Although Ruxue initially didn't understand what was happening, she immersed herself in that delicate yet powerful embrace. She wanted to feel the essence.
Even so, his words and little jokes woke her up.
Stunned, she stared at Xiaotian for several minutes...
Her mind finally began to work.
"You..." She trembled somehow. "A-are you alive?" she asked in shock.
"Could a dead person talk and come to see you?" Xiaotian asked casually.
"This... impossible. They told me that..."
"Yes. They tried to kill me and almost succeeded. Fortunately, heaven often smiles on me these days, and I was able to escape. But they believe I'm dead."
Ruxue didn't know if she was dreaming, but she wanted to cling to the idea that this was reality. That her reality was that she had been deceived about his death.
And his words gave her the clue to know.
"Who did this?" she asked. The hatred in her voice could have made anyone who heard her tremble, but Xiaotian smiled. Somehow... they both felt that hatred, so he could understand her.
"I don't want you to do anything," he said sincerely. "I know you're strong, and so is your family. But this is between the Zhang family and me."
"The Zhangs?" she murmured and clenched her hands slightly.
Xiaotian squeezed them back. "Ruxue. Look at me," he said.
She looked at him, confused.
"I'm alive. I didn't really die, and that's why I want revenge. They tried to humiliate me, to kill me, so this revenge is mine."
"No." Ruxue shook her head. "If you're really alive, you have to remember that we're engaged and we'll be family. Revenge for a family member isn't just yours, it's mine too." She was firm.
That was so like her; even Xiaotian felt really good in his heart when he heard her say those words.
He had no choice but to nod.
"Yes, I know. That's why I want you to help me. But I won't let you do it alone."
Ruxue nodded, though she frowned. "Tiantian, you..."
He put a finger to her lips. "Get dressed first, then we'll talk."
She looked at him, confused. "Get dressed?"
It was then that she lowered her head to look at herself and noticed the mess of water below, her body without clothes... She turned tomato-red, but smiled.
"You said we could get married today, right? Will you keep your word?" she asked, swallowing all the embarrassment she felt.
Xiaotian stared at her in shock. For a brief moment, he didn't know what to say.
Was she serious?
She was serious!
"I've never told you anything I didn't intend to do..."
"Young Lady!" Mrs. Wang suddenly shouted, interrupting Xiaotian and alerting the pair that she was there.
Ruxue stared at her reproachfully. She didn't know she was there, but if she was, couldn't she just keep quiet for a moment?
But Mrs. Wang, although she understood very well what was happening, the moment she knew that Xiaotian was going to take this opportunity to marry her young lady, she stopped him.
"Young lady, do you intend to violate the rules of the Clans? That is an insult to your father!" Mrs. Wang growled reproachfully.
"Tsk." Ruxue clicked her tongue. "Father would understand." She assured her.
"What about your grandfather? He's extremely conservative about the rules!"
Ruxue frowned. She thought for several seconds, hesitant, before turning away with a snort.
"I'm going to get dressed," she growled.
But before entering the next room, she turned to look at Xiaotian as if she wanted to devour him. "If you're really alive, you'll never escape me, Tiantian!"
Her eyes revealed a strange amorous lust that made Xiaotian smile a little.
"I don't intend to."
"Enough, you two!" Mrs. Wang shouted and made Xiaotian turn around so he wouldn't see her mistress naked. She immediately made him leave the room and wait on the balcony.
And between scoldings and lectures, she dressed Ruxue. She had a feeling she wouldn't be sleeping tonight... she needed to keep an eye on this pair of horny young people who were capable of breaking the rules at any moment.
She wasn't just anyone; although she was a servant of the family, she was legendary. She had served the family for a long time and was considered one of the strongest, having served the Grand Elder since he was young.
When Ruxue is in the Sect, and the Clan Master must be away, she is the one who takes care of the Clan.
Everyone trusts her, not only because of her strength, but also because of her wisdom. She is a good administrator of the clan's lands.
That's why both of them had to listen to her; even Ruxue's father had to do so sometimes. If it weren't for her, Ruxue and Xiaotian would surely have been married two years ago.
But rules are rules.
It was an hour before dawn when Ruxue and Xiaotian met again.
Ruxue still had trouble processing what had happened in the last few hours, but she had managed to understand the essence of it all thanks to Mrs. Wang, who had patiently explained what she knew.
Mrs. Wang was no longer at this meeting, but someone else was.
"Little Xiaotian, I'm sure you were reported dead a few hours ago," said Mu Tao Lei, Ruxue's father.
Only the three of them were in the room, and it wasn't the main room, but Ruxue's own room.
Xiaotian smiled. "Uncle Mu, that report is the best example of who my enemies are," he said.
Mu Tao Lei nodded.
"I always told your father that the Zhangs were vicious and that even though they were his family, he shouldn't be so friendly with them or trust them." Tao Lei shook his head in frustration. It was a pity.
Xiaotian was not surprised by his words; he knew that Tao Lei suspected the Zhangs of killing his father. And now... he himself was beginning to suspect it.
"Father was a just man, Uncle Mu. Justice and loyalty were part of his values."
Tao Lei laughed as he remembered his old friend. "You're right, little Xiaotian. That's how your father was, and he was fine the whole time."
They both agreed. Hutian wasn't to blame for having such a vicious family that would do anything for power.
"I don't intend to let the Zhangs get my father's legacy, Uncle Mu," Xiaotian said suddenly.
Tao Lei stared at him. "What do you intend to do?"
"I have a plan, Uncle. I need your help and Ruxue's."