A Night of Restraint

"I don't want you to keep secrets from me."

I don't want to hide anything from you either... but...

She knew Colin Gu's ambitions all too well, and Evan Xiao was his vanguard on the front lines. If they found out Henry Tuoba had come here in disguise, who knows what could happen.

And as for these vassal states—how many of them don't have their own agendas?

Grace buried her head in his chest and said, "Ever since I met you, my heart has never wavered. All I ever wanted was to marry you—heaven and earth can bear witness, the gods can testify! If I ever lie, let me—"

"Shut up!" A wave of murderous intent swept down from above.

Grace closed her mouth and looked up at him, aggrieved.

"No more talk of oaths and vows from now on, got it?"

"So... are you still mad at me?"

Evan Xiao looked at the pretty little thing snuggled in his arms—how could he possibly stay angry?

Even though he could clearly sense that Grace had a strong emotional reaction when she saw that person.

Sadness, and maybe even guilt.

But since she didn’t want to talk about it, he didn’t press her.

There’s plenty of time ahead.

Evan Xiao’s gaze grew deeper as he looked at her, then he lowered his head and kissed her.

From gentle to passionate—from her lips, to her ear, to her neck.

From the chair to the bed.

Evan Xiao had only meant to kiss her.

But he couldn’t help but let his hand wander to her softness.

He had only meant to touch her.

But then, unable to resist, he undid her collar and kissed her again.

He had only meant to kiss that pair.

Yet he couldn’t help but go deeper...

Her clothes gradually loosened, and under his kisses and caresses, Grace’s body became soft and pliant, her moans growing hazy and alluring.

Those sounds were pure torment for Evan Xiao.

He took a deep breath, suddenly let go of her, fixed her clothes tightly, then turned and walked away.

"Hey!" Grace called out.

Evan Xiao stopped, turned to look at her, and saw her face flushed with shyness, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at him.

From this angle, he could see a glimpse of her fair, delicate skin at her collar, marked by the kisses he’d left.

He looked away and said, "What is it?"

His voice was strangely hoarse.

"Where are you going...?" Grace asked, her face flushed.

"I’ll go out for a walk first," Evan Xiao said. "Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back."

With that, he turned and left.

"Evan Xiao!" Grace called again.

Evan Xiao stopped and looked at her.

"Um, well..." Grace stammered.

"What is it?"

"Actually... you can," Grace whispered, her voice barely audible.

"What?" Evan Xiao was tormented, and hadn’t quite heard what she said.

"Nothing, nothing! Go on, go!" Grace’s face turned bright red as she rolled over, burying her face in the blanket.

What was she saying? She must be out of her mind!

Ah! She really wanted to burrow into a hole like an Earthwyrm!

Evan Xiao looked at her little upturned butt and thought, I really need her to reach Spirit Practitioner, Grandmaster soon, or I’ll die of frustration...

...

Evan Xiao went out and got drenched in the rain, finally cooling off those feelings.

On his way back, he asked the innkeeper to send up some food.

The two of them ate dinner together and then went to bed.

Well, it was Grace who went to bed.

Evan Xiao said he wasn’t tired, and told her to sleep first.

Grace lay alone in bed, watching Evan Xiao’s back, feeling rather lonely.

He really is a conservative guy!

She’d offered herself before, but he said to wait for their wedding night.

Now, even though they’re already like husband and wife, he says they have to wait until after the wedding...

...