Xiao Shan returned after the hour of Hai.
Ling Yao had waited for a long time, her stomach rumbling with hunger. She wore a light yellow padded short coat, which made her skin appear even more radiant and smooth as porcelain. Leaning on the bed, she didn't even lift her head, her face a picture of displeasure, clearly expecting to be coaxed.
Xiao Shan removed his outer garment, still bearing the chill of the outside. Beneath it, he wore only a thin, unlined long gown. He was such a hardy fellow that even the winter wind seemed to detour around him.
He recalled the padded coat he had made for him previously. He had put it on as soon as winter arrived, and it was truly a testament to his endurance.
"Waiting for me?"
He leaned in, his eyes gleaming. The tender yellow color made her resemble a winter jasmine just beginning to bloom in early spring, delicate and soft, captivating his gaze.
Ling Yao maintained a stern expression. "Drink that bowl of soup on the table first."
Without a word, Xiao Shan turned, picked up the bowl, and downed it with a gulp.
This was a specially prepared bone-nourishing soup. It was all because he had once mentioned that his old injuries would ache. It was meant to be a playful gesture, but she had taken it very seriously, consulting with imperial physicians skilled in this area to concoct this health-preserving broth.
Xiao Shan smacked his lips, a look of contentment on his face.
The fool outside was enduring the cold wind, while he was inside, drinking hot soup and embracing his beauty. It was enough to drive the other man mad!
"I'm hungry."
"Your humble servant will bathe and attend to you immediately."
Ling Yao choked slightly. "My stomach is hungry."
"Alright, then let's fill your stomach first." Xiao Shan immediately went out, called for a late-night snack, and then returned. He leaned in again, stroking her belly. "Don't you two eat too much, or you'll tire your mother. If you do, your father will have to spank you."
"Why aren't you moving?" He gently patted her belly, then leaned down to listen for any movement. "These two are a bit lazy, aren't they? Why aren't they moving much?"
Ling Yao tugged at his ear, pulling him away from her belly, and pulled down her disheveled sleeping robe, letting out a cold snort.
"Your Highness, your humble servant has arrived late." Xiao Shan knelt on the ground, his height aligning perfectly with Ling Yao's chest as she sat on the bed.
He swallowed hard. "Please punish me, Princess."
His impudent eyes were so blatant that anyone could see. Ling Yao deliberately straightened her posture and said from above, "Then you shall sleep on the floor tonight!"
How could that be?
This punishment was a bit too cruel.
"There is a reason for my late return. It wasn't because that fellow surnamed Song didn't stop me outside. It was late at night, and they weren't even changing shifts, guarding outside Fengque Tower with what intentions! Hmph! If this general didn't dislike unnecessary fighting, you'd see me beat him until he was spitting teeth. With his meager skills, he dares to show off in front of me."
"So crude!" Ling Yao lightly hit his head, but her stern expression softened. "You're saying Commander Song was guarding outside?"
Xiao Shan truly bristled at this.
He gritted his teeth. "You still call him Brother Wen Tang?"
"Uh, I mean Commander Song."
"Hmph! My General's Mansion is undergoing renovations. Once it's done, we'll move out immediately. Who cares about this dilapidated imperial palace? It's all filled with tiresome rules. What, married couples can't even sleep together? Then why did I get married? For self-gratification?"
He clearly had no idea how to use the idiom "drawing a plum to quench thirst." What an uncultured brute.
"Great General, according to the rules, you are marrying in, not taking a bride. This means you are a son-in-law, and you truly cannot live with me. You can only come when summoned."
Xiao Shan: "......"
This was precisely why he disliked this wretched imperial palace.
Whether marrying in or taking a bride, if they couldn't sleep together, it was unacceptable. Conjugal relations were natural and proper. No matter what was said, he was in the right, and the rules were wrong.
The late-night snack arrived: a bowl of yam and shrimp ball soup. Xiao Shan held a spoon and fed her spoonful by spoonful.
Seeing his silence, Ling Yao thought he was displeased and said, "Alright, it's understandable that a man cannot live in the palace. Now, the officials fear you and dare not speak, but wait a few days, and you'll see impeachment memorials flying everywhere."
"Then do you want to move to the General's Mansion or not! Today, the Great Shaman proposed to re-hold the Goddess Ceremony, but your brother didn't agree, saying it would be discussed later. Don't think I don't know, he doesn't want me to become the Great Yao Goddess!"
Xiao Shan looked aggrieved, like a pitiful large dog, a stark contrast to his robust physique. "You can't just sleep with someone and not give them a title, can you?"
Ling Yao almost spat out the shrimp ball. After finally swallowing it, she waved her hand, refusing to eat more.
He dared to say anything. She truly feared she might choke.
Who would dare to deny the Great General a title? They would be devoured alive.
"We'll move. You decide."
"Your humble servant dares not!"
Xiao Shan stood up decisively, his clothes shedding instantly, leaving only his shorts. His imposing physique was like a mountain. His face was respectful, but his eyes burned like molten lava. "Your humble servant will bathe immediately and attend to Your Highness."
"Oh, what did your father eat to grow up like this!" Ling Yao said, touching her belly, her face flushed.
Xiao Shan noticed that several layers of the mattress had been removed, making it less soft.
He gazed at his young, tender, jade-like wife, her eyes watery and innocent, and longed to swallow her whole.
How could there be such a captivating person in the world?
He truly felt that spending a few lifetimes with her wouldn't be enough.
"Really, does it look good?" Ling Yao was still too shy to look in the mirror.
Xiao Shan's hot chest pressed against her back. His moist lips and tongue traced the shape of lotus petals on her neck, his voice husky and seductive. "It looks good. I can never get enough of looking. I can see you from both the front and the back."
Especially the way she looked when she was lost in the moment, it made him want to die in her arms.
Fine, she would go along with him.
Ling Yao tilted her neck, her hands reaching back to embrace his head, casting aside all pretense, and danced with him.
"Ah! My belly is moving!"
They watched as her belly rolled from side to side, clearly showing two small, fist-like bulges rising and falling. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Did you squeeze them?" Ling Yao tried to push Xiao Shan away.
"My goodness, you little brats!" Xiao Shan was covered in sweat. Help! Why stop now?
"First for you."
"No, it'll dirty the babies. Ah! It's so hot!"
Xiao Shan barely managed to finish when, as if on cue, his stopping caused the plump white belly to cease its movement.
It infuriated him!
"Still moving, scratching me inside," Ling Yao lay languidly, her face flushed, stroking her belly, exuding a captivating maternal glow.
Xiao Shan stared, mesmerized, then leaned down again, gently kissing her all over.
It was very hot.
Ling Yao felt the sensation of heat for the first time.
In this frigid winter, amidst ice and snow.
This man was truly her tonic, a great supplement.
"I have something good for you tomorrow."
Drowsily, she seemed to hear Xiao Shan whisper in her ear.
What was it this time?
He was always so mysterious.
That night, Ling Yao had a dream.
She dreamt of two rosy-cheeked babies arguing while blowing bubbles.
"You peed all over me, apologize quickly!"
"You're lying! You're the one who peed!"
"It was you!"
"It was you!"
"Oh dear, you're finished, you're finished! Look, you don't even have a spout, no wonder you leak urine!"
"Waaah, wah, wah!" The baby who leaked urine began to cry. "I don't want to leak urine—"