She accidentally flirted with the villain and was fiercely criticized as the regent for forcibly mar

The tent darkened, but the orange-red light from the large brazier at the tent entrance shone through the thick tent, allowing one to see the outlines of the surroundings, though those outside could not see inside.

Jin Yu and Yun Mi took their blankets and went out. They laid out the sleeping bags that their master had prepared at the tent entrance, then crawled inside and slept side by side, neither afraid nor feeling cold.

With guards both in the open and in the shadows, they didn't need to worry about their master's safety and could sleep peacefully.

The camp was quiet, with only the sound of the patrol's footsteps and the chirping of an unknown bird in the grass, its calls long and short, without rhythm, making even those who couldn't sleep begin to doze off.

midnight.

The patrolling Imperial Guards bypassed the small tent.

The curtain was lifted.

A tall figure entered, skillfully avoiding obstacles, and smoothly arrived at Jiang Ruining's bedside.

He lifted the bed curtains, sat on the edge of the bed and quietly watched the sleeping girl for a while. He took off his clothes, revealing only the thin skin she liked, gently lay down on her, and pulled her into his arms.

It was a chilly late autumn night.

I wasn't cold under the thin blanket, but I didn't feel warm either.

As the familiar heat source enveloped her, Jiang Ruining turned over in her sleep, sniffed the air, and finding the temperature just right, naturally wrapped herself around the heat source. After a satisfied sigh, she continued to snore away.

Xiao Che felt tightly bound to her, yet also satisfied, as all his longing found a peaceful place to settle.

Seeing her adorable, unguarded demeanor, I chuckled and tapped her nose: "Who's the puppy here?"

Jiang Ruining wrinkled her itchy nose.

I could vaguely hear his voice in my ears, and I wanted to retort, "You, you little dog," but I was so sleepy and lazy that I didn't say a word and fell asleep again.

Xiao Che gazed at her for a long time in the dim light before closing his eyes and falling asleep together.

Jiang Ruining woke up again, feeling suffocated.

Xiao Che is kissing her.

Jiang Ruining's heart was pounding, her breath was rapid, and beneath her palms were his young, strong muscles, hot and silky smooth. Her hands could wander endlessly, her body felt light, but her heart felt a little dead.

Because she hasn't washed her face or brushed her teeth yet!

How could this guy even bring himself to kiss her?

"Waaah!" Jiang Ruining tried to push him away, but he seemed to have anticipated her reaction. He grabbed both her wrists with one hand and pressed them above her head, while his other hand held the back of her head, preventing her from moving an inch!

After finally getting him to open up, Jiang Ruining felt like she was seeing stars and was about to faint!

She frantically pressed down on his burning hot hand and firmly refused to take the next step.

"No!"

Xiao Che's thin skin tensed, his body burning hot. He braced himself on his arms, meeting her gaze, his deep eyes filled with intense passion: "Still angry?"

"No." Jiang Ruining shook her head, struggling to pull her hand away: "Let go of me first!"

Xiao Che stared at her. It was still dark, and the only light they could get was from the brazier outside the tent. But they were so close, and he could see her flushed body; she was clearly aroused. "Don't you want to be intimate with me?"

"Oh no!" Jiang Ruining frowned coquettishly, glared at him with a huff, and then turned her face away: "Xiao Che, you're hurting me."

Say "no".

She stopped being affectionate with him and wouldn't even look at him.

No matter how Xiao Che looked at her or listened to her, it seemed like he was being rejected.

The fiery passion surrounding him vanished in an instant. Besides frustration, there was a slight, uncontrollable panic, but he still released her wrist: "Why?"

Jiang Ruining pushed him away, rolled out of his arms, and grabbed the blanket to cover half her face: "I haven't brushed my teeth or washed my face yet, why are you kissing me!"

Xiao Che watched as she hid her mouth, her large, exposed eyes glaring at him coquettishly, as if he had ruined something she was trying so hard to protect, and she was very dissatisfied.

But he was very satisfied.

Because he knew a principle: a woman only pays special attention to her image in front of someone she cares about!

This realization made Xiao Che very happy. His sense of loss transformed into a captivating spring breeze, mixed with an unseen floral fragrance.

"Just because of... this?"

Jiang Ruining's dissatisfaction escalated: "What do you mean 'just this'! This concerns my image, it's very important, okay? What if I keep my mouth shut all night and... it smells bad? A kiss would have been fine, but you had to kiss me inside!"

Xiao Che breathed a sigh of relief, and in the instant he chuckled, he pulled her back into his arms, placed her hand on his abs, and pressed his shirtless upper body against hers: "No, you smell wonderful! I don't mind."

Jiang Ruining covered her mouth with one hand while the other roamed freely, saying in a muffled voice, "But I dislike you... Even though you smell nice, a morning kiss is better after washing up!"

Xiao Che's fingertips traced a path from her brow to her eyes, cheeks, earlobes, and neck, moving slowly and deliberately, seemingly close yet distant.

Jiang Ruining's body went limp from his teasing, feeling a tingling, numb sensation all over. She wanted to be intimate with him, but her obsession with washing up made her hold back!

Xiao Che looked into her wide, restrained eyes, where a small flame flickered. One second she wanted to pounce on him, the next she held back, going back and forth. In the end, she covered her mouth even tighter.

Although he failed to seduce her into losing control, her adorable appearance still melted his heart, and his cool, pale amber eyes shone gently in the dim light.

He released her, got out of bed, took out the kettle that was warming in the incense burner, and helped her wash up.

Jiang Ruining looked at the mouthwash brush and warm water he handed her: "..." She felt like she was participating in the pre-preparation of "food". What was going on?

Xiao Che bent down and kissed her on the cheek: "Shall I help you?"

Jiang Ruining was taken aback.

Should I help her brush her teeth?

Are you kidding me!

She took the soft brush: "I'll do it myself, don't just watch, go brush your teeth too!"

Xiao Che turned around and looked at the bronze mirror.

There wasn't much light, and he could only vaguely see her brushing her teeth while tilting her head and thinking about something. She looked so cute, which made his heart flutter.

The noise inside was very quiet, but it still woke up the maid outside the tent.

He peeked his head in gently and asked, "Your Highness, is there anything you require?"

Xiao Che wasn't surprised that the little girl knew he was there, and said in a low voice, "It's okay, go to sleep."

Jin Yu responded and pulled her little head back.

The two finished washing up.

He lay back down.

Xiao Che hugged her and kissed her.

Intense, gentle... tender and lingering, passionate and unrestrained.

But at the very last moment...

Xiao Che's rationality was about to collapse. He forcefully supported her lower back and pressed her against his hot, beloved body: "I've already washed up."

Jiang Ruining hugged him, her voice and body soft and yielding: "The soundproofing here isn't good; anyone outside will hear us if we make a sound!"

Xiao Che whispered in her ear, "I'll be gentler."

Jiang Ruining shook her head.

Xiao Che pressed his cheek against hers, accusing her in a seductive yet husky voice, but he did not forcefully take her side; he respected her wishes: "You're bullying me."