525 Unfair

Finally, he asked her, "Is the water too hot?"

Li Xueyue glared at him with a pointed look. Really? He was asking that now? He let out a breathy laughter and pulled her closer. He hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

"I was meaning to ask before someone distracted me," Yu Zhen said. He stroked her hair away and cupped her cheeks.

"Well, is it?"

"The temperature is normal," she responded.

A smile spread on his face. Her heart skipped at the sight. When he looked at her like that, how could she not love him so? He stared down at her as if there was no one else in the world but her.

Li Xueyue turned around until she was straddling him. He was caught off-guard, but instantly wrapped his arms around her. Even with him seated, he was taller than her. Then she leaned up and kissed him on the lips. It ended as swiftly as it came.

"I love you," she softly whispered upon his mouth.

Unbeknownst to her, his heart clenched at her confession. His eyes flickered. He embraced her tightly until their chests were pressed against each other. He bent his head to pepper her shoulders with kisses.

Li Xueyue giggled in response, a bubbly laughter escaping her. "It tickles."

She felt his smile widened upon the curve of her shoulders. "I love you too, Sunshine," he breathed upon her skin.

He had declared his love to her so many times as she did to him. But she'd never grown tired of hearing it from his mouth. She tightened her arms around his neck and kissed the side of his head.

"Really?" she curiously asked.

He scoffed. "No."

She chuckled, knowing it was a joke. 

"Now, be good," he murmured. "I'll wash you."

Li Xueyue was surprised. Before she could say anything, he grabbed the towel from the wooden basket. She curiously watched as he lathered it with soap and brought it towards her.

"I-I didn't think you were serious," she stuttered out, bewildered by his actions.

"I've done it before, don't be so surprised," he mused.

"Yes, but I thought it was a one-time thing," she responded.

Yu Zhen merely shook his head at her words. "I'll care for you until the end of our lives, silly Hamster."

He brought the towel to her back and gently cleaned it, rubbing it up and down. His actions were slow and sensual, as the towel went lower. Her breath hitched when he kissed the side of her neck.

"Yu Zhen…" she warned, but he merely brought the towel back up and down her shoulders.

"Yes, love?" he asked.

Li Xueyue closed her eyes when he began to massage her body, beginning from her shoulders. She leaned closer to him until her body was practically slumped against his.

His hand stiffened in surprise. "Continue," she pouted. 

Yu Zhen did not expect her to return the favor. But it filled him with warmth, as he instantly moved his fingers again. His gaze was momentarily distracted by her long, flowy hair the color of charcoal. 

"You should wash my hair while you're at it," he suggested and gently laughed. 

Yu Zhen turned his face to the side and kissed her head. But she did not respond. Slowly, but surely, her fingers were growing weaker. Whilst his hands explored her body, sensual and erotic, she was slumped against his shoulders.

"Sunshine?" 

Li Xueyue leaned closer to his warm body. His arms were firm and hard, but it was comfortable. Her eyelids grew heavier until she could no longer open them.

"Little Hamster?" 

Yu Zhen was befuddled by his limp wife. She was motionless and seemed to have found a comfortable spot near his neck.

"Not again," he said and gently laughed, realizing she had fallen asleep again. Though this time, she lasted longer compared to their previous session.

Yu Zhen shook his head in amusement with a large smile on his face. "Am I that comfortable?" 

Yu Zhen dropped the towel into the water and sat up a bit. He shifted her body until she was comfortably nestled in his arms. His heart swelled, and his chest was filled with warmth. But he would never admit it to her, even if she teased him and bugged him.

It was reassuring to know she was comfortable enough to instantly fall asleep in his arms.

"Sleep well, my love," Yu Zhen softly whispered into her damp hair. 

It would be difficult to detangle their bodies later, but he would manage. Getting her dressed was another difficulty, but it was good that this bathhouse was so close to their estate.

It was midnight as well. He'd just wrap her in his large cloak and bring her back to their estate. The guards would never dare to look anyway. Their eyes would be obediently trained to the ground, just as he instructed.

And that was exactly what Yu Zhen did. He slipped out of the herbal bath, with her nestled in his arms.

The journey back to the estate was short, especially with how fast he walked. In no time, he was able to place her onto the bed and join her. 

- - - - -

Li Xueyue knew what was to come when she woke up this morning. She was shrouded in his warmth and tightly caged against him. Their legs were entangled, and she was still naked. He was dressed, but still asleep.

Li Xueyue lifted herself with one elbow. She peered down at him, her heart squeezing at the sight of him.

"It's unfair to be this handsome," she mumbled.

Her eyes wandered down his fine features. His angular nose, prominent eyebrows, luscious lips, what was there not to like about him? His jaw was sharp enough to cut through stone. 

With a curious finger, she lightly traced over his perfection. His brows knitted together and his nose twitched. She held back a small laugh whilst lowering herself back onto his chest.

"It's faint," Li Xueyue quietly murmured. Her ear was pressed against his heart that beat slowly and steadily. She rested her palm on the side of his chest and continued lying there.

Even when she had moved earlier, his arms did not leave her waist. He was firmly grasping the dip of her hips as if she would disappear if he did not.

Li Xueyue could hear the birds chirping, and the wind rustling. It was a great morning that would become even better later on. 

"It will be fun to train later, if he has time…" she decided to herself.

If she recalled correctly, his usual schedule was to wake before her, take Xiao Lizi out for a run, feed Xiao Juzi, and then practice sword fighting until his body was covered in sweat, and he'd take a morning bath before departing for court duties. All this being done, and the sun would've barely risen.

"He used to not sleep this well," she pointed out.

It was true. But lately, he was spending more time in the bed as if he was not eager to leave it anymore. 

Li Xueyue wrapped her arm over his chest and hugged him. "I hope every morning is as peaceful as this one."