Chapter 59: "My wife and I are deeply in love, what's so shameful about that?"
It's still early, only a little past 1-3 PM.
Yun Sheng had lunch and rested for a while here. She had just played the piece she was practicing twice when Xiao Xu came looking for her.
She quickly got up and walked towards Xiao Xu: "Why did you come here?"
Xiao Xu stared straight at her, without taking a step, and stood in front of the door waiting for her to come over.
Then, seeing that he didn't move, Yun Sheng naturally reached out to take his hand.
Xiao Xu's lips curled up slightly, seemingly quite satisfied. The gloom he had felt for the past hour or two dissipated considerably under the soft touch of his fingertips.
He said calmly, "Didn't we agree to pick you up and take you back to the manor together after today's business is finished?"
Speaking of this, Yun Sheng recalled her annoyance that morning: "We agreed that you would call me to go to the palace together in the morning, why didn't you call me? And you even gave Cui Zhu those instructions..."
Yun Sheng abruptly stopped speaking.
Only then did she notice a distinct red mark on Xiao Xu's neck. In winter, one wouldn't immediately think of mosquito bites, and besides, she still vividly remembered what they had done yesterday. This was a kiss mark she had left on him when they were deeply in love.
This area is between the collarbone and the neck; although it's slightly high, most clothing collars can cover it.
Unfortunately, Xiao Xu was wearing a cross-collar shirt with a low neckline today. Even though his outermost cloak was still on, some of the red marks could be seen from the neckline. If he were to open it wide, wouldn't the red marks be completely exposed?
Yun Sheng said in a panic, "Why are you wearing this today? Your neck is showing."
Xiao Xu remained calm, casually sweeping his fingers across the area, his touch precise, clearly indicating he knew the exact location of the hickey. He said nonchalantly, "I was a little delayed this morning because I was trying to wake you, so I just grabbed a robe and put it on."
Yun Sheng's eyes widened.
He really knows how to talk nonsense. His clothes are mostly old-fashioned and strict, especially the inner garment worn close to the body. How could he just happen to have one of the few garments with a low neckline?
And they even blamed her.
She never kissed that area before, but it was because of the position last night...
Yun Sheng pursed her lips, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said, "Did you cover yourself up during the morning court session? No one saw it, right?"
Xiao Xu looked down at her, his eyes seeming to say, "If you saw it at a glance, how could others not see it?"
"...Aren't you ashamed?"
Xiao Xu chuckled and said, "My wife and I are deeply in love, what's so shameful about that?"
"But people will talk about you."
"Who said that about me?"
"..."
Yun Sheng had no idea who was talking about him. If people saw this, wouldn't they think she was a femme fatale who had bewitched the once aloof and ascetic prince into a frivolous and lustful person obsessed with women?
"No, I'll cover it up for you. It would be too embarrassing if someone saw it."
"I've already seen it. What's wrong with us being legitimate?"
As Xiao Xu was speaking, Yun Sheng pulled him toward the dressing table inside the room.
On the dressing table were some cosmetics and face powder used by women.
Xiao Xu frowned and refused, "I don't need anyone else's."
“These don’t belong to anyone else; they’re all brand new and have never been used.”
"I don't want that either."
Yun Sheng thought that Xiao Xu, being a man, was unwilling to use a woman's makeup on himself because of his male pride.
To everyone's surprise, he then said, "When we get back, use your makeup powder to cover it up for me, and I'll use the one you used."
"..."
Yun Sheng immediately shook off his hand: "Why are you still covering up when we get back? Just change your clothes when we get back."
"There's nothing to exchange."
Xiao Xu raised his hand to straighten his clothes. The already low collar could not completely cover the red mark no matter how he straightened it. Now that it was half-hidden, it was even more suggestive.
He said slowly, "Next time, just kiss a little lower."
*
Three days later, Xiao Xu will set off for Jiangnan.
That morning, before dawn, Yun Sheng woke up to the slightest movement beside her.
She opened her eyes groggily and saw Xiao Xu already standing by the bed, fully dressed. She instantly became fully awake.
"Changyu!"
"What's wrong? Were you dreaming?" Xiao Xu stepped closer.
Yun Sheng hurriedly sat up: "I wasn't dreaming. Didn't you promise yesterday that you would wake me up this morning? Are you planning to sneak away again?"
This wasn't the time when he would go home after finishing his morning court session. He was going to be gone for a month, so how could he let her fall asleep like that and not even be able to see him off?
Xiao Xu said, "I didn't plan to. I came to call you."
"Liar." Yun Sheng didn't believe it. If she hadn't woken up, she might have heard Cui Zhu relay his frivolous and absurd words when she opened her eyes again after daybreak.
Xiao Xu wanted to explain that he really intended to call her; otherwise, when she opened her eyes just now, she wouldn't have seen him standing by the bed, but rather him lying next to her and kissing her.
I haven't kissed her yet this morning.
But Yun Sheng ignored him completely, got off the bed and walked past him to another place.
She moved quickly, and Xiao Xu couldn't catch her in time.
He could only follow behind her and ask, "Sheng Sheng, what are you doing?"
Yun Sheng opened the cabinet, squatted down and rummaged through the bottom layer. After a moment, she took out a neatly folded undergarment from the bottom of the cabinet.
On a dimly lit winter morning, Yun Sheng's petite figure was shrouded in shadow, her outline blurred.
She was still wearing her light nightgown, the pearly white silk being the only bright spot in the darkness, captivating the man behind her and making him unable to look away.
Yun Sheng stood up and turned around, holding the undergarment in her arms.
Suddenly, a dark shadow approached, carrying a familiar aura and intense heat.
Xiao Xu hugged her tightly: "What are you in such a hurry to get? Are you cold?"
Yun Sheng was so anxious that she didn't notice the cold, but now that Xiao Xu was holding her in his arms, she felt even less cold.
But Yun Sheng still remembered the important matter. Xiao Xu was to set off today, and she didn't know what time it was. She didn't want to delay his business.
She quickly pushed him away: "I'm not cold, let go of me first."
Xiao Xu frowned slightly and released Yun Sheng with a hint of displeasure.
Yun Sheng then instructed him, "Go and light the candles."
"..."
Xiao Xu was even more dissatisfied, but he still took a step and turned to the table to light the lamp.
There was a rustling sound behind me.
As soon as the firelight appeared, Xiao Xu turned around.
Yun Sheng unfolded the undergarment in her hand, and to her surprise, it was his clothes.
"If you sneak away, I won't be able to give you the clothes, and all this embroidery will have been for nothing."
Xiao Xu threw down the tinderbox and walked back to Yun Sheng in a few steps.
Yun Sheng twisted the collar of her inner garment to show him.
The collar of this simple inner garment is embroidered with a twining branch pattern on both sides in colorful thread. The green leaves are intertwined with dark red beans, just like the carving on the white jade safety buckle he gave to Yun Sheng.
The firelight flickered in Xiao Xu's dark eyes. He didn't know what his expression was like at that moment, only that his heartbeat suddenly became erratic, pounding rapidly, and a soreness spread through his chest.
When was it embroidered?
"I embroidered it secretly these past two days while you were away. I compared it to the carvings on the jade ring you gave me before, and it should be similar."
Yun Sheng pointed to the bottommost leaf of the embroidery: "Here, just like on the jade ring, the leaf has an empty space inside."
As she spoke, she folded her undergarment again: "I wanted to give you a surprise on the day you left. Luckily, I woke up on my own. Please put this garment in your bag..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Xu suddenly untied the jade-inlaid belt around his waist.
The snap of the buckle interrupted Yun Sheng's words.
She stared in disbelief as Xiao Xu quickly undressed.
"Wait, Changyu, what are you doing?"
"I'm wearing this today."
Yun Sheng was surprised: "But you're already dressed, this one for next time..."
"Right now."
In the short time it took Yun Sheng to speak, Xiao Xu had already taken off his outer garment and untied the sash of his inner garment.
His clothes were open to the sides, and as he raised his hands to pull them off, his strong and muscular upper body was exposed to Yun Sheng's view without any cover.
The candlelight outlined the shadows of his body, revealing his broad shoulders and back, the smooth lines of which hinted at a power ready to be unleashed. His chest muscles were clearly defined, his waist was strong and narrow, and his well-defined abdominal muscles extended into distinct lines, tapering down into the edge of his underwear.
There were other marks on this near-perfect body: a clear crimson hickey on the collarbone, several teeth marks on the chest, and some slightly ambiguous scratches on the side of the waist.
Yun Sheng's gaze involuntarily followed these traces, and her face gradually flushed as certain blurry yet intense fragments of last night uncontrollably flooded her mind.
Xiao Xu was about to embark on a long journey, and before leaving, he couldn't help but have a heated argument.
Yun Sheng had only done it twice and hadn't expected to leave so many traces.
Xiao Xu was eager to take off his clothes, but now that he was openly exposing his body, his movements slowed down.
She stared blankly for a while before snapping out of it and stepped forward to say, "What are you dawdling for? If you're going to change, hurry up and put it on."
Xiao Xu didn't speed up his movements despite her scolding, and Yun Sheng took the undergarment from his hands.
She unfolded her inner garment behind him and pulled the sleeves on for him, her fingertips inevitably brushing against the hard lines of his arms and the warmth of his shoulder blades.
Xiao Xu's muscles tensed for a moment, which inexplicably made Yun Sheng feel hot to the touch.
Yun Sheng lowered her eyes and said softly, "Are you nervous?"
Xiao Xu lowered his eyes to look at her slightly red ear tips and shy profile, and smiled slightly: "Hmm, a little."
As he said this, he easily relaxed his body and let Yun Sheng do as she pleased, only his breathing slowed down a bit.
Soon, he was dressed in his undergarments, and Yun Sheng tied the thin straps on the sides for him, carefully tidying up the collar.
She looked up to check, and the neckline perfectly concealed the most conspicuous hickey on his collarbone, ensuring that no one could see it no matter what he did.
Yun Sheng looked satisfied; the inner garment she had chosen was indeed very suitable.
Just as she was about to look away, her gaze suddenly met Xiao Xu's.
His expression was somewhat strange, his eyes deep and unfathomable as he stared at her intently.
Yun Sheng felt a little uncomfortable under his sudden deep gaze and looked away: "You should wear it too, or we'll run out of time later."
He undressed so quickly, stripping completely naked in an instant; now, wearing only his undergarments wasn't enough.
Xiao Xu didn't reach for the rest of the clothes; he simply raised his hand and gently rubbed her burning cheek with the back of his fingers.
"Changyu?"
Yun Sheng lifted her head, touching his finger.
Xiao Xu's hands gradually opened his fingers as she moved, and finally cupped her face in his hands.
At first, he really intended to wake Yun Sheng by the bedside. Although it was still early and she must not have slept enough, they were going to be separated for a while, so he wanted to talk to her and see her a little longer before he left.
But at this moment, he felt that this only increased his reluctance to leave, and he didn't want to move an inch or look away for even a moment.
"Husband..." Yun Sheng called him softly, as if she too was gradually becoming reluctant to part with him in the quiet atmosphere.
Xiao Xu took a deep breath and finally let go of her to start getting dressed.
He added, "I have arranged the carriages and servants that will accompany us to the palace each day."
"Do you plan to return to the Yun residence today or tomorrow?"
The reluctant atmosphere was broken by Xiao Xu's sudden serious question.
Yun Sheng chuckled and helped him get dressed, saying, "I sent someone to the house yesterday. My parents went to Ningxi Mountain these past few days and won't be back for a few more days."
“Your brother and sister-in-law are still at home, you can go back now.”
"Okay, okay, I got it."
Yun Sheng gave a perfunctory reply and quickly helped him put on his outer robe.
Xiao Xu, however, remained stubborn: "So when are you going?"
Yun Sheng handed him the jade belt: "Don't ask anymore, I'll go when I have time."
Even so, Yun Sheng had no plans at all; she would wait until her parents returned to the capital before making any decisions.
Xiao Xu frowned, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly stepped forward, cupped Yun Sheng's cheeks, and kissed her.
Yun Sheng was startled, and only realized what was happening after his tongue was entangled with hers: "Stop kissing, you're wasting time."
"Don't move," Xiao Xu said in a deep voice, pressing down on the back of her neck with one hand to keep her in place.
I haven't kissed you yet today, let me kiss you a little longer.
The kiss lasted for a long time under Xiao Xu's forceful control.
Only when there was a soft knock on the door did he release Yun Sheng with a stern expression.
Yun Sheng's cheeks flushed red from the kiss, and her eyes became moist.
She kissed Xiao Xu on the cheek again, then stepped back and said, "Go on."
Xiao Xu looked at her intently for a moment.
"Okay, wait for me to come back."
After Xiao Xu left, Yun Sheng wanted to go back to bed and take a nap, but she couldn't fall asleep no matter what she did.
She lay there quietly for a long time, but finally sat up, deciding not to sleep anymore.
By this time, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
Yun Sheng turned her head to look at the hazy morning light outside the window, thinking that Xiao Xu should have already left the capital city gates by now.
While having breakfast, she realized that she had forgotten to remind Xiao Xu to change his clothes.
Given how he wore the sachet every day after receiving it, could it be that he hasn't changed his undergarments for a whole month while he's away?
I don't think so...
Xiao Xu wasn't such a dirty person.
Little did they know, on the second night of their journey...
When Mu Shan came to report on official business, he found that Xiao Xu's room was empty, but there seemed to be a flickering fire in the backyard.
He walked toward the backyard in confusion and saw Xiao Xu drying a wet piece of clothing in front of the woodpile.
Xiao Xu turned around at the sound of the voice: "What is it?"
"Your Highness, it is... an important matter at the forward post station."
Xiao Xu turned his inner robe over, his hand still carefully protecting the embroidery at the collar, and said in a calm tone, "Hmm, come and report."
"...Is it right here?"
"Otherwise what?"
The serious matters seemed out of place with what Xiao Xu was doing.
Mu Shan would glance at Xiao Xu's hand after reporting a few words, and seeing that he had turned his clothes inside out, he would continue speaking.
Until the official report is completed.
Xiao Xu raised his eyelids slightly: "What are you still standing there for?"
Mu Shan suddenly came to his senses and quickly stepped forward: "Yes, it was your subordinate who was foolish. Your Highness, please let your subordinate do it."
As he spoke, he reached out with both hands to take the clothes from Xiao Xu's hands.
Before they even met, Xiao Xu's cold glare froze them in place.
"Get away. I didn't tell you to touch it. I told you to step back."
“…Ah? Oh, yes, Your Highness.”
*
On the third day after Xiao Xu left the capital, Yun Sheng returned to the Zhao Prince's Mansion from the palace and ran into Xiao Ling not far from the east courtyard.
She was stunned for a moment, and before she could speak, Xiao Ling walked over in a few steps.
"What a coincidence."
Yun Sheng looked at him suspiciously. Although it was normal to run into Xiao Ling at the mansion, his current appearance did not seem like a "coincidence." He had obviously come on a special trip.
However, since they had met, Yun Sheng didn't expose him and nodded slightly, saying, "Yes, what a coincidence."
Yun Sheng's reaction made Xiao Lingwei breathe a sigh of relief, but she quickly tensed up again.
He paused for a moment before tentatively asking, "Do you have something to do later?"
"No."
"Then, may I talk to you for a while?"
Xiao Ling's eyes held a hint of suppressed expectation, as if if he heard a single word of rejection, all the emotions suppressed in his eyes would instantly turn into a overflowing stream of disappointment.
Yun Sheng looked quietly into Xiao Ling's bright black eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's sit down in the courtyard and talk."
His eyes lit up, and he quickly replied with a "yes".
Yun Sheng led Xiao Ling back to the East Courtyard. As soon as she entered, her gaze swept across the room and she noticed that two maids not far away instantly tensed up as if facing a formidable enemy.
She tilted her head in confusion. When the two men saw her, they quickly lowered their heads, turned around, and left.
Just then, Cuizhu stepped forward and whispered in his ear, "Princess Consort, before His Highness left, he instructed them to write a letter to him immediately if they saw the Third Young Master come to the courtyard. He was originally going to instruct me, but I don't know why he didn't give me this task. However, I overheard it in the servants' quarters."
Yun Sheng was slightly surprised to hear this; Xiao Xu was actually giving such a childish instruction.
Cuizhu said, "Princess Consort, they must have gone to report. Should we stop them?"
"No need." Yun Sheng raised the corners of her lips and raised her hand to stop Cui Zhu's movements.
Xiao Xu was always meticulous in his work; if he really wanted to explain something like this in private, how could he let Cuizhu overhear?
Besides, even if he did send a message, what difference would it make? Could he fly back immediately after receiving the message?
Yun Sheng looked up at the sky and thought, if that's really the case, it wouldn't be bad.
Xiao Ling then spoke up: "Yun Sheng?"
After all this time, he still refuses to call her "sister-in-law".
However, Yun Sheng wasn't fixated on this; she might even feel uncomfortable if she actually heard it.
Yun Sheng responded and invited Xiao Ling to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard.
Hot tea and pastries from Wuweipu were laid out on the table.
Yun Sheng said, "This was bought by someone sent by Chang Yu this morning. The pastries from this shop are very delicious. You should try them."
Xiao Ling asked in surprise, "Big brother? Didn't he... leave the capital?"
Yun Sheng had already picked up a piece, taken a bite, and swallowed before nodding: "Yes, he gave the instructions before he left. I only found out after he left the capital."
Xiao Ling saw a faint smile on his lips when Yun Sheng mentioned this matter.
The smile wasn't meant for him; it seemed very unfamiliar to him.
He lowered his eyes for a moment, then took a piece as well.
How does it taste?
Xiao Ling savored the pastry in his mouth, smelling its sweet aroma, but when he actually tasted it, it seemed to taste bitter.
Of course it's bitter. The elder brother bought it for Yun Sheng, and no matter how many times he eats it, he probably won't taste any sweetness.
He paused for a moment before saying, "Very good."
Then he looked up at Yun Sheng and said slowly, "Actually, I came here today to say goodbye to you."
Yun Sheng was slightly taken aback: "Where are you going?"
Xiao Ling's gaze swept over the courtyard where Yun Sheng and Xiao Xu lived, finally settling on Yun Sheng's face: "Shuofeng Pass, go join the army."
"What are you going to do in such a far place?"
"What can I do? Serve as a soldier, get paid, and patrol the border," Xiao Ling replied casually.
Yun Sheng frowned: "Was this arranged by Father and Mother? Does Chang Yu know about this?"
"No, even my elder brother doesn't know yet. It was my own decision. I'm going with a patrol battalion from the Shuofeng Army that's currently changing shifts. I found some connections with old acquaintances to join the team. Their troops have already set off for a few days, so I'll be leaving in the next few days."
"Why not wait until after the New Year?"
"Okay, I won't wait any longer."
Yun Sheng was silent for a moment, looking at his seemingly relaxed expression, and asked softly, "Why did you suddenly decide to join the army?"
Xiao Ling kicked a small pebble at his feet and looked up at the gray sky in the distance: "It's not that it came suddenly. I've had this thought before. I thought joining the army was awe-inspiring, but I couldn't bear to leave the bustling and lively capital. I've also gotten used to being lazy. Now that I think about it, there's no point in just drifting along aimlessly in the capital."
He paused, then turned his gaze back to Yun Sheng's face, his tone becoming more serious: "I like you, but even now I still don't like that forced marriage."
"Perhaps, I have to do something of my own and walk my own path in order to control everything I want."
He tried to lighten the mood, half-jokingly saying, "Once I make a name for myself and have soldiers and power under my command, if you ever bully me, I can back you up and protect you."
Xiao Ling secretly thought that if Yun Sheng and his elder brother separated one day in the future, he would be a man of integrity and status, and he should also be qualified to give her happiness.
But the idea was too presumptuous and too far-fetched, so he let it sink silently into his heart without uttering it aloud.
Yun Sheng listened quietly, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, which eventually turned into a soft sigh and a sincere wish: "Alright, then I wish you a safe journey, and please be careful at the border and take good care of yourself."
Xiao Ling looked at her, his smile becoming more genuine, yet seemingly mixed with something else.
He took one last deep look at her, as if trying to imprint her image in his heart, then stood up decisively, waved his hand, and didn't look back.
"Okay, I'm leaving."
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