Chapter 104: A Journey with the Madam
A lone carriage traversed a quiet, deserted mountain path.
Inside the carriage, Mao Ruoyu, dressed in an elegant brocade ruqun with her hair styled in a sophisticated bun, exuded both grace and dignity. Her legs were pressed together as she sat, her gaze fixed on the figure driving the carriage.
It had been almost half a day since they set out on their journey. The sun was slowly setting, and a chilly autumn wind began to blow.
After a moment of contemplation, unable to bear her concern any longer, she spoke softly through the curtain, “Sir, would you like to come inside and rest for a while?”
“There’s a post station not far ahead. We can stop and rest there.”
Mao Ruoyu bit her lip and, gathering her courage, lifted the curtain and leaned out. “Sir, you must be tired from driving, and the autumn wind is biting. May I massage your shoulders?”
Lin Tianlu looked back in surprise. “You know how to give massages, Madam?”
“I learned some meridian charts back in the Lunar Valley, so I know a little.”
Seeing the concern in the beautiful woman’s eyes, he chuckled. “Then give it a try, Madam.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled faintly, gracefully kneeling beside him and gently massaging his shoulders.
Lin Tianlu closed his eyes, a tingling sensation spreading through his body.
Unlike Yu Xuanling’s precise and skillful touch, Mao Ruoyu’s fingers were delicate and soft. But because of that, her massage was even more alluring, like a lover’s caress, both teasing and gentle, leaving him wanting more.
Each knead felt like a feather brushing against his heart, stirring up inappropriate thoughts.
Suddenly, the carriage jolted as if it had rolled over a stone.
“Ah?”
A soft gasp escaped her lips, followed by an indescribably soft sensation pressing against his back.
“Hiss—”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but gasp.
Even without turning around, he could imagine the full curve of her ample bosom pressed against him. He could even feel a slight tremor, like ripples spreading through water.
Only when the alluring weight on his back quickly retreated did Lin Tianlu breathe a sigh of relief, clearing his throat to regain his composure.
“…”
Mao Ruoyu blushed slightly, covering her chest with her hand, and said softly, “Sir, do you think… my body is too seductive? To have grown such embarrassing things.”
“Madam, are you taking Miss Cheng’s teasing seriously?”
Lin Tianlu turned to smile at her. “You have a beautiful figure, Madam. You should be proud and hold your head high.”
Mao Ruoyu blushed even deeper.
But his words reassured her, easing her anxiety. She rubbed her slightly stiff cheeks.
“It seems… I was being too nervous and flustered.”
Her hesitant words, her constant overthinking, she didn’t know when she had become so self-conscious.
Lin Tianlu said casually, “There’s no one else here. If you’re in the mood, Madam, you can play the flute to relax.”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes lit up. “It’s been a while since we played music together. Are you interested, Sir?”
“If you want to play, Madam, I’ll naturally accompany you.”
They smiled at each other and quickly took out their flutes from their bags.
Without a word, they both raised their flutes to their lips and began to play.
The clear and bright sound of the flute echoed through the air, a beautiful melody filling their ears.
It wasn’t just a melody; each note, each phrase carried the emotions and intentions of the players.
Joy, concern, longing, shyness…
All these emotions were expressed through the music, and the warmth of their affection washed over Mao Ruoyu.
For a moment, it felt as if the man she had admired for so long was holding her tightly, their eyes locked, their hearts connected.
…
As the song ended, Mao Ruoyu opened her eyes, her gaze filled with even deeper affection.
Looking at Lin Tianlu’s broad and straight back, she smiled, a captivating smile.
The half-month separation hadn’t created any distance between them. On the contrary, their feelings had intensified, making her heart tremble.
She had thought that she would be so nervous on this trip that she would make a fool of herself, but now, after playing a song together, she felt an unprecedented sense of peace.
She could sense the emotions in the man’s heart.
There was no need for sweet words to express their feelings, they had a tacit understanding.
What she yearned for…
“Hmm?!”
Mao Ruoyu’s expression suddenly changed, and her body tensed up. She quickly retreated into the carriage and pulled the curtain closed.
Lin Tianlu, who had just put down his flute and was still lost in the afterglow of the music, quickly noticed the commotion behind him. “Madam, what happened?”
“I-I just feel a little dizzy and weak. Maybe I’m not used to riding in a carriage.”
Her voice from inside the carriage was soft and trembling.
Lin Tianlu frowned slightly. “Just bear with it for a while longer, Madam. We’ll be at the post station soon.”
“T-thank you, Sir.”
Mao Ruoyu was sprawled on the floor of the carriage, her face flushed red. She felt a wave of unbearable heat surging through her body, a familiar yet strange sensation that she could only endure through gritted teeth.
She… she had completely forgotten about this…
She was both embarrassed and frustrated, her stomach clenching beneath her silk robe, her legs twisting restlessly.
“Mmm!”
She moaned softly, tilting her head back.
She collapsed weakly, her faint affection transforming into burning desire. As she gasped for breath, her body arched, almost jumping in surprise.
Trembling, she exhaled a warm breath, her body weak and leaning against the side of the carriage. Her hair was disheveled, strands clinging to her forehead with sweat. Her eyes were glazed over, filled with a mixture of complex emotions and longing as she looked at the figure outside the curtain.
“Sir…”
Even she didn’t realize how sweet and seductive her voice sounded.
…
It was still early evening, and there were still a few people at the post station.
Mao Ruoyu sat upright at a tea stall, sipping her tea, her clothes neatly arranged, but her face was flushed with an unnatural blush.
“Madam, are you sure you’re alright?”
Lin Tianlu, sitting beside her, looked at her with a strange expression. “You’re sweating and trembling.”
“I’m feeling much better now.”
Mao Ruoyu put down her teacup and forced a smile. “Maybe I haven’t traveled far in a long time, and I’m not used to the bumpy ride.”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then gently took her hand.
“Ah?!”
Mao Ruoyu couldn’t help but let out a soft moan, her face crimson with embarrassment. She blinked rapidly. “S-Sir?”
“Madam, we’re less than ten miles from Jianggai County. Let’s stay here for the night.” Lin Tianlu said with concern. “We’ll set off again when you’re feeling better.”
Only then did the beautiful woman realize the misunderstanding, and her face flushed even deeper with shame.
She cursed her sensitive body inwardly. Just holding his hand had almost reignited the suppressed heat within her.
She took a few deep breaths and said hesitantly,
“Will this delay—”
“Your health is more important, Madam. It doesn’t matter if we arrive a day earlier or later.”
“…”
Mao Ruoyu was speechless.
But after a moment of silence, she chuckled softly, her expression playful. “You’ve become quite good at sweet-talking women, Sir. Did you practice with Miss Cheng?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly.
“But—” Before he could speak, Mao Ruoyu leaned in, her face flushed, her eyes sparkling. “I’m very touched by your concern, Sir.”
“…”
They stared at each other, both frozen in place.
The atmosphere was ambiguous, but also a bit awkward.
After a while, Lin Tianlu finally said, “Madam?”
“N-nothing.”
Mao Ruoyu quickly pulled back, averting her gaze and fiddling with her hair.
But…
She tightened her grip on his hand.
Lin Tianlu was slightly startled, then smiled and brushed away a fallen leaf from her hair. “You’re most charming when you’re your usual gentle and kind self, Madam.”
Mao Ruoyu’s heart skipped a beat, and a smile appeared on her lips. But she quickly composed herself and teased him playfully. “What do you like about Miss Cheng, then?”
Lin Tianlu’s smile froze.
That question was… sharp!
Seeing his awkward expression, Mao Ruoyu quickly softened her tone and chuckled. “I was just joking, Sir. Don’t take it seriously. Miss Cheng is naturally—”
Before she could finish speaking, a figure rushed past them.
“Eh?”
Mao Ruoyu looked surprised and turned to watch the figure running away in a panic. “Why is he running so desperately?”
“He must have a guilty conscience.”
Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow and casually placed a pouch of money and two daggers on the table.
“I didn’t expect to encounter a thief for the first time in front of a post station in the suburbs.”
At the same time, shouts erupted from the inn behind them. It seemed someone had discovered their belongings were missing.
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