After taking a bath, Yuan Zhao lay on the bed and stretched his limbs lazily. His joints stretched out with slight movements, bringing him great comfort.
"I can finally get a good night's sleep today..." She sighed, with a hint of satisfaction in her tone.
Although I will have to return to Beijing soon, I have finally returned to the land of Dacheng.
Even though she was still in Liangzhou City instead of the capital, she felt inexplicably more at ease.
She lay on her back on the bed in a completely ungraceful manner, her long black hair spread out in all directions, still slightly damp, reflecting on her fair skin, adding a touch of softness and laziness.
Huo Yan was originally sitting at the table reading a letter. His eyes glanced at the defenseless figure on the bed and he couldn't help but chuckle.
How could Her Royal Highness, who is always so dignified and well-mannered in front of outsiders, actually be so lax at times?
His eyes fell on her long hair that had not yet dried. He put down the letter in his hand, picked up the handkerchief beside him, walked to the bed, and sat down with his knees bent.
His fingertips brushed across her soft hair as he wiped it slowly, his movements as gentle as if he were treating the most precious treasure in the world.
Yuan Zhao half-closed her eyes, enjoying this rare tenderness, when she suddenly felt the gaze above her head. She opened her eyes and met the man's slightly lowered brows.
"What's wrong?" Huo Yan asked calmly, his eyes deep as he met hers. "Are you not used to living in Xiaoyue City?"
Hearing his tone, which was neither light nor heavy, Yuan Zhao slowly raised the corners of his lips, as if he had noticed something. He stared at him with interest, not missing any trace of emotion.
"Why does it sound to me... like you have some tentative jealousy in your words?" She deliberately prolonged the last syllable, a sly smile in her eyes.
Upon hearing this, Huo Yan paused slightly, then suddenly leaned forward.
The warm breath instantly hit Yuan Zhao's ear, bringing a tingling sensation.
The closing distance made her instantly alert. She was about to turn her head away, but the man grabbed the back of her head accurately, making her unable to move.
A trace of panic flashed across her face, but she still forced herself to look at him calmly.
"Yes." Huo Yan admitted frankly, his voice low and full of undisguised possessiveness.
The hand that was holding the back of her head tightened slightly, forcing her closer to him.
"so……"
His voice was faint, as if rolling from his throat, and dark currents surged in his eyes, like the determined scrutiny of a hunter after catching his prey.
"So tonight..." Huo Yan paused, his tone steady, as if he was stating an established fact.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to get a good night's sleep."
…
The entire general's mansion fell into silence in the night. The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the courtyard and casting mottled shadows of the trees.
Yuan Qi Yu had already been fast asleep in his room.
On the other side, the light in Yuan Xuan's room in the same courtyard was still on.
He was wearing his clothes, sitting at the table, and reading the "Salt and Iron Discussions" in his hand with great concentration.
After his experience with the Northern Qiang, he participated in many battles and witnessed the disputes in the court with his own eyes, which gave him a deeper understanding of his own shortcomings.
During this period, he never slacked off and studied diligently every day.
He has always been paying attention to the situation in the capital. Although Yuan Heng didn't tell him much, he was not ignorant and could guess some clues.
What's more, what he couldn't let go of the most was his mother who was about to give birth.
I originally thought that this trip to Northern Qiang would only take a month or so, but I didn't expect it to be delayed for so long. Calculating the date, it's time for my mother to give birth.
He was vaguely worried. Even though he knew his father would be by his mother's side, he was still worried.
But no matter how many things are on his mind, this job has made him grow a lot and become more patient than before.
So at this moment he was so focused on the book that he didn't even notice what was happening outside.
Until there were three crisp knocks on the door.
Yuan Nan'an stood at the door, raised his hand and knocked three times, but there was no response.
Through the window, she could clearly see the candlelight in the room casting a shadow of Yuan Xuan as he concentrated on reading.
I thought he heard it, but as time passed, there was still no movement from inside the door.
She was a little disappointed, pursed her lips, and was about to turn around and leave.
“Squeak—”
Just as she took a step forward, the door was suddenly pushed open from the inside.
Yuan Xuan stood inside the door, frowning slightly, as if he had just come back to his senses from deep thought.
When he saw the person standing at the door, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Nannan?" His voice was a little surprised. "Why are you here so late?"
Yuan Nan'an was blown by the night wind. He raised his hand to tidy up his hair that was messed up by the wind. He glanced into the room and saw the book spread out on the table. He pursed his lips slightly.
She was silent for a moment, then shook her head, her tone vague.
"I... I'm fine... Let's talk about it tomorrow."
After saying that, she turned around and prepared to leave.
But just as he took a step, his wrist was suddenly gently pulled by a warm force.
"Wait, Nannan..."
She turned around and saw Yuan Xuan's hand still holding her wrist. The force was not strong, but he held her firmly.
The night wind blew by, and the two looked at each other in silence for a moment.
Yuan Xuan finally sighed, a trace of helplessness on his face, and his voice was low, with some weariness and faint fatigue.
"I can't sleep. Can you talk to me?"
Yuan Nan'an didn't move, his eyes flickered slightly.
Yuan Xuan gently tugged at her wrist again, his tone softening a little, as if he was begging, or acting coquettishly.
"Come in, it's cold outside."
The night is quiet and the wind is cold.
Yuan Nan'an stood there, silent for a moment, but ultimately did not break free. He followed his force and stepped into the house.
As soon as she stepped in, she felt the warmth coming towards her.
Yuan Xuan closed the door casually to block out the invasion of the night wind.
Yuan Nan'an looked around the room and found it almost the same as before she left Dacheng, except that there were a lot of military books and memorials piled on the table, which were obviously used for Yuan Xuan's daily study during this period.
She walked to the table, picked up a book and flipped through it, saying with a hint of joking, "It seems you've been working very hard lately..."
Yuan Xuan stood in front of the table, his eyes lightly scanning her movements, then picked up the teapot, poured her a cup of hot tea, and gently pushed it to her hand.
"Nannan is on the battlefield as the commander-in-chief, so naturally I can't fall behind."
Yuan Nanan took the cup, her palm felt slightly warm from the heat of the tea, and she subconsciously squeezed it lightly.
Then he looked up at Yuan Xuan, his eyes sparkling with a hint of unconcealable pride.
"You know everything? I wanted to come back and show off to you."
Yuan Xuan looked at her smile, his eyes softened unconsciously, and he said softly,
"Of course I want to be the first to know about your affairs."
When Yuan Nan'an heard this, his smile froze, he blinked, and suddenly stared at him meaningfully, his tone rising slightly.
"Then can you tell me..."
She put down her teacup and leaned against the table, her posture casual and her long legs crossed.
The whole person was lazy and nonchalant, with his eyes slightly narrowed, looking straight at him,
"Why are you unhappy that I'm back today?"
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