Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 80 : Betrothal Gift

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This bout of sparring lasted a long time, pushing their satiety level to an even greater height until it became an insatiable desire for more after they had taken their first taste of the forbidden fruit. They were used to testing each other’s limit in the dark. As their love grew increasingly deeper, a mere kiss was no longer able to fill their hunger. Desire, in its prime, laid bare at its rawest.

Such a cloyingly sweet and clingy intimacy was a unique treat distinct to lovers, simply because it was a luxury to be in each other’s company at all times. Since there were many eyes and ears inside the Imperial Prison, a kiss could only be considered a kind of tacit compensation between them.

When it was time to end the kiss, Xiao Chiye asked, “Where did you go?”   

As Shen Zechuan eased into his seated position, his thighs ground against the sides of Xiao Chiye’s legs. He took his time slowing down his breathing. With a hint of veiled seduction in his half-lidded eyes, he replied, “Counting money.” 

Xiao Chiye squeezed him and said, “Did you get off on counting money?” 

Shen Zechuan let out a husky laugh. “Getting off from being squeezed by you.” 

At Shen Zechuan’s laugh, Xiao Chiye felt restless. He grabbed Shen Zechuan’s chin to hold it in place and said, “Keep going with this seduction of yours.” 

Shen Zechuan’s collarbone was peeking out from his undone collars, and the brutal bite marks from the last time had yet to fade. Paying them no mind, Shen Zechuan wetted his bitten lips and said, “I have to discuss something with you.” 

Xiao Chiye held him up and said, “What a coincidence. I have something to discuss with you too.” 

Shen Zechuan was so scalded by Xiao Chiye’s gaze that his mouth felt dry and parched. He said, “The military supplies this year have to wait until April before they can be dispatched from Juexi. I need to borrow and use the Northeast Provisions Bridle Path.” 

Xiao Chiye only had to think for a little to know what he was up to. “The military supplies passing through the Northeast Provisions Bridle Path are personally escorted by the Libei Armored Cavalry themselves. There are no inspection checkpoints along the way. You can use it to transport the silvers, but it’s all subjected to my elder brother’s approval.” 

“If this money belongs to me, the Hereditary Prince naturally won’t agree to it. But if this sum of money is yours, the Hereditary Prince will surely agree.” Shen Zechuan raised his chin slightly. “Here is my betrothal gift. Keep it for me, Second Young Master.”  

“Only this much as a betrothal gift?” Xiao Chiye laughed as he freed up one hand to place the meal box on the table. “A tough deal.” 

Shen Zechuan sniffed and said, “There’s grilled fish.” 

With that, he promptly forgot about the betrothal gift and pulled out chopsticks inside the box. It was in this way that Xiao Chiye watched as he ate. In a blink of an eye, the bowl of rice was half gone, and there were only bones left of the fish when it returned to the plate. 

Xiao Chiye actually did not like eating fish. He had lost his mother when he was young, and his household was not one to spoil its children, unlike how the Eight Great Clans pampered their offspring. Although he had a nanny and maidservants to wait upon him, he had to feed himself once he had learned how to hold the chopsticks. He was headstrong, and there were plenty of toys he loved to play with, so he did not care to waste his time picking out the fish bones. After getting choked on it enough times, he hardly ate it anymore.