Chapter 95
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Chapter 95:
The former Second Prince used to just wave, beckoning her like calling a cat or a dog, but now Li Zhexuan would come for Li Chunzhou.
Li Zhexuan noticed Li Chunzhou’s slightly reddened eyes, his smile fading a bit. He walked over, held her hand, and with astonishing intuition asked, "Why are you crying? Don’t want to leave?"
He held Li Chunzhou’s hand in his, lowered his gaze to her blushing cheeks from napping, desire flickering in his eyes, then he controlled it. Li Zhexuan held Li Chunzhou’s hand to his mouth and lightly kissed it.
After a long time, Li Zhexuan returned to this body and immediately remembered the feeling of skin touching. He controlled the waves of desire rising in his body, gazing at Li Chunzhou’s blushing cheeks without her knowing, playing with his own desires – is it lust? Or hunger rising? Or is it a desire to protect or control?
Li Zhexuan couldn’t tell, and it didn’t matter too much. As long as he had a human body, he would continue to desire Li Chunzhou.
If one person endures desire, it is painful, but it’s different for two people.
Li Chunzhou kissed Li Zhexuan’s mouth because she didn’t want to face the reality of having to leave this world in a month. She almost felt addicted to the feeling of their lips touching, and the dopamine from the kiss momentarily made her forget all her worries.
Besides Li Zhexuan, who else in the world can let her play with them?
Li Zhexuan lifted Li Chunzhou with one hand, but his posture for the kiss wasn’t too forward. He seemed to be inviting Li Chunzhou to initiate the kiss with a hint of resistance and acceptance.
Holding onto Li Zhexuan’s neck, Li Chunzhou unsteadily said, "Let’s go inside."
Li Zhexuan’s dark eyes were like deep, bottomless water, his pale skin appearing even paler, almost like white bones. This made his lips seem even redder, as if stained with blood. He had a peaceful smile on his face as he gently agreed, "Okay…"
The hand behind Li Chunzhou tightly held her waist, not giving her a chance to change her mind.
Li Zhexuan carefully looked at Li Chunzhou’s body inch by inch, starting from her hair, then moving to her beautiful features, the slightly dilated pupils under the sunlight, the long eyelashes when her eyes lowered, the shape of her collarbone, the slightly trembling skin when his fingers brushed across her chest, her delicate hands, the faint veins that appeared when their fingers intertwined, and the joy and confusion that surfaced in her eyes when they kissed.
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[The following content is only supplementary background information, you can skip it without detailed reading.]
During the hot summer season in Daliang, the weather was scorching with intense sunlight. The ancient book "Sui Shi Guang Ji" records, "May is the beginning, followed closely by June, July is hot, everything is scorched." This high temperature had many effects on the lives of the people. In summer, people reduced their outdoor activities to avoid direct sunlight. Daily activities were mostly carried out in the early morning and evening, such as work, and trading. Additionally, the amount of rainfall in summer was also quite high, causing people to frequently face the troubles of humidity and floods.
In Daliang, people had unique habits during the summer. In the morning, they would wash up by the river or in the courtyard with cool water to dispel the heat from the night. In the afternoon, they would choose to cool off under the shade of trees, or lay cool mats indoors while using fans to dissipate the heat. As evening approached, the bustling city streets would become lively, with people going out to enjoy the coolness, filling the streets with laughter and joy.
The summer palace life was also full of enjoyment. The royal nobles would hold banquets in the cool palace, enjoying singing and dancing performances, and tasting fine wines and dishes. To escape the heat, they would also visit summer resorts like Cuihua Mountain and Huaqing Palace in Chang’an. Additionally, the royal relatives were fond of outdoor activities such as horseback riding, archery, to fully enjoy the summer time.
In the bustling market life, merchants were busy with buying and selling, their constant calls filling the air. People would gather in the streets and alleys, discussing current events and daily life. The summer market culture was rich and colorful, with entertainment activities like cricket fighting, solving lantern riddles, singing folk songs, and more. Additionally, people participated in various social activities such as weddings, birthdays, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the market.
The summer food culture in Daliang was diverse and rich. People would enjoy various seasonal fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, etc. Cold drinks became essential for cooling off in the summer, like chilled plum soup, sugarcane juice, and more. Furthermore, various cold dishes and pastries were popular in the summer, such as cold noodles, mint cakes, etc. These delicious foods were not only tasty but also helped to clear heat and toxins, adding color to summer life.
Religious and cultural activities were prevalent in the summer. Temple fairs, rituals, and religious customs became a part of people’s lives. In the summer, the temples were bustling with incense, as devotees came to pray for peace and relief from the heat. Meanwhile, various ceremonies such as worshipping the heavens, earth, and gods were also performed. These activities not only showed reverence for the divine but also enriched the summer life.
On a hot summer day, the sun shone on the ancient city of Daliang. As night fell, the people there welcomed the cool summer time. During this time, the nights in Daliang were bustling and lively, filled with the essence of life.
As night fell, the night market in Daliang became lively. Vendors displayed various goods such as clothing, food, toys, and more, attracting people to browse and choose their favorite items. The streets were also busy with people dining in restaurants and tea houses, enjoying delicious food and drinks, engaging in conversations, and savoring the pleasant summer atmosphere.
To cope with the hot summer, the people of Daliang came up with various ways to cool off. Some set up shelters in the streets and alleys, where they could relax and chat in the evening. Others chose to take a walk by the river, feeling the cool breeze. Some opted to bathe at night, using well water or river water to cool down and fall asleep.
Summer nights were the time for the people of Daliang to enjoy cultural activities. Street performers showcased their talents, performing acrobatics, playing musical instruments, and reciting poetry. The onlookers cheered and applauded for their skills, marveling at the arrival of a good life. At the same time, folk operas were staged during this time, with classic plays like "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Legend of the White Snake" captivating the audience.
In the palace, the royal family and nobles had their own special summer nights. They would set up banquets in the courtyard, enjoying exquisite song and dance performances and sampling rare delicacies. Meanwhile, the palace orchestra played melodious tunes, bringing a touch of coolness to the hot summer.
The people of Daliang also participated in various religious activities on summer nights, seeking solace for their souls. Temples were bustling with activity as devotees came to burn incense and pray for peace during the hot summer. Some followers of Taoism held ceremonies at Taoist temples, praying for a cool breeze from the heavens.
Summer nights were a good opportunity for interaction and emotional exchange among neighbors in Daliang. People gathered together to share the details of their lives and discuss current affairs. Through this process, relationships among neighbors deepened, creating a strong sense of community.
The devout beliefs of the people of Daliang in the deities of heaven and earth permeated every aspect of their lives. They revered nature, respected heaven and earth, and worshipped the mountains, rivers, and streams in hopes of a bountiful harvest and national peace. Driven by this faith, the people of Daliang constructed numerous temples and Taoist temples, such as the famous Longting and Taita, which became spiritual havens for those seeking divine protection.
The diversity of beliefs in Daliang was also reflected in the inclusive nature of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Confucianism emphasized benevolence, loyalty, and etiquette; Taoism promoted naturalness, inaction, and health preservation; Buddhism advocated compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment. These three religions blended in the Daliang region to form unique religious customs, such as the dragon and lion dances during the Spring Festival, dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival, and the worship of ghosts and spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival, all of which were specific manifestations of ancient Daliang people’s religious beliefs.
In Daliang, there are special customs for weddings, funerals, festivals, and ceremonies. Weddings focus on proper matchmaking and follow six traditional rituals: betrothal, asking names, presenting gifts, proposing, setting a wedding date, and the bride’s family welcoming the groom. These traditions show the seriousness of marriage and highlight the status and reputation of the families.
For festivals and ceremonies, the most important festival in Daliang is the Spring Festival. On New Year’s Eve, people decorate their homes with lights and couplets, stay up all night, and wear new clothes to exchange blessings on the first day of the new year. Lantern Festival includes solving riddles and admiring lanterns. Dragon Boat Festival features dragon boat races and eating rice dumplings, while Mid-Autumn Festival involves admiring and worshipping the moon. These celebrations are unique to the Daliang region.
Daliang is known for its diverse and delicious local cuisine, each with fascinating stories behind them. For example, the "Kaifeng Goubuli Buns" are said to be created by a famous Qing Dynasty chef named Goubuli, known for their thin skin, tender filling, and delicious taste. Another famous dish is the "Luoyang Water Banquet," originating from the Tang Dynasty, symbolizing prosperity and success step by step.
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Li Chunzhou was lost in thought and mumbled, "Using hands and mouth is more comfortable."
Li Zhexuan’s long hair fell gently on his face, giving him a delicate and serene beauty. He softly turned his face, wiped Li Chunzhou’s soles with a cloth soaked in tea, and calmly agreed, "Alright, I will only use hands and mouth from now on."
He smiled and his cheeks were slightly flushed from the earlier intense activity. He whispered in Li Chunzhou’s ear, "Serve you well, okay?"
Li Chunzhou looked at his delicate eyes and brows up close, "But then, won’t you…"
Li Zhexuan looked content and interrupted her with a kiss, "Your happiness is my happiness."