Chapter 94 Willing to Be Good to You

It was already afternoon when we left the Ye residence.

The meal wasn't particularly lively, but the atmosphere gradually shifted from initial awkwardness to a more relaxed one.

Although Ye Qing didn't say much, at least he no longer had a cold face.

The carriage swayed and rattled as it headed toward the Jinwang Mansion.

Inside the carriage, Ye Xunyang leaned back on the cushions, gazing at the street scenes rushing past the window, but his mind was elsewhere. A more complex emotion gradually surfaced in his heart.

He recalled the Empress Dowager's change of attitude, his mother's compromise after being persuaded by the Empress Dowager, the Emperor's decree of commendation, Lou Jin's statement that he would give up the position of Crown Prince, and now, helping him to apologize to his father.

Every single detail is vividly remembered.

Lou Jin did so much for him.

So much so that he felt the weight of this deep affection he was receiving made him somewhat apprehensive, and somewhat... unable to repay it.

Back at the Prince's residence, the three little ones immediately surrounded him, chattering and asking, "Is General Ye still angry?" "Is Princess Consort happy?" Lou Jin dismissed them with a few words, telling them to go back to their studies and martial arts practice, and then led Ye Xunyang back to the main courtyard.

Upon entering the room and dismissing those around him, Ye Xunyang's carefully maintained composure finally crumbled.

He slammed the door shut behind him, leaning against it, but instead of looking at Lou Jin, he kept his head down, his voice muffled:

"My husband..."

"Hmm?" Lou Jin approached him, noticing that something was wrong with his mood, and reached out to touch his face.

Ye Xunyang slightly turned away, still keeping his head down, his voice filled with undisguised bitterness: "I'm sorry..."

Lou Jin's hand froze in mid-air, his brows furrowing slightly: "Why apologize? Wasn't it already..."

“It’s not about Father.” Ye Xunyang interrupted him, finally raising his head, his eyes slightly red, looking at Lou Jin with eyes full of guilt and deep affection.

"I'm apologizing on behalf of myself... and also for everything you've done for me."

He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his surging emotions: "From my mother, to the palace, and to today... all along the way, you have been the one moving forward, taking on responsibilities, and clearing obstacles for me."

"It seems like I haven't been able to do anything for you, yet I've made you suffer so much and bear so much pressure that you shouldn't have to endure..."

His voice trailed off, choked with sobs: "You were born to be a chosen one, why did you need to kneel before others? Why did you need to make such promises? It's all because of me..."

"Xunyang." Lou Jin interrupted him, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable firmness.

He stepped forward and pulled the person into his arms without giving them a chance to refuse. Feeling the slight trembling of the body in his arms, he tightened his arms around them.

"Look at me," Lou Jin commanded in a low voice.

Ye Xunyang raised his moist eyes and met his deep gaze.

Lou Jin raised his hand and gently wiped away the moisture from the corner of his eyes with his fingertips. A tender smile curved his lips, a smile that contained no trace of grievance or reluctance, only overflowing, precious affection.

He sighed softly, his tone full of doting affection, "How could you have done nothing?"

"You chose me, trusted me, and entrusted your future and your heart to me. This is the most precious thing I can get." His fingertips traced Ye Xunyang's eyebrows and eyes, his voice low and tender.

"The Empress Dowager's tolerance stems from her recognition of your goodness and your sincerity towards me; the Emperor's tacit approval is because he understands that you are the one I have chosen; as for today..."

He paused, his gaze intense: "Everything I did was not out of grievance, but out of my own free will. Because I respect him, because he is your father, the closest relative of the person I love. To gain his approval, so that he can entrust you to me with peace of mind, is what I should do, and what I must do."

"But..." Ye Xunyang wanted to say something more.

"No buts." Lou Jin pressed his forehead against Xun Yang's, their noses touching, their breaths mingling. "Xun Yang, loving someone means giving willingly, so how can there be any sense of indebtedness? If we really have to talk about it, I should thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for appearing in my life. Thank you for letting me know that besides power struggles and intrigue, there is such warmth that is worth protecting with all my might." Lou Jin's voice was as gentle as the finest wine.

"So don't feel sorry for me, and don't feel burdened. Your presence by my side and your acceptance of my kindness are the best reward for me."

Ye Xunyang stared at him, gazing at the undisguised affection and certainty in his eyes. He closed his eyes, buried his face deep in Lou Jin's neck, and hugged him tightly in return.

"Lou Jin..." he called out in a hoarse voice.

"I'm here," Lou Jin replied, gently kissing the top of his head. "Always."

The two embraced quietly for a moment, feeling each other's heartbeats and body temperature; all words seemed superfluous.

After a while, Lou Jin seemed to suddenly remember something, loosened his embrace slightly, looked down at Ye Xunyang with a gentle smile in his eyes, and asked softly.

Your birthday is in a few days.

Ye Xunyang was slightly taken aback, only then realizing that his birthday was indeed approaching.

So much had happened in the past few days that he had almost forgotten about it.

Lou Jin gently twirled a strand of his hair with his fingertips, his tone becoming increasingly tender: "This is your first birthday in the Prince's Palace, and also the first birthday I've spent with you."

He gazed intently into Ye Xunyang's eyes, his look focused and expectant: "Tell me, is there anything you particularly want?"

Ye Xunyang replied, "Speaking of which, my husband's birthday is just over ten days after mine. Why don't we celebrate it together on your birthday?"

The more he thought about it, the better he felt the idea was. "We can hold a small banquet and invite His Highness, Mr. Yu, and if Father and Mother are willing to come, that would be great too. We can also add the three little ones from the manor and have a lively celebration. It can be considered a way to celebrate that after all the twists and turns, we have finally achieved our goal?"

However, Lou Jin shook his head slightly upon hearing this, his fingers tracing his cheek, his tone gentle yet firm: "No."

Ye Xunyang's smile froze slightly, somewhat puzzled: "Why not? We are husband and wife, and our birthdays are so close. Wouldn't it be perfect to celebrate together?"

Lou Jin looked at his confused expression, chuckled, and pulled him closer into his arms, resting his chin on the top of his head, his voice deep and possessive.

"Your birthday is your birthday."

"On that day, I want to make you the only protagonist, prepare a unique gift for you, give you unexpected surprises, and make you remember that every birthday spent by my side is exclusively yours and irreplaceable."

He paused, then continued, "And my birthday..." His tone was calmer, yet carried a different kind of determination, "is not important to me. In previous years, if it weren't for the rules and the Empress Dowager's concern, I wouldn't have bothered at all. But this year is different,"

He lifted Ye Xunyang's chin, gazing deeply into his eyes. "This year, I have you. On my birthday, I only want to be alone with you, without any outside interference. On that day, you can only be with me, belonging only to me."

His reasons were domineering yet tender, carrying an almost childish possessiveness.

It turns out that he didn't not want to spend time together, but rather wanted a celebration that was solely about the two of them.

Ye Xunyang's cheeks felt slightly warm.

"How can you be so domineering... even your birthday has to be split up and monopolized."

Lou Jin raised an eyebrow, his fingertips gently tracing the contours of his jaw, his tone both coaxing and undeniably assertive: "It's settled then. Your birthday, as you wish, can be as lively as you like. My birthday, as I wish, will be just the two of us. Hmm?"

The final "hmm" with its rising intonation carried a hint of danger, as if he had a way to "persuade" Ye Xunyang if he didn't agree.

Ye Xunyang felt his ears burning from the gaze, knowing he probably couldn't go against him on this matter, so he could only nod: "...As you wish."

Lou Jin smiled with satisfaction, then lowered his head and placed a gentle yet promising kiss on his lips.

"good."