Chapter 52: A Moment of Cuddling
Three days had passed since Su Wanrou returned from horseback riding lessons at the training ground in the western suburbs. The soreness in Su Wanrou's inner thighs was gradually subsiding under the effect of the ointment, but the thrill on horseback and the ambiguity under the shade of the trees were like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples that lingered for a long time.
Gu Yangui seemed to have returned to his usual busy routine, but Su Wanrou could sense that something was indeed different. At dinner, he would ask her more questions about what she had done during the day; at night, although they didn't hold hands every night, the distance between them had noticeably diminished. Sometimes, when Su Wanrou woke up in the morning, she would find herself nestled in his arms. Each time, she would blush and quietly move away, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart, as if she had secretly eaten the sweetest honey.
It was a fine afternoon, with a gentle breeze carrying the fresh scent of early summer grass and trees. Su Wanrou was practicing calligraphy in her study when Gu Yangui walked in. He wasn't wearing his court robes today, but rather a dark blue casual robe with subtle patterns, which made him appear less imposing in court and more relaxed at home.
"Husband?" Su Wanrou put down her pen, somewhat surprised that he would be in the mansion at this hour.
“It’s a day off today, and the weather is nice.” Gu Yangui walked to the desk, looked at her calligraphy, and nodded slightly. “You’ve improved.” Then, he changed the subject and casually suggested, “Would you like to go horseback riding?”
Su Wanrou's eyes lit up, and she nodded almost immediately: "Yes!"
She couldn't forget the novelty and freedom she felt from riding a horse last time. More importantly, it was a rare moment of undisturbed time alone with her husband.
A barely perceptible smile flickered in Gu Yangui's eyes: "Then let's go to the villa and horse farm outside the city. It's quiet there, and the scenery is better."
two
The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has a villa in the suburbs of the capital, with an attached private horse farm, backed by a small maple forest, adding a touch of wildness and privacy compared to the royal training grounds. After the carriage arrived at the villa, servants had already prepared everything.
This time, Gu Yangui chose another docile mare for Su Wanrou, named "Zhuiyun". With the foundation laid last time, Su Wanrou's movements on the horse were much more skillful this time. Although she still needed Gu Yangui's help, she was no longer as clumsy and awkward as she had been the first time.
Gu Yangui continued riding his "Chasing the Wind," the two riding side by side, slowly making their way across the grassy field. Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns of light, and the air was filled with the fragrance of grass and earth.
"Loosen your grip on the reins a little more, let the horse walk on its own, you just need to guide the direction," Gu Yangui instructed from the side, his voice not loud, but clear enough to be heard.
Su Wanrou adjusted her horse as instructed and indeed felt that Zhuiyun's pace became lighter. She tried gently squeezing the horse's flanks, and Zhuiyun began to trot. The wind brushed past her ears, bringing a slight coolness, and her vision rose and fell slightly with the horse's gallop. This feeling of control and speed combined made her feel incredibly comfortable.
Gu Yangui controlled the wind, following her at a leisurely pace, his gaze mostly fixed on her back. Watching her gradually relax from her initial nervousness, and seeing the slight upturn of her lips as she made progress, his heart felt as peaceful and warm as the afternoon sun.
After running a few laps, Su Wanrou's forehead was covered in sweat, and she was slightly out of breath. Gu Yangui spurred his horse closer and said, "Take a rest."
He dismounted first, and then, just like last time, extended his hand to her. Su Wanrou placed her hand in his palm, using the leverage to gracefully dismount. This time, she landed steadily, but Gu Yangui did not immediately let go of her hand. Instead, he naturally took her hand and led her towards the large, leafy locust tree at the edge of the riding arena.
The tree was dense and cast a large, cool shade. Its gnarled roots formed a natural seating area. Gu Yangui released her hand and casually sat down first, leaning against the thick trunk. He patted the spot beside him, gesturing for Su Wanrou to sit as well.
Su Wanrou hesitated for a moment. Sitting side by side under the tree like this seemed too casual and intimate. But looking at Gu Yangui's composed expression, she felt that if she acted coy, she would appear petty. So, she straightened her skirt and sat down next to him, but deliberately left half a person's distance between them.
The two fell silent for a moment. In the distance, the mountains were verdant and dark, while nearby, the grass was lush and green. Horses grazed leisurely not far away, their heads bowed. Only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the occasional chirping of birds created a tranquil scene that was breathtaking.
three
Su Wanrou turned her head slightly, secretly glancing at Gu Yangui beside her. His eyes were closed, his jawline relaxed, and his long eyelashes cast faint shadows under his eyes. Gone was his usual coldness; at this moment, he possessed a rare tranquility and gentleness.
Perhaps her gaze was too focused, because Gu Yangui suddenly opened his eyes and accurately caught her gaze before she could look away.
Su Wanrou blushed instantly, like a child caught doing something wrong. She hurriedly lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting her clothes belt.
Gu Yangui didn't expose her embarrassment, but simply watched her quietly. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dancing on her face, making even the fine downy hairs clearly visible. Her skin was exceptionally beautiful, fair and delicate, and flushed with a healthy blush from the earlier exercise and her current embarrassment, like a ripe peach, tempting to be picked.
His gaze was so direct that Su Wanrou felt the heat on her face quickly spread throughout her body, even her ears burning. She was so nervous that her palms were slightly sweaty, and her heart was pounding so loudly that she could hear it herself.
Just as she was about to succumb to the silent gaze, Gu Yangui suddenly shifted his gaze to the distant grassland, as if it were merely a casual glance. He spoke, his voice lower than usual, with a barely perceptible hoarseness: "Does it still hurt?"
"Huh?" Su Wanrou didn't react for a moment.
"Legs," Gu Yangui pointed out succinctly.
Su Wanrou then realized that he was asking about the soreness after riding the horse last time, and quickly shook her head: "It doesn't hurt anymore, thank you for the ointment, husband."
"Hmm," Gu Yangui responded, then fell silent.
A subtle silence fell over the atmosphere once more. But this time, something seemed to be quietly fermenting in the air; it was no longer just quiet, but rather a tension that was hard to describe. Although the distance between them hadn't changed, Su Wanrou felt his aura enveloping her with an incredibly strong presence.
A slightly stronger breeze blew by, the shadows of the trees swayed, and a few locust blossoms drifted down. One petal landed precisely in Su Wanrou's hair.
Gu Yangui's gaze was drawn to that white spot. Almost without thinking, he naturally reached out and gently stroked the top of her hair.
His movements were very light; his fingertips brushed against her hair, bringing a slightly itchy sensation. Su Wanrou stiffened and subconsciously looked up.
Their eyes met.
At such close range, she could clearly see her reflection in his deep eyes, his straight nose, and... his slightly pursed, beautifully shaped lips.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. The wind rustled the leaves, and the light and shadow shifted, all becoming a blurred backdrop. The world shrank to the point where only their eyes remained, and their warm breaths drew ever closer, almost palpable.
Su Wanrou's heart pounded wildly. She forgot to breathe, forgot to think, and just stared blankly as he slowly approached. She could smell his fresh scent, mixed with the aroma of sunshine and grass, which forcefully overwhelmed all her senses.
His fingertips were still lingering in her hair, but his other hand had somehow gently wrapped around her shoulder. The touch wasn't heavy, but it carried an irresistible tenderness.
His lips finally gently covered hers.
Four
It was an extremely light, shallow touch, like a butterfly's wing brushing against a petal, with a tentative and cautious feel.
Su Wanrou's mind went blank, a sudden "buzz." This was their first real kiss. The intimacy of their wedding night carried a sense of unfamiliarity and a detached, almost obligatory distance; their subsequent interactions were mostly based on affection but remained within the bounds of propriety. Only now, this kiss, happening under the sunlight and shadow of the trees, was purely driven by love.
His lips were cool and soft, carrying his unique, refreshing scent. After only a brief contact, he pulled back slightly, his deep eyes fixed on her, as if observing her reaction, or perhaps suppressing a deeper surge of emotion.
Su Wanrou's cheeks flushed crimson, and her eyelashes trembled violently, like the wings of a startled butterfly. She didn't know how to react, and could only stare blankly at him, her eyes shimmering with tears, full of confusion and helplessness.
Her completely trusting yet utterly naive demeanor utterly shattered Gu Yangui's last shred of self-control. His Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes darkened, and he lowered his head again to kiss her deeply.
This time, it wasn't just a fleeting encounter. His arms tightened, pulling her closer into his embrace. The passionate kisses, like a warrior's dominance and plunder, were strangely intertwined with an indescribable tenderness and affection.
Su Wanrou felt her whole body go limp, all her strength drained away by the kiss. She passively endured it, responding awkwardly, her mind hazy. She could only rely on instinct to reach out her slightly trembling arms and wrap them around his neck.
This subtle response was like the best encouragement. Gu Yangui's kiss became even more passionate and lingering. Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on their embracing figures, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of locust blossoms and their intertwined scents.
After an unknown amount of time, until Su Wanrou let out a soft sob due to lack of oxygen, Gu Yangui reluctantly released her. His forehead was pressed against hers, his breathing was a little heavy, and his heat brushed against her cheek.
Su Wanrou buried her burning face in his chest, too shy to look up, only able to feel the rapid heartbeat emanating from his chest, just like her own.
Gu Yangui didn't say anything, but simply held her quietly, his large hand gently stroking her back, as if to soothe her or calm his own turbulent emotions.
Nestled in her husband's warm, strong embrace, listening to his powerful heartbeat, and smelling his reassuring scent, Su Wanrou was filled with an immense, overflowing sense of happiness. All her previous anxieties and speculations were answered in this moment. Her husband did have her in his heart.
five
The two embraced under the tree for a long time, until the sun gradually began to set.
Gu Yangui finally released his arm, his voice hoarse from the aftermath: "It's getting late, we should go back."
"Mmm." Su Wan's voice was barely audible, and she still didn't dare to look at him, tidying her slightly disheveled hair and clothes.
Gu Yangui looked at her blushing profile and slightly swollen lips, his eyes darkening again, but he ultimately restrained himself. He stood up and extended his hand to her.
This time, when Su Wanrou placed her hand in his palm, she did not hesitate at all, but instead showed a secret intimacy.
On the return journey, the two rode together. Gu Yangui held Su Wanrou close, controlling the reins and letting Zhu Feng graze leisurely. Su Wanrou leaned against him, her back pressed against his broad, warm chest, clearly feeling the lines of his arm muscles and his steady heartbeat. A gentle breeze caressed her face, carrying the warmth of the setting sun; she felt that nothing could be more serene than this.
As they approached the gate of the villa, Gu Yangui suddenly lowered his head and whispered something in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe: "What happened today was my recklessness."
Su Wanrou's ears burned, and she gently shook her head, her voice soft yet clear: "This concubine...does not blame my husband."
These words were less of forgiveness and more of tacit approval and response. Gu Yangui tightened his grip on her arm, saying nothing more, but everything was understood without being spoken.
Back at the mansion, it was already dinnertime. Mingxuan rushed over happily when he saw his parents return together. Su Wanrou bent down to pick up her son, but her gaze unconsciously met Gu Yangui's, both of them with a tacit tenderness in their eyes.
After dinner, Su Wanrou took a bath in the washroom. The warm water enveloped her body, but it couldn't wash away the lingering touch on her lips or the flutter in her heart. Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, her eyes sparkling with spring, she couldn't help but gently touch her lips with her fingertips. There, it seemed, his warmth was still imprinted.
six
That night, the curtains were drawn low and the red candles burned brightly.
With the intimacy of the daytime, sharing a bed at night seemed natural, even... carrying a hint of anticipation.
Su Wanrou, dressed in her nightgown, sat on the edge of the bed, her heart pounding. Gu Yangui finished washing up, walked over, and naturally pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to kiss her.
This kiss was deeper and more lingering than the one under the tree in the daytime, carrying an undeniable possessiveness. His large hands gently caressed her back, igniting tiny flames wherever they touched.
Su Wanrou responded awkwardly, letting him lead her into the unfamiliar tide of passion. When the last barrier fell away and they were intimately joined, she couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her nails unconsciously digging into his strong arm.
Unlike her first experience, which was filled with pain and unfamiliarity, this time, Gu Yangui's movements were extremely patient and gentle, as if guiding or exploring. His hot breath brushed against her neck, and his deep voice called her name again and again: "Jiaojiao..."
Su Wanrou responded in a daze, clinging tightly to him in the throes of passion, like a drowning person grasping at the only piece of driftwood. Her soul seemed to float on clouds, or sink in the deep sea; the only thing real was the person on her body and the overwhelming pleasure he brought.
After their lovemaking had just ended, Su Wanrou lay limp and sore in Gu Yangui's arms, not even wanting to move a fingertip. Gu Yangui's large hand gently stroked her smooth back, carrying a sense of post-coital languor and satisfaction.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked in a low voice, the same question as under the sun, but with a completely different meaning.
Su Wanrou buried her burning face in the crook of his neck and gently shook her head.
Gu Yangui chuckled softly, a pleasurable vibration emanating from his chest. He pulled the quilt over them, covering them both, and placed a light kiss on the top of her head.
"Go to sleep."
Su Wanrou drifted off to sleep in his comforting presence. In her dream, she saw the same large locust tree in full bloom, and beneath it, the heart-stirring kiss.
This brief moment of intimacy was not just about physical closeness, but also about two hearts drawing ever closer. The quietly blossoming feelings, like vines, grew wildly under the nourishment of sunshine and rain, quietly binding the two tightly together.
End of Chapter 52
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