[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[143.] Oak-tree love.

NOTE:

Art by:  https://www.instagram.com/huli_weiba/  

All photos were found on Pinterest.  

Pick the one that suites your imagination the best.💗💗💗

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- Oh, Master!  –  the housekeeper clapped her hands, grinning.  –  You have grown bigger in this last month! Now nice, Sandu Shengshou!

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It was already very dark when they arrived at the Cloud Recesses. 

Wei Wuxian had wailed for them to stop in the nearby village  –  to get some wine at the inn there, and perhaps some food too  ("A-Cheng! How can you be pregnant and not hungry all the time?!??!"),  but Jiang Cheng wanted his room, his bed, a bath, fresh clothes, without delay. 

Zewu-Jun had obeyed. Now it took two servants to help him get out of the carriage, which in itself made him as cranky as Hell, and now the housekeeper's words poured some additional salt into the wound, and he growled menacingly:

- Tea, food, and a bath. I give you half an hour. If not  –  I swear, I will use those two hands to strip you and flog you in front of the whole Clan!

Lan Xichen raised an eyebrow; Wei Wuxian laughed too merrily perhaps, knowing too well that his brother would never do such a thing; but the housekeeper turned pale and rushed with the errands, knowing too well that if not Sandu Shengshou  –  Zewu-Jun would definitely do all this  to her, and more, for getting his beloved husband angry.

- Take me...  -  Jiang Cheng leaned on Lan Xichen's shoulder, too weak and tired.  –  Take me to bed... Zewu-Jun...

Lan Huan did not hesitate; he directly lifted him up in his arms, turning to Wei Ying briefly:

- We will be turning in, Master Wei. Feel free to stay in the Jìngshì,  and order dinner. This is your home too.  –  he smiled.

Wei Wuxian bowed low, letting them hurry.

Jiang Cheng could not take a good look at the changes to the estate as it was dark, and very few lanterns were lit, but when they entered the Hánshì   he gasped. The fire had been kept going probably all day long, because it was very warm. He noticed that the room now had two windows instead of one, and his mind mildly wondered how much sunlight they would be getting in the early mornings. 

And the rest...

- Please, say something, Wanyin...  -   Zewu-Jun begged, still holding him very tight in his embrace.

- Oh, Huan...  -  Jiang Wanyin murmured and hid his face in his husband's robe, overwhelmed.

The room was definitely bigger, and, quite uncharacteristically, but also quite cleverly, now there was another door, leading to the next room, which was supposed to be the future nursery. 

The floor was dark oak tree, matching with the material the bed was made of. There were gentle, yet heavy draperies everywhere, and lots of cushions, strewn all over the floor. Everything about the room was soft and suggested that one could fall asleep in just any corner, quite cozily. 

The tea table was set between the two windows, but Jiang Cheng felt that it was a little higher than it should be  –  making it more comfortable for him to use with his big belly now. 

Everything had a warm, natural feel to it, and was brand new, still bearing the fresh smell of wood and lacquer.

- I... I tried... I didn't know... I wasn't too sure...  -  Lan Huan stuttered, flushed.

- Oh, my love... The bed...  -  Jiang Cheng whispered lovingly.

The new bed was large and sturdy. Built entirely out of massive oak tree, it was heavily ornamented with carvings of lotus blossoms, and magnolia blossoms, swimming in lakes of fine, gentle clouds. It had four massive posts that bore an overhead construction that also allowed for drapes, and more privacy, and also  -  more coolness in summer, and more warmth in winter. There were numerous pillows and cushions right now, but also plenty of room for at least 5 people perhaps. The housekeeper had chosen fabric for the bed covers that matched the colors of the room's tapestries, and it all looked royal, heavily-adorned with earth colors and dark aging gold hues.

- You...  -  Lan Huan whispered.

He let his loved one down and they immediately hugged.

- You are my one... You are my chosen one... There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, Sandu Shengshou...

- I love you...  -  Jiang Cheng whispered, powerless to even breathe, too overwhelmed with the luxurious display of love.  –  I love you so very much...