Kissing Her in Front of Su Mingxiu

The three of them arrived at a teahouse together. The second floor consisted of private rooms partitioned by lattice screens, where guests could sip tea while enjoying the music and dance performances downstairs.

Around a low square table, Su Mingxiu and Lu Xuanheng sat opposite each other, with Jiang You'an seated between them.

Lu Xuanheng held a teapot and personally poured a cup for Su Mingxiu. "The tea here is quite good. Do try it, Young Master Su."

Su Mingxiu expressed his thanks, took a small sip, and smiled, agreeing that it was indeed fine tea.

"I have long heard of Young Master Su's great reputation, though I never had the chance to make your acquaintance. I am truly overjoyed to learn that you are to be wed to my cousin You'an. Although she is only my cousin, she is gentle and obedient, and I have always cherished her the most."

A smile played on Lu Xuanheng's lips, but to Jiang You'an, that smile looked utterly chilling. Terrified that he might utter something earth-shattering, her heart leaped into her throat, ready to jump out at any moment.

Sensing nothing amiss, Su Mingxiu continued with polite courtesy, "You'an is indeed a fine young woman of pure heart and keen intelligence. To take her as my wife is my greatest fortune."

Hearing this, Lu Xuanheng let out a low chuckle, as if amused by some joke.

Jiang You'an nervously clutched her teacup, casting a sidelong glance at him.

Lu Xuanheng met her gaze openly, raising a brow slightly in blatant provocation.

Forcing a smile, Jiang You'an said, "Cousin, aren't you fond of osmanthus cakes? Do try these." With that, she pushed the plate of osmanthus cakes on the table toward him.

Lu Xuanheng sneered inwardly. She was trying to play the good girl and stuff his mouth with food to keep him quiet.

"My cousin is most thoughtful to remember what I like."

He picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and put it into his mouth.

Seeing that he had finally fallen silent, Jiang You'an let out an inward sigh of relief.

Sensing that the atmosphere was somewhat strange and not understanding why, Su Mingxiu glanced at Jiang You'an and noticed her terribly pale complexion.

He gently took her hand and asked with concern, "Why does your face look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"

Fearing that he might pick up on anything suspicious, Jiang You'an forced a smile and said she was fine.

"She must still be shaken from what happened earlier," Lu Xuanheng said, his gaze deepening as he looked at Jiang You'an. "I haven't yet asked why the two of you were there."

Naturally, they had gone to find Shen Heqing regarding the old case concerning Jiang You'an's father, only to unexpectedly discover that Shen Heqing was helping the Earl of Zhongyuan incite refugees and create chaos in the capital.

Instead of speaking immediately, Su Mingxiu looked first at Jiang You'an.

Jiang You'an squeezed his hand to signal him to remain silent, then turned to Lu Xuanheng and said, "We were just passing by."

Lu Xuanheng was hardly blind. Taking in all their subtle, affectionate glances at one another, a nameless fire instantly ignited in his chest.

Jiang You'an had known Su Mingxiu for mere months; how could she share matters with him yet keep them hidden from her own cousin?

She trusted Su Mingxiu so completely, yet she had never once trusted him.

"Passing by? What a remarkable coincidence."

Maintaining her composure, Jiang You'an replied, "It truly was a coincidence. We never expected to run into that spectacle either. Perhaps Cousin can tell us what is going on with that fellow Shen Heqing?"

Lu Xuanheng scoffed inwardly. She refused to be open with him, yet came sniffing around for his information.

"As an elder cousin-in-law to be, I merely went to pay him a visit. What could possibly be the matter?"

Seeing him stubbornly refusing to tell the truth, Jiang You'an blurted out anxiously, "We clearly heard him spreading rumors that led to the riot of the refugees in the West City."

With a blank expression, Lu Xuanheng retorted, "I know nothing of the sort. Cousin, one must not speak carelessly of such matters. After all, the Lu, Shen, and Su families will soon be one family."

Realizing that nothing would pry the truth from him, Jiang You'an stopped asking. She turned to Su Mingxiu and said, "Mingxiu, didn't you say you wanted to take me to the bookstore on East Street?"

Sensing the discord between the two and realizing Jiang You'an wished to leave, Su Mingxiu went along with the excuse she had improvised on the spot. "Very well, let us go take a look while the day is still young."

Glancing at the two of them, Lu Xuanheng pointed toward the musicians playing downstairs. "Listen to this tune to the end before you leave."

The two sat for a little longer, and Lu Xuanheng picked up the teapot once more to refill Su Mingxiu's cup.

Just as Su Mingxiu was about to thank him, the lid of the teapot slipped off, and half a pot of tea splashed out, soaking the front of his robes.

"Oh dear, how clumsy of me."

Lu Xuanheng frowned slightly, his face feigning deep apology.

Sensing that he had done it entirely on purpose, Jiang You'an glared at him and hurriedly used her handkerchief to help Su Mingxiu wipe away the tea.

Su Mingxiu stood up. "It is no matter. Please stay seated, both of you; I will go tidy myself."

A spare set of clothes was kept ready in their carriage. A servant retrieved them, and Su Mingxiu went to the adjoining compartment to change.

As soon as he left, Jiang You'an turned to confront Lu Xuanheng, but before she could utter a word, her lips were sealed.

Lu Xuanheng suddenly pressed her down against the cushioned seat, ruthlessly devouring her tender lips without a shred of mercy.

Jiang You_an's eyes widened in horror. How dared he do this here... Su Mingxiu was right next door!

She clenched her fists and began to rain heavy blows upon his chest.

Releasing her slightly, Lu Xuanheng sneered, "So obedient in front of him, yet utterly ferocious with me."

Jiang You'an's voice dropped to a fierce whisper, trembling with fury, "Lu Xuanheng, have you lost your mind?"

Lu Xuanheng's large palm gave her slender waist a firm, bruising squeeze. "Raise your voice a little louder and lure him over so he can have a proper look."

Frowning, Jiang You'an looked toward the partition screen. It was made of a thin layer of gauzed paper, and she could even faintly discern Su Mingxiu's silhouette through it.

If she made even the slightest commotion here, Su Mingxiu would hear it!

Panic-stricken, she clutched at Lu Xuanheng's sleeve, tears welling up in her eyes as she begged, "I beg you, stop..."

Her eyes were veiled in a fine mist of tears, her curved willow-leaf brows knitted together, and her red lips swollen and dewy. She looked both pitiful and adorable. At just a single glance, Lu Xuanheng felt his blood surge. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered cruelly, "Be a good cousin and make no sound, and all will be well."

With that, he hauled Jiang You'an up.

Jiang You'an knelt on the floor as Lu Xuanheng wrapped his arms around her from behind, trapping her tightly against his chest.

Her back pressed hard against his burning torso, while right before her eyes stood the hazy shadow of Su Mingxiu.

Those large hands roamed over her body, kneading her mercilessly, while Lu Xuanheng bit down on the back of her neck, grinding fiercely against her flesh.

"I was overjoyed to meet this fine husband of yours for the first time, yet just now, before I could say more than a few words, you rushed to plug my mouth. Tell me, what were you afraid I might say?"

Jiang You'an pressed her lips together tightly, daring not make a sound, terrified that the moment she opened her mouth, an incriminating gasp would escape.

"I can tell he dotes on you indeed," Lu Xuanheng breathed lightly against her ear. "If he were to know what you and I are doing right now, how would he react?"

Jiang You'an seized the hand that had slid inside her collar and looked at him pleadingly. "Lu Xuanheng, stop acting like a madman here. We can... we can go back and—"

Lu Xuanheng let out a soft laugh and cupped her face. "Doing it right under his nose is so much more thrilling."

With a tightening of his palm, he gripped Jiang You'an's chin and crashed his lips down upon hers once more.