toward my palm.

Rather than saying I had touched the stars, it was more like the stars had fallen into my hands.

His features were right at my fingertips, allowing me to trace them carefully.

“It tickles.”

He blinked, his long lashes brushing against my palm.

It was wonderful.

I wondered who would be lucky enough to make him fall in love.

To be able to hold the stars in my arms for even a brief moment was enough for me.

Hearing my sigh, Cangyu sensed my thoughts. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke:

“…Are you going back to the West of Weak Water?”

“Yes.”

I rose from his lap, my bare feet stepping onto the stone floor of Cangyu Hall. The cold made me shiver.

He untied his Dark cloak and draped it over my shoulders.

He walked me to the door in silence.

“You don’t need to see me out,” I said, shaking my head. “In a little while, you’ll have to take over the Order of the Sun and Moon for Xuanya. Don’t let me delay you.”

He looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

“Help me take good care of Xuanya.” I turned and smiled at him. “I’m leaving now.”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Just as I was saying goodbye to Cangyu, a familiar voice from behind made me freeze.

Before I could turn around, I was pulled into a firm embrace from behind.

It was Sihun.

His voice didn’t have its usual frivolous and lazy tone. I could even detect… anger and tension?

Strange. A man as nonchalant as Sihun-who had remained completely indifferent even when Choulu cried at his palace gates for two days-could actually feel tense?

What was he nervous about?

As I was wondering, I heard Sihun whisper in my ear, his voice tight with gritted teeth:

“Little Peach Blossom, you’ve certainly grown bold, daring to run away from our wedding?”

Oh, I see! He was still acting!

Understanding his intent, I was just about to play along with him.

But Sihun interrupted me. He glanced sideways at Cangyu, who was standing still, and said with a fake smile:

“Pardon the scene, High God Cangyu.”

“My fiancée is a bit too playful.”

Right in front of Cangyu, Sihun picked me up in a bridal carry, tucking even my bare feet under his Silver Fox Fur Cloak.

The Dark cloak Cangyu had draped over me was casually untied by Sihun and left in a heap on the ground.

Sihun stepped over the cloak without looking back.

I wanted to turn my head to see Cangyu’s expression.

But Sihun pulled the cloak up, covering my entire head.

I poked my head out from under the cloak in protest, only to have him push it back down.

Isn’t a performance meant for an audience? Why keep acting when no one is watching?

“Hey, Sihun… Alright, he’s not looking anymore. Put me down.”

“No.” He held me even tighter.

“Listen to my explanation. I didn’t run away from the wedding. I was…”

“I’m not listening,” he snorted.

“Listen to me, I…”

Before I could finish my sentence, the cloak slipped to the ground.

Carrying me, he stepped into the Immortal Pool of Sihun Hall.

“But I don’t need to…”

I wanted to say I didn’t need the Immortal Pool to sustain me anymore.

“No, you do.”

Sihun’s clothes were completely soaked, clinging to his body just like my red gauzy dress.

I didn’t dare look around and kept my eyes fixed on my toes.

But he lifted my chin without a word, those peach blossom eyes of his actually showing a hint of jealousy:

“Wash yourself thoroughly. Don’t think I can’t smell that Stinky Crow on you.”

My face flushed instantly.

“Alright, Sihun, stop acting. I’ll give you an extra chicken leg for lunch today, okay?”

I tried to push him away, but he easily neutralized my strength.

He pinned me against the wall of the Immortal Pool, leaving me nowhere to run.

The pool wall behind me was cool, but Sihun in front of me was burning hot.

Sihun buried his head in the crook of my neck, appearing somewhat vulnerable.

He remained silent, and though I pushed gently, he didn’t budge.

After an unknown amount of time.

I heard his voice, raspy and low.

He said:

“Ruogui, this isn’t fair.”