I’m catching up today.

Lu Xingzhou had no idea someone out there was self-flagellating. His relationship with Sheng Yuanyao had progressed naturally, fulfilling a long-held wish, and his heart was filled with contentment.

He had initially thought that even a formidable practitioner like Pei Chuyun, with her Enchantress’s Profound Art, couldn’t endure many rounds. Sheng Yuanyao had always seemed like the weakest in cultivation, and it was her first time, so he expected her to be even more fragile.

At first, he didn’t even dare to use the Great Joyful Bliss Sutra. That technique was too intense for the experience, and he feared Sheng Yuanyao wouldn’t be able to handle it, so he proceeded very cautiously.

But he forgot that Sheng Yuanyao had learned the Great Joyful Bliss Sutra with him. While he wasn’t activating his cultivation, Sheng Yuanyao instinctively began to.

Thus, like poles attracting, his own technique naturally started to operate, instantly bringing both of them into a state of heightened sensation.

Lu Xingzhou then confirmed that Pei Chuyun’s inability to endure wasn’t actually about the gender aspect of the cultivation method.

It was because the little demoness’s body tempering was insufficient; her cultivation path wasn’t focused on that. She relied entirely on the Enchantress’s Profound Art to show dominance in such matters. Once she lost the advantage of her technique, and it came down to physical endurance, the little demoness became a mere small fry, easily molded and manipulated.

Now, his Lu Xingzhou had tempered the Golden Dragon Body. How could a mere little demoness withstand that?

In contrast, the “Guamei” (Watermelon Girl) had been a martial cultivator from beginning to end, already very agile, like a leopard. This time, in the demon realm, she had further tempered a Wind-Thunder Body, and her resilience actually far surpassed that of the little demoness.

He noticed her legs, when wrapped around his waist, subtly showed some muscle definition. Lu Xingzhou even felt that before he had tempered his own body, she might have squeezed him to death.

The two of them actually fought fiercely, evenly matched for three or four rounds… Ultimately, it was Sheng Yuanyao who succumbed first.

No matter how strong her body tempering was, she couldn’t compare to the Dragon Emperor…

Long Qinghuang could manage seven rounds; why would his Ah Gua be able to?

Her legs, no matter how muscular, couldn’t hold on any longer. They dropped powerlessly, bouncing twice before going still.

She was drenched in sweat, her temples wet with stray hairs plastered to her forehead, as if she had just emerged from water, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

Lu Xingzhou found this state exceptionally beautiful.

But this “defeated GIF” even came with sound. Sheng Yuanyao, despite being completely exhausted, still murmured, “Why could Long Qinghuang do seven times… I’m not convinced…”

Her voice was already hoarse, yet she was still unconvinced… Lu Xingzhou was both exasperated and amused. He took a silk scarf to wipe her sweat. “You, honestly…”

After wiping her sweat, he then cleaned up the mess from their battle. Sheng Yuanyao slowly came back to herself a little, her gaze shifting to his face. Seeing his focused and gentle expression, her heart also softened. “Xingzhou…”

“Hmm?”

“So this kind of thing really is this comfortable… and my cultivation increased a lot.”

Lu Xingzhou simply smiled.

Sheng Yuanyao softly reached out and tugged at him. “Don’t wipe anymore, come lie down.”

Maybe she’d want to again after resting. Why bother wiping? Humph.

Lu Xingzhou readily lay down. Sheng Yuanyao comfortably nestled herself into his shoulder. “If I had known it was this comfortable, I wouldn’t have been so stubborn. What ‘brothers’… Hmm, even if we were brothers, it could still be enjoyable.”

Lu Xingzhou kissed her forehead. “My Ah Gua has her principles, and that’s a virtue. Now that we are officially engaged, opening our hearts without any worries, that’s what’s truly meant by ‘wind and dew meet, fruit ripens and falls’.”

“What do you mean ‘my Ah Gua,’ and then ‘fruit ripens and falls’?” Sheng Yuanyao found it amusing and lightly punched him. No matter how much she loved eating melon (gossip), she never thought her nickname was Ah Gua, although old Sheng sometimes called her a ‘gua’ (fool/melon). Were these two ‘gua’ the same meaning?

However, Sheng Yuanyao also knew that if Lu Xingzhou had wanted to coax her into bed earlier, she, who already liked him, would likely not have resisted sweet words and would have been completely taken advantage of long ago. He hadn’t done so, showing sufficient respect for her principles, and had been quietly planning a proposal in his heart.

Although there were quite a few “objects of affection,” well, she wouldn’t dwell on that. In any case, Sheng Yuanyao could feel his sincerity, which made her heart soften even more, and she felt a bit annoyed with herself for her unnecessary resistance… She actually guessed that Pei Chuyun had already “been there, done that,” and with Long Qinghuang, who knew if there were others… Anyway, he would take responsibility, but her insistence meant she had no idea what number she was in line, a huge loss.

If he had harbored ill intentions from their first meeting, she would have easily been first. Sob, sob, who had known him earlier than she did! Speaking of those who harbored ill intentions from their first meeting, Sheng Yuanyao herself actually counted, as Lu Xingzhou was very handsome. This was called a mutual attraction, both being infatuated.

With a mix of sweet and regretful feelings, Sheng Yuanyao comfortably nestled in the man’s arms and drifted off to sleep.

She had been utterly exhausted earlier.

Yuan Muyu looked at the sky; it was already faintly white.

She had no idea what her heart had been thinking all night… The falling snow gradually covered her head and shoulders during the night, like a head of white hair overnight.

Today was the Winter Solstice.

Yuan Muyu slowly brushed off the snow on her body, then slowly leaned on the porch pillar to stand up.

She wanted to see how good they were… And she had seen it.

Pei Chuyun said, “He helped me a lot and asked for nothing in return, only to have a relationship…” So she had one. Now look at the exact same situation; what was she doing?

Ye Tinglan said, “There are things here I can’t bear to leave, so even the immortal realm means nothing.” Now look at the exact same situation; what was she doing?

Sheng Yuanyao had offered a withered grass ring, worthless in itself, yet deeply cherished. Now look at herself: ten years of deep affection, cast aside like a worn-out shoe.

She said she loved him… Compared to them, where was her love?

Things in the world always move forward, not according to anyone’s will, just as snowflakes arrive with winter, and a young man who leaves home will find his own destination.

No one waits for you in place.

Yuan Muyu finally turned to glance at the houses over there, then silently departed.

If one truly wished to sever emotional ties, this experience should provide complete assistance.

The young couple woke up the next day already with the sun high in the sky… Hmm, that description wasn’t quite accurate, as the snow was falling heavier, and thick clouds covered the sky, blocking the sun.

However, faint human voices could be heard from the Qingyao Garden—Qingyao Garden was a paid tourist attraction. With the first snow of the year, people had come here to admire the snow.

Sheng Yuanyao looked up at Lu Xingzhou, who was also looking at her. They exchanged a smile.

Sheng Yuanyao got up and dressed, grumbling, “Looking at the time, who knows how long ago we should have started work.”

“Still thinking about that?” Lu Xingzhou got up and embraced her from behind. “My lady, do you not know today is the Winter Solstice, a day off from official duties?”

Sheng Yuanyao blinked, then remembered. “Really, it is… What a loss, what a loss.”

“What loss?”

“I should have stopped it from opening today too.”

“So General Sheng admits that this place was pre-arranged yesterday?”

Sheng Yuanyao’s face flushed. She angrily stomped on his foot. “I arranged it myself only to be completely devoured by you. Are you proud of yourself?”

“I’m only proud I found a good wife.” Lu Xingzhou embraced her, and they secretly peeked out the window into the distance.

They could faintly see young men and women scattered by the lake below, holding oil-paper umbrellas, admiring the snowy lake scenery, and seemingly reciting poetry. Sheng Yuanyao chuckled. “You poets are so interesting, coming out in this heavy snow, holding umbrellas. Is this paying to self-flagellate?”

“Why ‘us poets’? I’m not one.”

“You’re not? With the verses on your stone tablet, acclaimed by the literati and poets in the capital as ‘one tablet that stabilizes the capital’,” Sheng Yuanyao said with a smile. “If it weren’t for your tablet, this Qingyao Garden, where people once died, wouldn’t be so popular now.”

“That’s good, then. We’re making money. They play their way, we play ours.” As Lu Xingzhou spoke, his hand slipped into Sheng Yuanyao’s newly donned clothes.

Warm and smooth, how delightful.

Sheng Yuanyao’s breathing quickened slightly, but she didn’t stop the man’s hand.

Times were different now. They were about to get married, and a man’s infatuation with her body was something to be happy about.

It was just the feeling of people in the distance that made Ah Gua feel a bit shy, so she whispered, “I… I’ll go tell them that the guest house won’t be open today. Then, whatever you… you want to do, it’s… all fine.”

Actually, the guest house was a whole area, not just this small courtyard. It was like staying in an inn, and there was no need to book the entire place.

It was just that the young general, now a newlywed wife, was still a bit shy.

Lu Xingzhou naturally wouldn’t argue with her small request. The two held hands and left, intending to find the manager here to give instructions.

As soon as they stepped out onto the stairs, they saw a group of men and women walking up the mountain.

The person leading them was very familiar. Who else could it be but the famous talented lady of the capital, Miss Pei?

Sheng Yuanyao immediately understood how these inexplicably ill-timed snow-admiring poets had appeared. Her silver teeth ground together. “Pei Chuyun, are you looking for trouble?”

Pei Chuyun stopped, her eyes scrutinizing Sheng Yuanyao several times, focusing particularly on a certain area. Her tone was cool. “The marriage hasn’t even been fully discussed yet, and you’re already… Tsk, General Sheng is truly as eager as a wolf or tiger.”

“Who’s truly as eager as a wolf or tiger, I wonder.” Sheng Yuanyao immediately asserted her authority as the owner. “My apologies, everyone, the mountain guest house is not open today. If you wish to sightsee, please go to the lake.”

Someone said, “In this heavy snow, how can we tour the lake?”

“That’s none of my business as a general. Whoever invited you here, go find them.” Sheng Yuanyao raised her voice. “Steward Zhang, close the mountain gate and send our guests away!”

Pei Chuyun said, “We paid for a full tour of the grounds, including accommodation!”

“We’ll refund you.” Sheng Yuanyao put her hands on her hips. “Is it only your Pei family that has money?”

Pei Chuyun sighed. “Spendthrift woman.”

She was about to say more, but Lu Xingzhou pinched her ear.

Pei Chuyun: “?”

Behind them, a group of young men and women, literati and poets, stared in astonishment.

Lu Xingzhou pulled Pei Chuyun closer, putting one arm around Pei Chuyun and the other around Sheng Yuanyao, speaking with full voice: “My apologies, everyone. Today, our family is celebrating the Winter Solstice, and even the lake is closed. Full refunds will be given, along with a travel compensation. Please accept this small token of our regard.”

People stared blankly at him, with one woman on each arm.

Was it money that we cared about?

You chased us away, and then what do you, one man and two women, intend to do here? Huh?