Song Pu didn’t think that kissing Tantai Yi once made him any less of a straight man. This kind of thing, any man would enjoy; after all, one of a man’s brains is his dick.
So it really wasn’t his fault.
But to be fair, kissing… was actually quite pleasurable.
Perhaps Tantai Yi felt the same way. While saying he wanted to sleep, he would still occasionally lean in and kiss Song Pu’s lips, as if he could never get enough.
After mentally preparing himself, Song Pu resigned himself to his fate. Since he’d already started, what was the point in saying no or setting rules? He would simply do whatever felt good.
The next morning, Song Pu woke with swollen, red lips. The skin had been broken from being sucked, leaving him in considerable pain. The culprit, seeing Song Pu’s lips, let out a soft chuckle. “Lord Song, why are your lips so swollen?”
Song Pu: “…”
Don’t you even have a clue how they got like this?
Tantai Yi examined his lips carefully. “Why are they split? Does it hurt?”
Song Pu said, aggrieved, “Of course it hurts! Your Majesty, even if you are affectionate, why treat my lips like food?”
Tantai Yi replied, “I didn’t bite. It’s just that Lord Song is too delicate. How can you blame me?”
While habitually turning the blame back on him, he pulled a bottle of medicine from his sleeve to apply to Song Pu’s lips.
Seeing Tantai Yi produce the small box of white ointment from his seemingly infinite sleeve, Song Pu was surprised. “Why does Your Majesty carry such a thing around so casually?”
Tantai Yi replied, “My sleeves are large. I can carry whatever I like. Don’t overthink it, Lord Song. I didn’t bring it because of you.”
Hearing this, Song Pu couldn’t help but laugh, only to hiss a little because of the wound on his lip.
Tantai Yi opened the box, dipped a finger in the ointment, and applied it to Song Pu’s lips.
Song Pu couldn’t help saying, “Let me do it myself.”
Tantai Yi refused. “I’ll apply it for you.”
Song Pu fell silent. Tantai Yi’s movements were gentle, not painful enough to be unbearable. Yet the feeling of his warm, slightly calloused fingertips tracing his lips was so subtle, like a feather brushing his heart, that it left Song Pu strangely uneasy.
Lifting his eyelids, he saw Tantai Yi’s stunningly beautiful face. Even his eyes, looking down at him, seemed softer than usual.
Song Pu clenched his fingers and casually asked, “Your Majesty, have you truly had that kind of experience before?”
Tantai Yi looked up at him. “What are you saying, Minister Song?”
Song Pu said, “Your Majesty kissed me last night… quite expertly, weren’t you?”
Tantai Yi’s lips curved in a smile. “Nothing special. Just practice makes perfect.”
Song Pu: “…”
He wanted to ask who else he had kissed before, but realised that such a question would make him seem jealous. A normal straight man wouldn’t ask that, surely? He suppressed the urge to continue.
Tantai Yi finished applying the ointment, put the small box away, and asked, “How are you feeling now, Lord Song?”
Song Pu touched his lips. The sting had been replaced by a cool sensation, the pain nearly gone. He smiled in surprise. “Your Majesty is indeed unparalleled, always possessing such rare treasures. This is the first time I’ve used medicine that truly stops the pain.”
Tantai Yi said, “This medicine was specially made for Lord Song. Apply it to a wound and the pain disappears. You will also find it useful when serving me in the future.”
Song Pu: “?”
“…Was this specially prepared for me?”
Tantai Yi smiled slightly. “Of course. The Imperial Medical Academy spent half a month making it. I’ve even had death row inmates in the black prison test it, and the results are remarkable. This way, Lord Song won’t have to worry about dying in pain on my bed.”
Song Pu: “…”
“Your Majesty’s thoughtfulness is overwhelming. I am so moved I hardly know what to do.”
Tantai Yi said, “If you are truly moved, then get used to the jade insert as soon as possible. You worry, and I am not without worry. After all, you are my only one. If you were truly gone, I would have regrets for life.”
The words sounded much gentler, and Song Pu felt a strange, indescribable stir in his heart. “…Your Majesty’s intentions are appreciated. I will strive to live up to your expectations.”
A hint of hesitation flickered in Tantai Yi’s golden eyes. After a moment, he said, “In that case, I will personally supervise you in placing the jade insert today.”
Song Pu: “…………”
His face flushed immediately. “Your Majesty, you mustn’t! I am still a virgin, not yet married to you. How can I allow you to see such a sordid sight?”
Tantai Yi had initially hesitated to look, imagining scenes from picture books that were far too bold and arousing. He feared seeing it would only inflame him further. Yet seeing Song Pu’s flushed face and the glimmering dark eyes, Tantai Yi felt an overwhelming surge of passion, almost obsession, and an even stronger urge to tease him. “Virgin? Nonsense! You are a man, why be afraid? Besides, I bathed with you before, and you didn’t object. Take off your trousers, I want to see!”
Song Pu covered his face. “It’s not the same as before. You never considered making me Empress then. Now you do, and I’m practically of marriageable age. Doesn’t Your Majesty know men and women shouldn’t see each other before marriage? And yet you forced a kiss and now want to see my innocent body? If anyone found out, I’d be too ashamed to show my face!”
“Who would dare tell? It’s just you and me. If we don’t say a word, who will know?”
The more Song Pu tried to hide it, the more Tantai Yi insisted, “Hurry, I’ll just glance. Once you place the smallest one, I won’t look anymore. I keep my word. Don’t you trust me?”
Song Pu covered his face. “It’s not about trust, Your Majesty. Can’t you see I’m shy?”
He stamped his foot. “If you insist, I’ll die of embarrassment!”
Tantai Yi felt his usually steadfast heart tremble. He clenched his fingers. “…You are a man—”
“Oh, Your Majesty! I am a man, but also your future Empress. I’m just shy!”
Tantai Yi: “…”
Feeling a metallic taste in his throat, he said, “I won’t look! I won’t! Don’t act like this. You are a man, not a little girl. I don’t like it!”
Song Pu immediately relaxed, removed his hands, and spoke normally. “That was just my true feeling. You don’t like it?”
Tantai Yi’s smile vanished. “I don’t. Stay as you are. That is how I like it.”
Song Pu carefully observed him. “May I ask, Your Majesty? When I revealed my true feelings, did you want to hit me?”
Tantai Yi’s tone stiffened. “I restrained myself. I said I wouldn’t hit you.”
Song Pu softened. “I couldn’t help myself. Now that you say you won’t watch, is that true?”
“I don’t lie.”
Yet he was still slightly displeased, his golden eyes flashing.
Song Pu sighed. “Please don’t be angry. Even as a man, I feel shame. If you saw, I’d feel unbearably embarrassed and wish I could vanish.”
He then stepped onto the bed, cupped Tantai Yi’s face, and kissed the bridge of his nose. “I apologise, Your Majesty. Please don’t be angry.”
Tantai Yi smelled the cooling fragrance of the ointment, softened slightly, but then frowned again. He pointed at his lips. “Is this how you apologise? You kissed the wrong place?”
Song Pu paused, then kissed his lips.
Compared to watching him use the jade insert, a kiss was trivial. He almost kissed the hair on his tofu-like lips bald.
Tantai Yi was still unsatisfied. He licked his lips, tasting the ointment, which had a subtle sweetness on Song Pu’s mouth. He pressed Song Pu’s head, deepening the kiss.
Song Pu was kissed forcefully, the sensation of drowning returning. He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing, yet his body weakened and he knelt at the edge of the bed.
Tantai Yi adjusted his position, kneeling on the edge of the bed, cupping Song Pu’s cheek, and continued kissing him.
He had only seen kissing in picture books before, yet experiencing it was overwhelming, as if instinctive. Even without words, he knew Song Pu loved it; the feeling of lips meeting was utterly captivating.
It was just a kiss; imagine the pleasure if they went further.
Tantai Yi’s heart fluttered, and he couldn’t help fantasising more about the future.
