“From now on, only you can carry me. If you’re not here, I won’t bathe. Don’t be jealous, okay?”
Yan Xiaohan was first stunned, then instinctively grabbed Fu Shen’s hand.
He gazed at Fu Shen deeply, as if confirming something, and finally lowered his head, pressing his dry lips lightly on Fu Shen’s cheek: “Okay… you said it.”
Fu Shen’s heart momentarily stopped, then raced like thundering horses, exploding with fireworks.
As Yan Xiaohan was about to rise, Fu Shen quickly reached out to press his neck, pulling him back.
The two embraced, their unprecedented closeness bringing extreme warmth and blooming emotions. The uncontrollable moment happened in an instant.
As Yan Xiaohan was about to kiss, countless possible reactions from Fu Shen flashed through his mind, except for the current situation.
He heard Fu Shen’s laughing voice whisper softly by his temple, low and hoarse, with an indescribable softness and sweetness.
“Not bad at kissing. How about another?”
Fu Shen was indeed handsome, but due to his temperament, he was mostly serious and cold, and he was quite skilled at mockery. Yan Xiaohan often felt he was a “sharp-tongued” person in various ways.
But now, Fu Shen leaned against the bed, slightly tilting his head back, all his aura subdued, like a wild beast that had been stroked, with one hand even hooking around Yan Xiaohan’s neck.
He had just bathed, and his lips were slightly dry from the steam, warm and soft when kissing.
Yan Xiaohan was still restraining himself, lingering on his dry lips, gently nibbling the soft lip petals. He felt like he was standing at the edge of a cliff, repeatedly warning himself not to jump, yet unable to resist peeking down.
He ultimately couldn’t resist the temptation of instinct, and his tongue tip quickly and softly traced Fu Shen’s upper lip—
The hand on his neck instantly erupted with a force that could strangle someone.
He was indeed too eager. He suppressed his boiling emotions, closed his eyes, thinking that tonight’s moments of losing control were a bit too many.
As the shock subsided, Fu Shen loosened his hand, embarrassedly rubbing the spot he had gripped: “…Sorry.”
Yan Xiaohan chuckled softly: “Mm, I can see that.”
Fu Shen: “…”
Yan Xiaohan lowered his head to kiss the tip of his nose: “I’ll get the medicine. Calm down first. With such strength… how will I make further advances in the future?”
Fu Shen pushed him off the bed: “Bullshit about taking an inch, I think you need a beating to know your place.”
In the middle of the night, with distant thunder rumbling, Yan Xiaohan woke from his sleep. Before even opening his eyes, he first smelled the rainy scent coming through the window.
Immediately after, he heard the fine, dense sound of rain hitting the eaves.
The first rain of spring had finally arrived. Yan Xiaohan was still not fully awake, turning over and reaching out with his eyes closed to feel the other side of the bed. His hand landed on the raised brocade quilt beside him, lightly patting it twice.
Fu Shen was a light sleeper. On this gloomy, rainy day, his bones ached, waking him multiple times. Feeling Yan Xiaohan’s movement, he mumbled a drowsy “Hmm?”
“
“Does your leg hurt?” The person beside him languidly wrapped an arm around his waist, just awakened, his voice carrying a soft, intimate nasal tone, “It’s raining outside.”
Fu Shen softly whimpered: “Hurts… aching terribly…”
Yan Xiaohan propped himself up: “I’ll go find a hot water bottle.”
Fu Shen reached out, only catching his loose, flowing hair, silky like silk wrapping around his fingers, “Don’t trouble yourself, just keep sleeping.”
Yan Xiaohan had to lie back down. He shook out the blanket, covering Fu Shen, forcefully entering his quilt. Fu Shen surprisingly didn’t get angry, just lightly pushing at his shoulder: “What are you doing?”
“Move closer to me,” Yan Xiaohan spread his arms to embrace him, holding him in an intimately close position, “Alright, go back to sleep.”
After some rustling, Fu Shen found the position uncomfortably tight, wanting to move, but was unexpectedly lulled to sleep by the quiet night and warmth. The places that should ache still ached, but the sensation felt separated by a layer of tender protection.
He nestled into Yan Xiaohan’s neck, falling into a deep sleep.
The next morning, the light mountain rain continued. Fu Shen woke late.
With another gloomy, rainy day, he felt drowsy and unable to open his eyes.
The bed was empty, the light dim, the room damp and cool, but the quilt remained warm. He moved his leg, touching the hot water bottle beside him.
Most likely placed there by Yan Xiaohan after rising early, Fu Shen felt content, memories surfacing of last night’s intimate moments.
He savored the taste of the kiss, touching his painful knee, thinking: “I’m truly a soft-hearted fool.”
Just then, Yan Xiaohan entered.
In the courtyard, a small basket of fresh salted duck eggs was placed next to a stone table. Yan Fu and the other person sat opposite each other, one soaking duck eggs in liquor, the other rolling salt into jars.
The garden plot was neatly plowed, with newly sprouted green onions and vegetables. Beneath a large purple wisteria arbor, chickens and ducks ran around. While their hands were busy, they chatted. Shen Yice watched as a duck stepped over the foot of their esteemed inspector, and Yan Xiaohan mockingly said to Fu Shen: “The ancients spoke of scenery-ruining things – growing vegetables in an orchard, raising chickens and ducks under a flower arbor.”
Your courtyard has it all.”
Fu Shen, without looking up, retorted: “And isn’t there an even more scenery-ruining lame general who you’ve exclusively occupied?”
Yan Xiaohan immediately fell silent.
“Jizheng is here,” Yan Xiaohan noticed first, put down his work, and rose to greet him, his attitude natural and smooth.
“My lord, Marquis,” Shen Yice cupped his hands in greeting, unable to resist asking, “What is this…?”
Fu Shen laughed candidly: “Just a small hobby. Please don’t laugh, Master Shen.”
Shen Yice hurriedly responded: “How could I dare?”
Yan Xiaohan washed the salt from his hands and asked Shen Yice: “Any new news from the capital?”
“I’ve come precisely for that,” Shen Yice said, “Another Jin Wu Wei member died. Last night at midnight in the Cuijin Pavilion in the eastern city, reported this morning. The case has alarmed the Emperor, who orders you to return to the capital immediately. The case has been fully transferred to the Flying Dragon Guard.
Yan Xiaohan instinctively exchanged a glance with Fu Shen, who subtly shook his head, indicating he was not involved. Yan Xiaohan pondered briefly, then laughed without much sincerity: “How strange. Why are the Jin Wu Wei having such bad luck lately?” Shen Yice felt Yan Xiaohan might be suppressing anger, with his sarcasm particularly evident. Fu Shen leisurely said: “Since that’s the case, I won’t stay longer. Take care.”
The two seemed to have more to say and went to their rooms. Shen Yice sat in the courtyard, casually surveying the chickens and ducks, when suddenly his ears moved, and he turned his head in confusion. The bedroom window was only slightly ajar. He thought he might have heard a soft, low, almost moaning muffled sound.
