The night was a time of quiet. Many tents had extinguished their fires for rest, but the lamp in Fang Ning's tent was still lit. Jun Yi was sewing, yawning occasionally, while Jun Qiang had long been asleep. Fang Ning then put down her work and whispered to Jia Wu to pack up and prepare for bed.

    "How much longer until we reach the border?"

    "About ten days, Your Highness," Jia Wu hurriedly opened a parcel, taking something from it and throwing it into an incense burner before quickly folding the paper and hiding it in her robe. "May I be so bold as to ask, why did the princess hire that wild hunter? He doesn't seem trustworthy at all."

    Indeed... He had clearly shown the differences between men and women with his foul words... that piercing gaze... that proud smile... Everything warned her to stay away, yet Fang Ning couldn't stop thinking about him. She pondered this as she slowly combed her hair.

    "Your Highness..." Jia Wu called out to test her, and it took Fang Ning several moments to respond, unaware she had inhaled the subtle, intoxicating scent from the incense burner, making her feel dizzy. She raised her hand to her forehead.

    "Your Highness, you've been embroidering for hours without a break, it might strain your eyes."

    "Mmm... I'm tired... I want to go to bed now."

    Jia Wu helped Fang Ning change her clothes. As she looked outside the tent, she saw the silhouette of Dong Yang standing guard. Jia Wu smiled secretly to herself, but then the annoying singing of that hunter echoed faintly. She pursed her lips tightly, deciding not to signal Dong Yang until she was sure no one else would interrupt.

    "That man is so impolite. Tomorrow morning, you should order Cheng Xi to dismiss him, Your Highness. His speech is so crude, showing no respect for rank at all."

    "Do we have anyone in our procession who can take down a tiger with a single blow?"

    "Uh... I thought the princess wanted more protection."

    "No need, Dong Yang is enough to take care of me. But the closer we get to the border, the more uneasy I feel. Our soldiers keep disappearing one or two at a time; it's not normal. Since A'Jin hunts in these parts, he must know the area well. If there's indeed a group secretly following us, at least I can rely on this man's tracking skills. Besides... I feel like his demeanor contradicts his appearance... somewhat."

    "Full beard, looks like a fierce bandit but quite handsome, right?" Jun Yi asked with a smile, admiring the man who had saved her from the tiger. The thick stubble on his jaw was so charming that Jun Yi was mesmerized, but Fang Ning shook her head thinking of his gaze.

    "He's a scoundrel."

    Meanwhile... Fang Ning's scoundrel sneezed loudly three times in a row, without apparent reason. The subordinates of Yan Shi Jin, who had sneaked in again to emphasize orders from Prince Yan Shen, looked at each other because of the third prince's sneezing, which turned his face both black and red.

    "Who's gossiping about me? Come on, if you have something to report, say it quickly."

    "Uh... Shen Wang warns that we are now in the territory of the Li Region. The third prince might be in danger. Please issue an order to kill, Your Highness. With only these soldiers, your servants can handle it easily."

    "I knew it was dangerous from the start; that's why I came," Yan Shi Jin muttered, fingering the blade's edge. "Any news about my sister?"

    "None, Your Highness. If the princess were still alive, the Li Region wouldn't be silent. Shen Wang thus presumes that the princess has passed away."

    Yan Shi Jin slammed the knife down on the table forcefully. "Understood. You take care of eliminating the soldiers who went out to call for help. Prepare Li Region uniforms and bows for our men to wear. I'll smear Lian Wang, and as for Princess Fang Ning... I'll decide later whether she lives or dies."

    "But Shen Wang wants her head..."

    "Go away, I don't like to repeat myself."

    "Yes, Your Highness."

    As his man retreated, Cheng Xi arrived just in time to see Yan Shi Jin, half-naked, lounging comfortably in his own tent despite the freezing dew outside. This man was not only unshaken but was also undressed without concern for decency. Knowing this person was extraordinary, but Cheng Xi still couldn’t figure out who he was, so he try to strike on the head with his trusted halberd.

    "Ah, what, can't we talk first before starting trouble?"

    Cheng Xi's halberd halted mid-air, effortlessly caught by Yan Shi Jin who had simply picked up his own halberd lying nearby. No matter how hard Cheng Xi pressed, his halberd wouldn't budge. Meanwhile, the towering figure of Yan Shi Jin didn't show even a hint of strain on his face. He sipped his tea while striking back, so swiftly that Cheng Xi could hardly follow the movements.

    "Looking for trouble? You’ve got it, take this!"

    Cheng Xi almost screamed from the pain in his hand, this halberd ’s touch was unforgettable. The force of the strike nearly shattered his bones, rendering his own halberd meaningless. Realizing he was outmatched, Cheng Xi threw his halberd away and sat down, slamming his teacup down forcefully.

    "Consider yourself tough! What do you want to command?"

    "I'm not your master; call me your comrade in arms instead."

    Cheng Xi blinked at the novel idea. "Comrade in arms? We're supposed to be guarding the princess to Han San, not going to war."

    "Sigh, that’s why you never get promoted with that slow brain."

    "You!"

    "We are being followed, likely by soldiers from the Yan Region. They want the princess. Don’t you think it’s time to do something?"

    "How do you know that?" Cheng Xi’s face paled.

    Because I am the commander from the Yan Region, of course. Yan Shi Jin feigned a stern face as he continued, "I always have my informants."

    "So, His Majesty sent you."

    Cheng Xi might as well believe that; Yan Shi Jin smiled, not confirming anything. His first task was to deal with Jia Wu and her minions. He thus ordered Cheng Xi to rearrange the camp formation, and Cheng Xi began to respect Yan Shi Jin for his superior strategic planning.

    "Triple the guards around the princess’s tent. Do you have a premonition of something bad?"

    "Something like that," Yan Shi Jin smiled while stroking his dagger. He didn't actually have a premonition but had learned from his intelligence. "I feel like someone is plotting against the princess. Tomorrow night, have your men dig pits around one of the tents, hide archers in them, and once done, invite her to rest there. Remember, tell no one, especially the princess’s people, and watch the show."

    "I understand," Cheng Xi was about to walk away to issue orders but then paused as if he had just thought of something. "A skilled person like you shouldn't just hide away in the forest. If you joined the army, you could surely defeat that wolf-commander. Once you're back from escorting the princess, I'll arrange for you to join Prince Xuan Long's forces."

    Yan Shi Jin rolled his eyes upward. "I need to take a dump, excuse me for a moment."

    "Pah!"

    As dawn broke, the horizon was edged with a crisp golden glow and the vast expanse of snow stretched as far as the eye could see. Yan Shi Jin stood within a forest of skeletal trees, heavy with snow. He twirled a knife in his hand as he listened to a report from a subordinate.

    "Qi Wang has been pursuing Prince Li Xuan Long's troops from the day they retreated. We should hear news soon. Li Xuan Long moves his armies swiftly and can separate his forces into ten with just a signal from his bow, not merely by horse or swordsmanship. Within five hundred steps, no one escapes his arrows. That's why Qi Wang warned to be wary of Li Xuan Long suddenly appearing."

    "Has Second Brother not dealt with this man yet? Let him come, I'll handle him myself. While infiltrating here, I will slowly delay our journey and alter our route. Have a couple of men disguised as woodcutters trick Cheng Xi into thinking the road ahead is cut off. Make sure you coordinate well."

    "Understood."

    "Keep me updated on Yong An's movements; it's crucial. I won't kill her until I'm certain my sister is truly dead."

    "But Shen Wang has ordered that we obtain Princess Fang Ning's head as soon as possible."

    "Jin Wang wants to delay to confirm the news first, do you understand?" Yan Shi Jin spoke in a sweet tone and narrowly missed a subordinate's face with his foot, kicking a tree behind so hard that snow from the branches fell on the subordinate. Everyone nodded without further argument, and Yan Shi Jin waved them off before turning to rejoin the traveling procession that was probably ready to move by now.

    But then his smirk swiftly faded when he saw Fang Ning standing amidst the snowy forest.

    "Who are you talking to, A’Jin?" Fang Ning asked cautiously, holding a small rabbit in her arms. Yan Shi Jin spread his arms wide to block her view.

    "Nobody at all, perhaps you're seeing things."

    Fang Ning looked again and found no one else; only him standing still. She squinted as if trying to discern the truth. "I heard you talking."

    "I like to sing while I'm relieving myself."

    "You're lying," Fang Ning frowned. "Don't lie to me, A’Jin..."

    "Hey! I came here for a private matter, you follow me secretly and now accuse me of lying? You don't trust me so much that you have to spy on me even in my private moments?"

    "I... I didn't. I was just following this rabbit. There… There were two of them, they appeared… appeared and then I... just..." Fang Ning's face turned deep red with embarrassment before it spread to her whole body. Yan Shi Jin took this chance to advance, and Fang Ning stumbled backward against a tree, almost falling, but managed to steady herself.

    "Hmm?... Woke up early, saw two rabbits, so you followed to catch them, got lost with your maid, and then found me, right? Mmm, mmm." Yan Shi Jin stroked his thickly bearded chin, observing her with overly keen interest in his eyes. "Quite a coincidence. I think you have a peculiar taste, perhaps you enjoy watching others relieve themselves more?"

    "Not like that."

    Fang Ning began stomping her feet louder than ever before, causing her to be startled, not realizing that she was being teased. Yan Shi Jin's lips curled into a wave to suppress a laugh, then he leaned down to tease her even more, "Beautiful lady... or perhaps you're so enchanted by me that you can't help yourself?"

    "No!"

    Fang Ning pursed her lips tightly and grunted defiantly. Amid the sprawling white snow, her cheeks turned a deep red, enhancing her beauty. Yan Shi Jin then leaned his arm against a tree, bending down to gaze closely at her; his daring look made Fang Ning decide to walk away. But just as she was about to step aside, the rotten tree she leaned against cracked and collapsed, causing her to fall backward down a sloping hill.

    "Be careful." Yan Shi Jin caught her arm just in time, but the rabbit in her arms wriggled free and kicked at his face, causing both to tumble down together.

    He held her tightly, cushioning her fall with his body as they rolled down the slope several times before coming to a stop. His body was scraped and bruised, so he quickly checked himself over, relieved that nothing was broken. Meanwhile, she was trembling and nestled into his embrace. Yan Shi Jin then hugged her, stroked her back to comfort her, and took the opportunity to rest his chin on her head.

    "Ah... your rabbit ran away. Are you hurt anywhere?"

    "I... I'm fine. What about you?" Her voice was soft and incredibly tender, stirring his already fluttering heart uncontrollably.

    "Just a little."

    "Where? Tell me quickly."

    "Here," he guided her hand to rest on his left chest and laughingly cursed at himself. Fang Ning was slightly bewildered before she looked up into his eyes, questioning.

    "Are you hurt in your chest? I'm sorry if I caused you pain."

    His heart was trembling. She was so exquisitely beautiful; beyond anyone he had ever encountered. Her eyes were as potent as her soft, lush, enticing lips. She was oblivious to her own beauty, or perhaps she simply didn't care. Her perfect beauty captivated him entirely. Yan Shi Jin then quickly shook his head, struggling to resist because he did not want to expose his vulnerability.

    He was unsure if he could look away from her. The only way was to make her back off.

    "Beautiful lady, I confess my heart is being overwhelmed by attraction," his voice husky, leaving a sweet trail in her heart. "I've discovered a desire hidden in our words. I swear to love you deeply, joyfully, and take you to a paradise you've never imagined. I will make you forget you're walking on the ground and moan near my lips."

    Their eyes met, and he knew what she would answer.

    "No,"

    Fang Ning was certain he was a womanizer. His eyes, dark as the dead of night, sparkled under thick lashes, his features sharp and handsome like a prince from a fairy tale. He swept his gaze over her sweet face, then down her body, ending at her toes.

    Fang Ning's face flushed crimson.

    Heaven! Why did just his gaze make her feel as if he was undressing her and savoring her deliciously? There was something irresistibly intense about this man, the epitome of raw masculinity. Just the look he gave her signaled danger. Fang Ning had to gather her wits to find an effective weapon, something to keep this man at a distance.

    "I would rather die than be touched by you."

    "Ah... Beautiful lady rejects me," he groaned upon receiving the answer he desired, the answer that pushed him to keep his distance from this honey-sweet princess. But his mischievous lips descended to brush against her soft, tender lips, pressing and tasting her with a sweeping tongue.

    Heaven be praised...

    She did not resist; perhaps she was too shocked to react, but never mind... Yan Shi Jin just understood what obsession was. Her scent and sweet moisture ignited his hungry instincts. He embraced her slim form effortlessly, pressing his lips softly yet intimately, as their tongues touched, he sighed deeply with pleasure.

    She sobbed, not struggling to escape, perhaps because her knees were weak. Her hands fluttered, unsure where to rest. Yan Shi Jin guided her hands to embrace him, then kissed her more passionately. His breath whirled like a storm, and he heard himself moan deeply. The soft tongue entwined with his was timid yet yielded to his tasting, sending shivers through his body, nearly melting into her smooth skin.

    "Please... stop, don't bully me."

    Fang Ning pleaded, and he had tried to restrain himself, tried to stop but instead ravaged her lips as if starved. Her small lips parted to accept the fervent touch he offered, pressing deeply, exchanging breaths repeatedly until they both murmured lowly enraptured.

    This kiss was the most exquisite he had ever imagined, far beyond countless times better. She was unbearably sweet. He wanted to change her kitten-like moans into deep, hot gasps. The closer he was, the more ecstatic he became, every muscle tensing, his control slipping more each moment until nearly breaking.

    He withdrew his lips before pressing them again; her kiss was quite dangerous. Yan Shi Jin was sure he had never given a kiss meant to devour like this, intending Fang Ning to sigh in blissful pleasure. But it turned out to be him melting first. Yet, as soon as he pulled away, she drew a short dagger from her robe, turning its blade toward herself.

    "Oh, my beautiful lady, are you going to kill yourself like this? Aren't you sorry for your life?" The young prince, in his rugged guise, pulled the dagger from her hand, internally screaming because he had not expected her to be so resolute. Fang Ning would rather die than be dishonored, so she wrestled the dagger from him, but Yan Shi Jin would not allow it.

    "Let me go. Get away!"

    "Your Highness, I am the one at fault, I should be punished, not you," his strong hand turned the dagger back into her hand, pointing the blade at his robust chest. "Stab me then."

    "Do not provoke me." Fang Ning grabbed the knife firmly, the blade pointed directly at his heart. Their eyes locked fiercely. Yan Shi Jin stood still, ready to accept his punishment, not dodging but instead pushing himself onto the blade until it penetrated half Chun[1] into his flesh. Fang Ning was the one who was shocked, the knife trembling in her hand.

    "Why won't you stab me?"

    "I have never hurt anyone. I..." Confused, angry, and frightened, she threw the knife away and burst into tears. Yan Shi Jin took a deep breath before kneeling before her.

    "Slap me until you are satisfied. Just one thing—do not harm yourself."

    "I can't. Just get out of my sight."

    "You won't harm others, but you don't hesitate to harm yourself. What if one fine day you decide to slit your own throat? Would I not become a sinner? I must stay until I am sure you won’t do something so foolishly impulsive again. Go on! Slap me. If you ever get angry about this again, just call me, and you can slap me anytime."

    "What foolish impulse? You are the one who did something foolish first!" Fang Ning bit her lip, holding back tears, and then she raised her hand and slapped him as hard as she could.

    Pat!

    Yan Shi Jin rubbed his cheek. Did she slap his cheek as loud as a pat? The beautiful princess wanted to slap him but was afraid he'd get hurt.

    Oh... The young prince let his head droop. She could beat him until he bled, and he would not complain. But her gentle, soft nature made him feel ashamed. Though most of his senses had returned to where they should be, heavens... he still wanted more.

    Fang Ning slapped his other cheek. Seeing the blood flow freely from the knife wound on his chest made her cry out in shock. Her face turned deep red, and she sobbed increasingly until she finally covered her face and cried loudly. Yan Shi Jin had never dealt directly with such a pear blossom drenched in rain, so he was at a loss.

    "Don't cry. I'm sorry. I was wrong. You can slap me more if you want." His robust frame turned left and right, wanting to punch himself in the face. She was as pure as the first snow of winter, and a brute like him still didn't know restraint. Yan Shi Jin became increasingly agitated like a monkey scalded by hot water. Finally, he picked some flowers and leaves, stuck them in his nose, and made a silly face at her.

    "Look, beautiful lady... the little dog apologizes."

    Fang Ning looked at him and paused, her face buried in her palms, and then she fell silent. Yan Shi Jin felt even more uneasy as her shoulders shook heavily without her beautiful eyes looking at him again. The young man then sweated with worry.

    "Ha-ha." Unable to hold back any longer, Fang Ning burst out laughing in a manner unbefitting a princess. She hit him while laughing, bringing Yan Shi Jin some relief. He let her hit him as much as she wanted without resisting. "You wild man... without manners... I will... beat you... ha-ha, until you're bruised... just wait, you mad dog, ha-ha."

    She didn't know whether to be angry or to laugh first. Tears streamed down her cheeks, indecisive. He was intolerably wicked, making her laugh until she couldn't think straight, breathless from the exertion. "I... my stomach hurts."

    "Are you unwell?" Yan Shi Jin immediately moved closer, but she pushed him away.

    "Don't touch me again," she said, wiping her tears. Her anger had significantly subsided. Fang Ning struggled to maintain her composure, for just one kiss from him had deeply shaken her, leaving her breath trembling and her body quivering. His kiss awakened something within her, making her imagine his thick, silky hair gently brushing against her skin, causing her to tremble intensely.

    She wiped the tears from her cheeks. No matter how much she tried to push him away, his tall frame kept moving closer. He wasn't approaching to take advantage, but rather to plead for forgiveness. Her cheeks burned with hatred for what he had done.

    "Let's go back. You've been gone so long; your servants must be terribly worried," Yan Shi Jin said as he picked up her dagger from the snowy ground, wiped off his blood, and handed it back to her. "If you think of harming yourself again, remember to aim at me, promise?"

    "..."

    "What do you say?"

    "Mmm," Fang Ning turned her face away before burying it in her palms, tears welling up because she couldn't bear to admit that the scent of his masculinity and his firm muscles were overwhelmingly seductive.

How embarrassing, truly embarrassing.

[1] One Chun is equivalent to one inch.