HXC Chapter22

As night fell, a scattering of stars and a round moon appeared, and the vast Milky Way was reflected in the wine cups.

 

In the private room, the rich aroma of apricot wine lingered, even soaking into their hair.

 

Ji Zhen, who was half-sprawled on his elder brother, was in a drunken haze. Holding a porcelain cup, he mumbled, “Drink, let’s drink some more…”

 

Ji Jue took the cup and placed it on the table. His voice was as gentle as jade. “Zhen Zhen, you’re drunk. Go to sleep.”

 

Ji Zhen felt that he wasn’t drunk, but he always listened to his elder brother. He muttered and closed his eyes, allowing his elder brother to carry him to the soft bed in the private room to rest.

 

Jiang Yunyu drank the strong liquor as if it were water. A few jars went down, and only a slight blush appeared on his cheeks.

 

Ji Jue covered Ji Zhen with a thin, soft blanket, and after confirming that Ji Zhen was sound asleep, he sat back down at the table and said, “You’ve said something you shouldn’t.”

 

Jiang Yunyu put down the wine jar, his voice slightly hoarse from the alcohol. “Brother Ji Jue, are you really going to hide everything from him, Chief Grand Secretary…?”

 

“I’m not talking about matters of the court or the Ji family,” Ji Jue said, his gaze sharp. He continued, “The Crown Prince and the Third Prince are constantly fighting. Even if His Majesty hadn’t granted the marriage, they would still another way to impeach you. You shouldn’t have blamed it on Zhen Zhen.”

 

Jiang Yunyu’s expression changed slightly. He glanced at the sleeping Ji Zhen and remained silent.

 

He had indeed used the matter as an excuse to vent.

 

Ji Jue didn’t press the matter further. He poured some wine, raised his cup, and said, “The road ahead is long. Take care.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

—

 

Outside FuLu Lou, the Shen family’s carriage had been waiting for a long time.

 

The uproar in the Southern Garden half a month ago was still vivid in his mind, and the person who had orchestrated it was sitting in the carriage with his eyes closed, in deep thought.

 

The conversations of guests coming and going were a constant noise, but Shen Yanqing paid them no mind. His index finger, resting on his leg, tapped slowly.

 

The outside world said that the Shen family was an upright one, yet Shen Yanqing was unwilling to be mediocre his whole life, unlike his father.

 

At the age of three, he read, “Abandon the small ambitions of sparrows and aspire to soar high like a swan.” At seven, he memorized, “Those who have accomplished great things in the past not only possessed extraordinary talent but also had a firm and unyielding will.” How could a man with soaring ambitions live a mediocre life? Even if he cannot “bring all fifty borderlands under control,” he vows to “stir up the clouds and overturn the rain to establish himself in the court.”

 

If he succeeded, his name would be etched in history. If he failed, he would be a laughingstock for future generations, but at least he would not have lived his life in vain.

 

The Crown Prince and the Third Prince each had their own strengths and were equally matched. The former was benevolent and kind but lacked boldness. He would be a wise and virtuous emperor. The latter was shrewd and decisive, an unparalleled choice for a resolute and formidable ruler.

 

No matter who inherited the throne, it would be a blessing for the Great Heng Empire.

 

The loss of power for the Jiang family and the collapse of the Ji family—while not certain before the Southern Garden, had now become inevitable with the emperor’s will.

 

Everyone loved to speculate on the emperor’s will, and Shen Yanqing also staked his life on this grand gamble. He had always only followed the emperor’s will.

 

From the day he decided to support the Third Prince, he made no other choice, and it remained so to this day.

 

Only Ji Zhen was an unexpected variable on his path to a high position.

 

After reading the letter in the main bedroom and learning that Ji Zhen had not returned because he had gone to meet Jiang Yunyu at Fulu Lou, he had no other thought than the strong urge to bring Ji Zhen back.

 

It was only when the carriage stopped in front of the building that he realized he had acted too hastily.

 

This was a major taboo for those who sought to achieve great things.

 

Shen Yanqing silently repeated the words “self-restraint and prudence” countless times in his mind, reaffirming his original intention.

 

“It looks like the Young Madam is coming out.”

 

Shen Yanqing slowly opened his eyes, looking past the curtain at the figure appearing at the bustling doorway. The faint candlelight flickered in his dark pupils, unable to ignite a single spark of warmth.

 

Ji Zhen was completely drunk, sprawled across Ji Jue’s back. Jiang Yunyu stood behind them, his gaze fixed intently on Ji Zhen’s flushed face.

 

“Lord Ji, Lord Jiang.”

 

The sudden appearance of Shen Yanqing made both of them frown, though it was fleeting.

 

Jiang Yunyu said coldly, “Brother Ji Jue, I’ll be on my way.”

 

Before leaving, he took one last deep look at Ji Zhen, then turned and mounted his horse, disappearing into the dark streets.

 

“My servant told me Ji Zhen was here, so I came to pick him up and take him home,” Shen Yanqing said, stepping aside. “I appreciate your trouble, Lord Ji.”

 

Ji Jue carried Ji Zhen steadily. When he reached the Ji family’s carriage, he paused for a moment before continuing to walk until he stopped in front of the Shen family’s carriage.

 

Shen Yanqing held out his arms. “Give Ji Zhen to me.”

 

It was a perfectly normal request, but the atmosphere suddenly grew cold.

 

Ji Jue had a gentle, jade-like demeanor, but he had been navigating the court for nearly a decade. Just one look from him could make a common person tremble with fear.

 

Shen Yanqing faced him with ease.

 

After a long time, Ji Jue turned around and slowly handed Ji Zhen into Shen Yanqing’s arms.

 

Shen Yanqing held Ji Zhen and smiled. “In that case, I’ll take him home now.”

 

Ji Jue watched as the two of them stepped onto the carriage and said in a deep voice, “Shen Yanqing.”

 

Shen Yanqing, who was holding Ji Zhen, turned back. He looked down at Ji Jue, who was below the carriage. The moonlight was like water, falling on their clothes and hair, one standing tall, the other on the ground.

 

“Take good care of Zhen Zhen.”

 

“Naturally.”

 

The curtain fell, and the Shen family’s carriage drove away into the night.

 

Ji Jue looked up at the blue sky. The bright moon was hidden by dark clouds, and the situation suddenly changed.

 

—

 

Ji Zhen was like a small child, sleeping soundly in Shen Yanqing’s lap.

 

Shen Yanqing’s arms were wrapped around Ji Zhen’s slender waist, and he could feel Ji Zhen’s gentle, warm, and slightly tipsy breath on his neck.

 

Ji Zhen was kneeling between Shen Yanqing’s thighs with their chests pressed tightly together. He could faintly feel the strong heartbeat hidden beneath the cloth and skin.

 

The carriage jolted, and Ji Zhen’s head hit Shen Yanqing’s shoulder and neck. He let out a muffled groan.

 

Shen Yanqing said softly, “Yu He, drive slower.”

 

He then turned his eyes to the face so close to his. A rouge-like blush was visible on Ji Zhen’s fair, soft skin. Because his head was resting on Shen Yanqing’s shoulder, his moist and full lips were slightly distorted from the pressure, making him look exceptionally childlike.

 

Shen Yanqing watched him silently for a long time until he couldn’t help but utter two words that should never have existed from his mouth.

 

“Zhen Zhen.”

 

Realizing that he had called Ji Zhen so intimately, Shen Yanqing’s expression remained calm, but his arms around Ji Zhen tightened abruptly.

 

Ji Zhen was uncomfortable from being squeezed. In his drunken state, he only vaguely heard the familiar address and thought he was still being held by his elder brother. He couldn’t help but murmur, “Gege…”

 

Shen Yanqing’s pupils constricted, and he suddenly pushed Ji Zhen off his lap.

 

There was a soft bed on the floor of the carriage, so Ji Zhen didn’t feel any pain from the fall, but he sobered up a little. He opened his eyes in a daze, seeing a hazy figure through a mist. He moved closer like he had no bones.

 

Before he could touch him, he heard a voice colder than well water in winter. “Are you sober now?”

 

Ji Zhen’s forward movement stopped. His sluggish mind turned and turned. He rubbed his eyes hard and finally recognized that the person in front of him was Shen Yanqing. He had been at Fulu Lou when he fell asleep, but when he woke up, the person beside him had changed. He asked strangely, “Why are you here?”

 

He asked this so casually, and Shen Yanqing’s voice became even more frigid. “Who did you think it was? Ji Jue, or Jiang Yunyu?”

 

Ji Zhen was too confused to answer, but he didn’t dare to get closer. He also didn’t have the energy to think about why Shen Yanqing, who had been cold to him for so many days, was here either. He slowly curled his soft body into a ball in the corner and dozed off.

 

Shen Yanqing stared at the dazed Ji Zhen, who was huddled up. A surge of hidden anger flowed through his chest.

 

It was alright for Ji Jue to carry him on his back and in his arms, but he had to be avoided?

 

Ji Zhen was about to fall asleep again when he was suddenly pulled by Shen Yanqing and made to sit on his lap again. He had wanted to cling to Shen Yanqing, so he took the initiative to wrap his arms around his shoulders, his eyes dazed yet fixated on the lips that were only two inches away.

 

He could kiss him if he got a little closer—but he didn’t want to be avoided again.

 

Shen Yanqing’s eyes dropped, and his adam apple bobbed.

 

Ji Zhen offered himself up almost reverently, but he bypassed the lips and only gave a soft, gentle kiss on the cheek before burying his face and falling into a deep sleep.

 

The corners of Shen Yanqing’s lips turned down. His emotions were unreadable.

 

After returning to the mansion, Ji Zhen fell into an even deeper sleep. Shen Yanqing ordered Ji An to bring hot water and personally wiped Ji Zhen’s body clean.

 

The person on the bed was like a piece of flawless white jade, smooth and clean. As if feeling a little cold, he shivered slightly, wanting to curl up, yet he lay there very obediently.

 

Shen Yanqing used the damp cloth to carefully wipe every inch of him. The water gradually grew cold, but he didn’t change it. He just sat there, silently admiring the beauty before him.

 

If Ji Zhen hadn’t forced the marriage back then, he would probably be the young marquis’s wife by now, and Jiang Yunyu would also be able to get a glimpse of this kind of tender intimacy.

 

Would Ji Zhen have been as spoiled and jealous as he was after marrying him?

 

Would he have gone to the north with the disgraced Jiang Yunyu to share in his hardships?

 

Would he have no connection with him, merely greeting him with a respectful bow and calling him “Lord Shen” from a distance when they met?

 

A gentleman should be in awe of heaven, yet remain calm in the face of thunder; be cautious when walking on level ground, yet fearless when crossing turbulent waters. The situation at court was unpredictable, with its ups and downs. Shen Yanqing had always been prepared for danger in times of peace and was never afraid of hardship. But at this moment, facing Ji Zhen, who now belonged to him, he was suddenly overcome with an incredible sense of awe.

 

Countless threads of thought cannot be clearly untangled.

 

Though he considers himself decisive and resolute in all matters, he repeatedly wavers when it comes to handling Ji Zhen.

 

He couldn’t get rid of him, nor could he possess him. He was afraid of having his heart swayed if he got too close, yet he found it difficult to stay away.

 

In his nearly twenty-four years of life, Shen Yanqing had read all the books of the sages and received countless praise and acclaim. Yet, in the end, he couldn’t escape the common fate of being unable to detach himself from his feelings and personal desires.

 

He had a craving.

 

In his drunken sleep, Ji Zhen’s brows furrowed, and he mumbled, interrupting Shen Yanqing’s deep thoughts.

 

“Water…”

 

Shen Yanqing looked up calmly, his palm gently pressed against Ji Zhen’s fair cheek. Ji Zhen affectionately rubbed his cheek against his thumb, like a young animal seeking affection.

 

He poured some water and stood motionless in the candlelight.

 

Ji Zhen seemed truly thirsty. His lips twitched continuously, and he unconsciously made swallowing motions.

 

How could a drunken person drink by himself?

 

Shen Yanqing pinched Ji Zhen’s cheeks, forcing the sleeping person to open his lips. He leaned in and stopped half an inch away. After a moment of stillness, he heavily pressed his lips against the soft, untouched lips and tongue.

 

A cool, sweet liquid entered his mouth. Ji Zhen’s furrowed brows relaxed as he eagerly took in the nectar. But he quickly realized that there was something else soft that had entered his mouth, and it was moving around very restlessly.

 

Could the fish from Fulu Lou be so lively?

 

Ji Zhen noisily “ate” the moving, soft fish, trying to swallow it into his throat. But the fish was more active than he had imagined. No matter how he sucked and swallowed, it was still full of energy, thrashing around in his mouth and even biting his tongue, as if it had taken over.

 

What an unreasonable and audacious fish.

 

Ji Zhen refused to back down and fought with this fish using his own lips and tongue. He didn’t know how long it had been, but his entire jaw was both sore and numb, and he couldn’t even breathe properly before he finally managed to chase the naughty fish away.

 

Shen Yanqing straightened up, wiped the corner of his bitten lip with the back of his hand, and frowned slightly. The culprit who had bitten him was mumbling something.

 

He leaned in to listen.

 

Ji Zhen said, “I still want to eat.”

 

—

 

The sun was high in the sky when Ji Zhen woke up.

 

He had never been this drunk before. He woke up with a splitting headache, curled up on the bed, and called out hoarsely, “Ji An…”

 

Ji An came at the sound of his voice, quickly bringing him things to wash up with. He helped Ji Zhen get up and told the small kitchen to heat up some porridge.

 

Ji Zhen was a clean person and took a bath every day. He had expected to smell of alcohol after his hangover but was surprised to find himself clean and refreshed.

 

Ji An saw his confusion and said with a smile, “Lord Shen slept in the main bedroom last night and changed your clothes for you, Young Master.”

 

Ji Zhen’s headache eased considerably at these words. The moment he opened his mouth, he winced in pain.

 

He asked Ji An to bring him a bronze mirror. He noticed that the corner of his lips was cracked, and his tongue was a little swollen. He didn’t think much of it and just assumed it was from drinking too much.

 

It hurt a bit when he cleaned his mouth. He gargled and spat the mint water into the basin, hissing as he did so. Just as he was about to ask about Shen Yanqing sleeping in the master bedroom, the person who hadn’t been in this room for a long time entered with the sunlight.

 

Ji An was tactful and bowed before leaving.

 

Ji Zhen sat on the bed holding the blanket. His black hair was loose, his face was a little pale, but his eyes were as bright as stars.

 

Ji Zhen couldn’t remember anything from the night before. He waited for Shen Yanqing to come to the bed before asking him shyly, “Ji An said you slept here last night?”

 

Shen Yanqing didn’t deny it and hummed in agreement.

 

Ji Zhen was overjoyed and took this as a sign that they could reconcile. Just as he was about to muster up the courage to say more intimate words, Shen Yanqing said slowly before him, “Are you completely sober now?”

 

He nodded eagerly.

 

“Good. First, have your meal, and then I’ll collect the other half of the punishment you owe me.”

 

Ji Zhen blinked in confusion. He then realized that Shen Yanqing was talking about the sixty strokes of rattan cane. He asked in a trembling voice, “Today?”

 

“Today.”

 

Shen Yanqing didn’t give him a chance to argue. He called a servant to bring him some light porridge and sat there quietly, waiting for Ji Zhen to finish his meal and receive his punishment.

 

Ji Zhen’s steps were unsteady as he got off the bed. He sat on a stool and looked at the calm-faced Shen Yanqing repeatedly. After a few sips of porridge, he finally couldn’t help but say, “I’m still dizzy.”

 

“Your statements contradict each other. Do you even believe yourself?”

 

Ji Zhen looked down, feeling aggrieved, and put down the porcelain bowl. “Why are you punishing me? I didn’t do anything wrong…”

 

Shen Yanqing said righteously, “Is carousing and drinking with other men not a mistake?”

 

Ji Zhen’s eyes widened. “That was my brother.”

 

“What about Jiang Yunyu?”

 

Ji Zhen was questioned by Shen Yanqing before he was even fully sober and felt exhausted. But Shen Yanqing had finally agreed to sleep in the same room as him, and he didn’t want to start another argument. He could only say, “My conscience is clear.” Then, with a reckless and give-up attitude, he mumbled, “Just hit me if you want.”

 

At most, he’d have some marks for a few days.

 

As he said this, he quickly finished the rest of the porridge in a few big gulps and slumped his shoulders, waiting for Shen Yanqing to mete out his punishment.

 

However, after waiting for a long time, Shen Yanqing still didn’t move.

 

Ji Zhen’s mind started to work. He cleverly moved his stool next to Shen Yanqing, and mumbled, “How about we keep it on credit?”

 

Shen Yanqing glanced at Ji Zhen’s slightly pale face. “Until when?”

 

“Next time,” Ji Zhen said as he hugged Shen Yanqing’s arm. It had been a long time since he had been so close to him. His eyes grew warm at the corners, and he choked up. “Please don’t ignore me again.”

 

For the past half a month, he had been worried about his father and elder brother and had been hoping to reconcile with Shen Yanqing day and night, so he couldn’t even sleep soundly.

 

Shen Yanqing didn’t push Ji Zhen away. He said in a low voice, “From now on, if you go out without permission and don’t come back at night again, the punishment will be doubled.”

 

Ji Zhen’s calves trembled slightly. He was horrified. “One hundred and twenty strokes…”

 

Shen Yanqing glanced down at the dejected Ji Zhen, a barely perceptible smile tugging at his lips.

 

—

 

On the day of Jiang Yunyu’s departure, the sky was gloomy, and dark clouds pressed down on the city, hinting at an impending downpour.

 

The streets were lined with people who chattered about the war. The Fei Cavalry, dressed in armor, marched through the crowd with a fierce aura. The soldier at the front waved a flag to clear the way, and the sound of their neat footsteps mixed with the clang of cold weapons resonated in their ears.

 

Jiang Yunyu, clad in hard black armor, held his head high on Chi Jin, receiving everyone’s attention. His handsome face was stern and solemn in the dim light.

 

From now on, there would be no more Young Marquis Jiang in the Great Heng Empire, only the Commander of the Fei Cavalry who was going to war.

 

Ji Zhen and his elder brother stood on the city wall to see Jiang Yunyu off.

 

As Chi Jin’s iron hooves clattered forward, Jiang Yunyu, who was holding the reins, looked back at Ji Zhen on the high city wall.

 

After this farewell, he didn’t know when they would see each other again.

 

Ji Zhen knew that Jiang Yunyu had excellent eyesight. He mouthed solemnly, “Come back alive.”

 

Jiang Yunyu raised his eyebrows high at him, turned around, and raised his hand into a fist, shouting, “Where is the Fei Cavalry Army?”

 

The response was deafening: “Here we are!”

 

“Slaying the Xiongnu, eliminating the Tatars, shedding our heads and spilling our blood, the Fei Cavalry Army fears no death!”

 

With a wave of his whip, Jiang Yunyu rode out of the city gate amid the mighty vows, leaving no trace behind.

 

Ji Zhen’s heart pounded. He lay on the high wall and shouted, “Jiang Yunyu, come back alive, you must come back alive…”

 

He screamed until his voice was hoarse. It wasn’t until his elder brother called him that he came back to his senses.

 

Ji Jue took his wrist and placed a wooden box in his palm.

 

“What is this?”

 

“Yunyu asked me to give it to you.”

 

Ji Zhen glanced at the end of the grand army and slowly opened the wooden box.

 

A broken arrow tip was reflected in Ji Zhen’s eyes.

 

He suddenly looked toward the city gate with a lump in his throat. He couldn’t utter a single word.

 

A thousand words to wish you a victorious return.

 

Ji Zhen put the wooden box away and went down the city wall with his elder brother. He caught sight of a familiar slender figure out of the corner of his eye and called out loudly, “Xiao Moli.”

 

He ran up to him in a few steps. “Did you also come to see Jiang Yunyu off?”

 

Xiao Moli nodded, then bowed respectfully to Ji Jue and said, “I was just about to head back.”

 

Ji Zhen thought about how the two of them had been discussing Jiang Yunyu’s impeachment at the Huangyin Tower not long ago. At that time, they didn’t take it seriously, thinking that he was a member of the royal family. They never expected such a huge change to happen in just two months. They were both at a loss.

 

“With Jiang Yunyu’s military and political talent, I’m sure he’ll be able to return triumphantly.” Ji Zhen spoke, noticing the worry etched on Xiao Moli’s face, offering comfort to both him and himself.

 

He originally wanted to go back to the Huangyin Tower with Xiao Moli, but his elder brother was waiting for him, so he said, “I have to go. If you need anything, just send a message to the Shen Mansion.”

 

Xiao Moli said ‘alright’, and smiled as he watched Ji Zhen run toward his elder brother.

 

Ji Jue watched them both calmly. Before getting on the horse, he asked Ji Zhen, “You two have known each other for many years, haven’t you?”

 

Ji Zhen nodded with a grin. “Seven years.”

 

Through the beaded curtain, Ji Jue saw the slender figure disappear into the street. He looked away and said, “Let’s go.”

 

Ji Zhen was still answering his elder brother, “Although Xiao Moli’s background isn’t high, as the saying goes, ‘heroes are not questioned about their origins.’ He’s not inferior to anyone. He’s been very kind to me all these years, and his singing is also very pleasant…”

 

“In that case, that’s good.”

 

The heavy rain finally arrived, loudly hitting the red berries on the ground.

 

The court was in a state of turmoil, and the situation was desperate. At the border, the fighting was constant, and the army was engaged in a bloody battle.

 

Swords and blood were everywhere, and the noise was like a roaring tide and a flashing storm.

 

After Jiang Yunyu went to war, he used the five thousand elite soldiers to resist the attack of thirty thousand barbarians, and good news kept coming back.

 

The latest news reached Ji Zhen’s ears while he was leisurely eating green berries on the swing set up in the courtyard.

 

“Young Master, Young Master, great news!” Ji An shouted as he rushed into the courtyard, panting. “Young General Jiang, Young General…”

 

Ji Zhen jumped down and stood steady. “Slow down.”

 

“Young General Jiang successfully repelled the Xiongnu and saved the city! Everyone in the capital is praising the Young General for being brave and skillful in battle. He’s a divine soldier sent from the heavens and a blessing to the Great Heng Empire!”

 

Ji Zhen was overjoyed and happily spun around twice. Then he heard Ji An say, “But I heard the Young General was injured. I don’t know how badly either.”

 

“Why do you pause in the middle of your sentences like that?” Ji Zhen grabbed a lychee and threw it to Ji An. He said to himself, “The storybooks say that swords and blades have no eyes, and injuries are inevitable in battle. Jiang Yunyu is a lucky person and should be fine.”

 

He sat back on the swing and swayed.

 

Summer gave way to autumn. In this tumultuous capital, only the main courtyard of the Shen Mansion was peaceful and unaffected by the storm, enjoying a moment of tranquility.

 

This was the happiest period Ji Zhen had lived since he married into the Shen family.

 

After that night at Fulu Lou, Shen Yanqing no longer slept in a separate room from him. Although he was still as cold as ever, he would only look at Ji Zhen properly when Ji Zhen took the initiative to approach him, but there was much less sarcasm. And Mother Shen, who lived under the same roof, no longer punished him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall or bringing up the matter of continuing the family line.

 

This was enough to satisfy Ji Zhen.

 

He would occasionally have beautiful dreams in the afternoon. In his dreams, the young masters who had once ridiculed him for overstepping his bounds would now apologize, hailing him as the one most worthy in the world to be with Shen Yanqing. Even the people of the capital would say that he and Shen Yanqing were a match made in heaven.

 

Ji Zhen would often wake up laughing from his dreams.

 

Even in his dreams, he loved Shen Yanqing a little more.

 

The autumn sun shone brightly. Ji Zhen was dozing off on the stone table in the courtyard. Perhaps the wind came and shattered his beautiful dream.

 

In the dream, Shen Yanqing’s face was cold and distant. No matter how close he got, he couldn’t touch him. He panicked and cried, begging Shen Yanqing to hug him, but Shen Yanqing stretched out his arms and pushed him off a cliff.

 

“You don’t deserve it.”

 

Ji Zhen suddenly woke up, drenched in a cold sweat, as if he had returned to the time when he first married Shen Yanqing and was mocked by everyone.

 

Fortunately, it was just a nightmare.

 

He held his chest, trying to calm his frantically beating heart. It took him a long time to find peace.

 

Ji An came running over and put a clean white cape over him. “Young Master, the wind is picking up. Let’s go inside to sleep.”

 

Ji Zhen sat there in a daze, not moving. A moment later, Shen Yanqing, who had just returned from court, arrived. He was eager to escape from the nightmare and flew into Shen Yanqing’s arms like a swallow returning to its nest. When he smelled the familiar fragrance on him, he finally felt at ease.

 

“Why are you back so late?”

 

Shen Yanqing pulled him out of his arms and replied calmly, “I had important matters to discuss.”

 

Ji Zhen never asked about court affairs. One, he didn’t understand them, and two, he wasn’t interested. Seeing the weariness on Shen Yanqing’s face, he said, “The small kitchen made some pigeon soup. I’ll have them bring it over.”

 

Shen Yanqing didn’t object.

 

During dinner, Ji Zhen chattered on, but perhaps because Shen Yanqing was truly busy with work, he didn’t respond much.

 

Ji Zhen felt a little discouraged. He then changed his mind, thinking that Shen Yanqing was already treating him so much better than before, and he shouldn’t be so greedy.

 

In two months, it would be their fourth wedding anniversary. They had a long life ahead of them, so what was the rush?

 

When the candles were out, he naturally wrapped his arms around Shen Yanqing’s waist. For some reason, he felt that Shen Yanqing was a little different today. Before he could figure it out, sleepiness took over.

 

“Ziyun Lou has a new milk curd… We can go boating on the lake in a few days…”

 

Shen Yanqing listened to the half-asleep Ji Zhen’s murmuring without saying a word, a tide of emotions rising and falling in his eyes.

 

After a while, he held the person in his arms tightly and stayed awake throughout the night while gazing at the moon.

 

He couldn’t tell Ji Zhen that a storm was coming and it was not a good time for a boat ride.

 

The author has something to say:

Lord Shen, you’re doing that sneaky kiss thing, huh!