Chapter 27: What he wanted was for the bright moon to shine alone.
A gentle breeze rustled the treetops outside the window, and dappled sunlight flickered on the long desk, dazzling the eye.
The light reflected in Yun Sheng's eyes trembled, and she seemed to freeze in place.
Unlike before, when Xiao Xu picked her up without giving her a chance to react, she was now at a loss for how to respond.
She hesitated for a long time before finally managing to utter, "...Me alone?"
Xiao Xu nodded slightly and affirmed, "Yes, yourself."
Yun Sheng's cheeks began to flush slowly as she looked at the tabletop, which was less than half her height, and hesitated about how to get on it.
She's so well-behaved.
Xiao Xu's eyes welled up with tears, and he lowered his eyes slightly, but he could clearly see her subtle movements up close.
He didn't expect her to come to his study to find him.
It's clumsy, cute, and meant to coax him.
The emotions surging in his heart were strange, and he couldn't find the right adjective to describe them.
Only desire is clear and intense, perhaps dirty, or perhaps actually very pure.
In the past, he would never have wanted to get too close to someone physically.
He only felt this kind of irresistible force through Yun Sheng.
From being unable to look away when we first met, to wanting to get closer to her, to touch her, to kiss her, to possess her, I still haven't felt satisfied.
Is it because there are other obstacles standing between them?
Xiao Xu knew it wasn't true; he never took those things seriously at all.
He's just insatiable.
Xiao Xu suddenly grabbed her waist, and with a soft cry from Yun Sheng, her body was lifted into the air and flipped onto the desk.
Her lips and tongue were urgently invaded, with a deep sense of possession and an indescribable desire, instantly disrupting her thoughts.
Their kisses were passionate and intense from the very first time. It wasn't about the speed of the kiss, but rather the instant their bodies touched intimately, like a spark igniting, stimulating every sense in their bodies to react violently.
Xiao Xu kissed her fiercely, whether to punish her for her mistake today or simply because he couldn't control himself, he fiercely sucked on her tongue, wantonly invading every inch of her mouth.
Yun Sheng leaned back as she was kissed.
But her waist was already weak and she could hardly support herself. In her dazed state, she instinctively reached for Xiao Xu's hand and pulled him back to hug her.
The closer they got, the more intense the heat became, and a feeling of something deeper than a kiss welled up inside them.
Yun Sheng was so engrossed in the almost suffocating kiss that it took her a while to come to her senses.
She was immediately overcome with shame and tried to struggle, but it was too late.
Her neck was greedily sucked, as if striking her vital point, making it instantly impossible for her to resist.
The flames swept past him, leaving only a faint trace of burning heat that quickly dissipated.
The bright sunlight clearly reflected the trail of the skirt's movement onto the wall.
Yun Sheng panicked and stopped her immediately: "Wait, Chang Yu, you can't do this here...!"
The final note abruptly stopped before it completely changed pitch.
The thin material doesn't block out sound, and it also traps heat inside, preventing it from escaping or dissipating.
Yun Sheng tilted her head back, her eyes almost glazed over.
The beams of light shining into the room occasionally flashed before my eyes, until a flash of white light appeared.
...
It ended faster than before.
Yun Sheng's face was flushed, and her chest was still heaving with disordered breathing. Suddenly, she let out a soft "Ah!"
Xiao Xu tilted his head and gently kissed the spot where he had lightly bitten him.
Almost the instant he left, Yun Sheng swiftly escaped from the table.
My legs were still weak, but thankfully the seats were nearby.
She slumped down, clutching her skirt and turning her back to him, as if she didn't want to face him.
Compared to before, Xiao Xu was amazed at how he had mastered the skill so quickly.
This time, apart from what only she could clearly feel, almost nothing else was messed up.
The desk was still neat and tidy, with no trace of her lying on it.
Only the gold-embroidered cloud pattern on the hem of his robe was visible, the rest of it was completely covered by the deep black color of his robe.
Without a close look, he still maintains the same dignified and proper demeanor he presents to others.
The sound of bubbling tea came from behind me.
Yun Sheng turned her head and saw Xiao Xu slowly pouring tea, while wiping his chin with a handkerchief in his other hand.
She was about to explode as soon as she opened her mouth.
Xiao Xu had already poured tea and handed it to her: "Have some water first."
"You...you..."
Yun Sheng was so angry that she didn't say anything for a long time.
She initially wanted to rebuke him for liking the desk, a place that made her extremely ashamed and indignant, but then she thought that it might not be just the desk.
She felt a slight ache in her lower abdomen, let out a soft hum, took the teacup, and sipped it slowly with both hands.
But in fact, Xiao Xu did like to be at his desk.
Over the years, his most frequent place was in front of his desk, even more so than his bed where he slept.
As a child, he practiced calligraphy and recited scriptures; as a teenager, he studied political essays; and even after reaching adulthood, he continued to bury himself in government documents day after day.
Being alone most of the time is mostly boring.
Xiao Xu had never made any naive or unfounded assumptions about another person who was still unknown.
Only now, when he looked up, did he see Yun Sheng sitting beside him with a slightly flushed face.
He stared intently at her.
At this moment, Yun Sheng put down her teacup and glared at him reproachfully: "You are not allowed to do this again in the future."
Even though his lips were wet, Xiao Xu felt a dryness in his throat.
He lowered his eyes, licked his lips, poured himself a cup of tea, and asked casually, "Which one?"
"That's right... not allowed in a place like this, at the desk..."
"Is it okay to do it elsewhere?"
Yun Sheng's eyes widened.
How could he have so many wicked thoughts in his head!
She suddenly stood up, her skirt swaying at her ankles, making the unusual feeling that only she could perceive even clearer.
Xiao Xu looked up and asked, "Where are we going?"
Yun Sheng puffed out her cheeks slightly and said in a muffled voice, "I want to go back to my room."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Xu grabbed her wrist: "You're leaving after you're done?"
"Sheng Sheng, stay with me a little longer."
What's the use...?
Yun Sheng hurriedly broke free as soon as he said his first sentence: "I don't want to stay with you, I want to go back."
"You stay here, come back when you're done!" Yun Sheng said as she quickly left the desk and headed straight for the door.
As she reached the door, she seemed to remember something and turned back to look.
His voice was low and his speech was rapid: "I'm not angry."
After saying that, he disappeared in a flash.
Yun Sheng said she wasn't angry, but she was still somewhat annoyed.
She hurriedly returned to the East Courtyard and summoned Cuizhu to retrieve the storybook she had hidden.
"Go and keep watch at the door. If Changyu comes back, knock on the door to remind me."
"Yes, Princess Consort."
There was a time when she felt like a thief even when reading a storybook.
But Yun Sheng does indeed have bad intentions.
She couldn't understand how Xiao Xu could learn so quickly, when he was clearly still impetuous during their first time, whether it was kissing or touching.
Even with the closest person, the difference is noticeable compared to later relationships.
The first time, he just kept his head down and did it, his whole body tense, as if he had great difficulty controlling himself.
He could only press his skin against hers so closely, as if that could alleviate some indescribable thirst.
That was also the time he taught her the least. Apart from staring intently at her with his unfathomable black eyes filled with desire, he rarely spoke, his lips tightly pressed together.
That time it was very heavy and very fast.
When it was over, he lay on top of it, his muscles trembling slightly, his breathing and groans coming out of control.
After that, he became more and more adept each time, even in cramped and embarrassing places like the carriage, he handled himself with ease as if he were on a bed in his bedroom.
That's absolutely outrageous!
With a competitive spirit that seemed to come from nowhere, Yun Sheng earnestly opened the storybook she had chosen.
However, it wasn't long before this seriousness, which seemed even more focused than when a young lady was attending a class, changed its nature.
Yun Sheng leaned back on the chaise lounge, turned over with a storybook in her hand, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
After her posture stiffened, she rolled over again, the smile on her lips now somewhat foolish, though she herself was unaware of it.
A moment later, her curled-up legs twitched excitedly, and she accidentally laughed out loud, but quickly pursed her lips and turned to the next page.
This went on for a while until a coded knock came from the door.
Yun Sheng snapped back to reality, slammed the book shut, and quickly ran towards the cabinet in the corner in her embroidered shoes.
Just as the storybook was hidden, Xiao Xu pushed open the door and walked in.
Yun Sheng stepped away from the cabinet and went to greet it.
Xiao Xu's eyes flickered slightly as he asked, "Just woke up?"
Yun Sheng was stunned for a moment, then looked down at him and saw that she had not yet put on her embroidered shoes.
"No, I was just resting in my spare time."
He was clearly lying again; even his eyes were darting around.
Xiao Xu nodded, then suddenly stepped forward, bent down, and picked her up.
Yun Sheng suddenly sat on Xiao Xu's arm, towering over him. She could only quickly hug his neck. Before her surprise could last more than a few breaths, he put her back down on the chaise lounge.
Her ankle was grabbed, and Yun Sheng pulled her leg back: "I'll put it on myself."
Xiao Xu ignored her and helped her pull up her heel with his head down. Then he quickly put on the other leg as well.
"...What time is it?"
"The hour of You (5-7 PM)," Xiao Xu straightened up and answered her.
She got so engrossed that she stared at it for so long.
Yun Sheng thought to herself that it was good that she hid it quickly, so Xiao Xu wouldn't find it this time, and she could read the ending in one go next time.
However, upon reflection, it seems she didn't learn anything, even though she clearly opened that storybook specifically to learn.
Xiao Xu silently observed Yun Sheng's ever-changing expression for a long time, and when she caught her breath, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Yun Sheng was startled.
Xiao Xu raised an eyebrow: "Did I scare you?"
"No, no," Yun Sheng shook her head repeatedly. "I wasn't thinking anything."
Whether it was her imagination or not, she always felt that Xiao Xu seemed to have seen through something, or perhaps people unconsciously feel guilty when they do bad things.
But she was just reading a storybook; what kind of bad thing is that?
However, these stories are just a bit unconventional.
Yun Sheng glanced quickly at Xiao Xu.
In this story, the female protagonist has three husbands, each strong and capable, and each with their own unique strengths.
Yun Sheng never knew she would enjoy reading such stories, but they were truly exciting.
She instinctively knew that Xiao Xu absolutely couldn't find out about this, otherwise he would definitely confiscate it.
Xiao Xu only noticed her unusual behavior, since her attempt to conceal it was rather clumsy, but he didn't know why she was lying.
It looked so cute that I couldn't help but stare at it for a while longer.
He didn't delve into it further, but instead said, "I have something to tell you."
Seeing that he had become serious, Yun Sheng also snapped out of her thoughts: "What is it?"
"Tomorrow His Majesty will be visiting the Western Garden Palace. Those accompanying the Emperor may bring their families. Would you like to come with me?"
"Tomorrow morning? Why are you only telling me now?"
Xiao Xu said calmly, "Because before, you ran off without waiting for me to speak or forbidding me to follow."
"..."
Yun Sheng was speechless for a moment, then changed the subject and murmured, "It's only June, but His Majesty has gone to the Western Garden Palace much earlier this year."
"You know that His Majesty visits the Western Garden Palace every year?" Xiao Xu asked, slightly surprised.
There are many officials in the capital of high rank who can accompany the emperor, and the Yun family is naturally among them. However, the emperor selects who to accompany him each year, apart from necessary close ministers, and the rest are mostly chosen on a whim, without any fixed number.
If Yun Sheng had often accompanied her father and brothers to the event, he shouldn't have only met her for the first time at the Lotus Banquet two years ago.
When Xiao Xu asked him this question, some complete memories related to this topic surfaced in his mind.
Yun Sheng immediately pursed her lips, and Xiao Xu noticed something unusual about her expression.
"Sheng Sheng, did you go to the Western Garden Palace with the Emperor?"
Xiao Xu moved closer to her, feeling her body temperature, and looked directly at her.
Yun Sheng only then realized that Xiao Xu was very perceptive; she merely pursed her lips slightly.
She felt uncomfortable under his gaze, which seemed to see right through her, and tried to change the subject again: "Why are you only telling me now when we're leaving tomorrow? We need to start making some preparations as soon as possible."
Xiao Xu seemed eager to know the ins and outs of the matter, and frowned slightly upon seeing her expression.
"Sheng Sheng." He grabbed her arm. "When did you go there?"
Yun Sheng knew she was bad at hiding her emotions; she had always been like that since she was little. But how could she even begin to explain this?
She glanced at Xiao Xu again, clearly feeling guilty, and hesitated over her words.
After a long pause, he finally spoke: "I did go there, but it was many years ago."
"That was after I was born. My father was invited to accompany the emperor for the first time, and I was taken along. However, I was all alone there. My mother did not come with me, my brother went to school, and my father spent all his time with the emperor. I found it boring, and I did not accompany him again when I had the chance."
These are all the truths, just with some parts omitted, so Yun Sheng spoke them quite smoothly.
After saying that, she breathed a barely audible sigh of relief and looked up at Xiao Xu with a calm expression.
Xiao Xu paused for a moment, then asked, "Which year?"
"..."
Those weren't things he wanted to hear, but he kept asking anyway.
The complete truth is that the Yun family already intended to establish a relationship with the Prince Zhao's mansion at that time. Although Yun Sheng was still young, her family only sent her along with the purpose of getting to know her.
So, Yun Hong told Yun Sheng that there would be boys of similar age traveling with her, and if she felt that they were kind, she could play with them.
They were referring to Xiao Ling, the third young master of the Zhao Prince's Mansion.
Yun Sheng was delighted to meet new friends, so she gladly went.
However, Xiao Ling caught a cold before leaving, and Yun Hong only learned of this after they arrived at the Xiyuan Palace.
They didn't take this to heart, feeling that it didn't matter if they missed this opportunity, and they could try again later.
But this made things difficult for Yun Sheng, just as Xiao Xu said, there were no other children among the family members who accompanied him that year.
The only one who was still young was Xiao Xu, who was already fifteen or sixteen years old.
But a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy is no longer a child. Xiao Xu was already tall and upright at that time. Although he was not as strong as he is now, his speech and behavior were mature for his age. Apart from his slightly childish face, he looked almost the same as a mature adult.
Yun Sheng looked around for playmates, but after glancing at him from afar, she shook her head in disappointment and turned away.
Xiao Xu is still waiting for her answer.
Yun Sheng could only reply, "About eight or nine years ago."
Xiao Xu seemed to be recalling something, and remained silent for a moment.
Yun Sheng suddenly remembered something and said, "I actually saw you back then. The first time I saw you was at the Xiyuan Palace."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Sheng saw Xiao Xu standing there, stunned.
She raised her hand and waved it in front of him. He snapped out of his daze, grabbed her hand, and put it down but didn't let go.
"Eight or nine years ago, I don't remember there were any children accompanying us."
Although Yun Sheng was trying to change the subject, she still widened her eyes upon hearing this and exclaimed in surprise, "You don't even remember that there were children accompanying you?"
She thought he simply didn't recognize her.
At that time, apart from the time she took the initiative to see the so-called young man, she also saw Xiao Xu again before leaving the Xiyuan Palace.
Those few days were incredibly boring for Yun Sheng. But the thought of leaving this place soon finally piqued her interest, and she began to wander around the palace.
Then they saw Xiao Xu sitting on a bench under a tree, lost in thought.
Yun Sheng recognized him and assumed that he only looked mature and was actually just like her, sitting there bored with no one to play with. So she decided to go up and talk to him.
Unexpectedly, he sensed someone approaching and suddenly glared at Yun Sheng, nearly scaring her to tears.
Then Xiao Xu left with a cold face.
Thinking about this, Yun Sheng felt it was normal that he didn't remember.
Many years have passed. Back then, he ignored her with a sour face, so how could he remember her now?
She kept remembering the trip because every time her family mentioned taking her to the Xiyuan Palace, she would have to recall the incredibly boring days there and the cold-faced, mean people she encountered.
Yun Sheng's expression returned to calm, and she said, "It doesn't matter if you don't remember, it's not an important matter."
“Tell me about it,” Xiao Xu insisted.
It wasn't unimportant; he never imagined that he had already met Yun Sheng so early on.
Earlier than he expected, and earlier than others.
And Yun Sheng still remembers.
But it's a bit of a shame that he really doesn't remember this at all.
Yun Sheng was exasperated by his persistent questioning, but since she didn't have to mention Xiao Ling, she told him everything as it was.
She then rebuked him, saying, "You were incredibly rude back then!"
After listening, Xiao Xu was stunned for a moment, then reached out and hugged her. After a long while, he said softly, "I'm sorry."
He tried his best to recall, but still couldn't remember it. However, one could guess that he never idled himself for no reason, so if he was sitting under the tree like that, it was probably because he was in a bad mood.
At that time, he was not able to control his emotions well, and he would show a defensive coldness when people came to bother him.
He could guess that he was probably upset about something suffocating at the time, but if he hadn't ignored the little girl who was trying to show him kindness when he was feeling down, would he have met Yun Sheng long ago?
Distant and hazy memories, and many long years.
The thought that they could have known each other for so long, but he missed the chance, filled him with a growing sense of regret.
If they had met back then, what would have become of them? Would they have grown up together? Would no one else have been involved? Would her feelings for him have belonged solely to her as she grew into a young woman?
Will she accept his proposal? Will they be able to get married naturally and legitimately?
Xiao Xu held Yun Sheng in his arms, overwhelmed by immense regret. He tried to suppress his emotions, but they kept surging up and swallowing him up.
Yun Sheng was embarrassed by his sudden formal apology and also noticed something unusual about his mood.
She quickly dropped her joking tone: "I was just saying it casually. Anyway, this isn't the first time you've ignored me, so I didn't mind."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Yun Sheng bit her tongue in annoyance.
These words don't seem to offer any comfort.
But Xiao Xu chuckled softly.
He knew which time Yun Sheng was referring to—the backyard of the spring banquet half a year ago, which he remembered very clearly.
But he couldn't explain it, nor could he bring himself to say it.
He had dreamt of her the night before, for no reason, quite suddenly.
He unexpectedly saw her the next day. Whether it was because he knew she was there to meet her future mother-in-law as Xiao Ling's fiancée, or because of that dream, he treated her coldly and turned away.
Thinking about it this way, there are so many regrets and missed opportunities between them, but also so many entanglements.
This strange and complex feeling filled my heart.
Xiao Xu gazed intently at the face so close to his.
At this distance, he could clearly smell her faint fragrance and feel her breath gently caressing his skin.
Her skirt clung tightly to his robes, yet her body heat seemed to have seeped into his very bones.
No one in this world can have everything they want.
Everyone experiences missed opportunities, losses, and things they can't achieve even with their best efforts.
He didn't remember the details of that year, but it wasn't hard to deduce from the small details that Yun Sheng went to the West Garden Palace for reasons other than his; she went because of Xiao Ling.
But she didn't meet Xiao Ling; she met him.
This marriage wasn't originally his, but now he is her husband.
He had regrettably missed out on many opportunities, but those regrets seemed to be destined, and were filled in another way.
Xiao Xu felt a surge of heat in his heart and suddenly tightened his grip around her waist.
Yun Sheng was caught off guard and met his deep, intense eyes. His gaze was so intense and passionate that it instantly captivated her.
"Changyu..."
She thought he was going to lean in and kiss her, but as soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Xu lowered his head in front of her.
His breath brushed against her clothes, seeped into her skin, and spread a wave of heat through her chest.
A sudden, tingling, throbbing sensation arose, its origin and destination unknown.
Until those burning lips, through her clothes, gently kissed her heart.
All the feelings converged at that moment, turning into a completely disordered rhythm, responding to his kiss with a rapid, pounding heartbeat.
————————!!————————
[Shrugs] He warmed my corpse up, comforted this kid himself, and even got some pleasure in the process.
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