MSW Chapter9

26

As soon as the group arrived at the hot spring estate, they naturally went to settle into the courtyards that had been arranged for them. There were no particular activities scheduled for the day. The estate’s cook was quite skilled, and all the ingredients came from the estate itself — tender winter bamboo shoots, wild delicacies from the mountains, and farm-raised mutton — prepared into dishes that were rich in color, aroma, and flavor. Though not as refined as what they usually dined on, the meal had a rustic charm of its own.

 

During the meal, Duan Linzhou finally met the “Yuan Ge’er” that Xu Ying often mentioned. He was a young Kunze with refined and handsome features, carrying a scholarly air and a steadiness that seemed beyond his years.

 

Coming from a family of scholars, he showed no disdain for Duan Linzhou’s merchant background. On the contrary, he was quite surprised that someone of Duan Linzhou’s age had already gained such renown in Lingnan.

 

The two quickly found common ground and enjoyed a pleasant conversation.

 

Amid the clinking of cups and easy laughter, the atmosphere around the table was relaxed — these were all familiar faces. The wine had been brought by Fang Yuan and brewed by his own hand. It went down smooth, and even after several cups, it hardly felt intoxicating.

 

Duan Linzhou, whose health had long kept him from drinking unless necessary, found himself swayed by the mood and poured himself an extra couple of cups.

 

Just as he reached to pour another, a hand pressed gently down on the winepot. Mu Peixuan spoke, “This wine has a strong afterkick. Two cups are enough.”

 

Duan Linzhou paused, slightly taken aback, and looked at Mu Peixuan. The latter’s brows were furrowed, his expression carrying a hint of displeasure. For some reason, ever since they had returned from the plum garden, Mu Peixuan had been acting strangely.

 

Duan Linzhou had asked him about it a couple of times, but Mu Peixuan brushed him off stiffly, clearly unwilling to say more.

 

Duan Linzhou couldn’t help but laugh wryly. He chalked it up to Mu Peixuan’s youthful temperament, elusive and hard to grasp. With a soft sigh, he decided to let it go.

 

He hadn’t expected Mu Peixuan to actually pay such close attention to how much he drank. Duan Linzhou blinked, then looked at Mu Peixuan with a smile in his eyes. That smiling gaze made something inexplicable stir within Mu Peixuan, an indistinct restlessness he couldn’t quite name. His lips pressed into a thin line before he turned to instruct Fen Mo, who was waiting at the side, to bring Duan Linzhou a serving of cheese.

 

The cheese was a delicacy favored by the northern tribes. The estate raised its own cattle and sheep, and the milk, handled deftly by the estate’s cook, lost much of its gamy edge and instead took on a subtle sweetness, better suited to the refined palate of Daliang.

 

Duan Linzhou felt a strange mix of emotions — it was the first time someone had ever taken away his wine. After years in trade, he’d attended more banquets than he could count. Those people had always worried he wasn’t drinking and drunk enough. He never imagined there would come a day when someone would worry that too much wine might harm him.

 

He chuckled softly and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

Mu Peixuan glanced at him, gaze dark and unreadable, and said nothing.

 

Young Master Fang Zhi, son of the Vice Commander, clicked his tongue in amazement and said, “Your Highness and Junwang Fei are truly deeply affectionate, it’s enviable.”

 

Yu Jing also laughed, “I’ve never seen our Xiao Junwang treat anyone with such care.”

 

As soon as he said that, Xu Ying perked up and chimed in, “That’s because you guys haven’t seen enough. I’m telling you, ever since our Xiao Junwang got married, he’s stopped going out drinking with us and goes home faster than anyone else—”

 

Before he could finish speaking, a piece of lamb leg came flying straight at his face. Gasping but quick to react, Xu Ying flicked his silver chopsticks and neatly caught the meat, dropping it squarely onto his plate.

 

Mu Peixuan slowly put down his own chopsticks and expressionlessly said, “Even eating can’t shut you up.”

 

Xu Ying muttered resentfully, “Boss Duan, just look at Xiao Junwang…”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled gently and asked, “What about His Highness?”

 

Seeing his smiling expression, Xu Ying couldn’t find anything more to say. Feeling a bit annoyed, he said, “Nothing.”

 

Li Yue and the others burst into laughter.

 

By the time they finished drinking and the banquet was over, it was already noon. With the alcohol starting to take effect, even though they all had strong tolerances, they felt a little tipsy. So, some wandered off to stroll through the gardens, while others went back to rest.

 

Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou returned to the main courtyard.

 

Servants brought water up, and Duan Linzhou rolled up his sleeves, twisting a cloth to wipe Mu Peixuan’s face. Mu Peixuan pressed the cloth against his face and took a deep breath. The cloth was warm, and having been touched by Duan Linzhou’s hands, it seemed to carry the warmth of his fingertips as well.

 

Mu Peixuan’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts. Despite having drunk a lot, his throat still felt dry, and he was not quenched in the slightest.

 

Mu Peixuan was feeling very restless. He wiped his face absently and then stopped, not moving any further. Duan Linzhou saw this and couldn’t help but chuckle. He reached out to take the cloth from Mu Peixuan’s hand, leaning slightly forward as he asked, “Are you drunk? Do you want to rest for a bit?”

 

Mu Peixuan didn’t let go of the cloth. As Duan Linzhou drew closer, Mu Peixuan became even more agitated. He tightened his grip on the cloth and looked up at Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou raised an eyebrow, his hand gently resting on Mu Peixuan’s cheek, and said, “Your Highness…?”

 

Before Duan Linzhou could finish speaking, Mu Peixuan cut him off, saying, “Everyone, withdraw.”

 

Duan Linzhou was momentarily stunned.

 

Mu Peixuan reached out and grabbed his wrist, his gaze passing over him to briefly scan the servants in the room. The servants immediately retreated, closing the door behind them.

 

Duan Linzhou looked at Mu Peixuan’s tightening fingers and, unable to do much about it, smiled helplessly. He lowered his voice and asked, “You are really drunk?”

 

Mu Peixuan didn’t answer. Instead, he exerted force with his hand, pulling Duan Linzhou into his embrace. His cheek pressed against Duan Linzhou’s waist as he took a deep breath, muttering hoarsely, “Duan Linzhou… you smell so good.”

 

27

Hearing this, Duan Linzhou was taken aback for a moment and couldn’t help but laugh. This was the first time Mu Peixuan had directly and honestly gotten close to him. Duan Linzhou didn’t push him away, instead reaching out to stroke his hair and softly saying, “You really are drunk. I’m just a zhongyong; how can I smell good?”

 

Duan Linzhou’s voice was very soft, like a cup of fine wine. Mu Peixuan unknowingly took it in, not drunk but convinced he was. He kept his arm around Duan Linzhou’s waist without letting go. Duan Linzhou’s waist was slender, and as soon as he wrapped his arm around it, he held him tightly. Mu Peixuan mumbled, “Just fragrant.”

 

Duan Linzhou chuckled softly, pinching Mu Peixuan’s ear, and said, “There is only the medicine smell on me, which is choking.”

 

Mu Peixuan pressed his lips together, then simply played the rogue. “How can there be a medicine smell?”

 

He tugged Duan Linzhou toward him, and with Duan Linzhou unprepared, he fell right into Mu Peixuan’s lap. Unable to help himself, Mu Peixuan nuzzled his nose against Duan Linzhou’s earlobe and neck, his voice husky as he called his name, “Duan Linzhou.”

 

Duan Linzhou squirmed at the ticklish touch. Though they had done far more intimate things, just the press of their bodies now was enough to send a sweet, tingling sensation through him. Surrounded by the warmth of wine, he hooked an arm around Mu Peixuan’s neck to steady himself, their cheeks brushing as he chuckled softly. “I never knew our Xiao Junwang turned so clingy when you drank too much—”

 

Before he could finish speaking, his words turned into a muffled gasp. The young man, who just moments ago had been nuzzling him like an unweaned pup, suddenly sank his teeth into Duan Linzhou’s neck. His breath was hot, his cheeks flushed, and his warm, strong hands gripped Duan Linzhou’s waist, kneading and stroking with growing urgency.

 

By now, even if Duan Linzhou couldn’t smell the intensifying Tianqian scent thickening in the air, he also knew that something was wrong.

 

Duan Linzhou felt his own throat growing dry. He reached out and cupped Mu Peixuan’s face, and their eyes met. Mu Peixuan’s eyes were pitch black, his jaw taut, barely concealing the intense desire smoldering just beneath the surface.

 

Duan Linzhou instinctively tried to pull away, but Mu Peixuan seized his hand, and the next moment, burning lips and tongue pressed against his. The kiss was fierce, Mu Peixuan sucked on Duan Linzhou’s lips before pushing his tongue in, teasing and nibbling at the tip of his tongue. Overwhelmed by Mu Peixuan’s sudden intensity, Duan Linzhou’s chest rose and fell rapidly, his breath growing shallow and hurried.

 

Duan Linzhou swallowed hard and closed his eyes, his own tongue entwining with Mu Peixuan’s. The passion in his response made Mu Peixuan’s mind buzz, and the desire he’d been suppressing surged out in full force.

 

The craving for Xinxiang was an instinct for a Tianqian, he sucked on Duan Linzhou’s tongue, trying to draw out even the faintest trace of it. But Duan Linzhou, being a Zhongyong, only carried a light and subtle scent. It was far too mild to quench the fire within; instead, it only made Mu Peixuan more agitated.

 

He forcefully pushed Duan Linzhou onto the bed, unable to pull himself away, and leaned over him again, capturing his lips once more before urgently kissing down to his neck. Duan Linzhou gasped, his face flushing with color under the searing desire of the Tianqian. His limbs turned weak, devoid of any strength to resist.

 

This sensation was far too unfamiliar to Duan Linzhou.

 

Even more intense than that morning they had shared.

 

Duan Linzhou had always been self-controlled, he was used to being the one in command — but Mu Peixuan’s overwhelming intensity seized every inch of him, making his heart clench tight. Struggling to catch his breath, Duan Linzhou managed to say, “…Wait, Mu Peixuan.” Grasping Mu Peixuan’s hand. Mu Peixuan paused, lifting his eyes to look at him. Duan Linzhou’s throat bobbed as he tried to find the words, but before he could speak, Mu Peixuan kissed him again. Their breaths mingled, it was hot and urgent, and in that closeness, Mu Peixuan’s hurried exhale silently soothed Duan Linzhou’s instinctive resistance.

 

Duan Linzhou closed his eyes briefly, then lifted a leg to hook around Mu Peixuan’s waist.

 

Mu Peixuan let out a breathless gasp, and in that moment, the Xinxiang surged through the room, it was thick and overwhelming, crashing down like a wave.