Chapter 47
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Fingertips were damp and soft.
Jiang Juan’s eyelashes fluttered. Drunk, his thoughts were slow, but the place his fingers touched was so beautifully colored that he subconsciously stroked it several times.
“…I want to drink.”
His response was more than half a beat slow. After a while, Jiang Juan answered vaguely, moving very slowly towards Xue Fangli.
The sweet scent of herbs and osmanthus blended together at this moment, making Jiang Juan’s body smell incredibly sweet, as if even his skin and flesh were sweet. Yet, he himself was unaware, still thinking about the drop of wine.
If he wanted to drink, he had to get it himself. Jiang Juan stared at the wine stain on the man’s lips in a daze, weakly pressing down on his shoulder and moving himself forward a bit.
Their noses touched, and their eyes met.
Their breaths mingled together.
No matter how clear the wine was, it couldn’t compare to the sweet softness of the young man in his arms.
Xue Fangli looked at him, his crimson lips curving slightly in a bewitching smile, his voice seductive, “If you want to drink, why don’t you come and get it?”
Jiang Juan raised his hand, his pale pink fingers touched Xue Fangli’s lips again, stroking them several times, and said slowly, “Okay.”
The next moment, Jiang Juan withdrew his hand, lowered his eyelashes, and licked his own fingers with his tongue.
He was licking the wine stains off his fingers.
Fearing he might fall, Xue Fangli kept him lightly in his arms, patiently waiting for his prey to take the bait. But seeing this scene, he suddenly tightened his grip on that slender waist.
Jiang Juan lowered his head, licking earnestly, unaware of the terrifying, even dangerous look on the other’s face. He only felt the tight grip hurting him, and said confusedly, “Your Highness, what are you doing?”
He put on an innocent look again.
He looked bewildered again.
Xue Fangli stared at him silently. When Jiang Juan heard no reply, he lightly licked his fingers again. His lips were pale, but his tongue was a striking red, leaving a wet trail, shiny and moist.
With a darkened expression, Xue Fangli’s rationality finally shattered. He was about to grasp Jiang Juan’s chin again, but Jiang Juan slowly asked, “Your Highness, do you want to drink too?”
“Let me give you a taste.”
As he spoke, Jiang Juan raised his hand to Xue Fangli’s lips, generously sharing with him.
Since he offered himself, Xue Fangli wouldn’t refuse. The timing was perfect; Xue Fangli didn’t want to restrain himself anymore and didn’t care about scaring him.
Gripping Jiang Juan’s wrist, Xue Fangli smirked, “Are you truly clueless, or just pretending with me?”
“I told you to get it yourself, not with your fingers.”
Jiang Juan blinked, not understanding what he meant. Seeing this, Xue Fangli lowered his head and bit Jiang Juan’s fingers, applying a bit of force as punishment.
Indeed, even his skin and flesh were sweet.
More delicious and intoxicating than autumn dew.
Though he didn’t bite hard, Jiang Juan frowned in pain, regretting sharing the pleasure. He tried to pull his hand back, but his wrist was held tightly. Unable to withdraw, he had to complain softly.
“…It hurts, don’t bite me.”
He often acted spoiled unintentionally, and now, drunk and unaware, his voice was soft, his gaze even softer, with a touch of grievance.
Jiang Juan: “I already let you taste the Autumn Dew White.”
Xue Fangli: “Not enough.”
He gazed at Jiang Juan, not only biting those beautiful fingertips but also lightly licking them.
It felt different from licking his own fingers, hotter and itchier. Jiang Juan curled his fingers slightly, but it was futile, as his fingertips were enveloped in the moist warmth of Xue Fangli’s mouth.
“Sweet.”
Gazing down at Jiang Juan, Xue Fangli slowly uttered two words, laden with meaning.
Jiang Juan had tasted the wine on his fingers and shook his head slowly, “Not sweet, very bland.”
Xue Fangli chuckled softly, “Sweet.”
They weren’t talking about the same thing, but Jiang Juan couldn’t understand and just stared blankly at his bitten fingers.
They seemed genuinely sweet, the small part in his mouth repeatedly licked and nibbled. Jiang Juan felt dizzy, forgetting to struggle, only yielding and letting it be.
After a long time, his hand was finally released. Xue Fangli no longer bullied him, pressing him into his arms. Jiang Juan obediently leaned on his shoulder, yet kept looking at his wet fingers.
“Does it still hurt?”
Xue Fangli asked lazily. Jiang Juan didn’t respond, still staring at his fingers. Then, without warning, he put his fingertips back into his mouth.
“Not sweet.”
He looked up, the wine making his face flush, his fluttering eyelashes spreading a breathtaking beauty, extremely seductive.
Realizing he was deceived, Jiang Juan frowned, “Not sweet at all, you lied.”
Faced with such an accusation, Xue Fangli didn’t respond immediately. He leisurely watched him for a moment before speaking slowly, “Maybe I licked it clean.”
“Next time, I’ll remember to leave some for you.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Juan agreed readily, as if accepting his explanation.
In reality, although Jiang Juan heard Xue Fangli’s words, he couldn’t comprehend them. He was too dazed and too tired. The Autumn Dew White was gone, his fingers weren’t sweet, so he rubbed against Xue Fangli’s embrace and closed his eyes gently.
From beginning to end, he had no defenses.
Seeing this, Xue Fangli brushed away his scattered hair, speaking casually, as if to Jiang Juan, or to himself.
“Let’s see how long I can wait for you.”
Jiang Juan slept soundly.
As soon as he closed his eyes, he fell into a deep sleep, his eyelashes fluttering slightly before settling into stillness.
His dream was sweet.
Chengde Hall.
The eldest prince, Xue Chaohua, sat by the chessboard, playing a game with someone. Zhang Gonggong quietly walked in, whispered a few words in his ear, and Xue Chaohua frowned upon hearing them.
“I see.”
He nodded, but obviously irritated, he couldn’t focus on the game anymore. The chess piece in his hand landed heavily. The person playing against him, Marquis Anping, raised his head and asked, “Your Highness, what happened?”
Xue Chaohua sighed, “It’s about Minister Li of the Ministry of Justice.”
Recently, Minister Li’s son, Li Ming, had offended Prince Li’s Royal Consort in a bookstore. According to the law, disrespecting those above should be punishable by death. But this matter could be as serious or as trivial as one wanted. Minister Li was also a distant relative of Xue Chaohua’s mother’s family, so he should plead for leniency.
In fact, Xue Chaohua had already tried. But the last time he sought an audience with Emperor Hongxing, he didn’t find the right moment. The Emperor was still considering how to reward Old Five, so any plea from him would be unwelcome. Thus, he hadn’t brought it up again.
Emperor Hongxing was a broad-minded person, usually unconcerned with formalities, except when it came to state affairs where he strictly forbade any interference from the harem. His mother, Imperial Consort Mei, was anxiously pacing, unable to intervene directly, and would send people to Chengde Hall to urge him four or five times a day.
Xue Chaohua sighed, “Father is exceptionally indulgent with Old Five. If this matter didn’t involve him, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”
He had a good relationship with Marquis Anping, who, having lost both parents, received the emperor’s compassion and was allowed to study together with the eldest prince at Daben Hall. They were close in age, and with Marquis Anping’s stable personality and prestigious background, Xue Chaohua had intentionally fostered a close relationship with him, sharing many things without concealment.
Upon hearing this, Marquis Anping’s expression shifted.
He had been present on the day of Li Ming’s incident, and the words Li Ming had spoken that offended Prince Li’s Royal Consort had greatly embarrassed Marquis Anping. However, truth be told, Li Ming’s crime was not deserving of death.
Reflecting on this, Marquis Anping advised, “Your Highness, the person who tied the bell should untie it.”
Xue Chaohua smiled bitterly, “I’ve thought of that too, but that Old Five is just a—” He mouthed the word “madman” silently and said, “Who knows what kind of madness he’ll exhibit if things don’t go his way.”
Marquis Anping remained silent for a moment before suggesting, “Your Highness, have you considered asking Prince Li’s Royal Consort for help?”
Mentioning Jiang Juan, Marquis Anping felt a complex emotion.
He never understood how, after Jiang Juan married into the Prince of Li’s residence, he seemed to have undergone a complete transformation within a few days. His past insecurities and gloom were gone, and even his feelings towards himself had vanished.
Did he really have feelings for me?
Marquis Anping couldn’t help but question this.
Since their encounter at the bookstore, Marquis Anping had seen Jiang Juan from a distance in the Baihua Garden. At that time, Jiang Juan was in the arms of Prince Li, looking so obedient that it stirred a hidden sense of regret in Marquis Anping’s heart.
—If I hadn’t broken off the engagement, would it be me holding Jiang Juan now?
Deep in thought, Marquis Anping’s face showed no sign of his inner turmoil. However, Xue Chaohua, enlightened by his suggestion, exclaimed, “That’s a good idea! Marquis, you might be right. It might just work!”
“Father already issued a decree to vent his anger for Old Five, so instead of appealing to Father, we might as well ask Prince Li’s Royal Consort for help. I saw how well Old Five treats his consort—” Xue Chaohua recalled the incident, though Marquis Anping had seen Jiang Juan in the Baihua Garden, unaware that even in the palace, Xue Fangli had carried Jiang Juan all the way to the carriage. Xue Chaohua remarked, “Though Old Five is mad, he dotes on his consort very much.”
Dotes on his consort?
Could the notoriously brutal Prince Li really know how to pamper someone?
Marquis Anping sneered, feeling an inexplicable irritation. Xue Chaohua, encouraged by the idea, immediately made plans, “I’ll have someone prepare. Tonight, I’ll invite Old Five and his consort over. Then, I’ll find a way to distract Old Five and plead with his consort.”
After speaking, Xue Chaohua remembered something and shook his head, “But that’s not quite right.”
Prince Li’s Royal Consort Jiang Juan, before marrying into the prince’s residence, was not sociable and rarely interacted with people. Xue Chaohua was not acquainted with him and asking for help suddenly seemed abrupt. However, there was one person to whom Prince Li’s Royal Consort might give face.
“Marquis,” Xue Chaohua said, “I heard that Prince Li’s Royal Consort had a past relationship with you before marrying into the prince’s residence. Could you perhaps…”
Marquis Anping understood his meaning, “That’s all in the past.”
Xue Chaohua dismissed this, “That’s easy to say, but no matter how long ago it was, there must be some lingering feelings.”
“Speaking of which, I once had an old flame outside the palace. I still keep the hairpin she gave me and often take it out to admire. Thinking of our past love and knowing she is now married to another, I can’t help but feel a lingering attachment. Unfortunately, when we meet again, we can only be strangers because of public opinion.”
Marquis Anping’s expression shifted upon hearing this and he suddenly recalled a jade pendant.
The jade pendant symbolized their engagement and should have been broken, yet Jiang Juan had kept it.
Did he keep the pendant out of lingering affection, similar to the Eldest Prince?
Though Jiang Juan no longer showed any feelings for him and didn’t want to reminisce, could it be due to fear of public opinion?
Xue Chaohua, unaware of Marquis Anping’s thoughts, assumed he was worried about the Prince of Li, and said, “Rest assured, I will arrange it so you can be alone with the consort, without implicating you.”
Marquis Anping typically avoided getting involved in such matters, knowing how to protect himself. However, Jiang Juan’s attitude towards him at the bookstore had left Marquis Anping feeling like a bone was stuck in his throat. Perhaps out of dissatisfaction or curiosity, Marquis Anping ultimately agreed to Xue Chaohua’s request.
“…Alright.”
Xue Chaohua was overjoyed and patted his shoulder, then said to Zhang Gonggong, “Quick, prepare a banquet!”
Zhang Gonggong hurried to give orders but, after a few steps, remembered something and softly said, “Your Highness, this is rather unfortunate. Didn’t you just send away all the singers and dancers a few days ago? Preparing a banquet without any entertainment seems inappropriate.”
Indeed, that had happened, and Xue Chaohua had almost forgotten. However, he didn’t take it to heart and casually said, “No matter, just go to the Hongxiu Pavilion and have the madam select a few good singers and dancers to send over.”
Zhang Gonggong complied, “Yes, Your Highness.”
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