Chapter 31: Open Your Mouth

Chapter 31: Speak Up

Liu Yun wasn't a high-energy person, so after hosting the banquet, she wanted to rest for a few days. Who'd have thought the Crown Prince would show up so fast?

Luckily, she'd already gotten her work done early. She'd sent some fresh lychees to the Imperial Academy for her little brother to try, and also sent a jar of amber wine to her parents.

With nothing else on her plate and the Crown Prince pressing her to come, Liu Yun told her parents she was heading out to see him.

Before she left, her mother pulled her aside and shared some cryptic advice.

"Today you'll probably be alone with the Crown Prince in a room. Although you're betrothed, if the Crown Prince gets impatient and tries something, Shanshan, it's best not to go along with it. That kind of thing before marriage just isn't proper."

Liu Yun only half-got it, her head fuzzy as she asked, "Mom, what are you saying? What 'tries something'? What 'before marriage'?"

It wasn't that she was dense—Liu Yun only knew that on the wedding night, husband and wife shared a bed under one quilt. As for the rest, she was mostly clueless.

Maybe that's why people always said her storybooks were too tame.

Zhang Yuhua looked at her daughter's clueless face and, genuinely worried she'd get taken advantage of by the Crown Prince in her innocence, leaned in and whispered a few things.

Liu Yun listened, confused but obedient, and replied, "Got it, Mom. I won't let the Crown Prince take my clothes off."

For some reason, though it was her own advice to her daughter, hearing it repeated back made her face flush red.

"Alright, alright. Just remember that. Off you go."

Liu Yun nodded, said goodbye to her mother, and walked away, her figure fading into the distance.

Zhang Yuhua watched from behind, both sighing and feeling glad.

Indeed, her Shanshan was not suited for palace life, but suddenly, someone as noble as the Crown Prince chose her Shanshan to be his bride.

It was like the Crown Prince telling the whole world that her daughter Shanshan was the best—better than any other girl out there.

It was, in a way, a compliment.

So, whenever she thought of this, the couple could find some comfort and no longer feel so down and worried.

Watching her daughter board the carriage, Zhang Yuhua turned and walked away, with a smile on her face.

On the way to Tianqin Tower, Su Neishi rode his horse alongside the carriage, and the man who was usually measured in his words talked a lot with Liu Yun today.

"The Prince has learned of what happened that day. You were treated unfairly, miss. The Wen family has already been reprimanded—the Duke's stipend has been docked for a year, and Lady Wen has been sent to Yuzhen Temple for six months to reflect on her actions. The Wen family will surely come to your door to apologize in the next day or two. If you're still upset, tell the Prince, and he'll take care of it."

Su Lin was a clever servant who knew exactly what his master wanted. He could spin five parts of the truth into ten. Not only did Liu Yun find it pleasant to hear, but Jin He, standing nearby, was thrilled for her mistress.

"I understand. Please thank the Prince for me, Su Neishi."

Originally, Liu Yun had been debating whether to complain, but on second thought, she didn't know the Crown Prince that well. In his presence, she could barely get her words out from nerves. Why bother with all that complaining and whining? She couldn't bring herself to whine and play the victim in front of him.

Now everything was settled and she could relax.

She had to admit, the Crown Prince didn't talk much, but he got things done—always handling matters quietly, without a fuss.

Liu Yun suddenly felt that having such a fiancé wasn't bad—at least he knew how to get things done.

"I think you should thank the Prince yourself, miss."

Su Lin wasn't about to get in the way of that.

Liu Yun didn't say anything, not wanting to go there.

This trouble was all his doing in the first place; he should be the one to fix it.

Liu Yun thought to herself and said nothing more.

The carriage soon arrived at Tianqin Tower. Liu Yun took Jin He's hand to step down, and was greeted by the familiar sight of Proprietor Zhu Fu.

"Your Ladyship has arrived!"

Likely trying to curry favor, Zhu Fu called her "Your Ladyship" right away, which made Liu Yun's face turn red with embarrassment. She quickly waved it off, saying, "Proprietor, please don't call me that. We're not married yet—it's too much."

Hearing that Liu Yun disliked it, Zhu Fu quickly corrected himself: "You're right, miss. Please, come in. The Prince is waiting."

When he got to the important part, Zhu Fu lowered his voice, not wanting to be careless.

"No need to bother, Proprietor. I'll head up myself."

This wasn't Liu Yun's first time here, but each visit felt different.

The first time, she was a nervous wreck.

The second time, she was shaking with guilt.

This time...

Liu Yun couldn't quite name the feeling. It seemed calm, yet with every step, her heart raced.

And so, with a creak of the door, Liu Yun stepped into the Spring Room.

It was still very quiet, except for a familiar scratching sound.

It was the sound of brush on paper—a sound she knew very well.

"Your servant..."

Just as she was about to bow in greeting, before she could even raise her hands, the Crown Prince cut her off quickly: "No need for formalities. Rise."

Liu Yun paused, and since that was the case, she didn't bother with the formalities.

She looked up. The Crown Prince, as before, was holding a vermilion brush, writing on memorials, looking extremely busy.

If he was so busy, why come to Tianqin Tower? Why not just work at the Eastern Palace?

Liu Yun looked at the piles of memorials and grumbled to herself.

The Crown Prince's attire today was quite striking—an apricot-yellow robe embroidered with round floral dragon patterns, and a white jade lotus crown on his head.

During the late Emperor's reign, it had been decreed that no one outside the imperial family could wear yellow, to keep people from confusing ranks.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace could wear any shade except the imperial yellow reserved for the Emperor alone.

This fresh, youthful color softened the Crown Prince's usual solemnity, bringing out the youthful energy that suited his age.

It also made Liu Yun's eyes light up.

No matter how wrong the Crown Prince was for her in one way or another, his face was something she just couldn't fault or refuse.

Thinking that she would get to see such a wonderfully handsome face every day, Liu Yun felt a flutter of joy she couldn't quite describe.

While she was staring blankly, the Crown Prince slowed his brush strokes, brushed off the spot beside him, and made the same gesture as last time.

"Now can you come sit over here?"

There was a faint hint of amusement in his voice, as if teasing her.

Since the marriage was already settled, Liu Yun indeed had no reason to refuse. She said nothing, sitting down on the couch, obedient but stiff.

However, she didn't dare sit too close to the Crown Prince, keeping her distance instead.

Xiao Hang noticed this too. He paused mid-stroke, turned his head, and looked at Liu Yun with a knowing smile, and commanded bluntly, "Come closer."

Liu Yun froze, her heart thumping wildly, but she quickly reacted.

Fine, closer it is.

She slowly scooted over. To Liu Yun, it already seemed quite close, but the Crown Prince was still unsatisfied. He simply reached out, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her over.

Arm pressed against arm, leg brushing against leg, her skirt even bunched up against his apricot-yellow robe.

The man's body heat radiated onto her, and Liu Yun's thoughts were in a jumble as she stammered, "Y-Your Highness, this is too much!"

Being this close was hard for Liu Yun to bear.

Xiao Hang only held her tighter, amused, and said, "What did I do that's so 'too much'?"

Liu Yun couldn't break free, her face flushed crimson, mortified to the core.

She had never experienced such things, nor had she ever met anyone as shameless as the Crown Prince.

But she could only think these things to herself, not dare to voice them aloud.

Perhaps worried he'd teased her too much, Xiao Hang stopped in time, releasing the slender, supple waist he hated to let go of, and chuckled low, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Did you like the fresh lychees I sent over the day before yesterday?"

With his arm no longer around her waist, Liu Yun breathed a sigh of relief. When the Crown Prince asked about the lychees, she managed a small smile and replied, "I did. The lychee flesh was very sweet."

Liu Yun didn't have the nerve to say that after the banquet ended that night, she'd eaten a full thirty-nine of them by herself, getting so overheated that she was parched and couldn't sleep in the middle of the night.

It wasn't just because she was greedy, but also because she feared such fresh lychees wouldn't keep well, and it would be a shame if they spoiled before she could finish them.

It wasn't her fault, really.

Xiao Hang knew nothing of this. Hearing Liu Yun say she liked them, he immediately said, "If you want more, I'll go ask Father for another jar of them."

Liu Yun immediately shook her head and waved her hands, saying, "No, no, I've had my fill! If I eat any more, I'll get canker sores!"

Liu Yun didn't dare eat like that again.

Xiao Hang smiled and replied with a simple "Alright," then his gaze unconsciously fell on the girl's fair wrists.

On them were a pair of jade bracelets of mediocre quality.

Xiao Hang narrowed his eyes and grabbed Liu Yun's hand just as she was drawing it back, his large palm clamping down on her slender wrist with immense force.

"What are you doing, Your Highness?"

Even knowing the Crown Prince wouldn't harm her, Liu Yun couldn't help but flinch, asking nervously.

Xiao Hang flicked the bracelet on Liu Yun's wrist and asked with a note of reproach, "Why didn't you wear the jasper bracelet I gave you this time?"

Liu Yun didn't register it at first, only replying slowly, "I really did forget. Before I left, I just didn't..."

"What? That bracelet was from you?"

Startled, Liu Yun even forgot her honorific, staring in disbelief.

Xiao Hang let out a snort, tilted his head, and replied, "Who else? How else would those shrewd merchants just hand over good things for free?"

Liu Yun couldn't find the words to argue, muttering as she lowered her head.

"No wonder."

Xiao Hang seemed to recall something and instead smiled, saying, "Forgetting to wear them is just as well..."

As he spoke, he slipped off the two bracelets from Liu Yun's wrist and tossed them casually onto the couch.

Liu Yun wanted to struggle, but his unyielding demeanor made her give up the thought.

She watched as the Crown Prince opened a small brocade box on the desk, revealing a pair of creamy white jade bracelets, smooth and delicate like mutton fat.

Their color and luster clearly indicated extraordinary value.

"It just so happens I brought new ones to give you today, so you can wear them home."

With that, he held her wrist and slipped the two mutton-fat jade bracelets securely onto Liu Yun's arm.

Finally, he held up both her hands, looking left and right, seemingly quite satisfied.

"As for the Wen family, Su Lin should have mentioned it to you on the way. I've already dealt with them. Wen Yuzhu will come apologize to you first, then go to Yuzhen Temple for reflection. You won't see her again this year."

"If you're ever wronged in the future, tell me. Otherwise, I'll always miss something, and you'll be sulking on your own again."

The Crown Prince, with that handsome and sharp face, kept chattering at her, and the incongruity made Liu Yun feel a bit uneasy.

"Understood, Your Highness."

Liu Yun withdrew her hand and picked up the old bracelets to put away properly.

Her mother had bought them for her on her coming-of-age ceremony, and she couldn't afford to lose them.

Then, Liu Yun shrank back into herself, trying to minimize her presence.

Little did she know that as long as she was in Xiao Hang's sight, she couldn't be ignored.

Seeing Liu Yun return to her quail-like posture, Xiao Hang seemed invigorated and pressed further, "There's one more thing I'd like you to explain to me."

Liu Yun sighed inwardly, but since she couldn't avoid it, she could only tremble and say, "Please speak, Your Highness."

Xiao Hang deliberately leaned in closer, propping his left hand behind Liu Yun, his face so near it almost brushed her ear.

Liu Yun wanted to dodge, but feared the Crown Prince would grab her waist and pull her back, so she stayed still and endured it.

Xiao Hang was quite pleased and began to speak slowly about that night at Fahua Temple.

"That night, you clearly knew what I did to you, so why did you still agree to marry Third Young Master Yang?"

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Liu Yun denied it outright, "No, I knew nothing. I fainted!"

Realizing the Crown Prince was about to settle scores with her, Liu Yun was on high alert and firmly denied it.

Seeing her being stubbornly defiant, Xiao Heng snorted coldly, "I saw everything. Your lashes were fluttering like crazy, and your whole body was stiff. That's not how someone who fainted would react."

Her lie exposed, Liu Yun was left speechless. Bad at arguing, she couldn't talk back and could only avoid the Crown Prince's gaze, feeling guilty and staying quiet.

Xiao Heng wasn't finished, pressing his advantage, "Later, when I asked you right here, you still played dumb. Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

"And then you had the nerve to agree to marry another man when you got back. You've got some nerve."

Though he wasn't yelling, his tone was unreadable, leaving Liu Yun's heart hanging.

"I had no idea what you meant at the time, Your Highness. I thought you were just teasing me out of boredom and didn't take it seriously. Besides, my parents had already arranged the match with the Yang family a long time ago—it wouldn't have been right to back out."

Liu Yun explained pitifully, her eyes reddening from the surge of emotion, which only made Xiao Heng, who already had feelings for her, lose himself even more.

"Do you think I'm the type of guy like Ye Qingliu, who goes around playing with women's feelings?"

Xiao Heng was deeply annoyed at being compared to someone like that, feeling insulted.

Seeing the Crown Prince get angry, Liu Yun quickly tried to fix things, "No, no, I was just guessing. Please don't be mad, Your Highness."

They were already close, and now caught up in the moment, they'd forgotten all sense of propriety, so close they could almost hear each other's heartbeats.

Xiao Heng sniffed the air and suddenly said, "You smell so fragrant. What incense do you burn every day?"

Liu Yun was taken aback for a moment, then weakly shot back, "Isn't that your smell?"

Though Liu Yun liked making rose water, she didn't really like wearing it—she just thought it was fun to make.

Hearing that, Xiao Heng leaned in again to sniff her neck, insisting, "It's definitely your scent."

Now Liu Yun was confused, sniffing herself and muttering in bewilderment.

"There's nothing. I never burn incense. How could I smell?"

"Could it be the rose water?"

"But I haven't touched those lately. Weird."

They were barely a breath apart, and as Liu Yun kept muttering, Xiao Heng naturally noticed those lips opening and closing.

He'd noticed long ago that Liu Jiayunniang had small, rosy, plump lips that changed with her expressions, incredibly alluring.

Now, staring at those lips parting slightly as she spoke, a surge of heat rose in Xiao Heng's chest, and his mouth went dry.

Unable to hold back his instincts any longer, he leaned down and kissed her hard.

Like the soft cheese he'd had as a kid—sweet and soft.

But that softness lasted only a few seconds before his lips met nothing.

It was Liu Yun, startled, quickly pulling away.

Anyone who suddenly got kissed like that would react the same way.

And the feeling was weird—tingly and numb, super intense. Liu Yun had never felt anything like it, and it scared her, making her want to run.

But clearly, this didn't sit well with Xiao Heng, who had just gotten a taste of something sweet.

Noticing the dangerous look in the Crown Prince's eyes, Liu Yun stood up to bolt.

But just as she turned around, a big hand grabbed her by the back of the neck, effortlessly pulling her onto the soft couch.

"What are you running for? Do you think I'll eat you?"

Before she could even see clearly, the Crown Prince pressed down urgently, and warmth covered her lips again.

Like a fish on a chopping block, she was at his mercy.

Wave after wave of heat surged over her, relentlessly breaking down Liu Yun's fragile defenses.

She gradually grew dazed, her mind going blank, forgetting who she was, what she was doing, and what she was enduring.

All she could see was a handsome face with closed eyes, lost in abandon, breathing growing heavier, as if on the verge of collapse.

Perhaps annoyed by Liu Yun's clenched teeth, Xiao Heng pulled back slightly and commanded in a hoarse voice, "Open your mouth."

Liu Yun, already intimidated by his status and now with her thoughts muddled, obeyed immediately.

Seemingly satisfied with her compliance, Xiao Heng let out a soft hum and swept back in urgently.

Like a north wind sweeping across the land, all the soft grass blades bent in submission.

Liu Yun tried to push him out, but it was like a lamb walking into the wolf's den—not only did she fail, but she was caught instead.

Her eyes welled up with tears, and she felt like crying.

Compared to the brief touch at Fahua Temple that night, this was utterly unbearable.

After what felt like an eternity, the tide receded and the storm calmed.

Xiao Heng sat up slightly, his gaze deep and obscure.

That kiss hadn't quelled his restlessness; instead, it had ignited a single spark into a blazing inferno.

His gaze drifted downward, landing on a certain spot.

More precisely, on the soft sash at her waist.

With just one gentle tug, he could have so much more.

Breathing heavily, Xiao Heng's eyes grew darker as he slowly reached out to grasp that slender ribbon...

Author's note:

None