Chapter 29 - Cuddling

Xiu Ying's eyelashes are fluttering as he is trying to keep his eyes open. But it was so hard. With the soft mattress underneath him and the warmth of the sheets around him. His eyes began to drift close back. But soon, the image of him sitting on the emperor's lap and how the emperor took care of him before makes him wide awake. Xiu Ying puts his hand on his forehead, massaging his temple.

"You're awake?" The deep but gentle voice makes Xiu Ying turns his head to the side.

Wu Zhang Wei puts aside the memorial in his hand and walks towards the bed. He sits in the empty space beside Xiu Ying, caressing his face. Xiu Ying averts his gaze, but his reddened face cannot be hidden.

"How do you feel now?" Zhang Wei asked again and his hand still on Xiu Ying's cheek.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiu Ying unconsciously pulls the quilt and grips it tightly.

"You haven't eaten since afternoon. So, I'll ask Jing Yi to prepare food for you, okay?"

Xiu Ying wants to say no but the grumbling stomach betrays him. So, he just nods his head.

A little later, Jing Yi returns with porridge with minced meat in it. Xiu Ying is about to get off the bed but Zhang Wei prevents him from doing so. Zhang Wei takes the tray from Jing Yi. Xiu Ying wants to take the bowl of porridge but Zhang Wei beats him and takes it first. He scoops a spoonful and blows it. "Here. It's not hot anymore."

Xiu Ying looks between the porridge and Zhang Wei. The latter ignored his questioning eyes and waiting patiently for Xiu Ying to open his mouth. Xiu Ying sighs. It is no use to argue with the stubborn emperor. When he obediently opens his mouth, the gentle smile can't be missed from Xiu Ying's eyes. He lowers his gaze, avoids from looking at it too long as it is bad for his heart.

Xiu Ying eats in silence. Wu Zhang Wei patiently feeds him until he finished till the last spoon. Zhang Wei picks up a handkerchief and gently wipes off Xiu Ying's small mouth.

"Th- Thank you, Your Majesty." He plays with his fingers.

"No worries."

Xiu Ying just noticed the piled-up memorials on the table. Then, he suddenly realized, Jing Yi brought a meal for one person only.

"Your Majesty... have you had your dinner?" Xiu Ying doesn't want the emperor to focus on him and ignore his own health.

It's a simple question but to Zhang Wei, it means a lot. He feels like Xiu Ying started to care a little bit about him. "No worries. Before you wake up, Zhen has eaten this same porridge. Zhen can never allow myself to get sick because Zhen wants to take care of you."

Xiu Ying thinks his blood circulation is very good today. His face keeps getting red even by a simple comment by Zhang Wei.

In order to have a healthy heart condition, Xiu Ying decides to return to his room. But before both his feet can step on the floor, Zhang Wei already rushed to his side. "What are you doing? You should rest more."

"I don't want to disturb Your Majesty so I want to return to my room."

Zhang Wei huffs. He lifts the quilt then grabs both Xiu Ying's legs and pushed it back under the quilt. "No. Just sleep here tonight. Zhen will feel more at ease if you're by my side. It will be easier to look after you when you're around."

Zhang Wei cupped on both sides of Xiu Ying's cheek. The cheek fat being squished makes Xiu Ying look like he's pouting and it's too cute!

Zhang Wei can't help but stare at the luscious and tempting lips. His desire to cover those lips with his own is too strong but he doesn't want to scare off his loved one right after he said he wanted to take care of him.

Xiu Ying knitted his eyebrows when the emperor's face is a little bit too close to his. And his eyes are focusing on a certain part of his face.

"Yo- Your Majesty?" Xiu Ying muffled voice jerked him out of the trance. Zhang Wei quickly released Xiu Ying's cheeks and takes a few steps back.

"So- sorry..." Zhang Wei rubs his nape. "Xiu Ying... ju- just sleep again. Zhen needs to go to the imperial study. Don't go back. Just st- stay here." In a flash, Zhang Wei picks up all the memorials on the table and walked out of the room.

He bet Xiu Ying won't talk to him or stay near him ever again if he saw the "little emperor" who was saying hello just now. Xiu Ying got too many questions that he deemed the answer from the emperor but before he could ask, the emperor already slammed the door and fled. Xiu Ying shrugs his shoulders then lays back on the bed. The way the mattress dipped when he laid shows how soft it is. Xiu Ying can't help but snuggle into the quilt, making himself comfortable.

Meanwhile, the emperor walked in haste towards his imperial study room. It was too fast until the guards feel there's only a gush of wind when he walked past them.

As soon as he reached the study room, he slumps onto the chair. He takes a deep breath and slowly releases it. He did it until the "little emperor" has calmed down. Zhang Wei needs to distract himself with other matters. If not, it will be hard to handle it.

"Wei Min," Zhang Wei called.

As usual, the man in black shows himself right after he was called. He knelt, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Zhen need you tailed Lord Yu. Follow him wherever he goes. Make sure he didn't lose from your sight. Every day, tell me who he met and where he went."

Wei Min nods. "I got it, Your Majesty."

Zhang Wei waves his hand, "Alright now you can go."

SWOOSH.

Wei Min jumping out of the window without making any sounds. Zhang Wei leans back on the chair and covers his eyes using his arm.

He wants to go back and cuddles with Xiu Ying. But the fact that Xiu Ying is lying on his bed with his defenseless face makes him feel excited and wants to embrace him tightly and kissing him all over.

But if he did that, the results will be either two. A handprint will be plastered on his face or he'll be kicked off the bed. Besides that, his dream to get closer to Xiu Ying will perish automatically.

Zhang Wei took almost an hour to make a decision. Finally, he grips his fist tightly and makes his way to the bedchamber.

Slowly, he pushed open the door. Only the dim light of the candle lights up the room. Zhang Wei almost tip-toed to reduce as much noise as possible.

Xiu Ying's back is facing him so Zhang Wei lengthens his neck to take a peek. The gentle snuffles and rhythmic rise and fall of his chest make the emperor smile. Zhang Wei walks around to the other side of the bed.

He takes off the outer robe, pulls up the quilt and lays beside Xiu Ying. Zhang Wei lays on one side, staring at the sleeping beauty. Maybe due to the warmth emitted by Zhang Wei's body, Xiu Ying spreads out his arm and embraces the sources of the warmness.

Zhang Wei froze. He glances at Xiu Ying but the latter is still deep in sleep and didn't realize his own doing. Xiu Ying pulls himself closer and nestled on his chest.

If Zhang Wei wants to describe how he feels right now, it will be like those big fireworks on New Year's night. He wants to squeal like a girl found his prince charming but he holds it inside. Smoothly, he puts his hand on Xiu Ying's back then pecks on top of Xiu Ying's head.

He knows he still got a long way to go but for now, he feels contented being able to sleep and cuddling together, even though Xiu Ying did it out of consciousness.

The next morning, Wu Zhang Wei skips the morning court. He can't bear to remove the head on his arm. The numbness he felt on his arm has been kicked aside by the euphoria.

Zhang Wei removes the strands of hair that's hiding the angelic face. He can't stop staring at Xiu Ying. Xiu Ying wiggles in his sleep and his face hit a hard wall. With half-opened eyes, Xiu Ying keeps groping the hard wall. Meanwhile, Wu Zhang Wei gulps down his saliva. 'This baby is really testing my patience.'

Xiu Ying slowly lifts his head and his eyes widen. He's about to push the other person away but the emperor's words stopped him, "Are you going to push me away...again?"

The pleading puppy eyes are like an arrow that strikes through Xiu Ying's heart. BA-DUMP.

They are in trance, staring into each other's eyes. Just like last night, Xiu Ying's lips are truly inviting. Zhang Wei looks between Xiu Ying's eyes and lips. Slowly, he lowers his head. Closer and closer until they are an inch apart. Zhang Wei takes a final glance but Xiu Ying still didn't push him. He reduced the gap and put his lips on top of Xiu Ying's.

Lips on another lip. Zhang Wei has the urge to deepen the kiss but he holds himself back. Xiu Ying blinks his eyes repeatedly. His mind is loading.

When Zhang Wei nibbles on his lower lips, Xiu Ying clutches on Zhang Wei's robe and shuts his eyes tightly. It was a gentle but sweet kiss. After a minute, Zhang Wei pulls away.

The misty eyes of Xiu Ying are too enchanting and he looks sexier. Zhang Wei takes a deep breath. He then pulls Xiu Ying by the waist until no gap between their bodies, he pecks on the forehead, "Thank you, Ying-er." He hugged Xiu Ying who is still in a daze.

As the emperor's scent invading his nostrils, it gives some calming sensation and it makes Xiu Ying feels safe in his arms. Xiu Ying hesitantly put his hands on Zhang Wei's back but in the end, he decided to put aside his ego and return the hug.

Zhang Wei's eyes opened in surprise but then he tightened the hug, feels like Xiu Ying will be taken away from him if he let go.

After the morning bath, separately, of course, the two of them have breakfast together. Zhang Wei diligently serves his loved one and Xiu Ying openly accepted his good intention. Right after morning dines, Zhang Wei and Xiu Ying went to visit Wen Qian.

The concubine feels happy when she saw the two of them came together. And the air around is obviously had changed. Every time they are side to side, it was like there are bubbles floating everywhere and flower petals coming down out of nowhere.

They are now sitting in the courtyard to discuss about Wen Qian's arranged marriage. "The other side letting you decide when to meet. The young master will make time for the meeting," said Zhang Wei.

"Then, how about the first day of next week? I'll meet him during lunch hour. As for the place, I guess I need to trouble Your Majesty as I don't know any proper place." Wen Qian faintly smiles.

"Alright then. Zhen will inform him. As for the place, leave it to Zhen. Zhen will make sure your stepmother won't know anything about this meeting."

Wen Qian bows, showing her gratitude.

Xiu Ying looks at Wen Qian sullenly. He rarely made a gossip friend but when he had found one, the latter will leave soon. Zhang Wei noticed the gloomy face. He pulls Xiu Ying by the shoulder, rubbing it gently. "Don't worry. Zhen will give special permission for Concubine Wen Qian to enter the palace and meet you, anytime she wants. It's not like she's going far. You guys still can visit each other."

Xiu Ying just hums.

Wen Qian interrupts Zhang Wei's hidden intention to keep on touching Xiu Ying, she fakes a cough. "Hmm.. Your Majesty... May I ask? What about Concubine Lin Hui Yin? Are you still gonna keep her in the palace?"

"Well, since she didn't do anything, Zhen can't find a reason to send her away. Her father is an acquaintance of Lord Yu so Zhen needs a solid reason to remove her. If not, they'll try to find blame on Zhen. And Xiu Ying might be their victim to vent their anger. So for now, let her be. Zhen sure she won't dare to do anything after what happened to Yu Li Na."

Zhang Wei looks at Xiu Ying in a gaze full of worries. Xiu Ying quickly looks away, feeling embarrassed.

'Oh Gosh. Have some respect towards single community please...' thought Wen Qian.