My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 135 Part 2

Huo Anding took the cup and raised his eyebrows. It seemed he heard something remarkable in those words: "I can meet Lord Shen?"

Shen Qingyue looked at him: "Since you're going to the capital, don't you plan to pay a visit to my home?"

Huo Anding, however, didn't speak.

Seeing this, Shen Qingyue's tone changed slightly: "If you don't have that intention, I won't force you."

After all, both of them were still quite young. Huo Anding was still away from home pursuing his studies. His person and his heart might not yet be settled, so how could he be willing to decide such a major life event so early?

As soon as the words fell, his hand was grasped: "I'm not joking with you, of course I mean it! Otherwise, wouldn't I be someone who discards others after leading them on?"

"But right now, I have neither scholarly rank nor achievements. If I rashly come to your door, I'm afraid it might make things more difficult later."

"I don't want to make you sad, and I don't want even the slightest possibility of losing you."

Huo Anding said, "I plan to pay a formal visit to your home after the metropolitan examinations."

"What if you don't pass the metropolitan examinations?"

Huo Anding thought for a moment, then leaned close to Shen Qingyue's ear and whispered a few words.

Shen Qingyue's face flushed slightly: "Do you think I am some naive young master from a deep courtyard, who would be coaxed by a few sweet words into committing such rebellious acts?"

Huo Anding curled his lips: "But Young Master, you are clearly very compliant."

He reached out and clasped Shen Qingyue's slender waist, pulling the person into his embrace.

Shen Qingyue indeed did not resist.

He liked Huo Anding, that was an indisputable fact.

His intimacy, his touches—Shen Qingyue did not reject them.

Even though he knew these things were improper according to etiquette, he couldn't bring himself to let propriety keep him at a distance.

"En."

Shen Qingyue made an affirmative sound: "We can skip the visit for now."

He looked at the young man so close to him, with his handsome brows and eyes. His lips, unlike Shen Qingyue's own thin ones, were always somewhat red.

As he had said, they were indeed very soft.

Shen Qingyue leaned forward. He was somewhat inexperienced, only tentatively touching them.

However, Huo Anding naturally wouldn't let go of the young master's rare initiative.

The carriage was quiet, the faint sound of water crushed within the rumble of the wheels.

After a long while, when both felt it was truly difficult to breathe any longer, they separated.

Huo Anding held Shen Qingyue in his arms, thinking to himself that he still needed to learn how to breathe properly, so they could kiss longer next time.

Shen Qingyue leaned weakly against Huo Anding's solid chest, listening to the powerful heartbeat.

"You don't need to worry about what you said. If you are truly sincere, I will naturally handle things at home."

He raised his eyes, his thumb tracing Huo Anding's brow and the lips that had turned redder from kissing.

"Bearing like a jade tree, you have the looks of a Tanhua."

[風姿玉樹 (fēng zī yù shù): lit. bearing like a jade tree; fig. elegant and handsome demeanor / a graceful and noble appearance]

[探花 (tànhuā): lit. flower searcher; fig. The title for the candidate who achieved the third-highest rank in the palace examinations, who was also traditionally expected to be handsome and elegant.]

Huo Anding chuckled softly: "Do you want me to become the Tanhua?"

Shen Qingyue, however, said: "His Majesty currently has three princesses of marriageable age. I've heard he intends to choose one from among the top three candidates to be his son-in-law. Perhaps it will be you."

Huo Anding said, amused, "Why would I be that sought after?"

Shen Qingyue did not comment. Having long lived in the capital, with his father and brothers being high officials, he could guess the Emperor's intentions somewhat.

His trip away from the capital, besides wanting to see the outside, was also to avoid a sudden imperial marriage arrangement.

"Even if the possibility is one in a hundred, I won't allow it."

Shen Qingyue did not conceal the possessiveness in his eyes: "If you truly wish for a future with me, you don't have to wait until after the metropolitan examinations to pay a formal visit."

Huo Anding looked at the person in his arms and didn't speak.

He took out a jade pendant from his robe. With a gentle twist, the pendant separated into two.

"This is a Tongxin Pei I obtained when I was twelve, traveling with my second uncle to the Northern Territories for trade. Together, it's a jade ornament; separated, it forms a pair of hearts. The craftsmanship is exquisite."

[同心佩 (Tóngxīn Pèi): lit. heart-linked pendant; fig. a type of matching pendant, often split into two interlocking parts, symbolizing the united hearts and deep bond between two people, typically lovers.]

Huo Anding placed one piece in Shen Qingyue's palm: "When I got this jade pendant, I thought I would give one half to my wife or fulang during our wedding ceremony in the future. Today, I give it to you in advance."

Shen Qingyue grasped the warm jade piece: "En."

Baojing Prefecture bordered the capital, only a three-day journey to reach the capital's boundaries.

With fast carriages and horses, and clear weather these days, the journey was even faster. In just over two days, they arrived at the capital.

The capital was prosperous. In terms of liveliness, Tongzhou could rival the capital.

However, being at the foot of the Son of Heaven after all, its prosperity carried a sense of majesty and nobility that Tongzhou lacked.

This wasn't Huo Anding's first time in the capital, he had been here before when running business with his second uncle, but he had never stayed long.

He had skimmed through the markets of the inner and outer cities of the capital.

The capital was divided into the Forbidden City, the Inner City, and the Outer City.

The Forbidden City was naturally the residence of imperial relatives and nobles. Unless one held a court rank, entry was strictly forbidden without an imperial summons.

The Inner City was the area where the capital's high officials, prominent nobles, and powerful individuals lived, while commoners of modest means or merchant households mostly lived in the Outer City.

Huo Anding escorted Shen Qingyue all the way into the Inner City.

No matter how long the farewell, it must eventually end. Any further, and he would truly be escorting him right to his doorstep.

"Take care on your way back."

Shen Qingyue said softly, "Don't make me worry."

Huo Anding nodded: "Don't worry, I'll ride back fast. I'll write to you as soon as I arrive."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "One letter every day."

Shen Qingyue's brow moved slightly. In the end, he didn't say anything more, simply led a fast horse and handed the reins to him.

"Go."

Huo Anding drew a steadying breath and mounted the horse in one fluid motion.

He took one last, deep look at Shen Qingyue from the horse's back, then hardened his heart, turned the horse around, and left.

Shen Qingyue watched the figure riding away, soon disappearing into the crowd of carriages and horses.

When his searching gaze could no longer find that figure, a void opened in his heart.

Shen Qingyue knew himself not to be someone prone to sentimental farewells, but at this moment, he didn't feel the detachment he had expected.

Perhaps he was ultimately worried that this person might leave and never be seen again.

Logically speaking, if he truly never returned, then he wouldn't be someone worth entrusting oneself to.

But emotionally, how could it be as easy to let go as words suggested?