Chapter 15 “Stick Out Your Tongue”

Chapter 15: "Stick Out Your Tongue"

Xie Yan’s lips were thin yet soft. With one hand gripping the back of my neck and the other encircling my waist, I stiffened, not daring to move, not even breathing too heavily.

I thought he would simply brush his lips against mine, as I had done to him, and then let me go. But instead, he extended his wet tongue, tracing the seam of my lips with delicate care.

How dare he!

Shocked into silence, I quickly opened my eyes and saw Xie Yan’s long, thick eyelashes, like two feather fans. His eyes remained closed, and even while kissing, his expression was detached. If not for the painful grip on my waist, I might have thought he felt nothing at all.

Noticing my gaze, Xie Yan finally opened his eyes, and I immediately met his icy, snow-gray pupils.

"Stick out your tongue," I heard him say.

By the time it ended, my tongue felt somewhat numb. For some inexplicable reason, Xie Yan treated my tongue like a delicacy—chewing, licking, biting, and exploring it. He sealed my lips so tightly that I grew lightheaded from lack of oxygen, feeling as if I were floating on clouds.

Sitting in his embrace, I breathed softly. The air was thick with a lingering, intimate atmosphere. To break the silence, I asked again, "Why did you come?"

"Can’t I come?" Xie Yan avoided a direct answer, instead playing with my earlobe.

I didn’t understand what was so interesting about my earlobe. I’d heard fortune-tellers say that thick earlobes signify lasting blessings, but mine are thin. They say people like me have less fortune.

I freed my ear from his grasp and replied, "Of course you can come. Why wouldn’t you? I’d love it if you came every day so I could see you daily."

Only after saying this did I realize how embarrassed I felt. Xie Yan said nothing, nor did he promise to return.

But he did come every day. During my recovery, he would arrive from the Crown Prince’s residence in the morning and return to our manor with my father after court sessions.

He was a man of few words, barely saying a word to me all day, but he always came to check on me. Secretly, I felt he must have grown somewhat fond of me.

It made me so happy.

Although this brought me immense joy, I soon ran into a problem. As my wound began to heal, it started to itch unbearably. I couldn’t resist scratching it. My father, fearing I would scar, kept a close watch on me. But the moment he left, I would secretly scratch, and I had already picked off most of the large scab.

"Feng Muqiu, if you keep scratching like this, you’ll ruin your arm," my father fumed, his voice rising sharply.

"Ah, Father, I really won’t scratch it anymore. Don’t worry. When the Crown Prince arrives later, please don’t tell on me."

I estimated that Xie Yan would arrive soon and could only beg my father, hoping he wouldn’t tattle. My father spoils me, but Xie Yan does not. If he found out I’d been scratching my wound, I would surely be in trouble.

"Fine, fine. I know you don’t take my words seriously. When Xie Yan comes, I’ll have him keep you in line."

My father suddenly seemed inspired by my words, his expression brightening as if he had found a savior.

"What’s going on?"

As if on cue, Xie Yan stepped into the room bathed in the morning light. He wore an ivory-white robe today, its hem fluttering gracefully in the morning breeze, giving him an ethereal aura.

"Your Highness, you’ve arrived at the perfect time. My foolish son has been scratching his wound despite it not being fully healed. He always listens to you—please talk some sense into him."

Not content with just complaining, my dear father also lifted my wide sleeve and grabbed my injured arm to show Xie Yan.

Xie Yan glanced at my arm, his face clouding over. Coldly, he said, "Chancellor, you spoil Feng Muqiu too much. He takes advantage of your favor and naturally disobeys."

"Indeed," my father agreed, though helplessly. "I know I indulge him too much, but I can’t help it. Before his mother passed, she made me promise to take good care of him. I’m afraid of seeing him unhappy or shedding a single tear. I wouldn’t dare face his mother in the afterlife otherwise."

"Father, don’t say that. I’ll behave, I promise. I won’t scratch anymore, really I won’t," I hurriedly vowed, seeing my father grow increasingly upset. "I swear, if I scratch it again, I’ll be a dog!"

"Your vow holds no credibility," Xie Yan remarked coolly. His piercing phoenix eyes made me feel inexplicably guilty, reminding me of the lesson I’d learned before.

"How about this: Feng Muqiu will come stay with me for the next few days. I will take care of him personally. Once his wound has fully healed, I will return him to you. What do you think?"

I absolutely did not want this. Xie Yan was so cold and detached—he might even tie me up just to keep me from scratching. I shook my head vigorously, giving him pleading looks.

But my father had clearly sided with him. Overjoyed and grateful, he clasped his hands and said, "Then I must trouble Your Highness."

And so, I was taken away in Xie Yan’s carriage. He drank tea and read a book, completely ignoring me.

I could only lift the curtain and watch the scenery outside. The weather was cooler than at noon, with a refreshing breeze. The official road was spotless, and there were few pedestrians.

My arm was itching unbearably, but every time I raised my hand, Xie Yan would coincidentally look up from his book and glance at me. I would immediately freeze, not daring to scratch.

But it was so unbearably itchy. I held back until my eyes turned bloodshot, hoping Xie Yan would hurry to court so I could finally scratch.

Finally, we reached the palace gates. I assumed Xie Yan wouldn’t take me inside, so I eagerly anticipated him leaving, barely able to hide my smile.

Xie Yan moved slowly, which puzzled me. He was usually quick and efficient when leaving me. Why was he moving slower than a turtle today, just when I wanted him gone? I couldn’t help but urge him on.

Just as he was about to step out of the carriage, my relief began to set in. But things changed quickly—Xie Yan turned back and came toward me, his earlier slowness gone, replaced by swift, agile movements.

Clearly, his earlier sluggishness had been an act, just to mess with me.

"What else do you want? If you’re late for court, the emperor will punish you," I warned him fiercely, hoping he wouldn’t do anything unnecessary.

"Hmm," Xie Yan responded, his slender hands suddenly undoing my belt!

"Xie Yan, what are you doing!"

I struggled desperately, but Xie Yan deftly avoided my injury, pinning my hands and feet. He easily pulled off my belt, and without its restraint, my robes fell open, exposing much of my skin. I could only barely cover myself with my hands.

When Xie Yan’s gaze fell on where I was covering myself, an unreadable, complex emotion flickered in his eyes. He hesitated for a second before decisively binding both my hands together.

"Xie Yan, you bastard!"

Just as I feared, Xie Yan showed me no mercy. Whatever method was simple, brutal, effective, he would use it on me.

Hearing my insult, Xie Yan turned back to look at me. His eyes, which had just shifted away, inadvertently fell elsewhere. His phoenix eyes darkened, and his voice sounded hoarse. "I’ll untie you after court."

"Xie Yan, don’t go! Untie me first! I really won’t scratch! Xie Yan!"

I didn’t care about my messy state anymore. I crawled toward Xie Yan on my hands and knees. If I were tied up for hours, the itch in my injured arm would torture me to death.

When I finally reached him, I couldn’t help but act pitiful, promising, "I really won’t scratch it, I swear. Don’t tie me up, Xie Yan, please."

As I spoke, I rubbed my cheek against his lips, trying to appeal to his kindness.

Xie Yan didn’t move, allowing me to nuzzle him like a pet. I saw his Adam’s apple bob, and then he sighed deeply. "Be good," he said before lifting the carriage curtain and leaving without looking back.

The next few hours were an excruciating ordeal for me.

The itching felt like countless ants gnawing at me. I looked around and realized Xie Yan had wrapped cloth around all the sharp objects in the carriage. I could only rub my arm lightly against the carpet on the floor. My eyes turned bloodshot, my nose stung, and I felt overwhelmingly wronged.

Why was Xie Yan always so ruthless toward me? I was human too; I could suffer. Why did he always treat me this way?

These emotions, amplified by the unbearable itching, overwhelmed me. So when Xie Yan stepped back into the carriage, I gripped a porcelain cup with both hands and hurled it fiercely at his face.