Chapter 28: The Enigmatic Carriage

Chapter 28: The Enigmatic Carriage

At his words, A Yuan opened her mouth in a daze, and the man fed her the apricot preserve with his fingers.

The apricot preserve was sweet and sour, making her mouth water as it melted. The man's fingertip pressed against her lips, and A Yuan instinctively pursed them.

Her mouth was warm, and her fragrant tongue brushed against his fingertip, making Wei Xun's eyes darken instantly.

He nudged the apricot preserve deeper, while his thumb pressed against her chin, making her chew and swallow.

By the time she finished the apricot preserve, the bitterness had faded from A Yuan's mouth.

The morning sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting their intertwined shadows onto the window screen.

Chun Tao had already been pulled away by the matron. The young maid was oblivious, but the matron could sense the unspoken tension between them.

With no outsiders present, Wei Xun's gaze grew bolder.

He pinched her delicate chin, guiding her to raise her head slowly, and his eyes locked onto hers.

"Is it still bitter?"

The man leaned slightly closer, his warm breath tickling her ear. A Yuan turned her head away, her cheeks flushed pink.

"No... it's not bitter anymore..."

"Is that so?" He chuckled softly, his fingertip pressing harder, compelling her to meet his eyes.

Wei Xun's fingertip caressed the soft flesh under her chin, like teasing a kitten hiding its claws, until her eyes welled up. Only then did he mercifully let go.

A Yuan exhaled in relief, thinking the man would let her go, but in the next moment, he pulled her slender waist into his arms. His cool lips met hers, and his deep, magnetic voice sounded in her ear, "Then let me... taste it."

A Yuan's legs were still weak, and half of her body leaned against the man's chest, relying entirely on his arm for support.

She raised her head, forced to accept his kiss, her red lips pried open by his tongue, which entangled with hers, claiming all the sweetness in her mouth.

"Mmm..."

A Yuan's body melted, and her hands instinctively pressed against his chest. The man's hand moved from her slender waist to her back, pressing her closer, demanding more.

When the kiss ended, A Yuan's tongue felt numb.

She lay against the man's chest, panting heavily. Wei Xun looked down and saw her red, swollen lips, the color from his kisses. Just the thought that the woman in his arms was his made his chest swell with emotion.

"Gather your things. We're going out."

A Yuan didn't know where Wei Xun was taking her, but she still packed her usual belongings.

Chun Tao prattled on while packing their belongings.

"Master, where do you think the Heir Apparent is taking us? This is the perfect season for an outing."

She had never been out before, and according to Chang Yuan, the scenery near the outskirts of the capital was the most beautiful. It was close to the royal hunting grounds, and in spring, wild rabbits and deer would roam about. Roasting them with honey was said to be the most delicious.

Chun Tao swallowed, her face full of longing. If only they could have some roasted meat during this trip.

......

When the master and servant finished packing and came out, Wei Xun was already waiting.

A redwood carriage was parked at the side gate. Chang Yuan took the bundle from Chun Tao and led her to the carriage behind.

"Mistress Xie and the Heir Apparent are riding in the front carriage, you stay here and keep an eye on the luggage."

Chang Yuan, afraid she would be bored on the journey, slipped her a bag of candied fruits.

Chun Tao, who was more easily swayed by kindness than force, was no longer mad at Chang Yuan now that the Heir Apparent and her mistress had reconciled.

"Where are we going? Will there be roasted meat?"

The young maid sat in the carriage, sticking her head halfway out, the red ribbons tied to her double buns fluttering in the wind, making her look adorable.

Chang Yuan held back from pinching her chubby cheeks, tightened his fist slightly, and cleared his throat quietly.

"We're going to the hot spring estate outside the capital, and of course, you'll get your roasted meat."

Even if the estate doesn't have any, he could hunt some game for this gluttonous little girl.

"That's good!"

Chun Tao, having gotten the information she wanted, let the carriage curtain fall back and sat down. She munched on the candied fruits happily, paying no mind to the person she'd left hanging.

Chang Yuan touched his nose, which was almost hit by the carriage curtain, his eyes softened with affection, and he muttered softly, "You ungrateful little thing, I prepared those candied fruits for nothing."

......

As the carriage drove out of Chang'an Street, the sounds of the bustling city filtered through the curtain, but this time A Yuan dared not lift the curtain to look out.

Wei Xun's carriage was spacious, equipped with everything one might need.

The man held official documents in one hand and a teacup in the other, while A Yuan sat opposite him, so nervous she didn't know what to do with herself.

It was her first time going out with Wei Xun, and the man didn't seem the type to take her out for fun. A Yuan's mind was in turmoil, even considering the possibility that the man might sell her.

Wei Xun watched as the little concubine's brows furrowed and then relaxed, her face an open book, every emotion plain to see.

"Ahem!"

He coughed lightly, turning a page of the document, the sound startling the little concubine. A Yuan jolted back to attention and glanced at the man timidly.

Though Wei Xun was looking down, he caught her reaction out of the corner of his eye, and seeing her cautious peeking, a smile played on his lips.

"Come here."

He put down the documents and patted the seat beside him.

A Yuan was startled by the sudden voice, her back pressed against the carriage wall. The man narrowed his eyes, and the air in the carriage seemed to grow colder.

"Come here."

Wei Xun repeated, and A Yuan knew she couldn't avoid it, so she bit her lip and stood up.

Just then, the carriage hit a bump, and A Yuan couldn't help but pitch forward.

Seeing her head about to hit the carriage wall, the man reached out and pulled her into his arms.

A Yuan's face turned pale, her small hands gripping his lapel, trembling.

"Good girl, don't be afraid."

Wei Xun gently patted her back, his voice soothing, his earlier harshness giving way to tenderness.

A Yuan raised her head from his chest, her eyes red, and whispered, "I'm fine..."

She wanted to break free from the man's embrace, but he held her even tighter.

Though the carriage seat was spacious, it felt cramped with both of them sitting there. Being out on the road, Wei Xun naturally wouldn’t take any liberties with her.

His strong arm wrapped around her waist as he continued to read the official papers.

A Yuan was at first anxious that Wei Xun might make a move in the carriage, but after a while, seeing him engrossed in his work, she relaxed.

As the carriage rocked gently, she grew drowsy and soon slipped into a light sleep.

The sleeping A Yuan didn’t notice the man’s smiling eyes, those typically cool eyes now brimming with affection.