200: Leaning against each other under the moon

The night deepened as a solitary moon hung in the inky sky, its clear radiance washing over the upturned eaves and flowing into the courtyard with a hint of chill.

The pomegranate blossoms that had burned brightly during the day were now plated with silver frost by the moonlight, looking like a handful of cold flames.

When Situ Jun slipped back into the West Wing of the inner courtyard, stepping on the moonlight that looked like shattered silver, Shen Xingwan was curled up on the soft couch by the window, swinging her feet.

Seeing him push the door open, she jumped up with a "waa!" sound, the silver bells at her temples tinkling as crisp as icicles falling from the eaves.

"Husband, you're finally back! Little Lotus said if you didn't come soon, I'd finish off this plate of sweet-scented osmanthus cakes!"

Little Lotus smiled on the side, the dinner on the table arranged neatly.

Shrimp and winter melon soup floated in a celadon bowl, the green winter melon slices making the shrimp look even more pearly white. Square crystal dumplings were stacked on a white porcelain plate, their thin skins revealing the tender pink filling inside. Even the vinegar dish was adorned with a bright red Cherry, adding a touch of charm.

"Why are you running?"

Situ Jun reached out to catch her before she hit the doorframe. When his fingertips touched her wrist, he hissed, his brows furrowing instantly.

"Not wearing an outer robe again? Your hands are as cold as if they were just fished out of a well."

"They're not cold at all!"

Shen Xingwan grabbed his hand and pressed it against her cheek. Her warm breath swept across his palm, carrying the sweet scent of osmanthus cakes.

Her sharp eyes caught the lingering cold sternness between his brows and the chill of the night dew on his robes, but she deliberately smiled more brightly.

"Is Husband finished with work? Let's eat first; the soup is getting cold."

Little Lotus tactfully withdrew. As she closed the door, she caught a glimpse of her Young Miss secretly stuffing a sweet-scented osmanthus cake into the son-in-law's bowl.

Just as the two were playfully about to sit down, the Embroiderer lifted the curtain and entered with a food box, laughing loudly.

"Finally willing to come back? You two have been in this West Wing all day. I heard you hadn't eaten dinner, so I brought some late-night snacks."

Shen Xingwan's face turned beet red. She shrank behind Situ Jun, the tips of her ears even more vivid than the Cherry on the table.

Situ Jun, however, was quite composed. He pulled her by the shoulder to sit down, his eyes curved with a smile as he looked at the Embroiderer.

"What's this? Is the Embroiderer here to join the fun too?"

"I'm here to see Sister Xingwan, to see if she can even get out of bed after being tossed around by a certain someone," the Embroiderer teased, pushing the bird's nest soup from the food box in front of Shen Xingwan. "Eat up and nourish your spirit."

Shen Xingwan was so embarrassed she couldn't even lift her head, so she just buried it in her food.

Situ Jun wouldn't let her off. He picked up the most tender piece of meat from the belly of a sea bass, carefully removed the fine bones, and placed it in her bowl. His voice was just loud enough for the Embroiderer to hear.

" Eat more， High energy expenditure in the afternoon."

"Pfft—"

The tea the Embroiderer had just taken a sip of almost sprayed out. She glared at Situ Jun.

"No decency at all!"

Shen Xingwan's face grew even redder. She secretly pinched Situ Jun, but he caught her hand and gently rubbed her fingertips under the table, making her heart tremble.

The meal passed in such playful banter for about half a stick of incense's time.

The Embroiderer tactfully made an excuse to leave, finally leaving just the two of them in the room.

Although Situ Jun was still serving her food, his movements slowed. The gloom between his brows, like ink that wouldn't dissolve, finally surfaced.

Shen Xingwan wanted to speak several times, but the words died in her throat. She ate silently, the table full of delicacies now tasting like nothing.

Only after putting down her chopsticks did she speak softly, her voice carrying an imperceptible persistence.

"Husband, has something big happened? I see... you have a lot on your mind."

Situ Jun paused and looked up at her.

Under the candlelight, her clear eyes were filled with worry, without a hint of suspicion, only complete trust.

He was silent for a moment before downplaying it.

"Some small fry are gathering outside the city; we just need to be on guard. It's fine. The manor is heavily guarded; you just stay here and relax."

Shen Xingwan's heart sank.

The more he downplayed it, the more she felt it wasn't simple.

The urgency of the people from the City Lord's Manor during the day, his suddenly cold aura—none of it seemed like the kind of waves "small fry" could stir up.

But seeing the faint dark circles under his eyes, she ultimately suppressed her questioning.

If she couldn't share his worries, she at least shouldn't add to his troubles.

"Okay."

She lowered her eyelashes to hide the worry in her eyes. Picking up her chopsticks again, she placed a piece of his favorite steamed sea bass into his bowl, her voice as soft as if it were soaked in warm water.

"Husband should also be careful. Don't overwork yourself."

After dinner, Situ Jun didn't go to the study.

Perhaps he craved that bit of tenderness from the afternoon, or perhaps he especially needed this peace tonight. He stayed in the West Wing.

The two sat by the window, and Shen Xingwan brewed a cup of Snow Mountain Spirit Tea for him.

The tea fragrance rose in curls, temporarily dispelling the heaviness in the room.

Situ Jun gazed at the cold moonlight outside the window and suddenly spoke, his voice deep like carriage wheels rolling over blue stone.

"East Lin City... is situated at a strategic bottleneck. It looks prosperous and stable, but in reality, undercurrents are surging. The Southern Border is in constant conflict, and all forces want to pass through to the north or fish in troubled waters."

Shen Xingwan listened quietly, leaning against his side.

She didn't interrupt, only resting her head gently on his shoulder. The fragrance from her hair mingled with the tea scent, providing silent support in her own way.

She knew that what he needed right now wasn't questioning, but a corner where he could confide.

"Xingwan."

He lowered his head, his chin rubbing against the top of her head. His voice actually held a hint of imperceptible vulnerability.

"Sometimes, I also feel tired."

This "tiredness" was the burden of a city of living souls on his shoulders, the mental exhaustion of dealing with various forces, and the hidden worry that this hard-won warmth might ultimately be impossible to protect.

Shen Xingwan felt a pang in her heart. She tightened her arms around his waist, as if she could share some of the burden this way.

She looked up, her clear eyes incredibly bright in the moonlight, carrying the firmness of a rock.

"Whatever happens, I will stay with you. Wherever you are, that is my home."

These words were like a warm current, instantly flowing through Situ Jun's cold and weary heart.

He looked at her deeply, as if he wanted to carve her current appearance into his bones and blood. All words became redundant. He lowered his head and kissed her deeply.

This kiss was different from the lingering tenderness of the afternoon. It carried a nearly desperate demand and confirmation, as if he were drawing the courage to face the entire cold world from each other's breath.

Shen Xingwan responded passionately, casting aside all shyness, using all her strength to embrace and respond to him.

Outside the window, the moonlight was hidden by clouds and then revealed again. The candlelight flickered in the wind, casting their overlapping shadows on the wall like a flowing painting.

Her hair tangled around his wrist, and his fingertips brushed across the tie at her waist, bringing a slight, ticklish sensation.

"Husband..." She pushed him, breathless, her cheeks as red as a ripe pomegranate. "The candle isn't out yet..."

Situ Jun bit her earlobe and chuckled, waving his hand to extinguish the candle.

Moonlight immediately flooded through the window, illuminating the watery light in her eyes.

When he kissed her again, his voice was as light as a sigh.

"Xingwan, with you here, anywhere is a place of peace."

Shen Xingwan didn't speak, she just buried her face in the crook of his neck and held him even tighter.

The night breeze passed through the wind chimes under the corridor, tinkling, mixing with the rustling of the bed curtains, becoming the gentlest melody of the night.

Outside the window, a few pomegranate blossoms had fallen at some point, floating on the blue stone slabs like a handful of scattered red.

Situ Jun lowered his head to kiss the top of her head and held her a little tighter.

The night grew thicker, and the moonlight climbed up the window lattice, gently flowing over the two people embracing each other.

The room was quiet, with only the sound of their breathing intertwined, like a silent love song flowing slowly in the moonlight.