So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

Although the Northwest is a place of bitter cold all year round, right after the New Year, the various post stations at the foot of Ximing Mountain were already bustling with merchants and travelers from other places.

Having just finished a battle, the soldiers who had been escorting supplies from the front lines returned. They were roasting meat and drinking wine around a campfire in the square, chatting about how pretty the new beauties in the military brothel were.

A-Zhou came out of the tent, but did not see the prince. He waved away the generals who wanted to drag him to the tent, and went to the Holy Maiden's Palace alone.

It was almost the fifteenth of the month, and the moon in the northwest was round and bright. The temple, built of Xilan stone, stood tall and majestic, occupying most of the mountain. After passing the front pillar of the main hall, A-Zhou saw the Crown Prince standing at the east gate.

His back was tall and imposing, his hood half-covered, and even though his face was not visible, one could sense his handsome and elegant appearance.

The prince was standing there looking at something. He hesitated for a moment, then walked over. "Your Highness, news has just come that the Battle of Foxan Pass has been lost."

The voice behind him interrupted Xie Yan's thoughts. He looked at the letter asking for help on the letter, his knuckles turning white as he clenched it.

In her letter, she expressed her apologies, saying that some unforeseen circumstances had prevented her from going to Lotus Town, and asked him to help her find a certain medicine.

So, she must be in the palace now. The person he's been searching for for so long has ended up in Xie Xun's hands. His wife is being held captive by his own younger brother, and they're keeping it all from him.

"The Western Desert has captured Moon City. The commander-in-chief is the Southwest Commander-in-Chief. The Crown Prince should be in the Southwest by now."

"She begged me to save her; it's time to go back to the capital."

While A-Zhou was still reporting military intelligence, he heard the man's low murmur, and the cold breath he exhaled seemed to freeze in the air.

He subconsciously looked at the hand that was clenching something, its veins bulging, as if it was suppressing immense anger and pain.

The snow in Kyoto fell in soft, fluffy flakes, casting a hazy, desolate hue over the gaps in the trees.

As we climbed halfway up the mountain, the temperature dropped, and the area was surrounded by mountains and dense forests, with the faint howls of wild animals still audible.

Ning Yu discovered that there was a hot spring in the middle, with white mist and steam rising from it. The snow on the rocks in the distance had also been melted by the hot spring's heat.

There are hot springs on the mountain in this hunting ground. Is it underground flowing water?

Before she could even see clearly, the dog emperor threw her into the pool.

With a splash, water sprayed everywhere. Ning Yu struggled in the water for a couple of moments before popping her head out. Her face, which was as beautiful as a peach blossom, turned pale with anger. Her long black hair clung tightly to her soft curves, and her eyes, which were glaring at him, were extremely clear.

"What's wrong with you?"

Xie Xun stood high above the pond, looking down at her beautiful face emerging from the water. He straightened his clothes and squatted down to meet her gaze.

"Who were you thinking about just now?"

Ning Yu's palm trembled, and she turned her face away in annoyance, too lazy to pay attention to him, and looked at the scenery around her.

Xie Xun's eyes were dark. He took the golden hook that was placed by the hot spring, hooked it around her clothes, and pulled her over.

With a tearing sound, her outer garment was ripped open by his force, and she was uncontrollably pulled to the edge of the pool, her hands instinctively bracing against the slippery pool wall.

He suddenly lifted her cheeks, and their eyes met. The moonlight reflected into her beautiful fox-like eyes, making them shimmer with moisture.

The wilderness hunting grounds were silent, with only the occasional low growl of wild beasts. Ning Yu gritted her teeth, "I wasn't thinking of anyone. Let me go first and let me go up."

"If you speak first, I will let you come up."

"I was just lost in thought while looking at the scenery in the mountains and forests."

Xie Xun stood up. "Since you won't tell the truth, then stay here. Your clothes are wet. This area is deserted, with no soldiers patrolling. Don't blame me if you encounter any wild animals."

Snowflakes drifted down from the sky like fine flakes. He stood by the pool, looking down at her. She was soaking in the hot spring, her eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at him. Her hands, gripping the pool wall, were turning white and tightening in anger. The moonlight shone on the two of them, covering the ground with a frosty white.

It's hot, so hot. The hot spring water is getting hotter and hotter. Ning Yu can feel her skin turning red from the temperature. She wonders if it's because she's been soaking for a long time, but her bones seem to feel more relaxed.

She glanced at the man who was about to leave, and ignoring her wet clothes, she tried to climb up, but the bottom of the spring was uneven with rocks, and she cried out and fell in.

Xie Xun turned around and saw that her body was slowly sinking, and she was gurgling something. He squinted at her for a few moments and saw that she seemed to have run out of strength. The water in the pool had submerged her head.

It sank?!

His face turned cold, and he immediately took off his cloak, grabbed the pool wall, and jumped in, quickly reaching out to pull her out from the bottom of the water.

As a result, the scooping operation uncovered a person underwater—a fraudster.

Ning Yu scrambled out of the water, pulling him out with his hands and feet. As if still not satisfied, she dragged him back into the water and climbed the stone wall using his body as a stepping stone.

You dog emperor, you should also experience what it's like to be soaking wet.

Xie Xun watched her emerge from the water with a cold expression, then grabbed her ankle and pulled her down.

With a few splashes, Ning Yu fell back down, nearly drinking the spring water. She quickly grabbed him to steady herself and kicked him angrily.

Xie Xun didn't indulge her, gripping her slender waist and pressing her against the pool wall. "Trying to outsmart me?"

"It was His Majesty who threw me down first. I saw that the scenery here was so beautiful and the water in the pool was so warm, so I thought I would give it to His Majesty to get rid of the cold."

"What's the use of just removing the cold air when there's a warmer, more humid place available?"

Ning Yu was startled and immediately stopped him from tearing at her skirt.

Their clothes were exceptionally light in the water. Xie Xun simply held her body so she had no foothold, so Ning Yu couldn't stop his movements and could only quickly grab his body to steady herself.

"This is a desolate, mountainous area. Does Your Majesty also find it interesting?"

Xie Xun was indeed quite interested. Looking at her moist lips, he leaned down and kissed them.

Ning Yu groaned. This damn emperor, he can even be so absurd in a hot spring. Seeing that he really wanted to come here, she took the opportunity to hook her arms around his neck and passionately kissed him back.

Fine snowflakes drifted down, covering the surrounding hot springs and vegetation with a layer of white. Xie Xun's breathing grew heavier and heavier as he felt the warm, soft body in his arms, wishing he could crush her.

In the midst of their entanglement, their clothes became intertwined, and Xie Xun, with bloodshot eyes, did not notice the outstretched hands she was holding.

The moment he was viciously slashed, he opened his eyes and saw that the person had already climbed onto the edge of the pool, grabbed the cloak he had placed on the rock, and wrapped himself up from head to toe.

The steam rising from her beautiful face, she raised an eyebrow and said, "Your Majesty, please stay here for now. I'll go back and call someone to bring Your Majesty some clothes."