Chapter 83: Don't like Xie Lin, okay?

Fast?

Actually, it's not that fast.

It's been over a month since Xie Lin went to Danzhou to suppress the bandits; it's about time we had a result.

And this result was also within Xiao Jingyuan's expectations.

But for some reason, Xiao Jingyuan just couldn't feel happy.

Especially thinking of what Pei Zhi had said to him earlier, Shen Shuangning has been waiting for Xie Lin to return and get married.

Xie Lin has already wiped out the bandits in Danzhou; after clearing up the remnants, he will soon return to the court, at the latest in half a month, by which time nothing will be able to stop them from being together......

Su Chen's words trailed off.

Then he saw Xiao Jingyuan again show that strange expression, and seemed to be immersed in some emotion, even ignoring Su Chen's presence.

Su Chen, seeing this, suddenly had an unbelievable thought: Could it be that the Heir does not wish for the Young Marquis to return?!

Su Chen's heart sank, he fixed his gaze on Xiao Jingyuan and solemnly called out, "Heir."

If Xiao Jingyuan truly developed feelings for Shen Shuangning, that would be secondary; but if he fell out with Xie Lin, it would be disadvantageous to the current situation.

Indeed, he believes Xiao Jingyuan would not be so irrational, but what if the Young Marquis notices?

Su Chen put himself in Xie Lin's shoes: before the expedition, Xie Lin had asked his most trusted brother to look after his beloved; the result was a backstab, as the saying goes, "One must not infringe upon a brother's wife," and no one could tolerate that!

This is literally a shura field!

Just thinking about it makes Su Chen feel it's tricky. No, he must definitely not stop the Heir; he absolutely cannot let this situation happen!

If Su Chen knew that Xiao Jingyuan had already done something highly immoral to Shen Shuangning, he would be frightened to death on the spot.

Xiao Jingyuan sat silently in the chair, fingertips resting on his knees, slightly curled, and lifted his eyes to meet Su Chen's gaze.

The two have worked together for a long time; often they don't need to spell things out clearly—a single glance can convey each other's thoughts.

"The Heir has developed feelings for the Fourth Miss."

Su Chen's tone was certain; perhaps he had already anticipated this, so he wasn't very surprised.

Xiao Jingyuan remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "Should I not have done this?"

Su Chen pulled his robe and sat down in the chair beside him, then slowly said: "Matters of the heart are not up to us to decide; right or wrong is hard to judge. Having the thought is not a problem; what's feared is that because of this thought, one loses propriety in one's actions."

Xiao Jingyuan did not speak.

Su Chen saw the gloom condensed in his brows and couldn't help asking: "Is the Heir's affection for the Fourth Miss due to that dream, or is it because the Fourth Miss herself attracts the Heir? Has she caught the Heir's eye?"

Xiao Jingyuan heard this and was stunned, unable to answer for a moment.

He even couldn't tell whether it was possessiveness at work, or if he truly had fallen for Shen Shuangning.

People's hearts are inscrutable; Su Chen also found it hard to see through Xiao Jingyuan's thoughts.

Seeing his current state, it didn't look like he could calm down to discuss serious matters, and since it was getting late, Su Chen took his leave.

Before bed, Xiao Jingyuan ordered someone to light the calming incense.

Perhaps because he had thought too much, Xiao Jingyuan dreamed of Shen Shuangning again that night.

But this time, the dream was somewhat different from before.

He knows himself; he is not someone who indulges in beauty, yet whenever he returns from outside, he wants to stay overnight with her and enjoy all pleasures.

He also made excuses for himself, saying it was because she wanted a child, which is why he was so diligent.

In truth, he also deeply enjoyed being close to her.

Precisely for this reason, he often dreams of these sensual scenes, yet because it's a dream, he always feels they are near at hand yet far away.

Before, he could not control his dreams, only able to watch like a bystander as his past self interacted with Shen Shuangning.

But this time, he broke through the obstruction and took control of his body......

The spring bed swayed, the blankets turned into red waves, and soft moans came in waves.

But today she seemed not in high spirits; the lovely brows and eyes were furrowed with an indistinct worry.

He also didn't know what had upset her; even when he pushed the door open and entered the room, she did not come running to greet him as she usually did.

Nevertheless, she left the lamp lit for him; although it seemed dawn was approaching, the horizon already showed a faint fish-belly white.

When he finished washing up and walked toward the bed, she still had her back to him, feigning sleep, and even rebuffed his advances.

After having had this dream so many times, she still refused him for the first time.

Perhaps she resented his late return? Or perhaps some other reason?

Xiao Jingyuan was not sure, after all, at this moment he was not his former self.

But Shen Shuangning's hot-and-cold aloofness inexplicably made him feel very uneasy, as if he were about to lose her; the heart-wrenching pain made him dare not think too deeply.

Afterwards, he still coaxed her into having intercourse.

Xiao Jingyuan suddenly felt a bit jealous of his past self.

Only at this moment did he have a tangible sense that Shen Shuangning belonged to him, and she would not become another's wife.

It seemed that only in the dream could he possess her without reservation, merging her into his own body.

In a pause, she suddenly asked: "The hot spring villa in the southern suburbs, could you take me there?"

What hot spring villa?

Xiao Jingyuan paused; he didn't recall such a place, but he guessed it must be a property they acquired after marriage.

Xiao Jingyuan didn't think much, lowered his head and kissed her lips, saying: "What do you want to go there for?"

He asked that way, not with any other intention, just pure curiosity.

Shen Shuangning softly said: "Just feeling a bit uncomfortable; if you're not willing, then forget it."

Her tone sounded rather disappointed, her thick black lashes slightly drooping.

Xiao Jingyuan then said: "If you want to go, I'll take you there."

He had never thought of refusing her; indeed, he wondered what it would be like to experience the hot springs, not knowing whether she would like it.

He then realized again that this was a dream, not reality, and he had been thinking too much.

Shen Shuangning heard him, froze slightly, still a bit confused, her eyes scrutinizing him as if she wanted to speak but held back.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Shen Shuangning slowly shook her head, pressed her lips together, and remained silent.

With a beauty in his arms, Xiao Jingyuan could not spare any thought for other matters; besides, this was something from his past life, and he had no desire to investigate further.

"Why didn't you call me 'my lord' tonight? Call me 'my lord,' please? I want to hear it." His voice carried a hint of pleading.

Finally, he whispered in an extremely low voice: "... Don't reject me."

After a while, Shen Shuangning raised her hand, stroked his back, closed her eyes, and called out: "My lord."

Sweat drenched her, the spring scenery boundless.

As their passion peaked, Xiao Jingyuan leaned down and held her tightly, then immediately heard her whisper in his ear: "My lord, do you like me?"

Xiao Jingyuan's voice low, he answered from his heart: "I like you, very much."

The moment his words landed, he himself was stunned first.

His heart felt as if something had burst forth from the soil, then could no longer be contained, spreading like vines over mountains and fields, entwining his heart with soreness and fullness, yet bringing an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

Shen Shuangning pressed further: "My lord, do you merely enjoy sharing a bed with me, or do you like me?"

Xiao Jingyuan lifted his head, gazed into her eyes, and finally stopped going against his own heart.

"I like sharing a bed with you, and I like you."

But deep in his eyes, pain was clearly hidden.

"Please don't like Xie Lin, alright?"

The afternoon sun was just right; after leaving Shu Zhai, Shen Shuangning and Jingyu each took their bows and arrows and arrived early at the training grounds.

After all, the Young Master Xiao had always been strict with his troops; after half a month together, they had deeply felt it.

As a result, Xiao Jingyuan himself was late.

He was late by half an hour!

It's utterly strange!

Seeing him hurry over from afar, Shen Shuangning had already planned how to tease him.

However, when Xiao Jingyuan drew near and she saw the two dark circles under his eyes, the words she had ready vanished from her lips.

Did Xiao Jingyuan not sleep all night?

What mischief did he get up to again?

Not only Shen Shuangning stared at him with suspicion, Jingyu was also looking at him.

Recalling Master Pei's earnest teachings, Jingyu thought that although the Young Master Xiao was somewhat fearsome, he was still her archery teacher; upholding the principle of respecting teachers and valuing the way, she decided to pluck up her courage and show concern for him.

"The imperial physician said, dark circles under the eyes and pale lips indicate deficient kidney yang; the Young Master should properly nourish his body and practice moderation in daily life..."

Shen Shuangning startled, quickly covered Jingyu's mouth.

Good heavens, Your Highness the Princess, do you even know what you're saying?!