Chapter 304 — In a Sorry State
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 2 of 4
He cautiously investigated the people around Song Yan.
Song Sui was run off his feet.
He was forever treating people to wine or to the opera; every morning when Dou Yan opened her eyes he had already left the bed, and he did not return until she was asleep.
And even so, he still had the stamina to make trouble for Dou Yan.
Dou Yan worried for his health, and seeing that she could not refuse him, and that the weather had turned cold besides, she brought out the two thirty-year-old ginseng roots from her dowry and steeped them in tea for Song Yan to drink.
Song Yan chuckled and only grew more unruly with Dou Yan.
Dou Yan was vexed and angry by turns.
Song Sui never tired of it.
Sometimes he simply wanted to see that look of helpless resignation on Dou Yan's face.
And so after each such time, he would stroke Dou Yan's figure—graceful as the curves of a mountain range—as though she were a rare treasure, and then he discovered that at such moments Dou Yan would curl up in his arms, revealing a languid, alluring charm.
Dou Yan liked being with him too, did she not?
Song Yan gazed at Dou Yan's face, still bearing the lingering traces of their delight. He could not help tightening his arm and drawing Dou Yan closer, then lowered his head to kiss her brow and murmur to her about the past two days: "Wang Ge already knows my meaning over there; when a suitable chance comes, he will pass the word along. But that 'suitable chance' might come tomorrow, or it might be months away—and Father will be back in two or three days, and he is certain to fly into a rage at us. Whatever he says then, don't take it to heart; just treat it as the ravings of a madman..."
Dou Yan was too tired even to open her eyes. Song Yan's stroking had loosened her whole body in comfort, and she wanted only to sleep well and not listen to his rambling. Eyes shut, yawning, she mumbled, "I know, I know—with you here, I won't come to any harm..."
Song Yan laughed aloud at that.
Where did she get such confidence?
Yet hearing her say it, his heart softened to water within him.
His caress at once took on a certain intent.
It startled Dou Yan wide awake, and she hurriedly opened her eyes. "Aren't you going to see the Inner Attendant Wang tomorrow?"
"What bearing does that have on what we are about to do?"
Song Yan had already deftly found that pearl in the valley stream.
Dou Yan's whole body was burning hot.
Song Yan was eager to try.
But hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and a moment later came a knock.
Dou Qu stopped Song Yan. "There may be something urgent?"
"Then let them wait a while." Song Zhi's breathing had already grown somewhat ragged.
A flurry of soft whispers came from outside the door, then Ganlu's voice: "Young Master, Madam, the Duke of Jingguo has returned. He is in a towering rage in the upper courtyard and demands that the Young Master and Madam come see him at once!"
Song Yan frowned. "Why has he come back early?"
A fire at home, then robbers paying a visit, and right on the heels of that the Hua family breaking off the engagement... Dou Yan thought Song Cen had actually returned rather late!
She gave Song Yan a gentle shove. "Get up, quickly!" Seeing that Song Yan, who had been all smiles a moment ago, now wore a cold, stern face, she found herself, as if possessed, quietly soothing him: "Once we have seen the Duke of Jingguo, I will serve you properly."
The moment the words left her mouth, she was rather stunned at herself.
Song Yan laughed heartily.
In his heart, though, he knew this was Dou Yan's tenderness—she could not bear to see him suffer the slightest grievance.
"Shouyuan!" He buried his face in her mass of dark hair. "You treat me so well!"
Dou Yan felt a sudden tingle run through her, her limbs going weak, as though she could no longer even hold him.
So. She too liked hearing sweet words...
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