Chapter 14 Hold me tighter, okay?
She spoke, and it was as if the world stopped; nothing could be heard, and silence descended.
By the dim light from the table, Zhan Yunmei could roughly see Hua Lang's face. She couldn't tell if it was from the firelight or if his face was just naturally red. Moving her gaze upward, she saw that his eyes were gleaming, and he looked like he was about to cry.
Seeing his posture, Zhan Yunmei felt that he was deliberately seducing her, and couldn't help but lean in and kiss his neck.
She understood Hua Lang's pride and arrogance; if she said that, she would probably kill him. So she sat up, pulled him into her arms, rested her chin on his shoulder, and stroked the back of his neck.
Try to be as gentle as possible and coax him: "It's my fault for taking out my anger on you that day because I was busy with military affairs. Please don't be angry with me, okay?"
Hugs and pats were like coaxing a tantrum-throwing child, and Hua Lang found it somewhat comforting. He wanted to push them away but couldn't bring himself to do it, and he wanted to scold them but couldn't bring himself to do it. Yet, he still couldn't relax.
He was hesitant and awkward, and talking was completely useless. Zhan Yunmei guided him: "Hua Lang, give me a hug."
After thinking for a moment, she added, "Isn't this called 'servant'? This is an order, and a servant has no right to refuse."
Hua Lang felt something was off, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. But since she had given the order, he had a bit of courage and reached out to loosely encircle her.
She wasn't wearing much to begin with, and she had even taken off her outer robe. With her body wrapped up like this, you could completely feel her slender waist. He thought all military generals were broad-shouldered and burly, but he never expected there to be one like her.
"Hold me tighter, okay?" Zhan Yunmei turned her head and kissed Hua Lang's neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of his slightly rising and falling Adam's apple, though it was barely noticeable.
"I'm not angry..." Hua Lang finally spoke softly, his voice so low it was as if he were whispering.
With a smile, Zhan Yunmei teased in a drawn-out tone, "Well, you don't."
Seeing that he hesitated to hold her tight, she let go of him. He was surprised by her sudden departure, and the warmth between their bodies dissipated. Before he could react, she changed to a kneeling position.
Although she was kneeling, she was actually using her legs to sandwich him between her legs so that she could kiss his Adam's apple.
The thin, delicate skin enveloped the inconspicuous round bone, which occasionally slid and vibrated when the melody was played.
Zhan Yunmei mischievously took a bite, and Hua Lang immediately shrugged.
She liked his occasional stubbornness, and she also liked how he would unconsciously show weakness at such times, making all her past anger disappear.
Zhan Yunmei patted Hua Lang's hand, which was tightly gripping her sleeve. As soon as he let go, she took his hand and intertwined her fingers with his, her fingertips tracing the back of his hand.
With gentle reassurance, Hua Lang gradually relaxed. Zhan Yunmei felt the time was right and raised her head to kiss his lips.
Her prediction was correct; not only did he not resist, he also responded appropriately.
She closed her eyes and listened to his voice for a while. Before he cautiously parted his lips and covered hers again, she tilted her head slightly.
Hua Lang blinked helplessly, her eyelashes constantly brushing against her eyes, her face filled with undisguised fear.
She tilted her head slightly, looked at him, and smiled: "Are you really not angry anymore?"
Hua Lang moved his lips as if to say something, but ultimately looked away and muttered, "Isn't it you who's angry with me?"
“I forgive you,” Zhan Yunmei said. “Now it’s your turn to forgive me.”
“…I’ve never been angry with you,” Hua Lang said, his voice growing softer and softer. If Zhan Yunmei hadn’t been so close, she might not have heard the last few words.
"You're so cute," Zhan Yunmei kissed him again, not dwelling on the childish question. She turned his face to the side, making him look at the objects on the small table. "The one you bought is a bit big, it will hurt."
"Stop talking!" Hua Lang suddenly roared weakly, then stopped breathing, not daring to look anywhere. Finally, she buried her head in Zhan Yunmei's shoulder and hid her face.
"Okay, I won't say," Zhan Yunmei said softly, patting his back. "Have you washed?"
No one spoke.
She remains patient; it doesn't matter how long it takes.
After a long while, Hua Lang finally said, "Hmm."
To Zhan Yunmei's slight surprise, he had already figured her out so well; he knew exactly what she wanted to do.
"Don't be afraid," Zhan Yunmei said, kissing Hua Lang as she reached onto the table and pulled him into her arms, rhythmically patting his back to comfort him.
Hua Lang has always been very adaptable. From the Ministry of Justice prison to the General's Mansion, from a death row inmate to an ordinary person, he has always adapted quickly, even though he caused trouble at times. Even now, he is still the same.
"Don't bear the pain, tell me."
Zhan Yunmei's gentle whispers lingered in Hua Lang's ears, their ambiguous low huskiness burning his ears red. He tried his best to regulate his breathing and unconsciously hugged her tighter.
He nodded slightly. "Yes."
Hugging alone wasn't enough to satisfy her craving, so Zhan Yunmei turned Hua Lang's face, tilted her head, and kissed his lips, using the tips of her teeth to steal his kiss.
.
On the third day of the second lunar month, the sky cleared up. The snow outside had not completely melted, but people had already begun to make summer clothes. Yao Shuniang noted down the measurements and sent Zhan Yunmei's and Hua Lang's clothes to the embroidery workshop together.
At midday, following Zhan Yunmei's instructions, Yao Shuniang brought Hualang back to the main house and added the perfume powder he had previously liked.
The mansion was busy for half an hour renovating the main house, giving off a feeling of a concubine who had been neglected in the palace regaining favor.
"What would you like to eat tonight? The general said she's been very busy lately, so don't wait for her to come back," Yao Shuniang said, taking out a notebook to write it down.
It had been a long time since I'd last seen it. The air outside seemed different from the side room. Half of the flowers in the flower hall were in bloom, emitting a faint fragrance. Hua Lang stood in the hall and looked up at the sky.
"Just do whatever you want."
“This servant understands,” Yao Shuniang bowed and withdrew.
Watching Yao Shuniang leave until she returned to her room, Hua Lang silently withdrew his gaze and pondered her words.
Zhan Yunmei will not be coming back for dinner today.
It's been less than half a year since the founding of the country. How could military affairs be so busy? Even if it were Chun Tian's family, they shouldn't be recruiting soldiers. She should be more relaxed than others.
He couldn't help but worry. Could it be that he had behaved so badly that she didn't want to come back to see him?
If that's the case, why does she have to bring him back to the main house and keep him locked up? If she wants him, she can go to the side room; if she doesn't, she can just keep him locked up. Out of sight, out of mind.
Hua Lang lowered his eyes and stared at the auspicious patterns on the hem of his robe.
Keep staring at her like that, and when she looked up again, Yao Shuniang had already arranged the dishes and even rinsed and cleaned the chopsticks with hot water.
"Please, this is for you," he said, bringing out chopsticks.
She was told to do whatever she wanted, but she didn't really listen and still ordered the kitchen to prepare dinner carefully—six dishes and a soup, which was really extravagant for him to eat alone.
Hua Lang ate only a few bites and had no appetite. He put down his chopsticks and stood up, but a strong hand pressed down on his shoulder and forced him back down.
"Eat so little. The night is long. Be careful not to go hungry." Zhan Yunmei took Hua Lang's chopsticks, put food in his bowl, filled it halfway, and then handed the chopsticks back to him. "Eat more. You're too thin. It's uncomfortable to hold you."
Yao Shuniang was still here, and she just said those words. Hua Lang's face turned pale and then red.
He almost gritted his teeth: "The general really has no restraint when it comes to talking."
"Ah, the truth? You won't even let me say it?" Zhan Yunmei smiled, lifted her robe and sat down, finishing the rest of the dinner with him.
Yao Shuniang remained silent and pretended not to know anything.
Yesterday, the lights were blown out, and it was pitch black so no one could see anyone else. Zhan Yunmei felt quite regretful, but she didn't want to push Hua Lang too hard. Today would be the same.
He couldn't stand it, but she didn't make things difficult for him. She draped a nightgown over him and, after he had tied his belt, she lit the lamp.
If things could continue like this, that would be good, but it won't work.
The Emperor summoned Zhan Yunmei today and inquired about the progress of the matter.
What progress could there be? You just coaxed her and you're already asking her? With Hua Lang being so sensitive, he'll definitely think she's trying to use him. She'd rather he half-reject and half-pull than let her be angry and suffer in silence.
When Hua Lang returned after washing up, Zhan Yunmei's brows were slightly furrowed. He could tell that she had something on her mind. Based on his understanding of her, she was probably worried about something related to him.
No matter how distressed she was about her job outside, she would never show it to him.
At this moment, Zhan Yunmei had her eyes closed and was unaware that Hua Lang had seen her expression. He pretended not to know anything and returned to the bedside as usual.
The moment he moved, she composed herself, smiled at him, and asked, "Are you feeling alright?"
Hua Lang turned her face away, fanned out the candles, and got into bed. "It's alright."
"Don't go to sleep yet," Zhan Yunmei shook Hua Lang. "I bought some medicine. You need to use it every time, so you won't feel uncomfortable anymore."
A note from the author:
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