198: Afternoon Tenderness

He looked up at her, his eyes as deep as the night, churning with emotions she couldn't understand, yet wrapped in an unshakeable tenderness, like water-soaked ink, too thick to dissolve.

“May I?”

Shen Xingwan turned her face away, not looking at him, but her cheeks were honest, turning so red they looked ready to bleed, even her neck stained with a crimson hue.

Situ Jun refused to let her go, turning over to press her beneath him. Kisses fell like fine rain—from her brows to her lips, and then to the sensitive skin of her collarbone, carrying both cherished care and an unmistakable possessiveness.

His hands were not idle either, his fingertips gently flicking open the ties of her nightgown. Everywhere they passed, they stirred a tremor, like a faint electric current racing through her entire body.

“Wait until evening...”

Shen Xingwan's voice carried a slight tremble, yet it lacked strength. Instead, it sounded like she was acting spoiled, so soft it made one's heart itch.

Situ Jun stopped his movements, his forehead resting against hers. In the space where their breaths mingled, there was only each other's scent.

“Xingwan,”

His voice was low and serious:

“Look at me.”

Shen Xingwan hesitated for a moment before slowly opening her eyes.

Her gaze crashed into his deep eyes, where only her reflection remained, clear and certain, as if etched into them.

“I have fallen in love with you.”

He spoke bluntly, without the slightest concealment, the desire in his eyes open and honest.

Shen Xingwan's face grew even redder, but she did not refuse again. She simply closed her eyes gently, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, casting a shallow shadow.

This silent acquiescence was like lighting a fuse.

Situ Jun's kiss fell again, this time with an irresistible passion, like a spark starting a prairie fire.

The brocade quilt slipped down quietly, revealing a large expanse of delicate skin that shimmered with a moist luster in the afternoon light, like fine mutton-fat jade.

His movements were gentle and restrained, yet carried an unquestionable possessiveness.

Every touch was like sketching a rare treasure, cautious yet filled with a bone-deep lingering affection, as if he wanted to melt her scent and her warmth into his very blood and bones.

Shen Xingwan's breathing gradually became rapid, and her body involuntarily catered to him.

All reserve and shyness were thrown to the winds at this moment, leaving only the most primal desire and dependence, wanting only to be closer to him, just a little closer.

Outside the window, the sun gradually slanted westward. Golden light passed through the window lattices, casting long shadows on the floor, while the birdsong was crisp and pleasant.

Inside the room, however, was a different scene of enchanting beauty. Breaths intertwined, body heat merged, and time seemed to slow down.

After an unknown amount of time, the commotion in the room finally subsided.

Shen Xingwan collapsed limply in Situ Jun's arms, her strength depleted. Her cheeks were flushed, fine beads of sweat seeped from her forehead, and her hair was disheveled, clinging to the side of her neck, adding a touch of charm like a peony dampened by rain.

Situ Jun held her, his palm gently stroking her sweat-dampened back. His movements were incredibly gentle, as if he were afraid of breaking this soft bundle.

“Tired?”

Shen Xingwan lacked the strength to answer. She simply huddled into his arms, found a comfortable position, and closed her eyes. However, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly, rippling with a satisfied smile.

Watching her satisfied look, the smile in Situ Jun's eyes was so gentle it could overflow, like a gaze full of spring water.

He lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss onto the top of her head. Then, holding her, he quietly felt this rare tranquility, even his breathing becoming light for fear of disturbing this beauty.

The afternoon sunlight shifted lazily. The patches of light filtering through the gauze curtains gradually lengthened and faded, finally taking on the golden glow of the setting sun.

Shen Xingwan fell into a deep sleep in Situ Jun's arms. This time, the days of fatigue and the burden on her heart seemed to be unburdened by this secure embrace; she slept exceptionally soundly.

Situ Jun did not move. He just held her quietly, feeling her steady breathing brush against his neck, her warm body temperature soothing his perpetually cold chest.

His fingertips unconsciously twined around a stray lock of her dark hair. His gaze fell upon her tranquil sleeping face, while the crimson Buyao Hairpin by the pillow emitted a soft luster.

Not until the twilight closed in and the light in the room grew hazy did Situ Jun get up with extreme gentleness.

Shen Xingwan gave a dissatisfied moan in her sleep. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, whispering:

“Awake?”

His voice carried the slight rasp of one who had just woken up, but the end of his sentence was laced with a smile:

“If you don't get up soon, you'll miss dinner.”

Only then did Shen Xingwan realize it was nearly dusk. The pomegranate flowers outside the window were stained with the twilight, appearing even more quietly seductive than during the day.

She shrunk back into the quilt. Remembering the events of the afternoon, the tips of her ears began to burn again. She turned her head away to avoid looking at him:

“It's all your fault.”

“Yes, it's all my fault.”

Situ Jun agreed with a low laugh, yet he pushed his luck and leaned in closer, his nose brushing against her earlobe:

“Then how should Xingwan punish me?”

Warm breath brushed against her neck. Shen Xingwan couldn't help but shrink her neck and reached out to push him away, but he took the opportunity to grab her wrist and pin it to the pillow.

His palms had thin callouses, and as they rubbed against the delicate skin of her wrist, the sensation made her heart skip a beat.

“Punish you... punish you by not allowing you into the room tonight.”

She forced herself to finish the sentence, her face turning red before she even finished.

Situ Jun raised an eyebrow and leaned down to bite her earlobe, his voice as low as a lover's murmur:

“That won't do. How can my Xingwan have no one to accompany her at night? Come, get up quickly, or the Embroiderer and the others will laugh at you.”

When Shen Xingwan was helped up by him, she realized she had been changed into a lotus-root-colored nightgown with fine stitching and smooth fabric.

She thought of the afternoon's passion, and the tips of her ears turned red instantly. She lowered her head and stared at the corner of the quilt, not daring to look at him.

Situ Jun chuckled softly. He reached out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, his finger pads accidentally brushing against her earlobe, causing her to tremble slightly.

“Why is your face red?” He teased her on purpose. “Weren't you quite bold during the day?”

“You...”

Shen Xingwan clutched the quilt and glared at him. There was no real anger in her eyes; instead, they were like grapes dipped in water, sparkling bright.

As they spoke, a maid's voice came from outside the door:

“City Lord, Madam Shen, dinner is ready. Madam Embroiderer asked this Servant Girl to bring it over.”

“Leave it outside first.”

Situ Jun replied and stood up to pick Shen Xingwan up in a horizontal carry.

She gave a startled cry and subconsciously hugged his neck, only for him to laugh and give her forehead a little pinch:

“What are you shy for? You are my wife.”

Shen Xingwan's face turned red again. She had no choice but to bury her face in the crook of his neck, letting him carry her through the outer room and set her down in front of the dressing table.

The Servant Girl Little Lotus had already prepared hot water and the makeup box. Seeing them arrive, she tactfully withdrew.

Situ Jun picked up a wooden comb and clumsily began to comb her hair.

His movements were very light, but he inevitably tugged at her hair strands, causing her to frown slightly.

“Clumsy.”

She couldn't help but complain, reaching out to grab the comb, but he held her down.

“Don't move,” he insisted on continuing. “Let me do it.”

Shen Xingwan had no choice but to give up, letting him fuss with her hair.

The bronze mirror reflected his focused profile. The afterglow of the setting sun passed through the window lattices, coating him in a golden border. He actually seemed a bit less sharp than usual and a bit more tender.

After fussing for a long while, he finally managed to tie a simple hair bun, but it was crooked.

Looking at her appearance in the mirror, Shen Xingwan couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Situ Jun wasn't annoyed either. He just reached out to pull her into his arms, his chin resting on her shoulder as he met her gaze in the mirror:

“Is it ugly?”

“It's ugly to death.”

Even as she said it, her eyes were filled with laughter.

“Then only I am allowed to see it.”

He gave a low laugh and lightly bit her earlobe.