ABD - Chapter 57

Shen Xuan lifted the curtain and, somewhat weak-kneed, stepped out of the carriage.

Xue Fenglin followed him out, looking radiant. However, after only two steps, he stopped and said to Shen Xuan, "Shen Ger, I injured my leg previously, and it hasn't fully healed. Just now, with your weight on it, my leg has started hurting again. What should I do?"

Shen Xuan looked back at Xue Fenglin, who had a smiling face and showed no sign of injury, making Shen Xuan feel a bit speechless.

He thought to himself that Xue Fenglin was probably faking it again, so he sternly said, "Who told you to insist on having me sit on your lap? Even if you're injured, you brought it on yourself. What good is telling me?"

After saying this, he turned and walked a few steps forward without looking back. Then he heard a hiss from behind. Xue Fenglin frowned with a pained expression and took two steps forward somewhat unnaturally.

'Could it really have been hurted by my weight?' Shen Xuan's heart skipped a beat. He immediately walked back a few steps to Xue Fenglin's side, wanting to examine his leg to see how badly it was injured.

Xue Fenglin took the opportunity to lean half his weight onto Shen Xuan, saying, "Up those steps ahead is the observation deck. There's a small shelter on the platform where we can avoid the rain. Help me in so I can rest."

Shen Xuan looked and saw that the observation pavilion was built very high, with a stone platform over three meters tall below it, and the stairs were quite steep. 

There was indeed a small house at the top, with a visible eaves, looking like a place specifically used by the Ye family for resting.

Shen Xuan helped Xue Fenglin all the way up to the observation deck. Upon reaching the house, he realized it was larger than he had imagined, with the characters "清凉阁" (Qingtaels Pavilion) written prominently above the entrance.

Inside the pavilion were three rooms, complete with a latrine and kitchen, making it convenient even for a short stay of a few days.

As soon as they reached the entrance, Shen Xuan saw Wuxin emerge from the middle room. Upon seeing Xue Fenglin, he bowed his head and reported, "Young Master, Qingtaels Pavilion has been prepared as you instructed."

"Wuxin, your Young Master has injured his leg. Why aren't you hurrying over to help him in?" Shen Xuan immediately said to Wuxin.

However, just as Wuxin was about to step forward, he saw Xue Fenglin's gaze and retreated two steps. He then said to Shen Xuan, 

"Shen Ger, Qingtaels Pavilion hasn't had visitors in a long time, and there's too much to tidy up. I need to go busy myself. Since you're already at the door, please help The Shizi inside."

Shen Xuan: "..."

Before he could say anything more, Wuxin swiftly vanished.

Shen Xuan turned his head to glance at Xue Fenglin, who was leaning on him, but Xue Fenglin looked at him innocently and said, 

"This place in the mountains is remote, and there's only Wuxin and Wuwang to serve. It's truly not very convenient."

Shen Xuan looked at Xue Fenglin, truly unable to discern if he was actually hurt or not. The place was very secluded. After Wuwang stopped the carriage, he had disappeared to who knows where.

Looking around, Shen Xuan couldn't find anyone else to serve Xue Fenglin, so he had no choice but to help him into the room himself.

Although the room wasn't large, it was elegantly furnished. There was a table in the middle, already laid with tea and fruit. Behind it was a large, soft couch covered with excellent silk cushions.

Shen Xuan settled Xue Fenglin onto the soft couch, then looked at him and said, "Since your leg is injured, you should rest well here. I'll ask Wuxin to invite a physician to take a look in a while."

After Shen Xuan finished speaking, he was about to turn and find someone. However, just as he took a step, Xue Fenglin suddenly pulled him back, pressed his shoulders, and made him sit on the couch. "Don't go. Just sit here with me. I have many things to interrogate you about."

Shen Xuan was startled. "Interrogate me? Why? I haven't done anything?"

Xue Fenglin's face then darkened. "Since you like me, why have you repeatedly rejected me? If it weren't for the Xue family inadvertently bringing you to the capital, we would never have met again. Wouldn't we have just missed each other?"

Being questioned by Xue Fenglin like this, Shen Xuan felt a pang of guilt and didn't know what to say, only lowering his head in silence.

Xue Fenglin looked displeased and pressed on, "Never mind. Let's not talk about what happened before. I ask you now. When you told Commander Pei you liked me, was it true or false?"

Seeing that Xue Fenglin indeed already knew about his conversation with Commander Pei, and was looking at him with an expectant gaze, Shen Xuan nodded and said, "It's true. I truly... like you."

As soon as Shen Xuan's words fell, a very bright smile instantly bloomed on Xue Fenglin's face.

Before Shen Xuan could react, Xue Fenglin secured his lower back, a dark shadow fell over him, and his lips were completely covered.

Xue Fenglin's clothes carried a faint, delightful scent of snow plum.

Shen Xuan felt somewhat intoxicated by the plum fragrance surrounding him. His lips parted slightly, and he was conquered, feeling an inexplicable heat rise within him.

After an unknown amount of time, Xue Fenglin finally released Shen Xuan. Shen Xuan's entire face, down to his earlobes, was crimson, and his lips felt a little sore and tingly, slightly swollen.

Xue Fenglin's lips looked so soft, but when it actually happened, Shen Xuan found his actions to be very forceful, almost making him unable to bear it.

Having lived two lives, Shen Xuan might not have "eaten pork, but he had seen pigs run." Although he had never been in a proper romantic relationship, he knew exactly what was supposed to happen.

Desire for food and sex is human nature. After being so fiercely kissed by Xue Fenglin, Shen Xuan's mind was a mess, and he felt a vague stirring of passion.

At the same time, a hint of sourness crossed his mind: 'Compared to my inexperience, is Xue Fenglin's technique a bit too good?'

Xue Fenglin, meanwhile, smiled, pinching Shen Xuan's chin as he asked, "What good thing did you think of? Tell me too? Why are your eyes watery with happiness?"

Shen Xuan was somewhat annoyed by Xue Fenglin's teasing. He couldn't help but say, "I just think Young Master, you seem so skilled. You look quite experienced in such matters."

Xue Fenglin paused at his words, then curved his lips into a smile. He rubbed Shen Xuan's lips with his thumb and said, "Compared to Shen Ger, I am indeed experienced. After all, I've already practiced more outrageous things countless times in my mind."

As soon as Xue Fenglin said this, Shen Xuan's face, down to his neck, turned beet red. He sat awkwardly on the couch, not daring to say anything more, fearing he might provoke the other party to say something even more outrageous.

Fortunately, Xue Fenglin let him off the hook this time. Instead, he picked up an orange and offered it to Shen Xuan, saying, "Eat some fruit. Don't be so nervous."

Those more outrageous things, he would naturally do them, but now was not the time. He couldn't scare Shen Xuan away.

"Shen Xuan, I'll ask you one more time. Are you willing to stay in the capital and accompany me?" Xue Fenglin suddenly said.

Seeing Shen Xuan look up at him, Xue Fenglin gave a wry smile. "My situation in the capital, you've seen it with your own eyes. It's a den of dragons and tigers, and I know you don't like it, so I don't want to force you. If you're unwilling, I'll naturally treat you as before, and when the right opportunity arises in the future, I'll release you from the engagement."

His mother died young, and his father was unkind. Though Xue Fenglin bore the title of Young Master, he lived every step with extreme caution.

Every step had to be calculated. For the sake of his future career, he gave up many things he liked.

Only Shen Xuan, he was unwilling to give up. He wanted to be selfish and keep him by his side for life.

Yet, even so, he placed the decision-making power in Shen Xuan's hands, letting him decide everything, which was the greatest respect he could show Shen Xuan.

This was because Xue Fenglin feared that his selfishness might harm Shen Xuan, fearing that he would live a melancholic life if he stayed in the capital, just like his own mother...

Shen Xuan looked at Xue Fenglin's expression, seeing his beautiful phoenix eyes filled with anticipation and anxiety, nervously awaiting his answer.

Such a favored son of heaven, yet he could respect Shen Xuan at every turn, prioritizing his will. This alone showed that his love and respect for Shen Xuan surpassed himself, and this single point had already made Shen Xuan secretly determined.

"Although it's a den of dragons and tigers ahead..." Shen Xuan paused, then said, "Since you're already here, how could I not face danger with you? I mean, I like you, don’t I?"

Xue Fenglin froze for a moment, his eyes shining brightly, tinged with a hint of disbelief.

After a moment of processing, he pulled Shen Xuan into his embrace. Another kiss landed, and then he said in a hoarse voice, "You promised this yourself. From now on, you're mine. I won't give you another chance to leave."

***

Outside Qingtaels Pavilion was a picturesque landscape, like a painting. Xue Fenglin had said he brought Shen Xuan up the mountain to admire the view, but he didn't give him much opportunity to do so.

The two had just confirmed their feelings and were in the throes of passion. Xue Fenglin, rarely getting to see Shen Xuan, couldn't help but hold him on the couch and kiss him repeatedly. 

He only reluctantly let go when Shen Xuan was practically breathless and feeling lightheaded from the kissing.

By now, the sky outside Qingtaels Pavilion had turned a purplish-red, indicating dusk was approaching.

Wuxin, who had disappeared earlier without a trace, suddenly reappeared. He came outside the pavilion and knocked on the door. "Young Master, it's getting late. If we don't descend the mountain soon, the path will be difficult in the dark."

Xue Fenglin said with some reluctance, "After this parting, I'll be back at the Imperial Academy, and it's likely we won't see each other before the New Year."

However, Shen Xuan and he were still not married, and Nanny You was keeping an eye on the Shen residence, so he couldn't keep Shen Xuan any longer.

Xue Fenglin had no choice but to get up and walk out of Qingtaels Pavilion with Shen Xuan, returning to the carriage.

When he descended the mountain again, his steps were remarkably agile, with no trace of any injury.

Seeing this, Shen Xuan confirmed that he had indeed been tricked by Xue Fenglin earlier. He said somewhat exasperatedly, "Xue Fenglin, your leg recovered really fast."

Xue Fenglin, however, showed no embarrassment. Instead, he smiled and spoke nonsense, "With you as my remedy, Shen Ger, my injuries are healing incredibly fast."

His thick-skinned nature simply left Shen Xuan in awe.

Shen Xuan's tongue was already swollen from Xue Fenglin's kisses. Fearing that Xue Fenglin would kiss him again, he ignored him.

On the way back, he obediently nestled in Xue Fenglin's arms, silent throughout the journey.

At the foot of the mountain, as soon as the carriage came to a complete stop, Shen Xuan immediately jumped out. Xue Fenglin followed closely behind him.

The sky was almost completely dark now, and most of the guests had left the Ye family's hunting grounds.

Seeing Shen Xuan return, Jin Gui and Suyue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Lady Ye was still waiting in the enclosure. Seeing Shen Xuan return looking flushed with happiness, and Xue Fenglin following behind him with a triumphant expression, her expression shifted rapidly, as if her emotions were being painted over one after another.

She glared at Xue Fenglin in exasperation, let out an angry huff, and turned away, flinging her sleeve.

After she left, Ye Chen came to Xue Fenglin and said, "You really angered my mother today, even threatening her with our family's relationship. I heard my brother sent you a message, and I gave you the key to Qingtaels Pavilion. My mother said we both favor outsiders and scolded me severely. You owe me one."

"I'll repay that favor next time," Xue Fenglin said, patting Ye Chen's shoulder. "But from now on, no matter what Aunt thinks, you can't help her interfere in this matter again."

"You're protecting him tightly, aren't you?" Ye Chen couldn't help but glance meaningfully at Shen Xuan, seeing that he had already boarded the carriage with his servants. Ye Chen then said, 

"My mother, after all, only wants to find him a good match so you can be at ease. She didn't actually do anything, did she? Commander Pei is a capable subordinate of my father, with a bright future ahead of him. It's not like he genuinely looks down on a country ger like Shen Xuan."

"It's best if he looks down on him. Shen Xuan's good qualities are for me alone to know," Xue Fenglin said, glaring fiercely at Ye Chen, then left without looking back.

"Does he like him that much?" Ye Chen looked at Xue Fenglin's retreating back and sighed thoughtfully.

His elder brother, Ye Mi, had had a long talk with him today, telling him not to interfere in the matters between Xue Fenglin and Shen Xuan, lest it harm their brotherhood. Ye Chen had been somewhat dismissive then.

Now, it seemed his elder brother saw things more clearly than he did. This Shen Ger's position in Xue Fenglin's heart was already very significant.​