Chapter 71 Yachiharu's two burning hot bodies pressed infinitely close...
Jiang Geyun tried hard to suppress the inexplicable unease in her heart.
She told herself that this unease was unreasonable.
Cheng Xi was merely observing her usual dining preferences. What did it matter that he knew these things? It was just normal concern between lovers.
It seems that constantly navigating various crises has ultimately tainted her with a cloud of suspicion.
Cheng Xi said, "I like tea."
Jiang Geyun paused for a few seconds before reacting. Before her suspicions flared, she asked Cheng Xi if he had any favorite things. Presumably, this was Cheng Xi's answer.
Before she could say anything more, Cheng Xi explained gently, "I once mentioned to my wife the Floating Light Snow Bud from Yinguang Tower, which is one of my favorite teas."
In order to get out of the doubt and pause she had just experienced, Jiang Geyun immediately focused her attention on the current topic.
She forced a smile and said, "I remember, and I was fortunate enough to try it; it was indeed extraordinary."
Cheng Xi said, "It's good that I haven't disappointed my wife."
When he said this, he appeared refined and dignified, yet for some reason, Jiang Geyun felt that if she said she didn't like it, he would smile like that and say it's okay.
But something very bad is likely to happen next.
Unexplained doubts kept coming at her, and she couldn't help but feel exhausted.
Jiang Geyun turned her head to the side where Cheng Xi was not.
She casually lifted the curtain of the sedan chair to look outside. At the same time, not wanting Cheng Xi to suffer strange cold treatment, she thought of another topic that wouldn't cause any trouble.
She said, "My lord hasn't been wearing blue robes much these past few days?"
As Jiang Geyun spoke, she gestured for Cheng Xi to look at the pedestrians on the road.
The pedestrians hurried along, heading towards their respective destinations, and among them were several people dressed in blue robes.
Cheng Xi smiled and said, "My wife is perceptive. I was taught from a young age not to show my likes and dislikes too obviously, and to only dabble in things I like. I should never be too attached to anything, nor should I become addicted or obsessed with it. But..."
He paused here, lowered his eyelashes, and the emotions in his eyes were completely concealed.
Jiang Geyun understood these words. She knew about the saying that "those in power should not let others know their preferences." Historically, there have been many superiors who showed their preferences and were pleasing by their subordinates by any means necessary, unintentionally bearing the sins of their positions.
Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty loved rare flowers and stones and wanted to build the Genyue Royal Garden. To cater to the emperor's hobby, powerful ministers set up the Suzhou and Hangzhou Imperial Collection Bureau, which used any means necessary to collect rare stones and famous trees. This extortion and plundering caused hardship and financial loss to the people, ultimately leading to a popular uprising.
His original intention may have been simply to pursue the ultimate in aesthetics, but as the emperor, his personal hobbies, once amplified by power, turned into an uncontrollable monster. As the emperor, he should have been aware of the responsibilities of his position.
Cheng Xi has always been self-disciplined and respectful of propriety. Even if he does something that seems out of line, it is always done under her influence. It is reasonable for him to have this understanding, so he will change his style of dress and restrain his own preferences.
The Cheng family has no heir to the throne, so I don't know why they're tormenting Cheng Xi like this.
Jiang Geyun sorted through Cheng Xi's words in her mind and felt that she understood his meaning, but she did not immediately grasp the unfinished part.
But what is it?
But is he willing to tell her his thoughts, feelings, likes, and dislikes, because she will become his closest person?
At this thought, Jiang Geyun's boundless thoughts suddenly froze, and her hand that was lifting the curtain also froze. The curtain slipped from her hand, but she didn't even notice.
"Wife?" Cheng Xi called to her.
Jiang Geyun snapped out of her daze, withdrew her hand, and responded.
Cheng Xi did not press her for details, giving her ample time to process them. After a moment, he calmly asked, "Does my wife have any preferences?"
Jiang Geyun had no need to hide her preferences. Based on her past experiences, rather than being flattered to the point of causing something bad to happen, it was more likely that she would have no one to talk to about such topics, and naturally no one would care about her preferences.
There has always been a bottomless chasm between people, but some people are able to meet someone willing to cross that chasm to understand what's in their hearts. As for her, because she skipped a grade, she not only had no friends her own age, but also no elders who cared for her. Su Guang...
However, Jiang Geyun really didn't have anything she liked. In her view, food and clothing were for survival and dignity, and didn't involve anything else.
That's really lucky.
However, since Cheng Xi had already asked...
She thought about it carefully and replied, "No, that's not true. From today onwards, I will drink more tea with my husband."
Cheng Xi was taken aback.
In an instant, all that could be heard from inside the sedan chair was the rumbling sound of wheels rolling over stone slabs.
He chuckled softly as usual, then paused for a moment before putting on a gentle smile again and saying to her, "Okay."
...
The two chatted for a long time inside the sedan chair.
Unlike before, Cheng Xi began to talk to her more about the customs and culture of the Great Zhou Dynasty and various interesting objects, rather than asking questions and listening to her talk.
She noticed that he wasn't very good at this kind of thing, and couldn't help but laugh. He looked at her helplessly, not annoyed, and waited for her to calm down before continuing to chat with her gently.
When they got off the sedan chair and returned to the villa, Cheng Xi went about her business. Jiang Geyun didn't ask any questions, but she guessed it was probably about the wedding.
She doesn't quite remember what she talked about with him, only that she was very, very happy at the time, and all her doubts were dispelled.
At this moment, she earnestly began to look forward to her wedding with him.
...
As dusk fell.
Jiang Geyun received a letter from Zhang Jing.
This very reliable and responsible assistant had compiled all the matters that needed to be reported for her to review. In fact, Zhang Jing could decide most things herself, or she could put them aside for the time being and hand them over to the new governor after he took office.
This seemingly insignificant report was, in essence, Zhang Jing's way of showing Jiang Geyun that she would stand by Jiang Geyun's side.
Even though Zhang Jing was temporarily appointed as an assistant official, and nominally all affairs in Lianzhou should be handled by her, she delegated the final authority to Jiang Geyun. Jiang Geyun knew everything that passed through her hands.
Jiang Geyun could certainly understand Zhang Jing's meaning, and she would also send signals of trust to Zhang Jing.
As for what happens next...
Jiang Geyun leaned against the edge of the desk in the room, examining the sealed letter in her hand.
If Zhang Jingruo is willing to leave with her, she will likely be able to resolve the Su Guang case better and faster with this assistance.
If Zhang Jing is unwilling to leave Lianzhou Prefecture, she will not force him. Before that, she will tell the new prefect a few more words about Zhang Jing's reliability so that he can have a smooth journey afterward...
As she was thinking, the door suddenly opened.
A blurry figure appeared on the screen.
Judging from the shadow on the screen, the person turned around, closed the door, and then walked around from behind the screen to stand in front of her.
The person changed into the blue robe she was used to seeing.
Perhaps it was the dazzling summer sunset that made her squint, and she had a strange yet familiar feeling about the figure in front of her.
But where does the unfamiliarity originate, and where does the familiarity originate?
Looking closely, she recognized the man before her as none other than her beloved Cheng Langjun, elegant and refined, a graceful figure amidst the turbid world.
Jiang Geyun put down the unopened letter in her hand, smiled at the person who walked up to her, and softly called out, "My lord."
Cheng Xi agreed and looked down at her.
Jiang Geyun had just received the report from Zhang Jing from the servant and returned to the room. Before she sat down, she leaned against the desk behind her. However, Cheng Xi was much taller than her, so even though she was standing, she had to look up at him.
This glance was not significant. Her gaze inadvertently drifted past Cheng Xi's figure and towards the screen behind him. She suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu at this screen that she had seen many times before.
Where have I seen paintings like this?
The thought briefly crossed her mind.
Just as Jiang Geyun was about to ask which famous artist painted the screen, Cheng Xi spoke first.
He asked, "My lady, is there anything you would like in return for the betrothal gifts?"
Jiang Geyun casually asked, "Is the divination over?"
“Najib is not yet ready,” Cheng Xi said. “Our name cards need to be placed in the temple for a sufficient amount of time before the results will be apparent.”
Jiang Geyun was about to ask, if that's the case, why are you in such a hurry to ask about the betrothal gifts? Aren't betrothal gifts something that comes after the auspicious date of the wedding?
If Najib had not confirmed that the two people's horoscopes were compatible, the marriage would not have been settled, so what would be the point of the subsequent procedures?
Before she could even ask, she realized that the person in front of her had never considered Najib's outcome, treating it merely as an optional procedure.
He was determined to marry her, and nothing could stand in his way.
Jiang Geyun subconsciously covered her face with the letter in her hand. The evening light shone through the window onto the two of them. In the height of summer, she suddenly felt the joy of spring.
After a long while, she dropped what she was hiding, coughed lightly, and looked at him with a smile that crinkled her eyes.
He kept his head down, waiting for her response. When she looked up, their eyes met immediately.
Both of them were taken aback.
He reached out and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.
This action brought the two of them much closer together.
She could even feel the warmth of his breath, like the glow of the sunset emanating from his body. Naturally, he lowered his head, covered her eyes with his hand, and lightly pecked her lips.
Jiang Geyun did not refuse and let him try.
This light, shallow kiss began to spiral out of control.
Unlike the previous kisses that were slightly exploratory, and the almost tearing kiss that came with unease in the sedan chair, he pried open her lips and teeth, leading her tongue to entwine with his.
With a purpose and guidance, he proceeded slowly and deliberately, yet with an absolute air of non-negotiability.
He captured every breath she had, and from her tailbone upwards, she couldn't help but tremble. Her breathing changed because of him, her body went limp, and she slumped backwards onto the desk.
It sounded as if a handful of books had fallen, making a rustling sound, but no one paid any attention.
In a daze, Jiang Geyun called out to him, "My lord..."
She was about to ask who painted the picture when her mind went blank, and the question she had prepared was cut short by a call, leaving her speechless.
As she unconsciously closed her eyes, the person in front of her turned and held the back of her head, drawing her closer to him.
Two burning hot bodies pressed infinitely close together.
Through the thin layers of summer clothes, she could almost feel his blood gushing, his heart pounding so close to hers, resonating with her own.
Time stretched on endlessly.
After an unknown amount of time, the evening light falling on her eyelids dimmed, and the red before her eyes gradually faded.
The head of the person in front of her rested on her neck, breathing long and satisfied.
Once released, her eyes welled up with tears, and she gasped for breath.
In a dizzying, oxygen-deprived state, she saw the screen behind him again.
Yes...this is...
It's a familiar style; it's a painting by Chao Wujiu...
It turns out that what she saw at the villa was not a prank of unknown origin, but her predetermined future with him.
She ran over in shame and anger, took down the painting, and fell into the layers of snow waves.
At this moment, she felt both shy and willing to succumb, lying on top of him, unable to control her slight panting.
The person in front of me suddenly moved.
He turned to her and kissed her neck.
A wave of itchiness spread.
His usually gentle voice had become hoarse, even somewhat indistinct, as he asked, "Wife?"
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Author's Note: Here's a sweet chapter to start! I originally wanted to write more, but it's too late, so I'm posting it anyway [please!]
Also: I felt really unwell yesterday, so I took painkillers, but instead of a stomachache, I started having a headache. It was so strange! Anyway, I feel much better today (probably), and I wrote a ton of detailed outlines (I got so caught up in writing that I almost forgot to write today's main content, so I'm late, boohoo). I'll keep working hard tomorrow!
Another one: Red envelopes will be dropping in this chapter, adults, remember to comment!
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