Chapter 31 Sweetness
As the carriage entered Suzhou, the bustling streets were filled with the sounds of people.
The wheels slowly moved forward and finally came to a stop in front of an antique house—this was the place where Chen Xuanqing had long ago arranged for his residence. The gray tiles and white walls reflected the two half-open osmanthus trees in front of the door, exuding the unique elegance of Suzhou.
Chen Xuanqing jumped off the carriage first, turned around and stood beside it, steadily extending his hand to the curtain, his voice filled with laughter: "Madam, please get down."
Gu Jinchao lifted the curtain and crawled out. The moment her fingertips touched Chen Xuanqing's warm palm, he gently grasped hers.
She steadied herself and looked up to examine the place. She saw a newly painted wooden plaque hanging on the gate of the house, with the three characters "Qingjinju" written on it. The calligraphy was gentle and smooth, and it was clear at a glance that it was Chen Xuanqing's handwriting.
Looking to the left and right, there is a bustling street to the left of the house, where you can hear vendors calling out their wares, full of lively atmosphere; to the right, there is a dense forest, where the leaves rustle in the wind, quiet and pleasant. Between the two, it is indeed a good place to live.
"Did you choose this place on purpose?" Gu Jinchao turned to look at Chen Xuanqing, her eyes full of surprise—she had long heard that Suzhou had beautiful scenery, but she did not expect that the new home would suit her so well.
"Knowing you like lively places, and not wanting to disturb your rest, I chose this place." Chen Xuanqing took her hand and walked into the house. When they pushed open the wooden door, they could smell the fragrance of plants in the yard. "It's all ready inside. The furniture is arranged according to your preferences. Take a look and see if it suits your taste."
Gu Jinchao followed him into the courtyard, where she saw several rose bushes planted in the courtyard paved with blue bricks, exquisite birdcages hanging under the eaves, and even the window screens of the main house were her favorite light turquoise color.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Looking at everything before her, she felt a sense of peace and sweetness in her heart.
Chen Xuanqing gently wrapped his arms around Gu Jinchao's waist from behind, resting his chin on her soft shoulder. The faint fragrance of her hair filled his nostrils, and a feeling of happiness washed over his chest like warm water.
He nuzzled her cheek, his voice as gentle as a soft breeze, and slowly said, "Jinchao, I've bought this house. Once my duties in Suzhou are finished, I will request the Emperor to grant me a post outside the capital, and then... we'll settle down in Suzhou."
Gu Jinchao was stunned, turned around to look at him in surprise, her eyes filled with disbelief.
She opened her mouth, about to say, "The Chen family's foundation still needs your support," when Chen Xuanqing gently interrupted her.
“I know that, by all accounts, I should return to the capital, take over the Chen family, and become the future head of the family.” Chen Xuanqing held her hand, his eyes showing no hesitation, only focus on her. “But… in this life, I don’t want to be that person anymore. I just want to stay with you in this little courtyard, to live a life of one love and one happiness, and never have to be bothered by the strife in the capital again.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than his warm kiss landed on her.
Unlike the urgency on the carriage, this kiss was as gentle as the spring rain in Jiangnan, tender and lingering, filled with an unconcealed tenderness.
He seemed to have an innate attachment to Gu Jinchao, and he could never help but want to be close to her, hug her, and convey all his love to her with kisses.
Gu Jinchao raised her hand to wrap around Chen Xuanqing's neck, her lips gently responding to his kiss, her nose inadvertently brushing against his chin, bringing a slight tickle.
Her mother never taught her the rules of managing a household or dealing with the court; she simply let her live as she pleased and never thought of raising her to be a capable matriarch who could support the family.
When she first married into the Chen family, she often slept poorly at night, fearing that she wouldn't be able to learn the complicated etiquette, handle the interpersonal relationships in the household, or keep up with Chen Xuanqing. She never voiced these anxieties and worries, but little did she know that Chen Xuanqing had seen them all and had secretly paved a way out for her.
If she could step down from the position of "Young Master Chen's Wife," and not have to learn those rules that she was not good at, and not have to deal with the social interactions in the capital, it might not be a bad thing for her.
As the kiss subsided, Gu Jinchao leaned against Chen Xuanqing's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, the faint scent of ink lingering around his nose, making even her breathing feel exceptionally calm. The two embraced quietly, needing no more words, yet filled with the sweetness of peaceful times.
Chen Xuanqing gently patted her back, his fingertips occasionally brushing against her soft hair.
He never felt that such a simple embrace would be more reassuring than any power or fame.
Perhaps this is something he could only dream of in his past life.
The silence was broken by a clear "cooing" sound.
Gu Jinchao's face instantly turned bright red, and she instinctively shrank into Chen Xuanqing's arms, wishing she could hide herself away. This belly of hers was so uncooperative, of all times it had to growl out at such a quiet and sweet moment!
Chen Xuanqing was taken aback at first, then chuckled softly. The vibration in his chest traveled through his clothes to Gu Jinchao, bringing him warmth.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his voice full of teasing: "It seems our lady is starving?"
Gu Jinchao buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled, tinged with embarrassment and annoyance: "My husband always makes fun of people..."
"Yes, yes, it's all my fault. It was clearly my stomach that was growling, how could I blame it on you, Madam?" Chen Xuanqing admitted with a smile, gently pinching her cheek. "The cook hasn't come to work yet today, how about I take you to the famous Wangyuanlou restaurant in Suzhou for dinner?"
As he spoke, he took Gu Jinchao's hand and walked outside, not forgetting to tease her, "If I get too hungry, my wife will be worried."
Gu Jinchao's cheeks flushed from Chen Xuanqing's teasing. She felt both embarrassed and annoyed, and raised her fist to punch his arm: "You're still laughing! If you laugh again, I won't talk to you anymore!"
Chen Xuanqing had anticipated this, and with a slight shift in his footsteps, he dodged the blow. He even deliberately took a half-step back, raised an eyebrow at her, and looked at her with a smile in his eyes: "Madam's fist is so soft, even if it hits me, I'm not afraid."
These words completely ignited Gu Jinchao's temper. She stomped her foot, lifted her skirt, and ran after him, shouting, "Chen Xuanqing! Don't run away!"
Seeing this, Chen Xuanqing deliberately slowed down, but always moved forward just as she was about to catch up, causing Gu Jinchao to walk even faster.
The blue brick path in the courtyard was warm from the sun, and the laughter of the two people spread like silver bells, startling the sparrows that were roosting by the birdcage under the eaves.
Gu Jinchao was panting slightly, a thin layer of sweat beading on her forehead, but she refused to stop. Seeing Chen Xuanqing looking back at her with a smile, she angrily shouted, "If you keep running! When I catch up, I'll definitely let you, let you...!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xuanqing suddenly stopped in his tracks. As Gu Jinchao rushed forward, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to place a light kiss on her sweaty forehead. His voice was full of indulgence: "How about I serve my wife every night?"
Gu Jinchao bumped into his arms, her breath still ragged, but her cheeks flushed again. She gently placed her raised fist on his chest, her voice tinged with a hint of coquettishness: "You're talking nonsense again!"
“I am not speaking nonsense; I am speaking from the heart.”
Chen Xuanqing held Gu Jinchao's small hand, his fingertips gently caressing her palm, then lowered his head to place a light kiss on the back of her hand. The warm touch made Gu Jinchao's cheeks flush slightly.
He didn't let go; instead, he held her hand in his palm and gently stroked it, as if he were playing with a precious treasure, his eyes filled with undisguised tenderness.
The two walked slowly out of the house side by side. A few petals from the osmanthus tree at the entrance fell on their shoulders, carrying a faint sweet fragrance.
"Wangyuan Tower isn't far from where we live, just two streets away. I heard they make the most authentic squirrel-shaped mandarin fish there. I'll take you there to try it later," Chen Xuanqing said as he walked, slowing his pace as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility.
He held Gu Jinchao's hand, occasionally swaying it gently, like a young man strolling with his sweetheart, his heart filled with joy.
Gu Jinchao obediently followed him, her eyes curiously taking in the scenery along the street.
A vendor selling sugar paintings was spinning his wheel, attracting children to cheer around him; the proprietress of a cloth shop leaned against the door, smiling and greeting acquaintances passing by; and a peddler carrying a load of goods called out "Osmanthus cake, pine nut candy," the sound drifting into your ears on the wind.
She turned her head to look at Chen Xuanqing beside her. He was looking at her intently, the smile in his eyes warmer than the sunshine. Gu Jinchao couldn't help but smile, secretly tightening her grip on his hand.
Chen Xuanqing felt her response, lowered his head and gently touched the top of her head, his voice gentle: "Do you like it here? Let's come to the street often in the future."
Gu Jinchao nodded vigorously, her voice light and cheerful: "I like it."
*
Night fell through the windowpane, the candlelight flickered with a warm yellow light, and two figures were entwined in the tent.
Gu Jinchao slumped in Chen Xuanqing's arms, her voice weak and fragmented: "Husband... that's enough..."
Chen Xuanqing didn't stop. His lips continued to kiss her cheeks, eyebrows, and even the delicate skin behind her ears, his hot breath brushing against her neck: "No, my wife... I haven't served you enough yet..."
His kiss was urgent yet full of tenderness, traveling down from the corner of her lips to gently nibble at her collarbone, causing Gu Jinchao to tremble slightly. She couldn't help but turn her head away, her voice filled with a soft murmur: "How much longer..."
Since nightfall, Chen Xuanqing's passion had not subsided. His gentle kisses and tender whispers made her weak all over, and she didn't even have the strength to lift her hand to push him away.
Chen Xuanqing noticed her slight trembling and slowed his movements slightly, but still held her tightly in his arms, his forehead pressed against hers, his eyes filled with lingering passion: "Just a little longer, my wife..."
No sooner had she finished speaking than another wave of warm advances came crashing down on Gu Jinchao.
The candlelight inside the tent burned out, leaving only a faint glow that illuminated the intertwined figures of the two.
It wasn't until the night deepened and the dew became heavy, and the clapper outside the courtyard struck past midnight, that Chen Xuanqing gradually stopped.
He gently pulled Gu Jinchao into his arms, his movements so tender he was afraid of breaking her. His fingertips brushed through her sweat-dampened hair, his eyes filled with tenderness and contentment.
At this moment, Gu Jinzhao had no strength left. He felt tired even moving a finger, let alone speaking.
She leaned softly against Chen Xuanqing's chest, her cheeks still flushed, her breath light and shallow, only her warm breath on his chest proving her presence.
Chen Xuanqing was not sleepy at all. He lay on his side, his gaze fixed on Gu Jinchao's sleeping face.
His hand gently covered Gu Jinchao's lower abdomen, his fingertips able to feel her warm skin through the thin fabric.
If he were to be this intimate every night, it wouldn't be long before they had a child.
Chen Xuanqing's eyes suddenly darkened. His hand was still on Gu Jinchao's lower abdomen, but his heart started pounding, and even his breathing became erratic.
child.
The word struck him like a thunderbolt.
He suddenly remembered his past life—in his past life, in his entanglement with Gu Jinchao, there was never a child that truly belonged to him, Chen Xuanqing.
If Jinzhao becomes pregnant with his child in this life, then Xuanlin from the previous life will become his child, Chen Xuanqing's child.
The moment this thought crossed his mind, a strong sense of taboo enveloped him.
He then remembered his post in Suzhou. Once things were settled there, he would immediately submit a memorial to the emperor requesting to be transferred to a post far from the capital.
As long as Jinchao doesn't linger in front of her father, will he stop thinking about her past and present lives?
He gently stroked Gu Jinchao's lower abdomen, his heart filled with cherishing this happiness, but also with unspeakable fear.
He was terrified—terrified that this hard-won peace would be shattered, afraid of his father's methods, afraid of the turmoil in the capital, and even more afraid that he wouldn't be able to protect those around him.
Ultimately, he was still too weak.
Lacking sufficient power to challenge his father, he could only seek stability by distancing himself and hiding. Even protecting his beloved required him to rely on the bond of "children" to increase his chances.
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