Chapter Sixty-Two: Graceful and Elegant

As soon as the crushing weight on her body was lifted, Zhu Xiaoying finally caught her breath and burst into tears. One snowy-white, plump bun was exposed in plain sight, leaving nothing to the imagination for the onlookers. The other, equally pale and tender, had been pinned firmly beneath Stinky Thirteen Spice, kneaded out of shape, and only now did she feel the pain.

Lu Hu frowned, glancing back at Yakexi. Cleaning up this mess couldn't possibly fall to the Divine One to command, could it?

Yakexi ground his teeth: The Divine Maiden, whom I dare not even covet despite my longing—yet you, you mutt, actually laid hands on her. I won’t be satisfied until you’re dead and gone.

“What are you staring at? Drag him out and behead him at once!” Yakexi barked at the Longli guards who had followed him in. What sort of creature was this? A grown man soiling his own trousers—filthy!

The guards pinched their noses and dragged Thirteen Spice out.

“Keep him under guard for now,” Lu Hu ordered. Thirteen Spice’s crime did not merit death; Lu Hu had no intention of killing the innocent.

“Madam Essence, clean the kitchen thoroughly. You two, help tidy up as well,” Lu Hu directed Madam Essence and Malihong, then stepped out of the kitchen tent.

The scene before him brightened:

Quan Pearl stood outside, cradling Little White, waiting for him. The young girl had changed into a white fox-fur cloak. She stood graceful and poised, a picture of youthful elegance. She darted into Lu Hu’s arms. “Brother, you were inside forever—I was so worried!”

Lu Hu teased, “I soiled myself and had to clean up inside.”

“Really?” Quan Pearl’s wide, innocent eyes blinked up at him.

“Of course!” Lu Hu flicked her delicate nose. “Don’t you smell something awful?”

Quan Pearl buried her head in his chest, sniffed hard, and murmured, “Brother, you smell wonderful…”

Her slender body seemed to melt, soft as cotton, against him. The sweet warmth of her embrace stirred something deep within Lu Hu. Suddenly, the tent seemed to billow with the force of his emotions.

No, this is bad—someone will notice…

Longli guards stood scattered all around. What if some idiot happened to glimpse this magnificent display—what would they think? The flames of love burning bright, he was reminded of a song from his previous life.

A true man lives as a rogue, and even in death, remains unconquered.

A hero cannot resist the charms of a beauty, and with warmth and softness before him, why pretend to be a paragon of virtue? Why pretend to be Pan An—or rather, why pretend to be Liu Xiahui?

Lu Hu swept Quan Pearl into his arms, carrying her toward the main tent in a princely embrace.

Her slender legs dangled, brushing accidentally against his spear. The young maiden, her heart awakening to love, blushed scarlet. She was both fearful and full of longing. Just a few more steps, and she would belong to her brother.

Such a formidable thing—would it hurt…?

Yakexi, trailing behind, hurried ahead to lift the tent flap, bowing with utmost respect, eyes lowered to the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, he accidentally glimpsed Lu Hu and started violently, lowering his head even further. The more he tried to conceal it, the more obvious it became—her brother-in-law had certainly noticed the proud spear.

He couldn’t see the spear itself, but he could certainly see the tent it pitched.

Lu Hu suddenly thought of Yanalie and felt a pang of guilt. By the entrance, White Big White, who had been lying down, rose and growled low, warning Yakexi not to enter.

What could White Big White not understand? The matters of a man’s heart were clear to it as day.

Yakexi waited until Lu Hu had entered, then carefully fastened the tent flap and retreated to a safe distance. What shouldn’t be seen had been seen by accident; what shouldn’t be heard must never be overheard.

The Divine One sets off firecrackers; the Divine Lady shouts slogans—if he heard such things and incurred divine wrath, the consequences would be dire.

“Lingering Little Five, take Little White home,” Lu Hu said softly, setting Quan Pearl gently on the tiger-skin throne. He wanted to send the meddlesome Little White away for now.

Such a tiny creature must not hear or see what it shouldn’t. Let its innocent world remain pure—no obscene sounds, no unseemly sights.

May it always be a pure-hearted, desireless, well-behaved little tiger!

Lingering Little Five trotted over, took Little White carefully in her mouth, and carried her away to the back door. Little White, understanding, went quietly without protest.

Guessing what was about to happen, she had no wish to see or hear, preferring to play with her mother instead.

Quan Pearl lay on the tiger-skin throne, eyes tightly shut, her body trembling slightly. Her long lashes fluttered, her rosy lips slightly parted, quietly awaiting the coming storm…

A blossom, about to unfurl, radiant and alluring. On the verge of blooming into a brilliant red flower…

Suddenly, a sharp eagle’s cry pierced the sky. Just as Lu Hu was about to act, he sobered, ripples of emotion stirring within him.

His heart belonged deeply to Yanalie, and Quan Meiyu had shown him her affection.

He could not betray Yanalie, nor could he wound Quan Meiyu.

Quan Pearl was sweet and delicate, her figure not yet fully matured. Lu Hu, no lecherous beast, could never bring himself to harm such a tender flower.

Better to cherish her as a little sister.

Suppressing the fire within, Lu Hu gently gathered Quan Pearl in his arms. To hold this warm, jade-like form was enough.

Lingering Little Five licked Little White tenderly, loving her child but puzzled in her heart: The Divine One truly lives up to his name—engaged in the act of creation, yet making not a sound.

Not like me and Big White—howling and wild, shaking the world, every beast within miles aware, with gifts pouring in for Little White even before she was born.

Perhaps it’s time to learn from the civilized gods—quietly drawing one’s spear, working in silence.

But if one truly cannot restrain oneself, perhaps a mask should suffice…

The sun drifted westward, its rays no longer harsh. The wind seized its chance to rise, carrying the chill from the snow across the land, howling and wild.

The kitchen tents lit their fires; the cries of cattle and sheep echoed through the air as the cooks began preparing supper.

“Honored Granny Tiger, I beg to enter and serve the Divine One—please, for his sake, do not unleash your power and frighten me into wetting myself…” Malihong’s trembling plea came from outside the back entrance.

She had developed a full-blown fear of Lingering Little Five, and every entry was now accompanied by anxious supplication.

“Get out! Don’t disturb the Divine One’s creation!” Lingering Little Five roared.

“Oh heavens, the tiger’s going to eat me!” Malihong, not understanding the low growl, collapsed in terror, her body going limp like a pile of mud.

Zhu Xiaoying fared a little better, kneeling straight-backed by the tent entrance, eyes fixed on the flap, ready to kowtow the moment Lingering Little Five appeared. Her hands tensed in preparation—should the tiger emerge, she would drag Malihong in as a human shield.

A noisy, foolish woman—she thought to best me. But with a thought, I could have her half-dead…