It was neither as tender as the gentle spring breeze caressing the willows nor as innocent as a budding youth in love. Lu Yan had walked alone for fifteen years. He had witnessed the blood - soaked battlefields and the vicissitudes of the world. Approaching the age of thirty, his eyes had seen countless changes in the world. People all said that Lu Yan was the God of War in the Northern Kingdom and an ideal husband for many women. However, they didn't know that Lu Yan's heart was so small that it could only hold one person.
Among the thousands of people in the world, some longed for a life of glory and wealth, while others desired a large family with many wives and concubines. But for Lu Yan, all he had been seeking throughout his life was Shen Qingfeng.
"Lu Yan, would you like to marry me?"
Shen Qingfeng looked into Lu Yan's eyes. His voice was full of tenderness. At first hearing, it was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, but Lu Yan could sense a hint of solemnity.
He was serious. At that moment, Lu Yan thought so and stood there stupidly. He was like a child, with his mouth open and his hands fidgeting. He seemed too nervous to know where to put his hands.
The person in front of him, the one who had filled his heart and whom he had been longing for for years, was seriously asking him this question. People were really strange creatures. The more they anticipated something, the less they dared to believe it when it finally came. Lu Yan's nose twitched. He took a step forward. The surging emotions were like waves. He stood in front of Shen Qingfeng, opened his mouth, and softly asked, "Qingfeng, what did you say?"
Shen Qingfeng gave a charming smile. He looked up at Lu Yan, and the curve of his lips seemed to hook Lu Yan's heart. "Silly, do I have to say it again?"
Some warm liquid welled up in Lu Yan's eyes, and his lips trembled uncontrollably.
Shen Qingfeng sighed softly. "Do you want to..."
Before he could finish, Shen Qingfeng felt a flash in front of him. Then, he was embraced by Lu Yan.
Shen Qingfeng's eyes curved. He gently leaned against that warm and burning chest, like a person who had been walking in the dark for a long time and finally found a light source.
"Qingfeng, Qingfeng, are you serious?" Lu Yan hugged him so tightly, as if letting go would shatter this beautiful dream.
Yes, he had been dreaming for so long, and now it was finally coming true. Shen Qingfeng naturally understood. Shen Qingfeng never beat around the bush. He had always been a goal - oriented person. Just like in his previous life, he loved Xia Chuli, so he was willing to give everything for Xia Chuli. Since he had chosen Lu Yan in this life, he would stay by his side forever.
Shen Qingfeng lifted his head from Lu Yan's embrace, turned to look at Shen Shiqiu and Shen Yu who were standing there in a daze. Then, he knelt down respectfully in front of them, kowtowed three times, and then stood up proudly. Looking at Shen Shiqiu, he said, "Father, I beg you to give your blessing."
Lu Yan was stunned for a moment, then knelt down beside Shen Qingfeng and kowtowed three times to Shen Shiqiu. "Lord Shen, I, Lu Yan, swear here that I will never let Qingfeng down. I will always be devoted to him. I hope Lord Shen will give your blessing!"
"Feng'er..." If he had to choose between Lu Yan and Xia Chuli, Lu Yan was undoubtedly the better choice. Moreover, the King of Xia Jie had even bestowed the marriage. The reason why Shen Shiqiu had disagreed with this marriage before was mainly because Shen Qingfeng's love for Xia Chuli was so intense and unwavering. He was afraid of hurting Shen Qingfeng's heart and was also worried that Shen Qingfeng would be bullied after getting married.
But now it seemed that Shen Qingfeng and Lu Yan had already understood each other's feelings. Why should he try to separate them? Besides, wasn't it every father's wish that his child could love and be loved? Shen Shiqiu's eyes were filled with tears. He quickly helped the two of them up, then held Shen Qingfeng's shoulders and sighed. "Alright, alright. I'm old. Feng'er should decide his own affairs."
Lu Yan's eyes lit up. He was about to kneel down again, but was held by Shen Shiqiu. Shen Shiqiu glared at Lu Yan. Thinking that his youngest son, whom he had raised with great difficulty, was about to be taken away by this person, Shen Shiqiu's hostility towards Lu Yan couldn't be dispelled for a while. "Since Qingfeng has spoken, as his father, I naturally don't want to refuse him. But if you dare to treat Qingfeng badly, no matter where you are, I will cut you down!"
Lu Yan looked at Shen Shiqiu gratefully and bowed. "Lord Shen, please rest assured! I, Lu Yan, will surely keep my promise."
"Humph!" Shen Shiqiu waved his sleeve, wiped his face, then turned around and shouted at Shen Yu who was still standing there stupidly. "What are you standing there for! Let's go home!"
"Ah? Father, but..."
"But what? Hurry up and follow me home!" Shen Shiqiu didn't even look back and walked out of the room directly.
Shen Yu looked at Shen Qingfeng with a complicated look in his eyes, then trotted after Shen Shiqiu.
"Father!" Shen Qingfeng rushed out in a hurry and called out to Shen Shiqiu in the snow.
Shen Shiqiu stopped in his tracks.
Shen Qingfeng looked at Shen Shiqiu's back. All kinds of emotions welled up in his heart, whether it was the guilt from his previous life or the gratitude for this life. Finally, he said those words. "Father, thank you."
- Thank you. In this life, I will surely protect the Shen family. I will.
On the second day of the Chinese New Year, the court was not in session, and all the officials had a seven - day holiday. Shen Qingfeng finally cleared up this matter today and officially confirmed his relationship with Lu Yan.
He didn't like to procrastinate. He either liked someone or didn't. Although he was physically weak, he had an unyielding backbone and couldn't tolerate any falsehood. He knew that he was a person who would go all the way without turning back. Since he had made his choice, he would have a clear conscience.
The snow was falling gently. It was said that a timely snow promised a good harvest. This year in Li Xia would surely be a bountiful one.
When the Shen family father and son left, it was just the fourth hour of the day. During the holiday, people got up late. Coupled with the cold outside, most people chose to stay in their rooms. Even Xu Ruhui, who was so lively, got back into his warm room, locked the wooden door, and no one knew what he was up to.
Shen Qingfeng wanted to spend more time with Lu Yan, so he didn't go back to the Shen Mansion with them. Although he was a little worried about Yu Shuang, since Shen Shiqiu and Shen Yu were there, those assassins didn't dare to cause trouble in the Shen Mansion. Thinking of this, looking at the heavy snow outside, Shen Qingfeng was even less willing to go out.
In Lu Yan's room, the charcoal brazier was burning brightly. In the warm room, there was still a faint, mysterious smell. On the huge bed, Shen Qingfeng nestled in Lu Yan's arms. He was sitting on Lu Yan's lap, leaning against Lu Yan's chest. He frowned and let out a soft cry.
But before he could finish, Lu Yan lowered his head and kissed his swollen lips.
Their lips were grinding and biting. Lu Yan suddenly exerted more force with his hands. Shen Qingfeng trembled all over. Just as he was about to cry out, Lu Yan's long kiss blocked all the sounds in his mouth, and he let out a faint moan.
"Does it hurt?" Lu Yan slowly let go of his lips, then kissed Shen Qingfeng's forehead. His hands didn't stop and seemed to use even more force. Shen Qingfeng suddenly bit his lower lip and moaned again.
"Don't... don't do it..."
"No." Lu Yan kissed his face. "The doctor said that your legs were over - exercised and then caught a cold. If you don't get a good massage, you'll have problems in the future." As soon as Lu Yan finished speaking, his hands that were massaging Shen Qingfeng's legs pressed on a certain acupoint on his calf. He exerted a little force, which made Shen Qingfeng tremble in pain and whimper in Lu Yan's arms.
"Don't, don't massage anymore. It hurts..." Shen Qingfeng bit his lower lip and grabbed Lu Yan's wrist with his hand. It seemed that the cold had already entered his body. Removing the cold was extremely painful. With tears in his eyes, he shook his head. "It really hurts."
"Be good. It'll be over soon." Lu Yan wrapped him in his arms with one hand and pressed his lips against his ear. "After the massage, I'll take you somewhere, okay?"
"...Where?"
Lu Yan smiled mysteriously. "You'll know when you get there."