Huo Wei cast a glance with his dark eyes. It was an ordinary black belt. However, the material seemed neither purely cloth nor something else, quite strange.
He didn't reach out to take it. "Don't you know what it means for a woman to give a man a belt in the Northern Yan?"
Du Gu Luanyue blinked her eyes.
"Of course I know. It's the same in the Southern Chu. A belt is only given to the one you love. You've known my feelings for you from the very beginning. Is it so strange for me to give you this belt today?"
Huo Wei looked at her sideways. "It's against the rules."
Du Gu Luanyue gave a charming laugh, her eyes alluring. "Is that all you can say? This is no ordinary belt. Touch it and see."
Huo Wei lowered his eyes. Curiosity got the better of him in the end. He reached out and picked up the black belt.
As he picked it up, he noticed that Du Gu Luanyue's fingertips were full of tiny, reddish needle - pricks.
He said in a deep voice, "Don't tell me you made this all by yourself?"
Du Gu Luanyue tucked her fingers into her sleeves and pursed her lips.
"I grew up in the palace since childhood. Actually, I'm not very good at needlework.
By the time His Majesty informed me to prepare for your birthday, there wasn't enough time. Otherwise, I could have made it better.
Aunt Mei Jiang taught me on the spot. She sewed the most complicated part, and I did the rest myself."
Huo Wei felt the material. It had excellent tension and elasticity. He had never seen such a fabric before.
He pressed his fingertips on it and felt there seemed to be something inside. "What's in here?"
Du Gu Luanyue ran her fingertips over the belt and spread it out smoothly.
"This fabric can only be found in the Southern Chu. It's called celestial silk. It's impermeable to water, incombustible, and unbreakable by swords. It can be stretched as tall as a person or shrunk to the size of a palm. In times of crisis, it can protect your waist and abdomen from attacks.
Even more miraculously, when a person is hanging in mid - air, it won't break and can stretch to its limit.
You're such a hated person. You must have many enemies. Maybe it can even save your life."
Huo Wei raised his cold and fierce eyebrows slightly, but his voice softened a bit. "I already have the jade Avalokitesvara. Why do you give me this?"
Du Gu Luanyue looked at Huo Wei with her charming fox - like eyes. "The jade Avalokitesvara is a public gift from the royal family. The celestial - silk belt is my own heartfelt gift. How can they be the same?"
She took the belt and reached towards Huo Wei's firm waist. "Let me put it on for you, okay? There are mechanisms inside. I'll show you how it works."
Huo Wei stepped back a bit, but still took the celestial - silk belt. "I'll do it myself."
Du Gu Luanyue teased him. "It seems you really like something that can save your life."
Huo Wei stood up and put on the celestial - silk belt by himself. Then he turned his head. "How does it work?"
Du Gu Luanyue looked around. "There shouldn't be any unwanted people in your mansion, right? It would be bad if one of your concubines or beauties rushed out and saw this."
Huo Wei said firmly, "There are hardly any maids in my mansion, let alone concubines."
Du Gu Luanyue narrowed her jade - like eyes. No women? Really?
How could a prince's mansion not have any concubines even if he wasn't married?
However, she didn't dwell on this issue. She'd find out for herself later.
At this moment, she also stood up and let her fingertips glide over his waist.
"There are no patterns on this belt, only five small dots embroidered with gold thread. They correspond to the mechanisms under the belt respectively.
I've installed the concealed - weapon cores I brought from the Southern Chu into the belt. When you're in danger, press the mechanisms, and the concealed weapons will shoot out."
Saying this, she took Huo Wei's finger and pressed it on the mechanism on the belt around his waist. She leaned in and explained bit by bit.
Huo Wei looked down. Du Gu Luanyue was bending over. Her head was close to his chest, and her fingers were pointing around his waist, pressing the mechanism from time to time.
His body suddenly tensed up. He said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you can just explain verbally."
Du Gu Luanyue suddenly looked up. She didn't understand what he meant at first. Her red lips accidentally kissed Huo Wei's chin.
Huo Wei felt a cold and soft touch on his chin. His dark eyes shrank.
Du Gu Luanyue steadied herself. Her eyebrows showed a hint of charm.
"Look at you. I was explaining seriously. Were you doing this on purpose? But it doesn't matter. Who asked me to be in love with you?"
Huo Wei took off the belt and examined it carefully. His attention was all on the belt. He asked intently,
"What if the things in the mechanisms are used up?"
Du Gu Luanyue took out a piece of paper from her sleeve.
"There are five mechanisms on the belt, each with a different type of concealed weapon. I've given you the blueprint as well. You can have people forge them."
Huo Wei took the things, a look of satisfaction in the corners of his eyes. "I thank Your Majesty for your kind gift."
Du Gu Luanyue stood close to him. Her voice became soft and charming. "I've given you my life - saving concealed weapons, Huo Wei. What about you?"
It was obvious that Huo Wei really liked this thing. He just took it when it was offered.
He must have so many enemies that he needed something for self - defense.
Huo Wei and she were so close that there was only the distance of an eyelash between them. Before he could react, Du Gu Luanyue took the belt from his hand and put it on him again.
The beauty's arms wrapped around his sensitive waist. This time, he didn't refuse. "What do you want me to do for you?"
Du Gu Luanyue whispered in his ear and sighed helplessly.
"Like is a match between equals, but love means willingly admitting defeat. You've really got me wrapped around your finger.
Even though I know you don't like me, I still keep coming to you and offering my treasures one by one.
I don't ask for anything. I'm happy that you've accepted my gift."
At this moment, she thought she shouldn't make too many demands on Huo Wei. It was still the time for her to give, not to receive.
After Du Gu Luanyue put the belt on him, she let go.
"Okay. Wear it today and from now on.
May it protect you and keep you safe and prosperous all your life. May I be able to give you a better gift on this day next year."
Huo Wei was sometimes afraid of her approaching. Whenever Du Gu Luanyue got close to him, he couldn't help but tense up all over.
He thought that Murong Jue might be able to answer this question. Why did he feel so tense and nervous?
Du Gu Luanyue then turned and walked towards the exit of the garden. He raised his cold and lonely dark eyes and took a deep look.
In his twenty years of life, it was the first time he had received a hand - made gift. He never thought that this gift would come from the person he had tried to kill many times.
He placed his hand on the celestial - silk belt and stroked it several times.
He wanted to kill her, but she protected and helped him.
Huo Wei was in a state of turmoil and couldn't calm down.
At this moment, his personal guard, Meng Tan, caught up. "My Lord, there are really guests arriving at the mansion one after another. You'd better go and greet them quickly."
Normally, if these guests were coming, they would have sent a reply a long time ago.
But it was not until early this morning that the steward reported that only his close generals would come. The other court officials all said they were too busy.
Huo Wei looked a bit surprised. "Who are they?"