Chapter 67 I'll Feed You Alone
"The welcoming wine has already been drunk, that was a courtesy." His voice was low and slow, with a hint of coaxing. "This cup is our own wine. I... I'll feed you."
He leaned closer, taking the hand holding the glass from hers, lowered his head, and lightly touched the rim of the glass with his thin lips, taking a small sip from it. Su Jingyu's heart skipped a beat at his sudden, suggestive gesture of intimacy.
The next moment, before she could react, Xiao Jingzhan had already raised his hand, gently pinched her chin, lifted her face slightly, lowered his head, and kissed her lips.
"Hmm..." She opened her eyes wide in surprise.
The warm liquid, carrying the unique, mellow aroma of "Hehuan Zui," was gently passed to her through his lips and teeth. The wine slid into her mouth, not with the expected spiciness, but with a lingering sweetness and warmth, sliding down her throat and instantly igniting her entire being. His warm tongue lingered between her lips and teeth, completely blending the wine's aroma with the sweetness in her mouth, an endless, lingering entanglement.
Caught off guard, Su Jingyu passively accepted the kiss, which smelled of wine. She felt a wave of dizziness, and two beautiful blushes instantly appeared on her cheeks, more vibrant than the red dress she was wearing.
She swallowed unconsciously, her throat moved slightly, and the little bit of wine slid down, a warm feeling rising from her stomach and spreading throughout her body.
Xiao Jingzhan slowly pulled back a little, his thumb tracing her lips, now glistening and even more delicate from the kisses. His phoenix eyes were deep, and his voice was hoarse: "Is it good, my darling?"
Su Jingyu's eyes were slightly hazy, shimmering as she gazed at him, her cheeks flushed, her breathing slightly rapid. She nodded obediently. That wine... seemed quite good, especially after he fed it to her like that.
Xiao Jingzhan's Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes darkened further. He picked up his glass of wine, downed it in one gulp, but didn't swallow. He lowered his head again and kissed her, passing the wine to her in the same way. Yu'er seemed somewhat prepared, and though still shy, she tentatively responded.
This subtle response undoubtedly pleased him. Xiao Jingzhan chuckled softly and deepened the kiss. The wine exchanged between their lips, the temperature rising steadily. He lingered, sucking and tracing the shape of her lips with his tongue, then slipping inside to play with her little tongue, capturing all the sweetness in her mouth.
After a few sips of wine, Su Jingyu gradually felt her body go weak. The "Hehuan Zui" had a long-lasting aftereffect, and she was already not a strong drinker. Now, as the alcohol took effect, the figures in front of her seemed to be shrouded in a hazy halo, while the sensation on her lips and in her mouth became clearer and hotter.
Xiao Jingzhan finally released her lips, which were swollen from the kiss, and pressed his forehead against hers, his breathing slightly unsteady. He looked at her at this moment—her eyes were sparkling, her charm was irresistible, her cheeks were flushed, her lips were slightly swollen, and she had an unconscious allure. He was completely in love with her.
"My darling..." he called her hoarsely, holding her as he lay down beside her, propping his head up with one hand and stroking her burning cheek with the other, his gaze carefully tracing her drunken charm, as if admiring the most precious treasure in the world.
Su Jingyu felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze. The alcohol made her bolder than usual, and she also became more charmingly naive. She raised her watery eyes, looking at him with a hint of accusation, her voice soft and delicate without her even realizing it: "Your Highness...you...you're bullying me..."
"Hmm?" Xiao Jingzhan raised an eyebrow, his fingertips sliding to her sensitive earlobe, gently kneading it. "How have I bullied you?"
"You...you fed me wine like that..." she muttered, trying to dodge his mischievous hands, but he held her waist and she couldn't move.
"What do you mean by 'like that'?" He deliberately leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe. He watched as her small earlobe turned bright red, and chuckled with satisfaction. "My darling, don't you like it? But I... I absolutely adore the way you look right now."
Su Jingyu was flustered by his blunt words and burning gaze. The alcohol mixed with passion made her body hot, and she could only shake her head helplessly, then nod, and finally buried her face in his chest, saying in a muffled voice, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty doesn't know..."
"Don't know?" Xiao Jingzhan lifted her face, forcing her to look at him, his eyes dark and turbulent, filled with a smile and coaxing. "Then... shall we try something else?"
Before she could answer, he kissed her again, this time deeper and more passionate. His large hands skillfully caressed her smooth, delicate skin, sending shivers down her spine.
Su Jingyu was already delicate, but now she was even more limp, letting him do whatever he wanted, her little hands unconsciously clinging to him.
The red candles burned quietly, occasionally crackling softly, illuminating the intertwined figures within the tent. Clothes were off, skin pressed together, the temperature burning hot.
The following day, the newly crown princess was required to pay homage to the emperor, empress, and empress dowager.
Su Jingyu rose early, dressed in her Crown Princess attire, and accompanied by Xiao Jingzhan, went to the Lizheng Hall and Cining Palace. Her demeanor was proper, and her words were respectful, neither overly humble nor lacking in the dignity of a Crown Princess. The Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager were all very pleased with her and bestowed generous rewards upon her.
On the way back to the palace, Xiao Jingzhan held her hand tightly the entire time. The palace path was long, with palace servants kneeling on both sides. He walked side by side with her, accepting the kowtows of the crowd. The sunlight stretched their shadows long, overlapping them, as if foreshadowing that from now on, they would weather storms together and share glory and disgrace.
“Your Highness,” Su Jingyu called softly, her gaze sweeping over the majestic palace walls, “I feel as if I’m in a dream.”
Xiao Jingzhan turned his head and looked into her clear eyes, where there was unease, longing, and above all, complete trust in him. He tightened his grip, his voice steady and powerful: "It's not a dream. Yu'er, from the day you stepped into the Eastern Palace at the age of sixteen, I have known that you are my only wife. Today, it's just to let the world know. With me here, you only need to be the Crown Princess you want to be, be yourself."
She grasped his hand in return, her smile more radiant than any blooming flower.
Back at the Glazed Pavilion, before even entering, one could hear the innocent voices and giggles of children coming from inside. The wet nurse was holding and playing with the awakened twins, while Xiao Chengyu, who could already run and jump, was taking his little steps, trying to reach the bells on his younger siblings' rocking chairs.
"Father! Mother!" The little guy had sharp eyes. As soon as he saw them, he immediately abandoned the bell and rushed over with his arms outstretched like a little sparrow.
Xiao Jingzhan bent down, scooped up his eldest son, and lifted him high, eliciting an excited squeal from Xiao Chengyu. Su Jingyu quickly walked to the cradle, leaning over to look at her two children. Little Chengye was looking around with his big, bright eyes, while little Anning was sucking his fingers, fast asleep. The last trace of unease she felt due to her change in status vanished the moment she saw her children's innocent smiles.
Here, with him and the children, is her everything, her place of peace.
Xiao Jingzhan walked over carrying his son in one arm and put his other arm around her. The two smiled at each other, knowing that they understood each other.
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