Chapter 1855: The Frail Young Master

Maybe it was the warm atmosphere of their embrace in the courtyard, but Jin Chen saw his husband's attitude soften, reached up to rub his chilled, reddened earlobe, and ended up kissing him.

Ye Yucí hadn't braced himself; the kiss made him shudder, a lingering warmth stayed on his earlobe and crept up to the corners of his eyes, turning them slightly red.

"Husband, how…?" "What are you doing, not letting me kiss you?"

Jin Chen spoke with righteous confidence, not only kissing his earlobe but also leaning in to kiss the side of his husband's face, saying, "We are a legitimate married couple, not having an affair—why can't we kiss?"

Ye Yucí: "……"

Even if we are a proper married couple, we don't do such things out in the open.

The young master is still young, yet he acts so… reckless.

Ye Yucí's face was flushed; he pushed at Jin Chen's shoulder, showing no trace of the sharpness he had shown earlier when facing the Ye family.

"Out here, we can't do that."

A mischievous glint flashed in Jin Chen's eyes, yet he hummed, as if not understanding, and wrapped his arms around Ye Yucí, preventing him from leaving, saying, "But I feel like you just don't want to—you're my husband; can't I kiss you even once?"

Ye Yucí, who had never experienced love in two lifetimes, could hardly outtalk the silver‑tongued young master in such matters.

But before he could retort, he saw Jin Chen looking sorrowful and helpless, his chest seeming as if he might cough up blood any moment, his voice filled with an indescribable desolation and fragility.

"If Yucí won't let me kiss him, it means he doesn't like me… Besides, it was only supposed to be a token marriage; it's all my fault for blocking his path and forcibly keeping him in the manor."

Seeing Jin Chen grow stranger by the word, Ye Yucí's heart jolted; he hastily covered his mouth, saying, "Husband, don't talk nonsense."

Jin Chen's words trailed off; he blinked his innocent peach‑blossom eyes, then seized Ye Yucí's hand and kissed the back of it.

Ye Yucí's palm grew hot; he tried to pull his hand back, but Jin Chen held it fast, and meeting his tender gaze made his heart flutter so much he couldn't bring himself to withdraw.

"Do you think I'm wrong, Yucí?" Jin Chen asked.

Ye Yucí gave a slight nod, lowered his phoenix eyes, and his voice grew hoarse: "Being able to marry my husband… is my blessing."

"Alright, then kiss me."

Jin Chen still deliberately kept a stern face, casually tapping his own cheek.

Ye Yucí froze, the fluttering feeling stuck somewhere in between, yet he knew that if he didn't go along with Jin Chen's temperament today, who knew what else he might do.

He drew a gentle breath, slowly leaned in, sandalwood scent wrapping around his senses, and, as if bewitched, pressed his lips to the spot on Jin Chen's cheek that he had indicated.

Even though the contact was fleeting, it was enough for Ye Yucí to hear his pounding heart thrum like a drumbeat.

Having achieved his goal, Jin Chen curled his thin lips into a teasing smile and held Ye Yucí tightly in his arms.

"Good Yucí, obedient Yucí, next time remember to kiss on the lips… huh?"

Ye Yucí's ears were completely red; he pushed Jin Chen away and turned to walk out.

"Husband, wait for me."

Jin Chen laughed as he caught up, taking only a few steps to reach the unhurried Ye Yucí and taking his hand.

Withered yellow bamboo leaves littered the ground of the dilapidated courtyard, yet the winter sun filtered through the archway at the entrance, falling on Ye Yucí's face; his slightly curved lips showed a faint, shy gentleness.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total 20!】

——

At the return‑door banquet, the Ye family members were nearly all present; after that morning's warning, no one dared mention the shop matter again, and the atmosphere became rather tranquil.

It's just that for some reason Ye Zining happened to be absent; Ye Yucí glanced around the table, his brows slightly raised, a hint of regret lowering his long lashes, yet he didn't say more.

The future is long.

Today I will destroy Ye Chang and Ye Hui; someday I will be able to destroy the entire Ye family.

When returning to the manor, Lady Ye somehow summoned a handsome‑looking youth and spoke gently to Ye Yucí: "Yucí, by rights I should have brought the attendants from my courtyard to serve you, but after all they are merely maidservants."

"This child is named Zhulu; he's clever, and bringing him to the Jin manor to serve you would also be good."

Though said to be an ordinary servant, his build and clothing were clearly different from others.

Ye Yucí gave Zhulu a half‑smile, noting that though he lowered his eyes in obedience, he could not hide his joy; his gaze then turned to Lady Ye.

"Then thank you, aunt, for your thought."

He had Zhulu follow Duoyu, then lowered the carriage curtain.

Jin Chen also withdrew his gaze, stuffed a pastry into Ye Yucí's hand, saying, "Yucí, don't be so trusting; after we return to the manor, just arrange to do some odd jobs in the back kitchen."

Ye Yucí fell silent for a moment, hid his smile, glanced sideways at Jin Chen's hopeful eyes, also picked up a piece of pastry to feed him, his other hand loosely held to catch any crumbs.

"Husband, Zhulu seems like a decent servant; he only knows how to pour tea and water and attend to daily needs—he probably can't handle the back‑kitchen work."

Lady Ye's intention was obvious: she wanted Zhulu, while the young master was still alive, to take the place of a concubine's personal attendant.

She probably didn't expect that Jin Chen would have this idea.

After eating two pastries, Jin Chen took a handkerchief to wipe Ye Yucí's hand, moved closer to sit beside him, and said solemnly, "The Jin manor can support only one idle person—me."

He can't shoulder a burden or do any work—are we supposed to just leave him in Luochun Courtyard to idle and cause harm?

The carriage soon returned to the Jin manor; Ye Yucí stepped down first, straightened his fox fur robe, turned around, and saw Zhulu raising his wrist, ready to help Jin Chen alight.

Jin Chen lifted the curtain, thinking it was his husband, instinctively reached out, then hastily pulled his hand back.

"Move aside."

His voice was calm, he furrowed his brows, and his gaze swept over Zhulu's sleeve.

He must be hiding some concealed weapon, right?

Ye Yucí stepped forward two paces, helped Jin Chen down from the carriage, then gave a faint glance at the embarrassed Zhulu, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

"Duoyu, I don't need a personal attendant; take him to the back kitchen and arrange for him to do odd jobs."

"Yes, young mistress."

Jin Chen was very pleased with this arrangement, not noticing Zhulu's resentful glance, and took Ye Yucí's hand back to Luochun Courtyard.