Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

The carriage crunched and creaked as it rolled over the gravel.

The sandstorms of the land forsaken by the gods were kept outside the carriage curtains. Inside the carriage, a calming incense burner burned, its smoke rising gently before being dispersed by the ceiling.

Gu Xiang held the ancient book he had brought out from the Mountain Moving Sect in his hands, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

He was reading records about the ley lines of the Forsaken Land.

Although troops have already been mobilized in the main hall of the Mountain Moving Sect, the cost of feeding, relieving oneself, and maintaining the sect's protective formation for these 300,000 troops is astronomical.

Although the Zhou Dynasty's treasury was full, it could not withstand such extravagance.

He had to find a way to salvage something from this god-forsaken land to recover his losses.

Su Qing leaned back on the cushion, bored, and fiddled with the dragon-patterned jade pendant at Gu Xiang's waist.

She would sometimes stick the jade pendant to her face, and sometimes she would hold it in her hand and spin it around.

However, his eyes kept glancing at Gu Xiang.

This idiot started reading as soon as he got on the bus, and he's been reading for half an hour without even changing his posture.

Is that book prettier than her?

Su Qing pursed her lips, stretched out her toes, and gently kicked Gu Xiang's calf.

Gu Xiang didn't move, but simply turned a page of the book, his gaze still fixed on the obscure and difficult-to-understand runes.

Su Qing narrowed her eyes.

She sat up straight, moved closer to Gu Xiang, and waved her hand in front of his eyes.

"Prime Minister Gu."

Gu Xiang then raised her head, glanced at her with a somewhat blank look, and then softened her expression.

"What's wrong?"

Su Qing pointed to the book in his hand.

"What's so interesting about this lousy book? I've been reading it the whole way."

"Is your soul still trapped in that dark, gloomy hall of the Mountain Moving Sect?"

Gu Xiang smiled helplessly, closed the book, and placed it on his lap.

"Although the Mountain Moving Sect has submitted, the demons in this land abandoned by the gods are a major hidden danger."

"I'm thinking, could we use the earth's evil energy here to set up a new defensive line? That would save a lot of military spending."

Su Qing rolled her eyes.

"He never strays from his profession."

"You're on vacation right now, don't you understand?"

"His mind is full of money and soldiers; he's not afraid of working himself to death."

Gu Xiang reached up and rubbed his temples, then sighed.

"I'm used to it."

"These past few years, if I don't think about these things for a single day, I feel uneasy."

Su Qing's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

She looked at the faint dark circles under Gu Xiang's eyes, traces left by long-term excessive thinking.

Even now that she's back, this idiot's tense nerves don't seem to have completely relaxed yet.

Su Qing's eyes darted around.

She didn't want to see him looking so worried about the country and its people; it was too heavy-hearted.

She needs to find some fun for him.

Or rather, to cause some trouble.

Su Qing picked up a white jade kettle from the side.

This is something she brought from the Mountain Moving Sect. It contains spring water from the back mountain of the Mountain Moving Sect, and it's very sweet.

She uncorked the bottle and tilted her head back to take a sip.

Water droplets slid down the corners of her mouth, flowed over her fair neck, and disappeared into the depths of her red dress.

Su Qing stuck out her tongue and licked the water stains from the corner of her mouth.

Then she handed the kettle to Gu Xiang and blinked her alluring fox-like eyes.

"Gu Xiang, this water is good."

"It's quite sweet, would you like to try some?"

Gu Xiangzheng felt his mouth and throat were dry.

Without thinking much, he took the kettle.

He had fantasized countless times about being able to share a room with Su Qing like this, even if it was just to drink a glass of water or eat a meal.

Now that the person is in front of him, he feels only peace of mind.

Gu Xiang picked up the kettle, looked at the spout, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp.

The spring water was indeed refreshing and sweet.

"It's good."

Gu Xiang nodded and was about to put the lid on the kettle.

Then I heard an extremely exaggerated exclamation from the side.

"ah!"

Gu Xiang's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the kettle.

He turned his head and saw Su Qing staring wide-eyed, one hand covering her mouth, her face full of disbelief.

The way he looked made it seem as if he had seen Gu Xiang smash the Imperial Seal of the State.

"What's wrong?"

Gu Xiang was a little confused and subconsciously checked the water bottle in his hand.

It's not broken.

Su Qing pointed to the spout of the kettle, then to Gu Xiang's mouth, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks.

"Why...why are you drinking directly from the spout?"

Gu Xiang was stunned for a moment.

"Isn't this pot of tea... meant to be drunk this way?"

Su Qing bit her lip, her eyes flashing, looking ashamed and indignant as if she wanted to die.

"I...I wanted you to pour it into a glass and drink it."

"That spout... I just put it in my mouth."

"My lipstick is still on it!"

Gu Xiang glanced down at the spout of the teapot.

There is indeed a faint red mark on it.

That was the rouge on Su Qing's lips.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Su Qing shrank back, crossed her arms, and looked like she had been taken advantage of.

"Gu Xiang, you've changed."

"You used to be a gentleman who upheld propriety."

"How did you become so... so reckless?"

"You're... indirectly making a lewd gesture towards me!"

Gu Xiang looked at her affected manner and couldn't help but twitch his lips.

If it were someone else, they might have been fooled by her shy demeanor.

But he knew Su Qing too well.

If this vixen were truly shy, she would have already scratched you with her claws; she wouldn't be putting on an act here.

Gu Xiang didn't expose her.

He looked at Su Qing, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

"Lightweight?"

Gu Xiang lifted the kettle and gently stroked the red mark on the spout with his fingertips.

"Since Miss Su says it's frivolous, then it must be frivolous."

After saying that, he picked up the kettle again in front of Su Qing.

This time, he deliberately turned the pot around, and his lips landed precisely on the rouge mark.

Adam's apple bobbed.

Another big gulp of water went down.

Su Qing's eyes widened even more.

That idiot...

They've gone astray!

In the past, when he encountered such a situation, shouldn't he have blushed and apologized helplessly?

How come their skin is thicker than a city wall now?

Gu Xiang put down the kettle, pursing her lips as if she still wanted more.

"It is indeed sweet."

"It's even sweeter than the last one."

Su Qing: "..."

She originally intended to tease Gu Xiang and see how flustered he was.

As a result, she was teased instead.

Su Qing snorted and snatched the kettle from Gu Xiang's hand.

"shameless."

Gu Xiang felt great seeing her puffed-up face.

The commotion had also dispelled much of the dullness in my mind.

Su Qing, holding the kettle, caught a glimpse of Gu Xiang smiling at her from the corner of her eye.

Her competitive spirit resurfaced.

Want to see me make a fool of myself?

no way.

Su Qing raised the kettle to her lips.

Instead of wiping the spout, she pressed her lips directly against it.

Right where Gu Xiang just drank.

The position wasn't even slightly off.

She tilted her head back and slowly took a sip of water.

After finishing her drink, she put down the kettle and gently licked her moist lips with the tip of her tongue.

Then he raised an eyebrow at Gu Xiang.

That look in his eyes carried a hint of provocation, and also a hint of ambiguous, indescribable feeling.

"Prime Minister Gu's saliva doesn't taste very good either."

Gu Xiang's breath hitched.

The air inside the carriage seemed to thicken in that instant.

He looked at Su Qing's face, so close to his own, and at the glistening moisture on her lips.

My heart rate increased uncontrollably.

That vixen.

This is really bad.

Just as the two were staring at each other, the atmosphere gradually heated up.

Suddenly, Tu Ling's hoarse voice came from outside the carriage.

"Sir! Boss!"

"The weather's changing! It's going to rain!"

The voice just fell.

With a loud bang.

A thunderclap boomed in the sky.

Immediately afterwards, large raindrops began to pelt down.

The rain in the land forsaken by God comes quickly and fiercely.

A fierce wind, carrying rain, swept in with a howling sound.

The curtains in the car window, which were originally half-rolled up, were suddenly lifted up by the wind.

A damp, cold mist, carrying the earthy smell, instantly filled the carriage.

Gu Xiang was sitting directly facing the window.

The rain, carried by the wind, lashed straight at his face.

Gu Xiang was still holding the ancient book in his hand and didn't react for a moment.

Just then.

A hand suddenly reached out.

That hand was fair and slender, with light nail polish on its nails.

The red sleeve slipped down with the movement, revealing a section of jade-like forearm.

pat.

Raindrops hit that hand, splashing up tiny droplets.

Su Qing opened her palm and steadily blocked Gu Xiang's forehead.

It shielded him from the oncoming wind and rain.

Gu Xiang was stunned.

He looked at the hand in front of him.

Rainwater trickled down between her fingers and dripped onto his knee, quickly spreading into a dark patch.

Su Qing moved quickly.

It was so fast it seemed like it hadn't even been thought through.

It was a completely subconscious reaction.

Gu Xiang raised her head and looked at Su Qing.

Su Qing seemed to only then realize what she had done.

She blinked, looking at her wet hand and then at Gu Xiang, who was unharmed.

A hint of unease flashed across his face.

She withdrew her hand and casually wiped it on her clothes.

"What are you looking at?"

"I was afraid you'd get the book wet."

"This is a unique copy; we can't afford to pay for it if it gets damaged."

As Su Qing spoke, she reached out to pull the carriage curtain.

But because the wind was too strong, the curtain was being blown around wildly, and she couldn't hold it back even after tugging at it twice.

Gu Xiang reached out, past Su Qing's shoulder, and grabbed the fluttering curtain.

He pulled hard and fastened the curtain.

The carriage returned to calm.

The rain outside was still heavy, hitting the car roof with a dull thud.

Gu Xiang withdrew his hand, but did not sit back down.

He remained in that forward-leaning posture, very close to Su Qing.

So close you can smell the faint scent of peach blossoms on her.

"Su Qing".

Gu Xiang's voice was low and slightly hoarse.

"what?"

Su Qing turned her head away, avoiding his eyes.

That subconscious action just now made her feel a little embarrassed.

She clearly wanted to cause trouble and bully him.

Why did you protect her at such a crucial moment?

That's really pathetic.

Gu Xiang reached out and grasped the hand that Su Qing had used to shield her from the rain.

Her hands were cold.

It was still damp from the rain.

Gu Xiang placed her hand in his palm and gently rubbed it.

"My hands are wet."

Su Qing tried to pull her hand back, but couldn't.

"It's wet, so what? It won't melt."

Gu Xiang didn't say anything.

He took out a clean handkerchief from his pocket and carefully wiped the water stains off Su Qing's hands.

The movements were as gentle as if they were polishing a rare treasure.

After drying him, he didn't let go.

Instead, he held her hand tightly in his palm.

Warm her with your own body heat.

"From now on, let me handle these kinds of things."

Gu Xiang looked into Su Qing's eyes and said earnestly.

"I am a man."

"It's my turn to shelter you from the wind and rain."

Looking at his serious expression, Su Qing's initial awkwardness suddenly dissipated.

She pouted.

"With your build?"

"It'll fall over with a gust of wind, yet it provides shelter from the wind and rain."

Gu Xiang smiled.

"Though physically weak, his heart is hard."

"As long as I'm here, I won't let you get a single drop of rain."

Su Qing looked at him.

Looking at this dullard who used to only know how to read books.

Yet now he can utter such sweet nothings that make people blush and their hearts race.

Her heart softened completely.

But she still wouldn't let it go.

"Glib-tongued."

"Who taught you?"

Gu Xiang pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

"Self-taught".

Su Qing felt a heat on the back of her hand.

The heat traveled up my arm and burned all the way to my heart.

She snorted, her body swayed, and she fell directly into Gu Xiang's arms.

I found a comfortable position to curl up in.

I'm tired.

"Can I lean on your shoulder?"

Gu Xiang took the opportunity to put his arm around her waist, making her lean against him more securely.

"Go to sleep."

I'll call you when we arrive.

Su Qing closed her eyes, listening to the rain outside and smelling the pleasant scent of ink on Gu Xiang's body.

I felt a peace I had never known before.

That idiot.

Although it can be infuriating at times.

But in crucial moments, they are quite reliable.

Outside the train carriage.

Tu Ling, wearing a straw raincoat and with his neck hunched, drove the cart.

Rainwater streamed down its green fur, soaking it until it looked like a drenched radish.

It listened to the sounds made by the two people in the carriage.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"This rain couldn't have come at the worst possible time."

"It's already cold."

"I still have to eat this mouthful of dog food."

"I can't live like this anymore."

Tu Ling muttered to himself, and swung the whip even harder.

"drive!"

The carriage traveled through the rain.

The wheels rolled on, heading towards the capital city.

There is prosperity, power struggles, and storms.

But at the moment.

In this small carriage.

Only two hearts are closely intertwined.

And that longing that can never be fully expressed.

【Huanxi Sha - Encountering Rain While Driving】

The west wind sweeps across the ancient road at dusk, while the fragrant carriages and soft voices chat about farming.

A jade teapot is gently handed over to test the temperature of the tea.

Sudden rain and wind startled the curtains, I raised my hand to shield my forehead and protect my youthful beauty.

At this moment, silence speaks louder than words.