Chapter 9: Played

Chapter 9: Played

It was because she was about to be free. Mulan let out a silent cry of "oh no," avoided his gaze, and put on the airs of a bashful young lady, saying, "Your Majesty, you don't understand... this is actually... the feeling of a young maiden awaiting her wedding."

Dongling Jue raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Because you are to become my consort, you are ecstatic with joy?"

"Exactly, exactly." Mulan hurriedly played along with his words. As long as she didn't arouse his suspicion, she would admit to anything.

"In that case..." Dongling Jue paused, then suddenly, without any warning, wrapped an arm around her waist. Mulan felt her body take flight in an instant; the next second, she had been hoisted onto his horse. In her panic, she locked eyes with those mesmerizing black eyes.

His sexy, thin lips held a trace of a smile as they hovered just above her line of sight. He said, "Does Your Majesty need to provide some consolation for your lovesickness?"

The situation shifted instantly. Through the thin layers of clothing, their body temperatures merged. His deep, pleasant voice made her body go numb, and the air was filled with his dangerous aura.

For a moment, Mulan felt a near-dizzy sensation; her usual mask of composure seemed to lose its ability to react at this moment.

But it was only for a brief instant. Upon seeing the wildness in those black eyes that betrayed a strong sense of conquest, she snapped back to her senses. She hurriedly tried to push back to create distance, but she forgot she was on horseback. His arm around her waist loosened only slightly before she immediately lost her balance, nearly tumbling off the horse.

Dongling Jue was not annoyed by her obvious resistance; he merely forced her to press closer to him. "Didn't you want to be my woman very much? Why are you hiding?"

"That... in broad daylight..." Mulan's heart pounded wildly as she scrambled for an excuse.

"It is already dusk," Dongling Jue replied, uncharacteristically serious.

"We are in the wild..." Was he actually serious?

"Then we shall go to the relay station." He pressed her step by step.

"We are not yet married." Mulan could no longer manage a smile.

"We have already consummated the marriage regardless." Dongling Jue freed one hand to lightly brush her burning cheek, his fingertip tracing her brow. "This time, even without aphrodisiacs, I can give you what you want."

His voice possessed an indescribable enchantment. Mulan felt an unfamiliar current surge through her spine. This strange reaction caused a panic in her heart, but it also reminded her of that terrifying night. Fear and panic finally erupted into an impulse, causing her to recklessly try to "open" him.

"Ah...!" Accompanied by a sharp cry, Mulan fell heavily to the ground. Fortunately, she had rolled, so aside from some pain upon impact, she was largely unhurt.

Dongling Jue looked down at her from his high vantage point, showing absolutely no intention of dismounting to help her up. Instead, a trace of mockery appeared on his wicked face. After admiring her for a while, he finally spoke: "So, this is the extent of your skills?"

Mulan scrambled up in a disheveled state and glared at him, only then realizing that he had been testing her just now. She had been played by him.

How embarrassing. Mulan had written and read all sorts of scandalous stories; how could she have lost her composure after just a few words of provocation from this man? It was truly humiliating!

However, recalling her experience of being forcibly violated by him last time, being alone with him now was highly detrimental to her personal safety. Mulan didn't dare provoke him further; she hurriedly turned around, rubbing her backside, and led the horse away. Behind her, the man's arrogant laughter rang out.

As she approached the relay station, she unexpectedly saw Xiao Yi. He was standing under a tree by the roadside, seemingly waiting for her. It wasn't until she reached him that Mulan saw a hint of hidden worry in his eyes.

"Princess, are you alright?" Xiao Yi's gaze swept over her, landing on her dust-stained clothes, his expression immediately turning anxious.

Whether it was a sensation inherent to this body or not, Mulan felt quite a sense of goodwill toward this man. That inexplicable feeling of trust made her subconsciously smile at him. "Don't worry, I just tripped while walking. I'm not hurt."

Xiao Yi's expression finally relaxed. He nodded to her and, after a moment of silence, said, "Princess, do not force yourself in anything. Your health is most important."

He was likely referring to her insistence on riding a horse, wasn't he? Although it was just a casual remark, Mulan could tell he was sincerely concerned for her. Or rather, he was concerned for Jin Ning.

"I will know my limits," Mulan replied, feeling that she should let him know that she was no longer his Jin Ning. However, before she could figure out how to say it, several maidservants came rushing toward her.

It seemed she would have to find another opportunity to speak with him. Mulan withdrew her gaze and allowed the approaching maids to help her into the relay station.

The next day, Dongling Jue actually split the massive wedding procession into two. The main force escorted the dowry items according to the original plan, while a selected group of dozens of guards, including Xiao Yi, disguised themselves as merchants and servants, riding fast horses along a shortcut via a side road.

Finally free from those layers of cumbersome, heavy skirts that left her feeling dizzy and nauseated while sitting in a carriage, Mulan felt much more refreshed sitting on horseback in riding attire.

Looking at Dongling Jue, he wore a light, moon-white robe, and the golden crown on his head had been replaced by a silk ribbon. He looked entirely like a young master of a noble family; his poised, elegant demeanor was very pleasing to the eye.

While Mulan was observing him, Dongling Jue also cast his gaze toward her. After sweeping his eyes over her from head to toe, he lifted his chin, the corners of his lips curling slightly.

That lofty posture and that half-smiling expression immediately reminded Mulan of being teased by him yesterday. She couldn't help but tease him back, "Your Majesty, with us disguised like this, do you perhaps have many enemies?"

"Why, are you afraid?" Dongling Jue countered with a question.

"Of course not." It would be best if his enemies ambushed them halfway so she could take advantage of the chaos to escape. Mulan was calculating in her heart, but her words were as sweet as honey. "I have long heard that Your Majesty possesses the courage to face ten thousand men. Even if there is true danger, with you here, your servant will surely be the safest."

Dongling Jue scrutinized her. "Is it not because Xiao Yi is here?"

What did he mean by that? Mulan felt as though he knew something, or perhaps he was testing her. However, since she was not Jin Ning, she had no reason to feel guilty.

Thus, she simply looked straight into his eyes and smiled. "How could General Xiao compare to even a fraction of Your Majesty? Your servant only wishes to be protected by you alone."

In other words, she was truly happy to watch him take a blade for her.