Chapter 74 Hot Spring "Do you like this?"

As evening fell, they found an open space to stop and set up camp to rest.

The winter solstice is approaching, and the weather is getting colder and colder, especially after nightfall. Although it did not snow today, the chill unique to the north still spreads in wisps after the sun sets.

Su Panyue sat by the fire, watching Xie Lanzhou return carrying two large fish.

"Why do you suddenly want to eat fish?" she asked curiously. In her memory, Xie Lanzhou was a person with very little appetite and she had never seen him make any demands when it came to food.

Xie Lanzhou smiled at her meaningfully, "Fish are good stuff."

After saying that, he cut open the ice next to the hole he had carved in the lake and cleaned it.

He refused Feixue's offer to help.

He then skewered the fish with a stick, grilled them over a fire, and then went to the water's edge.

Su Panyue turned the fish over with a wooden stick, looking at the man's back with some curiosity, wondering why it took so long to wash her hands.

Just as the fish was grilled until its surface was charred and emitted a fragrant aroma, Xie Lanzhou finally returned, carrying two items in his hands.

Su Panyue looked up, curiously examining the two white objects in his hand, and asked, "What are these?"

“Fish bladder.” Xie Lanzhou said as he sat down next to her, taking out a clean handkerchief and carefully wiping the soft fish bladder.

Watching his patient and meticulous movements, Su Panyue then asked, "How do you eat it? Is it delicious?"

Xie Lanzhou gave her a half-smile and replied, "It's not for food, it's for us to use."

Su Panyue was completely confused and shook her head in bewilderment.

Xie Lanzhou beckoned to her, and Su Panyue moved closer on her own. Only then did Xie Lanzhou whisper in her ear the specific usage.

Su Panyue stared in shock, then subconsciously looked at Feixue and Guibo sitting by another fire. Seeing that the two were eating by themselves and not looking in their direction, she felt relieved and punched Xie Lanzhou.

"Where did you hear about this method?" she asked in a low voice.

"The library," Xie Lanzhou replied.

Su Panyue secretly noted it down and decided to go to the library when she got back. She read all kinds of novels and was surprised to find that this method of contraception was being heard of for the first time.

Remembering something, she continued, "We didn't have this before, so why do we suddenly need it?"

Xie Lanzhou dried the two fish bladders and put them away. "You forgot what Uncle Gui said: your health has improved a lot. If you were still like before, you might get pregnant."

Su Panyue understood what he meant and frowned, asking, "You don't want the child?"

Xie Lanzhou lowered his eyes and stared at the fire in front of him. The flickering firelight shrouded half of his face in darkness. After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Let's wait a few days."

It was rare to see such a conflicted and troubled expression on his face. Su Panyue couldn't help but take a few more glances, unable to understand what he was thinking. She suddenly missed the days when she could still hear his thoughts.

Xie Lanzhou deboned and removed the bones from the grilled fish, placed it on a plate, and handed it to Su Panyue, who naturally accepted it.

It was as if their roles had been reversed at some point, with Xie Lanzhou taking on most of the work of serving her and being even more dutiful than before.

Su Panyue laughed as she thought about it. Xie Lanzhou pulled her into his arms and asked her what she was laughing about.

Su Panyue just looked at him with her eyes crinkled and didn't say anything.

"It's time to rest," Xie Lanzhou said, carrying the person directly onto the carriage.

Once inside the carriage, Xie Lanzhou first covered each window gap with cotton cloth to prevent the cold night wind from blowing in.

While he was busy with these things, Su Panyue clung to him like a koala.

Just as she was about to fall, the man's large hand held her firmly in place.

"Do you like it this way?" he asked in a low voice.

"What?" Su Panyue wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her head in confusion.

Xie Lanzhou tightened his grip on her arm, bringing them almost to a standstill. Su Panyue sensed something, swallowed uncomfortably, and shut her mouth.

But Xie Lanzhou then freed up one hand and used both hands to support her thighs as he sat down.

He sat down so quickly that Su Panyue felt as if she brushed past him even through several layers of thick clothing, and let out a soft hum.

Xie Lanzhou chuckled softly and breathed into her ear, "So you like it."

Su Panyue reached out to push him, slowly moving her body backward, trying to avoid his sharp edge.

Xie Lanzhou only loosely wrapped his arms around her waist to prevent her from falling onto the soft couch.

As Su Panyue moved along, she said, "It's not very convenient inside the carriage."

Xie Lanzhou wanted to tease her, so he tilted his head and looked at her red ears, asking, "What's inconvenient?"

Seeing his smug, cheeky expression, Su Panyue reached out and firmly pressed her hand down, saying fiercely, "What did you say was inconvenient?!"

Xie Lanzhou was instantly taken aback and obediently rested his chin on her shoulder, begging for mercy, "I was wrong, my wife, be gentle."

Hearing his pitiful tone, Su Panyue softened and let go, giving him two light pecks on the cheek.

"Put me down," Su Panyue said in a soft, coquettish tone.

Xie Lanzhou readily helped her to lie down on the inside of the soft couch, and then lay down on the outside himself.

He stretched out an arm, and Su Panyue naturally rested it on her head, while he continued to play with it with his other hand.

Xie Lanzhou's breathing became increasingly unsteady, and finally, unable to bear it any longer, he grabbed her hand.

Just as Su Panyue was waiting for his next move, he simply hugged her even tighter.

Su Panyue gave a soft "hmm," looking somewhat puzzled.

"It's too cold, I'm afraid you'll catch a cold," Xie Lanzhou explained in a low voice.

Su Panyue chuckled. It seemed that her illness last time had frightened him, and he was even able to restrain himself from his favorite things.

She turned around, found a comfortable position in his arms, and closed her eyes with her back to him.

Xie Lanzhou hugged her from behind, holding her tightly in his arms.

Outside the carriage, the wind howled fiercely, while inside, there was the sound of peaceful, rhythmic breathing, until the long night was about to end.

As dawn broke, the carriage began its leisurely journey.

Su Panyue was awakened from her sleep by the rustling sound of wheels rolling over the snow. She groaned and turned over, touching the empty space beside her that still retained some warmth.

"Did I wake you? We're already on our way." Xie Lanzhou, already dressed, poured her a glass of warm water and handed it to her.

Su Panyue propped herself up on one side, lifted the curtain and looked outside. The sun hadn't fully risen yet, but the white snow had already made the world very bright.

She took the warm water to moisten her throat and asked, "Why so early?"

"We need to set off early so we can reach the town before dark and find a place to stay," Xie Lanzhou explained.

Su Panyue nodded and drowsily lay back down on the soft couch.

Xie Lanzhou reached out and pulled the blanket up for her, then took out a small stove and started boiling water over the charcoal fire.

Hearing the gurgling sound of water, Su Panyue asked, "What are you boiling water for?"

"It's cold, so I'll make you a red date and white fungus soup for breakfast," Xie Lanzhou replied.

"You can do all of this? Your Majesty is truly amazing!" Su Panyue praised him enthusiastically.

Xie Lanzhou smiled but didn't say anything. He took a wooden spoon and stirred the pot, then frowned as he stirred.

Su Panyue quickly noticed something was wrong and whispered, "Is it burnt? It smells burnt."

Xie Lanzhou moved the stove away, looked down at the dark thing inside for a couple of seconds, and finally took out a bowl and scooped out a bowlful.

Su Panyue buried her face even deeper into the blanket, afraid that he would give her a drink.

Xie Lanzhou simply picked up the spoon, took a sip, and swallowed it without changing his expression. Then he said calmly, "The fire must have been too high."

Su Panyue nodded in agreement: "That's right, it can't be that His Majesty's cooking skills are lacking."

Xie Lanzhou couldn't bring himself to drink a second sip. He took the clay stove and went outside, returning shortly with a bowl of fragrant red date and white fungus soup.

Su Panyue knew Feixue had made it after taking a sip, but she didn't expose him and drank it all.

The journey that followed was incredibly boring; all that could be seen was a vast expanse of white, with absolutely nothing else in sight.

Bored, Su Panyue recalled the years she lived in the Chang Le Prince's Mansion, when the snow was just like this, and she was forced to stay in the mansion to practice the zither and dance, day after day.

She tilted her head and asked Xie Lanzhou, "After you took control of the capital of Lu, what happened to those royal relatives?"

Xie Lanzhou thought for a moment and knew what she wanted to ask. He replied, "Those who would rather die than submit will not be treated with mercy. Those who cooperated and did not commit any major mistakes will be exiled to Lingnan to make a living on their own."

"On the day the army breached the imperial city, Prince Chang Le surrendered with several thousand private soldiers. He should be heading south with his wife, children and elderly parents now."

Su Panyue nodded after hearing this. There should be no snow in Lingnan. The Prince of Chang Le, who had raised him for so many years, should never see such a snow scene again.

For the rest of the journey, Su Panyue remained in low spirits until they approached the town, when Xie Lanzhou mentioned that they had found an inn with a hot spring to stay at, which rekindled her enthusiasm.

"Is it a hot spring?" Su Panyue asked expectantly.

"Yes," Xie Lanzhou replied with a smile, "There are springs underground, and the hot spring water gushes up from underground."

The carriage stopped, and Su Panyue was the first to jump down. Feixue had already taken the change of clothes prepared for her and followed behind.

From the outside, the courtyard looked dilapidated, but inside was a steaming hot spring. Feixue and Guibo lived in the east and west wing rooms of the front courtyard, while Su Panyue and Xie Lanzhou lived in the back courtyard.

"This is the first time I've ever seen a hot spring in my life," Su Panyue said, already squatting down and reaching out to test the water temperature.

It's so warm and cozy; soaking in it for a while would be incredibly relaxing.

Without delay, she quickly changed into a light outfit and went into the water.

The warm spring water swept away the tension and fatigue of the past few days. Su Panyue sighed comfortably and waved to Xie Lanzhou, "Come down quickly, it feels so good!"

Xie Lanzhou's Adam's apple bobbed. Instead of going down directly, he turned around, grabbed something, and then took off his outer garment, leaving only his underpants in the water.

Su Panyue submerged her head in the water and swam around, then suddenly dove out again, splashing him with water.

Spring water slid down the man's flawless face, like a jade statue touched by water, stained with a little worldly dust.

Su Panyue swam up to him, wiped the water off her face, smiled and kissed him, then turned to run away, but was grabbed by the shoulder by a hand.

Xie Lanzhou easily turned her around, pulled her into his arms, and deepened the kiss.

From initial dabbling to eventual mastery, the two relentlessly pursued, plundered, and grappled with each other.

When the kiss ended, Su Panyue was already panting heavily, clinging to his shoulders to avoid slipping into the water.

Xie Lanzhou, however, had no intention of letting her off so easily. Before she could react, he launched a new offensive.

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Author's Note: Hehehe, we're about to return to the palace. Zhou said he wants to give us some more excitement.

I've deleted it. Please, reviewers, let it go.