SGSHE132

“May I kiss you?”

Xing Qi had never imagined such a question would come from Jing Heguang’s lips.

After all, Jing Heguang was born into nobility. He was domineering and stubborn by nature, acting as if the world belonged to him.

One only had to look at how Yi Qingxue, half-dead as she was, had been carried into the imperial brother-in-law’s manor to understand the kind of man Jing Heguang was.

Yet, with Xing Qi, he was different. He asked gently and earnestly, treating him as if he were the most important person in the world.

While Xing Qi was momentarily distracted, Jing Heguang boldly leaned in for a kiss.

He swept his arm around Xing Qi’s waist and pressed his lips against his.

The original owner was blessed with stunning features. Up close, he were breathtaking enough to make Xing Qi lose his composure.

Then, the air in his mouth was claimed and dominated.

A wave of heat surged from head to toe, making his very toes curl.

Jing Heguang held Xing Qi tight, as if wanting to embed him right into his own embrace.

The impulse arose, and his actions followed swiftly.

Yet, at the critical moment, Jing Heguang slammed on the brakes.

Xing Qi’s shoulder was partially exposed, and his throat, right at the Adam’s apple, was damp. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who had done it.

Clutching him close and panting, Jing Heguang smiled and planted another quick kiss on Xing Qi’s lips.

“Y-you…you said you’d only kiss me once!”

Xing Qi glared at Jing Heguang, feeling he had been far too naive.

He had actually thought Jing Heguang was a saint of restraint, he must have lost his mind.

Still… the taste of the kiss… wasn’t bad at all.

Especially since Jing Heguang was so handsome. At first, Xing Qi had only focused on his face, but later, his body’s instinctive reactions took the lead, leaving him completely immersed in the moment.

Having never experienced such a bone-melting sensation before, Xing Qi blinked, his initially defiant expression softening into a look of slight sheepishness. Jing Heguang smiled and admitted his fault: “Mm, I was wrong again.”

He leaned his upper body forward, closing the distance, and said, “Your husband is admitting his mistake to you. Since I was wrong, you should punish me.”

Xing Qi felt the tips of his ears burn hot: …Husband?

He might have been muddled himself, but Jing Heguang was clearly even more so.

“What nonsense are you spouting? What kind of punishment could I possibly give you?!” Xing Qi shrank back, trying to put some distance between him and Jing Heguang.

He dared not do anything to Jing Heguang. Jing Heguang’s subordinates were right outside the door.

With just a single sound from Jing Heguang, Xing Qi’s life would be in peril.

Jing Heguang offered a suggestion: “We’re married, aren’t we? So, am I not your husband(Xiang gong)? Of course, I wouldn’t mind if you called me Guanren(my lord/husband) or Liangren (beloved/husband) either.”

Xing Qi furrowed his brows in a dilemma, settling on the same old title: “…Master.”

Master, the same form of address used by all the other subordinates.

Utterly commonplace.

Jing Heguang looked at him and sighed: “So, what punishment will you give me?”

Xing Qi: !!!

Please, no.

That was rather terrifying.

Xing Qi’s mind raced, and he immediately said, “Master, I punish you to go to sleep early. We have to get up early tomorrow!” He answered much faster this time than before.

Jing Heguang had originally wanted Xing Qi to kiss him back, but Xing Qi wasn’t easily fooled, and the suggestion to sleep early was an expression of care. Jing Heguang decided to call it a night. He pulled the other man closer, shifted inward to make room, and finally let go.

Only after he let go and moved a bit further away did the ‘troops’ truly retreat.

Jing Heguang gazed at him, a smile playing on his face. His body, weary from a full day of riding and hunting, drifted into slumber along with his thoughts.

Xing Qi, however, remained wide awake for quite a while.

He had caught a glimpse of the smile on Jing Heguang’s face and couldn’t help but keep glancing over.

Jing Heguang’s handsome face held him captivated, making him reluctant to look away.

That restless, agitated air about him was exactly like how he had been back when he was under the influence of the peach blossom gu.

Of course, he hadn’t realized he was bewitched at the time. He had simply thought he was foolish enough to fall for the illustrious imperial brother-in-law-law.

He would constantly think of the man, wishing he could be on duty twenty-four hours a day.

He only began to suspect something was amiss when he noticed irregularities during the gu’s dormant periods.

After all, it wasn’t in his nature to like someone one moment, dislike them the next, then care deeply again, only to let go…

After going through that cycle a couple of times, Xing Qi realized his ‘feelings’ weren’t right, though he still couldn’t control himself whenever the gu flared up.

Regardless, he eventually came to a clear realization: deep down, he had no romantic interest in Jing Heguang.

But now…well, that time of being bewitched was long in the past!

Xing Qi touched his Adam’s apple, feeling a sense of confusion.

He felt even more bewildered when he woke up the next day.

He had slept soundly through the night and woke up in Jing Heguang’s arms.

Is this what they call being ‘sworn enemies’?

I spent the night sleeping with my enemy.

Oh, and not just one night, it’s night after night.

The moment Xing Qi woke, he saw Jing Heguang gazing at him with a smile, resting his chin on his hand.

In the hazy morning light, Jing Heguang, lying on his side, seemed draped in a glowing mist and veil; he looked soft and ethereal, exuding an air of harmlessness.

There was warmth in the corners of his eyes and brows, even the bitterest cold would melt into a pool of gentle spring water under such a gaze.

That thought, ‘heartlessness after intimacy’, which had surfaced on the first night of their trip, began to waver and crumble in the face of Jing Heguang’s smile.

As for when that wavering had actually begun? That was hard to say.

In any case, the moment Xing Qi realized he could hold Jing Heguang’s hand with ease and share a bed with him without a worry, he knew, deep down, that he was in trouble.

Right now, Xing Qi felt a strong urge to shout: “Beauty leads one astray, the ancients spoke the truth!”

Seeing Xing Qi lost in thought again, Jing Heguang asked with an innocent air, “Thinking of me first thing in the morning?”

It was a casual remark, yet Xing Qi had indeed been thinking of him, and he immediately blushed.

“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you. Since you’re awake, let’s head back together.”

It was still dark outside, only the crowing of roosters heralded the arrival of a new day.

As the two of them rose, the servants entered the room.

They lit the lamps and prepared hot water.

Seeing their master dressing himself, the attendant boy obediently lowered his head, pretending not to notice.

Yet, he couldn’t help but marvel inwardly: the new mistress was truly doted upon! To think the Master was dressing himself!

It wasn’t that the boy was ignorant, in those days, service was so meticulous that it was considered normal for the elite not to dress themselves.

Someone like Jing Heguang was a true rarity.

Once dressed and having hurriedly freshened up, the two gathered their things and boarded the carriage back to the city.

They had left in such a rush that the paper and brushes from the previous night’s desk had simply been placed on the small table inside the carriage.

In the carriage’s dim light, the images on the paintings were faintly visible.

A bustling market with smiling vendors.

Expanses of farmland, with heads of rice bowing low.

Wisps of cooking smoke, and children at the village entrance scattering in a panic, like a school of fish suddenly startled…

Regarding the painting of the cooking smoke, Xing Qi remembered the scene: adults calling out that dinner was ready, causing the children to scatter noisily, each rushing back to their own home. It was a chaotic, amusing, yet heartwarming sight.

After looking over the paintings, Xing Qi raised his eyes to Jing Heguang.

Jing Heguang was gazing at the paintings too. A moment later, he looked up and asked, “Did you enjoy yourself these past few days?”

Xing Qi reflected for a moment. “I did. But it seemed to me that you enjoyed yourself even more than I did?”

Jing Heguang leaned in closer to whisper in his ear.

“Don’t laugh at me, this is a first for me too.”

Xing Qi had a question.

Was it the first time he, too, was witnessing the vastness of the world?

Or was it…the first time he had ever liked someone?

***

Returning from the morning court session.

A secluded courtyard within the imperial brother-in-law manor.

Jing Heguang sat in the seat of honor. Kneeling before him was the head of his advisors, his personal strategist and a veteran minister who had served the previous dynasty, Chi Xiu.

Behind Chi Xiu sat a group of subordinates, all visibly anxious and restless.

Each of them commanded significant manpower and possessed formidable strength.

Kneeling in the center of the hall, Chi Xiu spoke earnestly: “My Lord, you have neglected your duties for ten days now. Tasks are piling up on your desks. Forgive this old servant for speaking plainly, but it is time for you to return to the helm.”

Chi Xiu’s back was bowed as he knelt, his hair was more white than black, revealing the frailty of age.

While his years played a part, the toll of toil and stress was equally to blame. Jing Heguang urged him to rise: “Master Chi, there is no need for this. Please, get up at once!”

After helping Chi Xiu to his feet, Jing Heguang softened his tone: “Master Chi, please take a seat. While my actions over the past ten days might have appeared frivolous, I have actually gained something from the experience.”

As soon as he spoke, the crowd fell silent.

Countless pairs of earnest eyes turned toward him in unison, clearly signaling their intent to listen closely.

Jing Heguang swept his gaze across the room, gathered his emotions, and said, “Over these past ten days, I have found myself closer to the common people than ever before.”

“I discovered that they seem truly content with their lives now.” Jing Heguang was fully immersed in his role, a look of bewilderment began to appear in his eyes.

“They have food and drink, and their lives are stable. This is true everywhere, from the city itself to the rural villages outside the walls.”

Chi Xiu, though scowling, grudgingly acknowledged the enemy’s competence: “That rebel Xu certainly has his methods.”

He added, “But you, your highness, are the true heaven-ordained ruler!”

The loyal group grew agitated. In their hearts, their highness was far superior to the current emperor!

“Your Highness possesses greater talent and capability than the rebel Xu!”

“Your Highness is the rightful heir!”

“Your Highness—”

Jing Heguang waved his hand. “Sit down, everyone, there is no need for such agitation.”

Chi Xiu said, “What Your Highness said earlier was truly alarming. You are a man of extraordinary talent, success is within our grasp!”

Had Chi Xiu not chosen to remain in the shadows, he would have been a brilliant minister, a top-tier figure, even in the Xu dynasty.

He had willingly chosen a life of obscurity solely to guide the original owner toward greatness and the restoration of the old dynasty, his loyalty to the prince and the former regime was absolute.

It had given him quite a scare to hear Jing Heguang praise the prosperity of the common people and see a look of wavering resolve in his eyes.

Besides, even if that rebel Xu was capable, the prince he had watched grow up was far more outstanding.

Jing Heguang looked at the old man’s stubborn face and sighed, “But we are living in an era of prosperity, a perfect time for the people to recover and thrive. Why stir up turmoil now?”

Jing Heguang laid his cards on the table, and his subordinates were truly panicked.

“Your Highness, a moment of turmoil exchanged for enduring prosperity, the people stand to gain far more.”

“Your Highness, those who undertake great causes must not harbor the soft heart of a woman!”

“Your Highness, who has clouded your judgment?”

Jing Heguang waved a hand. “Everyone, take your seats. Let us not get agitated just yet.”

Chi Xiu’s beard quivered as he gripped the armrests of his chair. “Your Highness, how can we not be anxious?!”

Dozens of eyes fixed urgently upon Jing Heguang, regarding him as if he were a man bent on folly.

Throughout their years in the shadows, their loyalty had been forged by the original owner’s ability to command and subdue others, as well as their own obsessive drive to ‘restore the nation’.

Yet now, the very man among them with the most steadfast conviction was proposing the exact opposite? It was absurd, and terrifying.

Had the original owner not possessed such commanding authority and influence, the meeting might well have descended into chaos right then and there.

Seeing them so agitated yet still obediently seated, Jing Heguang felt a measure of relief. It proved he still held the reins, he hadn’t botched the situation.

The reason these men were so determined to restore the kingdom was, naturally, their belief that doing so was a righteous cause.

Setting aside their personal gains, there was the matter of principle: they held a stubborn belief in legitimacy, which made them fiercely loyal to the original owner, whom they regarded as their true sovereign.

As for the common people, they believed the original owner’s claim that restoration would secure a better future for the populace, viewing any short-term suffering as a minor price to pay.

They saw themselves as champions of justice acting in the people’s best interest, and thus, they spoke with righteous confidence.

But would reality truly unfold as they envisioned?

In Jing Heguang’s view: no, it would not.

There were simply too many variables. Events do not always shift in the direction most favorable to one side.

Jing Heguang held their attention and continued, “Yet it was my father who caused the dynasty fall and brought such prolonged suffering upon the people!”

His question was blunt and struck a raw nerve.

My father made the people suffer for so long, how could you bear to let that suffering continue?!

Since there is still a debt owed to the common people, it would be unjust to go about stirring up turmoil and bullying others!