He gently lowered the window, which was halfway down, and a few breaths later knocked on Chu Huaixu's door.
After receiving permission, he pushed open the door and came in.
"Sir, you're quite the actor. You were just about to climb out the window, so why were you knocking on the door?"
Chu Huaixu threw back the covers and was about to get out of bed when Song Ting grabbed his ankle first.
He lifted his eyelids slightly, his toes poking directly at the man's chest. "What's wrong, sir? Are you in a foul mood first thing in the morning?"
Song Ting was already used to his occasional sarcastic remarks, so she didn't react much. She simply tucked his legs back under the covers without making a sound.
After taking the clothes from the shelf next to him, she lifted the quilt again and, under Chu Huaixu's gaze, helped him put on his pants and shoes.
Chu Huaixu lazily let him serve him, but his words remained sharp:
"You must have served the Empress Dowager quite a bit over the years, sir. You seem quite adept at these kinds of service tasks."
Song Ting helped him pull his hair out from under his clothes and said in a calm voice:
"I have never served the Empress Dowager, I have only served you."
No matter how much Chu Huaixu cursed him, he silently endured it without ever retaliating. Only in this matter did he always defend himself.
Chu Huaixu turned his head and glanced at him, a slight smile playing on his lips, and casually said, "Is that so?"
I don't know if they believed it or not.
"The master still hasn't told me why we've come so early."
Song Ting kept her head down: "The blessing ceremony is coming soon, and I will be very busy these two days. Xiao Wu and Qi Zhou will still be with you."
"If they need anything, let them come to me, but you must have someone with you, and we can't let something like last night happen again."
There was a bronze mirror in the side room, and Chu Huaixu sat down in front of it.
Song Ting followed him and stood behind him to tie his hair. In the bronze mirror, Chu Huaixu smiled lightly as he met the man's eyes:
"Which matter are you referring to, sir? Is it that I met with the Princess without permission, or that I almost killed Zhang Bingzhi?"
Song Ting leaned down, resting her chin on his shoulder, holding Chu Huaixu's smooth, long hair in one hand, her eyes filled with infatuation.
“You’re not allowed to see anyone, and you’re not allowed to put yourself in danger,” he said. “My lord, I’ll go mad.”
“But I’ve gone mad, Song Ting.” Chu Huaixu’s voice deepened, filled with hatred.
Song Ting felt it, and her body involuntarily trembled.
Chu Huaixu laughed again. He turned to the side, held the man's head with one hand, and raised the other hand, lightly touching Song Ting's lips with his fingertips.
Then, she gently stroked the man's face and asked, "If I had really killed Zhang Bingzhi that day, would you have let me die?"
"No." Song Ting held his hand, kissed his fingertips, and said without the slightest hesitation, "I won't let you die."
"If that really comes to that, you might not even be able to protect yourself, so how can you protect me?" Chu Huaixu asked again.
Song Ting frowned, her tone serious: "I will do everything in my power to protect you. As long as I have a breath left, I will never let anyone touch you."
However, Chu Huaixu took this promise as a lie that could not be taken seriously and did not take it to heart.
"Sir, you really know how to say nice things. Do you remember, sir, five years ago, in the same place, you said something similar, but what happened in the end?"
Chu Huaixu still had a smile on his face, and his movements were still so gentle, but the words he spoke pierced Song Ting's heart.
Song Ting's expression changed instantly: "I..."
Chu Huaixu had already released his grip, stood up, and looked directly into Song Ting's eyes:
"What, sir, don't you remember? Then let me remind you."
"The adults told me back then that they would protect me and stay with me."
Song Ting's pupils trembled violently, and her voice trembled as well: "How could I not remember..."
That was Song Ting's first time visiting Baima Temple; it was just him and Chu Huaixu there.
It was the third month of spring, and Chu Huaixu said that he found him on the tenth day of the third month, so he took that day as his birthday.
Every year on this day, Chu Huaixu would properly celebrate his birthday.
That year was the same. However, in previous years they would stay in Chang'an, first eat a bowl of longevity noodles, and then go to a teahouse to listen to storytelling.
Or you can search the streets and alleys for all kinds of delicious food and go home with a full load of treats.
But that year, Chu Huaixu suddenly had a whimsical idea and wanted to take him to the White Horse Temple in Luoyang.
Because the White Horse Temple is known for its efficacious prayers, he wanted to go there with Song Ting to pray for a long and lasting blessing.
Spring rains fell continuously, and on the day they arrived, a light drizzle was falling on the mountain, yet pilgrims came in an endless stream. The two were lucky enough to arrive just in time for a Buddhist ceremony at the temple.
The old monk who opened the altar was named Liaoran. He was said to be a highly accomplished monk who usually traveled all over the world and whose whereabouts were hard to find. It was only by chance that he came to Baima Temple to preach the Dharma.
The Dharma assembly will last for seven days, with a total of fourteen sessions. Today is the third day.
Countless devout men and women came upon hearing the news, kneeling on prayer mats with their hands clasped together, listening devoutly to the old monk's explanations.
Only Chu Huaixu's head kept nodding, occasionally dozing off.
Normally, others are the ones who kneel before him; he rarely kneels before others, and he doesn't even need to bow when he sees the emperor.
After kneeling for so long, his knees were in unbearable pain, while the old monk's deep, resonant voice was like a lullaby, making him want to collapse onto the bed and sleep soundly.
I heard that some people even fought tooth and nail in the temple for this one seat, it's really... He yawned and shook his head helplessly.
Chu Huaixu grew up in luxury and privilege; such a person is born with everything and never needs to pray for divine protection.
Therefore, he himself did not believe in ghosts, gods, or destiny.
It was during a passionate night when he was whispering sweet nothings to Song Ting and they made a vow to be together for eternity that he suddenly had this thought—he wanted to be with this person for eternity, never to be separated.
His grandfather could not fulfill his wish; only the gods and Buddhas could grant it.
So, taking advantage of Song Ting's birthday, he thought of bringing people to the White Horse Temple to pray for "life after life".
Chu Huaixu was lost in thought when he suddenly felt someone gently nudge his arm.
Turning his head, he saw that Song Ting had somehow gotten very close to him and was whispering in his ear:
"Young master, are you tired? Why don't we go out and rest for a while?"
“I’m fine. The ceremony isn’t over yet, so I can’t leave. Otherwise, my wish won’t come true.”
As Chu Huaixu spoke, he yawned, his eyes red with sleepiness.
Song Ting smiled, her eyes sparkling, and then darted to the man kneeling before Chu Huaixu.
"You should go and rest. Young Master almost tripped over that man just now."
Chu Huaixu awkwardly touched his nose, immediately looking somewhat embarrassed: "But this Dharma assembly..."
He was so confident that he would bring the person over; it would be so embarrassing if he left halfway through the conversation.
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