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"Does your body feel uncomfortable?" Concerned about Ninglang's health, Zhou Jinian had only done it once.

Xie Ning had only just calmed down. At those words, his face instantly grew hot, and he wrapped his arms around Zhou Jinian's waist, pressing his face tightly against his abs.

His sweet, bashful manner made Zhou Jinian's heart itch. The mischievous streak in him took over, and he simply had to tease him. "Then, did it feel good?"

A moment later, Zhou Jinian regretted asking.

"Hiss!!!" Zhou Jinian knitted his brows and gritted his teeth as the cool little hands at his waist pinched his flesh hard. What little fish? He was clearly a plump little shrimp with pincers!

Xie Ning pursed his lips and huffed, releasing his grip before wrapping his arms around his husband's waist again and burying his head against him.

Sunlight streamed down through the large opening overhead, its warmth making them drowsy. Zhou Jinian gently stroked his husband's long black hair. Only after Ninglang fell asleep did he take the bamboo basket down to scoop up fish.

Xie Ning had been right. The fish in this pool probably had never seen humans before, so they were very easy to catch. Only a few swam away to dodge him, probably thinking this huge creature was playing with them.

Zhou Jinian only fished in the shallows, tossing each basketful onto the bank. By the time Xie Ning had slept enough and returned to the water, he had already caught half the fish.

Xie Ning was still a little shy when he woke. He slipped quietly into the pool to play in the water. He loved eating shrimp, but shrimp liked hiding in dark places, so he swam toward the edge of the pool.

Diving underwater, he immediately spotted a big, plump shrimp. Xie Ning approached quietly, but the shrimp was nimble, flicking its legs through the water before finally darting into a dark hole and disappearing!

Xie Ning swam over and felt around. He had looked for another opening in the pool before; so this was where it was.

He surfaced and called to his husband, who was gathering fish on the bank, "Jinian, there's an underwater exit here. I'm going to take a look."

"No!" Zhou Jinian refused without a second thought. "We don't know where it leads. It's dangerous."

Floating on the surface, Xie Ning pouted and slapped the water with both hands in protest.

"Still not coming up? Hmm?" Zhou Jinian frowned, his expression stern.

Seeing that his husband would not compromise, Xie Ning hurriedly swam toward the bank, planning to find a chance to explore the way himself.

Only once he was sure his little husband would not put himself in danger did Zhou Jinian's expression soften. He went to embrace his little fish and coaxed him, "Go catch a few shrimp. I'll roast them for you."

"Mhm, mhm." Xie Ning nodded, immediately kicking his legs as nimbly as a tail.

Watching his little husband frolic in the water, Zhou Jinian could not help smiling again. He felt as though he were raising an obedient little puppy, one that occasionally ran about making mischief outside but would wag its tail and leap into his arms the moment he called.

After an afternoon of bridal bliss in the cave, Zhou Jinian could clearly feel how much clingier his little husband had become as they drove the ox cart back to town. He was terribly pampered, insisting on sitting close to him and leaning on his shoulder, no longer finding him too hot at all.

As they neared town, they could see a large crowd gathered at the gate from far away. No one was being allowed in or out.

They drove the ox cart over and joined the back of the crowd. Zhou Jinian went ahead to ask what was happening. Several mule-cart drivers in front of them had gathered to discuss it.

Xie Ning rummaged out a bamboo hat and put it on. After tying the cord, he looked around for Zhou Jinian, then heard gongs and drums in the distance as a swift horse came racing over.

Horses were an uncommon sight in the little town. The rider wore a black gauze hat and presumably held an official post. The moment he dismounted, officials went up to greet him.

The commoners outside the town gate all looked toward the man. Xie Ning also craned his neck curiously to look, only turning his attention back to Jinian when he returned.

"Are you hot?" Zhou Jinian slipped his large hand straight under Ninglang's hat and felt his forehead. Reassured, he explained, "An official from the capital is retiring and returning home to spend his old age. Once they enter town, we can go home."

Xie Ning pulled his husband's hand down and held it in his own as he yawned. "Mm."

The yawn squeezed out two reflexive tears that clung to his lashes. Quite naturally, he raised Jinian's hand to wipe them away, then smiled at Zhou Jinian. "Hee hee..."

His peach-blossom eyes narrowed, and his grin revealed his little white teeth. Zhou Jinian's heart melted.

Grass and shrubs grew thick along the roadside, with countless mosquitoes and other insects. They waited for well over half a two-hour period. With only half the sun still showing on the horizon, they finally heard the crowd ahead call out, "They're here!"

Xie Ning had been dozing against Zhou Jinian. Awakened by the commotion, he opened his eyes and saw three magnificent carriages approaching.

Each carriage was drawn by three large brown horses wearing red saddles. The horses were tall and sturdy, and the carriages behind them were lavish, covered in deep-red embroidered fabric decorated with white auspicious cloud patterns.

The carriages approached slowly. Xie Ning saw the town magistrate and the other officials, who had been waiting for a long time, bow in greeting. They were too far away for him to hear what was said, but judging by the officials' clasped hands and slightly inclined bodies, their words must have been courteous.

Yet the people inside the carriage never even lifted the curtain. The Qingshui Town magistrate awkwardly withdrew to the roadside and watched the luxurious carriages enter the town gate and head toward the market.

A long procession trailed behind them, presumably escorting valuables and property. The escorts had one arm bared, dressed like armed convoy guards.

"What a grand procession. A big shot has come to Qingshui Town."

"They say it's someone who's even seen the emperor!"

"..."

Traffic through the town gate resumed, but commoners filled the queues both inside and outside. After this delay, night had already fallen by the time the two returned to Upper North Alley.

Hearing the gate, Lin Jin hurried out to welcome them. The two buckets of fish were poured into the little pond, and he urged them to eat. "Why are you so late? Hurry inside and have dinner."

"We ran into an official returning home to retire as he was entering town. We were held up outside for a while." Zhou Jinian drew well water to wash his face, then beckoned his little husband over and wiped his face too.

Zhou Sanfeng sat in the main room weaving a bamboo chair by lamplight. Watching from a distance, he felt that his son looked less like he was caring for a husband and more like he was raising a son.

The family sat in the main room to eat. Lin Jin asked curiously, "Why hadn't we heard that a big shot was coming? From the procession you described, there must be quite a few people. Where will they live?"

"There's a mansion outside town by East Street. I heard about it when I went to order the table. They say even the patterns inlaid in the middle of one of their grand armchairs are made of gold." Zhou Sanfeng had gone to order tables, chairs, and a stove a couple of days earlier. Having gone all over town, he could be said to have gotten to know Qingshui Town thoroughly.