Time Traveling: the Only Beloved Husband

When Shen Xiangyan saw him looking so aggrieved, his heart ached immensely. Usually, he couldn’t even pamper him enough, and now he was the reason for his unhappiness. He knew he had been too busy lately and didn’t have time to accompany him. However, he had very few reliable people under him at the moment. Shen An had been transferred to the newly opened shop, and even the two young lads, Chen Cai and Feng Qin, were being run ragged by his orders. Naturally, he himself couldn’t be much better off. Fortunately, he had recently promoted a few people who, with some training, could become useful.

Today, he came back so early because he knew his little husband hadn’t seen him for a long time and must be anxious, so he squeezed out half a day to return. Thankfully, things were almost done. He sighed, picked up his little husband, and placed him on his lap. Looking at Xia Rong’s increasingly delicate face, he kissed the eyes that were about to cry, “Rong’er, be good. Your husband misses you too. I promise to take you out to have fun after these few busy days, okay? Haven’t you always wanted to visit Foguang Temple to offer incense? Then your husband will take you there.”

Although Xia Rong felt a bit aggrieved, he knew in his heart that his husband was busy with important matters and that all his hard work was for his own good. Hearing his husband trying to comfort him now made him feel even guiltier for being upset. The more he thought about it, the more remorseful he felt. To keep his husband from worrying about him, he smiled and said, “Then it’s a deal, you promised Rong’er that you’ll take me out in a few days.”

In truth, Xia Rong didn’t really care about going out. He had spent so many years confined to that small courtyard in the Xia family that he had gotten used to it. What he truly cared about was whether his husband could spend time with him.

“Alright, alright, when have I ever gone back on a promise to you?” Shen Xiangyan quickly agreed, holding Xia Rong’s waist tighter. He began to tell him amusing stories from the past few days to divert Xia Rong’s attention. Seeing that Xia Rong finally seemed a bit happier, Shen Xiangyan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had been genuinely worried that Xia Rong might start crying, which would have broken his heart.

As they continued talking, Shen Xiangyan’s thoughts unintentionally wandered to the soft sensation he felt through the thin gauze of Xia Rong’s clothing. Earlier, he had been too focused on cheering up Xia Rong to notice, but now with his husband in his arms, he couldn’t help but let his mind wander. Unlike his own firm body, Xia Rong’s was soft and had grown taller and more comfortable to hold over the past six months of careful nurturing.

Shen Xiangyan tried to restrain himself, but seeing Xia Rong’s small mouth opening and closing as he earnestly spoke, he found he simply couldn’t resist. He lowered his head and kissed those soft lips, while his hands started to roam restlessly over Xia Rong’s body. Xia Rong was startled by the sudden kiss. He was about to push him away but then remembered that this was his husband, and it wasn’t the first time he had been kissed like this. So, instead, he wrapped his arms around Shen Xiangyan’s neck, trying to slowly adapt.

Shen Xiangyan didn’t come to his senses until he felt a tightness in his lower abdomen. Seeing the small, delicate figure in his arms looking so endearing after being teased by him, he hastily said, “I’m going to take a bath,” and quickly jumped out of bed as if escaping.

—

The sky was clear and blue, with no clouds in sight. Two carriages stopped one after another at the foot of the mountain where Foguang Temple was located. First, a man wearing a bamboo-green brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns and a white jade crown on his head jumped out of the carriage. This man had a gentle and refined demeanor, like a spring breeze, which attracted curious glances from the people present. After getting off the carriage, the man didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he carefully carried out another person from the carriage, dressed in a moon-white robe embroidered with bamboo patterns. Seeing this scene, it was evident that the two were a married couple, which disappointed many of the unmarried girls and young men who had been curious about the identity of this nobleman.

Xia Rong was embarrassed to be carried off the carriage, especially since they were still outside and not far from the temple. He didn’t know how to address his husband in this situation. Thinking about his husband’s increasingly intimate gestures lately only made his already flushed face even redder.

Because the sun was scorching hot and he was afraid of sunburn, Shen Xiangyan took the umbrella from He Xin’s hand and personally held it over his little husband. “Rong’er, is it too hot? Why is your face so red?”

This was clearly a rhetorical question, and it annoyed Xia Rong so much that he pinched Shen Xiangyan’s waist. Shen Xiangyan didn’t mind, pretending to cry out in pain. Xia Rong, pinching someone for the first time, believed that his husband was truly in pain when he heard him cry out. He quickly reached out to massage him. But when he looked up, he saw his husband looking at him with a smile on his face. Seeing no signs of pain on his face, Xia Rong knew he was just being teased again and decided not to bother with him. He turned around and walked towards the mountain.

Shen Xiangyan found Xia Rong’s pouty face incredibly cute. Worried that Xia Rong might really get sunburned, he quickly caught up, holding the umbrella over him and soothingly persuading him not to be angry. Being angry on such a hot day would only make him feel uncomfortable.

Xia Rong had heard from the servants at home that Foguang Temple was particularly efficacious, so he had always wanted to come and offer incense to make a wish, and also pray for his husband’s safety and blessings. However, to reach Foguang Temple, one had to climb a mountain path. In order to appear more sincere, they didn’t call for a sedan chair. The two husbands walked side by side, followed not far behind by He Xin, He Miao, and several guards recently hired by the family.

Halfway through climbing, Xia Rong started to feel tired, so Shen Xiangyan, seeing his struggle, pulled him to a nearby rock to rest. Unexpectedly, they ran into the mother and daughter from the Xia family. Although Xia Rong felt a bit disappointed encountering them during what was supposed to be a pleasant outing, he still respectfully greeted his mother with a bow. “I didn’t expect to run into Mother and Sister here. How has Father been lately?”

Xia Ji, seeing Xia Rong’s current demeanor, felt that he was showing off to her. Feeling displeased, she was about to step forward and say a few words when her mother stopped her. Glancing at Shen Xiangyan a few steps away, she realized that this man was originally supposed to be hers, and Xia Rong had merely been snatched away from her. What was so special about him? With a snort, she decided not to speak further.

“Little Master is still filial. Your father is doing well. He even mentioned you recently, saying he wanted you to come back to the mansion even if you’re free,” Xia Ji replied with a touch of formality.

Xia Rong knew his mother would say such pleasantries and didn’t pay much attention. It would be strange if his father even remembered him. Shen Xiangyan also stepped forward at this point and greeted Xia’s mother politely, calling her “Mother-in-law.” After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Shen Xiangyan didn’t want to chat with them any longer. He made up an excuse and led Xia Rong up the mountain.

As the two walked away, several servants who had been following them hurried to catch up. Xia Ji couldn’t help but complain to her mother, “Mother, why didn’t you let me speak earlier? How dare Xia Rong put on airs in front of me? Doesn’t he realize that everything he has now is because of me?” She couldn’t help but feel a flush on her face as she thought about the Shen family, whom she had only glimpsed earlier. She had never seen him up close before, and he did look quite handsome. She suddenly felt a bit hot. Then, she remembered the gatherings she had with her girlfriends recently, where they talked about the latest perfumes and who had bought them. If she had married Shen Xiangyan back then, would she have been able to use those things freely? Moreover, seeing Xia Rong’s attire today, the Shen family should be quite wealthy now to afford such a lifestyle.

Seeing her daughter’s expression, Li Lanzhi, after all, being her mother, couldn’t help but know what she was thinking. Thinking about it, the Shen family only had Shen Xiangyan, and there were no in-laws to serve. Now that she thought about it, it was indeed a good match. It was a bit of a pity. Considering her daughter’s appearance was not bad either, she gently patted her daughter’s head, “These words shouldn’t be said in front of that Shen boy. Let me ask you, do you regret rejecting the marriage proposal from the Shen family back then?”

“That was originally my thing,” Xia Ji retorted, feeling indignant. “Now, it’s a waste to let Xia Rong take advantage of it. Mother, you must let Father decide for me.”

Li Lanzhi thought about it and realized there might be a solution to this. She comforted her daughter, telling her not to act recklessly and to let her handle everything.