A Promise Under the Moon
The cicadas chirped noisily outside the window, but the study was cool to the touch thanks to the ice cubes in the four corners.
Shen Yan leaned back on the bamboo couch by the window, idly fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan, her mind preoccupied with the perplexing attitude of the young emperor, Wei Chenji, the previous day. Ling Zhan sat upright behind his desk, his slender fingers turning the pages of Yunshangji's quarterly ledgers, the rustling sound the only background noise.
"Father! Mother!"
A clear, youthful shout broke the silence. The fifteen-year-old "Little Bull" had grown tall and slender, shedding much of his childishness. His uniform as a royal guard made him look dashing and capable. The "bullish" spirit between his brows hadn't faded; instead, it had been tempered with a cleverness honed in the palace. He burst in like a gust of wind.
Shen Yan lazily opened his eyelids: "Oh, our Guard Shen Niu is off duty? What fun things are happening in the palace? Tell me quickly to help your father relax."
Shen Niu didn't stand on ceremony. He grabbed a plump peach from the fruit plate next to the ice chest and took a big bite, the juice dripping from it. He mumbled, "There's some interesting news! I was on duty at Cining Palace today, and I overheard the old maids who serve Consort Jiang gossiping." He swallowed the fruit, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of mischievousness, "They say that Consort Jiang is heartbroken to see His Majesty's harem so empty, without a single child! She's planning to... promote her thirteen-year-old grandniece from her own family to the rank of Imperial Consort!"
"puff--"
Shen Yan nearly dropped the palm-leaf fan from his hand. He sat up abruptly, his sneer undisguised. "That little brat from the Jiang family... only thirteen years old? She hasn't even grown her first hair yet, and she's already being promoted to Imperial Concubine?" His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he tapped the edge of the couch with his fingertip. "The abacus beads of Consort Huo are practically flying across the palace walls into the face of my Anping Marquis's mansion!"
Ling Zhan stopped flipping through the ledgers, his cool gaze sweeping over silently, questioning.
Chen Niu shrugged, then took another big bite of peach flesh: "His Majesty? Heh, not a peep! In the past two years, the petitions from those who want to send their daughters into the palace have piled up higher than the steps of the Hall of Diligent Governance. His Majesty either keeps them unread or dismisses them with a casual 'I'm too busy with state affairs to do this.' Those old fogies are jumping up and down in frustration. I think His Majesty really doesn't have the inclination, or rather..." The boy winked slyly, hinting, "He simply doesn't want the bloodline of certain families to be tainted on the future dragon throne?"
Chen Yan stroked his chin, his knuckles lightly tapping the bamboo couch.
The young Emperor Wei Chenji… his young “uncle” was becoming increasingly deep and unpredictable. Refusing a marriage alliance, refusing to choose a concubine, seemingly possessing an almost instinctive resistance to continuing the bloodline… Behind this… he couldn’t help but recall those calm, unwavering eyes in the palace yesterday, eyes that held a hint of playful inquiry deep within.
“By the way, Father,” Shen Niu said, wiping his mouth as if he had just remembered something, “You have no idea how bad His Majesty’s appetite has become these past two years! The people in the Imperial Kitchen have used every trick in the book, serving up all sorts of delicacies and seasonal vegetables, but His Majesty only touches a few bites, like feeding a cat! He has lost a lot of weight, and the eunuch Wang who serves him has such white hair, tsk tsk, it’s almost as white as snow!”
Shen Yan waved his hand absentmindedly: "The Imperial Medical Bureau will take care of the Emperor's health. You, a mere guard, just mind your own business. Remember, don't mess around with the food in the palace again!"
At this moment, Ling Zhan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, his voice as calm as if he were talking about the weather outside the window: "Speaking of the palace... the Western Hills Palace was not peaceful after winter came a couple of years ago."
His listless thoughts were instantly pulled back: "Hmm?"
Ling Zhan traced a line of accounts with his fingertip without looking up: "There are always some blind 'wild animals' who think it's too cold outside and want to climb over the wall to 'warm up,' making a lot of noise."
"'Wild animals'?" Shen Yan frowned slightly and sat up straight.
"Um."
Ling Zhan turned a page of the ledger, her tone completely calm. "Your skills are quite sharp, and you've hidden them well. It took some thought." She paused, lightly tapping the paper with her fingertip. "However, I've taken care of everything. After two years of peace and quiet, I think I can finally get a good night's sleep this winter."
Shen Yan's heart sank. The Western Hills Palace! This place... was coming for his home!
The "wild animals," "casual cooking," and "two years of peace" that Ling Zhan mentioned... these definitely didn't refer to real wild beasts! They referred to assassins! More than one assassination attempt against her! And she managed to describe it so casually, keeping it completely a secret?!
A surge of intense fear mixed with anger at being deceived well rushed to his head! This was a matter of utmost importance, concerning the lives of his entire family and the very foundation of their household! And his bedmate had informed him of this with such a casual tone, as if he'd just "swatted a few flies today"?!
"Ling, Zhan!"
Shen Yan's voice suddenly rose, filled with exaggerated, irritated anger, as if his tail had been stepped on. He jumped off the bamboo couch and rushed to the desk, slamming his hands on the table with a loud "smack," causing the pen holder to wobble slightly. "Such a big thing! An assassin! Right here in Xishan! Right under your nose! And 'two years ago'?! You kept it a secret from me, the head of the household, not a single word?!"
His chest heaved, his heart aching: "Do you even see me as your husband anymore? What if... ugh!"
He abruptly stopped his ominous words, clutching his chest with a pained expression. "You're deliberately trying to kill me! Worry injures the spleen, and anger injures the liver! If I get sick from anger and die young, who will support you? Who will shield you from those accusations? Who... who will warm your bed?!" He mumbled the last three words, but his voice was clear enough.
"Cough!" Shen Niu choked on the peach, his face turning red, and he desperately lowered his head to suppress his laughter.
Ling Zhan looked at Shen Yan, who was clutching his chest and looking like he was about to explode with anger and that Shen Yan had to take responsibility. Her usually cold eyes flickered slightly, a hint of helplessness and indulgence flashing across them. She simply put down her pen, leaned back in her chair, and leisurely enjoyed his performance.
"So what do you want?" Her voice remained calm, but it lacked its usual coldness.
Seeing an opening, Shen Yan lowered his hand from his chest, leaned closer on the table, and put on a pitiful and cheeky expression: "I'll punish you!"
What punishment?
“I’m punishing you…” Shen Yan’s sly eyes swept over her shoulders and neck. “You concealed this important matter, causing the head of the family to be filled with fear and anxiety, even to the point of illness! For the head of the family’s health and longevity, for the harmony of the household… I’m punishing you tonight, you must personally give me a proper massage! From shoulders to back, every inch! To relax your muscles and improve blood circulation, to relieve your anger and depression! Otherwise…” He said stubbornly, “I’ll sleep here! I’m too angry to sleep!”
"Pfft!" Shen Niu couldn't hold back his laughter any longer and quickly covered his mouth.
Ling Zhan looked at the handsome face so close to him, which was filled with "cheating," and remained silent for a moment before nodding almost imperceptibly and very slightly.
"Okay." The sound was as clear and gentle as jade striking.
The single word, clear and simple, fell like a jade bead onto a plate, striking the ears of the weary and resentful.
Overwhelmed by joy and excitement, Shen suppressed his excitement and cleared his throat to maintain his "majesty": "Hmm... You can admit your mistakes and correct them! Then... tonight, I will reluctantly wait for you in your room!" After saying this, fearing that he might go back on his word, he walked out of the study with his hands behind his back and a light, swaying gait, humming a little tune, completely satisfied.
Shen Niu stared dumbfounded at his father's smug back, then looked at his mother's calm expression, scratched his head—why did his father's punishment seem like something he couldn't have asked for? Was his second brother going to come back for his wedding in Wild Buffalo City in the Northern Frontier? He shook his head and slipped out as well.
Shen Yan could hardly believe his ears! A tremendous surprise exploded in his mind like fireworks, almost making him jump three feet high! He suppressed the wild joy that was about to reach his ears, tried to keep a straight face, cleared his throat, and put on the airs of a "head of the family": "Hmm... that's more like it! It's good to admit your mistakes and correct them! Well then... tonight, I'll reluctantly wait for good news in my wife's room!" After saying that, as if afraid that she would change her mind, he put his hands behind his back, walked with light, bouncy steps, humming a silly tune, and swaggered out of the study with a satisfied and smug look on his face.
That night, the moonlight was soft and gentle, casting its clear glow through the carved window lattices. The candlelight was soft and warm, enveloping Ling Zhan's bedroom.
Shen Yan had already bathed and changed. His moon-white nightgown accentuated his half-draped black hair as he languidly leaned against the carved bed. Under the candlelight, his peach-blossom eyes shimmered with light, his thin lips slightly curved, and his handsome face was breathtaking.
Ling Zhan sat on the edge of the bed, his slender and strong fingers landing on his broad shoulders, kneading the taut muscles with a strange penetrating force.
Shen Yan squinted comfortably and sighed, "Madam's technique... if she opened a shop, she'd make a fortune every day..."
Ling Zhan did not respond, but the force under his fingers softened slightly.
Shen Yan cautiously opened her eyes and peeked. The candlelight cast a warm glow on her cool features; her eyelashes were lowered, and she appeared calm and focused.
A thought flashed through his mind, and his burning desire could no longer be suppressed. He suddenly raised his hand and covered her hand that was resting on his shoulder.
Ling Zhan paused, then looked up.
Shen Yan sat up naturally, took her slightly cool hand in his, and pulled her closer. The fragrance of soap mingled with his masculine scent enveloped her.
"Madam..." His voice lowered, filled with unprecedented seriousness and tension. His peach blossom eyes were fixed on her, his emotions intense and overflowing. "The matter of the assassin... has been punished. Then... what about the other matter?"
His gaze, burning with undisguised desire, swept over her slightly pursed lips before returning to her eyes.
We've been married... for quite a few years.
His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice growing hoarse and seductive, "Hong'er is about to get married in Jiancheng, Northern Frontier, and Chen Niu is almost ready for marriage... As her father, I still..." He paused, his eyes filled with grievance, "...it's all in name only. My wife...when will you truly fulfill my wish?"
The bedroom fell silent. The candle wick crackled softly, and the faint chirping of insects could be heard outside the window.
The moonlight and candlelight intertwined gently, clearly illuminating the intimate distance of less than a foot between the two. Shen Yan's naturally handsome face was flawlessly perfect in the light and shadow. The burning expectation, the cautious trepidation, and the intense, overwhelming love in his eyes, mixed with a touch of pitiful vulnerability, created a fatal and irresistible attraction.
Even though Ling Zhan's will was as firm as a rock, being stared at so intently by him with an affection that could almost burn his soul, his heart felt as if a red-hot iron had been thrown into it, stirring up ripples of intense, indescribable heat.
She could clearly feel the warmth emanating from his tight grip on her palm, and the possessive caress of his calloused fingertips. The air seemed to freeze, becoming thick and ambiguous, every inch filled with silent tension.
Time seemed to stretch out in this small space.
Ling Zhan's gaze did not waver. She quietly met his eyes, her clear, cool eyes rippling and surging like a deep sea, before finally settling into a bottomless, solemn calm. She did not try to pull her hand away, but simply looked at him, her red lips parting slightly, the sound more ethereal than the moonlight outside the window, yet carrying a promise weighing a thousand pounds:
“When you…” Her gaze swept over his eyes, which were slightly wide open from holding his breath in anticipation, and she spoke each word clearly, “when you truly shoulder the burden of being the head of the family, and when I no longer need to clean up the messes left by those ‘wild animals’ for you.” She paused, and the words she added were clearly etched into Shen Yan’s heart, “I will fulfill all my duties as the mistress of the house…”
He suddenly felt suffocated and couldn't breathe!
His joy exploded like fireworks! The heavy responsibility of being the head of the family! The duties of the mistress of the house! He understood!
It's not a rejection! It's a promise! It's the day to consummate the marriage!
"Madam!" He gripped her hand tightly, his eyes sparkling like stars. "It's a promise! I will do my best to be a head of the family that will satisfy and reassure you!" He spoke with an eagerness, as if making a vow.
Seeing his eagerness to "take on the important task" immediately, a tender warmth, like spring water beneath ice, finally welled up deep in Ling Zhan's eyes. She said nothing more, letting him hold her hand tightly, feeling the burning determination emanating from his palm.
The moonlight outside the window seemed much gentler.
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