Chapter 58: "I'm done playing. Your husband only has me, no one else."
What's comfortable or uncomfortable about it?
Yun Sheng felt that Xiao Xu was becoming increasingly bold in his words.
In the stillness of the night, the candlelight flickered.
The tranquil yet warm atmosphere is captivating.
I don't know if I was attracted by his body heat or by the close contact with him.
Yun Sheng lowered her eyelashes, reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, and involuntarily sat down on his lap.
Before she could even lower herself, Xiao Xu had already grabbed her knees, forcefully separating her legs and making her straddle him.
He pressed down hard, making her bend over, and then he tilted his head back and kissed her lips again.
The chill of early winter dissipated in this tender kiss.
Distracted by the intimate embrace, Yun Sheng wondered how familiar she needed to be with Xiao Xu before she could remain calm and composed during their intimacy, without her heart pounding as if it were about to burst out of her chest.
The arm that was casually draped over his shoulder moved unconsciously, and then her palm touched his neck. This position made it easy for her to slide down.
Her fingertips brushed past his collarbone, touched the embroidery on his clothes, and finally opened her palm and pressed it against his full chest through his clothes.
Xiao Xu's heartbeat wasn't much better than hers, and she was slightly surprised when she felt the strong throbbing in her palm.
She thought that Xiao Xu, with his forceful initiative, had long been used to these things and always appeared calm and collected, easily arousing her to the point of infatuation.
But in fact, just like her, his heart raced and his body temperature rose simply from kissing her.
The strong heartbeat did not disturb Yun Sheng's caressing fingers, but after only a few grasps, she felt the muscles under her palm gradually tighten.
Xiao Xu then raised his hand and grasped her wrist.
Yun Sheng pulled away from his lips slightly, opened her eyes, her lips were rosy red, her eyes were moist, and her slightly dissatisfied expression looked charming in this appearance.
Xiao Xu reminded her in a hoarse voice, "Don't touch me."
"You can touch me, but I can't touch you?" Yun Sheng muttered softly.
Xiao Xu didn't answer. He let go of her hand and instead placed his hands on her waist, kneading and stroking her.
After just one gentle rub, Yun Sheng felt a ticklish and tingling sensation, and instinctively reached out to block, saying, "Don't touch me like that."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Xu stopped, and Yun Sheng also reacted in a daze.
He chuckled softly, making Yun Sheng a little embarrassed and annoyed. She pressed her hand against his chest and kissed the corner of his upturned lips.
Xiao Xu's eyes flickered slightly, his smile faded, and he leaned back even further, his back completely against the chair back, as if Yun Sheng was unusually forcefully pressing him down and kissing him.
Kissing was something Yun Sheng was already very familiar with; she had even learned how to find kissing techniques that would elicit a strong reaction from Xiao Xu.
She felt his chest soften; he had deliberately relaxed his muscles, allowing her to touch him.
But I also felt that something else had become erect.
The moment Yun Sheng's tailbone touched him, her hand involuntarily tightened its grip on his chest.
He could hear Xiao Xu's low, unbearable panting.
Xiao Xu enjoyed her teasing him to the extreme, and he held her buttocks and rubbed his waist against hers.
"Do you want to do it here?" he asked her in a hoarse voice.
Before Yun Sheng could answer, Xiao Xu had already bitten her lip hard, his grip on her hand remaining firm. Only his waist stopped moving, but they were still touching.
The memory of the last time I was in the study is still very clear.
Perhaps it was because they hadn't been intimate for a long time, or perhaps it was due to the atmosphere at the time, but that time it was very intense, turning the originally solemn study into a mess.
Several books on the desk got wet, but fortunately they were all from Xiao Xu's own collection and not official documents or reports. The pens on the pen rack were knocked over on the way, and two valuable brushes had their handles broken.
Not to mention the underpants that were torn to shreds that day, and the robes stained with ink.
In short, it was too absurd. Afterwards, Yun Sheng told Xiao Xu with a stern face that he was not allowed to do such nonsense in a place like the study again, no matter what.
But at this moment, Yun Sheng, whose willpower was always weak when facing Xiao Xu, could hardly find any firmness.
She really wanted to refuse him, and the study wasn't very convenient; it would make her back ache and her legs weak, and she couldn't even stand up straight.
Just as she was about to shake her head and refuse him, her fingers uncontrollably moved from his chest, which had suddenly become tense again, to his nipples.
Yun Sheng's fingertips trembled.
She didn't do it on purpose.
But for Xiao Xu, this was undoubtedly a tacit approval.
He suddenly picked up Yun Sheng and placed her on the desk.
As he stood up, he suddenly pressed down on her, kissing her deeply through her lips and tongue.
Yun Sheng's originally tight-fitting clothes were quickly removed, and her exposed skin instantly felt a slight chill in the warm room, causing her to shiver slightly.
Seeing that the ties on her clothes were also in jeopardy, Yun Sheng suddenly regained some of her rationality, turning her head away from his kiss: "Wait a minute, don't take it off—"
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Xu's fingers had already deftly untied the ribbon, while her hand was still on the table. If she were to raise her hand to block it, she would probably collapse onto the floor.
Xiao Xu's breath was hot. He put his arm behind her waist to support her, his hand kneading her waist, and his movements slowed down: "It's okay. I went back on my word. It wasn't you, it was what I wanted."
Xiao Xu was too close, and that hot mass was already pressing in, burning Yun Sheng's lower abdomen with a tingling sensation.
She hurriedly said, "Wait, your official documents, take them away first."
With a loud crash.
Xiao Xu swept away the surrounding area with a wave of his sleeve.
The chaotic sounds made Yun Sheng's heart pound. She looked down and saw that he was clearly poised to attack, even though he was wrapped in his robes.
All right.
Yun Sheng knew that she was not a person with strong willpower, and that she secretly enjoyed excitement.
She pretended to push Xiao Xu twice more, but he grabbed her ankle and lifted her leg up.
"Stop struggling, just listen to me."
"I'll hurry up, or your husband will be back soon."
"..."
Yun Sheng was instinctively tense up at these words, but he broke through them at the same time.
She sobbed, unable to tell whether it was pain or swelling, and then it poured out like a sudden downpour.
Xiao Xu groaned at her reaction and tightened his grip on her waist.
"You get so excited when you mention him?"
“…No, that’s not it.” Yun Sheng kicked him.
She urged him again, "Hurry up, or he'll definitely not let you off the hook when he gets back and sees this."
"How exactly do you mean by 'not letting them go'?"
Yun Sheng was jolted along, her voice incoherent, only able to say intermittently, "I'll take your head."
Xiao Xu laughed angrily: "So brutal."
"He's petty and gets jealous over the smallest things, let alone how you treat me... Ah!"
Xiao Xu crashed into it heavily.
"Me, petty?"
“I’m talking about my husband.”
Xiao Xu bit her neck, his teeth grinding against her delicate skin: "I'm done playing. Your husband only has me, no one else."
The petty man unleashed a storm of attacks on Yun Sheng, completely shattering her words and leaving her with no room for further play.
Half an incense stick later, the storm subsided.
Yun Sheng's hair was disheveled, her breathing was rapid, and her eyes were red as she was about to slip off the desk.
Xiao Xu caught her, placed her on the desk, and turned her around so that her back was to him.
"Sheng Sheng, hold on tight."
"……What?"
Xiao Xu took half a step forward, pressing his chest against her back, as if imprisoning her in front of the desk.
Yun Sheng turned to look at him, and he lowered his head and kissed her.
Xiao Xu whispered hoarsely between her lips and tongue, "Do it again."
“…Ugh.” Yun Sheng didn’t even say whether she wanted it or not before he squeezed in.
This time, however, it was like a gentle drizzle, soft and soothing, allowing you to feel every detail of the touch. It was warm and soft, enveloping and caressing you without making you feel uncomfortable, yet it was still somewhat unbearable.
Xiao Xu kissed her for a while, then released her already rosy and perky lips, and instead pecked at her earlobe.
He said in a low voice, "I will be going to Jiangnan again soon."
Yun Sheng groggily hummed in response, then slowly came to her senses and asked, "Do I have to go too?"
Xiao Xu's voice was filled with regret: "I can't take you with me this time."
Yun Sheng frowned slightly.
She didn't intend to travel to the capital again so soon, but Xiao Xu had been extremely busy lately, and now he was being sent away from the capital again.
"How long will it take?"
Around January.
Yun Sheng trembled, a shiver caused by Xiao Xu's caresses inside her.
She pursed her lips and remained silent, her slender neck arched high as she swallowed, looking rather pitiful.
Xiao Xu reached out and covered her hand with his, holding her neck and caressing the delicate skin on her neck.
"Once this busy period is over, I'll be able to relax for a long time."
Yun Sheng muttered, "You always say that."
But each time, not long after, new things would come his way, keeping him constantly busy.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xu lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, then tightened his arms around her waist, leaned down and rested his head against her neck: "I'm sorry, but this time..."
He wanted to say that it wouldn't happen this time, but he didn't say it out loud.
It wasn't that he couldn't do it, but at this moment, he seemed to have no proof to vouch for it.
Xiao Xu was still pondering how to continue when Yun Sheng suddenly turned around again.
She tilted her head back and kissed his slightly parted lips.
The intense activity had dampened the strands of hair that had fallen across her forehead, and her breath carried a sweet, warm scent.
Yun Sheng, her breathing slightly disordered, said, "Then you won't be able to see me playing the zither at the palace banquet. Tomorrow, after you finish your work and return to your residence, I'll play it for you alone?"
Xiao Xu paused for a moment upon hearing this, his movements halting: "What palace banquet?"
"It's the Laba Festival banquet next month. The invitation was just delivered to me two days ago. The Imperial Concubine has decreed that I should play the zither before the Emperor at the Laba Festival banquet."
Xiao Xu gradually frowned, as if dissatisfied that no matter how fast he rushed, he would not be able to make it to the banquet.
However, his brow soon relaxed again.
"So you'll be going to the palace to practice the zither all this time?"
Yun Sheng nodded: "Yes, I'll go."
For some reason, Xiao Xu suddenly regained his interest, slightly raised the corners of his lips, and, supporting Yun Sheng's waist, resumed his movements.
Yun Sheng was still unable to recover from the calm that came with the break.
His fingers gripped the edge of the desk, his fingertips turning white from the force. Several times he almost slipped, but Xiao Xu pulled him up from behind and forced him to press against his chest.
Another half incense stick's time passed.
Xiao Xu withdrew, satisfied, and sat back down in his chair with Yun Sheng in his arms.
Yun Sheng was almost completely exhausted by him, and her body was still sticky and she didn't want to move at all. So she leaned against him, her body swaying.
Xiao Xu raised his hand to smooth the hair on her cheek before bringing up the words he hadn't finished earlier.
"I will send someone to arrange the people to start your practice in the palace. There is no need to trouble Mother this time."
"I will be entering the palace tomorrow," Yun Sheng said softly.
She had planned to tell Xiao Xu about this today after he finished work, but he was so busy today that he stayed in the study until night after returning home.
Fortunately, she still brought it up with him.
Thinking of this, Yun Sheng suddenly looked up and asked, "Are you leaving the capital tomorrow?"
"No, wait two more days."
"Then I'll go with you tomorrow, okay? Call me then."
Xiao Xu paused for a moment: "Didn't you think it was too early?"
Yun Sheng lowered her eyes, her soft fingers gently stroking his disheveled clothes, and whispered, "We'll be apart for so long, I want to spend more time with you."
Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
Xiao Xu's heart skipped a beat, and Yun Sheng, pressed against his chest, clearly felt the movement.
Her chin was lifted up, and Xiao Xu looked at her intently.
Yun Sheng subconsciously raised her hand to cover her lips and said in a muffled voice, "Don't kiss me."
If she does it again here, she might not even be able to straighten her back tomorrow.
Xiao Xu chuckled, closed his eyes, and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Tomorrow I will ask His Highness the Crown Prince for permission to arrange a spare room for you in the palace, so that you can have a place to rest when you take a break from practicing the zither."
Upon hearing this, Yun Sheng slightly propped herself up from his embrace: "Isn't this inappropriate? Isn't it against the rules?"
Xiao Xu said calmly, "His Highness the Crown Prince is kind and considerate of his subjects. He will naturally grant such a small request."
Yun Sheng felt her face flush and buried her burning cheeks in his neck.
This sounds as if it were perfectly natural for Xiao Xu to ask His Highness the Crown Prince to do this favor for him.
Yun Sheng still felt a little uncomfortable, but before she could refuse, Xiao Xu continued, "If you wish to return to your parents' home during my time away from the capital, you may stay at the Yun residence."
Yun Sheng's thoughts were drawn away by him, and she gave him a strange look: "What would I be doing living in the Yun residence?"
"You were planning to come back and see your parents-in-law while you were away, but things got delayed this past month. Now that you have some free time, do you not want to go back?"
"I don't not want to."
Of course she wanted to go back, but Xiao Xu actually offered to let her stay at her parents' home.
You know, the last time he climbed over the wall into her boudoir, he acted as if he wanted to take her back to the palace that very night.
Xiao Xu's expression remained unchanged, even carrying a hint of post-coital satisfaction.
But this comfort gradually revealed a hint of awkwardness under Yun Sheng's gaze.
He cleared his throat: "If you don't want to, then stay here in peace. When I return to the capital, I will come to the Yun residence to pick you up, and we will also visit your parents and your brother and sister-in-law."
Yun Sheng remained silent for a long time after listening, still staring straight at him.
Xiao Xu reached out to cover her eyes, but Yun Sheng grabbed his wrist and stopped him.
"Changyu, are you worried that while you're not in the capital, my third brother and I will meet at the mansion?"
Xiao Xu's face darkened.
Yun Sheng poked his tense chin: "Didn't I tell you before? He didn't say anything when he came to the East Courtyard, so he probably won't have any other thoughts afterward."
Xiao Xu snorted coldly, thinking to himself that Xiao Ling had a lot of ideas.
Even though he wasn't in the capital, during the busy period he was away, he had already seen Xiao Ling wandering around the East Courtyard several times on his way back to the mansion. He didn't know if Xiao Ling was hesitating to go to the East Courtyard or if he was trying to run into Yun Sheng there.
When he saw her, Xiao Ling gave him a dry greeting and then turned and left.
If he leaves, who knows what kind of audacious schemes Xiao Ling might hatch?
Even if he only came to the East Courtyard to talk to Yun Sheng, he still felt uncomfortable.
It just so happens that Yun Sheng will be going to the palace to practice the zither every day starting tomorrow. He asked Li Yuan for a comfortable room so that she could stay in the palace during the day and return home at night. Naturally, it would be best to return to the Yun residence so that she would not run into Xiao Ling at all.
Yun Sheng observed for a moment and seemed to understand some of Xiao Xu's thoughts from his expression.
She chuckled and said, "Who was it that just said they weren't petty?"
Xiao Xu denied it: "It's not that I'm petty."
"Still being stubborn."
Xiao Xu lowered his head and kissed her: "Is it hard?"
Yun Sheng felt a warmth on her lips, a soft and moist touch.
After savoring the moment, she pursed her lips and remained silent.
But then Xiao Xu turned his head and kissed her cheek: "Is it hard?"
Yun Sheng covered one cheek, and he kissed the other cheek.
By the time Yun Sheng no longer had a third hand to cover her forehead, she released her hands and slapped him on the chest.
"You're so annoying."
*
The next day, Yun Sheng woke up at 9:00 AM.
As dawn broke, the person beside him was long gone.
She angrily summoned Cuizhu into the room, but before she could even ask anything, Cuizhu lowered her head and hurriedly reported, "Your Highness, before His Highness left this morning, he instructed that he had called you three times at dawn, was slapped twice, and was finally kicked in the lower abdomen. He had no choice but to leave first, otherwise he would have missed the morning court session."
"…………"
Yun Sheng's face flushed red and then turned pale, finally turning completely red.
"He's talking nonsense!"
"Cuizhu, do I usually look like this when I wake up in the morning?"
Cuizhu had little to refer to, because Yun Sheng rarely got up that early, except for the day of their wedding.
However, she had no idea how the Crown Prince had awakened the Crown Princess, which led to her being treated that way.
She answered only what she knew: "No, the Crown Princess would never do that."
"That's right."
Yun Sheng was annoyed that Xiao Xu hadn't invited her to the palace with him, but Cui Zhu then reported that Xiao Xu had someone buy pastries from Wuwei Shop, which could be used for breakfast or brought into the palace. He would then go to her room to pick her up when she returned to her residence in the afternoon.
The sky today was a pale blue, as if it had been washed clean. The sunlight shone brightly, but there was little warmth.
Yun Sheng entered the palace through a side gate in a carriage. A eunuch was already waiting and respectfully led her to a quiet courtyard.
The pines and cypresses planted on both sides of the palace road are still lush and green, but their greenness seems to be soaked by the cold, making them heavy.
The courtyard was small, but extremely tidy. The main house had three bays and was elegantly furnished. The charcoal fire in the stove was burning brightly, dispelling the chill from outside. On the table were freshly brewed hot tea and several delicate pastries, clearly indicating that it had been carefully prepared.
This was the room that Xiao Xu had arranged for her to rest and relax during breaks from practicing the zither in the palace.
On the other side of the palace, in the side hall of the Chongwen Hall in the East Palace.
The charcoal braziers inside the hall were burning just as warmly, and the atmosphere remained as solemn as ever.
Li Yuan sat in the main seat, and below him, besides Xiao Xu, were two ministers: the Vice Minister in charge of the Ministry of Revenue's money and grain allocation, and the Director of the Ministry of War who was familiar with the defense of the Jiangnan garrisons.
A map of Jiangnan and several secret reports were spread out on the table. Xiao Xu was explaining in a deep voice the specific action plan after heading south.
His words were clear and logical, and the Crown Prince listened attentively, nodding occasionally. The two officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War offered supplementary suggestions on the guarantee of funds and provisions and the safety along the way. Only the sound of calm discussion could be heard in the hall.
After the official business was concluded, the two officials took their leave to prepare the specific documents.
Li Yuan looked at Xiao Xu, who was adjusting his cuffs, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Changyu, is there any unforeseen problem or unforeseen event in this matter?"
Xiao Xu paused slightly, then raised his eyes: "Why does Your Highness ask such a question?"
"You looked radiant and relaxed during the morning court session, as if you were in a good mood. But during the meeting just now, you seemed somber and even a little impatient. Is there still some difficult issue with this trip south?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xu gave him a brief, indifferent glance.
When he woke up this morning, he held Yun Sheng in his arms and kissed her.
Because his intention was to awaken her, he kissed her without restraint, quite wantonly.
Yun Sheng didn't wake up because of this. Instead, she was kissed so much that she unconsciously lifted her leg and wrapped it around him. Although he couldn't wake her up in the end and was even slapped twice by her while half asleep, he was naturally refreshed and in a good mood in the morning.
But talking about heading south meant he would be away from the capital for at least a month, and no one could be in a good mood after such a long separation.
Xiao Xu withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Your Highness is mistaken. My emotions are the same, and so is this matter. Everything can proceed as planned."
Li Yuan was still puzzled, feeling that something was amiss, but Xiao Xu had already stood up: "If Your Highness has no further instructions, I will take my leave."
After leaving Chongwen Hall, Xiao Xu headed straight for the courtyard where Yun Sheng was.
The winter wind whipped against his face, carrying a biting chill, yet he walked with hurried steps, thinking only of seeing her as soon as possible.
Just as he turned a corner, the Ministry of War official who had been discussing matters with him earlier hurried up from behind, following half a step behind him, still clutching the piece of paper he had just taken notes on.
With a smile on his face, he consulted Xiao Xu to confirm the timing of the garrison change at a certain garrison in Jiangnan and the connection between the southward-bound troops and their route.
She probably felt that it would be good to talk to the Crown Prince a few more times to show that she was diligent and thoughtful.
Xiao Xu did not slow his pace at all, and as he walked, he uttered a few words in a concise and indifferent manner as a reply.
The doctor, emboldened by the response, immediately raised another concern regarding a specific detail.
And so, one walked quickly ahead, while the other followed closely behind, chattering incessantly.
The palace path was long, and it seemed we were about to pass through the moon gate between the inner court and the outer court, entering a more secluded palace garden area.
Xiao Xu suddenly stopped in his tracks without warning.
As the Ministry of War official was pondering his words and preparing to ask his third question, he nearly bumped into Xiao Xu's back.
He stopped abruptly, looking completely bewildered.
"How long are you going to follow me?" Xiao Xu turned to the side, his gaze calmly falling on his face.
The Ministry of War official was taken aback. Looking around, he realized that this was not the way out of the palace at all.
He was so focused on talking with his head down that he didn't notice which direction Xiao Xu was walking in, afraid of missing the chance to impress the prince.
Could it be that His Highness is rushing towards the inner garden because he has some more confidential and important matter to attend to?
The doctor, slightly out of breath from his brisk walk, was certain in his heart that it was true, it must be so.
With such perseverance, wouldn't I have inadvertently gained an opportunity to demonstrate my loyalty?
A surge of excitement welled up within him. He quickly straightened his clothes and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Highness, is there anything else I can do for you? I certainly will..."
Xiao Xu interrupted his reverie with a cold expression: "I'm going to pick up my wife."
"..."
The quick-witted and diligent expression on the Minister of War's face froze for a moment, then shattered into embarrassment and helplessness.
He opened his mouth, looked up, and saw something that made him choke on his words. After a long while, he managed to squeeze out, "Yes, yes, I've disturbed you. I'll take my leave now."
After saying that, he turned around quickly and walked away along the way he came, his back view revealing a deep sense of embarrassment.
Xiao Xu ignored him and turned to pass through the moon gate.
The clear and melodious sound of the zither, like a mountain spring flowing gently, washed away the unnecessary noise from before.
Xiao Xu followed the sound and waved away the palace servants waiting in the courtyard.
He gently pushed open the slightly ajar door.
Yun Sheng was sitting in front of the zither table with her back to the door.
Her back was slender, her shoulders and neck were beautiful, and her delicate fingers were plucking and strumming the strings of the piano with focused and calm demeanor.
Until the last note slowly faded from her fingertips, leaving a lingering, melodious sound.
Her fingertips were still on the strings, but as if sensing something, she suddenly turned around for no reason.
Their eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat.
————————!!————————
There are about three more chapters left in the main story [doge emoji]
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