I alone am the Honoured One!

The rain outside softened into a steady drizzle...

Zhao Tian lifted his cup once more, finishing the last of his tea in an unhurried sip before setting it down.

Neither spoke as Zhao Tian reached for one of the small snacks placed on the lacquer tray between them.

Lan Shuqin, distracted by the warmth blooming in her chest, reached for the same dish at that exact moment.

Their fingers brushed, and Lan Shuqin froze, a small shiver running through her body.

Her breath hitched, and she instinctively drew her hand back.

Her cheeks flushed with crimson, spreading from her neck upward until her ears turned red. 'Fool! Why am I reacting like this?'

Zhao Tian glanced sideways at her and with a faint chuckle he muttered "Shuqin, your hand is colder than the rain outside."

She jolted, looking down at her hands as if they betrayed her "I-I… it's just the weather,"

He gave a low hum, neither teasing nor scolding, and without much thought, picked up one of the pastries with his own hand and held it slightly toward her "Eat. It will warm you."

Her eyes widened 'He's feeding me?'

For a moment, she hesitated, but then, almost shyly, she leaned forward and accepted the morsel from his fingers.

The sweet glaze melted on her tongue, but it was the faint brush of his fingertips at the corner of her lips that sent sparks down her heart.

"…Thank you," she whispered, lowering her gaze to hide the redness of her cheeks.

They stood side by side, close enough that their shoulders nearly brushed.

Lan Shuqin reached out for another pastry, but just as her fingers touched the edge of the tray, Zhao Tian's hand moved at the same time.

Their fingers brushed again; however, this time he didn't withdraw his hand.

Instead, his fingers slid over the back of her hand, then curved around her slender wrist.

Lan Shuqin froze, her heart pounding so violently that she feared he might hear it.

"Ma–Master Tian…" she whispered in an unsteady voice.

Zhao Tian's grip wasn't forceful. It was light, as though asking permission even as he guided her hand away from the tray.

Then, slowly, he turned his palm and let his fingers slip between hers, interlacing them firmly.

The contrast of his steady warmth against her trembling hand made her knees feel weak.

Her lips parted, but no words came.

Zhao Tian gave her hand a faint squeeze, then pulled her gently to draw her closer.

"...ah." She stumbled half a step, her shoulder brushing against his arm and her entire body heated under the contact.

He leaned slightly toward her, "Better?"

Lan Shuqin could barely think.

Her lashes fluttered as she looked up at him, and for a moment, the faint reflection of the rain-lit courtyard danced in her wide eyes.

"…Warmer,"

The corner of Zhao Tian's lips lifted faintly, and he didn't let go.

Lan Shuqin's body swayed closer, almost on its own, as if drawn to his steady presence.

Her free hand clutched at her robes nervously, but she couldn't hide the quiet yearning flickering across her face.

And Zhao Tian, feeling the slight tremor in her grip, only pulled her that inch closer, close enough that the faint fragrance of her hair mingled with the clean scent of rain clinging to him.

Lan Shuqin's breath grew shallow, and the warmth of his hand seeped through her skin, spreading all the way to her chest.

She dared a glance upward... just a fleeting glance and immediately regretted it.

Zhao Tian's gentle gaze was on her.

Her lips parted, her throat tightening "…Master Tian…"

The words barely left her mouth before his hand gave another gentle squeeze.

Zhao Tian leaned ever so slightly down, his breath brushing against her temple "Shuqin."

He raised his other hand, brushing a strand of damp hair away from her cheek.

His knuckles grazed her skin, sending a shiver through her spine.

The distance between them melted.

Lan Shuqin's lashes fluttered and her lips trembled as she tilted her face slightly upward.

Looking at her parted lips, Zhao Tian's gaze grew tender, and he closed the distance.

His lips pressed against her soft lips.

Lan Shuqin's heart nearly burst, and she clutched at his sleeve with her free hand, and her knees felt weak as warmth flooded her body.

When he finally drew back, Lan Shuqin's eyes opened slowly, still dazed by the kiss, and her cheeks were scarlet.

"…Master Tian,"

His lips lingered only a breath away, and before Lan Shuqin could steady herself, Zhao Tian leaned back in.

A soft kiss landed against her flushed skin, making her chest tighten.

Lan Shuqin closed her eyes as her breath trembled out.

Slowly, almost desperately, she raised her arm and wrapped it around him, burying her face into his chest.

Her voice quivered, muffled against him. "Master Tian…"

Zhao Tian's lips traced from her cheek down slowly until they found the soft curve of her neck.

When his lips brushed her there, Lan Shuqin gasped softly, her fingers clutching at his robes.

She tilted her head instinctively, granting him more space as her lips parted in a breathless whisper. "…please don't let go."

Zhao Tian's lips remained a moment longer against the delicate curve of her neck before he finally pulled back.

Lan Shuqin's eyes fluttered open, and for a heartbeat she simply gazed at him.

The heat of his kiss still burned along her cheek and neck, and then realization struck her.

Her eyes trembled 'I-I just… we just…'

Panicking, she took a stumbling step back, clutching the folds of her robes to her chest.

Her eyes darted everywhere but his eyes, unable to meet the weight of Zhao Tian's calm gaze.

"...I-I… goodnight, Master Tian!"

And before she knew it, she turned around and rushed to her home.

'What have I done? What will he think? Oh heavens, I just left- after he kissed me… after I let him hold me... doesn't it look like that I rejected him if I left without saying anything?'

Her steps slowed, and she stopped.

Her entire body trembled as she stood there frozen, torn between shame and longing.

If she disappeared into her room without a word… will he think she hated it? That she regretted being in his arms?

"No…" she whispered to herself, biting her lip. 'I can't… I don't want him to think that again. Not when I…'

With that, she spun around, facing him.

Zhao Tian still stood by the railing, still watching her with fondness in his eyes.

She stopped before him, tilting her head up.

Then, before her courage could shatter, she quickly rose onto her toes and pressed her lips to his lips.

A quick kiss.

She pulled back an inch, then moved forward again, brushing his lips a second time.

By the third kiss, her resolve cracked entirely as she leaned into him.

Her lips moved against his lips for a moment before she pulled back, utterly breathless, and her face was beet red from her ears to her throat.

"...Goodnight," she whispered in a faint voice that it was nearly lost beneath the rain.

And before Zhao Tian could respond, she spun around again, gathering her skirts in trembling hands, and rushed down the corridor.

Her bare feet slapped lightly against the polished wood until she reached her room, pulled the door open, and darted inside.

Bang!

The door shut firmly behind her.

Leaning against it, Lan Shuqin clutched her pounding chest with both hands, sliding down until she was crouched on the floor.

Her lips still tingled and her face was so red she buried it into her knees in desperation.

"…What did I just do?"

Outside in the corridor, Zhao Tian's eyes narrowed faintly as his fingers brushed his lips.

A smile flickered across his face, and he slowly turned around, walking toward Zhou Hanyue's room.

He entered Zhou Hanyue's room and then walked to her bed and glanced at her sleeping on the bed.

For a moment, Zhao Tian simply stood there, watching her.

Without disturbing her, he sat on the bed and reached out to gently caress her cheek.

Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

But then her eyes suddenly opened, making him blink in surprise "Hanyue?"

She grinned and pushed him down on the bed, making him fall with a *thud*.

"How are you, my dear husband?"

Falling on the bed, he chuckled, and she quickly got on top of him, straddling her hips on his waist.

Her delicate fingers were already pulling impatiently at the ties of his robe.

Zhao Tian let out a helpless chuckle, his hands instinctively settling on her slender waist. "So eager?"

Her hands finally loosened the knot of his outer robe, parting the fabric to reveal the hard lines of his chest.

Her heart fluttered, and without hesitation, she bent forward to kiss his chest.

His arms closed around her, pulling her closer until her body molded against his "Hanyue…"

-------------------------------------------------

I hope you guys liked this chapter!