I was pampered like a treasure after being married off to the young marshal, but my father and broth

She wore a pure gold phoenix crown, surrounded by pearls and jade, with a touch of red plum blossom between her brows. As her eyes sparkled, she raised them and met his gaze.

She smiled slightly.

Her smile, like a gentle spring breeze, was deeply etched into his heart.

The man's breath hitched slightly, and he was momentarily stunned.

This was their second wedding, but in fact, it was their first time consummating their marriage. During their first wedding, she was still Shang Sheyu, filled with hatred, while he, due to his madness and wariness, left her alone in the empty room, while he hid in the military area and did not return home all night.

This time, it was truly made up for.

Seeing that Quan Tuo was standing there like a silly boy, Shu Nuan tilted her head, and the golden hairpin on her head made a crisp clinking sound.

"A-Tuo?"

Quan Tuo came to his senses.

Shu Nuan smiled slightly and reminded them, "It's time to drink the nuptial wine."

Quan Tuo nodded repeatedly, his voice a little hoarse, and said, "Oh...oh, okay."

Then, this warlord, who was decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, turned around somewhat hastily to pour wine at the table.

Shu Nuan sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze following his broad back as he picked up the wine pot and poured the wine into two exquisite wine glasses.

A hint of sadness flashed in his eyes.

The letter her junior brother wrote to her contained only a few words, yet it struck like a bolt from the blue—

The situation in Nanjing is critical, with Japanese pirates launching a major offensive. Quan Tuo has received a top-secret order from the military to lead his troops to Nanjing to provide support after tonight.

This journey is long and arduous, fraught with the ravages of war, and it's uncertain when I will be able to return.

I don't even know if I'll ever be able to come back...

She had secretly added a potent aphrodisiac to the wine.

She did not retain Quan Tuo.

Protecting his homeland is his mission. He is the King of the North and the backbone of his people. She must not let personal feelings hold him back.

However, bearing him a child was something she had to do and desperately wanted to do.

If something were to happen to him, she would want to leave behind his bloodline.

Quan Tuo returned with two glasses of wine and sat down beside her. The bed sank slightly, and he handed her one of the glasses.

Shu Nuan smiled perfectly and reached out to take the wine glass.

The two men's arms were intertwined, their sleeves entwined.

Quan Tuo looked at her intently, and Shu Nuan looked back at him. At the same time, they tilted their heads back and drank the wine in their glasses in one gulp.

The spicy liquor slid down my throat.

After drinking the nuptial wine, Quan Tuo placed the two empty wine cups on the low couch beside him. He turned around and looked carefully into Shu Nuan's eyes, his gaze filled with deep affection: "Nuan Nuan."

Shu Nuan responded.

"Today, I am truly marrying you. Are you happy?"

He asked, his tone filled with cautious anticipation.

Shu Nuan nodded emphatically, her eyes slightly warm, and said, "Happy."

Quan Tuo curled his lips into a relieved and satisfied smile, and said, "That's good."

Then, he took her hand and led her to the dressing table to sit down. Standing behind her, he removed the heavy, oppressive pure gold phoenix crown from her head and placed it on the table. He then carefully removed her earrings.

She let down her high-piled hair, and her long, black hair cascaded down.

Quan Tuo picked up the crescent-shaped wooden comb on the table and combed her long hair from the top of her head all the way down.

Shu Nuan quietly gazed at her reflection in the brass mirror, watching the man's focused and gentle expression. In her mind, she followed his movements as he combed her hair, silently reciting:

Combing from head to toe, they rise to a state of perfect harmony.

Combing two hairs to the end, they fly wing to wing.

Comb the hair three times to the end, may our hearts be forever united...

She looked up and saw Quan Tuo standing behind her in the mirror.

He frowned, his eyes were closed, and he shook his head violently, looking somewhat uncomfortable. His breathing became heavy.

The medicinal effects of the Albizia julibrissin have taken hold.

Because she had also drunk that wine, an indescribable heat rose within her body, her whole body began to burn, and her fingertips trembled slightly.

She slowly stood up, faced him, reached out and touched his burning cheek, and softly asked, "A-Tuo, what's wrong?"

Quan Tuo grabbed her hand and pressed her palm tightly against his cheek, panting as he said, "I guess I drank too much in the front yard... I'm a little hot."

She looked at the man's reddened eyes.

"Shall we take our clothes off?"

Quan Tuo hummed in response, his voice already hoarse beyond recognition.

Shu Nuan moved closer to him, her fingers deftly unbuttoning his military uniform one button at a time, her fingertips intentionally or unintentionally brushing against his hard chest.

This slight touch was like adding fuel to the fire for Quan Tuo at that moment.

The man grew increasingly aroused by her teasing, and his reason teetered on the brink of collapse under the combined effects of drugs and alcohol.

Just as Shu Nuan was taking off his military jacket and about to take off his white shirt underneath, he suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Shu Nuan was taken aback.

His eyes were already bloodshot and moist, and he couldn't help but lower his head to kiss her lips.

Shu Nuan herself felt extremely unwell; the effects of the medication made her feel weak all over.

She instinctively hugged his strong waist, tilted her head back, and let him take her as he fervently.

With a sweep of his arm, Quan Tuo directly knocked away the rouge, powder, and jewelry box on the dressing table, sending them scattering all over the floor.

He grabbed her by the waist, lifted her up, and placed her on the table.

The burning heat within him clamored for more.

He savored the sweetness in her mouth, their lips entwined, then buried his face in her neck, kissing her long neck and leaving hot red marks.

He was breathing heavily as he reached out to unbutton the buttons on her wedding dress.

Shu Nuan cooperated and reached out to unbutton his shirt.

In a few swift movements, he pulled his shirt down, revealing a large expanse of the man's strong, full chest, with several old scars on it.

However, just as the two were lost in their passion, Quan Tuo suddenly stopped moving.

He seemed to suddenly snap out of his daze, releasing her and quickly taking a step back.

Shu Nuan, her clothes half off, stared blankly at him.

The man was breathing heavily, his forehead covered in sweat. As if realizing that something was wrong with his body, he subconsciously turned his head to look at the two empty wine glasses on the bedside table.

"Nuan Nuan, you..."

Shu Nuan stepped forward and cupped his cheeks in her hands.

She gazed into his eyes, those usually cool and calm eyes now brimming with surging desire, deep love, and an overwhelming sadness that he could not hide.

"A-Tuo, let's forget everything tonight, okay? Forget your mission for now, abandon everything and be with me, okay?"

The man froze, stunned on the spot.

He looked into the tears in her eyes, his voice trembling, "Nuan Nuan, you...you know everything?"

He will set off for Nanjing tonight.

This battle was extremely dangerous, and it was unknown when or when they would be able to return; they might even die on the battlefield.

Shu Nuan didn't speak, but simply stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips again.

Quan Tuo gripped her shoulders with both hands, wanting to push her away as he had done many times before, because he knew all too well that his departure was a matter of life and death. If he really took her tonight, and if he died, she would carry his mark and it would be difficult for her to remarry.

He can't be so selfish.