Chapter 8: Xiao Xu is looking at her
The matter that Shen Yuewan was referring to was far different from what Yun Sheng was thinking.
She stared blankly, suddenly recalling her improper wedding night with Xiao Xu.
The servants were waiting outside last night, so there was no attempt to hide the matter. If the news had spread quickly, Shen Yuewan would have known by now.
Before Yun Sheng could investigate Shen Yuewan's attitude, Shen Yuewan spoke up: "Sheng Sheng, don't worry. This marriage came suddenly, and you two still need to get to know each other. I am not the kind of cold-hearted elder who will demand that you do something immediately. It's just that matters between men and women are inherently about food and sex. Now that you are husband and wife, Chang Yu is in his prime, and you are so beautiful and charming. It's inevitable that you will feel emotional when you share the same bed. Some things will just happen naturally. You should be aware of this so that you won't panic when things happen in the future."
Yun Sheng still felt uncomfortable discussing this matter, especially since the people from the Prince Zhao's residence all spoke so bluntly—Wenxin Mama was like that, and so was Shen Yuewan.
She had never heard such a thing when she was learning at home.
She stammered, then answered Shen Yuewan with the same words she had used to answer Granny Wenxin: "Mother, I know everything."
Seeing that Yun Sheng's neck was flushed, Shen Yuewan continued with a smile, "I'm telling you this so that you don't have to always think about rules and etiquette. In the bedroom, what you seek is mutual pleasure. If you feel good, then just lift your finger. Changyu will understand. If he doesn't know his limits and makes you uncomfortable, it's okay if you don't allow it. You don't have to indulge him. We women shouldn't always be the ones who give in in bed."
Yun Sheng had no idea that her mother-in-law would talk to her daughter-in-law about such shameful things.
But whether it was what Granny Wenxin had said before, or what Shen Yuewan was saying now, after a moment's thought, she didn't believe that these things would happen to Xiao Xu.
What about excessive indulgence, what about not knowing what's important?
All of this had absolutely nothing to do with the feeling that Xiao Xu gave her.
As the father and his two sons emerged from the side hall, Xiao Xu immediately looked at Yun Sheng.
His eyes darkened slightly, whether it was because they had just turned dark or because they had been dark for some time.
Xiao Xu walked straight toward Yun Sheng. Yun Sheng only noticed him when he was almost there and turned around to look at him.
As Xiao Xu approached, the somber expression on his face dissipated.
He sat down next to Yun Sheng: "What's wrong? What did Mother say to you that made your face so red?"
Yun Sheng was in a panic and didn't have time to notice Xiao Xu's changing expression.
She feigned composure and denied it: "No, we were just chatting. Maybe it's just too hot."
There was a family dinner tonight, so Shen Yuewan didn't keep the couple any longer. After the family chatted for a while, she asked Xiao Xu to take Yun Sheng back to her room.
After the young couple disappeared into the distance, Xiao Qingchuan suppressed his anger and told Shen Yuewan in a deep voice, "Linzhi found out that Sanlang had been planning this for half a year. With the help of his cronies in the capital, he managed to sneak out of the city without anyone noticing. He even chose to run away on the eve of the wedding. It was all done on purpose."
Linzhi was Xiao Min's courtesy name, and he found out about this matter by conducting a thorough investigation as instructed by Xiao Xu.
Shen Yuewan frowned and pondered for a moment.
"In that case, it seems there is a reason why he suddenly became so vehement in his opposition to the marriage."
What is the reason?
Xiao Min also thought of this and explained to his father: "I have had several interactions with my third brother's friends in the capital. Most of them are spoiled brats from high-ranking families. They seem to be unrestrained and romantic, but in reality, they are immature. Based on my understanding of my third brother's temperament, I think that he was initially indifferent to this marriage. Perhaps he felt that marriage was still a long way off and did not take it seriously. However, as the wedding date approached, his friends often talked to him about things like 'marrying young' and 'becoming a pawn in a political marriage.' After hearing it so many times, my third brother got stuck in a rut and that's when he developed a rebellious heart."
"Absurd!" Xiao Qingchuan slammed his fist on the table in anger. "Men should marry when they are of age and women should marry when they are of age. Having children is the proper way of human relations and a matter of course. How can it become a shackle that wrongs him?"
For a moment, the hall was silent, all three of them shrouded in the somber atmosphere of this family scandal.
After a long silence, Xiao Qingchuan sighed in a hoarse voice: "If a son is not taught, it is the father's fault. It is because I have failed to teach my son properly that this disaster has occurred. I am ashamed of the Yun family and have wronged Yun Sheng. I have no choice but to let Changyu clean up this mess. The dignified heir of the Zhao Prince's Mansion has to stand in for his good-for-nothing brother to get married. What will people say if word gets out? It is really... really hard on him."
As soon as he finished speaking, the tense atmosphere in the hall suddenly relaxed.
Shen Yuewan and Xiao Min simultaneously raised their eyes and looked at Xiao Qingchuan with strange expressions.
Xiao Qingchuan was about to sigh when he suddenly noticed the gazes of his wife and children.
He glanced around, feeling bewildered: "What kind of looks are those? Am I wrong?"
Shen Yuewan held a handkerchief to her lips, trying to suppress her laughter, but couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
The atmosphere completely relaxed.
Xiao Qingchuan was still puzzled: "What is the Princess laughing at?"
Shen Yuewan ignored him, smiling but saying nothing.
Xiao Qingchuan frowned sternly: "Linzhi, you speak."
Suddenly, the clear voice of a child came from the courtyard.
Xiao Min bowed slightly and said, "Lan'er is making a fuss. I'm afraid Sister Liu can't handle it alone. Father and Mother, I'll take my leave now."
The shout clearly indicated that they were having a great time, and soon Lan Ge'er burst into laughter, but Xiao Min had already disappeared in a flash.
Xiao Qingchuan was furious but dared not be angry. He tried to appease Shen Yuewan by pulling her hand and asking, "Wan'er, tell me, what were you laughing at just now?"
Shen Yuewan glanced at the man's large hand, casually brushed it away, leaving only a soft fragrance on his rough palm, and said with a charming smile, "Your Highness has always been good at hiding your thoughts, like still waters running deep. Changyu probably inherited Your Highness's calm and collected nature. I'm smiling because I'm pleased."
Xiao Qingchuan was completely confused.
He had just shown a persistent and questioning attitude, so how could he possibly remain calm?
If we're talking about Xiao Xu, this is the one thing that's least like him.
*
Yun Sheng and Xiao Xu walked out of Rende Hall in silence for a long time.
Yun Sheng hadn't noticed until her foot accidentally stepped on a dry twig, which cracked and broke the silence, and she realized that they hadn't spoken at all.
The atmosphere was initially peaceful and natural, but the prolonged silence gradually began to feel awkward.
Yun Sheng glanced at him sideways and, seeing his calm expression, spoke more naturally: "Chang Yu, how many days of your wedding leave will you take?"
"Seven days," Xiao Xu replied.
"What's wrong? What are your plans?"
Yun Sheng shook her head; she had only asked casually to break the silence.
Seeing that she didn't continue, Xiao Xu said, "However, after having lunch with you today, I will be going out for half a day."
Yun Sheng asked, "What are you going to do?"
Xiao Xu seemed pleased with her unreserved inquiry into his whereabouts, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Go to the hunting grounds to prepare a pair of new geese for your homecoming tomorrow."
Only after he mentioned it did Yun Sheng realize that they would be performing the Mo Yan ceremony again.
She couldn't help but say, "I still find it a bit troublesome. Are you really going?"
The nearest hunting ground, Mingyan Mountain, is about 30 or 40 miles from the capital. How could it not be troublesome to make such a trip at such a time?
Xiao Xu said calmly, "It's alright, no trouble at all. I said I would hold another ceremony in our names."
Yun Sheng pursed her lips, and seeing his insistence, she didn't say anything more about it.
Xiao Xu added, "Don't worry, I'll make up for the half-day I couldn't spend with you. I'll submit a memorial to the palace to request an extension of one day's wedding leave, so it should be eight days."
Yun Sheng's face flushed, and she thought of how she could make up for the half-day she couldn't spend with her.
She stared at him and said in a low voice, "You're the one who wanted to take another day off, how can you blame me for it?"
Xiao Xu remained silent, his expression indifferent, seemingly unconcerned that she had misunderstood him to this extent.
In reality, he has always been diligent in his official duties, working almost year-round without a break. It's not that he willingly enjoys the hard work, but even on his days off, he finds it tedious, so he would never seek such an excuse to steal an extra day of leisure.
But this time off is different.
Xiao Xu's eyes flickered slightly, and he unconsciously turned his head, his gaze falling on the person walking beside him.
Yun Sheng was already looking at him when their eyes met unexpectedly.
After a moment of silence, Yun Sheng suddenly asked, "Chang Yu, did anything happen today?"
Why do you ask that?
"Just now at Rende Hall, I saw that you seemed... downcast."
Xiao Xu's expression hardened, and then he looked away.
No, you must have misread it.
“…Is that so?” Yun Sheng murmured.
Of course.
Xiao Xu didn't think his mood at that time should be described as depressed; that word was too cowardly.
The emotions that had been suppressed and passed over reignited slightly.
It wasn't as intense as it was in the morning, but it was enough to have a noticeable effect.
Xiao Xu lowered his eyes, but out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of Yun Sheng's swaying hand as she moved.
He reached out and took her hand, his palm filled with a warm, soft touch.
He sensed that she paused for a moment, then quickly relaxed and obediently stayed in his palm.
Xiao Xu's dark expression softened slightly, but he found his emotional fluctuations rather ridiculous.
Not only at this time, but also at Rendetang back then.
Nothing bad happened; on the contrary, everything was excellent.
Today, the Rende Hall is filled with joy and harmony. Even the pomegranate flowers outside the window are blooming more beautifully than usual, as if adding to the splendor of this wedding.
But for no apparent reason, a hypothetical scenario arose in Xiao Xu's mind.
What would have happened if this marriage hadn't changed?
Beside her, receiving congratulations from everyone, was Xiao Ling, who was among those who had to offer his congratulations.
He should watch her and Xiao Ling walk hand in hand with a gentle expression, and congratulate them on their marriage with a smile.
This idea was so absurd that it made his face darken the moment it popped into his head.
However, thoughts were surging and difficult to calm down.
He had never imagined this before marrying Yun Sheng.
Even when he knew clearly that Yun Sheng was in love with Xiao Ling and had chosen to marry him, he never felt this way.
However, only one night has passed, and the ideas that were considered last night have become unacceptable.
Suddenly, Yun Sheng stopped in her tracks.
Xiao Xu followed her gaze and saw a young man dressed in white standing not far away, with a slender and tall figure.
Although they were some distance apart and her face was not clearly visible, Yun Sheng felt that her graceful figure looked somewhat familiar.
The man noticed them too, and upon seeing that it was the Crown Prince and his wife, he immediately stopped and bowed respectfully from a distance.
Yun Sheng couldn't help but ask, "Chang Yu, who is that?"
Xiao Xu did not respond to the bowing from afar, but said in a low voice, "They are my mother's cousins, staying at the mansion temporarily. They caught a cold a few days ago, so I did not let them go to Rende Hall today."
If Yun Sheng listened carefully to Xiao Xu's tone, she should have been able to detect a hint of lingering chill in his calm statement.
But Yun Sheng's attention was not on that. After listening to Xiao Xu's introduction, her gaze remained fixed on that person.
After bowing and straightening up, the man did not leave immediately, but stood there quietly gazing at Yun Sheng from afar.
Xiao Xu's face darkened for no apparent reason, and he pulled Yun Sheng along.
Yun Sheng was stunned and almost stumbled: "What's wrong, Chang Yu?"
When I looked back at his profile, I saw nothing unusual.
Xiao Xu had already concealed his inappropriate expression and said calmly, "Aren't we going back to our rooms? We're almost there."
"...Huh?" Yun Sheng opened her mouth in confusion, then her thoughts were drawn away by him, and she temporarily forgot about the person from before.
“I know the way; I’ve already walked it once this morning.”
Xiao Xu nodded: "Sheng Sheng is intelligent, it's good that she recognizes it, we will have to go through this many more times in the future."
Yun Sheng mimicked his nonchalant attitude: "What's there to brag about? It's just a short distance."
But Xiao Xu glanced to the side and saw that the corners of her rosy lips were upturned, making her look strikingly pretty.
Back in the East Courtyard, it was almost lunchtime.
After instructing that a meal be prepared, Xiao Xu and Yun Sheng went into the house together.
In the past, during such brief moments of free time, Yun Sheng would usually relax and lie down on the chaise longue in the room. Sometimes she would even kick off her embroidered shoes in an unseemly manner, leaving them scattered crookedly on the side of the chaise longue.
But of course, that's not possible right now.
Seeing Xiao Xu take a book from the bookshelf and bring it to her desk, she couldn't help but think of her own storybook.
However, those storybooks were all about love between men and women, and some even had explicit and straightforward titles to attract attention, so she couldn't take them out to read in front of others, especially in front of Xiao Xu.
After thinking about the storybook, my thoughts drifted back to the booklet that Granny Wenxin had brought yesterday.
Yun Sheng slowly walked to the couch and sat down. When she looked up, she could see the sandalwood desk under the east window, where Xiao Xu was sitting idly.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting dappled shadows on the table beside Xiao Xu and outlining the sharp contours of his face.
The beam of light flowed between his straight nose and slightly pursed thin lips, gilding his naturally handsome face with a light gold, making it radiant and pure.
When Yun Sheng was engaged to Xiao Ling in the past, she never thought about these things in detail because the wedding date was far away and she hadn't been there yet. But now that she was really facing this situation, and the person she had to face was Xiao Xu, she felt her cheeks burning.
While stealing glances towards the east window, Yun Sheng recalled the basic bedroom techniques she had learned.
But the more I looked at him, the harder it was to associate that incident with him. My mind went blank, and I had no idea what to do next.
Suddenly, Xiao Xu's fingers, which were turning the pages of the book, stopped, and he looked up without warning.
Yun Sheng's furtive glances unexpectedly met his gaze.
Before Xiao Xu could speak, she blurted out, "Chang Yu, I'm so bored here."
The place where Yun Sheng sat was clearly not exposed to sunlight, yet her almond-shaped eyes, which were looking at him, sparkled with a subtle light, drawing one's gaze in.
Xiao Xu was momentarily lost in thought. When he came to his senses, he saw that her bright eyes had revealed a flaw, and he looked away guiltily.
He put down his book and said, "Sheng Sheng, come over here."
Yun Sheng's eyelashes fluttered slightly. After thinking for a moment, she didn't hesitate and got up to walk towards him.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed the book next to Xiao Xu, which was closed, and read "Miscellaneous Records of Langhuan." I was quite surprised.
Xiao Xu said, "This book tells strange and wonderful stories, which are quite interesting. I usually read books like this in my spare time."
Yun Sheng thought that someone like Xiao Xu would only read classics, history, philosophy, military strategy, and national policy, but she didn't expect him to read such trivial books.
She asked curiously, "Can I take a look?"
Xiao Xu handed her the book.
Yun Sheng lowered her head and opened the book, her gaze focused intently on the pages.
Although she reads other books, she had never read a story like this before.
She flipped through a few pages with great concentration, and just as she was about to become engrossed, she suddenly realized something and looked up abruptly.
Xiao Xu was looking at her.
Unlike when she was caught staring, he was calm and showed no sign of panic.
Yun Sheng handed the book back to him: "I'm not reading it anymore."
Don't you like it?
No, she hasn't even read more than a few pages, so it's impossible to say whether she likes it or not.
She was reading a book on one end, while Xiao Xu was watching her on the other. How could anyone concentrate on reading like that?
Yun Sheng pouted, not hiding her thoughts, and said softly, "I feel uncomfortable reading when you stare at me like that."
Xiao Xu paused, his fingers hovering over the book as he was about to put it aside, and fell silent for a moment.
After a long pause, he finally asked, "How did I end up staring at you?"
Seeing his serious expression, Yun Sheng realized that he seemed unaware of the look she was giving him.
She could hardly describe the look in Xiao Xu's eyes just now; her heart skipped a beat when she looked up and met his gaze.
Moreover, in the two days they had spent together, this wasn't the first time he had shown such a look in his eyes, yet he didn't look at other people like that.
Yun Sheng's cheeks flushed slightly: "I can't describe it, but the way you look at me makes me uncomfortable."
She moved her lips, as if she wanted to tell him not to look at her like that again.
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Xu said in a serious tone, "It's normal for husband and wife to look at each other. Do you expect me to stop looking at you properly from now on?"
Yun Sheng: "Who said you shouldn't look at me properly? I was just saying, don't always be like that..."
She was halfway through her sentence when she met Xiao Xu's gaze again.
He was no longer the deep and complicated person he had been just moments before; he was simply gazing at her calmly, and her heart still skipped a beat.
Yun Sheng frowned, embarrassed and annoyed: "Fine, go ahead and watch if you want."
Changing the subject, she tilted her head up and stared straight at Xiao Xu: "If you look at me like that, then I'll look back at you like this."
A gentle breeze blew by, and Xiao Xu saw his reflection in her clear pupils.
The deliberate eye contact made my gaze unconsciously wander, descending from her eyes, sweeping across the bridge of her nose, past the tip of her nose, and finally stopping abruptly at her full, moist lips.
A desire arose from nowhere, and when he realized it, his breath was already filled with her fragrance, and his lips were already very close to hers.
With thin lips slightly pursed, as if savoring a taste, the face so close to his suddenly turned his head in a flustered manner.
Xiao Xu's eyes widened in surprise as his lips brushed against a patch of soft skin.
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A wife-obsessed maniac, the first signs are emerging [dog head with rose in mouth]
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