“Hah~” Murong Qiufeng gasped, sucking in a sharp breath. The sudden sting on his neck spread like wildfire through his body, jolting every nerve awake. The sharp pain was accompanied by an unexpected warmth, making his heart nearly skip a beat. His breath caught, and his elbow instinctively bent backward to push Shangguan Ye away.
But Shangguan Ye was faster and more forceful. He pressed Murong Qiufeng’s shoulders down, grasped his waist, and spun him around, pinning him firmly against the wall by the door.
The icy chill against his back snapped Murong Qiufeng out of his daze. He shuddered involuntarily and quickly blurted out, “Shangguan Ye, what are you doing? Let me go!”
Shangguan Ye leaned in, their bodies pressed together without a sliver of space. His warm breath brushed against Murong Qiufeng’s lips as he said in a low voice, “Let you go? Hmph. Forget it. I’ll never let you go in this lifetime. You were the one who provoked me first—now you have to take responsibility.”
Murong Qiufeng panted, torn between disbelief and amusement. The blatant statement stirred something in him, yet the man’s shameless words also ignited his temper. “When did I ever provoke you?”
“Think about it yourself,” Shangguan Ye sneered.
Murong Qiufeng was speechless, his mind momentarily blank. The proximity made it hard to think; the air between them felt too thin. Forcing himself to speak, he said, “Fine, I’ll think about it—but first, let me go.”
“That can wait,” Shangguan Ye growled, voice rough with emotion. His throat felt parched as their hearts seemed to beat in sync, the sensation both numbing and exhilarating. “I have something to say to you.”
Murong Qiufeng’s expression darkened. He turned his head away, his eyes closing with resignation. “Ye, don’t say it. Please?”
“Why not? You know exactly what I want to say. Are you still bothered by that madwoman’s words?” Shangguan Ye’s gaze darkened. He grabbed Murong Qiufeng’s chin and forced him to face him.
Murong Qiufeng’s face went pale, his eyes evasive. “No. You’re overthinking it.”
“Heh…Feng, haven’t I told you? You’re a terrible liar.”
His lips pressed into a thin line as he looked away, refusing to respond.
Shangguan Ye sighed, his thumb brushing against Murong Qiufeng’s cheek. “Feng, I was waiting for the right moment to tell you this, but I can’t wait any longer.”
Murong Qiufeng’s body went rigid, his heart sinking.
Shangguan Ye kissed the corner of his lips and whispered with unwavering sincerity, “Feng, will you be my princess consort? My one and only?”
Murong Qiufeng trembled, his voice husky with uncertainty. “Ye, I…”
Shangguan Ye pressed a finger to his lips. “I know what you’re going to say. And I’m not asking for an answer right now. I just want you to stop running from your feelings. Stop letting a few careless words from others dictate your heart.”
Their eyes met. Murong Qiufeng saw the earnestness and determination there. His chest ached with a strange mixture of pain and sweetness.
“I know what you’re worried about,” Shangguan Ye continued. “Don’t tell me you feel nothing for me. If you didn’t, why would you let me get so close, time and time again? What you’re really afraid of is the judgment of others. But life is short. If we spend it trying to please everyone else, what’s the point of living at all?”
Murong Qiufeng closed his eyes and turned his head away, voice bitter. “Easy to say. Hard to do.”
Shangguan Ye’s eyes gleamed. “Hard? What’s hard about it? In this world, who dares to question me? Let them talk. Let them gossip. The rules of propriety don’t say two men can’t be together. Love is love. My heart just happened to choose a man—choose you.”
Murong Qiufeng froze. The word “love” crashed over him like a wave, leaving his mind reeling.
“Why?” he asked, voice unsteady. “Why me? We haven’t known each other that long…”
“Feelings don’t follow logic,” Shangguan Ye said softly. “I’m not asking you to accept it right away. But I won’t let you run away from me. I want you, Murong Qiufeng, to be my princess consort—my one and only.”
The possessive declaration was both tender and domineering. The words, like a siren’s call, drew Murong Qiufeng into a haze of warmth and confusion.
He stared into Shangguan Ye’s eyes, watching them draw closer until their lips met. The soft, tentative kiss brushed against his mouth, tracing its shape with featherlight strokes.
His heart raced. The warmth of the kiss seeped into his skin, making it impossible to resist. His lashes fluttered, then lowered as he surrendered to the moment.
That subtle acceptance did not go unnoticed. Shangguan Ye’s eyes sparkled with triumph before closing. His hands slid down to Murong Qiufeng’s waist, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened.
His tongue traced the contours of his lips, slowly exploring and memorizing every ridge and curve. When Murong Qiufeng’s jaw loosened with a faint moan, Shangguan Ye pressed forward, delving deeper.
The mingling warmth and sweetness made the world around them disappear. The quiet room filled with the sound of their breaths.
At last, Murong Qiufeng broke free, gasping for air. One hand grasped Shangguan Ye’s wrist, stopping the wandering fingers that had slipped beneath his robe. “Give me…time. To think.”
Shangguan Ye brought that hand to his lips, kissing it with a smile. “Fine. Take your time. Just…don’t make me wait too long.”
He placed one last kiss on Murong Qiufeng’s swollen lips. The sight of his flushed face and dazed expression made his heart swell.
This outcome was better than he’d dared hope. Murong Qiufeng might still hesitate, but he’d stopped pushing him away.
And that was enough—for now.
