Chapter 76
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This kiss was too inexperienced.
He was like a small animal, only able to nuzzle close and lightly lick with his tongue, his eyelashes fluttering softly.
Xue Fangli let him kiss—or rather, nuzzle against him repeatedly. Yet, just when Jiang Juan thought it was enough, Xue Fangli’s slender fingers pressed against the back of his head, not allowing him to pull away.
“Your Highness…”
Jiang Juan called out to him, his voice a bit muffled. But as soon as he opened his mouth, Xue Fangli’s lips and tongue took the opportunity to invade again. The previous kiss had been so fierce that it had thoroughly frightened Jiang Juan.
He shook his head desperately, pushing weakly with his hands. Xue Fangli lowered his head, his gaze fierce, “What’s this? Not letting me kiss you again?”
“No.”
Jiang Juan, as always, was oblivious to the danger but managed to defuse it lightly. It seemed like he was pleading or perhaps even acting coquettishly, as he said, “Your Highness, please be gentler. Don’t hurt me again.”
Xue Fangli remained silent, looking at him for a long while. Then he leaned in for another kiss. Jiang Juan, not getting a response, was too scared to let him kiss. He put his hand on Xue Fangli’s lips, nervously saying, “Promise me first.”
He had just been kissed to tears, the traces of water spreading across his face. The palace lamps flickered, casting a warm light, making him look breathtakingly beautiful, like the hues of dawn.
Xue Fangli’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He let out a sound of acknowledgment, but his grip on Jiang Juan’s wrist was far from gentle.
His hands were forcefully pinned against the rockery as Xue Fangli kissed him hard. Jiang Juan thought he had been tricked again, yet when their lips and tongues met once more, Xue Fangli kept his promise.
Unlike before, where it felt like a siege, this time it was more like a tasting. His tongue roamed around, intertwining at times, their heated breaths mingling, everything damp and intimate.
Jiang Juan was kissed until he could barely stand. His limbs were turning weak, and the hard rocks behind him were causing him pain, yet he didn’t complain for once.
His Highness wasn’t being fierce; he liked this way of kissing.
Who knows how long it lasted. When the kiss finally ended, Jiang Juan lifted his head, panting lightly. His eyes were misty, and his pale lips were reddened from the kiss, still glistening with moisture. He looked like a drenched, crumpled begonia petal, as if a slight squeeze would wring out its juice.
“You cried from being kissed again.”
Xue Fangli’s voice was hoarse as he wiped the moisture from Jiang Juan’s face, but Jiang Juan refused to admit it. “What do you mean cried from being kissed again? I didn’t.”
Xue Fangli asked, “Then what is this?”
He showed his hand to Jiang Juan, the fingertips glistening with moisture.
“If it’s not tears, then what kind of water is it?”
Jiang Juan: “…It’s not that I cried again.”
Xue Fangli continued, “In the restaurant once, and just now twice. When didn’t you cry?”
Jiang Juan argued, “It wasn’t you who made me cry in the restaurant.”
Xue Fangli asked, “Then why were you crying?”
Jiang Juan hesitated but decided to defend himself. “I was just thinking, what would I do if you were gone.”
Xue Fangli was taken aback. “Worried about me?”
Jiang Juan still felt embarrassed and changed his phrasing, awkwardly saying, “I don’t want to be a widow just yet.”
Xue Fangli stared at him for a long time before his lips curled into a faint smile. “How coincidental, I don’t want to be a widower just yet either.”
Jiang Juan lowered his head, playing with Xue Fangli’s fingers. When he fell silent, Xue Fangli also stopped talking, but the atmosphere became strangely delicate.
He should say something, right?
But what should he say?
“Your Highness, please take care of your health.”
No.
That sounded too much like a farewell speech.
He needed to say something else.
“Your Highness, I…”
“I have feelings for you. Do you have any objections?”
Jiang Juan froze, his breath hitching. He unconsciously fiddled with Xue Fangli’s fingers. After a long while, he slowly shook his head. “I don’t seem to have any objections.”
Xue Fangli laughed softly, seemingly casual as he asked Jiang Juan, “Do you have nothing else to say to me?”
Jiang Juan hesitated, “I guess I do.”
He lowered his head again, his eyelashes fluttering. After a long while, he quietly asked, “Then… Your Highness, am I your Royal Consort now?”
He used to just be acting, but now he really wanted to be the prince’s Royal Consort.
But Xue Fangli said, “Not yet.”
Jiang Juan was confused, “Huh?”
Xue Fangli didn’t explain further, just pulled Jiang Juan into his arms again. Jiang Juan obediently rested against his shoulder, burying his face in it, when he heard Xue Fangli say, “I have feelings for you, and all you have to say is ‘I don’t seem to have any objections?'”
Jiang Juan tried to remain composed, “…What else, then?”
Xue Fangli chuckled softly, “Why are you willing to let me kiss you?”
Of course, it was because it was His Highness.
He liked being kissed by His Highness.
He also… liked His Highness.
But Jiang Juan found it hard to say. After some thought, he came up with a compromise. He lifted his head, his eyes sparkling, “You are my husband. If I don’t let you kiss me, should I let Marquis Anping kiss me instead?”
“…”
Xue Fangli paused, a faint smile on his lips, “You really know how to hit where it hurts.”
Feeling guilty under Xue Fangli’s gaze, Jiang Juan quickly hid in his embrace. Xue Fangli looked at him for a moment and said leisurely, “I’ll give you more time to think about what you really want to say.”
As long as he wasn’t being pressured, Jiang Juan was fine with anything. He responded with an “Oh,” shrinking like a little quail.
His Highness obviously knew.
Why did he have to hear it out loud?
Couldn’t he just understand without it being said?
Jiang Juan secretly complained in his heart.
His Highness is so annoying.
Yangxin Hall.
Though it was late, the hall was still brightly lit.
Emperor Hongxing was coughing incessantly. Chief Steward Wang stood behind him, patting him lightly with concern until the emperor waved him away. Only then did Chief Steward Wang step aside.
“You three are the ones I rely on the most.”
Emperor Hongxing’s gaze swept over Jiang Sentao, Gu Yunzhi, and Su Feiyue, his voice weak, “One is my great general, another is my prime minister, and you… Su Feiyue, I still regret what happened.”
“I know you don’t want to serve in the court because of unresolved issues,” Emperor Hongxing sighed, “What happened back then almost cost you your life in Lingnan, and your master, Bai Xuechao, disheartened, resigned from his position. It was my fault.”
He sighed deeply, “My negligence caused me to lose two valued ministers.”
Su Feiyue smiled lightly, seemingly indifferent, “Your Majesty, it has been so long, I have long forgotten those matters and have no unresolved issues. Being a Prince Consort is too comfortable; I don’t want to return to the early mornings and late nights.”
He paused and added, “I have indeed had a wonderful life these years, with plenty of leisure time, traveling around with Fuying. I don’t know how envious General Jiang and Prime Minister Gu are.”
Emperor Hongxing shook his head, offering a bitter smile, “…… Fangli’s temperament is different from mine. I am indecisive, but he is not. Since you say you have forgotten, then assist Fangli in the future.”
Finally getting to the point, he glanced at the other two and said slowly, “I have decided to make Fangli the crown prince.”
“Your Majesty! This is absolutely unacceptable!”
Gu Yunzhi’s eyelid twitched, frowning as he spoke out.
Emperor Hongxing had long considered making Prince Li the crown prince, and this was not the first time he had mentioned it. Su Feiyue had not been present before, but Jiang Sentao had been, and he shared Gu Yunzhi’s concerns.
Prince Li’s violent temperament made him unfit to be a ruler.
Previously, the two of them had managed to dissuade Emperor Hongxing, but they knew it was only temporary. They couldn’t ultimately sway the emperor’s opinion, hoping only to delay as long as possible.
This time, however, Gu Yunzhi was surprised to find that he was the only one trying to persuade the emperor, while Su Feiyue and Jiang Sentao stood still, showing no intention of asking the emperor to retract his decision.
Gu Yunzhi: “???”
Ignoring Su Feiyue for now, Gu Yunzhi asked Jiang Sentao, “General Jiang, do you…. have any new thoughts recently?”
Jiang Sentao, understanding his meaning, responded straightforwardly, “I used to think the prince harbored too much hatred to be fit for the throne, but after meeting with the prince and the Royal Consort today, I found… the prince has changed significantly. He can bear this responsibility.”
Gu Yunzhi: “……”
Jiang Sentao’s attitude had changed so drastically that Gu Yunzhi couldn’t make sense of it. He turned to ask Su Feiyue, “Prince Consort, do you also think the prince is suitable?”
Su Feiyue, smiling, said, “The prince is indeed capable of great responsibility. His talents far surpass ours, but he has always been reluctant to show them. In the past, the prince had no attachments, but now he has a constraint, making him an excellent choice.”
“Constraint?”
Gu Yunzhi was puzzled but saw Jiang Sentao nodding in agreement, making him even more confused. “What constraint?”
Su Feiyue chuckled, “Prime Minister, you really are busy and unaware.”
He didn’t keep them guessing, “His constraint is none other than His Royal Consort.”
“His Royal Consort has a kind heart, and the prince indulges him. Over time, the prince ’s actions have become more measured and less capricious.”
Gu Yunzhi, having been busy lately, was astonished by this revelation.
Emperor Hongxing was also quite surprised. He had expected all three of them to voice some opposition, but unknowingly, only Gu Yunzhi still had reservations.
This was a good sign, and Emperor Hongxing was pleased.
Su Feiyue’s words were accurate. This kingdom belonged to the emperor, and the choice of the crown prince depended on whom Emperor Hongxing valued more. The reason he repeatedly consulted them was simply to ensure that these three would wholeheartedly support Xue Fangli in the future.
Emperor Hongxing, satisfied, said, “Indeed, that Royal Consort has truly changed him.”
“Since none of you have objections, let it be so.”
Su Feiyue and Jiang Sentao naturally had no objections, but Gu Yunzhi remained worried. However, he couldn’t voice his concerns and merely joined Su Feiyue and Jiang Sentao in bowing and saying, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Hongxing, looking weary, waved them off, “I have no other matters. You may all leave.”
After saluting, the three of them exited Yangxin Hall together. Gu Yunzhi was still anxious. Seeing this, Su Feiyue laughed and said, “Prime Minister, don’t fret. If you don’t trust General Jiang and me, take some time to visit the prince and His Royal Consort yourself.”
Gu Yunzhi replied perfunctorily, “Hmm, I’ll find time to pay them a visit.”
Could a single visit change his mind?
He didn’t think so.
An hour later.
Returning to Prince Li Residence, it was already very late.
Jiang Juan had fallen asleep as soon as he got on the carriage. He slept soundly and didn’t wake up even when carried the whole way.
Xue Fangli placed him on the bed. Lan Ting brought a basin of hot water to wipe Jiang Juan’s face. Xue Fangli watched for a moment before walking out.
Outside the Liangfeng Courtyard, there was a pavilion.
Wisteria flowers climbed all over the pavilion, hanging down like a waterfall. Xue Fangli, with a cold expression, brushed aside the hanging flowers and sat inside.
Before long, Steward Gao arrived with wine and cups.
He was quite puzzled. Ever since His Royal Consort moved into the Liangfeng Courtyard, their prince seemed to have had no trouble sleeping, always staying by His Royal Consort’s side. Tonight was quite unusual.
However, it was not his place to question his master’s affairs, no matter how unusual they were. Steward Gao obediently poured the wine. Xue Fangli picked up a cup, gazing into it for a long time without drinking, looking thoughtful.
“Gao De.”
Steward Gao responded promptly, “Yes, Your Highness, what is it?”
Xue Fangli, in a calm tone, said, “In the past, you said… what did His Royal Consort like about me?”
Steward Gao was taken aback and tentatively answered, “That His Royal Consort liked that Your Highness was a good person?”
Xue Fangli closed his eyes slightly. “In your opinion, am I a good person?”
Steward Gao: “……”
Before His Royal Consort married into the Prince’s Mansion, everyone in the mansion lived in fear because of His Highness’s terrifying madness. Naturally, he couldn’t be considered a good person.
But after His Royal Consort arrived, His Highness did restrain himself a lot, even putting on the act of being a good person for His Royal Consort. However, this was only in front of His Royal Consort; he still couldn’t be called a good person.
Steward Gao, being quite shrewd, flattered, “Your Highness, whether you are a good person doesn’t matter. As long as His Royal Consort thinks you are a good person, then you are a good person.”
Xue Fangli smiled slightly, his tone mocking, “Am I supposed to deceive him for a lifetime?”
Steward Gao dared not make a sound. After a long silence, Xue Fangli spoke slowly again, “What if I can’t deceive him? What if he finds out… that I am not good?”
Steward Gao was stunned for a moment. After a long time, he whispered, “His Royal Consort and Your Highness are inseparable. Your Highness has punished many people for His Royal Consort and has not avoided bloodshed. His Royal Consort should have some understanding of what kind of person you are, shouldn’t he?”
“He doesn’t know.”
Xue Fangli lowered his eyelids. “I have never let him witness any bloodshed.”
When Jiang Juan was present, he never acted ruthlessly, and he never did it himself. But when Jiang Juan wasn’t around, he used a hundred different cruel methods like cutting tongues and gouging eyes. In his subconscious, Jiang Juan couldn’t accept these things and would be horrified by his brutality.
Love begets sorrow, and love begets fear.
Initially, he found it amusing. No one had ever trusted him this much. He didn’t mind playing the part of a good person for Jiang Juan. Whether Jiang Juan would discover the truth was something he didn’t care about. He even curiously guessed Jiang Juan’s reaction.
——With such a timid nature, he would be terrified, wouldn’t he?
Now, all he felt was panic.
He might be able to deceive him for a long time, or perhaps not for long. He feared Jiang Juan would be scared and feared Jiang Juan would…
Fear him.
The night wind blew, making the wisteria flowers rustle. Petals fell to the ground and floated into the wine cup. Xue Fangli’s dark clothes fluttered in the wind, but his expression was desolate.
With a “bang,” he put down the wine cup, having not taken a sip, and turned to leave.
Steward Gao watched for a long time and could only sigh.
He wasn’t sure what His Royal Consort would think, but one thing was clear.
Their prince was truly ensnared.
Author’s Note: This phrase comes from “The Verses on Seeking the Dharma by the King of Wonderful Colors”: Because of love, there is sorrow; because of love, there is fear.
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