Chapter 30: Yet he could never reach her side.
By the time Yun Sheng was dizzy from the kisses, the so-called "serving" had already begun.
Hot water was added back to the bathtub, and the bath powder that had dissolved in his palms was carefully applied all over her body, from her neck to her collarbone, and then spread to her shoulders and arms.
The bright red fruit was only infused with the scent of bath beans at the very end.
Yun Sheng felt like a piece of jade about to be exhibited, undergoing a final, meticulous, and gentle cleansing process.
Elsewhere it was fine, but when it came to her, his palms were already covered with thin calluses, and his subtle touches on her skin made her whole body tremble.
The dissolved bath powder was fragrant and slippery, and Xiao Xu's palm suddenly slipped on the pomegranate seeds.
Yun Sheng tilted her head back and let out a sob, instinctively kicking his shin.
"...That's enough, that's enough."
Xiao Xu remained steady, but still knelt down on one knee in the bathtub following the force of her kick: "My legs haven't been washed yet."
Her ankles were held and floated to the surface, white and translucent, with rolling water droplets sliding off, resembling an exquisite piece of jade.
Moreover, this was a beautiful jade that was only displayed to him.
The surging blood made Xiao Xu's brow twitch twice.
His large hand moved upwards, spreading the dissolved bath powder, and his slender fingers easily reached the crevice.
Yun Sheng trembled all over, not even knowing what sound was coming out of her throat, before Xiao Xu silenced her with a kiss.
It's clearly a cleansing effort, yet it's becoming increasingly rampant.
First the pomegranate seeds, then the flower stamens; she wanted to reprimand him for his force, which was neither too light nor too heavy, but was also ashamed of her uncontrollable reaction.
Yun Sheng draped her arms limply over his shoulders, unable to push him away or hurt him.
She would unconsciously bite his lower lip only when she was in unbearable pain.
Xiao Xu winced in pain and stepped back slightly, licking the uneven teeth marks on his lips with his tongue before finally reaching inside.
Yun Sheng's entire body turned bright red, like a ripe fruit waiting to be bitten open and have its delicious juices poured out.
She kicked him again, letting out a weak hum through her nose, almost a sob: "You... hurry up."
Xiao Xu smiled, but his hands remained the same.
He shifted his position, moving closer to her, slowly washing and caressing her, and kissed her earlobe.
What did your mother and siblings say to you today?
Yun Sheng suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils still misty and her gaze unfocused, but her thoughts immediately cleared.
His gaze slowly shifted, meeting Xiao Xu's eyes.
"Is it something you can't tell me?"
"……no."
It was meant to be told to him, or rather, it was meant to be asked of him.
Yun Sheng half-held his arm: "Let's wash up and talk in bed."
"Right here."
Xiao Xu bent his fingers, causing Yun Sheng to instantly tighten her grip on his arm, leaving several indentations on his arm.
Xiao Xu's breathing became slightly heavy as he continued to grope for her most comfortable spots: "I'm not finished washing you yet. Let me continue washing you. Tell me what you want to do."
Yun Sheng's mind went blank for a moment, and when she looked down, she saw a sword pointing at her in a threatening gesture underwater.
And his arm submerged in the water.
How could she possibly speak? She let out a low moan as the words were about to come out, her body almost sliding into the bathtub.
He knew all too well how to arouse her senses, or perhaps it was just that these things were inherently difficult to control.
Xiao Xu himself was also unable to control himself well, and he stayed close to her, his breathing heavy and disordered.
Yun Sheng's eyelashes trembled several times, her insteps tensed, but he pressed her knees down to relax them.
Until she could no longer stand his ambiguous flirting.
Yun Sheng threw herself in front of him, hugged his neck, and said indistinctly, "A-Xian said that Father and Mother had a bad relationship at first. Mother ran away and abandoned you. Father locked you up to vent his anger."
After saying this, Yun Sheng buried her face in his neck with red eyes, but not because she was sad and wanted to cry.
When she first heard about this, she was extremely shocked. She never imagined that he, who was now a paragon of virtue, had such a past.
At that time, Shen Yuewan was speaking in a low voice, saying that she originally did not intend to have children with King Zhao.
At that moment, she suddenly remembered that when she was about to take the contraceptive pill, Xiao Xu said that he would not want a child to be born without being expected.
Because he was once that unwanted child.
Yun Sheng still didn't know what kind of expression she showed when facing Xiao Xu, but she found it hard not to be emotionally affected by it.
She had originally planned to confess to him what she already knew in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Unexpectedly, the bitterness in my heart, once spoken aloud under these circumstances, turned into lower abdominal soreness and bloating, making it impossible to form any serious or melancholic atmosphere.
But Xiao Xu's breathing paused for a moment, and his hand movements also stopped in place.
The brief pause was gradually about to awaken the emotions that Yun Sheng should have been experiencing.
But the next moment, Xiao Xu suddenly pulled out his fingers, picked her up, and sat her down on the seat next to the bathtub.
Yun Sheng's emotions were instantly dispelled. She stepped on his shoulder, and water droplets trembled and dripped down her body.
"You...didn't you hear what I said?" She grabbed his hair.
"I heard you." Xiao Xu lowered his head and kissed the flower.
"Let me help you with your bath first, we'll talk about the rest later."
"Didn't you already really want it just now...?"
The remaining sound was drowned out by the sound of swallowing.
"I didn't mean to..."
The moment they were completely and intimately connected, Yun Sheng could no longer utter those insincere words.
Xiao Xu took his mission to apologize very seriously and served her without hesitation.
Yun Sheng floated on the water, yet was almost drowning. Those bitter and melancholy emotions were completely washed away, and she had no time to think about those sad things anymore.
The seating area was narrow, and even though Xiao Xu's strong hands held her firmly in place, Yun Sheng felt like she wasn't sitting properly at all.
And unlike before, she was completely naked and her body was still dripping wet.
The denser the fog, the more unbearable the atmosphere becomes.
But Xiao Xu somehow learned a new method.
Yun Sheng said in a hoarse voice, "Don't eat like that..."
Xiao Xu paused briefly, then looked up: "Don't you like it?"
Yun Sheng couldn't speak, pursing her lips and not wanting to make any other sound.
Xiao Xu looked down again from this very close distance.
The bathwater shimmers, and so does it.
"It seems to like it, do you?"
Xiao Xu kissed it, but she didn't answer, so he pulled away again: "Do you like it, Sheng Sheng?"
He's so annoying.
Yun Sheng was so angry that she stomped on his shoulder.
Xiao Xu insisted on asking, "Do you like it?"
The scorching breath sprayed onto the petals, causing the flower stem to tremble precariously, almost unable to support itself.
Yun Sheng's tightly pursed lips finally relaxed, her voice trembling with tears: "I like... you more."
A low-magnetic chuckle rubbed against the ground, sending shivers down my spine.
Xiao Xu's voice, mingled with the sound of water, replied, "Yes, Madam."
After an unknown amount of time, she was put back into the bathtub, panting heavily.
Her legs were weak and her body was powerless, so she let Xiao Xu manipulate her limbs and continue to wash her.
He leaned in to kiss her again, but she turned her head away in disgust.
Xiao Xu pursed his lips, tasting the lingering warmth on her tongue, and still kissed her all over the other parts of her body.
After Yun Sheng was washed and carried back to bed, Xiao Xu stayed in the bathhouse for a long time.
It was so long that Yun Sheng thought the bucket of water must have gone completely cold before he slowly walked out.
Xiao Xu had already changed into his nightgown, and his earlier recklessness was no longer evident, but there was still a deep, dark look between his brows and eyes, his thin lips were red, and his body was covered in a mist of moisture that was not visible.
It inexplicably evoked a sense of eroticism.
Her thoughts and emotions seemed to be drifting off course again, so Yun Sheng quickly calmed herself down and looked at him again.
Xiao Xu turned his head and looked over, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Want more?"
"W-what...I don't want to." Yun Sheng suddenly clutched the blankets.
Xiao Xu smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "Seeing you looking at me like that again, I thought you hadn't had enough just now."
What nonsense is he spouting!
Yun Sheng's face flushed instantly. She abruptly looked away and turned to lie flat on the bed.
After feeling embarrassed and annoyed, she belatedly realized that this was not a pleasant memory, and wondered if Xiao Xu simply didn't want to talk about it.
Even a healed scar will hurt when reopened.
Yun Sheng lowered her eyes, her feelings a mix of emotions.
Lost in thought, Xiao Xu had unknowingly walked to the bedside and sat down on his side.
"If you want to know about my past, you don't need to ask others; you can ask me directly."
Yun Sheng looked up in surprise, and after a long while said, "It wasn't something I deliberately asked."
"Things we don't want to talk about will no longer be brought up; they're all in the past."
At this moment, Xiao Xu finally understood what Yun Sheng's gaze was like when she looked at him after visiting Shen Yuewan during the day.
A touch of pity, a touch of comfort, but mostly heartache and sympathy.
Xiao Xu lowered his eyes, his emotions unclear, took off his shoes, lay down on the bed, and reached out to hug Yun Sheng.
In the past, she was always unresponsive when she was asleep, but when she was awake, she would usually stiffen for a while or shyly push him away.
At this moment, she leaned softly against him, following the force of his embrace, and her slender arms reached out to wrap around his waist. As soon as he lay down, she turned her head and rested it against his chest.
Xiao Xu glanced down and saw Yun Sheng standing in front of him, her little face tilted up, staring straight at him.
He took a deep breath and raised his hand to block her eyes: "Don't look at me like that."
"Or you can serve me instead."
Yun Sheng stared in disbelief, trying to pull her hand away from his waist, but Xiao Xu grabbed it and pressed it back into place.
"This matter is not as serious as they say, and it is indeed all in the past. There is no need to look at me with such pity."
"...It's not sympathy."
Yun Sheng herself was unaware of what those complex emotions were, but upon hearing the word, she simply couldn't bear to associate it with someone like Xiao Xu.
Xiao Xu twirled a strand of hair by her ear and wrapped it around his finger, saying softly, "Mother did not initially get together with Father because she loved him. Father separated her from her childhood sweetheart and forced her to marry him."
Yun Sheng was quite surprised and raised her head again. At this moment, there was no longer any sympathy in her eyes. Only Xiao Xu calmly spoke of the past of Prince Zhao and Princess Zhao.
Xiao Xu raised an eyebrow slightly: "This is not a secret; everyone in the Prince Zhao's residence knows it."
"My mother's childhood sweetheart was not a good match. Not long after, my father exposed his fickle nature. However, my mother was still angry about his methods of interfering and forcing her into marriage, and she was unwilling to be with him."
"That's when I came into my mother's womb."
"Not long after my mother gave birth to me, they had another fierce argument. I don't know the reason, but my mother left the Prince Zhao's residence because of it."
"I heard from the servants in the mansion that after my mother left, my father's temperament changed drastically. He became unpredictable and eccentric, and his feelings of both hatred and longing for my mother fell on me."
As Xiao Xu spoke, he saw that the person in his arms already had tears in her eyes.
He loosened her hair, his fingers brushing against the corner of her eye: "Why are you crying? The so-called locking her up to vent your anger is just strict discipline."
Xiao Xu spoke lightly, but Yun Sheng knew that it was much more than he had described in just a few words.
While other one-year-olds are still babbling and toddling, he has already begun to spend time with his desk.
His childhood lacked maternal care; instead, he faced his father's stern and cold reprimands, profound and obscure books, and endless calligraphy practice.
He was not allowed to ask any questions about his mother, and he had never seen his father smile at him.
Xiao Xu was intelligent from a young age; he learned a lot and grew up quickly.
The year Xiao Ling was born was the year that King Zhao and Queen Zhao began to break the ice.
It wasn't until Xiao Xu was eight years old that they finally opened up to each other and gradually began to become a harmonious couple.
But what he has lost is irreparable, and he has also developed his own personality over the years.
Even as the eldest son, he was still strictly required to continuously improve and grow.
It was tedious and boring, and it was tough, but that was about it.
He never recalled the bitterness of that experience, nor did he ever intend to use this past, which was not considered miserable by many, to create a pitiful image of a child lacking love in front of Yun Sheng.
Xiao Xu's fingers traced along the corner of her eye to her cheek, then he pinched her cheek with two fingers: "That's how it is, Sheng Sheng, do you feel sorry for me?"
Yun Sheng quickly shook her head.
It's really incongruous to think that the man in front of me, whose figure, eyes, and aura are powerful without being ostentatious, is pitiful.
She murmured, "I just..."
When the words came to mind, it seemed that only the word "sympathy" could describe it.
Xiao Xu pinched her again and said, "Sheng Sheng, are you going to spend your whole life feeling sorry for your husband?"
Yun Sheng opened her mouth, not knowing what to say, when Xiao Xu lowered his head and kissed her lips.
He pressed his lips to hers and whispered, "I don't want your pity, I just want..."
Yun Sheng didn't hear what followed: "What do you want?"
Only the incompetent would try to gain attention by appealing to sympathy.
He didn't want her sympathy.
What he wanted was for the bright moon to shine alone.
"you."
The moment Yun Sheng's hand was taken and held by him, her fingertips trembled.
Xiao Xu pressed her fingers down with his large hand: "Sheng Sheng, hold on tight."
He let go, leaving her there alone, and deepened his kiss on her lips while cupping her face.
Yun Sheng could hear the sounds of lips and tongues intertwining, and his heavy, hoarse breathing.
He would teach her to tighten her muscles from time to time, and then teach her to loosen them.
He taught her where to touch and how to get him to reach his destination.
But Yun Sheng still couldn't get it right.
So fierce, so scorching.
He touched her and caused her to feel that indescribable feeling again.
Until she unconsciously tried to bring her legs together, only to be blocked by Xiao Xu's knee.
Xiao Xu chuckled softly, releasing her lips and her hands.
He crawled into bed, lowered his head to kiss her again, and held himself in his hands.
*
In the early morning, before Yun Sheng was fully awake, she felt a series of soft kisses on her lips.
The feeling was so familiar that even in her dazed state, she realized that it was Xiao Xu kissing her.
She neither dislikes nor rejects it.
His kisses always made her feel weak all over.
But if he keeps kissing her like this, won't her lips always be swollen and pouty?
The far-fetched thoughts finally brought Yun Sheng back to reality.
As soon as I opened my eyes, a handsome face magnified close by came into view in the morning light.
Xiao Xu squinted and stepped back when he saw that she had woken up.
"woke up."
Yun Sheng pursed her lips, still thinking about whether her lips were swollen and pouty, and ignored him.
Xiao Xu seemed to see through her thoughts and said calmly, "It's not swollen. I kissed it very lightly."
He wouldn't have said anything if he hadn't, but now that he had, Yun Sheng got angry: "Why did you kiss me so early in the morning?"
"It's time for you to get up."
"What time is it?"
"It's almost Chen Shi (7-9 AM)."
Yun Sheng frowned slightly. Even though it was dawn, it was still early. She remembered that she had no plans for this morning, so why should she get up early?
Because Xiao Xu woke her up in a peculiar way, she didn't feel tired or uncomfortable when she woke up, leaving her unsure whether to continue being annoyed with him or just let it go.
Yun Sheng asked, "What brings you here so early?"
"Hmm." Yun Sheng only noticed that Xiao Xu was dressed neatly again when he set off.
"Let's go boating."
"Now?" Yun Sheng asked in surprise.
"Wait until you've finished dressing."
Yun Sheng was still surprised and confused, but Xiao Xu had already called the servants into the room.
Cuizhu helped her change clothes and wash up, while Xiao Xu sat at the table next to her, flipping through books.
Yun Sheng turned his head and looked at him; he was reading "Langhuan Miscellany" again.
He actually brought this book from his residence here. If he likes it so much, how come he hasn't finished reading it after so many days?
Thinking of the unfinished book, Yun Sheng couldn't help but recall her two novels whose endings she didn't know.
After dressing up, Yun Sheng walked towards Xiao Xu.
Xiao Xu looked up upon hearing the sound, but still held the book in his hand.
Before he could react, Yun Sheng stepped forward and snatched the book from his hand: "I'm confiscating this book."
Xiao Xu looked at her without any expression, a completely different reaction from Yun Sheng's when her storybook was confiscated.
He said calmly, "Why was it confiscated?"
"..."
Yun Sheng hadn't decided yet.
She glanced down at the book title on the cover and casually said, "The contents of this book are too shocking and not suitable for reading. You shouldn't read it."
Xiao Xu paid no attention to the books she had taken away; his gaze was fixed only on Yun Sheng's lightly made-up face.
After glancing at it a few more times, he stood up and walked towards Yun Sheng's side. He nimbly reached out and easily took back his book: "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I am bold."
As he spoke, he casually placed the book on the upper shelf of the display shelf next to him.
"Xiao Xu!"
"Let's go boating."
"Where did you hide my storybook? Give it back to me."
"I won't pay it back."
"What's the reason?"
"The book's content is too absurd and conveys distorted ideas, making it unsuitable for reading."
Xiao Xu took her hand and said, "Don't look anymore."
Yun Sheng angrily shook off his hand and stormed out of the house first.
Stepping out of the courtyard, the morning sun was already bright, but the entire palace was still shrouded in peaceful tranquility.
Yun Sheng followed Xiao Xu in a carriage to Yingyue Lake Wharf. There she saw that not only were there small boats moored in front of the wharf, but there was also a small table on the boat with breakfast already prepared on it.
Yun Sheng's annoyance was instantly dispelled by the novelty.
Are we going to have breakfast on the lake?
"Um."
Yun Sheng walked quickly, but noticed the swaying light and shadows to the side out of the corner of her eye. Suddenly, she thought of something and stopped.
"You go ahead, I need to get something."
Xiao Xu looked at her, as if he was about to step forward and follow her.
Yun Sheng quickly pushed his strong back: "Go over there, but don't follow me or look back."
Before Xiao Xu could react, Yun Sheng had already turned around and jogged away.
The carriage parked there obscured Yun Sheng's figure, and even when Xiao Xu turned around, he could no longer catch a glimpse of her.
When Yun Sheng appeared from behind the carriage, Xiao Xu was already waiting at the wharf.
She lifted her skirt and ran towards him: "Can we get on the boat now?"
"Go ahead." Xiao Xu reached out to support her.
There was breakfast on the boat, and Yun Sheng walked very carefully, afraid that she might spill the breakfast on the small table if she wasn't careful.
After settling into a comfortable position, Xiao Xu boarded the boat and sat opposite her.
Unlike yesterday, the lake was exceptionally bright in the early morning. The sunlight, which is colorless, was reflected on the lake in a dazzling array of colors.
There was no one else around; it was just the two of them in their small boat.
Xiao Xu poled the small boat, which, with the gentle breeze, came to rest in the middle of the lake.
"Changyu, have you ever gone boating before?"
"No."
Yun Sheng regretted asking the question as soon as she heard it, and her expression froze upon hearing Xiao Xu's answer.
But the next moment, Xiao Xu's expression was clearly meaningful.
She blushed and quickly whispered, "Don't look at me like that. I'm not pitying you, and I've never been on a boat before."
This is the first time.
Xiao Xu added after her last syllable: "With me."
"……Um."
After breakfast, the sun shone even brighter.
The lake is completely exposed, making it suitable only for such brief moments of leisure in the early morning and near dusk.
Because he had other plans for the afternoon, Xiao Xu woke Yun Sheng up early this morning.
Xiao Xu asked, "Go back?"
"Wait a minute." Yun Sheng said, lowering her head as she reached into her clothes.
Xiao Xu watched her quietly until she took out a clump of emerald green iris grass from her bosom.
He paused slightly, then looked at Yun Sheng, who looked up at him with a bright smile and said, "I saw this in the flower garden by the lake just now. Besides the little rabbit, I can also make other things."
"Wait for me a moment."
As she spoke, Yun Sheng lowered her head again, her fingers deftly weaving the grass leaves in her hands. Before long, a lifelike straw-woven puppy appeared between her fingers.
Yun Sheng held the puppy and handed it to Xiao Xu: "This puppy is a small gift that I couldn't give you back then. I think if you had received it, you wouldn't have been so unhappy and had a cold face."
"I don't pity you, but I want to make you happy."
Xiao Xu's pupils contracted and dilated slightly. For a moment, Yun Sheng and the straw-woven puppy caught his eye and went out of focus.
Then everything became clear before my eyes, causing my breathing to quicken.
"I like it so much."
He saw Yun Sheng breathe a slight sigh of relief, seemingly just to be glad that he liked the gift.
Xiao Xu paused for a moment, then suddenly reached out and took the remaining iris grass from her arms.
"what you do?"
"Wait for me a moment."
Yun Sheng was puzzled at first, then her eyes widened in astonishment as she saw Xiao Xu weaving a small grass cat between her fingers using the same method she had just used.
"You can make this up too?"
"I didn't know how before, but I learned how to do it just now after watching you make it."
She learned it after just one attempt?
Xiao Xu placed the straw kitten into her palm amidst her surprised gaze.
Yun Sheng picked it up with delight and examined it from all angles: "It's so beautiful! You've done such a good job on your first attempt at weaving."
Xiao Xu stared intently at her, then suddenly asked seriously, "Will you still weave straw puppies for others in the future?"
Yun Sheng paused, puzzled as to why Xiao Xu asked that question.
But later...
Xiao Xu said, "I will not make up a kitten for anyone else."
"Can the puppy be given to only me from now on?"
————————!!————————
[Dog head emoji] Another day of being all lovey-dovey with a corpse. Xiao Xu is a very proud person, which is why he acted like this after being rejected. But he's matured quickly and now understands that pretending won't earn him his wife's exclusive favor.
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