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At dusk, with all the officers and men as witness, Su Biluo managed to wear Mo Zichen down until he let her climb up onto his white-socked precious steed Red Hare and nestle into Mo Zichen’s arms.
As he whipped his horse and galloped out of the training grounds, Su Biluo was laughing into the wind, as happy as a flower in bloom.
The north wind was piercingly cold, blowing her inky black hair and seeping into her bones. A smattering of light snowflakes drifted down, but Su Biluo wasn’t cold. Leaning into Mo Zichen’s arms, she felt a warmth she had never felt before.
“It’s snowing. This is the first snowfall of winter, isn’t it?” Su Biluo’s eyes shone with delight, like two glittering stars.
Mo Zichen said nothing, but he suddenly wrapped his left arm around her waist and pulled her closer, tighter, his cloak nearly swallowing her up.
Su Biluo pursed her lips in a smile. She looked back and planted a kiss on his stalwart chin. Mo Zichen suddenly trembled and chided, “Stop moving! If you mess with this general again, see if I don’t kick you off this horse. This general is good to his word!”
Su Biluo pouted and turned back unhappily.
She wasn’t about to be rash. She was still sore from two days ago when he knocked her down.
“There’s one thing I don’t understand that I want to ask you about,” she said suddenly.
“Hush! You can talk when we get back!” Mo Zichen spurred his horse on faster. Su Biluo could only be silent once more, but a little idea was germinating in her mind.
When they got back to the estate, Mo Zichen turned his horse over to a pageboy to lead back to the stable, then he returned to his study without another glance at Su Biluo.
She wasn’t angry. She ran back to her room and told Moonglow to prepare a bath, then sent Vivid to the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous dinner and bring a few jugs of wine.
The maids did as instructed.
Su Biluo bathed and put on clean clothes, then took the food herself, along with a jug of wine, to the study. She knocked on the door and entered.
It was snowing harder now as she shut the doors, trapping the cold wind and snow outside.
She set the food and wine down and lit the stove and trimmed the candle wicks. The whole study was soon warm and well-lit.
Mo Zichen had just finished bathing and was only wearing a simple robe when he walked out. When he saw Su Biluo, he seemed unfazed. He looked like he was lost in thought as he sat cross-legged on the heated brick bed.
A small feeling of elation suddenly came over Su Biluo since he hadn’t run her off. She hurried over and sat cross-legged opposite him and poured him wine.
“Alright, what scheme have you cooked up?” Mo Zichen asked as he ate and drank.
Su Biluo had some wine herself to boost her courage, then she smiled and said, “Get you drunk, then have my way with you, do what can’t be undone. Then you will have to love me.”
“Pfff—” Mo Zichen did a spit take, wine spraying everywhere.
Cough cough He choked on the remainder.
Su Biluo hurried over and patted his back and wiped his mouth with her handkerchief. “Aiyo, Hubby, don’t drink so fast. I want to get you drunk, but take your time, why in such a hurry?”
Mo Zichen brushed her away and pointed at her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Who’s in a hurry? Woman, I’ve never seen anyone as shameless as you.”
“Heh heh, well now you have.” She grabbed him by the chin and planted a kiss on him.
Mo Zichen tried to move his head away, but she was in hot pursuit, pressing him down to the warm bed. He was nearly suffocating. His lips loosened and her tongue slipped in unhindered and tangled with his.
The Courtyard 