Daily Life of a Couple: A Spring Day with Begonias
Extra (1)
Half a year has passed since the new emperor ascended the throne, the court has gradually stabilized, and the world is at peace. The Zhenyuan Marquis's residence is also a picture of tranquility.
It was late spring, and the crabapple blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, clusters of pink and white, like clouds and rosy hues.
After returning home from court, Xiao Zhouyan changed out of his court robes and into a light blue casual robe, then headed straight for the Begonia Courtyard.
Now that he serves as the Privy Councilor, although he no longer needs to personally lead troops into battle, his duties of advising on military secrets and reorganizing military preparedness remain numerous and complex. However, no matter how busy he is, he always tries to return to his residence as early as possible.
As soon as I stepped through the moon gate, I saw Xu Qingyao leaning against the soft couch by the window, holding a book in her hands, engrossed in reading it.
Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting a soft halo around her. A few stray hairs fell beside her cheeks, adding to her languid charm.
She wore an apricot-yellow silk skirt, over which she wore a plain velvet vest embroidered with crabapple blossoms, which complemented the blooming flowers outside the window.
Xiao Zhouyan walked over quietly, sat down next to her, and naturally picked up the warm teapot on the small table to pour himself a cup.
Xu Qingyao then looked up from her book. Seeing him return, she smiled slightly and said, "You're back early today."
As she spoke, she naturally handed him the book she was halfway through reading, saying, "This travelogue is quite interesting; you should take a look."
Xiao Zhouyan took the book, glancing at the title. It was a record of the customs and products of the Western Regions written by a scholar from the previous dynasty. He casually flipped through a few pages, but his gaze lingered more on her smiling profile.
Since returning from the northern frontier, the melancholy and tension on her body seemed to have dissipated considerably, and she appeared even more composed and serene.
"You spend all day looking at these things, aren't you tired of tiring yourself out?" His tone carried a hint of indulgence as he closed the book and set it aside. "I just heard from Yuejian that you didn't eat much for lunch again? Is the food in the kitchen not to your liking?"
Xu Qingyao leaned into his arms, found a comfortable position, and said lazily, "No, it's just hot, I don't have much of an appetite."
Xiao Zhouyan embraced her, his palms habitually pressing and massaging her lower abdomen—a problem she developed during her previous "false pregnancy," occasionally experiencing poor blood circulation. He had always remembered this and would massage her abdomen whenever he had a spare moment.
"What would you like to eat? Tell the kitchen to make something else," he asked in a low voice.
Xu Qingyao thought for a moment and suddenly felt a little hungry: "I just remembered my grandmother's crab roe soup, and some... the flatbread from that shop in the West Market of Liangzhou."
Xiao Zhouyan chuckled and flicked her forehead lightly with his finger: "Crab roe soup is worth a try, but how can you expect chefs in the capital to make Liangzhou flatbread?"
Even so, she still called out to the butler who was waiting outside and instructed him to have the kitchen prepare a delicious soup, and specifically instructed him to make it refreshing.
The butler accepted the order and left.
Xu Qingyao looked up at him, a sly glint in her eyes: "General Xiao is becoming more and more like a steward these days."
Xiao Zhouyan raised an eyebrow, lowered his head and leaned close to her ear, his warm breath brushing against her: "You think I'm being long-winded just because you're the only one I'm taking care of?"
Xu Qingyao's ears felt slightly hot. She gently pushed him away, but he didn't push her away. Instead, he hugged her even tighter.
The two embraced quietly for a moment, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
A breeze blew through the window, and the crabapple petals fell in a flurry. A few playfully slipped through the window frame and landed on the couch and on my clothes.
Xu Qingyao picked up a petal and twirled it between her fingers. Suddenly she said, "Speaking of which, the Third Princess sent me an invitation a couple of days ago. She said she wanted to come to the manor for a visit in a couple of days, and that she had acquired some rare orchids and wanted to give them to me."
Xiao Zhouyan hummed in agreement, unsurprised.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, the third princess, Chu Xue Zhao, gained the emperor's respect for her efforts in supporting his ascension and for her outstanding talent and character. Her status in the palace is now different from before. She and Xu Qing Yao get along well and visit each other frequently.
"She and your brother..." Xiao Zhouyan paused, then stopped.
Xu Zhiyuan is now a powerful regional official, and the subtle feelings between him and the Third Princess are no secret in the capital. However, due to his status, they have not yet made it public.
Xu Qingyao sighed, "My brother seems gentle, but he's actually stubborn. As for the princess's feelings… I'm afraid he has too many concerns." She looked up at Xiao Zhouyan, "Speaking of which, if you had also had so many concerns back then, we might…"
“There are no ifs.” Xiao Zhouyan interrupted her, tightening his grip on her arm, his tone resolute, “Once I’ve made up my mind about you, I will never let go, no matter what.”
Whoever she is, once he's got her, he'll never let go.
Xu Qingyao's heart fluttered. She buried her face in his neck, inhaling his cool and familiar scent, and felt incredibly at ease.
At this moment, Yuejian brought in the freshly stewed bird's nest with rock sugar. Seeing the two of them snuggling together, she smiled, quietly put it down, and left.
Xiao Zhouyan picked up the small white porcelain bowl, tested the temperature, and then patiently fed her spoonful by spoonful.
Xu Qingyao was initially a little embarrassed, but under his persistent gaze, she had no choice but to let him be.
"How about I accompany you to a villa in the suburbs of Beijing for a couple of days during my rest period? I heard the lotus flowers there will be in bloom soon," Xiao Zhouyan said as he fed her.
"Great!" Xu Qingyao swallowed the sweet bird's nest, her eyes brightening. "Perfect for boating and picking lotus flowers."
"Okay, whatever you say."
As the sun set, it cast long shadows of the two people, which then intertwined.
The crabapple blossoms in the courtyard remain unchanged, a picture of tranquility.
All those thrilling, life-or-death moments have transformed into the warmth of my fingertips and the whispers in my ear at this moment.
...
As dusk deepened, no lights were lit in the room. Only the last rays of the setting sun shone through the window, outlining the hazy contours of the furniture and making the fine downy hairs on Xu Qingyao's cheeks glow with a soft gold.
After feeding her the last bite of bird's nest, Xiao Zhouyan unconsciously wiped the corner of her lips with his fingertip, removing a non-existent dampness. The movement was natural, yet carried a hint of lingering affection.
Xu Qingyao felt as if a feather had gently tickled her heart, causing it to tremble slightly.
She lowered her eyelashes and felt the warmth of his hand resting on her waist, seeping through the thin fabric of her clothes and soothing her skin, almost burning her.
Are you tired?
Xiao Zhouyan asked in a low voice, his breath brushing against her ear.
He was very close, his voice sounding exceptionally deep and resonant due to its low volume, with a magnetic huskiness.
Xu Qingyao gave a soft "Mmm," her voice unconsciously softening and carrying a slightly dependent nasal tone: "A little."
He didn't speak immediately, but maintained the embrace, his fingers lightly stroking her waistline through her clothes.
The movements were slow and firm, devoid of any lustful urgency, yet they added a touch of ambiguous intimacy, as if silently confirming her presence, or perhaps soothing her, or... a subtle provocation.
Xu Qingyao felt a tingling sensation where he had touched her, as if tiny electric currents were running through her.
She couldn't help but move slightly, trying to avoid the unsettling touch, but he tightened his arms around her, holding her even closer.
"Don't move." His voice was deeper, carrying a hint of warning, yet also very tender.
She dared not move again, obediently leaning against him, and could clearly hear the steady and powerful heartbeat in his chest, mixed with her own heartbeat, which was gradually becoming disordered.
The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of crabapple blossoms and the clean scent of soapberry on his body, creating a calming yet inexplicably exciting aroma.
His chin gently rested on the top of her head, his breath lifting a few strands of her hair, making it tickle.
Xu Qingyao felt her ears getting hotter and hotter, and even her neck turned a little pink.
Xiao Zhouyan seemed to sense her unease and chuckled softly. The sound vibrated in his chest and made her eardrums itch.
"What are you hiding from?" he asked, with a mocking tone that suggested he already knew the answer.
Xu Qingyao was a little embarrassed and annoyed. She raised her hand and lightly punched his chest, not with much force, but more like a coquettish plea: "Who dodged..."
He grasped her hand that had committed the crime, enveloping it in his warm palm, his fingertips gently tracing circles on the delicate back of her hand. In the darkness, the sensation was amplified infinitely; even the slightest friction carried the force of a wildfire.
"Madam seems to have lost some weight recently."
He suddenly changed the subject, his tone serious, but the hand lingering on her waist hinted that the topic was not so simple. "But...have I not taken good care of you?"
Xu Qingyao's face flushed instantly, even her neck turning crimson. This person... how is he getting more and more indecent!
"Xiao Zhouyan!"
She called him by his full name, trying to sound imposing, but her voice was too soft and lacked any real authority.
"Um?"
He responded, his voice rising slightly at the end, carrying an indescribable languor and doting tone.
He lowered his head, his nose almost touching hers, their warm breaths mingling, and the atmosphere suddenly heated up.
Xu Qingyao could feel his approaching body temperature and the undisguised heat in his eyes.
Her heart pounded like a drum, and she instinctively closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like the wings of a startled butterfly.
The expected kiss did not fall.
He simply pressed his forehead against hers, gently nuzzling her, and sighed softly, "Yaoyao..."
This call contained so many unspoken words: the preciousness of something lost and found, the longing for companionship day and night, and the indescribable affection and yearning surging in his heart at this moment.
Xu Qingyao's heart softened, and all her feigned composure crumbled. She took the initiative to lift her head and plant a light, petal-like kiss on his lips.
This acted like a signal, instantly igniting a suppressed flame.
Xiao Zhouyan's breath hitched, but he immediately took the initiative and kissed her deeply.
Unlike the gentle probing of the past, this kiss carried an undeniable force and pent-up passion, conquering and seizing her breath and thoughts.
Xu Qingyao felt weak all over and could only helplessly cling to his shoulder, accepting everything he gave her.
In her dazed state, she felt her clothes being untied at some point, and the cool air touched her skin, sending a shiver down her spine, before being covered by his even hotter palm.
The afterglow of the sunset completely disappeared, plunging the room into a warm, ambiguous darkness. Only their rapid breathing and heartbeats remained, weaving together to create the most moving melody in the night.
Outside the window, Yuejian walked over carrying a lantern. From afar, she could see that the main house of Haitang Courtyard had its doors and windows tightly closed and no lights were on inside, but she could vaguely hear some subtle movements coming from inside.
She smiled, quietly put down the lantern, and retreated away. She then left the courtyard gate slightly ajar and instructed the other servants not to approach.
Tonight, the Begonia Courtyard is destined to be a tender and long spring night.
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