Chapter 45: A Secret Affair

Chapter 45: A Secret Affair

When Consort Lu proposed taking the tyrant out for fun, he hadn't considered the difficulty of leaving the palace. After all, he himself was the tyrant of Southern Chu, often mingling with the people during festivals and holidays.

In previous years, it was his sister, Lu Zhaoping, who accompanied him. But now that Zhaoping has found someone she loves, it's time for him, as her brother, to step aside.

However, dealing with the tyrant proved to be much more challenging than with his sister...

Xie Xuan Yuan's expression clearly showed he was moved, but he quickly concealed his true feelings, adopting an indifferent demeanor as he said:

"Outside the palace is bustling with people, I'm not interested in going. Besides, you've put so much effort into sneaking into the palace alone, taking me would likely mean we couldn't even get out of the palace gates. If the emperor of Southern Chu finds out, it won't end well for us."

Consort Lu, hearing the tyrant's words, discerned his concern for his safety and couldn't help feeling pleased, pressing closer to ask, "Your Majesty refuses to go because you're worried about my safety?"

Caught in his small thoughts, the tyrant's face showed disdain and displeasure: "Don't flatter yourself."

Consort Lu, well-versed in interpreting the tyrant's words inversely, began to lay out the floating yuanzi and dumplings on the table while explaining:

"Actually, a two or three-hour excursion from the palace isn't difficult. I've already thought of a foolproof way to avoid detection. It all depends on whether Your Majesty is willing..."

The room was dim, and the candlelight was not very bright. Under the light, the tyrant looked even more attractive. Xie Xuan Yuan's features, mostly inherited from his foreign mother, were delicate, with a high nose bridge and exceptionally striking eyes and brows.

Lu Changping watched him, and he too turned his head, looking intently at Consort Lu, waiting for his decision.

To this day, his partially blind eyes showed no improvement. Even though they were close, all he could see in his eyes was a tall, blurred figure. Yet, he was unwilling to look away for a long time.

The tyrant's gaze was so intense and affectionate that Consort Lu was the one who became nervous, lowering his head to absentmindedly count the floating yuanzi in his bowl.

After a while, he heard Xie Xuan Yuan's soft question beside him: "Is it really worth taking such a risk for me?"

Consort Lu dared not tell the tyrant that leaving the palace with someone was not risky at all. Not wanting to delve deeper into this issue, he lightly said, "As long as Your Majesty is happy, it's not considered a risk. Everything I do is out of willingness."

Yet, his words seemed to backfire, as the tyrant didn’t seem to shed his psychological burdens because of this “voluntary” gesture. Instead, he pursed his lips tighter, a fleeting glint of moisture appearing in his dim eyes.

Xie Xuan Yuan bowed his head, responding dryly, "I've agreed to leave the palace, but don't cause unnecessary trouble on the way. This decision was mine, and I'll bear all consequences. Should we encounter pursuers, don’t stay behind and become a burden..."

The Empress Dowager wished to persuade further, but then realized, perhaps this was the tyrant's own form of tenderness. Though not openly affectionate, his intentions were sincere and passionate.

The saying that adversity reveals true nature couldn’t be more accurate. No wonder the many romance stories Zhao Ping cherished often featured lovers eloping – it turns out, eloping really can deepen affection.

Understanding this, Lu Changping couldn’t help but smile, scooping up a spoonful of sesame-filled Yuanxiao to the tyrant's lips.

This guise of the Empress Dowager proved extremely effective; without even knowing what was on the spoon, Xie Xuan Yuan obediently opened his mouth, cooperating with the feeding.

Just a few days ago, he had been suspicious of the Emperor of Southern Chu, wondering if the carrots sent were an attempt at poisoning... Now, he appeared utterly unguarded.

Witnessing the tyrant's differential treatment firsthand, the Empress Dowager felt a mix of sourness and sweetness in her heart, eventually beginning to worry about her own future.

If one day the tyrant discovers that his beloved Consort Lu and the despised Emperor of Southern Chu are one and the same, his good days would undoubtedly come to an end.

……

After Chinese New Year's Eve comes Lantern Festival. In Southern Chu, it's customary to have a lantern market for five consecutive days around the festival, featuring a variety of novel performances.

During this time, young men and women of Southern Chu usually seize the opportunity to meet under the guise of admiring the lanterns, with well-matched pairs often forming auspicious matches.

Of these five days, the Lantern Festival itself is the busiest. Amidst the festive hustle and bustle, it provides the perfect chance for a stealthy palace escape.

Having decided to take the tyrant out of the palace for a diversion, Lu Changping had made preparations well in advance. This year, the palace banquet on Lantern Festival night ended unusually early, with the Princess of Southern Chu barely sharing three drinks with her royal brother before claiming to be overwhelmed by the alcohol and excusing herself.

His Majesty watched his sister, who was clearly not drunk yet pretending to be, with complex emotions. He guessed that Zhao Ping must have arranged to meet with Secretary Ji, eager to dress up and go out to enjoy the lanterns. But as her brother, even if he saw through her intentions, it was not his place to expose her.

However, Zhao Ping's departure conveniently allowed him to sneak out with his "secret lover" hidden in the palace to join in the festivities. Thus, Lu Changping merely ate his fill at the palace banquet, then hurriedly left after exchanging pleasantries with the attending royals and officials of Southern Chu.

Although initially concerned that the tyrant might feel stifled, prompting the suggestion to visit the lantern festival together, His Majesty had his own ulterior motives. Tonight, he was dressed in men's attire, yet the case he carried contained a set of women's clothing and jewelry.

When Xie Xuan Yuan let him in, His Majesty hesitated before saying, "Tonight, with everyone busy at the lantern festival, it's the perfect time to exploit the lax security within the palace. However..."

"However?" Xie Xuan Yuan frowned slightly, a look of concern appearing on his face. He had been looking forward to this excursion, but now it seemed it wasn't going to be as straightforward as he thought.

Seizing the opportunity to gain some favor from the tyrant during the festival, Lu Changping picked up where the tyrant left off with a serious demeanor:

"Though the palace guards may be lax, Your Majesty remains a focal point of attention for the Emperor of Southern Chu. With your distinguished appearance and demeanor, you would easily be recognized outside. To ensure a smooth outing, a disguise is necessary."

Whether truly convinced by Consort Lu's words or simply lacking in this knowledge, Xie Xuan Yuan pondered briefly before nodding in agreement, "You make a good point. How do you propose I disguise myself?"

Glancing at the tyrant's strikingly beautiful face and the slight bulge of his abdomen, Consort Lu lowered his voice and suggested, "Given Your Majesty's current condition, posing as a eunuch might arouse suspicion. In my opinion, it might be better to disguise as a woman for the time being..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the tyrant's frown deepened, clearly struggling to accept the idea.

Proud by nature, Xie Xuan Yuan, despite being pregnant, was reluctant to be treated as a woman.

He was about to refuse outright but then thought of Consort Lu, who had had to pose as a woman for months to avoid a forced marriage, softening his heart. Ultimately, he sighed deeply:

"Forget it. You've suffered enough for me these days, a little more hardship for your safety is nothing." Saying this, his handsome features suddenly showed a trace of fierceness, "This account will sooner or later be settled with that Emperor Lu Changping of Southern Chu. If the opportunity arises, I will make sure he pays dearly!"

Consort Lu was moved by his words, but hearing her own name cursed vehemently by Xie Xuan Yuan added to her confusion.

Fortunately, all of the tyrant's hatred was directed at the meddlesome Emperor of Southern Chu. In front of Consort Lu, he was nothing short of docile and endearing. Even when being meticulously made up at the dressing table, only his long eyelashes fluttered nervously, without any resistance.

Dressing as a woman might seem simple, but achieving a professional look is not easy. Wearing women's clothing is just the final step; the preparatory work of makeup, hair styling, and jewelry wearing is crucial. Any mistake in these steps can compromise the stunning final effect.

Luckily, with practice, Consort Lu's skills in dressing as a woman have become increasingly exquisite, and the tyrant, having a great foundation and being unusually cooperative, made the whole process take only half an hour.

When everything was finished, Consort Lu, admiring the beauty in the mirror who had undergone a gender transformation, was momentarily stunned by the stunning reflection.

The "woman" in the mirror, with fair skin and beautiful features, had a sharpness in her deep-set eyes, undoubtedly a beauty with a hint of northern charm. It's said that children resemble their mothers, and now Consort Lu could understand why rumors in the North Wei Palace spoke highly of Xie Xuan Yuan's mother's favor.

If Xie Xuan Yuan were not the Ninth Prince of North Wei but the Ninth Princess, with a slightly gentler disposition, she might have been hailed as "the most beautiful woman in North Wei," much like Zhao Ping.

Then, it wouldn't be him struggling with dressing as a woman for a political marriage to North Wei, but rather North Wei sending the "Ninth Princess" to the Southern Chu palace.

Xie Xuan Yuan, feeling the hands of Consort Lu on his shoulders for a long time without movement, clenched his fingers in growing embarrassment, "What? Do I look ugly dressed as a woman?"

Consort Lu wanted to correct the tyrant's grand misunderstanding without overly praising him, so he tried to keep his admiration hidden, "Your Majesty is always the most beautiful in my eyes, no matter the attire."

Clearly skeptical, Xie Xuan Yuan scoffed, staring at the vaguely feminine reflection in the mirror and said self-deprecatingly, "You don't have to be so cautious. Right now, I can't see anything, so mock me as you please."

He was in a surprisingly good mood tonight, almost indulgent towards the one he admired.

Before leaving, Consort Lu changed the tyrant into a new dress and, worried about the pregnant husband catching cold, thoughtfully draped a white cape trimmed with silver fox fur over him.

The cape, exquisite and luxurious, with a carefully tied bow at the neck, lent a regal, ethereal quality to the tyrant's tall and slender figure.

It was rare for Xie Xuan Yuan, who usually wore black, to don such a refreshingly colored garment. Consort Lu found it novel, lamenting the absence of a court painter to capture this rare beauty.

After secretly admiring the tyrant in drag, Consort Lu suddenly felt regret.

It would have been fine if Xie Xuan Yuan was dressed as a woman only to be admired by him alone in the palace. But having agreed to take him to the bustling lantern market, with its crowded and watchful eyes, how could he stand others coveting such beauty with ulterior motives?

Consort Lu paced around the room several times before finally pulling the hood of the white cape over Xie Xuan Yuan's head, covering half of his face with earnest care before feeling somewhat relieved.

At the end, she couldn't help but add, as if to justify her actions, "Your Majesty, it's cold in deep winter. It's important to keep warm."

Xie Xuan Yuan didn't suspect anything amiss and pulled the hood down further, perfectly revealing just a small portion of his delicate and attractive jawline.

Despite careful preparation, on their way out of the palace, Consort Lu found herself instinctively grasping the tyrant's slightly cold hand, as if fearing losing her precious "treasure." Upon reaching the lantern market, she stayed even closer to Xie Xuan Yuan's side.

However, Xie Xuan Yuan retained a bit of youthful spirit, having been cooped up in the Southern Chu palace for days, he felt extremely stifled. Now, with the rare chance to venture out with his beloved, his spirits were high. Despite being partially blind, he instinctively led Consort Lu towards the main street, where the lights shone brightest and the crowd buzzed loudest.

The lantern market was crowded not just with people but also with stalls, slowing down the pace of Consort Lu and the tyrant as they navigated through the throngs of young men and women.

Unable to see clearly, Xie Xuan Yuan's focus wasn't on the colorful lanterns hanging on both sides of the street. However, his other senses compensated, and he quickly noticed the sweet aroma of pastries and sugar paintings from nearby stalls. The tyrant, who had a sweet tooth, found himself irresistibly drawn to the scent and momentarily unable to move.

Consort Lu didn't have anything specific he wanted to buy; his attention was entirely on the tyrant's reactions. Seeing Xie Xuan Yuan slow down and hesitate, he knew there must be something of interest. Looking around, besides the various lanterns, only the sugar painting stall stood out.

He moved closer to Xie Xuan Yuan and asked in a considerate low voice, "Your Majesty, which sugar painting would you like? I'll ask the vendor to make it."

But Xie Xuan Yuan quickened his pace, trying to move away from the sugar painting stall, "No need. I don't want to eat."

Consort Lu found it strange, as Xie Xuan Yuan had just seemed very eager to eat. Wondering why he was being stubborn over such a trivial matter, he persisted, "The sugar paintings in Southern Chu are golden and translucent, sweet and melt in your mouth... Are you sure you don't want to try?"

Hearing Consort Lu persuading him like a peddler enticing a child, Xie Xuan Yuan couldn't help but smirk, "I said no means no. Before offering me food, you should check how much of your salary is left for this month..."

His defiance seemed petulant. He murmured quietly, "What's so special about sugar paintings? If you would just agree to come back with me and be the Empress, you could have as many as you want."

Consort Lu realized then that the tyrant wasn't indifferent to eating; he was merely trying to save money from his private stash...

The tyrant, once known for his extravagant spending in the North Guard for Consort Lu, has now also begun to learn the art of budgeting and saving money.

But was Consort Lu ever in a position that required the tyrant to endure hardships alongside him? Not to mention the state treasury, just the private vault within the Southern Chu palace alone was more than enough to cover the huge expenses of the palace for decades to come.

However, since the tyrant thought him to be poor and showed such considerate care, it was an opportunity for Consort Lu to increase his favorability.

Consort Lu grabbed Xie Xuan Yuan's hand, pulling back the person who was about to walk away, and said:

"Your Majesty is right, a sugar painting costs but a few coins, indeed nothing rare. But since it's a festival today and we're here, buying one to feel the festive atmosphere wouldn't hurt. To save money, how about we just buy one sugar painting and share it between the two of us?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan Yuan, imagining something, suddenly blushed. He tightened his grip on Consort Lu's fingers in his palm and warned with displeasure: "Remember to choose a secluded spot away from prying eyes. If you dare attract a crowd in public, I'll make sure you regret it."

Being afraid of embarrassment was one thing, but wanting to be close to Consort Lu was another. After receiving Consort Lu's assurance, Xie Xuan Yuan finally relaxed and took Consort Lu's hand, approaching the stall to choose a design.

The sugar painting stall was run by an elderly couple, with white at their temples. The husband would draw various patterns on a stone slab with melted sugar, while the wife was responsible for attracting customers and handling the money.

While the tyrant and Consort Lu hesitated on the side, many of the people who had been lining up in front of the stall had already made their purchases and left. Thus, it soon became their turn.

Consort Lu, dressed as a man that night, stood tall and dignified, his aura as noble as a graceful tree amongst the common crowd, even in plain clothes. And the tyrant, though in women's attire with his face obscured, carried himself with an exceptional grace, accentuated by the silver fox fur cloak, almost adding a touch of playfulness.

Together, they were a striking pair, closely matched in height, intimate in demeanor, and harmonious in aura, indeed a perfect match. Not only did passersby take extra glances at them, but even the elderly couple selling sugar paintings engaged them in conversation.

The elderly woman, noticing the slightly protruding belly and the "shy" manner in which the tyrant held Consort Lu's hand, smiled and couldn't help but ask:

"Young man, is this your wife?"

Consort Lu, seldom encountering such a reversal of roles and identities with the tyrant, was suddenly at a loss for how to respond to the question.

Although Consort Lu and Xie Xuan Yuan had become spouses and even had a child on the way, the proud little tyrant only acknowledged Consort Lu as his favored consort and refused to be seen as Consort Lu's wife.

Fearing his words might provoke annoyance, Lu Changping could only shake his head slightly and stammer, "Not at all. This...this is my younger sister..."

But before he could finish his rambling explanation, he felt a pain in his hand. It turned out that the tyrant had detected his evasion and, in anger, tightened his grip, squeezing his fingers harshly.

Then, Xie Xuan Yuan's voice softened as he asked somberly, "Just because I've lost my sight, do you intend to heartlessly divorce me?"

His voice, unlike a woman's gentle tone, carried a husky coldness, yet it was inexplicably bewitching.

Lu Mei Ren was so startled by his reply that she became even more speechless, only managing to gently squeeze the tyrant's hand in return, urging him not to make any more shocking statements.

Who has corrupted my innocent tyrant!

In relationships, the seemingly weaker party often garners more sympathy. Hearing Xie Xuan Yuan's misleading words and seeing his obviously pregnant figure, the old woman had already conjured up hundreds of scenarios of a heartless scoundrel in her mind.

She dropped her previously amiable demeanor and looked at Lu Changping with reproachful eyes, saying:

"Young master, you are in the wrong here. It is said that one should not forget old friends in times of poverty, nor abandon one's wife in hardship. Even if your wife has lost her sight, she is carrying your child. How could you bear to abandon her?"

The old man who had been quietly making syrup also chimed in, "Looking at you, so young and talented, I would never have guessed you'd be the kind of man who treats his wife poorly."

The two elders took turns lecturing Lu Guifei, using the hardships of pregnancy and the challenges of managing household affairs as material for their sermon, endlessly preaching.

As more and more onlookers gathered, whispering and pointing at the couple, Lu Mei Ren was at a loss for words.

Before he could think of a way to extricate themselves, the tyrant by his side spoke up first, "This is our family matter. No matter his faults, he is the one I have chosen, and it's not for outsiders to interfere."

His voice was colder than before, clearly indicating some annoyance.

Seeing Xie Xuan Yuan's irascible and protective temperament teetering on the edge of control, Consort Lu quietly squeezed his hand, signaling him to calm down.

This small gesture proved effective; Xie Xuan Yuan fell silent, merely responding with a firm squeeze of his hand in anger.

The crowd around the sugar painting stall, realizing this couple wasn't headed for a split after their bedside quarrel, lost interest and gradually dispersed.

Consort Lu, good-natured as always, didn't dwell on the recent episode. He smiled and explained to the well-meaning but mistaken stall owners:

"Thank you for your concern. It's just that you have indeed misunderstood. We... have had some disagreements lately. He... is indeed my spouse, and I will cherish him more from now on."

The elderly couple, having witnessed the "little wife's" stubborn character, dared not underestimate "her" standing at home anymore. They apologized profusely to Lu Changping, insisting on gifting them a sugar painting as compensation.

Unable to decline, Consort Lu, holding the little tyrant's hand, began to carefully select a design from the stall.

The elderly couple were skilled artisans, capable of creating a variety of designs from flowers and insects to beasts and auspicious patterns like dragons and phoenixes or the twelve zodiac signs.

While looking, Consort Lu described each design to Xie Xuan Yuan, inquiring about his preference.

Xie Xuan Yuan, unable to see, couldn't share in the experience. He stared blankly at the stall, his vision unable to capture any detail.

The auspicious symbols mentioned by Consort Lu appeared as nothing but a blur of golden hues to Xie Xuan Yuan, who strained his eyes in vain, unable to discern anything.

Unable to make a choice, he left the decision to Consort Lu: "Since they all taste the same, pick a design you like."

After contemplating the auspicious patterns, Consort Lu quickly made a decision: "Could we have one with the 'dragon and phoenix bring prosperity' design, please?"

The elderly artisan agreed, skillfully scooping up a spoonful of sugar syrup and beginning to trace the design on the board. The syrup set quickly, allowing the entire painting to be completed smoothly and without interruption.

As the artist was finishing, with a bit of syrup left, Consort Lu suddenly asked: "Could you also add 'a hundred years of harmonious union' to the painting?"

Adding auspicious phrases to a sugar painting wasn't unusual, and the request was timely made, so the elderly artisan readily complied.

He added a few more strokes to the sugar painting, which depicted dragons and phoenixes entwined in a circle, inscribing the calligraphy for "Centuries of Harmony."

Xie Xuan Yuan stood by, hearing the request clearly. He turned his head, gazing steadily at Lu Guifei, who slightly lowered her eyelids and smiled back at him. Without any verbal communication, everything was understood between them.

Soon, the sugar painting solidified completely and was handed to Lu Changping on a thin bamboo stick.

Having seen many fine things in the palace, His Majesty was nevertheless quite pleased with this exquisite folk delicacy. Before leaving, he quietly took out several ingots of silver from his sleeve, said "Thank you," handed them to the old woman in charge of collecting money, and shook his head slightly to indicate she need not give change.

A sugar painting cost but a few copper coins; even with solid ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship, adding some customized text would only make it worth a few dozen more coins. Yet, he rewarded them with dozens of taels of silver in one go.

This gesture truly startled the elderly couple, who had been setting up their stall on the street for many years and had only handled small amounts of silver, never having seen so much money at once.

By the time they realized that their unassuming customers were distinguished nobles, Lu Guifei had already disappeared into the crowd with the tyrant.

Not long after they walked away, Xie Xuan Yuan tugged at Lu Guifei's sleeve, stopping in his tracks: "How much silver did you actually spend on this sugar painting?"

Knowing the tyrant to be particularly perceptive in some aspects, Lu Guifei didn't continue to hide it. He stopped walking and said with a smile, "Not much."

This wasn't exactly a lie; for a sovereign's daily expenses, that amount of silver really wasn't much. Moreover, the vendors in this market were his subjects of Southern Chu; he ought to take extra care of their business.

Xie Xuan Yuan obviously didn't quite believe him and pressed on, "Do you still have enough silver for meals this month?"

Lu Mei Ren blinked his gentle, clear, peach blossom eyes, finding the tyrant's concern for their livelihood quite endearing: "More than enough. Not only do we have silver for meals, but I can also treat Your Majesty to a meal."

Xie Xuan Yuan huffed lightly in response.

"How do you have so much silver? Could it be embezzlement, misappropriation, bending the law, hiding the official silver from the Southern Chu treasury?" Upon asking, he suddenly smiled, "Rest assured, I would never expose your affairs. On the contrary, I truly hope you'll soon drain the Southern Chu Emperor's coffers. It's better for you to spend those silvers than for them to end up in the hands of those shameless scoundrels."

Empress Consort Lu found herself caught between laughter and tears upon hearing this; the tyrant not only defended his own, but his heart also wandered far to the extremes. By day, under the guise of the Emperor of Southern Chu, everything he did was wrong. Yet, by night, transforming into Empress Consort Lu, whatever he did received the tyrant's unconditional support.

Seeing Xie Xuan Yuan pressing further would only complicate the origin of the money, Lu Changping stopped bickering and took his hand, moving forward...

After leaving the sugar painting stall, the two continued their stroll, pausing occasionally. They would buy something from snack stalls that had something unique to offer.

In this manner, both Empress Consort Lu and the tyrant ended up with their hands full of food. From sugar paintings to sweet fermented rice balls, from steamed dumplings to wife cakes, they were like two walking mini dining tables.

Xie Xuan Yuan, unable to see, could only silently accept Empress Consort Lu's feedings. But the streets were crowded, and he couldn’t lose face amid the pointing fingers from all directions. Eventually, they sought refuge in a dimly lit alley at the street corner.

Empress Consort Lu, having casually purchased a fresh flower crown, placed it on the tyrant's head before scooping up a spoonful of sweet fermented rice balls to share.

Although Xie Xuan Yuan was not fond of alcohol, he enjoyed the sweet and sour taste of the rice wine. Moreover, this particular batch of sweet fermented rice balls was flavored with dried osmanthus flowers from last autumn, releasing a delightful fragrance upon tasting.

Xie Xuan Yuan drank several mouthfuls, still unsatisfied, and couldn’t help but ask for another spoonful.

However, Empress Consort Lu was well aware of the tyrant's low alcohol tolerance. Despite his enchantingly handsome appearance, he was a "pure-hearted" youth who could get drunk on just three cups of fruit wine. Even if the rice wine was sweet enough for young maidens, he dared not let him drink too much.

After some thought, he broke off pieces of the sugar painting they had bought earlier and offered them to the tyrant's lips, saying, "We've run out of the sweet fermented rice balls, how about trying this sugar painting instead?"

Ultimately, Xie Xuan Yuan couldn’t resist the sweet and sour treats that children adore. Although he was disappointed about the rice balls, the sugar painting seemed a good alternative. However, the manner of eating was indeed somewhat embarrassing...

Because Empress Consort Lu feared the sharp bamboo stick of the sugar painting might hurt the blind tyrant, he only agreed to break it into small, manageable pieces to feed him.

Thus, even with the tyrant's refined and graceful way of eating, his lips and tongue inevitably brushed against Empress Consort Lu's palm and fingertips.

After having the sweet fermented rice balls as a base, the tyrant's cheeks were already flushed without his awareness. Now, misjudging the depth, he unintentionally licked Lu Changping's hand a few times, causing his face to turn even redder.

Although Lu Changping initially had no intention of teasing the tyrant, the occasional warm, moist sensation on his palm inevitably led his thoughts astray...

He was reminded of a small white dog named "Snowball" that the tyrant had raised for him in Beiwei. It was said that pets resemble their owners, and Snowball's diligent manner of eating indeed mirrored the tyrant before him.

Xie Xuan Yuan ate with focused seriousness, fast yet not at all rudely.

What was more remarkable was that watching him tirelessly enjoy these sweet and sour snacks also brought about an indescribable joy. It was as if one could see snowy white ears joyfully twitching atop his head and a fluffy tail happily wagging behind him.

Consort Lu couldn't help but burst into foolish laughter as she watched.

The tyrant was sensitive; he felt the current way of eating was both strange and embarrassing. Only because his relationship with Consort Lu had grown closer recently did he not outright refuse.

But now, Consort Lu even dared to mock him. Anger surged in Xie Xuan Yuan's heart, and before Consort Lu could finish laughing, he bit down on her cool fingertip.

The warm, slightly itchy feeling turned into a sharp pain that seemed to pierce his heart. Lu Changping hadn't expected the tyrant, whose temper could flip faster than turning a page, to "bite back" at this moment. Tears welled up in his eyes from the pain as he tried to withdraw his tormented hand.

But the little tyrant was relentless. After letting go, he still muttered, "Don't laugh. I am not a tool for others' amusement!"

After speaking, perhaps touching on some past hurt, he bit his lip hard, even causing his eyes to redden slightly.

Seeing this, Consort Lu realized that in the not-so-distant past, someone must have ridiculed and laughed at Xie Xuan Yuan in his time of downfall, making the tyrant now unable to bear even the sound of laughter without overthinking.

He subtly rubbed his reddened fingertip, honestly saying, "I wasn't mocking you for fun. I just thought you looked adorable."

"Adorable?" Xie Xuan Yuan found it unbelievable to apply that word to himself.

He knew that snowballs were adorable, coal balls too, but with his competitive and vengeful nature, how could any part of him be considered adorable?

Seeing the tyrant's slight frown of frustration, Consort Lu knew he still didn't believe it and tried to explain his feelings in simpler terms:

"Your Majesty likes eating candy because it makes you happy with its sweetness. I like seeing Your Majesty happy, so even if I don't taste the candy myself, my heart feels sweet. Because I like you, I find the way you eat adorable."

This straightforward and sincere confession left the tyrant, who had been struggling with the concept of "adorable," frozen in place.

Because she likes him... that's why she finds him adorable?

Even without tasting candy... she feels sweet?

These strange thoughts exploded like brilliant fireworks in Xie Xuan Yuan's mind, almost preventing him from thinking clearly.

He barely managed to find his voice again, following Consort Lu's words, tentatively suggesting, "According to what you said, just watching me eat candy makes you feel sweet. So if... I eat with you, would you feel double the happiness?"

Lu Changping never expected that while listening to his confession, the tyrant was doing a precise calculation of sweetness in his head. Although the understanding was a bit off, it was still a novel experience.

Consort Lu nodded, agreeing, "Exactly. How do you plan to eat with me?"

Xie Xuan Yuan's ears burned as he tentatively touched the sugar painting, adorned with dragons and phoenixes, with his slender fingers that Consort Lu had just earnestly wiped, and then unabashedly broke off a piece.

Consort Lu, using the light not far away, glanced and found, coincidentally, it was part of the phrase "a hundred years of perfect harmony."

The tyrant delivered the small sugar piece with "a hundred years of perfect harmony" written on it to his mouth, his hands naturally resting on Consort Lu's shoulders, gradually drawing their distance closer... Until they were close enough, he suddenly parted his thin lips and kissed.

Lu Changping's heart raced unexpectedly at this initiative, his bright, peach-blossom eyes blinking rapidly a few times, then somewhat shyly closing tight.

Yet... he indeed overestimated the blind tyrant's poor kissing skills.

After closing his eyes, he first felt his chin being sucked and nibbled by the tyrant's warm lips and teeth, then his lips' corner, followed by the philtrum, and finally, even the tip of his nose!

Unable to kiss the right spot for so long, Consort Lu couldn't help feeling anxious and helplessly opened his eyes.

Seeing that relying solely on Xie Xuan Yuan's initiative would never let him taste the sugar in his mouth, he decisively took the sugar painting in one hand and wrapped the other around the tyrant's shoulder, taking charge without hesitation.

Unwilling to lose the initiative, Xie Xuan Yuan hurriedly tried to transfer the sugar piece in his mouth to Consort Lu's, but his lack of practice with such a "difficult" kissing method and the ensuing nervousness led him to accidentally bite Consort Lu's tongue.

Lu Changping, in pain, thought the tyrant was pretending to offer sugar only to seize the chance to roughhouse him again, and indignantly bit back the tyrant's tongue in retaliation.

Feeling wronged from being bitten, Xie Xuan Yuan was determined to reclaim his loss, and driven by his competitive spirit, the two ended up kissing messily and endlessly in the dim, secluded alley.

However, this was still near the bustling lantern market, and though the alley was dim and secluded, it was not entirely deserted. Just as the two were inseparable, a clear female voice suddenly came from the entrance of the alley: "Brother Ji, with so many people around, I just wanted to find a place to talk to you alone."

The man addressed as "Brother Ji," with a clear and elegant voice, tried to persuade the woman to talk elsewhere but ended up being forcefully dragged in by her.

As Consort Lu and the tyrant were locked in an intense kiss, the sudden familiarity of the voices made them freeze, almost instinctively pulling Xie Xuan Yuan deeper into the shadows of the alley.

Hearing someone approaching, Xie Xuan Yuan tensed up. Unsure where to hide and fearing discovery, he instinctively burrowed deeper into Consort Lu's embrace.

Overwhelmed by the excessive closeness, Consort Lu nearly lost control. Yet, knowing his sister and Ji Yuzhe were just at the alley's entrance, he dared not make a sound. Guilt and nervousness made the atmosphere between him and the tyrant incredibly delicate.

Though officially husbands, their current situation felt as thrilling as a clandestine affair in the wild, about to be discovered by their families.

……

Lu Zhaoping had looked forward to this rare opportunity to leave the palace and meet with his beloved. After enjoying snacks and lanterns, still unsatisfied, he sought a secluded spot to confide in his "Brother Ji."

But Ji Yuzhe seemed off tonight, initially reluctant to enter the alley, and now frowning deeply towards its depths.

Zhaoping, puzzled, was about to ask.

But Ji Yuzhe gestured for silence, then took her hand, leading her step by step towards the shadows cast by low houses deeper into the alley.

The author's note:

About to be caught red-handed~