Chapter 45 Do You Like It When I Kiss You Like This?

Chapter 45: Do You Like It When I Kiss You Like This?

Yan Weichu’s actions caught Xie Xiao off guard. His eyes subtly shifted, fixed on Yan Weichu’s trembling eyelashes, his gaze deepening. Beneath the calm exterior, an unknown torrent surged.

Yan Weichu sucked at his lips, his tongue gently tracing them, then lightly nipped his lower lip before reluctantly pulling away. "See? This is the kind of relationship my husband and I have."

Yan Weichu turned, gesturing towards a flushed and incredulous Su Ping.

Behind them, Jiang Shu was dumbfounded, a surge of admiration filling him. Brother Chun’s presence as the legitimate spouse was truly unparalleled!

Meeting the teasing glint in Yan Weichu’s eyes, Su Ping instantly bristled with humiliated anger. "I don't believe it..."

Xie Xiao signaled to Su Ping’s servant nearby. "Your young master is drunk. Take him home."

The servant hesitated, then stepped forward, muttering to Su Ping, "Young Master, it's getting late. Shall we head back?"

Su Ping swatted away the servant’s hand, his eyes red as he stared at Xie Xiao. "Mingzhao, you weren't like this before..."

Even Xie Xiao, patient as he was, was now annoyed. He said coldly, "This is my private affair. There's no need to discuss it with outsiders."

The word "outsider," uttered by Xie Xiao, drained all color from Su Ping’s face. He swayed unsteadily, looking as if he might collapse. "After all these years we've known each other, it turns out I truly am just an outsider to you."

Yan Weichu said airily, "Young Master Su, maintain your dignity."

Seeing Xie Xiao’s complete lack of reaction, Su Ping felt utterly mortified. He closed his eyes in disappointment and allowed himself to be led away, looking utterly dejected.

Yan Weichu cast Xie Xiao a meaningful glance, then turned and exited, getting into the carriage first.

Outside, Xie Xiao and Jiang Shu’s voices could be heard. Xie Xiao invited Jiang Shu to his residence for dinner, but Jiang Shu, with his usual discernment, made an excuse about being busy and bid him farewell.

A short while later, Xie Xiao also boarded the carriage, and they returned to the Marquis’s estate.

Yan Weichu glanced at him sideways. Xie Xiao wore his usual composed and unruffled expression, not mentioning what had happened earlier. He asked, "How did you and A Shu end up coming to this literary gathering?"

Yan Weichu, feeling somewhat put out, gave a curt response.

Hearing that Jiang Shu wished to remain in the capital for an official post, Xie Xiao subtly furrowed his brows. "Are you really going to speak to His Majesty about it?"

Yan Weichu pouted. "I'll just mention it for him. Whether His Majesty agrees or not is his business."

Xie Xiao reminded him, "Just a light suggestion is enough. Don’t let His Majesty become suspicious."

Yan Weichu disliked being spoken to in such a manner, so he simply clammed up, leaned against the carriage wall, closed his eyes to rest, and ignored him.

Xie Xiao’s gaze fell on Yan Weichu’s face, sliding from his thick, lowered eyelashes to linger for a moment on those rosy lips. The sensation of their lips touching was vividly imprinted. Perhaps he wasn’t as calm and composed as he appeared.

On their way back, they didn’t pass through West Street. The area was already cordoned off under martial law. It was said that the Eastern Depot had a violent confrontation with the merchants, resulting in deaths. Fortunately, the Capital Guards and the Capital Police Department had arrived quickly and suppressed the riot.

The troublemakers had been apprehended, and the matter was now being handled by the Imperial Guards.

Xie Xiao didn’t want to get involved and ordered the carriage to reroute.

Hearing Xie Xiao's voice, Yan Weichu suddenly opened his eyes and shot him a glare.

Xie Xiao met his gaze.

Yan Weichu snorted and closed his eyes again.

Back at the estate, Yan Weichu entered the room first. Xie Xiao followed, closing the door behind him and shutting out all the servants.

Shun Xi looked around and sensibly ushered everyone to wait under the corridor.

Yan Weichu flinched at the sound of the door closing. He turned around, puzzled.

Xie Xiao reached out, grabbed him, and pulled him close. He then turned and firmly pressed Yan Weichu against the door, leaning in to trap him with his body.

Caught off guard, Yan Weichu grunted in pain as his back hit the door. Irritated, he frowned. "What are you doing?"

He was reminded inexplicably of that night at Fumeng Residence—it seemed like a similar standoff. He wasn’t pleased.

Xie Xiao gently pinched his chin. "Are you drunk too?"

Yan Weichu snapped. "No! I wasn’t drunk last time, and I’m not today either! I haven't touched a drop!"

By "last time," he meant when he had bitten Xie Xiao's lip.

Xie Xiao realized at once: last time had been deliberate, and today even more so.

"Do you know what you’re doing?"

"What am I doing?" Yan Weichu said angrily. "I just kissed you. Aren’t you my husband? Can’t I kiss you? If you’re not happy, I’ll let you return the kiss..."

Xie Xiao increased the pressure slightly. Yan Weichu hissed softly as Xie Xiao asked, "Do you know what a kiss is?"

Yan Weichu shot back defiantly, "Of course I do! I kissed you—"

Xie Xiao leaned closer, his cool lips pressing against Yan Weichu's. "This is what it is."

Yan Weichu’s voice died in his throat.

Before he could even react, a sharp pain shot through his lower lip as Xie Xiao parted them with a bite, his tongue pushing deeper.

Yan Weichu’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Xie Xiao watched his reaction, pushing his tongue deeper, taking control, tangling and claiming.

Yan Weichu had never imagined a kiss could be like this. He could clearly feel Xie Xiao's soft, warm, wet tongue unapologetically exploring his mouth, making his scalp tingle and his body tremble.

His breath was stolen away, every part of his mouth thoroughly mapped. A surging heat raced through his body, screaming that he was about to be overwhelmed.

A flush spread across his cheeks, quickly reaching his ears and the corners of his eyes, like the sunset's fiery glow outside.

Just as Yan Weichu felt he could no longer breathe, Xie Xiao finally withdrew, gently licking his lips and murmuring, "This is a kiss."

Yan Weichu was dazed for a long moment, gulping air with his mouth open, as if he had been dragged from deep waters, barely regaining his senses from the crushing intensity. His legs were so weak he could hardly stand. "W-what kind of kiss..."

Xie Xiao raised his hand, using his thumb to wipe the wetness at the corner of Yan Weichu's mouth, then pressed firmly on his lower lip. "A Li, when I kiss you, this is what a kiss is."

Yan Weichu finally understood: Xie Xiao was teaching him what a real kiss was. He gazed dazedly at the man before him, his voice hoarse. "Why did you kiss me?"

Xie Xiao gently stroked his lips. "Didn’t you just say I’m your husband and told me to return the kiss?"

Yan Weichu blinked slowly. "...And before? Why didn’t you kiss me before?"

Why not kiss him? Xie Xiao was asking himself the same question.

Their relationship hadn't reached that level of intimacy. His young husband was heedless and couldn't distinguish between liking and admiration. While Xie Xiao gave in to his desires, he had his own stubbornness when it came to expressing affection.

That night at Fumeng Pavilion, Yan Weichu had unexpectedly thrown himself into Xie Xiao's arms. Their beginning had been casual, and what followed was absurd. Only after truly realizing that his fondness for Yan Weichu was called love did he not want to be casual anymore.

He was well aware of Yan Weichu's awkwardness during this period; he too was testing the waters.

Matters of the heart, with their advances and retreats, reality and illusion, were no easier than military strategies on the battlefield.

"Didn't want to before," Xie Xiao feigned nonchalance. "Now I do."

He had indeed been seduced by Yan Weichu again, unable to control his emotions, losing all restraint.

Yan Weichu absentmindedly licked his lips, his exceptionally bright and beautiful eyes fixed straight on Xie Xiao, blurting out, "Then kiss me again..."

A passionate kiss covered them once more.

Yan Weichu parted his lips, responding obediently. Though a bit clumsy, he loved this intimate feeling of tongues tangling. Being kissed by Xie Xiao, he fully felt the overwhelming love enveloping him—whether it was real or not, he chose to believe it was.

Trembling, Yan Weichu obtained what he desired most, his heart blooming with joy, finally satisfied.

When this kiss ended too, Xie Xiao carried Yan Weichu to the bed, took off his hair crown, held him close, and ran a hand up his spine, while his kisses trailed down his neck.

Yan Weichu panted heavily, arms wrapped around Xie Xiao's neck, asking hazily, "Cousin, how are you so good at kissing? Who taught you?"

Xie Xiao sucked a bright red mark on his neck, his voice hoarse. "Does this need to be taught? Matters of romance, you can learn by reading more books."

That was truly impressive. Yan Weichu admired him greatly—he himself couldn't do it.

After being caressed for a while, Yan Weichu laughed. "Cousin, it's not even dark yet. Do you want it now? I'm hungry."

Xie Xiao's movements halted, his breathing heavy.

Yan Weichu sat up in his embrace, turned his head, and kissed him on the mouth again.

Xie Xiao pressed him down. "Stop moving around."

Alright, alright. Yan Weichu settled down. If he stirred up desire, he’d really end up being devoured on an empty stomach. Better to take it easy.

At the dining table, Yan Weichu started settling scores, interrogating Xie Xiao about why he had been secretly flirting with someone else right under his nose.

Xie Xiao served him food, refusing to accept such baseless accusations. "What do you mean 'secretly flirting'? Which eye of yours saw that?"

"Both eyes saw it. You and that Young Master Su were being ambiguous," Yan Weichu insisted. "Should I call your cousin from your maternal uncle's family to testify?"

Xie Xiao patiently indulged him. "There was no ambiguity. He happened to come out and see me, approached me, and said those inexplicable things. Did you see how I responded?"

"Still not allowed," Yan Weichu said unhappily. "Stay away from him from now on. It's true that we were married by the emperor's decree, but whether it's real or fake, what does it have to do with him? He talks too much."

Xie Xiao chuckled deeply.

Yan Weichu displeased, "What are you laughing at?"

Xie Xiao asked, "So is it real or fake?"

"..." Yan Weichu was stumped by this question. Xie Xiao leisurely served him another bite of food.

Yan Weichu muttered, "Of course it's real. What haven't we done? Cousin and I are truly husband and wife. His jealousy is useless."

Xie Xiao looked up at him.

Yan Weichu felt somewhat uneasy under Xie Xiao's inexplicably ambiguous gaze... Since they were truly husband and wife, should he confess his identity to Xie Xiao?

Better not.

As soon as this thought emerged, Yan Weichu immediately dismissed it.

Not now. At the very least, he had to wait until Xie Xiao was wholeheartedly devoted to him and couldn't live without him. Only then could he gamble that after revealing his identity, Xie Xiao wouldn't turn against him and cut ties.

It wouldn't be difficult to keep someone by his side using imperial power, but unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to resort to that.

Being stared at like this by Xie Xiao made Yan Weichu flustered. Under the table, his knee bumped against Xie Xiao's leg. "Cousin, why are you staring at me instead of eating?"

"Are you full?" Xie Xiao asked.

"Almost," Yan Weichu said, then understood Xie Xiao's meaning. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

Xie Xiao said bluntly, "I'm not yet."

"Then eat—"

Yan Weichu fell silent. He knew—his cousin meant to devour him.

Slowly swallowing the last mouthful of rice from his bowl, he smiled at Xie Xiao. "Let's bathe first."

*

In the bathing pool.

Yan Weichu leaned against the edge, pressed down by Xie Xiao with his back against Xie Xiao's chest, sweating profusely from the heat.

He twisted his neck to kiss Xie Xiao; the position was rather awkward.

When the kiss ended, Xie Xiao released him, licking his lips. "Do you like it when I kiss you like this?"

Xie Xiao's voice was deep and hoarse. Yan Weichu, already dazed from the kiss, yielded to his charm and nodded obediently. "I like it."

Xie Xiao asked, "How much?"

Yan Weichu answered instinctively, "Very much."

Xie Xiao laughed softly. Yan Weichu's ears tingled at the sound, and he complained, "What are you laughing at again?"

"A Li," Xie Xiao whispered his name, "you really are like a leopard cat."

Yan Weichu bristled. "Don't say that."

Xie Xiao restrained his flailing hands. "Alright, won't say it."

Yan Weichu turned around in his embrace, gazing through the mist at Xie Xiao's exceptionally handsome and dignified face, his heart pounding uncontrollably. "Cousin..."

Xie Xiao hummed in response. "What?"

I really like you.

Yan Weichu swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. Be reserved—as the emperor, how could he be so infatuated? Not good, not good.

He cupped Xie Xiao's face, leaned in, and kissed the corner of his mouth again.

Xie Xiao was further amused by his kitten-like licking kisses. Just as he held him tighter and was about to get serious, a sudden knock came from outside.

Shunxi’s voice traveled in: “Your Highness, Lord Marquis, men from the Embroidered Uniform Guard are here. They request the Marquis to come with them to the Northern Prison.”

Hearing this, Xie Xiao frowned.

Yan Weichu inwardly rolled his eyes. How do these people handle their duties? Of all times to show up, they really know how to pick their moments.

He asked, “What’s the matter?”

From outside, Shunxi replied, “Commander Cui of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is leading the team himself. He only said they are investigating a case and request the Marquis’s cooperation.”

Xie Xiao shook his head slightly, all romantic thoughts gone. He released Yan Weichu, stood up, and stepped out of the bath.

He pulled on an inner robe hanging on the screen, then tossed a bath towel to Yan Weichu. “I’ll go with them for now. You stay home and don’t wander around.”

Yan Weichu followed him up. “I’ll go with you.”

“No need,” Xie Xiao refused. “They aren’t taking me directly to the imperial prison, just to the Northern Prison for questioning. It’s probably nothing serious.”

Yan Weichu reached out to help him tie the robe. “I heard earlier that some of the merchants causing trouble were invoking your name. Could it be about that?”

“Then it’s nothing to worry about.”

Xie Xiao wasn’t nervous. He had already instructed the marquis’s steward to have the servants cooperate with the Eastern Depot’s tax collection.

Those daring to oppose the Eastern Depot under his name were undoubtedly from the Duke’s estate. The emperor had just entrusted him with the capital defense—he wouldn’t be punished over such a matter, at most, it would just be a performance for show.

Yan Weichu clutched the front of Xie Xiao’s robe, lowered his head, and fell silent for a moment.

It wasn’t that he wanted to mess with Xie Xiao—there were always people working against him. As the emperor, his hands were often tied.

“Brother, come back soon.”