Chapter 147: How to Avoid Sharing a Bed?

Watching Lu Ying leave, Zhi Liu’s eyes brimmed with a mischievous smile. This time, ten of them had come; originally, he was supposed to board another ship, but after much coaxing, he managed to stay with his lord. Being with his lord was one thing, but what truly delighted him was witnessing the scenes between his lord and Lu Ying together. Just last night, the thought of the tooth marks on his lord’s chin had roused him from sleep several times with a smile. He had resolved to record every single detail, every word spoken, so that upon returning to Luoyang, he could boast endlessly.

Today, it was under his strong urging that his lord finally agreed to have Lu Ying’s belongings gathered and arranged to share the same cabin with her.

Zhi Liu stood in the morning breeze, tapping his mouth in amusement for a while before sauntering with a slight outward turn of his feet towards his lord’s cabin.

Lu Ying arrived outside the noble’s cabin.

The cabin door was wide open, a maid helping the noble fasten his headpiece. Lu Ying glanced inside and saw her belongings neatly piled in the corner, awaiting her return to organize.

Noticing Lu Ying’s approach, the noble glanced at her briefly before withdrawing his gaze.

Lu Ying stepped forward slowly.

Leaning against the doorframe, she cast another glance at her scattered things and lowered her eyes.

At that moment, the maid finished her task, carrying a wooden basin and bowing her head as she exited the cabin.

Lu Ying stepped closer, stopping right in front of the noble. Raising her head, her eyes shone bright with sincerity, tinted with shyness, and she spoke hesitantly, “Jiang Lang, I’ve come down with the Heavenly Curse.” To add weight to her words, she nodded earnestly and emphasized, “It’s true. Jiang Lang, that thing is inauspicious; it will affect your great undertakings.”

Her dark eyes blinked in perfect timing, as if she were on the verge of swearing by the heavens.

The noble cast her a cold glance, lips curling with a trace of scorn. “So, I have to explain to everyone that because I share a bed and chamber with someone headstrong and possessive, who tolerates no one near my beloved, I must now sleep elsewhere because of your Heavenly Curse?”

Lu Ying was speechless.

After a long pause, blinking cautiously and sincerely, she asked, “Then, what does Jiang Lang suggest?”

The noble tugged at his lips and replied indifferently, “I do not mind.” Casting her a glance, he added slowly, “As long as it’s something belonging to Awen, I never mind.”

Her mind reeled—such sweet words, such a subtle seduction!

Lu Ying parted her lips, then closed them after a long moment, her eyes darting as she suddenly realized she had forgotten to mask her mixed feelings of embarrassment and joy.

As expected, the noble’s gaze darkened with a fiercer edge.

She moved her lips again, hesitating before saying, “This, this…” blinking several times, she spoke earnestly, “Jiang Lang, it seems Awen’s ears are troubled. He actually heard the exalted, supreme, and proud lord making advances toward me.” She spoke gravely, “This is serious; please allow Awen to return to her quarters to rest and recover.”

With that, she bent her waist and swiftly fled far away.

Watching her retreating figure, the noble’s lips twitched in barely suppressed amusement.

As Lu Ying rounded a corner, she spotted Zhi Liu, his eyes sparkling as he smiled warmly at her. She snorted softly, raised her chin arrogantly, and passed by him with a lofty air.

As they brushed shoulders, Zhi Liu cleared his throat politely and said, “Awen, you cannot sleep with Lady Yuan… Remember, you are still seen as a man among everyone. Keep that in mind.”

He was pleased to notice that after his words, Lu Ying’s lips stiffened and the brightness in her eyes dimmed.

Snapping back to herself under Zhi Liu’s keen gaze, she let out a soft hum through her nose, flicked her wide sleeves, and strode away.

Reaching a quiet spot at the rear of the ship, Lu Ying touched her jaw—her tooth ached again.

Though still a lady of the inner chambers, Lu Ying had long known that walking dark roads often invited ghosts; likewise, sharing a room too long would certainly lead to… complications.

She truly did not want that.

And she was still stubbornly resisting. Before surrendering, resistance was resistance; once lost, resistance was mere pretension and needless effort.

She tapped lightly on the ship’s railing, silently thinking: it seems she must find a beautiful woman to offer to her lord.

Having made up her mind, Lu Ying gracefully ascended to the second deck.

It was still early morning; the air was filled with moisture and crisp freshness. Upon reaching the second floor, she found it utterly quiet—everyone aboard was still deep in dreams after a night of revelry.

The bow and stern, as well as the main hall, were empty. Lu Ying paced around a few times before hearing a courteous laugh, “So it’s the young lord. What urgent matter brings you here at this early hour?”

Lu Ying turned.

Smiling warmly at her was a refined young man around twenty-four or twenty-five—the very owner of one of the ships, whom she had met last night.

Seeing the master himself appear, Lu Ying smiled slightly. She glanced discreetly around and, finding no one watching, lowered her voice and whispered, “May I ask if you have any outstanding beauties here?”

After pondering, she added her preference: “Preferably someone with a pure, refreshing aura, a beauty with distinctive charm.”

The ship owner’s eyes twinkled as he smiled, “Is the young lord looking for pleasure?”

Lu Ying blushed, hesitating before whispering, “I’ve been unwell lately and cannot endure much… so…”

The owner understood immediately, his eyes widening in surprise for a long moment.

Meeting his expression, Lu Ying suddenly regretted deeply: that tooth mark from last night should never have been bitten; that scent she indulged in should never have happened. Alas, she had devoted herself wholeheartedly to her lord’s grand cause. Now, branded with jealousy, no one believed she was actively seeking beauties for her lord.

With her face darkened with gloom, the ship owner smiled wryly, “Young lord, please don’t joke with me. The women on this ship are all unfortunate souls. It wouldn’t be proper to involve them in your private pleasures, would it?” He was basically saying: if you want to indulge, keep it between yourselves and don’t drag innocent women into it, lest you ruin their lives.

Hearing this, Lu Ying pressed her lips tightly.

In truth, if she had plenty of gold to spend, the ship owner might well have hidden his meager conscience away. But the problem was, she had no money. She couldn’t ask the noble for funds, and as for Zhi Liu, judging by his chaotic nature, he probably wouldn’t help.

Thinking this over, Lu Ying grew bitter: “I’m supposed to find a seductress for him, but I have to pay out of my own pocket… and wait, I don’t even have a single coin on me.”

At that, Lu Ying lost all will to argue further. With a flick of her sleeves, she stomped away in a huff.

The ship owner watched her retreating figure, smiling wryly as he shook his head. He mused: these people, changing their games every day, are really hard to manage.

That whole day, Lu Ying was truly troubled.

As dusk fell, when the fleet reached calmer waters, all ships gradually slowed. Experienced boatmen then secured iron chains between the vessels, laying wooden planks atop them. The beauties, handsome youths, and musicians began to circulate among the ships.

After all, the journey along the river would last days, even weeks, without stopping. It would be dull for these lavishly spending guests to see the same beauties night after night. Hence, this exchange was necessary.

Once the personnel rotation was complete, the boatmen removed the planks and hauled up the chains.

Leaning against the railing, Lu Ying’s garments fluttered in the night breeze. Bathed in the sunset’s glow, she looked elegant and refined, drawing many admiring glances from the newly arrived beauties.

Lu Ying paid no heed to these gazes, still lost in thought, searching for a solution.

At that moment, a strong arm pulled her into an embrace, and she heard a deep, gentle voice whisper, “You say you have the Heavenly Curse? It’s windy here; come back to your cabin.”

Meeting Lu Ying’s eyes, the noble’s handsome and dignified face bore a faint smile. He stroked her jaw, bent down, and kissed her lips. Ignoring the passing crowd and their many eyes, he boldly slipped his tongue inside, exploring thoroughly. Lu Ying’s breath quickened, her hands and feet weakened, her cheeks flushed crimson. Though she wanted to struggle and scold him, she dared not. Only then did he leisurely release her.

Even after letting go, his hand remained on her chin. Catching her fiery gaze, he smiled softly and pressed his lips near her ear, sighing, “You went to the ship owner seeking a beauty to soothe me? Awen, you’re truly thoughtful.”

He knew even that?

Lu Ying stiffened.

Clearly unwilling to part with her, his palm wandered from her cheek to her neck, approaching her temple in a hidden corner where no one could see. There, he gently nibbled and licked her earlobe.

Lu Ying was frozen stiff, unable to move.

The noble chuckled lowly again.

Hearing his laughter, Lu Ying gasped sharply, finally regaining her composure to plead, “Jiang Lang, I truly have the Heavenly Curse… really!”

“No matter,” the noble seemed intoxicated, his voice hoarse with desire, “I don’t mind.”

“But I do. It’s filthy,” Lu Ying said earnestly and clearly.

The noble curled his lips and said deeply, “Didn’t I tell you yesterday? I’ve also learned about male pleasures recently. Let the Heavenly Curse come. When the time comes, I’ll treat you like a husband for my own delight.”

Lu Ying’s face went pale.

At last, she trembled and stammered, shivering joyfully in his arms, her words tinged with fear, “My lord, I’ll get sick, truly. You have great matters to attend to; if Awen falls ill, no one will help you fend off those open and hidden tests and troublesome entanglements.”

The noble slowly loosened his hold.

He lowered his head, expression unreadable, eyes fixed on her. Half-smiling, half-smirking, he said, “Sick? Awen, your boldness grows daily. Now you’re even threatening me with illness.” To avoid him, she even dared to use the threat of falling ill!

Feeling the dark menace radiating from him, Lu Ying shivered again. She forced out a choked, frightened voice, “I’ve never lost a bet with you… There’s a fire burning inside me—I just can’t accept being with you like this. I truly can’t.”

She spoke with utmost seriousness, her eyes misted and full of emotion. (To be continued)