"Is that Red Lotus Sect member really that powerful, capable of injuring you to this extent?"
As he sized up Song Ting, the latter was also observing his expression. Chu Huaixu keenly noticed this, and his expression hardened: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"My lord, dinner is served." Just then, Xiao Wu arrived.
Song Ting had been running around all day and hadn't eaten much, so her stomach was empty and she didn't have much of an appetite. So she asked Xiao Wu to make her a bowl of mung bean soup.
"Iced?" Chu Huaixu glanced at it.
Their master was already unpredictable, and when it came to this Young Master Huaiyue, he became even more outrageous. Xiao Wu felt as if his head was hanging on his neck, ready to be ripped off at any moment.
Having just been kicked by his master for no reason, and now hearing Huaiyue's question, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat:
"Well, it was my oversight. I'll go get another bowl and bring it to you right away!"
"No need." Song took the bowl from his hand and gave Xiao Wu a look: "Go down first. You've worked hard these past few days. You don't need to keep watch tonight."
Xiao Wu had been waiting for these words. Having received the pardon, he slipped away as fast as he could, saying, "Thank you, Your Excellency!"
"Well, no wonder Mother Hua used to tell us that men are the most unfaithful and fickle. When they want to be with you, they say a lot of sweet words and make promises that are more and more serious, as if they would really give up their lives for you."
"..."
"But once they get it, they don't cherish it anymore. Even eating half a cold steamed bun will earn them a disdainful look."
“…”
"It seems that Mother Flower is right. The master is a heartless and fickle person. He doesn't cherish me after he has me. He is even stingy with a bowl of mung bean soup for me."
“…”
Each of these words was more outrageous than the last, yet each one was a veiled reference to Song Ting's betrayal back then.
Song Ting was heartbroken, but her expression remained unchanged. She lowered her head and gently scooped a spoonful of mung bean soup with a small spoon.
The mung bean soup wasn't chilled; it was freshly cooked and still steaming. He carefully blew on it a few times before bringing it to Huaixu's lips: "You can't eat so much iced food. You've already had some today."
Chu Huaixu rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Hey Song, do you really think I'm a three-year-old? You're controlling my every need, from eating and drinking to going to the toilet. Aren't you annoyed?"
After saying that, he turned his back impatiently. Song Ting good-naturedly followed him to another seat, his thin lips pale and looking very haggard.
Chu Huaixu's gaze swept across his face, revealing even greater impatience.
Am I the first person to dare refuse Lord Song?
This is clearly a rhetorical question; who would dare to push away the mung bean soup personally fed to them by the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?
That's practically asking for trouble.
Song Ting also said, "Yes."
Chu Huaixu's expression changed slightly, but before he could react, Song Ting said, "However, I have never fed anyone else."
Therefore, Chu Huaixu is the only one.
"Hmph." Chu Huaixu didn't believe it at all. "Your Excellency and the Empress Dowager have a very close relationship. I've heard that you often stay overnight in the palace. Haven't you ever served the Empress Dowager meals?"
"..." Song Ting pursed her lips tightly.
It's always like this. This person habitually does these little tricks. Whenever they encounter a topic they don't want to talk about, they'll act like this. If you don't want to lie to them, you simply won't say anything.
Chu Huaixu didn't know whether to laugh or be angry, so he just snorted again.
“You see, I’m not the only one. This kind of earnestness from you can be shown to anyone, as long as that person can be of use to you.”
His words were still piercing to the heart. Even though he had gotten used to such sarcasm over the years, Song Ting still felt as if her heart was being torn apart inch by inch, and her lips turned even whiter from the pain.
But Chu Huaixu then put the spoon in his mouth and swallowed the mouthful of mung bean soup.
Song Ting paused for a moment, then scooped up a second spoonful and put it in her mouth. A slight smile subtly crept onto her lips.
All the previous pain seemed to have vanished in that instant.
Chu Huaixu saw his little expression and felt a slight stirring in his heart. But he quickly pinched his palm to extinguish that soft feeling.
"Take another bite," Song Ting said softly, seemingly unaware of this.
This bowl of mung bean porridge was originally prepared for Song Ting, but now it seemed as if he was coaxing Huai Xu to eat. He fed Huai Xu a bite, then ate a bite himself, and soon the bowl of mung bean soup was empty.
Chu Huaixu was quite full, and sighed with his eyes downcast.
"Want more?" Song Ting suddenly reached out, her index finger lightly tracing his lips. Chu Huaixu stopped her, "What are you doing?"
Song Ting swallowed hard, and explained somewhat hoarsely, "It's dirty."
Chu Huaixu's mouth was extremely beautiful, and it felt soft and sweet to the touch. At this moment, his eyes were slightly lowered, with a faint smile on them, and he lightly swept his hand across Song Ting's face, making the latter feel as if she had been acupunctured, and her mind went blank for a moment.
His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and he pulled Chu Huaixu closer, covering his lips with [ignore] those moist lips...
When their lips met (ignoring the fact that their teeth barely touched), he saw Chu Huaixu's face turn red, his eyes even reddening, he couldn't tell if it was from anger or embarrassment...
Regardless of which one it was, it was enough to make Song Ting's heart flutter; he could even hear his own heart pounding violently.
It was during this kiss that he suddenly remembered the scene from many years ago, on a winter day, when he first kissed those lips.
That day was the Lantern Festival, which was also Chu Huaixu's birthday. The late emperor sent countless rewards early in the morning, including fine silks, precious objects, and all sorts of treasures.
The old prince and his two sons also sent people back with gifts from afar.
Throughout the morning, the Prince's mansion was bustling with people coming and going to deliver gifts. Huaixu squatted in the front hall with great curiosity, examining his own gift one by one, criticizing it as he went. He complained that the Emperor's gift lacked originality, and that the wolf fangs of the headless wolf given by the eldest son were not shaped pretty enough...
After lunch, he wore a fox fur coat sewn by the princess herself and went to the palace to visit the late emperor. This was a custom, done every year.
They had agreed to have dinner upon their return, but Song Ting and the Princess waited and waited, only to be greeted by a young eunuch who came to deliver a message.
The young eunuch said that the late emperor was pleased to see the young concubine and wanted to keep her for dinner, and that she would be allowed to return later.
Since the emperor had given his word, Huai Xu would naturally not be able to return anytime soon, so the princess consort did not wait any longer and ordered someone to prepare dinner.
Because it was the Lantern Festival, the princess kindly rewarded everyone in the mansion. Everyone happily gathered together to chat, or hung big red lanterns all over the mansion, making the whole mansion lively and festive.
Only Song Ting did not participate in the commotion. After serving the princess her meal, he returned to the side courtyard alone, feeling dejected.
The young master did not return.
He originally thought he could at least share a bowl of glutinous rice balls with the young master.
They had an agreement.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com