CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 417: ACTING SPOILED

Xie Liangchen had her meal and sat in the room reviewing the accounts, the room was very quiet, suitable for her to manipulate the counting rods in her hands.

After the two wedding maids left, the maid cleaned up the dishes and no one else came in.

With no one else to disturb her, Xie Liangchen felt more at ease. Unknowingly, she had reviewed most of the accounts and was just about to get up and walk around when she heard Chang An’s voice at the door.

"The master is back."

Then the wedding maid said, "I’ll have someone fetch water to serve."

Chang An said, "The master has his rules, just put the water in the front room, you don’t need to go inside, the master will instruct if anything is needed."

Xie Liangchen was listening carefully, then heard the door being pushed open, and soon Song Xian walked in.

Seeing Song Xian in his ceremonial attire, Xie Liangchen’s thoughts finally came together.

Compared to her daze, Song Xian was much more natural. He took a few steps towards her, his eyes full of smiles: "There were too many people in the front, were you getting anxious waiting?"

Who was anxious? Her? If he had been any later, she might have forgotten what day it was today.

But it was not the time to speak the truth.

Xie Liangchen met Song Xian’s gaze: "Are you tired? Take a rest, I’ll brew some tea."

She was just about to step forward when she felt a tightness in her waist, her whole body was lifted up and placed back onto the soft couch.

Surprised, she lifted her eyes to see the bright eyes of Song Xian, who was staring at her steadily.

Xie Liangchen, being looked at like this for a while, her heart started racing chaotically, and in her confusion, she blurted out: "Have you been drinking? You smell of alcohol."

"No," Song Xian’s voice was gentler than usual, and his arm never moved from her waist, "It’s just the smell of their alcohol."

Song Xian continued, his brows slightly furrowed like an aggrieved child: "They all wanted to get me drunk, but luckily we were prepared beforehand, we deflected it all. Du Zhuo’s second brother, Du Jian, probably still holds a grudge over his third brother, secretly switched my cup."

Xie Liangchen said, "How is Du Jian? Is he alright? On such a joyous day, you can’t hit someone."

Xie Liangchen deliberately showed a solemn expression, the two of them met each other’s eyes, and on each other’s faces, they saw smiles.

Before the smile faded, Xie Liangchen felt Song Xian’s arm around her waist tighten, and then she fell into Song Xian’s warm embrace.

Song Xian lowered his head, his warm breath blowing on her cheeks.

Xie Liangchen, who had just relaxed herself, immediately tensed up again.

"I didn’t hit him, but he’s truly annoying, spilled wine on my robe, and the smell of alcohol is giving me a headache," said Song Xian.

She wouldn’t believe him even if he swore, even if Song Xian’s alcohol tolerance wasn’t great, he wouldn’t be dazed by the smell of wine.

Xie Liangchen said, "Then have some tea."

"No need," Song Xian’s arm tightened a little more, "Just let me hold you for a while, my lady smells lovely."

Though he had embraced her before, never had it been as unabashed as this, Xie Liangchen’s cheeks turned red: "That’s the smell of cosmetics."

"No," Song Xian seemed to mumble, "Not the smell of cosmetics, nor of soapwort."

He mentioned soapwort, reminding Xie Liangchen that Song Xian had said something similar in the capital, and she had said it was the soapwort then.

"I bought some to use," Song Xian continued, "It smells different."

Is there anyone more shameless than this? Xie Liangchen didn’t know what to say to him.

"Freshen up," Xie Liangchen said, "I’ll go to the outer room to fetch water."

Xie Liangchen felt Song Xian take a deep breath at her neck, the air was so hot as it blew over her, seeming to scorch.

Making her heart feel both shy and a little scared.

"I’ll go," Song Xian said, "I’ll serve you as you freshen up."

Xie Liangchen was about to refuse when Song Xian raised his head, and she suddenly felt light as he picked her up.

Song Xian strode to the bed, gently laid her down, and naturally bent over to remove her shoes.

It all happened seamlessly, and by the time she came to her senses, he reached out and gently massaged her calf.

Song Xian said, "Wait for me a moment, I’ll be right back."

Xie Liangchen watched Song Xian turn and leave, soon after, the sounds of freshening up rang from the outer room, and after a while, Song Xian returned with a washed cloth in his hand.

Seeing her appearance, Song Xian couldn’t help but smile, Xie Liangchen understood the meaning from his gaze, her posture hadn’t changed at all since he left to now that he returned to the room.

"The wedding maid just fetched water for me to wash," Xie Liangchen said.

Her face had too much makeup, truly uncomfortable.

Song Xian said, "Then soak your feet."

He turned and went to the outer room, bringing in hot water, placing it on the footstool by the bed.

Afraid Song Xian would want to remove her socks, between shyness and more shyness, she chose the former.

Her fair foot stepping into the basin, originally intending to ease the awkwardness, Xie Liangchen gently moved her foot, in the tranquil room, the suddenly disturbed water made an unexpectedly loud sound, as if reminding her of the situation. She was having Song Xian serve her as she washed her feet...

Moreover, the previously talkative Song Xian had somehow become so quiet now...

Xie Liangchen cleared her throat: "Would you like something to eat?"

Song Xian finally returned to his senses, eyes shifting away from the basin: "Have you eaten?"

Xie Liangchen nodded: "I have."

"I’ve had some too," Song Xian said, "ate beforehand to avoid wasting time, but... if we get hungry at night, I’ve had the small kitchen prepare chicken soup."

Why worry about wasting time? It’s not late now, and... why at night...? Thinking of this, Xie Liangchen finally understood what Song Xian meant.

"My lady, do you know what I’m talking about?" Song Xian said, "You guessed right, I’m a bit anxious, having looked forward from fall to winter, then from winter to now."

Xie Liangchen was embraced again.

Her tender white foot suddenly kicked the water, splashing all around.

The scarlet drapery was taken down, Xie Liangchen felt soft on her forehead, then her nose, her cheeks...

The clothes were untied, fingers slipped into her waist, gently massaging upward.

"Liangchen," Xie Liangchen heard Song Xian say in her ear, "You’re so soft, how can you be so soft."

The room was very warm.

Xie Liangchen felt herself sinking into the bedding, beads of sweat forming on her nose.

Though she was happy with Song Xian, having never experienced such a thing made her still a bit panicked, her heart raced as if unable to catch her breath.

"Don’t be afraid." Song Xian suddenly said softly, pulling up her hand to place it on his chest, letting her feel his heartbeat.

As chaotic as hers.

Then, Xie Liangchen felt a coolness on her neck, she opened her eyes to see Song Xian’s bright eyes, reaching a hand to touch and found an additional jade pendant on her neck.

A white crane was carved on the jade pendant.

It was the token they left when they met on the sea years ago, a pair of jade pendants, the other piece hung around Song Xian’s neck.

Song Xian lowered himself, his lips on the delicate skin of her neck, then he whispered: "For the first time in my life, please bear with me, my lady."