WangXian Forever Book 10

Chapter 73: Nudging

Sleepy kisses are his favourite, Wei Ying decides, as Lan Zhan takes his time waking him up. Each brush of his super soft lips is a caress, a whisper of love the magnitude of which neither could fathom, burning brighter than a lone candle in the deepest hour of the night.

Wei Ying keeps his eyes shut but a giggle escapes from his mouth and immediately, the kisses stop.

"Whyyyy?" He whines dramatically, making grabby hands up and around him, and when they catch nothing but air, Wei Ying opens one eye to check where his prey is.

Lan Zhan's smile is as beautiful as the sunrise on a clear day, mapping the wondrous pale blues of the skies before Nature tosses her entire painter's palette of golden hues upon it.

That smile is more precious than the most hard won treasure, rarer than a midnight lotus, and exquisite whenever it makes itself known. It is a testament to the fact that Lan Zhan is relaxed and happy, and that in turn, does the same for Wei Ying.

"What's the time, my Love?" Wei Ying yawns, forgetting his petulance for the moment, lost in his beauty.

"Si She. Nearly midday, in fact." Lan Zhan holds his arms open and Wei Ying crawls sleepily there, hugging him tightly.

"No fair, ZhanZhan. You can't withhold my morning kisses like that," he complains, yawning again.

"In a quarter shishen, they will be afternoon kisses," Lan Zhan corrects him wryly, with a fond note in his tone.

"All the more reason not to be stingy with them." Wei Ying kisses his neck, melting in his arms. "What's on the agenda today?"

"I believe Wei Ying wanted to nudge the Emperor." Lan Zhan raises a brow in question.

"Oh yeah," he grins back, recalling what he wanted to say. "The thing is, I think for that conversation, at least initially, perhaps the children shouldn't be present. We can ask them later what they want to do, and I think I can guess what both of them really want, but the truth is, it's not in our hands. The Emperor will want to keep his son with him; close because of what nearly happened to him and the family."

"Also because of yesterday's murder attempt." Lan Zhan frowns. "There is no excuse for that kind of violence."

"Yeah...." Wei Ying eases away reluctantly. "I suppose if we've got to talk to His Highness, I'd better get ready."

He doesn't miss the longing look of intense fire Lan Zhan throws at his bare leg, and Wei Ying's smile returns like a firecracker. He wiggles his butt suggestively as he runs behind the partition to sort himself out.

**************

Li XiWang is attending her morning lessons so it's just Rumi and his parents who knock on the door of the Emperor's quarters. It's quickly opened by Tang Pei who looks mostly recovered from his ordeal. A few bruises linger like a shadow on his cheek, and he's still a bit paler than normal making them stand out, but for the most part, the fact that he's not still in the infirmary says a lot.

Even the Emperor, seated by his son at his bedside, looks a lot better.

He must be feeling relieved that the First Prince and his minions are no longer putting his country at risk, Wei Ying tells Lan Zhan through their mental connection.

Mn. Stress and unconscious tension are a hindrance to better health, Lan Zhan replies as they both bow low.

"Welcome," the Emperor says, gesturing towards the little table where General Huang is already pouring fresh tea for everyone.

They watch as he tucks the blanket a little more snugly around Prince Wu's shoulders before coming to join them for some tea.

"How is the Prince feeling?" Wei Ying asks eagerly, leaning forward. "Has he woken at all?"