Chapter 11: The Lodging
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Xia Xi, naturally, gave him no answer. Chu Lan, however, seemed convinced he was right, his heated gaze lingering on Xia Xi’s lips, which were now a vivid red from the kissing. Xia Xi’s lips were beautifully shaped—small, rosy, and moist, with a delicate philtrum. When pressed together, they looked so supple that one couldn't help but want to take a bite.
Chu Lan suddenly regretted waiting this long to "take a bite."
He became addicted. That night, he couldn't resist holding Xia Xi and kissing him repeatedly, his tongue exploring and swirling until saliva escaped the corners of their mouths, which he would quickly lick away. Xia Xi felt scorched by the kisses; for the first time, the space between his thighs grew damp. He could only grip the bedsheets, not daring to move. The youth, however, was losing restraint. He felt as though he were drinking poison to quench a thirst—the more he kissed, the more he wanted, though he still didn't quite understand what that "more" entailed.
In terms of sexual openness, the Barbarian culture actually lagged behind the Xia Kingdom.
The next morning, Xia Xi’s lips were swollen and pouting. Every time he looked at Chu Lan, the boy felt like he was being beckoned for another kiss. Chu Lan’s lower belly burned with excitement, and his member stood up uncontrollably, leaving him frustrated and unsure of what to do with himself.
Xia Xi feigned ignorance of his husband's condition. He calmly helped him dress and tie his hair, shared breakfast, and saw him out. Chu Lan seemed loath to leave. He looked down at Xia Xi and, seeing no one around, whispered, "Give me one more kiss."
Xia Xi’s face reddened as he obediently lifted his head. Their lips brushed and lingered before parting. Chu Lan, clearly unsatisfied, leaned into his ear. "Wait for me to come back tonight."
Xia Xi felt a surge of dread; the day he feared most was likely fast approaching.
Regarding the trip to Zhang City, Xia Xi had initially assumed they would travel with the army. Only the day before departure did he learn they were disguising themselves as a merchant caravan. Xia Xi’s first thought was: "Can your safety be guaranteed?" As the King, there were many who would want to assassinate him. If his identity were revealed, the risk would be immense.
"My personal guard will be disguised and hidden within the city," Chu Lan said confidently. "Nothing will happen."
Seeing his certainty, Xia Xi suppressed his unease. Suddenly, Chu Lan said, "Xi'er, will you wear Xia clothing for me? What did you used to wear? I want to see."
"I..." Xia Xi hesitated before speaking. "I have men's clothing, Chu Lan. Can I travel with you in men's attire?" He truly couldn't stand wearing women's dresses; they made him feel utterly out of place. Conversely, Barbarian male and female clothing didn't differ much—both centered on long robes—so he didn't mind those.
Chu Lan was surprised. "You have men's clothes? I’ve heard some Xia women enjoy dressing as men to walk the streets. So, you have that interest as well? I want to see." When Xia Xi emerged in men's clothing, Chu Lan was stunned. Xia Xi was beautiful; the male attire made him look dashing and elegant, perhaps even more suitable than the dresses. Chu Lan stood silent for a long time.
Xia Xi’s heart hammered against his ribs. He feared the boy had noticed something and was prepared to confess everything. But Chu Lan simply reached out and pulled him into a hug, laughing. "My Xi'er is so beautiful. You look good in anything."
The next day, they departed quietly through the south gate. The caravan included horses, camels, and a carriage for Xia Xi and Cai Huan. Chu Lan rode a black steed, looking high-spirited and handsome. The carriage was bumpy, making Xia Xi feel nauseous; he could only lean into the corner with his eyes closed. Cai Huan, however, was perfectly fine, peeking out the curtain with great interest, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
The journey to Zhang City took three days, traveling by day and staying in inns by night. Due to the trade market, the official roads were crowded, and inns were nearly all full. By the third night, they couldn't find a single vacancy. Since Chu Lan was traveling incognito, he didn't want to use his royal authority or cause a scene. He sent his lead man to find any available lodging nearby. The man returned and reported, "Young Master, the owner says if money isn't an issue, we can stay at the 'Man Yuan Chun' (Full Spring Garden) at the west end of town."
"What kind of place is Man Yuan Chun?" Chu Lan asked curiously.
The leader hesitated before whispering, "It's a brothel."
Brothels didn't exist in the Barbarian Kingdom. Few women chose to sell themselves, and those who did were nomadic, never staying in one place. Prostitution was also legally forbidden there. However, this town sat on the border and had been Xia territory a few years ago. The buildings were Xia-style, and the population was mostly Han. Clearly, a few years wasn't enough to adapt to Barbarian rules, so someone had opened this shop in secret.
Chu Lan frowned. He was young and somewhat curious, and he certainly didn't want Xia Xi sleeping outdoors. "Let's go take a look."
The small town was bustling, but it was quiet when they arrived at the entrance of Man Yuan Chun. Only two red lanterns hung by the door; it looked like an ordinary residence.
At Chu Lan's signal, the leader knocked. A man with a small mustache peeked out, looked around, and asked in the Barbarian tongue, "Where do the esteemed guests hail from?"
After a brief exchange, the man opened the door and invited them in. While the animals were led to the backyard, Chu Lan, Xia Xi, and Cai Huan (also dressed as a man) followed the mustache man inside. After passing through several courtyards, the interior opened up into a brightly lit, lively scene.
Xia Xi was surprised. He didn't know what kind of place this was, but the layout felt familiar—it was built exactly like a Xia courtyard. Soon, a woman in her thirties wearing revealing clothes walked over, waving a silk fan. Her eyes darted over them. "Are you here for lodging?"
When the leader explained, the woman covered her mouth and laughed. "You aren't from the government, are you?"
"Of course not," the leader assured her.
The woman gave a lazy flick of her sleeve. "Follow me then. We have rooms, though they are expensive. How many do you need? And if you hear noises at night, don't complain; my girls have business to attend to. If you feel 'hot,' you can call for a girl. We have many, each more beautiful than the last." Her voice was syrupy, and she walked with a swaying waist that made Cai Huan blush and hide behind Xia Xi.
They bypassed the main hall and were led to a row of guest rooms in the back. The building had three floors with many rooms. The leader took ten. The best room was given to Chu Lan and Xia Xi, while Cai Huan was given her own room for privacy. Cai Huan was clearly scared and whispered to Xia Xi, "Princess, let me stay with you. I can sleep on the floor. This place... it doesn't look decent. I'm afraid..."
Xia Xi comforted her, "The rooms on either side of you are for our guards. It’s safe. Don't be afraid." He couldn't agree to let her stay; his little husband would certainly be displeased. Though Chu Lan was usually kind, if provoked, there was no telling if he might do something impulsive—like ordering an execution.
Cai Huan pouted but had no choice but to head to her room. Xia Xi followed Chu Lan into their room. Upon opening the door, a thick, heavy perfume hit them.
Xia Xi choked and coughed. The mustache man lit the lamp and apologized with a grin, "Please, come in. This is our best room. It usually belongs to our top beauty, Mudan, but she’s out with a client tonight. Rest easy, the bedding is clean."
The room was indeed clean, aside from the overwhelming scent. Chu Lan was unfamiliar with Xia decor; seeing the crimson, translucent gauze curtains, he touched them in wonder. "So soft."
The man left, closing the door. Xia Xi noticed a dressing table with several boxes of rouge. He couldn't help but ask, "Chu Lan... what kind of place is this?"
Chu Lan looked at him and smiled. "They say it’s a brothel."
Xia Xi froze, his face flushing with shame. "How... how can we stay in such a place?" As royalty, he found the idea of such a low-class establishment unthinkable. Chu Lan replied, "It's better than sleeping in the wild. It’s just for one night; what difference does it make?"
Xia Xi could only reply, "Yes."
They had already eaten. After washing up, Chu Lan stripped to his inner robes and lay in bed, lifting the quilt and looking expectantly at Xia Xi. "Xi'er, come here."
Xia Xi’s body stiffened. He walked over slowly, blew out the candle, and climbed into bed. In the darkness, the moment Xia Xi lay down, Chu Lan gripped his wrist and pulled him into his arms, seeking his lips for a kiss.
"Mmph..." Ever since Chu Lan learned how to use his tongue, they kissed many times a day. The more they did it, the more they felt an irresistible urge to do more. Chu Lan was a fast learner; his kissing had moved from green to skilled, and he knew how to stimulate Xia Xi’s sensitive spots. The dark room was filled with the sounds of their kissing. Xia Xi, unable to take more, pulled back slightly. "Chu Lan, that's enough... we have to travel tomorrow..."
Chu Lan gave a muffled "Mhm" and nibbled on his lips a few more times, though he kept his lower body at a distance. Both were burning up, their breathing ragged as they struggled for restraint. The quiet of the night was suddenly shattered by a moan from the room next door.
The moan was viscous and needy, like a cat in heat. It felt like a feather brushing against the heart, leaving one itchy and thirsty. Xia Xi immediately knew what it was and went rigid. Chu Lan, however, was curious. He leaned in and whispered, "Xi'er, why is someone screaming in pain?"
Xia Xi’s face was scalding hot. He didn't know how to explain. But Chu Lan had already sat up. "Could it be a criminal attacking someone? I'll go check." Without waiting for Xia Xi to stop him, he slipped out of bed, opened the window silently, and nimbled leaped onto the roof.
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