Chapter 111 Let Me Stick to You “Stop rubbing, stop, ah…!”…

Lin Meizhu never thought that one day she would be so calm and listen to Shen Changfeng talk about the past.

They were like friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time. One of them was making tea, the other was picking charcoal. They sat across the stove from each other, as if reminiscing or simply chatting.

Shen Changfeng glanced at the child sleeping soundly in her arms and said, "Let me hold him."

Lin Meizhu refused, saying, "Your body smell is so strong, it will definitely wake her up."

Some time ago, the King of Chu raised the banner of "punishing evildoers and restoring orthodoxy" and rebelled in Kaifeng, Henan. He led 120,000 rebel troops and marched south in a mighty force.

The slogan he used to start his rebellion was very intriguing. The "evil and villain" undoubtedly referred to Li Jieyi, who had worn a sword and armor when she entered the palace. However, when the previous emperor was alive, she was ordered to be a female official wearing a sword, so no one could criticize her faults. The King of Chu used folk rumors to imply that Li Jieyi and the current emperor used witchcraft to murder Prince Li, questioning the legitimacy of Emperor Qinglong's succession to the throne.

In fact, even without Li Jieyi's impeachment, the throne would not have fallen to him. The reason was obvious. The lingering shadow cast by the Crown Prince had overwhelmed the court and the people. They needed an emperor who could allow the Central Plains to recuperate. Li Zhengxuan, known for his balanced and balanced character, not particularly outstanding but not mediocre either, was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate. However, rebellion always requires a name; otherwise, it would be difficult to silence the world's gossip. The unwilling King of Chu was simply seeking a legitimate reason for his rebellion.

Although the King of Chu's army has not yet arrived, the enemy has recently sent many cavalry to spy on the military situation. Shen Changfeng ordered his men to disguise themselves as civilians and leak false information to the outside world, and set up ambushes several times to counter the enemy scouts.

Back in the city, he also had to discuss a defensive strategy with other officials, expand his forces, reorganize his troops, and prepare food supplies... Shen Changfeng had been working non-stop for several days, and now he could finally take a break. Before he even finished his meal, he rushed to Huisheng Hall. He had actually cleaned himself up before coming, but it was too hasty. He said he washed, but in fact he just poured two buckets of water from head to toe. He was afraid that if he arrived too late, there would be urgent reports to deal with, and then he would be unable to leave again.

Chen Changfeng knew whether there was any smell on her body. He looked at the dimples faintly appearing at the corners of Lin Meizhu's mouth, and took in the soft smile in her eyes. He knew in his heart that she liked Xiao Man'er very much.

During the day, the adults all had things to do, so the children of the soldiers in the barracks would play together. The place they went to most often was Huishengtang, because the shopkeeper Lin always had a lot of delicious snacks in his bag.

Xiaomaner is undoubtedly the one who comes most frequently.

Shen Changfeng had been in a hurry these days and had not had a good look at Xiao Man'er. At this moment, he leaned forward slightly and looked at the child in Lin Meiju's arms.

As he watched, he half-knelt down again, reached out and brushed away the strands of hair on the child's forehead, and rubbed her chubby face with his fingertips. He smiled unconsciously and said in a very soft voice, "It seems that she still looks more like a member of the Qin family."

Lin Meizhu also lowered her voice, also avoiding certain sensitive people, and said: "Yes, like Qin Moyun."

Shen Changfeng traced the outline of Xiao Man'er's face with his eyes, his gaze gradually becoming distant, and said: "Actually, the four of us... had a good relationship when we were young."

I just don't know how it has come to this point today.

"The first time I had a concept of the word 'home' was at the Prince of Changping's mansion. They treated me very well. The Prince of Changping often said he wanted me to be his son... Of course, many people said that, mostly just jokingly at banquets after drinking. I went to various banquets with them from a very young age, but I didn't really understand the fun of it. It's just that... the mansion was so big, and it was as quiet as death at night. My aunt refused to pay any attention to me, so I found it... quite boring."

Shen Changfeng didn't look at Lin Meizhu as he spoke these words. These were not glorious memories. In his view, a true man stood tall and firm, enduring countless hardships and sufferings, swallowing his pride and grievances. A true man never grumbled or complained, nor did he bother to use these experiences to seek sympathy from a woman. Seeing her sitting in front of him, holding the child, and leaning against her hazy, warm glow, he couldn't help but lean closer to her and recount these trivial, insignificant memories of the past.

Lin Meizhu couldn't imagine what Shen Changfeng looked like when he cried. They were completely different people. The child who was afraid of the dark and needed company was called Xiaojiu. He had grown up to become Shen Changfeng, who stubbornly said it was just boring.

"Someone once carried me onto a carriage and said they were taking me home. It was Su Qinxue who noticed I was missing and took me back. When I was little, I treated her like an older sister. After I became more sensible, I gradually distanced myself from her. Because of the Su family's support, I didn't want to be too extreme. Plus, I was a young man with a strong competitive spirit and I did what I wanted... When Qin Yan told me he wanted to marry Su Qinxue, I was actually relieved."

"Su Qinxue said she likes me, but I know very well that she loves the freshness I bring her. If she really marries me and spends three days with me, she will definitely not be able to stand me."

Lin Meizhu muttered, "You are quite self-aware."

Shen Changfeng curled his lips and sighed softly, "She cares about Qin Yan a lot, but maybe she herself has never really realized it. I know her personality well. With Qin Yan around, she won't do anything reckless..."

But then, Qin Yan disappeared for two months, and then another Qin Ting showed up, and everything got out of control.

Lin Meizhu looked at Shen Changfeng, and her smile became a little subtle.

Shen Changfeng keenly sensed something was amiss, and cold sweat began to break out on his forehead. He immediately replied, "The facts prove that I was wrong... I thought I could see through everyone's heart, but in reality, people's hearts are ever-changing, whether male or female, they are unpredictable and difficult to judge."

Lin Meizhu took a sip of tea and said, "What about Su Yuwan?"

Shen Changfeng said seriously: "I have never looked at her straight in the eye. Besides, her mind is not on me..."

Lin Meizhu raised her eyebrows and interrupted him, "I mean, what are you going to do with her?"

Shen Changfeng swallowed his saliva, breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Her appearance in Fancheng was just a coincidence. She was frightened on the way. Seeing Qingsong leave her outside the city and walk away, she had no one to rely on, so she cried and made a fuss, bringing up the name to bluff."

Qingsong was originally in charge of the rear guard. After rescuing Su Yuwan, he never thought of bringing her back to Fancheng because of her sensitive identity. But no matter how he tried, Su Yuwan followed him all the way like a duckling chasing its mother. He finally left her behind, and she somehow ran into the city alone. However, her feet were worn out from days of traveling, and she had been hungry for several days. She broke down when she saw Qingsong.

Shen Changfeng originally wanted to send someone to keep an eye on her, but he withdrew the people within half a day. The enemy would not send someone who could not hide his thoughts to lurk. If Su Yuwan had any information, she would tell the mother duck who saved her everything like pouring beans without anyone interrogating her.

Shen Changfeng continued, "The Prince of Changping has more than a dozen concubines. He favors the children born to his wife. Su Yuwan is a concubine's daughter. When her grandmother was alive, she was still favored. But she has lost her protection in recent years, so the Prince of Changping won't bother looking for her..."

In Shen Changfeng's eyes, Su Yuwan was of no use, and what mattered on the battlefield was real ability. He looked down on the practice of taking children, women and children as hostages.

Lin Meizhu said nothing and didn't even look at Shen Changfeng this time.

Shen Changfeng panicked again and tried to make amends, "I didn't mean to say that being born out of wedlock is bad. It's good, it's the best. So... what's wrong with being born out of wedlock? Anyway, I can't see it... The ancients also said, are there any kings, princes, generals, or ministers of different species? I don't know how many illegitimate children are so talented that they are admired. The capable ones take the position, and the later ones rise to the top... Do you know what I mean...?"

By the end, he was completely incoherent and made no sense.

Lin Meiju listened to his nonsense and couldn't help but turned her face away and laughed secretly.

Shen Changfeng looked at the lively light in Lin Meizhu's eyes and curled the corners of his lips.

The child in his arms wrinkled his nose and adjusted his sleeping position, and the two of them stopped talking at the same time.

Lin Meizhu said, "I met Su Qinxue once before. Someone asked me to treat her."

After listening to Lin Meizhu's story, Shen Changfeng finally realized that they had passed each other in the paddock before, and that Mo Qi had been reminding him to look for her. He felt extremely fortunate that he had met her - otherwise, he would have died with regrets.

In the end, Lin Meiju did not stay to continue treating Su Qinxue.

Su Qinxue's mind was scattered and her symptoms intermittent. The problem was not with gynecology. Lin Meiju could cure her leucorrhea, but not her mental disorder. They had no choice but to seek help from someone else.

Lin Meizhu asked: "Do you feel..."

Before he finished speaking, Shen Changfeng replied: "No, I trust your judgment."

He spoke with certainty and gave his answer without hesitation.

She saw unconditional trust and overflowing pride in his focused pupils.

Proud. She was his pride.

Shen Changfeng looked at Lin Meizhu. This time she did not look away quickly like before, but just watched quietly.

The aroma of tea is burning, the charcoal fire is dancing, my breathing has become lighter, and something is being melted by this warm fragrance.

Shen Changfeng saw himself in her eyes.

He looked up at her, his voice still soft, but this time not because he was afraid of disturbing the child. He said, "Did I scare you that night?"

Lin Meizhu lowered her eyelids and said, "You've scared me more than once."

Shen Changfeng lowered his head upon hearing this, thinking, "That's it." He felt uneasy and a little annoyed. That wasn't his intention. He considered trying to explain, "I was too angry at the time..."

Shen Changfeng half-knelt, his shadow falling across her knees and onto the back of her hand. Lin Meizhu could clearly see the bloodstains on his cheek, still unscabbed, and could smell the unwashed scent of blood on his body. What a strange man! He was so fierce and ruthless outside, so resolute and murderous, yet in front of her, so gentle and quiet, like a tamed beast returning from hunting, covered in scars, prostrating himself before the hem of her skirt, gently kissing and licking her hand, simply wanting her to touch his head and cheek, to reward him with some tenderness and comfort.

Lin Meizhu interrupted him softly, "If you don't have courage, how can you protect the tens of thousands of people behind you?"

What's the difference between this and just saying, "I love you just the way you are?" Shen Changfeng's eyebrows were bent with laughter.

Lin Meizhu felt uncomfortable being stared at by him and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Just wanted to kiss you."

Shouldn't she thank him for being so polite?

Lin Meizhu raised her elbows to block his chest and said in a low voice, "No!"

"Then let me stick to it."

"That won't do!"

Lin Meiju tried to push her away with one hand, but Shen Changfeng pulled the hand on his shoulder to the side of her face, pressing the back of her hand to prevent her from leaving, feeling the softness and warmth of her fingertips and palms. He half-closed his eyes in a gentle manner, then took her hand to his lips, sniffed her fingertips carefully, and kissed her every time.

Lin Meizhu felt itchy, and she also thought this man was crazy. He would suck all over her body at the first sign of trouble. What had possessed him? He couldn't stop. He kissed her hand and sniffed her neck, but it wasn't enough. He also wanted to loosen her hair...

“It stings! Hiss… Don’t get close to me… Stop rubbing, stop, ah…!”

The two people were making quite a lot of noise. Xiao Man'er rubbed her eyes and sat up. She slowly widened her eyes and tilted her head to watch this magical scene of people sucking people in.

Shen Changfeng was the first to notice it. He rubbed the child's head with his big hand, smiled and sat back.

Lin Meizhu pretended nothing had happened, but her heart was still beating wildly. She slowly raised her hand and covered her overripe right cheek. After a moment's pause, she moved her hand to her ear as if stroking her hair. She said calmly, "Xiao Man'er is awake. Are you hungry? Let's go have dinner."

Xiao Man'er found it very novel and laughed loudly, saying, "Uncle Shen looked like Mo Qi just now! He closed his eyes and sniffed."

The light mark had long since disappeared, but Lin Meizhu still felt the itch and pain on her right cheek burning slightly. She glanced at Shen Changfeng who was following closely behind her, "The dog looks like its master!"

Shen Changfeng did not refute, but just smiled and took Xiao Man'er's other hand.

The figures of the two adults and the small child falling to the ground looked very close. From a distance, they looked like a happy family of three.

A sweet feeling rose in Shen Changfeng's heart. He had an illusion that life seemed to be getting better.