Li Xueyue eyed the other side of the pool a distance away— she'd never be able to escape from him. It was as if he knew what ran inside of her head.

"Good luck running," he murmured.

Within the next second, his finger gripped her chin and pulled her closer. His lips crashed upon hers, the kiss started off slow, gentle, and patient. It was sweet. Until it wasn't. Soon, his hunger for her was revealed.

He licked her lips and dove his slick tongue into her mouth. She moaned in response, her hand resting upon his jaw. She traced the length of it with her fingers as he tightly gripped her hips.

Yu Zhen pulled back to let her breathe, but continued his assault upon her. Now that they were husband and wife, he would stop holding back. He pressed open mouth kisses on the corner of her mouth. He trailed lower and reached one of the marks upon her neck. It was growing faint.

"W-wait—" She let out a startled gasp when he kissed the sensitive spot, only to nip it. Then, he gently blew cold air upon it, his hands roaming down her arms. His mouth followed suit, kissing the edges of her shoulders.

Li Xueyue was flushed against his body. The water was warm, but his body was hotter. Everywhere his hands touched, her skin burned. She felt heat gather in her lower stomach as a familiar sensation kicked in.

His hungry lips sought for more than just a simple kiss. He hoisted her higher and squeezed her breast. Just as he dove in, a loud knock echoed through the bathing house.

And just like that, the magic died down. Her eyes flew open in fear. She shoved him away, but his arms were sturdy. He held her against him, whispering soothing words in her ears.

"It's okay, shhh," he hushed when she hesitantly trembled.

"Zhenzhen! I know you're in there!" a hurried voice cried out, as the banging continued.

"I'll kill him," Yu Zhen growled.

Yu Zhen could sense her uneasiness. He knew she didn't want to be caught in such an intimate position. However, they were husband and wife. She'd better get used to these positions. There was more he wanted to try with her.

"We should leave," Li Xueyue whispered. She reached for her robes, but he grabbed her wrist.

"We should stay in here until night time approaches," Yu Zhen mumbled, earning a startled stare from her. He chuckled at her reaction.

"You're a beast," she hissed.

Li Xueyue attempted to escape from his clutches, but his grip was too tight. Luckily for her, she was straddling him with her knees. Had her intimate part brushed against him, everything would've escalated.

"Only for you." Yu Zhen's thumb brushed her bruised lips.

Li Xueyue nipped at his finger. His eyes darkened. In an instant, he was close to her again.

"Pets shouldn't bite at their masters," he mused. "You should be punished."

Li Xueyue rolled her eyes. He leaned forward for another kiss and she smacked her palm onto his mouth.

"You're a disobedient pet," Li Xueyue retorted. "Now let me go."

"Hmm, I don't know—"

"Listen, Zhenzhen, as much as I want a niece running around, the Emperor and Empress are coming to your estate any minute now!"

At this, Li Xueyue's body tensed. In one rough push, she shoved herself off of him. Terror clouded her clear eyes. She rushed to the steps of the pool. In an instant, he was behind her.

"Breathe," he warned.

"We have to be presentable and—"

"We just had our wedding night. They'll cut us some slack," Yu Zhen reassured her. He gingerly grabbed her elbow from behind.

"You have to calm down first," Yu Zhen whispered. He knew her heart must've been thundering against her chest. When she looked up at him, he felt warmth spread through his body. She was so delectable… he wanted more than just a kiss.

But she seemed too distracted to be in the mood. Yu Zhen held back a complaint. He bent down and scooped her into his arms. She let out a startled breath at his action.

"I-I can walk on my own," Li Xueyue mumbled.

"Really now?"

"Really."

"I must remedy that tonight," Yu Zhen mused.

Li Xueyue gasped at his words, knowing exactly what he meant. "I'm still sore!" she exasperated.

"You said you can walk on your own."

"Yes, but not without difficulty—"

"The goal was making sure you couldn't even lift a limb," Yu Zhen chuckled.

Li Xueyue gaped up at him. Did he want children so soon? Each time he reached his peak, it was always inside of her. It would be a miracle if she wasn't pregnant!

"Don't look so horrified," Yu Zhen teased. He bent down and pecked her lips. "I held back last night. It seems I shouldn't have."

Li Xueyue flushed at his words. After so many rounds, he dared to say he had held back? She was surprised her voice wasn't hoarse from calling out his name in ecstasy.

"Prepare yourself," he whispered.

"F-for what?"

"We'll make love all night long. And this time, I won't stop."

Li Xueyue's jaws dropped open at his words. Why… why was he so damn virile?! She blamed his status as a Commander. He had more stamina than a regular soldier. She should've known better.

"Now, let's get you dressed," Yu Zhen stated with a smile. He was highly entertained by her horrified expression. It was as if she didn't believe in his words. Did she think he was joking? That's adorable. He was far from teasing.

Li Xueyue wobbly stood on her legs. She felt the blood rush back to her sore limbs, but it took a few seconds for her to be accustomed to walking on the ground again. He grabbed a white robe that was neatly folded upon a table.

"Thank you," she whispered as he helped her put it on. It was made of a thick, breathable material that was soft to the touch, despite how wet she was.

"You should show your sincerity."

Li Xueyue's face reddened from his words. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. He tied the strings of her robes into a bow.

"Well?" he asked.

Li Xueyue glared up at him, hoping her aggravation would hide her embarrassment.

"Just get dressed," she said.

In an instant, he pulled her close. She nearly tripped over her footing, but he caught her in no time.

"This feels like deja vu," he murmured, bending his neck.

Li Xueyue knew exactly what he was talking about. It was their first encounter all over again.

"By luck, you've managed to find a husband," he teased. "Despite not knowing the basics—"

"I know how to dress a man," she snapped.

"Right."

"I really do."

"I don't doubt you."

"You're doing exactly that!" she groaned.

"Am I disagreeing with you?" he retorted.

Li Xueyue scowled at his words. She angrily yanked the other robe off of the table. She held it open and gestured for him to put it on.

"Tsk, I wouldn't call it luck, but more of a miracle you found a husband—"

"Oh shut up." Li Xueyue reached behind him and offered the sleeves to him. She ignored his gloating smirk. He was watching her carefully. Her face was too close to his chest. She tried to ignore the heat oozing off of him. He snickered at her irritable expression.

Finally, he placed one muscular arm into the sleeve, and then the other. She grumbled insults under her breath whilst tying the belt.

"See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Yu Zhen jabbed.

Li Xueyue angrily yanked the belt tighter, hoping it would cut off his airways. He merely laughed at her feeble attempts. She glared at his firm chest that quivered with laughter.

She was even more aggrieved when he hoicked her into a hug. He rested one hand upon the back of her head, and the other upon her lower back.

"Why are you so endearing, Sunshine?" he whispered as she pouted against him.

"Why do you find joy in angering me?"

"Because your reactions are adorable. You're a little cub who thinks she's a tiger."

Li Xueyue narrowed her eyes. Just you wait, Yu Zhen… One day, she'd claw him so hard, he wouldn't be able to call her a cub anymore. But that was too much of a far-fetched dream.

The only thing she could do was struggle in his arms and push him away like an irritable cat who refused hugs.

Li Xueyue let out a huff when he loudly laughed again. Despite the heartwarming sound, her blood pressure rose.

"Too cute, Sunshine," he stated. "Just too cute."