Shu Yao was filled with questions, completely bewildered by the sudden note. Just as she was about to chase after the servant who had disappeared, Xia Hong's voice came from behind her...
"Madam, why did you turn back by yourself? I've been looking for you for ages!"
Before Xia Hong could get close, she quickly stuffed the note into her sleeve, then calmly turned around and answered as if nothing had happened, "The adults took Xiao Bao to bed. I was worried and rushed back to check on him."
"Oh, don't worry, the master takes even better care of the young master than the wet nurse." Xia Hong walked over, took Shu Yao's arm, and the two turned to continue walking towards the backyard.
At that moment... a head emerged from the depths of the corridor, looked at Shu Yao's back, and tore off the mask from her face.
*** ***
"Yao'er, I'm going to a neighboring county tomorrow to arrest a wanted criminal. I'll have to trouble you to take care of the family and look after Xiao Bao'er these next few days."
That night, Huo Jingsha lay on the couch with Shu Yao in his arms, looking apologetic.
"It's alright, I don't need to do anything at home. Xiao Bao has a wet nurse and maids. I just need to give instructions." Shu Yao turned over and leaned her back against his chest. Because she was still thinking about the note, she answered absentmindedly.
Huo Jingsha didn't notice anything unusual about her. His large hand casually stroked her hair, finally stopping at her full earlobe and gently kneading it.
"This time I might stay a few more days to get a better understanding of the situation from the county magistrate. Plus, with the pursuit and interrogation, it won't be resolved in just a day or two," he said.
"Okay, I know. Be careful, don't come back injured like before." She then remembered this and turned her head to give him a few more words of advice. Don't let his high rank fool you; whenever there's an investigation or similar task, he always does it personally and is always the first to rush in. So, he almost always comes back with injuries, which makes her quite worried.
"Alright, I've brought a lot of soldiers this time, so there shouldn't be any problems. I'll have breakfast with you and Xiaobao tomorrow morning, and then I'll be on my way."
"Mmm." Shu Yao replied with only one syllable, then closed her eyes to rest.
Seeing that she answered quickly and concisely, without showing any reluctance to see him leave home, Huo Jingsha felt a mix of emotions.
Normally, when she knew he was going to be away for a few days, his wife would hug him, showing a reluctant and worried expression. What happened today? Or is it because he's been away from home too often, and his wife is unhappy?
"Yao'er... I'll try to get back as soon as possible, it won't take too long," he changed his words.
"It's alright, the Emperor's business is more important. You don't need to rush. Just finish everything and come back later!"
Huo Jingsha narrowed his eyes, his heart pounding again. What did it mean that he wasn't in a hurry to come back?
"When I'm not home, just tell the staff to do any work. Don't overwork yourself." His fingers traced the soft, tender earlobe between his fingers. Finally, unable to resist, he bent down and took it into his mouth, nibbling gently, which sent a shiver down Shu Yao's spine.
She replied in a slightly unsteady tone, "Don't worry, I'll take care of myself. You just focus on doing your job well."
Since their marriage, she had always been extremely sensible and a good woman who managed the household well. She never interfered with what he did outside or his absence for days at a time. But the more magnanimous she appeared, the more uneasy he became.
I've often heard people say that if a man is often away from home, a woman is prone to feeling lonely and unbearable. And when she feels lonely and unbearable, she... He suddenly bit her hard on the side of her neck.
Shu Yao let out a soft moan, startled by his sudden kiss, and then complained, "What are you doing? Are you a dog? I told you not to leave any marks!"
Seeing that his wife was angry, Huo Jingsha changed his previous ruthlessness and quickly lowered his posture, "I'm sorry, my wife is too delicious, so I didn't control my strength for a moment. Yao'er, don't be angry, I will be gentler."
Shu Yao wouldn't listen to his sweet talk. Don't think she didn't know that this man would act excessively promiscuous the night before leaving home, and he wouldn't be done until he had left her covered in marks.
"Hmph! As punishment, you're not allowed to touch me again." She tried to twist his arm, trying to break free from his embrace, but Huo Jingsha wouldn't allow it.
“My dear wife, I was wrong, isn’t that enough? I just suddenly remembered that Lord Zhang hasn’t returned yet, and I was a little distracted. This time we’re going to arrest a prisoner who escaped from his cell. I’m afraid that if we set off rashly tomorrow, we’ll have to wait for him there for several days. It’s better to wait for him to return and set off together.”
He has gone out six times in the past month, both big and small. He dares not disregard the warnings of his predecessors, so he should stay at home for a few more days and keep an eye on his wife.
As for the assignment... we can send Yue Ping and Xu Chang to do some preliminary work first. It's not too late for him to go a few days later. He should be back in about two days.
"Is that alright? I think you'd better send someone to urge that Lord Zhang, lest we delay important matters and displease the Emperor again."
"Hmm..." You see, she's been hoping he'd leave soon, even if he didn't come home for a few days. Isn't that too obvious? Huo Jingsha, in a fit of pique, reached into her clothes and forcefully grasped one of her soft breasts.
"Husband, there's something I want to ask you..." Shu Yao pressed down on her mischievous hand and suddenly said seriously.
"What is it? Tell me." If he wouldn't let her use her hands, he'd use her words, pulling her around to kiss her.
"Have Prince Jing's forces... all been wiped out?"
Her question wasn't unfounded. When she returned today, she took the opportunity when no one was around to examine the note more closely. Upon closer inspection, she could faintly smell a delicate fragrance emanating from the ink. However, this unique fragrance had nothing to do with the ink itself; it was all due to the water used to grind the ink. Only a small stream behind the organization's mountain had this "fragrance," because the stream was constantly soaked with petals from the fallen Lanling trees. Therefore, she concluded that the note was delivered by someone from the organization.
Qi had become the organization's second-in-command long after Prince Jing was defeated, completely erasing all traces she had left behind. The only person who could possibly connect her to the organization was Prince Jing. She guessed that because of her past special status, Huo Jingsha might ask her to do something that would be detrimental to the organization, which was why Qi sent someone to contact her and deliver an important message.
Huo Jingsha paused in his kissing, then replied softly, "You don't need to know these things. Even if it wasn't completely cleaned up, it won't threaten your safety." He thought for a moment, then lifted her chin with one hand, staring at her with a probing gaze, and asked, "Why did you suddenly think of asking this? Did you hear something? Or did someone tell you something?"
"No, it's just that I haven't heard you mention it in a long time, and I feel uneasy if it's not dealt with properly." She didn't plan to tell him about the note until she knew what Huo Jingsha wanted to ask of her.
"It'll be soon. I told you, with me, you'll be the safest. So the remnants of Prince Jing won't be able to bother you at all. My wife, just enjoy your life and have fun every day." Although Huo Jingsha didn't ask any further questions, he had already sensed something was amiss. His wife's words had hit the nail on the head regarding his recent troubles, which could not possibly be a coincidence.
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