After being reborn, the aloof prime minister was once again forced by a tyrant.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the military report from the western border was delivered to the emperor's desk as scheduled.

Just as the two had predicted, a force of 50,000 elite troops from the Southern Yue region took a roundabout route through the towering mountains and quietly infiltrated the southern part of the Western Rong, joining forces with the remnants of the Western Rong's second prince, Wanyan Duo.

Xiao Zhaoyue's Yanran Iron Cavalry, which had been winning victory after victory, is now in danger of being attacked from both the north and the south; Shen Hanzhou and Wanyan Lie's surprise troops are trapped on the edge of the Hanhai Sea, unable to advance or retreat, and the situation in the western border has taken a sharp turn for the worse.

In the imperial study, the candlelight flickered.

The military report lay open on the emperor's desk, every word a warning of impending doom. After reading it, Xiao Jingyuan slammed the letter down on the desk, his aura of menace surging.

He joined the army at the age of fifteen to fight against the Western Rong, and he knew the terrain of the vast sea and the customs of the border tribes like the back of his hand. Although his generals were brave, none of them knew the situation in the western border better than him. Only by going to the front line in person could he break the deadlock.

"I will personally lead the expedition," Xiao Jingyuan declared in a deep voice.

Xie Qinglan sat at the desk, a book in his hand, silent for a long time. The candlelight illuminated his handsome profile, revealing an undisguised worry in his eyes. The image of him in his past life, wounded by a poisoned arrow and barely escaping death, suddenly flashed through his mind, and his fingertips tightened around the edge of the book.

Seeing that he remained silent, Xiao Jingyuan felt uneasy and had already prepared a lot of excuses.

After a long pause, Xie Qinglan raised her eyes and uttered only one word: "Okay."

Xiao Jingyuan was slightly taken aback: "You...aren't you going to dissuade me?"

"The situation in the western border cannot be resolved without Your Majesty's intervention." Xie Qinglan's voice was soft yet resolute, his eyes revealing an undisguised concern. "I will do my utmost to safeguard the defense of the capital and the overall situation of the court. Your Majesty can rest assured and proceed with the expedition."

He lowered his eyes, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the book, and added, "I have only one request—on this journey, victory is the only option; defeat is not an option. You must return safely."

Xiao Jingyuan strode forward, pulled the man into his arms, rested his chin on the top of his head, and said in a low, hoarse voice, "I promise you."

As night deepened, the bedchamber was filled with steam. Xie Qinglan stood in the bathtub, the warm water overflowing her shoulders, her long hair completely soaked, strands clinging to her fair back. Water droplets slid down her graceful collarbone, disappearing into the rising mist.

He leaned against the wall of the tub, listening quietly to the footsteps coming from the next bedroom. Xiao Jingyuan paced back and forth, his steps hurried, clearly packing his gear for the expedition, his heart filled with anxiety and reluctance.

"Your Majesty," Xie Qinglan called softly, her voice rippling through the mist, "please pass me the nightgown on the screen."

The footsteps stopped, and the palace door was gently pushed open. Xiao Jingyuan entered the inner room, holding a moon-white nightgown, his gaze piercing through the layers of white mist and landing on the person.

Xie Qinglan rose at the sound, the pool water splashing softly. Her slender figure was partially obscured by the misty steam, her skin, glistening with water droplets, was as white as jade, and a few fallen begonia petals clung to her waist, adding a touch of allure.

He reached out to take the nightgown, his ears already flushed crimson, his tone remaining as cool as ever: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jingyuan's fingers tightened suddenly around the fabric. Instead of letting go, he stepped forward and grabbed the man's slender wrist.

His burning gaze fell on the other person's reddened brows and eyes, and he said in a low, husky voice, "You did this on purpose."

Xie Qinglan turned her head away, avoiding his gaze, a faint blush rising on her neck.

Xiao Jingyuan tossed his nightgown aside, leaned forward, grabbed his chin, and kissed him.

This kiss was fiercer than ever before. He held the person tightly in a deep, lingering kiss, his almost predatory force overwhelming all defenses, entwining them for a long, drawn-out time, refusing to let go even for a moment.

Xie Qinglan was breathless from his kiss, but instead of turning her head away as usual, she raised her arms to wrap around his neck, tilted her head back, and awkwardly responded.

The response was soft and timid; it only brushed past cautiously before quickly withdrawing.

Xiao Jingyuan's breathing suddenly became heavy.

He tightened his grip on Xie Qinglan's waist and stepped into the bath. The water splashed everywhere. Ignoring it, he turned him around, pinning him against the low steps at the edge of the bath, his back against the wall, half-submerged in the warm water.

The stone wall was so cold that Xie Qinglan shivered. Before he could even take a breath, a burning hot chest pressed down on him, trapping him between the cold and the heat, leaving him nowhere to escape.

"Qinglan is so proactive tonight." Xiao Jingyuan pressed his lips against his, his breath hot.

She grasped his narrow waist with her hand, her thumb gently caressing his lower back. "I like it very much."

Xie Qinglan turned her head away, her long, wet hair clinging to her cheeks, water droplets dripping down her chin.

"Tonight, I will let Your Majesty do as you please."

Xiao Jingyuan instantly lost all reason.

He leaned down, his lips pressed against Xie Qinglan's neck, his teeth lightly brushing against her skin, lingering for a moment in a kiss-like motion. When he pulled away, a beautiful red mark had already bloomed there.

His lips brushed against Xie Qinglan's wet earlobe, his voice low and husky, hot and tinged with a hint of gritted teeth, "You provoked me first."

Xie Qinglan turned her head away, biting her lip and remaining silent, but her arms were still wrapped around his neck, not letting go.

Xiao Jingyuan reached into the warm water, causing ripples to spread across the surface.

Xie Qinglan's body tensed up suddenly, her toes curled up, and a muffled sound escaped from her throat.

He subconsciously buried his face in Xiao Jingyuan's shoulder, gently biting his shoulder with his teeth, as if in revenge, or as if in a coquettish manner.

"pain?"

Xie Qinglan didn't respond, but shook her head slightly and buried her face deeper into his shoulder.

Xiao Jingyuan felt a slight stinging pain in his shoulder and couldn't help but smile and kiss the top of his wet hair.

The water rippled violently, overflowing and soaking the blue bricks paving the ground.

The rising steam enveloped all the beauty in a hazy mist, leaving only the intertwined breaths and the suppressed whispers in their throats.

Xie Qinglan bit Xiao Jingyuan's shoulder and refused to make a sound, but her body responded honestly—her slender legs wrapped around Xiao Jingyuan's waist.

Xiao Jingyuan supported his lower back with one hand and held the back of his neck with the other, holding him tightly in his arms. As they turned and pressed against each other, they were filled with anxiety and reluctance at the impending separation.

"Why is Qinglan so persistent?"

"You, you mustn't speak."

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Qinglan was pulled out of the bathtub by him, her consciousness already somewhat blurred.

Xiao Jingyuan wrapped him in a large velvet scarf, supporting his buttocks like he was holding a child, and walked towards the bedchamber in this position.

Xie Qinglan buried her face in Xiao Jingyuan's shoulder.

"Xiao Jingyuan..." His voice was choked with sobs and indistinct, "Put me down—"

"I won't let go." Xiao Jingyuan kissed his sweaty forehead, then walked steadily through the screen. "You were holding me so tightly in the pool just now, and now you won't let me hold you anymore?"

Xie Qinglan was so embarrassed that she couldn't speak. She could only bury her face in his neck and let him put her on the couch.

Xiao Jingyuan leaned down and kissed his forehead, bridge of his nose, and corners of his lips. He kissed his delicate collarbone and the pale red mole, and finally kissed his slightly parted lips.

After the kiss, seeing his dazed expression, Xiao Jingyuan couldn't help but ask, "Qinglan, were you comfortable?"

Xie Qinglan did not respond. Xiao Jingyuan was not in a hurry either, his pace was slow and unhurried, as if he were holding some rare treasure, treating her with care, every inch of closeness made one feel relaxed all over.

Xie Qinglan bit her finger, but the sound still leaked out from between her fingers—it was soft and gentle.

"Lift your waist higher."

Xie Qinglan closed her eyes, her eyelashes glistening with tiny water droplets, and lifted her waist as instructed.

"Good boy." Xiao Jingyuan leaned down and placed a rewarding kiss on Xie Qinglan's forehead. Xie Qinglan's face flushed even more.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Qinglan's arms began to tremble, and she could no longer support herself on the bed, collapsing into the blankets.

His voice was broken and trembling, choked with sobs, as he pleaded intermittently, "I can't hold on any longer..."

Xiao Jingyuan paused, staring at his teary eyes and swollen lips. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he lowered his voice to a hoarse tone: "Then come up here."

Xie Qinglan stared at him, her eyes, washed by the tide of passion, filled with shame, indignation, and disbelief. But he was too tired, too tired to even refute her.

He bit his lip, and Xiao Jingyuan helped him sit up by putting his arm around his waist.

This was the first time he'd ever felt this way, and he unconsciously arched his back. Xiao Jingyuan held his waist, looking up at him with eyes full of infatuation and satisfaction.

"Qinglan," he called, his voice low and gentle, "would you like to come?"

Xie Qinglan bit her lip, her ears turning bright red, and shook her head in embarrassment.

Xiao Jingyuan didn't force him.

"I will be setting off tomorrow." He relaxed, looked up at the person in his arms, and said with a hint of coquettish grievance in his voice, "This trip will last at least two months, so you mustn't be angry for too long."

"Why are you angry, Your Majesty?" Xie Qinglan's voice was hoarse. She turned her head away from him, a few tiny water droplets clinging to her eyelashes. "You..."

"What?" Xiao Jingyuan pretended not to understand, looking up at his face, which was flushed with emotion.

Xie Qinglan bit her lower lip, her misty eyes glaring at him hatefully, but the glare had no intimidation whatsoever; instead, it seemed to be seducing him.

Xiao Jingyuan's heart softened at that look, and he could no longer restrain himself. He grabbed Xiao Jingyuan's wrist, which was braced against his chest, with one hand and placed the other hand on his waist, adding a little more force.

Xie Qinglan suddenly looked up, her slender neck tracing a soft arc in the flickering candlelight.

His hand was gripped tightly, and he lost all support.

"Xiao Jingyuan..."

Xiao Jingyuan looked down at the person in his arms, who was swept up in the tide of passion—those usually cold eyes were now filled with spring water, the corners of the eyes were dyed with an extremely bright red, and the swollen red lips were slightly open, revealing a bit of moist tongue.

Where was the slightest trace of her aloof and self-possessed demeanor? With a mere glance, she had already captivated everyone's heart and soul.

"Qinglan, Qinglan—"

Xie Qinglan's ears burned from his calling her name, and she raised her hand to cover his mouth.

"Stop, stop calling out..."

The night was long and tender, the candlelight flickered, and the curtains were gently swayed by the night breeze. All the unspoken reluctance to part was hidden in their burning body heat, melting into the gentle moonlight in the room.

Finally, Xie Qinglan didn't even have the strength to curl his fingers anymore. His whole body went limp like a puddle of water, and Xiao Jingyuan held him tightly in his arms from behind. His eyes were closed, half asleep and half awake, with a few tiny water droplets clinging to his eyelashes, and his breathing gradually became steady.

Xiao Jingyuan lowered his head, placed a kiss on the top of his head, pulled him closer into his arms, and slowly closed his eyes.