222: Deep Affection Under the Moon

The chirping of insects outside had ceased at some point, leaving only the clear moonlight scattered like crushed silver gauze, gently covering the black hair of the Embroiderer scattered on the brocade pillow.

A few strands of moonlight were entangled in the tips of her hair, shimmering with fine silver light, adding a touch of hazy softness to her sleeping face.

Situ Jun remained in their embrace. The warm skin beneath his palm seemed to have a life of its own; every rise and fall with her breath deepened the throbbing in his heart.

He quietly adjusted his posture to let the Embroiderer lean more comfortably, his fingertips unconsciously stroking her lower abdomen—his movements were as light as if he feared disturbing a butterfly perched on a branch, unaware of the preciousness hidden within his caution.

Time flowed silently in the stillness. Situ Jun was filled with joy and had no desire to sleep. The moonlight outside grew hazier, tinting everything in the room with tenderness.

He looked down at the Embroiderer's sleeping face; a trace of attachment still lingered between her brows. Strands of hair clung to her cheeks, and as his fingertips brushed over them, his movements were soft enough to melt the moonlight.

Perhaps tickled by the touch of his fingertips, the Embroiderer moved slightly in his arms, her nose brushing against his chest as a murmur as soft as a mosquito's hum escaped her lips.

Situ Jun instantly froze, making his breath even lighter, only daring to slowly let out a sigh of relief once he felt the person in his arms' breathing become steady and long again.

He quietly adjusted the curve of his arm again to let the Embroiderer's head rest more steadily. His other hand slid gently down her back, stopping at her waist to give her soft flesh a light squeeze—a hidden doting in the strength of his fingertips that he hadn't even noticed himself.

Just then, the Embroiderer in his arms seemed to sense something; her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Her newly awakened eyes were clouded with a misty haze, mixed with a hint of lazy charm, like osmanthus cake soaked in honey, so sweet it made one's heart tremble.

She first realized she was wrapped in a warm, solid embrace, and looking up, she bumped into Situ Jun's eyes, deep as a sea of stars.

Those eyes were filled with a tenderness so thick it couldn't be dispersed, hiding a strange light she couldn't decipher—something like pleasant surprise, yet also like cherished value.

"Husband?"

Her voice carried the slight hoarseness of just waking up, like a feather brushing against his ear.

Her body acted before her mind; she subconsciously shrank into his arms, finding a warmer spot.

Memories of last night rushed back like a tide. From the tips of her ears to her cheeks, two red clouds instantly bloomed. She shyly lowered her eyelashes, but her gaze inadvertently swept over Situ Jun's hand, which was still resting on her lower abdomen.

An indescribable sense of attachment quietly spread from her fingertips.

Seeing her shy and dependent look, the love in Situ Jun's heart grew even stronger.

He tightened his arms, pulling her closer, and took a deep breath of her hair. The faint scent of soapberry mixed with the soft warmth of her hair made his throat tighten, his voice low and satisfied:

"Are you awake?"

"Mhm..."

The Embroiderer responded softly. The heat of him beneath her palm warmed her heart, and the warmth resting on her lower abdomen carried an unusual sense of cherishing.

She hesitated for a moment before lifting her moist eyes, which held a hint of nervousness and anticipation, and asked softly:

"Husband... what you said last night... does it still count?"

She was referring to his promise that when he returned, he would fulfill her wish to become a mother.

Situ Jun's heart felt as if it were being gently tickled by the softest feather, both aching and warm.

Looking at the cautious expectation in the Embroiderer's eyes and thinking of the little life already taking root in her womb, a massive warm current surged through his entire body. He also felt a strange impulse—to keep this secret until the perfect moment and give her a surprise.

He lowered his head and kissed her brow with utmost care. When his lips landed, they carried an unquestionable solemnity:

"Of course it counts, Embroiderer."

The Embroiderer nodded gently in his arms, her fingertips unconsciously hooking the fabric at his waist. Her ears were already deep red, and even her neck was tinted with a faint pink:

"Husband, I'm not tired now..."

When she said this, the shyness in her eyes deepened, but it was suppressed by her full heart of expectation.

Her eyes looking at Situ Jun were bright, like they held crushed moonlight, containing both the eagerness for a child and her attachment to him, so direct it made one's heart tremble.

Situ Jun's heart tightened suddenly as he took in her appearance, a surge of constricting tenderness rising in his throat.

He clearly knew there was already a new life in her womb, but seeing her expectation so genuine at this moment gave him a bit of aching warmth—she didn't know yet that the wish she longed for had already quietly sprouted inside her.

He didn't tell her immediately, but simply tightened his arms, pulling her closer, and asked back in a raspy voice:

"Not tired?"

His voice was wrapped in an inseparable tenderness. As he lowered his head, his nose brushed against her reddened ear tip:

"But just now, you were clearly so tired you fell into a deep sleep."

The Embroiderer became even more shy at his words, shrinking tighter into his arms, yet her fingertips gripped his lapel more firmly, as if afraid he would refuse.

"I... I want to have our child sooner."

Her voice was weak, but every word was clear, carrying a girl-like stubbornness:

"Husband, you will be busy with the manor's affairs tomorrow, and later you have to go to the Southern Border... I want to spend more time with you while you're here, and... and fulfill my wish sooner."

These words were like a soft needle, gently pricking Situ Jun's heart.

He looked at the person in his arms tilting her small face up, her eyes full of dependence and expectation, and a surge of constricting tenderness rose in his throat:

"Good."

He responded huskily in her ear, his movements so gentle they were almost reverent:

"Whatever you say, Embroiderer."

As he finished speaking, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

This kiss was different from the gentle brush on her brow earlier; it held a bit more restrained heat—fearing to disturb the current warmth, yet unable to resist her direct affection.

The Embroiderer's breathing became ragged under his kiss, her fingertips trembling slightly at his waist, yet she actively lifted her chin to respond to his kiss, allowing herself to drown in this love-filled lingering.

The moonlight outside filtered through the window lattice, casting their intertwined shadows onto the brocade quilt, as soft as ink spreading on Xuan paper; even their breathing became long and tender.

Situ Jun gradually slowed his movements, his lips moving from hers to her temples, eyelids, and then her reddened cheeks. Every kiss was as light as a feather but carried a heavy love, as if he wanted to melt all his tenderness into these kisses.

After a long time.

The Embroiderer tilted her head slightly, pressing her cheek against the crook of his neck, listening to the steady, powerful heartbeat in his chest—like the most stable drumbeat in spring, making her heart feel warm and cozy.

"Husband..."

She murmured softly, her voice still carrying a lingering laziness, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the outline of his back:

"You seem... especially gentle today."

Situ Jun paused, looking down at the innocent eyes of the person in his arms, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

He didn't dare reveal the truth, fearing this sudden surprise would make her too excited, and even more, fearing she would become constrained because of it and lose her usual ease.

So he just rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice as low as honey soaked in moonlight:

"To you, I must naturally be gentle."

With that, he slowly sat up, carefully shielding the Embroiderer in the crook of his arm, and gently gathered the slipped brocade quilt for her, tucking in the corners tightly.

The moonlight outside had shifted at some point, spilling through the window screen onto her reddened cheeks, making the tenderness in her eyes appear even clearer.

The Embroiderer leaned closer to him, her fingertips hooking his sleeve, and asked in a small voice:

"Aren't you going to rest, husband? It's almost dawn."

Situ Jun looked down and saw a faint weariness rising in her eyes; her eyelids were fluttering slightly, yet she was still forcing herself to stay awake, making his heart ache with pity.

Knowing she had spent too much energy last night, he lay back down and pulled her into his arms, letting her head rest steadily on his shoulder:

"It's not dawn yet; sleep a bit more."

His voice carried a bit of raspy exhaustion, yet it was still full of tenderness:

"I'll sleep after you've fallen fast asleep."

Hearing this, the Embroiderer felt a surge of warmth in her heart, filled with emotion.

She said no more, only shrinking tighter into his arms, pressing her cheek against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and gradually closed her eyes.

Sleep came quickly. Within moments, her breathing became steady, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows on her eyelids, a hint of a satisfied smile lingering at the corner of her mouth.

Situ Jun looked down at her sleeping form, his fingertips gently brushing her cheek, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing.

The moonlight outside remained gentle, and in the room, only their intertwined breathing remained, so quiet it was as if this moment of warmth would be kept in time forever.