Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

The snow continued to fall, fluttering down like shattered jade, adorning the back mountain of Ci'an Temple like a magnificent palace. All was silent except for the rustling sound of the wind and snow.

Qin Keqing silently followed behind Shui Rong, the snow under her feet crunching softly, each step feeling like a gentle thud on her heart.

The name "Qin Zhongxun" that Shui Rong had just mentioned struck her like a thunderclap, lingering in her mind.

Rumors had long circulated that Qin Zhongxun, the Minister of War, had lost his beloved daughter years ago, and that the child's age and birth date subtly matched her own. Could it be... the Prince's intention? A storm raged within her, her steps slowing, her brow furrowed in deep thought.

"Qing'er".

Shui Rong, who was ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around. Seeing her looking down with her head down and her brows furrowed, as if she were deep in thought, he already understood what was going on.

A gentle smile played on his lips, his tone slightly teasing: "What's wrong? I just told you not to overthink things, and now you're lost in thought?"

As he spoke, he slowly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings. This was the very top of the back mountain of Ci'an Temple, a place rarely visited by anyone. The mountain was covered in snow and the air was filled with a chilling fragrance. Only the black-clad guards were hidden among the trees, protecting this corner so tightly that no outsiders could disturb it.

"Although Cixi Temple is a sacred Buddhist site, it is also a royal property." Shui Rong's voice was deep and warm, like jade, with an undeniable certainty. "Right now, it's just the two of us in this world, so feel free to be at ease and don't be bound by formalities."

Before he finished speaking, he stretched out his long arm and firmly embraced Qin Keqing's slender waist.

Qin Keqing gasped in surprise, her body swaying slightly before she fell into a warm and firm embrace.

Shui Rong's arms were strong, holding her tightly in his embrace. His large sable coat wrapped around her petite body, making them appear as if they were one, inseparable.

Shui Rong leaned down and took a deep breath of the scent from her hair—the unique sandalwood of the temple, mixed with her own cool, plum-like fragrance. In this frigid snowy weather, it stirred a burning heat throughout his body.

"Too thin."

His voice whispered close to her ear, tinged with a slightly hoarse sigh. His palm, through the thin, soft robe, gently caressed the delicate skin of her waist. "Your waist is so slender it seems it would break at the slightest touch. From now on, your three meals a day will be delivered by the royal chefs of the Prince's Palace. Just order whatever you want to eat; you don't need to abide by the temple's rules. The so-called prayer for blessings is just a pretext."

Qin Keqing nestled in his arms, feeling the burning heat from his chest and the rich masculine scent that made her blush.

She could clearly sense the subtle changes in the person behind her. That faint sense of aggression made her heart pound like a drum and her cheeks burn like fire, but she didn't say anything. She just leaned against him obediently, her fingertips secretly clenching his clothes.

Shui Rong's hands gradually became restless, slowly moving down her supple back, the force gentle yet possessive.

His breathing grew heavier, his warm breath brushing against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. "Your Highness..." Qin Keqing's voice was barely audible, tinged with a barely perceptible tremor, as it escaped her lips.

"Hmm?" Shui Rong's hand stopped at her waist, his fingertips applying slight pressure, as if to soothe her, or perhaps to tease her.

Qin Keqing suddenly turned around and looked up at him.

Those almond-shaped eyes, which were usually misty, were now surprisingly bright, as if they were filled with the light of falling snow.

She extended her slender fingers and gently placed them on his lips, stopping his unfinished actions. Her cheeks were as red as ripe cherries, yet a hint of shy determination lingered in her eyes: "Your Highness, this is a temple... It's inappropriate with Buddha before us."

Shui Rong raised an eyebrow, secretly amused by her self-deceptive behavior. He was a transmigrator and didn't believe in ghosts or gods—except for the God of Wealth, whom he respected to some extent.

But looking into the clear pleading in her eyes, he finally suppressed his desire and slowly nodded.

When Qin Keqing saw that he had agreed, she felt a pang of panic, afraid that she would spoil his fun.

Looking into Shui Rong's deep, ocean-like eyes, her heart was filled with tender emotions. Suddenly, she stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Because of the height difference, she had to stand on tiptoe with difficulty. Her soft lips brushed lightly against the corner of his lips before she hurriedly withdrew them, like a startled butterfly, burying her face in his neck.

Her warm breath brushed against his ear and neck, sending shivers down his spine. Her voice was so soft and sweet it seemed to drip with moisture: "If...if Your Highness truly cannot bear it, this servant...this servant is willing to return to the Prince's residence with you."

The last few words, as thin as a spider's thread, were almost swallowed up by the wind and snow.

Shui Rong was shocked, never expecting that this gentle woman would take the initiative to invite him.

The warm breath brushed against his sensitive spot, and the anger he had just suppressed instantly flared up, even more intense than before, making his heart clench. He was momentarily stunned, thinking to himself that this was progressing far too quickly, and forgot to speak.

Qin Keqing waited for a long time without receiving a response, and her heart sank to the bottom. She assumed that he was angry because he thought she was shameless.

Tears welled up in her eyes instantly, and her eyelashes clung wetly to her eyelids.

She mustered all her courage, grabbed Shui Rong's hand, and tremblingly pressed it against her chest—her most private and tender place. She wanted to use this honesty to prove her feelings.

"Qing'er! You're being ridiculous!"

Shui Rong snapped back to his senses, hurriedly pulled his hand away, and instead hugged her even tighter, his voice tinged with panic, but mostly with suppressed gasps.

He cupped her face in his hands and saw her eyes reddening and her pitiful appearance. His anger instantly turned into tenderness. He gently wiped away the tears that were about to fall from the corners of her eyes and coaxed her softly, "Silly girl, I'm not angry. I was just lost in thought. Seeing you like this makes my heart ache."

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing instantly stopped crying, her tears turning into a smile, and her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Looking at Shui Rong in front of her, Qin Keqing felt an indescribable surge of emotion. She mustered her courage, reached out and gently wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her body slightly closer.

The thin fabric couldn't keep out their warmth; the softness of her shoulder pressed lightly against his chest through the clothes, and the subtle touch made Shui Rong's breath catch in his throat.

Watery fingertips, slightly cool, moved slowly up the fabric of her clothes at her waist, finally landing on the belt of her sable coat on her shoulder.

With a slight tug of her fingertips, the loosely tied strap came undone, and the coat slipped down one shoulder, revealing the slender shoulder line outlined by the plain white robe underneath.

A cold wind swept by, and Qin Keqing couldn't help but shiver, but she made no attempt to dodge.

She slowly raised her head, her gaze meeting his directly. Her eyes held a hint of submissiveness and barely perceptible shyness, with a faint blush creeping up the corners of her eyes, standing out vividly against the snowy backdrop.

Shui Rong's gaze fell on her moist lips; the fleeting sensation from that brief touch still lingered on his tongue.

He no longer suppressed his feelings, lowered his head and slowly approached. This kiss lost its previous tentativeness and gentleness, and gained a sense of urgency that had been suppressed for a long time. Between their lips and teeth, there was only tenderness and lingering affection.

Qin Keqing stiffened slightly, then slowly closed her eyes, tiptoed, and awkwardly responded to his kiss.

Her hands gripped his clothes tightly, her breathing became erratic, a fine shiver ran through her body, and her mind went blank, completely enveloped by his cool yet scorching aura, leaving no room for anything else.

As their lips and teeth mingled, Shui Rong's hand gently slipped inside her slipped coat. Without any extra movements, he simply stroked her back through the plain white robe, feeling the delicate texture and amazing suppleness of her skin beneath the fabric.

Qin Keqing's body suddenly tensed, and a very soft, faint moan escaped her throat, almost imperceptible, carrying a hint of something indescribable.

Her cheeks were burning hot, but she gently turned her head, revealing her slender neck, letting his kisses slowly descend along her jawline, leaving a few faint marks on her cool skin.

Snowflakes landed on their hair and shoulders, but they were completely unaware, only their burning body heat and rapid heartbeats intertwining in the wind and snow.

After a long while, Shui Rong finally stepped back slightly, tucked her coat back into place, gently smoothed her disheveled hair, and said softly, "Alright, don't catch a cold. I've already arranged for someone to take good care of your father Qin Ye's teahouse, and I will have Zhao Zhong carefully instruct your younger brother Qin Zhong so that he can gradually take over the affairs of the Prince's mansion. From now on, you don't need to worry about their livelihood anymore; just stay here in peace."

Qin Keqing nodded obediently, her voice soft and gentle, still slightly breathless: "Yes, Qing'er understands. Father and my younger brother both wrote to me, and every word they uttered expressed their deep gratitude for the Prince's kindness."

"That's good." Shui Rong lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her smooth forehead, his fingertips lightly pinching her flushed cheeks.

The two strolled and chatted leisurely in the snow, their words filled with tenderness and affection.

Qin Keqing would occasionally reach out to brush the snow off his shoulder, her eyes filled with undisguised adoration and affection. Shui Rong also slowed his pace, accompanying her to admire the snow-covered mountains, occasionally whispering sweet nothings that made her blush and chuckle softly.

As darkness fell, the wind and snow intensified, and the twilight turned the mountains inky black. "I should head back home."

Shui Rong held her slightly cool hand and warmed it gently in his palm. "Remember, if you don't like living here, or if you suffer any grievances, just bring the Prince's token to find me, or send someone to deliver a message, and I will come immediately."

Qin Keqing nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed, her eyes filled with reluctance, yet she knew that parting was imminent.

She watched Shui Rong turn and leave, his dark figure gradually disappearing into the swirling snow until it vanished at the end of the mountain path. Only then did she reluctantly hob back to her meditation room, her small feet draped in the sable coat that still carried his scent.

At this moment, at the entrance of Ci'an Temple, the abbot and a group of monks were already waiting. Upon seeing Shui Rong's figure appear, they hurriedly bowed and greeted him with respectful and humble smiles: "Your Highness, please take care. Miss Qin is cultivating in seclusion in our small temple. This old monk will take good care of her and will never dare to let her suffer the slightest disturbance or grievance. Your Highness can rest assured."

Shui Rong nodded slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Haha, I certainly trust the presiding officer."

Having said that, he stepped onto the carriage.

With a crisp crack of the whip, the prince's servants drove off in a grand procession, their wheels leaving deep ruts as they rolled over the snow.

Only after the carriage had completely disappeared at the end of the mountain road did the abbot breathe a long sigh of relief, wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, and mutter to himself with lingering fear, "Amitabha, thank goodness, nothing went wrong. Otherwise, I'm afraid my head would be in grave danger."

How could he not know that this Prince Bei Jing was of noble birth and immense power? This Ci'an Temple, though seemingly peaceful, was actually teeming with the Prince's secret guards and royal spies. Let alone neglecting Miss Qin, even a slight frown from her could cost countless people their heads.

Inside the meditation room, Qin Keqing sat by the window, tightly clutching the hand that Shui Rong had just held. His warmth still lingered in her palm, and her cheeks remained burning hot.

The embrace and kiss in the snow, his gentle whispers, replayed in her mind again and again, making her heart pound like a drum, her heart pounding like a little rabbit, restless and uneasy.

She never imagined that someone of her background could receive such heartfelt treatment from the prince, who would arrange everything for her and offer her protection and tenderness.

That night, Qin Keqing couldn't sleep a wink.

The wind and snow outside the window continued, and the rustling sound seemed to transform into a deep, soothing whisper, lingering in my ears.

She leaned against the window, gazing at the falling snow, her heart filled with sweetness and shyness, her eyes holding anticipation for the future, unable to calm down for a long time.