TL: Hua
Chapter 58
Xu Yanqing playfully raised his hand and let it fall onto Yin Yanjun’s smooth chin. The next second, his hand was firmly clasped by Yin Yanjun.
“So Taoist master was pretending to be asleep,” Xu Yanqing’s lips curled up. He leaned in and gently bit Yin Yanjun’s chin as a punishment.
A faint chuckle escaped Yin Yanjun’s throat. He leaned his forehead against Xu Yanqing’s and slowly said, “Seeing you sleeping so sweetly, I decided to accompany you for a short nap. This cannot be considered deceiving you.”
Xu Yanqing blinked, his long eyelashes fluttering past Yin Yanjun’s eyes. “Taoist master, you and my father had a long talk in the Imperial Study today. Are you going to spar again?”
A light chuckle spilled from Yin Yanjun’s throat. His fingertips gently massaged the young master’s palm. “Yuanchen’s full month ceremony needs to be prepared early. Qingqing, do you have any plans for Yuanchen’s future?”
“Hmm.” Xu Yanqing naturally understood the meaning of Yin Yanjun’s words. His bright eyes darted around, and he buried his fluffy head into Yin Yanjun’s shoulder, rubbing it. “Before this, didn’t you say that you would send me back to Marquis Wu’an’s residence?”
This was a promise Yin Yanjun had made not long ago when he wanted to coax the young master back to the capital from the Xu family village.
“You naturally have to return to Marquis Wu’an’s residence. Only then can you be formally welcomed back into the Imperial Palace from the main gate of Daliang to be my companion for life.” Yin Yanjun had never spoken such wild words before he met the young master.
Now, facing the young master, he was like a floodgate opened, intense emotions pouring out. With one hand already tightly clasped around the young master’s waist, Yin Yanjun’s earlobes had, at some point, turned faintly red.
The Taoist master’s chest thumped even more fiercely. Xu Yanqing buried himself in the other’s embrace, then chuckled a moment later, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness: “Are you begging me to grow old together with you?”
The young master’s eyes twinkled with amusement. Yin Yanjun, on the other hand, calmed down. With his hands wrapped around Xu Yanqing’s waist, his handsome eyes held a firm expression: “Yes, I am begging you to grow old together with me.”
Their eyes met, each seeing the reflection of themselves in the other’s gaze. Suddenly, Yin Yanjun’s eyelashes fluttered. He gently raised a hand to cup the young master’s plump face, their noses brushing, lips meeting.
The air seemed to carry a sweet, cloying fragrance. A moment later, the playfulness in the young master’s bright eyes receded, replaced by a glistening layer of moisture.
When Yin Yanjun finally released him, flushed, the young master’s eyes darted around, then he suddenly let out a soft cough, his expression remarkably serious: “Although Taoist master’s attitude is very sincere, you must always fulfill your promises to me. After all, a gentleman’s word is his bond.”
Yin Yanjun’s handsome eyes held a hint of indulgence. His thumb gently rubbed Xu Yanqing’s fair, tender earlobe: “Qingqing, look up.”
Xu Yanqing looked up slightly, feeling bewildered upon hearing this, only to see the little cub sleeping soundly in his cradle, occasionally smacking his little lips.
The salted fish young master, in a daze, didn’t quite understand Yin Yanjun’s meaning, but then he heard Yin Yanjun explain in a gentle yet firm and decisive tone, “Yuanchen is my eldest legitimate son, and he will be the sole Crown Prince of Daliang. As the Crown Prince, he naturally should have a presentable status.”
Before the young master could respond, Yin Yanjun continued slowly, “Yuanchen’s identity now has two choices: one is to fabricate a mother who died in childbirth for him, and the other is for Qingqing to come forward and openly acknowledge that you are the child’s birth father.”
It seemed that none of what Yin Yanjun said was particularly difficult for Xu Yanqing, but for a moment, Xu Yanqing hesitated. Without a doubt, he liked Taoist master.
But he still held a sliver of fear, a fear of what he called “married life.”
“Yuanchen is so attached to you. He certainly wouldn’t be willing to let his birth mother’s name be written under someone else’s name when he enters the imperial family tree.” Yin Yanjun embraced the young master’s waist and smiled, “Qingqing, you certainly wouldn’t be willing either…”
The little cub had come out of his belly. If he were truly to be listed under someone else’s name, regardless of whether that person actually existed, no matter how carefree Xu Yanqing was, he would still feel somewhat uncomfortable.
He gently bit Yin Yanjun’s jaw again, then rested his head on the other’s body, weakly tugging on Yin Yanjun’s sleeve: “Taoist master is getting worse and worse now.”
Yin Yanjun paused slightly, then chuckled softly: “Qingqing, you should naturally understand my intentions.” His handsome face remained as serene as green bamboo, as if he were still the immortal of noble demeanor and clear spirit he once was. Yet, a wild thought stirred in his heart, a single desire to confine the young master within his own domain.
“So, Taoist master and my father spent all that time talking in the Imperial Study today just to discuss the little cub’s ownership?” The salted fish young master instantly flopped down as if deflated.
“Marquis Wu’an appears to be a rough man on the outside, but in reality, he’s extremely meticulous,” Yin Yanjun held the young master in his arms. He was now increasingly familiar with these intimate gestures between them. “Marquis Wu’an’s residence doesn’t plan to produce an empress. After all, Marquis Wu’an has personally witnessed the rights and wrongs within the imperial palace, so his first thought was actually to bring you back to Marquis Wu’an’s residence.”
Marquis Wu’an did not overtly express his unspoken thoughts.
He merely hinted at them subtly, but no matter how tactful or reserved his words were, how could they escape Yin Yanjun’s discerning eyes?
“Marquis Wu’an’s idea is actually quite simple: to follow Qingqing’s own heart.” Getting up from the bed, Yin Yanjun took the young master’s clothes from the clothes rack and helped him put them on one by one.
Xu Yanqing was slightly hesitant. After getting dressed, he obediently sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at Yin Yanjun, whose face was like jade. “When the little cub’s full month ceremony comes, Taoist master, remember to welcome me into the palace then.”
Yin Yanjun looked at the young master with a hint of helplessness. His decisiveness and dignified self-restraint all became empty words when it came to the young master.
“Alright,” his tone held no impatience whatsoever. Towards the young master, Yin Yanjun’s temper was exceptionally good.
The young master, as usual, knew how to take advantage. As soon as he saw Taoist master indulging his little whims, his exquisite cheeks immediately bloomed with a satisfied smile. He fiddled with the tassel at Taoist master’s waist with great interest, slowly reaching out to grab it.
In the evening, the little cub woke up and played some small games with his favorite father, then was taken by the wet nurse to the next room for feeding. At the same time, Aunt Zhao brought the young master his portion of nourishing soup for the day.
The young master wished he could hide at the ends of the earth to show his resistance to the nourishing soup.
Yin Yanjun, caught between laughter and tears, caught the fleeing young master. Xu Yanqing pitifully tugged at Taoist master’s sleeve twice: “I really don’t want to drink any more nourishing soup.”
“Aunt Zhao specifically chose the plumpest pigeon, carefully skimmed off the oil, and simmered it for a whole day to make this pot of soup. If Qingqing doesn’t drink it, Aunt Zhao will be sad.” Yin Yanjun held the bowl of soup and sat beside the young master, coaxing him gently for a while.
Xu Yanqing, with a grim face, whined, “If Taoist master doesn’t say anything, Aunt Zhao won’t know.”
“Qingqing, you underestimate Aunt Zhao.” Yin Yanjun placed the pigeon soup on the table, then subtly leaned in and gently kissed the young master’s lips. “Aunt Zhao has sharp eyes. Even if you drink one less bowl of nourishing soup, she’ll probably notice.”
Xu Yanqing sullenly nestled against Yin Yanjun. When Taoist master picked up the soup bowl and offered it again, he could only obediently sit in the chair, opening his mouth to drink the soup.
Aunt Zhao’s cooking was excellent, but no matter how good it was, one couldn’t eat and drink the same thing every day. Xu Yanqing felt that even a casual burp tasted of nourishing soup.
Xu Yanqing, “marinated” into listlessness by the nourishing soup, was forced to wander around Hanliang Palace several times. Finally, he sat lazily on the kneeling mat by the desk, watching Taoist master review memorials.
The little cub, having had his milk, was brought over by the wet nurse, babbling. Xu Yanqing, bored, reached out and took the little cub to his front.
Seeing his father, the little cub grinned and happily blew bubbles. Xu Yanqing’s eyes flickered, and he raised his hand to place the cradle on the desk.
So, Yin Yanjun, who was reviewing memorials, next saw an energetic little cub appear on top of a stack of memorials.
The little cub’s bright eyes, just like his salted fish father’s, darted back and forth twice, then met his imperial father’s solemn and distant gaze. He unconsciously let out two “ah” sounds, then immediately quieted down.
Xu Yanqing sat by the side, propping his chin, watching with keen interest. The Taoist master’s patience with the little cub was excellent.
Even though his official duties were interrupted, he immediately put down his vermillion brush and gently pinched the little cub’s hand with his thumb.
The little cub was half a month old. After being bundled in swaddling clothes for more than ten days, he was finally released. At this moment, he was nestled in his cradle, wearing a small red outfit. His small hand clutched one of his imperial father’s fingers, and he babbled a few more sounds.
Xu Yanqing was propping his chin, watching the fun, when he saw Yin Yanjun gently pick up the little cub from the cradle. Although the little cub was only half a month old, his small hands and feet were quite strong.
Yin Yanjun’s posture of holding a child became increasingly familiar. One hand protected the little cub’s back, while the other supported his bottom.
But it would be even better if Taoist master didn’t put the little cub into his arms. Xu Yanqing’s face was full of refusal.
However, unfortunately, Yin Yanjun seemed to have no intention of letting the salted fish young master off the hook, so the next moment, the soft little cub was placed into Xu Yanqing’s arms.
The little cub carried a faint scent of milk. As soon as he was in his embrace, his chubby little hands rested on Xu Yanqing’s chest.
Having only played with the little cub while he was in the cradle, this was Xu Yanqing’s first time personally holding a baby. He stiffened completely, not daring to move an inch, fearing he might drop the soft, boneless little cub.
Compared to the nervous young master, the little cub was clearly more excited. His small paws rubbed against his father’s body, and finally, he gripped one of the young master’s ears, unwilling to let go.
“Taoist master…” Xu Yanqing’s pleading gaze fell on Yin Yanjun, wishing he could immediately stuff the boneless little cub back into Taoist master’s embrace.
A faint smile bloomed in Yin Yanjun’s handsome, distant eyes. He reached out and supported the little cub clinging to the young master.
However, at this moment, the little cub was doting on his father. His small hand gripped Xu Yanqing’s ear, unwilling to let go. Seeing his imperial father about to take him, he blew two bubbles from his mouth and grumbled with a small frown.
The little cub in this state resembled his imperial father somewhat, with a small, stern face utterly filled with refusal.
His request for help failed, so Xu Yanqing could only hold the little cub properly, learning from Taoist master’s example, supporting the little cub’s soft body with both hands.
Fortunately, although the little cub was energetic, he was still just a cub who hadn’t yet reached his full month. After playing with his father for a while, he yawned widely with his toothless mouth.
Yin Yanjun finally reached out and pulled the sleepy little cub from the young master, placing him back into the cradle.
Xu Yanqing sighed heavily, collapsing weakly onto the desk. So, taking care of a child was actually this tiring. The salted fish was utterly exhausted.
—
After the wound on the young master’s abdomen healed, it was always itchy, and he often uncontrollably raised his hand to scratch the healed scar.
Yin Yanjun saw it once and immediately ordered Imperial Physician Han to examine it and prescribe ointment. However, no matter how good the ingredients of the ointment were, it could only slightly reduce the itchiness at the wound and could not completely solve the problem. When left unsupervised, Xu Yanqing still couldn’t help but secretly scratch his stomach.
Therefore, Yin Yanjun directly brought Xu Yanqing to the Imperial Study when he was dealing with state affairs.
This was Xu Yanqing’s first time stepping into the Imperial Study. There were many of Taoist master’s books here. He looked up at the dry texts and felt a headache coming on, but Xu Yanqing discovered that there were also many interesting storybooks on the lower shelves.
Raising an eyebrow, Xu Yanqing reached out and took out a few books, settling into the reclining chair behind the screen.
Mu Yu served by his young master’s side, diligently following the emperor’s command to constantly watch the young master and prevent him from scratching the scar on his stomach.
Suddenly, there was a screen in the Imperial Study, and indistinct figures could be seen behind it. The officials who came to see the emperor could not help but recall the pregnant noble at the imperial banquet and secretly speculated.
Yin Yanjun sat properly behind the imperial desk, his expression as calm and distant as ever, showing not the slightest change.
After winter set in, the weather grew colder day by day. When Yin Yanjun finished handling all matters and walked behind the screen, the young master was nestled in the reclining chair, holding a cup of hot tea.
Mu Yu pulled up a chair and sat beside the young master, holding a book in his hands. As soon as the young master nodded, he would immediately turn the page.
The master and servant pair, one reading and one turning pages, were very amused and didn’t even notice Yin Yanjun entering.
It was not until Yin Yanjun took the book from Mu Yu that Xu Yanqing slowly raised his own hand.
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