Chapter 569 (2/2)

“Why did you close it?” Yuwen Tong asked .

Ling Zhang said, “Because I want it to stay in working order for a longer time . ”

Yuwen Tong caught on to the undertone contained in Ling Zhang’s words . This music box was a present from him, so Ling Zhang wanted it to be in good shape forever .

“If you like this kind of stuff, I’ll have the Ministry of Works send some men to learn from that artisan . No matter how long it’ll take – one year, two years, three years or even a decade, I’ll make sure someone masters the skills necessary to make this kind of music boxes . ”

Ling Zhang said, “Those skills are like family heirlooms . He won’t easily agree to impart them to other people . ”

“If that’s the case, I’ll make a deal with him,” said Yuwen Tong .

Ling Zhang put the music box beside the wood carvings from his children, turned around and said to him, “This is the only one I want . ”

Yuwen Tong lifted his eyebrows, walked over, put his arms around Ling Zhang’s waist and rocked from side to side with him for a moment . “My gift really means so much to you?”

Ling Zhang also raised his eyebrows, looking back at him . “If I’d acted like it meant little to me, you would have got angry at me by now . ”

Yuwen Tong said, “I’m not that kind of person . ”

Ling Zhang gave a little snort . Not that kind of person? He knew very well what kind of person Yuwen Tong was .

“I got you a music box . What will you give me when it’s my birthday?” Yuwen Tong, complacent about his stroke of genius, asked about his future birthday present .

Ling Zhang intentionally furrowed his brows and said, “You’re an emperor, and you still want a gift?”

Yuwen Tong looked at him quietly for a moment . “Presents from you are special to me . ”

“Ooooh,” said Ling Zhang, “but I think it’s too much trouble, so I think I’ll pa.s.s . ”

Yuwen Tong lapsed into silence, his face falling, but his arms were still around Ling Zhang’s waist .

Ling Zhang snickered and gently scribbled on Yuwen Tong’s chest with his fingers . “There, there! Stop sulking . You’ll know what the present is when your birthday arrives . If I tell you right now, it’ll ruin the surprise . Be patient . ”

It was after hearing these words that Yuwen Tong relaxed and said, “I will . ”

Ling Zhang slightly shook his head . They had been married for so many years, but Yuwen Tong was still like this .

However, though on the surface he was complaining, the gleam of happiness in his eyes was ill-concealed .

Naturally, Yuwen Tong was not really mad at him . Even if Ling Zhang would not prepare any gifts for him, he still would not be angry with Ling Zhang . He had feigned anger only to play along and have some fun .

Yuwen Tong had never played the emperor card in front of Ling Zhang . They had been married for over ten years, and sometimes even Ling Zhang himself found it amazing that he always had an urge to hug Yuwen Tong whenever they were together, that he began to miss Yuwen Tong even if they had parted for only a very short time . No wonder people said that the two of them were unbelievably gooey over each other, that it was astounding the two of them still had such feelings for each other after being married for ten years .

Ling Zhang on occasions wondered what it would be like if some day the chemistry between them waned .

The very thought of that struck him as insupportable .

He could not bear Yuwen Tong no longer clinging to him like this, or Yuwen Tong cold-shouldering him, or Yuwen Tong stopping showing him all this affection and love that he had been showing all these years . When they had got married, he had thought that he could always leave the palace if things did not work out, but now, he felt that he might be reduced to doing something horrible if some day that did happen .

Yuwen Tong felt Ling Zhang’s arms around his waist tighten and also perceived the subtle change in Ling Zhang’s mood . “What’s wrong?” he immediately asked .

Ling Zhang raised his head and looked deep into Yuwen Tong’s eyes, making no reply .

It struck Yuwen Tong that the expression in Ling Zhang’s eyes was somewhat uncharacteristic, but before he could take a closer look, Ling Zhang averted his face and buried it in Yuwen Tong’s chest, lightly rubbing his cheek against it . “Ten years, twenty years, thirty years … You’ll always be mine . ”

Yuwen Tong was momentarily astonished before he got a shrewd idea of what this was about . His lips curving in a faint smile, he looked down at Ling Zhang and said, “Thirty years is too short . We have a lifetime . ”

With that he scooped Ling Zhang up . “Come on . Last night you promised me you’d be my model so that I could finish my picture . Let’s get started . ”

At these words, Ling Zhang instantly extricated himself from those emotions, all his miscellaneous thoughts vanis.h.i.+ng . “What picture?” he asked vigilantly .

“What do you think? The picture you undertook to help me finish last night . ” Yuwen Tong carried him into the side hall, where there was a private study of theirs .

The night before Ling Zhang had got drunk, and he did not remember much about what had happened . In addition, he and Yuwen Tong had fooled around all night . He could only vaguely recall that Yuwen Tong had wheedled him and requested him to help him finish some picture . At that time he had been giddy due to the intense pleasure and thickly agreed .

And now, having sobered up, Ling Zhang had a hunch that Yuwen Tong was up to no good, that he would sure as h.e.l.l play tricks on him .

“Last night I was drunk . What could I possibly have agreed to do for you? Don’t you dare take advantage of me . I’m not helping you draw any pictures!” Ling Zhang refused .

Yuwen Tong, having sat him onto a desk already, said to him, “You will . You made me a promise and you will honor it . ”

With that he reached out a hand to undress Ling Zhang . Ling Zhang’s foreboding proved right . “Why the h.e.l.l are you taking off my clothes?!” he demanded .

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