Time Traveling: the Only Beloved Husband

When Shen Xiangyan returned from outside, he saw Xia Rong sitting in the courtyard. He didn’t disturb him right away but went back to the house first, took a quick shower, and changed into more casual clothes before returning to the courtyard and picking up the seemingly leisurely young man.

Xia Rong was suddenly lifted up and almost exclaimed in surprise. When he realized it was his husband holding him, fearing that he might fall, he quickly wrapped his arms around his husband’s neck and pleaded, “Husband, please put me down.” He was already a grown man, and the servants were still around. Being held by his husband like this, how could he face others? However, this initial panic soon turned into cheerful laughter.

Seeing the affectionate couple in front of them, He Xin and He Miao were both happy for their master. When they were first brought into the mansion, they had worried about their soft-spoken master. But after all this time, they had seen clearly that the young master’s love for their master was genuine. This secretly relieved them, after all, such an easy master to serve was rare, and they hoped their master would always be this happy.

Shen Xiangyan spun him around a few times before finally putting him down and pulling his hand to sit together on the bamboo couch. As usual, he asked what Xia Rong had done today and if he had eaten any snacks. Xia Rong answered one by one, and also told him about the rumors He Xin had mentioned earlier. Shen Xiangyan just smiled and didn’t say anything.

This was something he had instructed Chen Cai to handle after he came down from the mountain. But all he did was have Chen Cai mention it casually in a lively place. However, no matter what era, common people are always interested in gossip about wealthy families, and rumors spread like wildfire without him having to do anything, resulting in the current situation. This made him even more aware of the danger of rumors in this place, so when spreading this matter, he always omitted himself and Xia Rong.

Shen Xiangyan sat for a while and felt that his little husband really knew how to enjoy himself. This spot was chosen well. The shade of the trees, coupled with the breeze passing through the courtyard gates, alleviated some of the heat.

“Rong’er, would you mind playing a couple of rounds of chess with me?” After saying this, he instructed the servant to bring the set of agate chess he had bought for Xia Rong earlier, ready to play a few rounds with him.

“Let’s agree on something first. If Rong’er doesn’t play well, husband, you’re not allowed to make fun of me.” Although he said this, Xia Rong’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the chess pieces, feeling a bit eager to play. He didn’t often go out when he was in the Xia family, so in his spare time, he would play chess to pass the time. But he had never played chess with anyone else before, so since his husband suggested it, he was somewhat eager to try.

“Alright, I won’t make fun of you. But just playing like this seems a bit boring, shall we make it more interesting?” Shen Xiangyan looked at the young man sitting across from him, holding the white pieces, with a gentle expression, and continued, “Let’s make a bet. Whoever loses a game has to agree to a request from the winner. How about it?”

Xia Rong’s eyes flickered, and he agreed. He was somewhat confident in his chess skills and didn’t think he would necessarily lose. However, he was too naive. After four games, he lost a piece in each one. Initially, when he only lost one piece, Xia Rong was a bit disgruntled, rare for him to act stubborn in front of his husband, pleading for another round. But after losing four consecutive games in the same manner, he finally realized that his husband was intentionally letting him win a piece each time.

In the end, when Shen Xiangyan, with a good temper, asked if Xia Rong wanted to play another game, Xia Rong, feeling sulky, threw the chess pieces indicating he didn’t want to play anymore. After someone tidied up the chessboard, Shen Xiangyan cheerfully pinched the nose of his little husband, “What’s this? Are you really angry? Still so childish.”

He wasn’t being childish, it was obvious that his husband was toying with him, intentionally letting him win a little to make him think he could still win with effort. Xia Rong kicked his feet and lowered his head, admitting defeat. He grumbled, “I concede. What does husband want Rong’er to do?”

“Well, I haven’t decided yet. We’ll talk about it later. Just don’t think about trying to back out when the time comes.” Shen Xiangyan pulled his pouting little husband onto his lap and shared some unexpected news. “Rong’er, I have to go on a long journey. You know, many of the spice-producing areas are not nearby. When Grandfather was around, the Shen family traded with many merchants from distant places. If I want to establish a good incense business, I need to visit these places myself.”

Xia Rong looked up at him in disbelief, forgetting about any bets. He struggled to accept the news and after a long pause, he quietly asked, “How long will you be gone?”

“At least a month and a half, at most two months,” Shen Xiangyan calculated the distance in his mind, feeling a bit resentful about the inconvenient transportation. The journey south involved not only traveling by carriage but also possibly a segment by water, making the round trip at least a month and a half. “Rong’er, be good. I’ll try to come back as soon as possible. I’ll take Shen An with me this time, so in the future, I might not need to go personally.”

Hearing that he would be gone for so long, Xia Rong felt very uncomfortable. Even though his husband hadn’t left yet, he was already finding it hard to bear. “Then, when will you leave, husband?”

Shen Xiangyan patted Xia Rong’s head, sensing his distress and decided to be straightforward, “The day after tomorrow. There are still some preparations to be made.” He wanted to bring Xia Rong along, but this journey wasn’t for leisure. It was quite far, and he planned to travel swiftly. He feared he wouldn’t be able to take good care of Xia Rong if he brought him along.

“Then, could you take more people with you, husband?” Xia Rong knew he should be strong and reassure his husband so he could leave without worrying about him, but he couldn’t help his eyes from reddening. Before getting married, he had heard that his late father-in-law had met with trouble while going south to procure spices. How could he not be worried?

Seeing Xia Rong’s sadness, Shen Xiangyan also felt melancholy due to the impending separation. He kissed the corner of Xia Rong’s eye and spoke in a casual tone, “Don’t worry, I’ll bring more people with me. Rong’er, take good care of yourself at home, okay? Try to grow up a bit faster, alright? Husband can’t wait too long.” He added with a suggestive touch around Xia Rong’s waist.

The melancholy of impending separation eased slightly due to Shen Xiangyan’s flirtatious gesture. Xia Rong rubbed his sore eyes, stood up, and instructed He Xin and He Miao to prepare the luggage Shen Xiangyan needed to bring. With one day left, as the husband, he hadn’t prepared anything yet. He realized there were many things to take care of personally.

Seeing Xia Rong busying himself for his departure, Shen Xiangyan didn’t intervene. He knew stopping him now would only make it harder. With many arrangements still needed before his departure, he called the household servants to give them instructions one by one.

On the eve of departure, Xia Rong buried his head in Shen Xiangyan’s chest, holding his hand tightly, unable to control his emotions at the thought of being alone in bed the next day.

Shen Xiangyan, seeing Xia Rong like this, felt a pang of heartache and silently swore to never leave him again after this time. Gentle kisses traced along his forehead, brows, nose, and finally landed on those soft lips. Both of them, more daring than usual due to the impending separation, indulged in each other. When Shen Xiangyan’s hand slid down under the covers to hold Xia Rong, Xia Rong couldn’t help but widen his eyes. Then, an uncontrollable sound escaped his lips after being thoroughly teased. After everything calmed down, exhausted from experiencing something new for the first time, Xia Rong finally drifted off to sleep.

Shen Xiangyan kissed Xia Rong’s forehead and chuckled softly at the lively thing still stirring beneath him. “You’re so weak. What will I do when you can’t even handle the real thing?” Ignoring his own arousal, after taking care of the sleepy Xia Rong, he turned over in bed and held him close, but sleep eluded him.

He couldn’t help but gaze at the person in his arms, gently patting his back to ensure he slept soundly. He spent the entire night like this without closing his eyes.

The next morning, before dawn, Shen Xiangyan got up quietly, washed, dressed, and looked at the still sound asleep Xia Rong. He kissed the corner of Xia Rong’s lips and left a note on his pillow. Then, he gently opened the door, instructing He Xin and He Miao to take good care of Xia Rong and not to wake him up. If there were any issues, they could ask the Li family. He had already informed them in advance to take care of Xia Rong.

After quickly having breakfast, Shen Xiangyan once again instructed the household servants to uphold their duties and take good care of the master during his absence. He promised rewards if Xia Rong remained untroubled upon his return, but warned of severe consequences if any issues arose. He made it clear that even selling them off wouldn’t be out of the question.

With these instructions given, Shen Xiangyan, accompanied by Shen An and six guards, set out. The luggage prepared by Xia Rong was already packed and waiting at the main gate. Shen Xiangyan glanced at the two fully loaded carriages and twitched his mouth. He couldn’t resist checking them with Shen An, removing anything unnecessary. As long as they had enough silver, they could buy many things on the road. But he decided to bring the items that looked useful, after all, it was Xia Rong’s gesture of goodwill. If he didn’t bring them, Xia Rong would surely be even angrier. Shen Xiangyan rubbed his nose. He had feared making Xia Rong angry by leaving without a word.

Finally, casting a last glance at the Shen mansion, Shen Xiangyan, with the first light of dawn appearing on the horizon, led his party away without looking back.