The ninth day of the fourth month—an auspicious day for weddings.
With only a month left until the celestial observatory’s designated auspicious date, the wedding preparations felt rushed. The entire palace bustled with activity.
Luo Ting sent invitations to Shengguo’s high ministers, inviting them to Yuguo to witness his marriage to Yu Zhi.
“With just over a month’s notice, will they be able to make it?” Yu Zhi asked.
Luo Tingshi narrowed his eyes. “I personally issued the invitations. They must journey day and night to attend. Otherwise, I shall not let them off lightly.”
Yu Zhi tapped Luo Tingshi’s arm and said earnestly, “Do you know that behind your back, the ministers of Sheng Kingdom call you a tyrant? You should reconsider your governance. I don’t want future historians to record you that way.”
“Is Xiao Yu concerned for me?” Luo Tingshi chuckled softly, his fingers hooking around Yu Zhi’s jade sash at the waist. With a tug, the person before him gasped and fell into his embrace.
Yu Zhi hurriedly wrapped his arms around Luo Tingshi to steady himself, glaring at him with displeasure. “You are my man. Naturally, I refuse to see you bear such infamy.”
Luo Tingshi’s brows knitted together, his deep eyes holding Yu Zhi captive as he murmured, “Say it again.”
Yu Zhi knew what Luo Tingshi wanted him to say. He lifted his gaze to meet the dark pupils before him and repeated earnestly, “You are my man.”
The large hand pressed against his waist suddenly tightened, pinning Yu Zhi firmly against Luo Tingshi’s chest. A voice, hot and strained as if squeezed from the throat, murmured into his ear: “Xiao Yu, I love you.”
The man’s grip was too strong, causing a dull ache in Yu Zhi’s waist. Feeling the other’s uncontrollable emotion, he sighed softly and replied, “Luo Tingshi, I love you too.”
Outside the dream, this was the first time Luo Tingshi had ever heard Yu Zhi say those words.
A pair of jet-black eyes suddenly clouded over with countless mists. His left arm slipped beneath Yu Zhi’s knees, lifting him horizontally as he strode swiftly toward the bed.
The orchid-patterned canopy hung low, the bright yellow nightgown silently slipping away.
A pair of large hands gripped Yu Zhi’s slender, graceful neck. Thin lips slowly rolled down his jawline, kissing the prominent curve at his throat. He gently parted his lips, taking that spot into his mouth and sucking lightly before swirling his tongue around the protrusion.
Beneath his lips, the Adam’s apple trembled violently, sliding up and down incessantly, like a caged bird fluttering wildly yet finding no escape.
Luo Tingshi licked and kissed the throat of the person in his arms, lifting his thin eyelids to glance at the other.
The beauty’s face was flushed crimson, his round eyes brimming with tears as he gasped for breath in small, shallow puffs.
Luo Tingshi lifted a finger to brush aside the dark hair falling across Yu Zhi’s cheek, his voice low as he asked, “Your Majesty, I merely kissed your throat. Why such a reaction? As if I had…”
Yu Zhi lifted his gaze to glare at him.
Yet his tear-filled, round eyes still held an endless tenderness, making his glare utterly devoid of any authority.
“My throat is more sensitive than other places. You must not kiss it again.”
Luo Tingshi chuckled softly, his voice thick with desire as it enveloped him. “Then where should I kiss?”
The husky voice bound Yu Zhi’s heart. As if struck by his love poison, his fingers slid down from his collarbone, pointing downward.
Luo Tingshi’s wolf-like eyes darkened instantly, his voice thick with dangerous intensity: “Your Majesty, you said it yourself.”
“No…” By the time Yu Zhi realized it, it was too late.
He had already fallen into the wolf’s jaws….
“Luo Tingshi…” A voice tinged with tears sounded.
The man immediately stopped all movement, his voice tense. “What’s wrong, Xiao Yu?”
“I didn’t want to do this before our wedding, but…” The figure in his arms wrapped itself around Luo Tingshi’s waist, pressing close. A furry head nuzzled his neck as a soft, warm voice carried a hint of grievance, “I’m in heat.”
Flames surged and boiled within him. In an instant, he felt like a great furnace, every part of his body melting under the searing heat, leaving only a burning desire.
The boundless flames consumed him, yet only when close to Luo Tingshi could he feel a faint coolness, offering momentary relief to his scorched meridians.
Yu Zhi pressed his cheek tightly against Luo Tingshi, wriggling restlessly in his embrace, drawing in the faint coolness.
The sight of the other’s suffering pierced Luo Tingshi’s heart like needles, stirring a familiar ache. He held Yu Zhi’s shoulders steady and kissed his lips tenderly.
“Don’t rush. I’ll help you now. Stay still.”
“Mm…” A soft, muffled moan escaped Yu Zhi’s throat as he obediently wrapped his arms around Luo Tingshi’s neck and stopped fidgeting.
The arm draped around Luo Tingshi’s neck felt scorching hot. Luo Tingshi gently shifted that right arm aside, took Yu Zhi’s pale, slender hand, and drew the plump fingertip to his lips, sucking it lightly into his mouth.
A tingling sensation spread from Yu Zhi’s fingertips to his heart.
“Mm…” Yu Zhi opened his misty eyes, looking at Luo Tingshi in confusion.
He didn’t understand why Luo Tingshi didn’t just give it to him directly.
” Trust me with yourself.”
The man’s voice was steady and reassuring. Yu Zhi, his eyes wide like a kitten’s, obediently raised his arm to facilitate the action.
Those warm yet sharp lips traced a path along the inside of his arm, kissing their way up to his shoulder. A sigh-like sound drifted into his ear: ” Such a good boy.”
Kissed by Luo Tingshi, Yu Zhi felt the heat within him subside slightly.
He curved his eyes and rolled into Luo Tingshi’s embrace, tilting his head up with a smile. “Father said I’m the most well-behaved little kitten he’s ever seen.”
A hint of pride tinged his tone.
Luo Tingshi couldn’t help but chuckle: “Such a good little kitten deserves to be kissed to death by this Emperor.”
Yu Zhi tilted his head, speaking slowly: “Didn’t you say before that I should be…”
The two words slipped out softly and swiftly, vanishing as soon as his tongue rolled over them.
Luo Ting’s dark eyes instantly darkened, murky emotions churning beneath their surface. The large hand clasped around the slender waist in his embrace stirred restlessly. “What did you say?”
“Nothing!” Yu Zhi swiftly grabbed the thin quilt nearby, bashfully covering his face, leaving only a pair of round, wide eyes peeking out.
Luo Tingshi’s throat rolled, the darkness in his eyes deepening. His large hand, covered in a thin layer of calluses, pressed lightly yet firmly against the slender waist in his embrace. “My sweet little kitten, say it again.”
Yu Zhi’s knees instantly went weak.
He paused for a moment before lifting his head.
Luo Tingshi still stared at him with those jet-black eyes, as if he wouldn’t relent until the words left Yu Zhi’s lips.
Yu Zhi felt a pang of frustration. He pulled back the quilt, leaned close to Luo Tingshi’s ear, and whispered something before quickly ducking back under the covers to add, “Those were your words, not mine.”
“Is that so?” Luo Tingshi’s voice was as light as dust. “Then this Emperor shall see to it that Your Majesty is thoroughly satisfied.”
Yu Zhi: “You…”
Soon, he found himself utterly speechless.
–
Outside the palace, spring’s splendor unfolded. Snow-white blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, like waves of white foam.
Ye Jiang linked arms with Yu Heng as they strolled toward the emperor’s chambers.
He looked up at the man beside him. “Once the children are married and the court’s affairs settle, where would you like to go?”
Yu Heng lowered his gaze to meet his eyes. “Anywhere is fine, as long as you’re with me.”
Ye Jiang sighed. “If only I could take you back to our place. Then you’d know what truly good days are like—far more comfortable than being emperor.”
Yu Heng raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.
Ye Jiang said enthusiastically, “If we could really go back, I’d want to bring Xiao Yu and his husband, plus the two babies… Oh, stop dawdling! The baby’s fussing to see Daddy. Hurry, hurry, hurry!”
He took Yu Heng’s hand and hurried forward.
Yu Heng watched his impulsive lover, a smile in his eyes, and kept pace with him as they strode beneath the spring eaves.
A quarter of an hour later, they arrived at the emperor’s bedchamber.
Just as Ye Jiang was about to push open the door, Yu Heng suddenly grabbed his hand and yanked him back.
Confused, Ye Jiang asked, “What’s wrong?”
Yu Heng replied, “Xiao Yu is in heat.”
“Then they’re…” Ye Jiang’s eyes widened. He scratched his head awkwardly. “We shouldn’t disturb them. Let’s go comfort the baby.”
He took a step forward but couldn’t move further. A powerful force swept over him, knocking him off balance. He stumbled backward, crashing into the arms of the man behind him. An iron-clamp-like hand gripped his wrist tightly. Ye Jiang looked up at him, “You…”
The man behind him had eyes as deep as an abyss, his gaze brimming with a desire Ye Jiang knew all too well.
Oh no!
How could he have forgotten? Yu Heng’s heat period was also during these days.
–
The wind stirred the curtains, carrying the lingering scent of incense.
A pale hand hung limply outside the canopy. The fabric swayed slightly as a larger, darker hand emerged from within, enveloping the smaller one and pulling it back inside.
Yu Zhi leaned against Luo Tingshi’s bare chest, his face radiant with satisfaction.
“Still uncomfortable?” Luo Tingshi gently massaged his waist.
Yu Zhi shook his head. “Not uncomfortable. Very comfortable.”
They had been together many times before, but this was the first time Yu Zhi experienced the exquisite bliss of soul and body becoming one.
It turned out that sharing such intimacy with the one you loved could be this profoundly joyful.
He lifted the hand intertwined with Luo Tingshi’s, pressing it against his own cheek, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
Luo Tingshi lowered his gaze to the person in his arms.
Yu Zhi’s brows and eyes were relaxed, a smile playing at his lips. His rosy cheeks radiated pure happiness, and even Luo Tingshi felt that joy.
Suddenly, a wave of dread washed over Luo Tingshi.
He had once seriously considered imprisoning Yu Zhi, making him his captive, his sole possession.
Fortunately, fortunately, he hadn’t done it.
Otherwise, he would never have seen Yu Zhi like this again.
Luo Tingshi’s breathing grew heavier as he tightened his embrace around Yu Zhi. Yu Zhi keenly sensed his unease, wrapping his arms around the man’s sturdy frame and turning to face him within his embrace.
“Luo Tingshi, what’s wrong?”
Yu Zhi’s eyes brimmed with concern as he raised a hand to stroke Luo Tingshi’s cheek. His soft fingertips gently traced down the handsome profile, offering tender reassurance.
Luo Tingshi exhaled softly, sharing his earlier thoughts with Yu Zhi in a quiet whisper.
“I thought something terrible had happened…” Yu Zhi shook his head, cupping Luo Tingshi’s face in both hands. “Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet. A gentleman judges by deeds, not intentions. You treat me well. Besides—”
Yu Zhi smiled as he captured Luo Tingshi’s thin lips with his own, biting them gently.
“The only reason you’d consider such a thing is because you love me too much. What is there for me to be angry about?”
Luo Tingshi’s eyes widened in surprise: “Xiao Yu…”
Yu Zhi pressed sticky kisses against Luo Tingshi’s lips.
“Don’t overthink it. You love me, I love you—that’s all that matters.”