MSW Chapter6

20

Since the two had met, this was the first time they sat together peacefully, chatting about the little things in life. The fragrance of tea curled in the air. Mu Peixuan seldom drank tea, but perhaps it was because Duan Linzhou’s tea-brewing manner was so pleasing to the eye that even the tea itself tasted a little sweeter going down.

 

With nothing else to do, Duan Linzhou directly asked Liu Guang to bring over the booklet for New Year’s gifts. The two sipped their tea while discussing what gifts to send to each household this year.

 

Mu Peixuan found the experience rather subtle and strange.

 

He looked at Duan Linzhou, who was frowning slightly, deep in thought. A new set of brush and ink had been added to the table. As he considered Mu Peixuan’s suggestions, he made additional notes and revisions in the booklet.

 

Though Duan Linzhou was tactful and adept in dealing with people, when it came to the aristocrats, especially those in the capital, he wasn’t as well-versed as Mu Peixuan.

 

Duan Linzhou was clever; even a brief mention from Mu Peixuan, and he would immediately grasp the meaning.

 

After half an hour, Mu Peixuan had to admit that Duan Linzhou indeed had his own strengths to have become the head of the Lingnan trading firm. Even if it were him in that position, he might not be as thorough and attentive as Duan Linzhou.

 

The awkwardness between them quietly dissolved amidst their back-and-forth exchange. By the time Liu Guang came to light the lamps and urge them to eat, Mu Peixuan finally realized that night had already fallen completely outside.

 

The tea on the table had long gone cold. Duan Linzhou set down his brush and carefully examined the ink marks on the booklet before saying, “That should cover everything.” He turned to Mu Peixuan and asked, “Would Xiao Junwang like to take another look?”

 

Mu Peixuan replied, “No need. You can make the decision.”

 

Duan Linzhou was slightly taken aback, then quickly smiled and said, “Alright.”

 

After the two finished dinner as usual, Liu Guang brought over a bowl of medicine and presented it to Duan Linzhou. Seeing that yellow concoction, Mu Peixuan couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

 

Duan Linzhou truly was treating medicine like a regular meal.

 

But Duan Linzhou seemed completely used to it, drinking it slowly without so much as a change in expression. Sensing Mu Peixuan’s gaze, he lifted his eyes and looked over in puzzlement. “Your Highness?”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “It’s nothing.”

 

He suddenly remembered that Duan Linzhou had trained in martial arts. Martial artists were usually healthier than most, and Duan Linzhou had once led trade caravans, journeying across the south and braving the challenges of Lingnan. Yet now, he was so frail that even a common chill might claim his life.

 

The contrast was almost unimaginable.

 

That unfamiliar feeling lingered in Mu Peixuan’s heart, stirring up a restless unease. So much so that he completely forgot what had happened the previous night when they shared a bed. Without thinking, he naturally walked into the bedroom.

 

Duan Linzhou was leaning against the headboard reading a book. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and, upon seeing Mu Peixuan, gave him a little smile.

 

Mu Peixuan paused mid-step, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. Suddenly, his nose twitched, and his gaze swept the room — landing on a mythical beast-shaped incense burner.

 

Incense was burning in it.

 

Mu Peixuan asked, “Why are you suddenly burning incense?”

 

Duan Linzhou responded casually, “Your Highness doesn’t like it?”

 

Mu Peixuan had only spoken to make conversation and replied, “It’s not that I dislike it.”

 

Duan Linzhou gave a little laugh and said, “If Your Highness doesn’t like this particular scent, I’ll have Liu Guang change it.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “No need.”

 

It wasn’t until he got into bed and Duan Linzhou lay down beside him, the lights in the room going out, that — just as Mu Peixuan was drifting on the edge of sleep, a thought surfaced in his mind.

 

Did Duan Linzhou suddenly start burning incense because he had once mentioned that he didn’t like the lingering smell of medicine?

 

In that instant, Mu Peixuan felt as if something had gently pricked his heart, and a wave of indescribable bitterness surged up within him. He was instantly wide awake. Opening his eyes, he turned his head to look at Duan Linzhou, who lay on the inner side of the bed.

 

He didn’t know if it was just his imagination, but the medicinal scent that usually clung to Duan Linzhou seemed to have faded.

 

Mu Peixuan wanted to say something but didn’t know how to begin.

 

Duan Linzhou asked, “Can’t sleep?”

 

After a moment’s thought, Mu Peixuan replied with a soft “Mm.”

 

Duan Linzhou was silent for a while, then sat up. Mu Peixuan asked, “What are you doing?”

 

Duan Linzhou gave a small, helpless smile and said, “I’ll sleep in another room.”

 

Mu Peixuan froze for a moment, then grabbed Duan Linzhou’s wrist, frowning as he said, “There’s no need.” But after the words left his mouth, they felt too blunt, so he added, “It’s not because you’re sleeping beside me.”

 

Duan Linzhou blinked, looking at Mu Peixuan’s firm yet warm fingers, but said nothing.

 

Mu Peixuan’s grip tightened slightly as he said, “Lie down.”

 

As he withdrew his hand, his fingers brushed against Duan Linzhou’s. They were icy cold — so cold, it seemed he must have been freezing.

 

Mu Peixuan’s fingers twitched slightly.

 

Following the slight pull of his hand, Duan Linzhou nestled back under the covers, leaving only his face exposed as he asked, “Truly not because of me?”

 

Mu Peixuan replied stiffly, “It’s not.”

 

Duan Linzhou said, “Then who is Your Highness thinking of? Who could keep Your Highness tossing and turning, unable to sleep?”

 

Naturally, Mu Peixuan couldn’t admit it was because he’d been thinking of Duan Linzhou. So he said, “Who I’m thinking of has nothing to do with you.”

 

“How is it unrelated?” Duan Linzhou gave a light chuckle. “Naturally, I must know, Your Highness is sharing a bed with me but dreaming of someone else. Could it be some young kunze from a noble family?”

 

He let out a long, dramatic sigh. “Rest assured, Your Highness. I’m not the jealous sort. If you truly have feelings for some young kunze—”

 

Mu Peixuan was so furious he actually laughed. “So Boss Duan is even planning to help this prince take in a little concubine now?”

 

Duan Linzhou gave it serious thought and said with a sigh, “If Your Highness truly likes them, then naturally, I can only go along with Your Highness’s wishes.”

 

Mu Peixuan sneered, “How generous of Boss Duan.”

 

Duan Linzhou sighed again, “Then how about Your Highness wait a little longer? Wait until Duan is dead, and then you can formally bring the person in with all the proper rituals, matchmakers, betrothal gifts, everything. That way, your beloved won’t have to suffer any grievance…”

 

Mu Peixuan listened as Duan Linzhou’s words grew more and more absurd and cut him off with a blank expression, “Nonsense.”

 

“Sleep!” Mu Peixuan snapped, shutting his eyes in frustration.

 

A glint of amusement appeared in Duan Linzhou’s eyes, he knew full well there was no young kunze or whatsoever.

 

After a while, Mu Peixuan heard Duan Linzhou say, “I can’t sleep.”

 

Then he added, “Your Highness, are you cold?”

 

Mu Peixuan thought of those icy fingertips and replied, “No.”

 

“I’m cold.” Duan Linzhou said.

 

Mu Peixuan pressed his lips together but didn’t move. He hadn’t expected that in the very next moment, Duan Linzhou’s foot would nudge over.

 

It was ice-cold. Even after lying in bed for so long, it still hadn’t warmed up.

 

Mu Peixuan gave him a light kick and said, “Move it.”

 

Instead, Duan Linzhou pressed closer to his warm legs, chuckling softly. “Have mercy, Your Highness. If you ignore me, I probably won’t be able to fall asleep until the middle of the night, and then I’ll catch another chill again in the morning.”

 

Mu Peixuan let out a cold snort. Then, as if something occurred to him, he said indifferently, “If Boss Duan wants someone to warm the bed, just have someone sent them over.”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “How could that do? I’ve already married into Your Highness’s household, I’m Your Highness’s person now. How could I let just anyone climb into my bed?”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Oh? So before marrying me, Boss Duan truly had warm, fragrant beauties in your bed every night, keeping your feet warm?”

 

Duan Linzhou burst out laughing. The sound made Mu Peixuan’s ears flush with heat. He was about to kick Duan Linzhou’s foot away, but the latter entangled him instead, pressing in closer.

 

The young man’s voice was slightly hoarse but still mellow and pleasing, like fine jade and gold. With a smile in his tone, he said, “No, not even one. Every night I only had a hot-water bottle for company, pitiful, wasn’t it?”

 

“It’s not easy to find someone, so I still need to ask Xiao Junwang to show a little care.” Duan Linzhou said, his words dripping with affection.

 

The way he said “care” was so lingering and seductive, full of warmth and charm. Mu Peixuan’s ears turned completely red, but he didn’t push Duan Linzhou away. Instead, he muttered, “Flattery, smooth-talking.”

 

21

Duan Linzhou stopped at just the right point, no longer teasing Mu Peixuan.

 

This was the first time Mu Peixuan had slept with a man in his arms. His mind was unusually clear, wide awake, as his gaze remained fixed on the bed curtains above. Beside him, Duan Linzhou’s breathing gradually became steady, drifting in the air like a soft feather, mingled with the lingering scent of the room’s incense. It swirled around Mu Peixuan’s nose, making him feel somewhat restless.

 

Mu Peixuan couldn’t help but try to detect the faint medicinal scent lingering on Duan Linzhou’s body.

 

Would Duan Linzhou have Xinxiang?

 

Zhongyong is different from Tianqian and Kunze. Most Zhongyong don’t have Xinxiang and cannot smell the scent of Tianqian or Kunze. But nothing is absolute, some Zhongyong do have Xinxiang, though it’s very faint, so faint that it can’t compare to that of Tianqian or Kunze.

 

Mu Peixuan thought, If Duan Linzhou had Xinxiang, what would it smell like?

 

Just thinking about it, Mu Peixuan felt even more restless, his heart warming slightly. He couldn’t help but press his legs against Duan Linzhou’s, which had started to warm up. Duan Linzhou’s toes, however, were even colder and unconsciously brushed against Mu Peixuan’s ankle. Mu Peixuan became somewhat stiff, and the Xinxiang he carried spilled out without him noticing.

 

Duan Linzhou slept comfortably, but it took Mu Peixuan a long time to fall asleep. His sleep was shallow, and his mind seemed to float, constantly drifting into strange, surreal dreams.

 

In a trance, Mu Peixuan seemed to have someone in his arms. He grabbed the back of that person’s neck, and the corners of their lips touched and rubbed against each other, as if they were about to kiss. Mu Peixuan heard his own rapid heartbeat, and his lips were soft. He couldn’t help biting them, as if he was holding a piece of sweet cake, biting it, holding it in his mouth, and licking it with the tip of his tongue.

 

The person in his arms hummed softly, the voice was hoarse, and it made Mu Peixuan feel itchy. He was not satisfied, always felt that something was missing, and couldn’t help but pinch the slender neck and put his tongue deep into his mouth.

 

Not enough.

 

Mu Peixuan’s breath was hot. He stood up and kissed his wet red lips, then his neck, slowly wandering around. When he bit his ear, he trembled in Mu Peixuan’s arms. Mu Peixuan held him tightly and did not allow him to dodge for a moment. As if it were innate, he found the gland hidden behind the man’s neck.

 

That place was small, slightly sunken, dry, and soft. Mu Peixuan licked it, and when the person in his arms screamed and shivered, he bit it uncontrollably. Mu Peixuan’s breathing suddenly became rapid and hot.

 

He found the smell he was looking for.

 

What was that?

 

What was it?

 

……

 

Mu Peixuan suddenly opened his eyes, then squinted them again, realizing that it was already bright outside. He was stunned for a moment. He practiced martial arts every day and rarely woke up late. He didn’t expect to have slept until this hour.

 

He lowered his head and saw Duan Linzhou still asleep beside him.

 

The unspeakable dream from last night suddenly resurfaced in Mu Peixuan’s mind, and his face immediately turned pale.

 

Mu Peixuan also realized something even more embarrassing.

 

He stared at Duan Linzhou, who was sleeping soundly without a care, and tried to get up, but Duan Linzhou wrapped his arm around his waist and sleepily mumbled, “Sleep a little longer.”

 

As soon as he came close, Mu Peixuan took a breath, and his crotch bulged uncontrollably, pressing closely against Duan Linzhou’s thigh. As if he could feel the heat, Duan Linzhou pressed even closer in a daze, mumbling, “Xiao Junwang.”

 

Mu Peixuan’s whole body was stiff, and he used force to pry Duan Linzhou’s hands apart. Duan Linzhou woke up even though he wanted to sleep and stared at Mu Peixuan in a daze. After a few breaths, he realized something was wrong.

 

Perhaps it was because Duan Linzhou’s eyes had become playful. Mu Peixuan said angrily, “What are you looking at!”

 

“Why are you angry, Xiao Junwang? This is just human nature,” Duan Linzhou said with a smile. He had just woken up, and his voice was slightly hoarse, and it overlapped with the voice in the dream. Mu Peixuan’s ears became even redder. “You…”

 

Duan Linzhou looked at the thing under his crotch meaningfully. His eyes were too straightforward. Mu Peixuan instantly felt ashamed, as if his pants were stripped off. He pulled the quilt towards himself and said angrily, “Duan Linzhou, do you still have any shame!”

 

Duan Linzhou laughed out loud.

 

Mu Peixuan looked at the person who was so happy, and he gnashed his teeth. Duan Linzhou came over and said, “My dear Highness, don’t be upset. It’s normal for young people to be full of vigor and vitality, but—” He savored the touch of his thigh and laughed, “Your Highness’s is unusual.”

 

He laughed softly, “You are gifted and have a nice size.”

 

Mu Peixuan: “……”

 

“Duan Linzhou!” Mu Peixuan was furious and grabbed Duan Linzhou’s hand and pressed on him. Duan Linzhou let out an ‘Ai’ sound and pushed him away. The two of them exchanged a few moves on the bed. Duan Linzhou was no match for Mu Peixuan and was firmly pressed down by him. Duan Linzhou panted, but there was a smile in his eyes, and said, “I am telling the truth—”

 

“You’re still talking!” Mu Peixuan stared at Duan Linzhou.

 

After a fight, Duan Linzhou’s collar was opened, revealing his pale and delicate skin. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and he looked up at Mu Peixuan. Mu Peixuan stared at Duan Linzhou. The two looked at each other, and the atmosphere became sticky for no reason. They were silent, leaving only the rising and falling breathing and the slightly rising and falling chest.

 

Mu Peixuan’s heart beat faster, and the thing below reacted even more. His eyes unconsciously showed a little more aggression, which made Duan Linzhou’s fingers slightly numb.

 

Duan Linzhou opened his mouth to say something but heard Mu Peixuan say, “Since Junwang Fei likes it so much, then I’ll have to trouble Junwang Fei to do it.”