Chapter 637: Chapter 348: Always Like This, Close in Body and Heart. Li Xian of the Flower Cage, Number One Through the Ages
The Star Cloud Palace has undergone changes throughout each generation, maintaining a relationship with the court since the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty. By the mid-period, it submitted to the court, listening to orders without heeding proclamations. This continued into the Great Wu Dynasty when it was renamed the Star-picking Bureau, yet it still adhered to the same principle. Despite the court’s transitions and political changes, the Star-picking Bureau remains enduring.
Wen Caishang knows the Star Cloud Palace very well, her identity, and her ancestral connections have a significant association with the Great Yu. However, past affairs are seldom spoken of. Talking about "Wu Taizu" of the Great Wu Dynasty, she is never stingy with her praises.
The two chatted beneath the blankets, each word carried with warmth. Each movement felt like a cat scratching at their hearts, indescribably enchanting. Body close, hearts nearer. Li Xian prided himself on being "honest," yet he was the furthest from it. Wen Caishang felt shy to scold him, coupled with their intimacy, she let him be.
The walls of the carriage opened wide, the moon and stars were resplendent. A gentle breeze caressed the willows, snowflakes fluttered lightly. Such a splendid scene met the eyes.
Li Xian sighed, "Madam, I wish this could last forever." Wen Caishang rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, enjoying the closeness. Inwardly, she felt overwhelmed with emotion, beginning perhaps from mutual benefit or various considerations, but ultimately, it was she who picked Li Xian out of the mire. At that time, he was immature and unripe, now the immaturity slightly shed, yet still fresh and dashing. She nurtured his martial arts, taught miscellaneous doctrines, and family etiquette, not out of ulterior motives, but merely feeling lonely, finding it not bad to have a young lad for relief and entertainment. Occasionally in the mood, she would tease him, reprimand him, frighten him... to see his reactions, hear his efforts to please and flatter. In retrospect, feelings had already taken root back then, though they hadn’t yet sprouted and grown. This affection and fate, spoken of, were unexpected twists and turns, truly unpredictable. Recalling those times, there was a unique charm, a pleasure others could not comprehend. Unexpectedly, Li Xian had turned the tables in no time, using sneaky means, yet ultimately subdued her. This rebellion often filled her with indignation, but on finer reflection, it bore an indescribable allure, with a subtle joy within.
In their nightly chats, Wen Caishang suddenly curious, asked, "Mr. Li, how did you feel when you first saw me?" Li Xian paused, recalling incidents within the manor, feeling trapped in a cage, wishing to escape and soar, but upon recollection, the taste was different. He said, "The first time I saw Madam, perhaps Madam did not notice me. That day you returned to the manor in a palanquin, and I was among the servants. I carefully looked up for a glance."
Having said this, he immediately retaliated for past trembling grievances, Wen Caishang gave a playful glare, feeling utterly helpless, helplessly letting him be. Li Xian continued, "At that time, I dared not look upon Madam’s face, only glimpsed your boots. The pattern remains in my memory, yet it seems never to have seen you wear them again. At that time, I thought, this Madam must be of unmatched beauty."
Wen Caishang slightly furrowed her brows, hearing the praise, her heart leaped with joy, then shyly glared, thinking: "Back then, you only dared to peek from afar, now you not only scratch and grip... this little rascal only uses tricks on me." Yet she felt a warmth in her soles, already held in his grip. Occasionally a tickle sent shivers through her.
She softly added, "Then later, when you had a proper look, you must have been disappointed. Surely thinking, what is this Madam, just ordinary to the extreme. How could this be unmatched beauty?" Li Xian said, "On the contrary, in my view, unmatched beauty is far from enough." Wen Caishang gave a captivating smile, asking, "Then tell me, what is enough?"
Li Xian replied, "I admit my knowledge is insufficient for a description. Later, I searched many miscellaneous books, trying to find words or phrases from ancient texts to describe your beauty. It took me a whole night! Guess what happened next, Madam."
Wen Caishang saw Li Xian animatedly speaking; she knew his character well. This was him saying charming words again. But she always fell for it, always fell for it, each time in anticipation and joy. She laughed, "I won’t guess. If you keep saying such playful words, how could I believe you?"
A while passed, and seeing Li Xian truly not saying more. Her curiosity overtook her, and she asked, "And then?"
Li Xian sighed, "And then it was dawn." Wen Caishang was taken aback, then burst into laughter, admonishing, "You... I really don’t know how to describe you, playful words indeed sound charming from you." Li Xian said, "This should blame Madam, if your beauty were less by ten parts, then unmatched beauty would fit perfectly. Why should I leaf through books all night, tiring my shoulders to soreness?"
Wen Caishang, hearing Li Xian’s varied praises, felt exceedingly good in her heart, almost melting in bliss.
Curiously, Li Xian asked, "Madam... what are your feelings toward me?" Wen Caishang hesitated a moment, her beautiful eyes carrying grievances, "Is it necessary to say? You, the deceitful servant, villainous young master. You should have some self-awareness, I feel like beating you now. Ah... your thievish hands, I truly ought to chop them off."
Li Xian laughed, "Since Madam sees me this way, I won’t pretend anymore." Scenting her hair, wrapping his arm around her waist, caressing her shoulders... their actions intimately close. Wen Caishang inevitably blushed, yet felt joyous. Her figure and looks like treasures, if not discovered, would be self-admiring in vain.
The long night stretched on.
The two played around for a while, or exchanged love talk, or discussed the myriad of rivers and lakes scenes witnessed and heard. Exteriorly having slow warmth from the charcoal, interiorly covered with blankets. The carriage top draped with silk curtains, the walls open wide.
A gentle breeze lifted the curtains, the bed was actually not large. The two lying together felt rather cramped. The blankets were of silk texture, retaining warmth excellently, extremely comfortable. Seeing the bright moon overhead, Li Xian softly said, "Madam, sleep now, it’s quite late." With that, he closed his eyes.
Wen Caishang gently nodded, her thoughts wandering, accumulating drowsiness, her eyelids grew heavy, about to close them in sleep. Suddenly opening her eyes, sleepiness entirely dispelled, she glared at Li Xian hatefully. Seeing Li Xian’s peaceful sleeping face, unaffected by external matters as if already dreaming. She gritted her teeth, knowing this rogue pretended righteousness, clearly not yet asleep, for he was causing her distress.
