Chapter 7 Feeding Pastries
The kiss wasn't deep; it even carried a slightly awkward, tentative quality, yet it was filled with an undeniable possessiveness. The touch of their lips together was soft and unfamiliar, carrying his cool, refreshing scent, strangely hot, making her tremble.
He didn't stay long, and they parted ways after a brief touch.
Su Jingyu froze on the spot, her cheeks flushed crimson, even her ears turning pink. Her heart pounded like a drum, almost bursting out of her chest. She instinctively covered her mouth, her wet almond-shaped eyes widening as she stared at him in disbelief.
Looking at her completely stunned and embarrassed appearance, Xiao Jingzhan felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction and pleasure.
He gently stroked the smooth skin of her nape with his fingertips, his voice lower and husky, carrying a hint of coaxing:
"Remember this feeling, Yu'er." His phoenix eyes were deep and unfathomable as he locked onto her gaze. "From this day forward, the only person who can make you cry, make you laugh, and be this close to you, is me. Your joys and sorrows are all mine to care for. Do you understand?"
His words were domineering and authoritarian, yet the kiss just now had a touch of tender affection in them.
Su Jingyu was flustered and confused, feeling exposed by his burning gaze. She could only blush and nod almost imperceptibly.
Xiao Jingzhan was finally satisfied. He released her hand and brought the glass of warm water to her lips again: "Drink some water, get a good night's sleep, and I'll wake you when we get there."
Su Jingyu obediently drank a few sips of water from his hand. The warm liquid slid down her throat, but it seemed to transform into an even hotter current, surging through her limbs. She dared not look at him anymore, her head lowered, her heart still pounding erratically.
Perhaps the kiss had exhausted her last bit of energy, or perhaps the swaying of the carriage had made her feel safe, but she actually felt a deep weariness creeping over her, and her eyelids gradually grew heavy.
In a hazy dream, she felt someone gently pull her close, letting her head rest on a strong, warm shoulder, and then cover her with a thin blanket. The familiar, comforting scent enveloped her, and she unconsciously snuggled closer, drifting completely into a deep, sweet sleep.
Xiao Jingzhan lowered his eyes, looking at the girl sleeping peacefully in his arms. Her lips were still slightly swollen, and her posture as she nestled against him showed complete trust. The hardest corner of his heart seemed to be filled with something, becoming unusually soft.
He lowered his head and placed a very light kiss, like a feather, on the top of her head once more.
"Go to sleep, sweetie."
Outside the carriage, the future seemed bright, but undercurrents were also surging.
Inside the carriage, clutching his newly identified, one-of-a-kind treasure, he embarked on his journey home.
After traveling for half a day, the carriage stopped for a rest by a secluded river. The well-trained guards dispersed to maintain order and began preparing a meal.
Su Jingyu got out of the carriage first and, with the help of a maid, went to the water's edge to wash up. The river breeze, carrying dampness, calmed her mind, which had been in turmoil since that kiss. Yet, the burning, unfamiliar touch still seemed to linger on her lips.
When she returned to the car, she saw that Xiao Jingzhan had not gotten out. He had only lifted the curtain and was whispering instructions to General Lu outside the car. His expression was as cold and focused as ever, as if the man who had forcefully kissed her in the car just now was just her illusion.
Upon seeing her return, Xiao Jingzhan stopped speaking, his gaze naturally falling on her. Su Jingyu's cheeks flushed slightly, she lowered her eyes and curtsied, softly saying, "Your Highness."
"Come up." He said succinctly, extending his hand to her.
Su Jingyu placed her hand in his palm, and with a gentle pull, she boarded the carriage. Inside, a small table was already set with several delicate pastries and a pot of tea.
"Have some snacks, the journey is still long." Xiao Jingzhan said, naturally putting his arm around her waist and letting her sit beside him instead of opposite him.
Su Jingyu stiffened slightly. This close embrace made her even more flustered than the kiss just now. His cool masculine scent enveloped her completely, and through the thin spring shirt, she could feel the firmness of his arms and the heat of his body.
"This humble woman... can do it herself." She said softly, trying to move aside a little.
The arm around her waist tightened its grip. Xiao Jingzhan lowered his head, his thin lips almost touching her earlobe, his breath warm: "Don't move, let me hold you for a while." His voice carried a hint of barely perceptible languor and satisfaction, "I've been reviewing reports for half a day, I'm tired."
His words were half true and half false. While handling official business certainly required concentration, he was more captivated by her softness and fragrance. Holding her, it seemed as if the fatigue from days of travel could dissipate considerably.
Su Jingyu immediately dared not move. So he was tired... She felt a little relieved, but also a strange pity arose in her heart. So even the high and mighty Crown Prince could feel tired.
She sat obediently, letting him hold her. At first, her body was a little stiff, but seeing that he was just quietly leaning against the car wall with his eyes closed, without making any further moves, she gradually relaxed. His embrace was warm and strong, with a reassuring steadiness.
Xiao Jingzhan was indeed feigning sleep, but his senses were incredibly sharp. The delicate body in his arms went from stiff to soft, the faint fragrance of her hair wafted into his nose, and her waist was so slender that it seemed as if it would break if he exerted too much force.
He had never been so close to a woman before. He found even a glance at the women in the Eastern Palace tedious. But with her, he was like an addict, wanting nothing more than to meld her into his very bones and keep her by his side at all times.
He closed his eyes and unconsciously rubbed his chin gently against the top of her head.
Su Jingyu felt his small gesture, and her heart felt as if it had been brushed by a feather, a strange itch rising within her. She quietly raised her eyes, and from his angle, she could only see his beautifully shaped jawline and the slight movement of his Adam's apple.
This man, who possessed power and looks that everyone envied, was now clinging to her like a child.
An indescribable feeling quietly grew in her heart.
After the convoy set off again, Xiao Jingzhan still had his arm around her, but he picked up the report he hadn't finished reading earlier. With one arm around her and the other holding the document, he was focused, as if he had simply changed his work location.
Su Jingyu initially sat upright, but after a while, she inevitably became a little bored. Her gaze then fell on the plate of crystal-clear osmanthus cake on the small table.
Although Xiao Jingzhan was looking at the report, he kept an eye on her out of the corner of his eye. Seeing her stealing glances at the pastries several times, like a greedy little cat, a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.
He put down the report, reached out and picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, and held it to her lips.
"..." Su Jingyu froze, her cheeks instantly turning bright red. This...this is too embarrassing!
"Don't you want to eat?" Xiao Jingzhan raised an eyebrow, his tone natural, as if it were a matter of course.
"This humble woman...this humble woman will do it herself..." Her voice was barely audible as she reached for the pastry.
Xiao Jingzhan avoided her hand and instead pressed the pastry to her lips, his gaze carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Be good, open your mouth."
His fingertips occasionally brushed against her lips, sending a subtle shiver down her spine. Su Jingyu felt flustered under his gaze, and could only slightly open her mouth, taking a small bite from his hand. The sweet, soft taste melted in her mouth, but it paled in comparison to the throbbing in her heart at that moment.
She took small bites of the osmanthus cake from his hand, feeling his gaze on her face with each bite, so intense it was almost suffocating her.
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