Chapter 108 "I only ask that I enjoy your company more..."

When Lin Yan was carried into the inner hall by Xiao Che and placed on the large, soft dragon bed, he was still immersed in the tragic premonition of "tomorrow's morning court" and "tongue-twisting tonight." His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were darting around, like a cat whose scruff of the neck had been pinched.

Xiao Che leaned down, placing his hands on either side of him, trapping him in a small space, the scent of agarwood enveloping Lin Yan in wisps.

He looked at Lin Yan, who was clearly nervous but was trying to appear calm, and his smile deepened. He deliberately leaned closer, his nose almost touching Lin Yan's, and asked in a low voice, "Hanzhang just said that I should restrain myself a bit?"

Lin Yan felt a tickle on his neck from the warm breath he exhaled, and he shrank back, his eyes darting around: "Your Majesty, I am only being considerate of you. Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, and your health is of utmost importance..."

"Oh?" Xiao Che raised an eyebrow, his fingertips lightly tracing the collar of Lin Yan's official robe, his movements slow and deliberate. "But I feel that being with Hanzhang is the best way to relax, and besides..."

He paused, his gaze falling on Lin Yan's slightly pursed lips. His voice lowered further, becoming seductively hoarse: "Han Zhang first proposed excellent policies on ice, and then offered a wonderful method for making ice. This is a great contribution to the country and the people. If I don't reward him properly, wouldn't it seem like I am unfair in my rewards and punishments?"

"Reward you my foot! It's clearly a case of using public office for private gain."

"Your Majesty." Lin Yan tried to make a final struggle, reaching out to press his hand against Xiao Che's chest. He felt the muscles beneath his hand were firm and the heat was scorching. He tried to pull his hand back as if he had been burned, but Xiao Che grabbed it firmly. "I think the reward doesn't need to be too much. What do you say?"

Xiao Che chuckled softly, his chest heaving. He took Lin Yan's hand and guided him to touch his cheek, looking at him with deep eyes: "How can I express my feelings without a proper reward? I think we should be more sincere."

Lin Yan: "..." I thank you for your sincerity.

As Xiao Che's lips were about to fall again, alarm bells went off in Lin Yan's mind.

If they were to kiss, given Xiao Che's innate ability to cling to people, his lips would definitely be too swamped to be seen by anyone the next day.

Excuses like being bitten by insects or having an allergic reaction might fool a child, but who among those who stand in the imperial court isn't a shrewd and calculating person?

No! Absolutely not!

In a flash, Lin Yan steeled his heart and made a difficult decision—to sacrifice certain parts of his body below the neck to save his lips!

Things that are unseen are always easier to fool than things that are visible.

Just before Xiao Che was about to kiss him, Lin Yan suddenly turned his head away, reached out and wrapped his arms around Xiao Che's neck, buried his burning cheeks in his shoulder, and said quickly in an almost reckless tone, "Your Majesty, don't kiss me!"

Xiao Che paused, looking down at the fluffy head buried tightly in his shoulder, somewhat surprised and amused.

"Why?" Xiao Che asked deliberately, his fingers already sliding inside the collar of the official robe, caressing Lin Yan's warm back, feeling the muscles that instantly tighten beneath that delicate skin.

Lin Yan trembled as he was touched, his voice muffled, tinged with a sense of resignation and shame: "I have to meet people tomorrow. From the neck down, it's up to you..."

The last two words were almost inaudible, but Xiao Che still caught them.

He was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what was happening, and his chest was filled with indescribable joy and affection.

How adorable his Hanzhang is!

So that's what they were planning.

Xiao Che no longer clung to those two lips that he had longed for.

He lowered his head, and warm kisses, like a gentle rain, fell on Lin Yan's earlobes, neck, and collarbone...

Lin Yan kept his eyes tightly closed, feeling the delicate and burning kisses travel downwards, bringing waves of unfamiliar shivers.

The official robe was patiently untied layer by layer, and the cool air touched the skin, causing small goosebumps, but they were quickly covered by the hotter body temperature.

When Xiao Che's lips lingered on a sensitive spot, Lin Yan couldn't help but gasp, her fingers instinctively clenching the brocade quilt beneath her, her toes curling up.

This is terrible!

[Xiao Che, are you a dog?]

As Xiao Che listened to the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind, his movements became increasingly gentle yet increasingly irresistible.

He knew exactly where the sensitive spots of the person in his arms were, sometimes gently sucking, sometimes grinding them with the tip of his teeth, forcing Lin Yan to let out soft moans, his body as soft as a pool of spring water, only able to rely on the strength of his arm to support him.

“Xiao Che… Xiao Zhaolin…” Lin Yan’s eyes welled up with tears of emotion from the commotion.

That call, filled with dependence and emotion, was like a fire, completely igniting Xiao Che's suppressed desire. No longer satisfied with just a fleeting encounter, he tightened his arms, pulling the person into his embrace even more deeply.

It is unknown how long it took before the storm gradually subsided.

Lin Yan lay slumped on the dragon bed, too lazy to even move his fingertips, his whole body drenched in sweat as if he had just been pulled out of the water.

A distinct, slightly tingling sensation emanated from certain indescribable areas, reminding him of the "reward" he had just experienced.

Xiao Che lay on his side beside him, his fingertips idly twirling the ends of his sweaty hair. Looking at his closed eyes, his long eyelashes damp, and his cheeks flushed, Xiao Che felt a surge of unprecedented fullness in his heart.

He lowered his head and affectionately kissed Lin Yan's sweaty forehead.

Lin Yan was so tired that he could barely keep his eyelids open. When he felt the touch on his forehead, he could only grunt incoherently, complaining with a thick nasal tone, "That's too much."

Xiao Che chuckled, his voice hoarse with post-coital pleasure: "Yes, I went too far."

Lin Yan no longer wanted to get up to take a bath, so she kicked Xiao Che and said, "Wash yourself clean."

Xiao Che naturally obeyed orders.

After Lin Yan proposed the idea and Xiao Che made the final decision, all matters concerning Bingzheng were carried out in an orderly manner.

The Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Revenue worked together with astonishing efficiency. Before long, several designated official ice sales points were quietly opened in the capital, supplying ice in limited quantities to merchants in need at prices lower than those in ice shops on the market.

The news caused an uproar in the city's beverage shops and restaurants.

Although the supply is limited and requires advance registration and queuing, the official ice cream is affordable and of guaranteed quality, which is enough to reduce the costs of these merchants by a lot, making their chilled drinks and ice cream more affordable.

Ordinary people could save up a few coins and enjoy a bowl of refreshing chilled plum juice or ice cream when the heat became unbearable.

In the streets and alleys, one could often hear people praising this matter, saying that His Majesty was benevolent and compassionate towards the people. As a result, Lin Yan, the Vice Minister of Revenue who proposed this policy, also became increasingly famous.

As the initiator, Lin Yan didn't have to do any specific tasks personally after the initial framework of the plan was established. Officials from various departments performed their duties and handled things properly.

With Xiao Che's previous vigorous reforms, the atmosphere in the court and the capital was greatly improved, and for a time, it seemed exceptionally peaceful.

As a result, Lin Yan found himself much more free time outside of his daily duties at the Ministry of Revenue.

This leisure time meant he had more time to spend with Xiao Che all day long.

They were either in the Ziji Hall reviewing memorials and discussing political affairs, or they would stroll to the Dan Garden to enjoy time alone together.

The renovation project of Danyuan has long been completed.

This place has become their private love nest. Every plant, every pavilion, and every building is arranged according to their preferences, making it both elegant and comfortable, and full of warmth.

Without the constraints of palace rules and without the disturbance of outsiders, the two of them were just like an ordinary loving couple.

That afternoon, the two were enjoying the cool air in a pavilion overlooking the water in Dan Garden.

An ice chest was placed in the corner of the pavilion, and its cool air dispelled the summer heat.

Lin Yan leaned lazily against Xiao Che, holding a book and reading it casually. Xiao Che, on the other hand, had one arm around Lin Yan and was reviewing several urgent memorials with a pen in his other hand.

The atmosphere was tranquil and beautiful.

After Xiao Che finished reviewing the last document, he put down his vermilion brush, looked down at the drowsy person in his arms, twirled a stray strand of his dark hair with his fingertips, and suddenly spoke: "Hanzhang, now that Dan Garden has been renovated, shall we get married here?"

Lin Yan was being hypnotized by the words in the book when he heard this. He jolted awake and was instantly more or less awake. He looked up and blinked blankly: "Get married?"

He and Xiao Che were indeed mutually in love, and they were only a little short of becoming husband and wife. However, the fact that Xiao Che said the word "marriage" so naturally still made him feel a little dazed.

Xiao Che looked at his bewildered expression and found it extremely cute. He leaned down and kissed the tip of his nose, his tone as natural as could be: "Yes, please invite your parents, sister, and Chu Ye and the others who know the situation to come and be witnesses. Although it's not convenient to hold a grand celebration and let the whole world know, the proper etiquette must not be lacking."

Lin Yan processed the news for a moment, and looking at Xiao Che's serious expression, her heart felt as if it had been warmed by water, making her feel soft and warm.

He certainly didn't object, he just felt...

"Isn't this too hasty? Getting married is a major life event; shouldn't we prepare properly?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Che's eyes lit up with a smile, as if he had been waiting for him to say this. He pulled out a beautifully decorated roll of silk from somewhere and stuffed it into Lin Yan's hand: "Hanzhang, don't worry, I've prepared everything. Look, this is my dowry list."

Lin Yan: "???"

He looked down in disbelief and unrolled the silk scroll, which was densely filled with various items: estates, shops, gold and silver jewelry, antiques and paintings, overseas treasures... Its abundance was enough to leave any aristocratic family speechless.

The emperor had quite a lot of private property.

Lin Yan was dazzled by what she saw. After a long while, she finally looked up at Xiao Che with a complicated expression: "Do you really consider yourself a daughter-in-law of the Lin family? And you even responded so readily to Lin Mo's address of 'sister-in-law'?"

Xiao Che raised an eyebrow, speaking with an air of self-righteousness: "Otherwise what? Does Hanzhang want to marry into the palace? I have no objection, but would Hanzhang be willing to help me manage the palace again?"

Lin Yan imagined the scene and immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

If he were to actually "marry" into the palace, wouldn't he be doing the Empress's work? He wouldn't want that; it would be too exhausting.

Lin Yan quickly shook her head, then looked down at the ridiculously long dowry list and sighed, her tone filled with genuine distress: "But your dowry is too generous; I can't afford the corresponding betrothal gifts."

Xiao Che couldn't help but laugh when he saw his furrowed brows and troubled expression.

He leaned closer to Lin Yan, pinched his cheek, his eyes burning, his tone filled with undisguised desire and mockery: "Who wants your betrothal gifts? I only need you as a person, that's enough. If Hanzhang really feels bad..."

Xiao Che's gaze swept meaningfully over Lin Yan, his voice low and full of implication: "I only ask to enjoy more physical intimacy with you."

Lin Yan was taken aback at first, but when he realized the deeper meaning in Xiao Che's words, he was filled with shame and indignation. Without thinking, he raised his hand and covered Xiao Che's unrestrained mouth.

"Shut up!" Lin Yan glared at Xiao Che. "You're an emperor, can't you stop saying such things!"

Xiao Che didn't struggle even with his mouth covered, but his deep phoenix eyes were filled with a triumphant smile, his eyelashes curving, which made Lin Yan's heart skip several beats.

The soft touch of Xiao Che's lips and the warm breath from his breath came from his palm. Lin Yan pulled his hand back as if he had been burned, his heart pounding like a drum.

Seeing his embarrassed and helpless appearance, Xiao Che finally couldn't help but laugh loudly, reaching out to pull him back into his arms and hug him tightly.

"Alright, I won't say." Xiao Che gently rested his chin on Lin Yan's head, his voice filled with lingering laughter and immense satisfaction. "So Han Zhang has agreed? Let's choose a date and get married at Dan Garden."

Lin Yan buried her burning face in his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat and smelling the reassuring scent of agarwood. After a long while, she let out a barely audible "Mmm".

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo blinds of the pavilion, casting dappled shadows on the two embracing figures. The cool air emanating from the ice chest dispelled the summer's restlessness, leaving only warmth and tenderness.

Lin Yan thought, this is fine too.

Although it's inconvenient for them to announce their marriage to the world, having relatives and friends as witnesses is enough.