Liang Xiao turned around in confusion, only to see Jian Qinwan looking uneasy. He then glanced at the drop of blood on the bedsheet and couldn't help but chuckle.
"What's wrong?" Jian Qinwan looked at Liang Xiao, both embarrassed and annoyed.
The words she had just spoken had taken all the courage she possessed.
If he didn't appreciate it, he shouldn't be laughing!
"That would be too perfunctory for you," Liang Xiao sighed.
Jian Qinwan pouted, "Are you saying this blood flower isn't beautiful enough? Do you really know where the most beautiful flower in the world is?"
Liang Xiao nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and fell into a memory.
"When I was four or five years old, I was in a neighboring country when bandits wreaked havoc. In the end, everyone was buried under the ruins, and only I survived. The one who dug me out of the rubble was a soldier whose hands were covered in blood from digging tirelessly from night until dawn."
"Because of despair and fear, I cried intensely. He picked a fresh flower from the battlefield and gave it to me, comforting me with gentle words. I didn't cry again until he took me back to my own country. In my eyes, the most beautiful flower in the world was already in my hand, because it was a flower that had experienced war and blood, blooming at dawn."
"Among all the flowers in the world, no matter how vibrant and colorful, if no one imbues them with meaning, their beauty will ultimately be superficial."
Jian Qinwan listened intently and mumbled, "What happened then?"
"Later? He sacrificed himself... To avoid implicating his family and me, a wordless monument was erected before his grave. But I will always remember his face, he lives on in my heart." Liang Xiao's calm response brought tears to Jian Qinwan's eyes.
But Liang Xiao didn't tell her that this was also why he became a soldier later, and that he would eventually meet the same end.
Jian Qinwan listened engrossed, then suddenly remembered something, "Did he go abroad when he was young? The barren lands? Or Great Liang? Or the Western Regions?"
Liang Xiao also realized he had lost composure and chuckled, "My wife, you must not tell anyone about these words."
"Alright... Oh! You, why do you call me that again..."
Jian Qinwan was both shy and annoyed, not daring to look at Liang Xiao, but she felt a small thread of unwilling joy in her heart.
"I will be more careful next time and try not to take advantage of you," Liang Xiao smiled and nodded, looking at the girl half-hidden by the quilt.
Jian Qinwan then said, "Whatever you say... but you must not go on an adventure to the frontiers to pick such flowers. I only hope I will never cause you any trouble!"
"I promise you," Liang Xiao nodded solemnly.
Jian Qinwan was deeply moved. She quietly peeked her head out from under the quilt, stole a glance at Liang Xiao, and said, "But I can't sleep tonight, what should I do..."
"Then shall I tell you a story?" Liang Xiao said softly.
Jian Qinwan's face immediately lost all color, and she trembled, "Although this young lady fears nothing, with Yue Lian not here, you are not allowed to tell ghost stories... As for Journey to the West, let's save that for when there are more people. I don't want you to repeat it for others, you must be so tired."
Liang Xiao burst into laughter, "Then how about I tell you about Romance of the Three Kingdoms? You are a martial artist, perhaps you will like it more!"
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Tell me!" Jian Qinwan became spirited.
"The general trend under heaven is that after a long period of division, unity must come, and after a long period of unity, division must follow..."
A newlywed couple, who had not consummated their marriage on their wedding night, had the bride listening to the groom vividly recounting Romance of the Three Kingdoms all night...
As dawn approached, Jian Qinwan's energy only grew with the story.
"I can't sleep at all..." Jian Qinwan said charmingly.
"Then don't blame me. If I stop, you'll urge me to continue," Liang Xiao pouted.
"Isn't it because you can't sleep either..." Jian Qinwan smiled charmingly, but seeing that it was almost dawn outside, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Liang Xiao then took off his groom's attire and walked towards Jian Qinwan.
Jian Qinwan's pretty face blushed, but she made no sound, merely letting Liang Xiao lie down.
The two of them were unusually in sync at this moment.
The Qin Saint might come to check on them at any moment, so they had to put on a show!
Sharing a bed and quilt with a man for the first time in her life, Jian Qinwan trembled inside the blanket, not daring to look at Liang Xiao.
"Will my master see through this?" Jian Qinwan finally couldn't help but ask.
"We'll see when he does," Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
Jian Qinwan's heart fluttered wildly. Mustering her courage, she directly wrapped her arms around Liang Xiao's arm under the covers.
The astonishing sensation from his arm sent Liang Xiao's blood surging, nearly causing him to have a nosebleed!
This seductive vixen...
He had almost given in to the urge to flip her over and have his way with her!
"Can this fool him?" Jian Qinwan asked weakly.
"Probably, I just feel a bit shortchanged," Liang Xiao sighed.
"Shortchanged of what?" Jian Qinwan looked up curiously at Liang Xiao, her breath like a fragrant breeze.
Liang Xiao suppressed his surging emotions and said resentfully, "Look at me, a groom. Not only can I not truly consummate the marriage, but I also spent the entire night telling you about Romance of the Three Kingdoms. And now I have to play the part of a gentleman like Liu Xiahui here."
"I've read many books too, I know Liu Xiahui! I, I'll find a way to compensate you, okay?" Jian Qinwan said with a shy blush.
"How will you compensate me?" Liang Xiao dared not look at Jian Qinwan, for fear of losing his mind if he saw this enchanting creature.
Jian Qinwan thought hard and blushed, finally gathering her courage. She propped herself up with one hand and offered Liang Xiao her first kiss.
"Mwah~"
The kiss lasted only for a breath before Jian Qinwan buried her head under the covers.
"Is that enough..."
"If I say it's not enough, will you do it again?" As soon as Liang Xiao finished speaking, he felt Jian Qinwan pinch his thigh.
"I'm only your bride tonight. Tomorrow, I'll forget everything that happened tonight. This young lady still needs to be your Bodhisattva and Rakshasa! If you push your luck, I'll draw my sword and hack you tomorrow..."
Feeling the tender affection of the woman beside him, Liang Xiao decided not to push his luck any further.
After all, this alluring vixen would never escape him!
Liang Xiao had to admit that the people of Great Qian often had simple and endearing thoughts. Many possessed their own principles and integrity, and although some appeared eccentric, Liang Xiao could understand the myriad of human conditions.
It was enough to let Jian Qinwan maintain her kind yet proud personality!
Jian Qinwan hugged Liang Xiao tightly. Initially, her heart pounded like a drum, but she slowly calmed down, finally resting her head against Liang Xiao's shoulder and falling asleep with peace.
Seeing a tear fall from his bride's closed eyes, Liang Xiao sighed and gently kissed her forehead before looking back at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Jian Qinwan quietly opened her eyes and cast a resentful glance at Liang Xiao, then diligently maintained her steady breathing.
She couldn't possibly have fallen asleep!
But that moment just now was so heartwarming. This young lady has decided to be magnanimous and overlook the flower thief's transgressions for now!
High noon arrived, and Gongsun Jing and Qin Jiu stood before the door of Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan's room, looking perplexed.
"I quietly unlocked it for them last night, and they haven't come out yet..." Qin Jiu said helplessly.
Just as Gongsun Jing was about to speak, the door slowly opened, and Liang Xiao walked out.
"Good son-in-law, is my disciple still sleeping?" Gongsun Jing asked.
Liang Xiao replied, "She's awake..."
"May I come in?"
"Please do."
Gongsun Jing slowly entered the room and went to the bedside to check on Jian Qinwan.
"Master~" Jian Qinwan, blushing, quickly hid under the covers.
Gongsun Jing did not immediately question Jian Qinwan. Instead, she scanned the bed, her gaze falling on the drop of blood.
Her heart instantly bloomed with joy!