Chapter 29: Is Xiao Ling about to return to the capital?
Yun Sheng looked at Xiao Xu expectantly, but there was no response for a long time.
Xiao Xu just kept his head down, looking at the straw rabbit in his palm, his expression seemingly calm and indifferent.
Yun Sheng gradually deflated, her smiling eyes drooping slightly: "Don't you like it?"
“Then I…” she said, reaching out to take the rabbit back.
Xiao Xu abruptly withdrew his hand, the movement swift yet gentle: "Why did you decide to give me this?"
"When the carriage stopped, I suddenly recognized the place. I had passed through this place when I went with my father to the Xiyuan Palace that year."
She glanced to the side and saw Xiao Xu standing with his hands behind his back. The straw rabbit had been hidden somewhere and was nowhere to be seen.
"At that time, the reeds here were golden and very beautiful. My father told me that these reeds were about to wither, and I was sad. But an old woman taught me to weave a warm brown rabbit out of the withered reed leaves, and I was instantly delighted."
Xiao Xu reached out a hand from behind her, found her fingers under her sleeve that was fluttering in the wind, and gently grasped them.
Her fingertips were slightly damp and cool. The soft reeds swayed gently beside them, so soft, yet they seemed to hold a gathering force, drawing their figures closer together.
Until he felt her warm body temperature and the sweet fragrance that had lingered in his dreams all the way.
Yun Sheng smiled again, like the clear light of dawn breaking through the clouds, shining brightly.
Looking at her smiling face, Xiao Xu couldn't help but wonder where he was back then.
Whether traveling by carriage or horseback, this is the only way to reach the Xiyuan Imperial Palace.
We might stop together, or we might just pass each other by.
But at that time, his gaze would not search for a patch of reeds that was about to lose its vitality, nor would he see the tiny figure crouching there.
"If you had spoken to me then, I might have made a straw rabbit for you to cheer you up."
Xiao Xu's fingers caressed her palm, his gaze slowly lowering to their clasped hands: "You know I wasn't happy back then?"
"have no idea."
Yun Sheng felt an itch in her palm, and her fingers trembled involuntarily, eventually hooking onto Xiao Xu's fingers.
She didn't pull away, and said softly, "But I know now."
We didn't know each other then, but now I know he wasn't an rude person. Even though he was only a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, he wouldn't have coldly threatened a little girl unless he was in a bad mood.
"So I'm giving it to you now."
Xiao Xu said, "But I'm not unhappy right now."
"But I like it very much..."
Before the last note faded, Xiao Xu leaned down, his breath swallowing the last words, and gently kissed her cheek. He then turned his head and took her lips into his mouth.
He caressed her fingers with his hands, his lips pressed tightly against hers, not in a hurry to penetrate, but repeatedly sucking and gently biting her full lips.
Yun Sheng tilted her head back, her eyelashes trembling slightly under the tender, lingering touch.
It's unclear who first extended their tongue, prying open their lips and teeth, but after their contact, a deeper and warmer intimate fusion ensued.
The distant mountains stood silent, and the light and shadows of the sky and clouds drifted across the wilderness. The wind carried the fresh scent of reeds, brushing past this undisturbed place of whispers, gently concealing two embracing figures in the swaying thickets, transforming them into a tranquil silhouette between heaven and earth.
The ruts of the horse-drawn carriage rolled over the dirt road, raising a light cloud of dust.
Lighthearted voices could be heard from inside the carriage.
"This one is for Ah Xian, and this one is for Lan Ge'er."
Yun Sheng turned to the side, holding a nearly identical straw rabbit in one hand, and asked, "Chang Yu, which of these two should we give to Mother?"
Xiao Xu leaned back against the soft cushions of the carriage wall, casually resting one hand on his bent knee. His gaze swept coldly over the two straw rabbits, and he sparingly uttered two words: "Left side."
Yun Sheng had no time to pay attention to him. She turned her head and examined the two straw rabbits from left to right, muttering to herself, "But the left one's ear seems to have a flaw. Maybe the right one will be better."
After a moment's thought, Yun Sheng made a decision with satisfaction. The carriage suddenly jolted and shook, which masked a cold snort from behind her, so she didn't hear it.
It was dusk when we arrived at the Xiyuan Palace. The sky was bathed in warm orange light, which cast a magnificent golden glow on the majestic palace gates.
The carriage drove into the palace gate and traveled along the east side of the imperial road. After a short while, it came to a stop in front of the courtyard gate of the residence.
As soon as Xiao Xu stepped off the carriage, a palace attendant hurried forward and whispered, "Your Highness, may you be well. His Majesty has decreed that all your ministers are invited to dine at Chengxin Hall."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xu's gaze remained fixed on the unmoved carriage curtain, and he replied, "Understood."
He then waved his hand, signaling the other person to step back. He turned to the side of the car and lifted the curtain.
“Sheng Sheng”.
Inside the carriage, Yun Sheng was crouching in the middle of the carriage with her back to the door, most of her body hidden by the small table.
Although the call was soft and the surroundings were quiet, she ignored it and continued fiddling with something in front of her.
Then, with a loud bang, she turned around abruptly, her face full of anger: "Xiao Changyu, give me back my storybook!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xu slightly raised his eyebrows, but instead of answering, he lowered the curtain and took half a step back.
Soon, the curtain was lifted again, and Yun Sheng darted out of the carriage, bending low.
She jumped off the carriage, furious: "Xiao Changyu, my storybook!"
Which one?
Xiao Xu looked at her calmly and said slowly, "A brother steals his brother's wife, and the childhood sweetheart and ex-husband are willing to become a mistress. Is it still not enough for one wife and three husbands to compete for favor every night?"
Yun Sheng's eyes widened in shock, and her face instantly turned bright red.
My scalp tingled, and I felt incredibly ashamed.
How could he say those book titles without batting an eye?
Yun Sheng took a deep breath and glanced around.
Seeing that the servants had retreated to a distance where they couldn't hear her, she relaxed slightly, but still gritted her teeth and said, "Give me back both books!"
"I won't return it." Xiao Xu's tone was calm, but his attitude left no room for argument.
Seeing that Yun Sheng had already gotten off the carriage, he raised his hand and beckoned the servants waiting nearby to drive the carriage away, while he turned and walked towards the courtyard where he was staying.
Yun Sheng followed angrily.
She couldn't understand how she had been discovered this time, but Xiao Xu must have taken her storybook when she got off the carriage at the post station.
"Xiao Xu, how could you secretly take my books while I was away?"
Xiao Xu ignored her, walked into the main house in the courtyard, and glanced at the furnishings inside.
Yun Sheng frowned and strode in front of him. He was too tall, and even so, her figure was not enough to create an imposing aura and block his view.
She held out her hand: "Then give me back my straw rabbit, I don't want to give it to you."
Xiao Xu lowered his eyes and glanced at her, then chuckled in exasperation.
She wove several straw rabbits in one go, each one exquisite and adorable. She gave them not only to him, but also to Shen Yuewan, Liu Xian, Xiao Yonglan, and even to the servants who came to look out of curiosity.
“I’m not returning it. It’s already been given to me, so it’s mine now,” Xiao Xu said coldly.
"That storybook wasn't yours, how can you not return it to me?"
"The storybooks have been confiscated."
She had the nerve to ask him to take her back after having one wife and three husbands.
At this moment, he was more interested in knowing where she had found such storybooks, and whether she had any other secret collections besides these two.
Yun Sheng was both angry and annoyed, glaring at him with fury in her eyes, but Xiao Xu remained unmoved, walking past her and stepping to the table to pour himself some tea.
He appeared calm and composed, but he drank three cups of tea in a row before stopping.
Seeing that her forceful approach wasn't working, Yun Sheng slowly moved towards him and softened her tone, saying, "Chang Yu, I haven't read the ending of that book yet. Can you give it back to me first? I'll read it before you take it away."
“I’ve checked for you. In the end, she chose the eldest son of the Marquis’s family whom she first met. She’s devoted to him for life and has never had any other thoughts.”
"You're lying. She clearly said that the most important thing is for the four of them to live a good life together."
But there really was such a male protagonist in the book, and she awkwardly curled her fingers. Xiao Xu had actually read the plot; then what about last time...?
"Yun Sheng, do you know what monogamy is?" Xiao Xu suddenly interrupted her thoughts in a deep voice.
Yun Sheng frowned: "That's a storybook!"
"Yes, so it was confiscated."
The Emperor was exhausted and ordered all his family members to rest at their lodgings. He only summoned a few close ministers to Chengxin Hall for a simple imperial meal, which was considered a welcome reception.
Xiao Xu still needed to rush to Chengxin Hall to meet the Emperor, so he didn't argue with Yun Sheng about the matter too much.
When he returned from the banquet, the night was deep, and Yun Sheng had already retired for the night, leaving only a dim and warm candle in the corner of the room.
After taking a bath, he turned off the last light and quietly lay down on the bed.
Yun Sheng lay on her side facing outwards, but was sleeping closer to the wall, her back almost touching it.
Xiao Xu scooped her up with one hand. The movement was small, but it still elicited a dissatisfied murmur from her.
The couch was filled with her fragrant scent, and the bed was warm and cozy.
Xiao Xu's body gave an honest response, even though he had no intention of waking her.
He lowered his eyelashes and gazed at her in the night, his expression calm, but his eyes deep and unfathomable.
She was sleeping peacefully, quiet and obedient. The arm holding her was faintly warm, and it seemed as if the palm of his hand was once again filled with the soft, ticklish sensation of a straw rabbit that she had gently placed inside.
He thought that if he had actually received such a gift back then, it would have indeed swept away the gloom in his heart and made him happy.
An inexplicable emotion welled up inside him, almost overflowing. No matter how many times he missed it, just one time would be enough to make him irresistibly drawn in.
The bright moon hangs high, casting its clear light everywhere, but it does not shine on him alone.
This kind of gift, and her bright and kind intentions, are not limited to any particular recipient.
*
Early morning, inside Lin Yuan Pavilion.
The emperor was not wearing a dragon robe, but only a dark blue casual dress, and sat behind a long table.
The tea on the table was lukewarm, its aroma filling the quiet atmosphere.
The emperor slowly swept his gaze over the crowd: "I have summoned you all here today for two reasons. First, to discuss the follow-up funding for the national highway construction and the appeasement of the laborers. The Crown Prince will be in charge of this matter. It must be handled thoroughly from beginning to end to prevent the people's resentment from rising again."
These words, seemingly about making arrangements for the aftermath, actually brought the Crown Prince's mistake back to the forefront, causing the atmosphere to freeze instantly.
Then, he changed the subject: "On the other hand, there is the current matter of the imperial mausoleum renovation. The project is huge and involves a lot of procurement. I am very concerned about it. Although the person responsible for the old case of forcibly seizing the kiln from the people has been dealt with, such acts of competing with the people for profit and enriching oneself at the expense of the public not only harm the common people, but also shake the foundation of the country."
"The lessons of the past are still fresh in our minds. We must learn from them in this imperial mausoleum project. All material requisitions and expenditures, especially dealings with local kiln operators, must be governed by clear regulations and strictly investigated to prevent any loopholes."
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Chief Minister Zhang calmly rose, bowed, and replied, "This old minister will respectfully obey Your Majesty's decree and will certainly perform my duties diligently and supervise strictly, so as not to fail Your Majesty's trust."
Xiao Qingchuan sat quietly to the side, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping across Zhang, the chief minister's face.
Seeing nothing amiss, he turned his gaze to his son sitting opposite him, only to find Xiao Xu with his head slightly lowered, his eyes fixed on the table, looking absent-minded.
Li Yuan, his face filled with anxiety, leaned back slightly and, using the imperial desk and the cups in front of him as cover, murmured to Xiao Xu in a low voice, "Changyu, what should we do?"
There was no response for a long time, so he assumed that Xiao Xu had not heard him.
Turning my head, I saw him looking down, fiddling with a straw rabbit under the table.
"Changyu?"
Xiao Xu heard it, but simply didn't want to pay attention.
When he was called a second time, he coldly raised his eyes, and the rabbit in his hand was silently tucked into his sleeve.
The emperor spoke again from his throne, and Li Yuan had no choice but to suppress his anxiety and listen respectfully to the imperial instructions.
After the meeting concluded, everyone bowed and took their leave.
The emperor called out, "Changyu, you stay."
The emperor kept Xiao Xu behind solely because of the matter concerning Crown Prince Li Yuan.
Li Yuan was gentle and indecisive, and no one in the court knew that he was incapable of taking on important responsibilities. However, he was the only legitimate son left to him by the late Empress Yuan.
The emperor had deep affection for his first wife, and this affection was transformed into tolerance and protection for the crown prince. It was for this reason that he entrusted the important task of cultivating the crown prince to Xiao Xu, hoping that his wisdom and decisiveness could make up for the crown prince's shortcomings.
After having a deep discussion with the emperor about assisting the crown prince, Xiao Xu returned to his courtyard close to noon.
Yun Sheng was not in the courtyard. After asking the servants, I learned that she had nothing to do in the morning, so she went to Liu Xian's courtyard. She had just sent back the news that they had lunch together at Princess Zhao's place at noon.
Xiao Xu did not go looking for him. After having his meal alone, he took a book on statecraft and began to read it carefully at his desk.
At the beginning of Shenshi (3-5 PM), a palace eunuch came to announce that the officials would board boats at Yingyue Lake Wharf for a boat trip in half an hour.
At the Yingyue Lake wharf, willow branches sway in the water, and the vermilion railings curve around. A three-tiered, flying-eaves pavilion boat rests quietly on the water.
When Xiao Xu arrived, he saw Lan Ge'er running from another direction, holding a wooden stick with a grass rabbit hanging on it. When she got to him, she called out in a childish voice, "Uncle, how are you? Look at Lan'er's little rabbit."
Children don't know how to cherish fragile things. The grass rabbit on the wooden stick is no longer as delicate as it was when it was first woven, and even its ears have become loose and droopy.
But Lan Ge'er was still happy, his chubby little hands gripping the wooden stick tightly, as if he was only holding it up for people to see, but absolutely not allowing anyone to take it away.
Xiao Xu glanced at it indifferently, then nodded and said, "Very good."
Xiao Min followed closely behind, smiling gently, and said, "Big brother, did you just arrive?"
"Yes, what about them?"
As soon as Xiao Xu finished asking, his gaze passed over Xiao Min and he saw in the distance that Yun Sheng and Liu Xian, one on each side, were accompanying Shen Yuewan as they slowly walked across the Nine-Bend Bridge.
Xiao Xu stared intently, and Yun Sheng looked up, their eyes meeting across the distance.
Yun Sheng awkwardly looked away quickly.
Lan Ge'er was already excitedly anticipating boarding the magnificent ship, so Xiao Min had no choice but to hurry up and follow.
No sooner had he left than Xiao Xu walked up to him.
Xiao Min was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Brother, aren't we waiting for sister-in-law to board the ship together?"
Xiao Xu gave him the same cold look he gave his son: "Aren't Mother and your sister-in-law together?"
"..."
Xiao Min's expression turned strange for a moment.
At noon today, only he and Lan Ge'er were at the dinner table. Lan Ge'er couldn't understand, so he was ignored. The other three women at the table talked about them over and over again.
Aside from the fact that he and his father had often been scolded before, he also sensed that Xiao Xu seemed to have had some conflict with Yun Sheng.
Yun Sheng was somewhat hesitant at the dinner table. He didn't hear everything and didn't know what had happened.
After the meal, he was arranged to take Lan Ge'er to digest her food and rest. The three of them chatted in the room until it was time to leave.
Seeing the two clearly arguing again, Xiao Min had several words on the tip of her tongue, but ultimately remained silent because she didn't know the whole story.
Half a day after the two brothers boarded the boat, Shen Yuewan arrived at the dock with her two daughters-in-law.
Xiao Min had already taken Lan Ge'er to the bow of the ship to enjoy the scenery, while Xiao Xu had been standing on the side of the ship near the boarding point ever since he boarded.
Looking down from his vantage point, he saw Yun Sheng walking at the very back, her head slightly bowed, as she lifted her skirt and stepped onto the stairs.
He greeted Shen Yuewan in a low voice, but his gaze remained fixed on her.
Yun Sheng had already felt that obvious gaze. Ever since she turned her head away in the distance, she could still vaguely feel that gaze on her.
Yesterday's unpleasantness stemmed from nothing more than a trivial storybook; there was no deep-seated grudge.
Although the conversation ended and a night passed, they still hadn't spoken face-to-face. But she wasn't that angry; after a good night's sleep, she hadn't thought about it much anymore.
She had only heard some things about Xiao Xu's past from Shen Yuewan and Liu Xian today, and her feelings were somewhat complicated.
She looked up and met Xiao Xu's gaze once again, seeing him reach out his hand to her.
Yun Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her skirt to place her hand in his palm.
The moment her fingertips touched his skin, Xiao Xu tightened his grip on her fingers, leading her to take the last step up the stairs in front of him.
Xiao Xu had a faint scent about her, which she had first noticed on their wedding night when it was mixed with the aroma of wine in the ladle, and it had lingered around her in the days that followed.
Just then, his low voice came from in front of her: "Sheng Sheng, what happened? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Wh-what kind of look?" Yun Sheng's tongue suddenly tied a knot.
Xiao Xu's lips curled slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "I can't describe it."
Upon hearing this, Yun Sheng's brief moment of stunned silence returned to its previous state, causing his gaze to darken slightly.
Not far away, Shen Yuewan turned to Liu Xian and whispered, "Xian, the atmosphere still seems a bit off. Why don't you talk to Sheng Sheng a little more later?"
Liu Xian forced a smile and said in an even lower voice, "Mother, isn't this inappropriate? Given my elder brother's personality, he probably wouldn't like us talking about these things with Sheng Sheng."
"It's because I'm worried about their marital relationship. They're different from you and Erlang, and Changyu has such a dull personality."
Shen Yuewan paused slightly and sighed softly: "Sheng Sheng is an excellent girl. If I had thought things through more back then, perhaps things wouldn't be like this now."
“Mother, I’ve always believed in destiny. Now, I’m more inclined to think that it’s because my elder brother and Sheng Sheng were destined to meet.”
After the accompanying courtiers and their families had boarded the ship, everyone moved to the main hall in the fore-ship cabin and bowed to the emperor on the throne.
The emperor said gently, "All of you, rise. Today, please enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
After the ceremony, the atmosphere on the ship immediately relaxed. Everyone respectfully saw the emperor off to the upper deck for sightseeing, while the officials and their families on the lower deck went off in twos and threes to find acquaintances to enjoy the scenery and chat.
Yun Sheng tilted her head, her gaze fixed on the distance.
A voice beside her said softly, "I saw him, isn't he handsome?"
Yun Sheng was taken aback, and then her gaze focused, and she saw clearly the handsome scholar who had gone to the third-ranked scholar not far away.
She wasn't actually looking at him at first. When she met the emperor earlier, Shen Yuewan had already privately pointed out the third-ranked scholar standing on the other side to her. She had already looked for Yunzhi, so why should she look at him again?
After the ceremony ended, Xiao Xu strode towards her from the front. She didn't know what kind of look he had just described in her eyes, so she subconsciously looked away, only to find herself looking right in his direction.
Yun Sheng turned back shyly and murmured, "Quite handsome."
The air fell silent for a moment.
The surrounding area was filled with laughter and merriment, and the silence between the two of them made Yun Sheng feel somewhat awkward, so she quickly looked up.
However, when she looked up, she didn't see Xiao Xu's strange expression. Instead, he smiled, and this time even his eyebrows and eyes softened, as if he was waiting for her to look up.
Taking this opportunity, Xiao Xu said, "Sheng Sheng, would you like to go boating with me?"
Several people were already walking down the gangway beside the ship and transferring to the waiting boats. Some impatient people had already boarded the boats, and a light boat drifted leisurely towards the center of the lake.
Yun Sheng's eyes brightened slightly, filled with anticipation. Before she could utter a single word of approval, Mu Shan strode over to her.
He bowed to Yun Sheng, then whispered a report to Xiao Xu.
Yun Sheng didn't hear it, but she saw Xiao Xu's expression gradually become serious, and finally his brows furrowed.
After reporting, Mu Shan withdrew.
Xiao Xu looked at her and whispered, "I'm sorry..."
"It's alright, official business is more important, you go ahead."
Xiao Xu seemed to want to say something, but he swallowed the words back down.
Yun Sheng urged him softly again, and he nodded slightly before turning around and leaving quickly.
Xiao Xu left in a hurry without saying anything, so it's unknown when he will return.
Looking at the few small boats scattered on the lake, Yun Sheng still felt a little hopeful.
If she wanted to go boating, she could go alone at this time.
But she just stood at the edge of the ship and watched from a distance, without even approaching the gangway.
To her surprise, she did not see Xiao Xu even after the banquet ended that night.
Yun Sheng returned to the courtyard and instructed the servants to prepare water for her bath.
Although Xiao Xu left suddenly today, she hadn't been idle at all, chatting and laughing with the women of various households. Now that things were quiet, she felt a little tired.
The fragrant soup, with its gentle waves, washes over you, and in the rising steam, a rich aroma fills the air.
Yun Sheng leaned against the edge of the bathtub, comfortably relaxing her entire body.
This place was not as spacious as their bedroom in the Prince Zhao's mansion. When Xiao Xu pushed open the door, the fragrance of the bathhouse had already spread to the doorway.
Before Cuizhu could react, Xiao Xu made a shushing gesture and then waved her away.
Xiao Xu walked straight in without stopping. After passing the screen, he saw Yun Sheng with her black hair tied up high, revealing a smooth back.
The bathwater reached above her chest, and the rippling water was tinged with an alluring light pink.
When Xiao Xu saw this scene, he lost control of his footing and made a distinct scraping sound.
Yun Sheng turned around in surprise and saw Xiao Xu standing tall and straight nearby. She was first stunned, then panicked.
Before the initial splash had subsided, several more ripples rose, catching her off guard.
Xiao Xu stared at her intently, a dry, burning restlessness spreading down his throat.
He slowly raised his hand, his fingers hooking the buckle on his waist. Just as he had taught Yun Sheng before, he gently pressed and unbuckled the belt.
Yun Sheng's eyes were filled with panic, but her gaze seemed glued to the man, unable to look away.
Xiao Xu's Adam's apple bobbed impatiently, but he slowly and methodically raised his hand to unbutton the tightly fastened collar buttons at his neck, one by one, until the outer robe was completely loosened, revealing the edge of his inner garment.
The jade accessories on the belt and outer robe fell to the ground with a crisp sound, piercing through the steaming water vapor, as if to wake one from a dream.
But Yun Sheng still stared blankly, her knees bent, sitting in the bathtub, looking completely lost.
Today, for the banquet, Xiao Xulian's inner garment was also extremely formal, fitting his figure perfectly and outlining the lines of broad shoulders and narrow waist.
He hooked his fingertips around the rather intricate tie on the side of his inner robe, untying it so slowly that Yun Sheng swallowed for no apparent reason.
The originally tightly folded lapels finally obediently slid open to the sides, and the clothes began to fall off from the collar, revealing his strong and muscular upper body.
His shoulder and arm muscles were already taut, casting flickering shadows in the warm candlelight. The heat rushed towards his chest, making his breathing heavier, and his waist and abdomen rose and fell accordingly.
Once Xiao Xu took off his clothes, he seemed like a completely different person. The wildness hidden beneath his clothes was on full display, completely unrelated to the word "refined and elegant".
No matter how many times you've seen it, it still subtly gives you a dangerous warning that makes you want to back away.
The bathwater churned and splashed again, the fragrance suddenly becoming stronger. The water level, which was just enough to submerge one person, was overwhelmed and overflowed from the edges after a tall and strong body was squeezed in.
The loud rushing water almost drowned out Yun Sheng's murmur.
Her heart pounded, and she asked knowingly, "What are you doing...?"
Xiao Xu sat down in the bathtub: "Sheng Sheng, I'm sorry, I apologize to you."
"I'll help you bathe." As he spoke, he bent down and moved closer to her.
————————!!————————
I'll definitely make it up to Sheng Sheng by going boating, but I don't think boating is a good place for heart-to-heart talks. When couples want to connect, they should be honest with each other. [doge emoji]
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