At first, Yu Zhi thought he was dreaming.
It wasn’t until a sharp twinge shot through his lower abdomen, his entire body convulsing with that familiar, unspeakable desire, that he realized Luo Tingshi had truly returned.
Yu Zhi’s face darkened. “Luo Tingshi, how dare you!”
Luo Tingshi’s fingertip lightly tapped Yu Zhi’s swollen belly. His thin lips slid suggestively across the other’s rounded shoulder, leaving a trail of wet kisses. His voice, tinged with hoarseness and mingled with the patter of rain outside, sounded particularly ambiguous: Your Majesty, a ruler’s word is law. How can you go back on what you said yourself?”
“Don’t touch me!”
Yu Zhi’s expression darkened further. Suppressing the urge to snuggle and cling to Luo Tingshi, he struggled to push himself up and wriggle free from his embrace.
Luo Tingshi paused, briefly, before wrapping his arms around Yu Zhi’s wrist. “Why are you angry, Your Majesty? Is it because I went to Dengzhou without permission and lingered there for two days?”
Yu Zhi flung Luo Tingshi’s hand away. “I said don’t touch me.”
“Fine, fine, I won’t touch you.”
Yu Zhi was still fuming, and Luo Tingshi dared not provoke him further. He quickly released Yu Zhi and shifted outward, maintaining distance.
Luo Tingshi watched the figure facing away from him in the tent. After a moment’s hesitation, he rose and knelt at the bedside.
“Your Majesty, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have left you and the child here. Please calm down. Punish me however you see fit. I won’t complain.”
Yu Zhi sensed the movement behind him. He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on the tall figure kneeling there. He gave a light snort. “At least you’re aware.”
Luo Tingshi offered a forced smile. “I was in the wrong this time. I leave it to Your Majesty’s discretion.”
Yu Zhi regarded him, speaking slowly and deliberately. “You say that? Then I demand the Sheng Kingdom’s Sui Province as reparation. Are you willing?”
“This…” Luo Tingshi hadn’t anticipated Yu Zhi demanding territory from Sheng Kingdom outright. Hesitation clouded his mind as he searched for words.
Yu Zhi’s gaze swept over him, a cold laugh escaping his lips. “Fine words indeed—claiming to love the Emperor, willing to endure any punishment I impose, yet unwilling to give even the small province of Suizhou.”
Luo Tingshi sighed. “Xiao Yu, it’s not that I’m unwilling to give it to you. But Shengguo isn’t solely mine. Handing over a province to Yuguo without cause would surely stir discontent among the court officials.”
“That’s your problem. I don’t care.”
Yu Zhi reached out his hand.
Luo Tingshi swiftly raised his arm to support the hand beneath it, helping him rise.
Yu Zhi towered over Luo Tingshi, leaning slightly forward to grasp the man’s chin. He spoke each word softly: “Luo Tingshi, would you do this for me—play the role of a foolish emperor?”
“I…” They were so close that Luo Tingshi could kiss his lips with just a tilt of his head. The warm scent of the man’s body lingered at his nose. He locked eyes with those dark, round cat-like eyes for a long moment before finally gritting his teeth and saying, “Fine. I agree.”
Yu Zhi’s eyes widened. He’d only spoken on a whim, never expecting Luo Tingshi to actually agree.
He shook his head. “You really are a foolish ruler.”
Luo Tingshi tilted his head back and kissed Yu Zhi’s lips, pressing his hands against the other’s waist to pull him close. “Just this once,” he said helplessly.
“Wait, no promise is binding without proof. Let’s draw up a written agreement.” Seeing the man lean in to kiss him again, Yu Zhi hurriedly pressed a finger to his lips, trying to wriggle free from his embrace.
Luo Tingshi held Yu Zhi still. “Stop struggling. I’ll go.”
He swiftly rolled off the bed, lit the lamp, fetched paper and brush, wrote the agreement, and handed it to Yu Zhi for review.
Yu Zhi examined it carefully, then raised his head with a smile. “I’ll let you off this time. Now hurry and attend to the Emperor.”
In the dim candlelight, the youth’s eyes crinkled with a radiant smile. He tilted his chin and glanced at Luo Tingshi, causing the latter’s heart to suddenly race.
“How could I go back on my word?” Yu Zhi slowly turned to lie down, glancing back over his shoulder and murmuring softly, “Come.”
…
“Xiao Yu…”
Luo Tingshi’s large hand pressed firmly against Yu Zhi’s waist as his lips and teeth wandered with intoxicating desire along the other’s slender neck. Crimson kisses bloomed like red plum blossoms against the snow-white skin, filling Luo Tingshi’s eyes with a secret pleasure.
This was his exclusive mark on Yu Zhi.
Yu Zhi belonged to him.
The youth in his arms wrapped his arms around his neck, obediently tilting his head back to facilitate his movements.
Luo Ting’s gaze drifted upward from the boy’s neck, now streaked with crimson marks, past his delicate chin, to those soft, rosy lips. The boy’s mouth was slightly parted, offering a glimpse of his pink tongue. His eyes lingered there, kissing him with his stare.
After a moment, he saw the lips open and close.
The youth’s clear, moist voice broke through to Luo Ting’s ears: “Why aren’t you kissing me anymore?”
Dark waves churned in Luo Ting’s jet-black eyes. He suddenly lowered his head, seizing the protruding spot at the youth’s throat with a kiss, grinding his tongue against it fiercely.
“Mmm…” Yu Zhi let out a soft sob, lifting his damp eyes. “Don’t lick my throat. I can’t breathe.”
Luo Tingshi lifted his head slightly, his voice hoarse. “Then where does my Xiao Yu want me to kiss?”
Yu Zhi wrapped his arms around Luo Tingshi’s neck, pulling him down. His voice was soft. “Kiss my mouth.”
Luo Tingshi: “Alright, I’ll obey Your Majesty. Just don’t hide your tongue later—be a good boy and let me kiss you.”
Yu Zhi was always obedient between the sheets. As long as Luo Tingshi could make him feel good, he would follow his every word. His soft tongue stood still obediently. The moment their tongues touched, Luo Tingshi swiftly hooked Yu Zhi’s tip, tangling and licking with lingering kisses.
After kissing for a long time, until Yu Zhi was breathless and pushed Luo Tingshi away, he gasped, “Enough, enough… Don’t kiss my mouth anymore.”
Kissed until breathless, Yu Zhi greedily gasped for air the moment fresh air touched his lips, his chest heaving violently. Feeling a dull ache in his chest, he furrowed his brow and raised a hand to pat his chest lightly.
Luo Ting, seeing this, quickly took over, pressing his hand over Yu Zhi’s chest to help him steady his breath. With the fingers of his other hand, he gently traced the soft curve of Yu Zhi’s cheek, asking softly, “Xiao Yu, what do you want the Emperor to do next?”
After gasping for breath for a long while, Yu Zhi finally recovered somewhat. He lifted his eyes, veiled in a layer of mist, to look at Luo Tingshi. “Do whatever you wish. Why must you always ask me?”
Luo Tingshi swallowed hard, his voice low and hoarse. “Your Majesty, I want…”
“I consent.” ” Yu Zhi’s cheeks flushed slightly.
It flowed naturally, as if destined.
This time, undisturbed, after months apart, they finally became husband and wife once more. …
After the storm passed, Luo Tingshi kissed Yu Zhi’s shoulder lightly and asked softly, “Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”
Yu Zhi shook his head with effort.
This time, Luo Tingshi was different from before. He no longer charged headlong; his movements were extremely gentle. But… Yu Zhi recalled his own reaction just now and felt utterly mortified.
That bastard Luo Tingshi had taken advantage of his dazed state to trick him into calling him “husband.”
He’d just mumbled it out in a daze.
How utterly despicable!
The more Yu Zhi thought about it, the angrier he grew. He raised his weak, aching arm and slapped Luo Tingshi across the face.
The shock had been too much; Yu Zhi had no strength left. The slap landed softly on Luo Tingshi’s cheek, as if he were caressing him.
Luo Tingshi caught Yu Zhi’s hand and kissed it, chuckling softly. “Don’t hurt yourself. I’ll slap myself.”
With that, Luo Tingshi raised his hand and struck his own cheek.
The crisp smack echoed in Yu Zhi’s ears. He glared at Luo Tingshi. “We both went too far earlier. The child even kicked me. Don’t provoke me like that again.”
Again?
Luo Ting was overjoyed, having thought Yu Zhi only intended to be with him this one time.
He smiled warmly as he embraced Yu Zhi, whispering, “Whatever you say.”
“Hmph!” Yu Zhi refused to acknowledge him further, closing his eyes to sleep.
“Your Majesty, did you sleep well last night?” Luo Tingshi sighed. “These past two days, though my body is in Dengzhou, my heart remains with you. I kept wondering if you’d fallen asleep, if the child was disturbing you, and… if you were thinking of me?”
Yu Zhi immediately retorted, “Who thinks of you! I’m perfectly content without you here. If it weren’t for the child needing you, I’d never have kept you by my side.”
Luo Tingshi: “Is that so? Then I must work even harder to make Xiao Yu fall in love with me sooner.”
“Dream on.”
As they chatted sporadically, a faint sound suddenly pierced the rainy night, reaching Yu Zhi’s ears. His expression shifted slightly as he stared straight ahead.
Someone was there.
Strangers. And not just one.
Yu Zhi turned to look at Luo Tingshi. Their eyes met. Luo Tingshi’s expression turned solemn as he leaned down and whispered into his ear, “Stay inside. Don’t go out. I’ll deal with them.”
Luo Tingshi casually threw a robe over his shoulders and stepped lightly off the bed. Just as he was about to leave the inner chamber, a faint voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
“Be careful.”
“This family must be wealthy. Just the other day, they spent a fortune on a few pastries. Search thoroughly. I’ll check inside.”
Yu Zhi understood.
Luo Tingshi had been targeted that night for flaunting his wealth. He’d been too conspicuous.
As the thief burst into the inner room, he collided head-on with Luo Tingshi. Caught off guard, Luo Tingshi’s hands shot out like claws, twisting the thief’s arms. In an instant, he dislocated the thief’s shoulders.
“Aaah—” A piercing scream suddenly split the long night.
“Second Brother?” Hearing the commotion from the inner room, several men outside rushed inside. The thief who had entered earlier lay on the floor, wailing. Seeing this, the others roared with fury, “How dare you hurt my Second Brother! Avenge him!”
They all charged forward to fight Luo Tingshi. These bandits were no slouches. The exchange of blows was fierce, and Luo Tingshi couldn’t subdue them immediately.
The sound of fists meeting flesh filled Yu Zhi’s ears.
Yu Zhi held his breath, quietly retreating into the shadows of the bed. He grabbed the inner robe lying there and hurriedly pulled it on.
He was still completely naked. If something went wrong, it would be disastrous.
However, he wasn’t overly concerned about Luo Tingshi. Even without his martial arts prowess, Luo Tingshi’s skills were more than sufficient to handle these bandits.
As this thought crossed his mind, a sudden realization struck Yu Zhi.
He lifted his head, staring straight at Luo Tingshi as he fought the bandits.
Luo Tingshi moved with lightning speed, his techniques too swift to discern. When a bandit slashed at his chest, Luo Tingshi shifted his stance effortlessly, dodging the blow. His left hand shot out, seizing the bandit’s wrist and neutralizing his force.
Something was off.
Yu Zhi stared intently at Luo Tingshi, scrutinizing every movement.
Too absorbed, he failed to notice the commotion around him. Unseen, a bandit had crept to the bedside and lunged at him when his guard dropped.
“Touch him and you’re dead!”
Yu Zhi’s vision blurred as a bone-chilling voice suddenly echoed beside him. He turned his head just in time to see Luo Tingshi snap the thief’s neck.
The thief slowly collapsed to the ground, revealing Luo Tingshi standing behind him.
The rest of the bandits had all been subdued by Luo Tingshi. He bent down, gripping Yu Zhi’s arms as he anxiously scanned him up and down. “Xiao Yu, are you okay? Did you get scared?”
“Luo Tingshi.” Yu Zhi lifted his eyes, staring expressionlessly at the tall, dark shadow before him.
“Your skills are still intact, aren’t they?”
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