Chapter 57 Tenderness Before Parting
"Tomorrow?!" Ye Xunyang stood up in surprise.
"So fast?!"
Although I was mentally prepared, hearing the exact time, especially since it was so close, made my gloom dissipate, replaced by a deep sense of reluctance and worry.
Lou Jin looked into his eyes, which were instantly filled with worry and longing, and felt a tenderness in his heart, yet also a bittersweet feeling of parting.
He reached out, wrapped his arm around Ye Xunyang's waist, and gently pulled him to his side. The two became intimately close.
His face was pressed against Ye Xunyang's chest, and his arms were wrapped around his waist.
"Yes, the military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed."
Lou Jin responded softly, his fingertips stroking Ye Xunyang's back. It was early spring, and Ye Xunyang was dressed in thin clothes, so he could clearly feel the muscles on Ye Xunyang's back.
"So... tonight, let me take a good look at you."
His voice was extremely low, with a magnetic huskiness, like the finest wine, intoxicating and enchanting.
He spoke a single sentence with extraordinary tenderness, the affection and possessiveness it contained were self-evident.
Ye Xunyang was taken aback at first, then realized the deeper meaning in his words. His cheeks flushed crimson, and even his ears and neck turned a faint pink.
My heart started racing uncontrollably, pounding against my chest.
He looked up somewhat shyly, not daring to meet Lou Jin's deep eyes that seemed to suck away one's soul, his expression carrying a barely perceptible hint of obedience and expectation: "Okay..."
Lou Jin chuckled softly, said nothing more, stood up, and placed a gentle yet irresistible kiss on his trembling eyelids.
Then, it touched the tip of her nose, and finally, it reached her slightly parted lips, which were trembling with surprise.
This kiss was different from the previous gentle probing; it carried the reluctance of parting and a deep longing, as well as a burning desire to etch the other person into one's very bones and blood.
The candlelight flickered, illuminating their embracing figures.
Clothes gradually fell off, and panting filled the air.
Lou Jin's movements were extremely gentle and patient, as if he were handling a rare treasure, carefully tracing its beauty and deeply possessing it.
He wanted to use this method to dispel the gloom in Ye Xunyang's heart, soothe his unease, and firmly imprint his own scent and longing on him.
Ye Xunyang turned into a pool of spring water beneath him, all his thoughts were submerged by the surging tide of passion.
He lay on the bed, responding clumsily yet passionately, as if he wanted to pour out all the longing for the time they would spend apart in the coming night.
The moonlight outside the window was hazy, while inside, spring was in full bloom.
The sorrow of parting and the lingering affection intertwine, composing the most profound and moving nocturne before the war drums sound.
That night, there were no conspiracies or national responsibilities, only the most intimate entanglement and heartfelt confessions between lovers.
All the worries, reluctance, and love transformed into a passionate embrace, as if they wanted to firmly engrave the other's breath, warmth, and even soul into their own lives.
As the night wore on, the rain gradually subsided. Ye Xunyang curled up wearily in Lou Jin's arms, too lazy to even move his fingertips.
Lou Jin remained awake, carefully sketching the peaceful sleeping face of the person in his arms in the dim moonlight filtering through the gauze curtains, as if trying to etch this image into his heart.
He placed a final, gentle kiss on Ye Xunyang's sweat-dampened forehead, whispering a vow:
"Wait for me to come back."
The person in his arms seemed to sense something and snuggled even tighter into his arms in their sleep.
The night was deep, and parting was imminent, but the warmth and possession they had in this moment were enough to support them through all the hardships ahead.
Before dawn and before the bugles of the military camp had sounded, there was already movement in the main courtyard of the Prince Jin's mansion.
Ye Xunyang woke up under the influence of his biological clock. His body still felt sore and tired from the crazy night before, but his mind was exceptionally clear.
As soon as he moved, the arms wrapped around his waist tightened slightly.
"Sleep a little longer." Lou Jin's deep voice, still hoarse from just waking up, rang in his ears.
Ye Xunyang shook his head, turned around, and gazed at Lou Jin's face, which was so close to his own, in the hazy morning light.
This face, with its sharp and angular features, now carries a rare touch of tenderness.
"I'll take you." Ye Xunyang's voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable firmness.
Lou Jin did not object anymore, but looked at him deeply, as if he wanted to absorb his image into his very being.
The two got up and silently washed and changed their clothes.
Ye Xunyang personally helped Lou Jin put on that heavy black armor. The cold armor plates were chilling to the touch, but he moved meticulously and without any care.
When Ye Xunyang finally fastened the dragon-patterned cloak, his fingers paused slightly at the collar, ultimately only gently smoothing out a non-existent crease.
Lou Jin grasped his hand, his palm warm: "The capital is in your hands now."
"Mm." Ye Xunyang nodded emphatically, all his unspoken words condensed into one sentence: "Be careful in everything, I... will wait for you."
There was no more lingering tenderness; all the affection and worries settled in this brief conversation and the clasped hands.
Outside the Prince's mansion, guards and warhorses were already standing at attention, waiting. Ye Xunjin was also fully armored and ready to depart with the army.
He saw Ye Xunyang and Lou Jin come out together, his gaze lingered subtly between the two for a moment, and then returned to normal.
Lou Jin mounted his horse, his posture upright like a pine tree.
He took one last look at Ye Xunyang, who was standing on the stone steps of the mansion gate.
In the soft light of dawn, his queen, dressed in casual clothes, stood tall and straight, her eyes resolute.
"Let's go!" Lou Jinle turned his horse around, his voice cold and icy, breaking the morning's tranquility.
The thunderous sound of hooves rang out, and the black torrent began to move, heading towards the city gate.
Ye Xunyang stood still, motionless, until the dark figure disappeared at the end of the long street and could no longer be seen.
He took a deep breath of the cold morning air, turned around, and spoke in a deep voice to Shan Lan and several stewards of the Prince's Mansion who were respectfully waiting to the side.
"Close the gates of the mansion. From this day forward, proceed according to plan both inside and outside the mansion."
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