Xiao Shan did not return all night, and came back to Fengque Tower the next day, close to noon.
It was rare that Qing He did not pick a fight, and greeted him with a smile.
"Where is the Princess?"
"Commander Song has woken up, and the Princess has gone to see him."
Xiao Shan's tired eyes glared, "Why didn't you follow?"
"General, Yu Liu and Yu Shan are following!"
"Hmph!" Xiao Shan covered his chest, turned, and walked through the long corridor towards the west courtyard where Song Beiting lived.
Qing He covered her mouth and gave an elegant yawn, "Clingy thing, what did you make again, hiding and tucking."
Three palace maids, holding exquisite food, walked gracefully. They saw Xiao Shan and respectfully bowed, "General, may you be safe."
Xiao Shan pinched his chin, this title was not good, it sounded like he had nothing to do with the Princess.
He was considered a驸马 (fù mǎ - husband of a princess) now, wasn't he?
"Who is this for?"
"Replying to the General, it was the Princess who ordered it to be sent to the west courtyard."
That sickly person, could he eat so much!
Xiao Shan picked up a bun with his hand and stuffed it into his mouth. He took everything except the soup and watery dishes.
I've been hungry all night, why should that sickly person eat it.
"Let's go!"
Xiao Shan walked ahead, and the three palace maids looked at the plates in their hands, hesitating as they followed.
Xiao Shan's hearing was amazing, and he pricked up his ears to listen. Before he even reached the door, he heard a gentle voice from inside.
"Brother Wen Tang, don't move around."
Calling him Brother Wen Tang again, it made him furious!
The door was pushed open, startling everyone inside.
Yu Shan's hand, which was changing the bandage, trembled, and Song Beiting let out a muffled groan of pain.
"Ah, Commander Song, I'm sorry, this servant made a mistake."
Ling Yao saw that Xiao Shan had returned. Without knocking, she rushed in carelessly. She was so impolite, and couldn't help but glare at him, "So rash, why don't you knock before entering someone else's room?"
"Isn't this our home?" Xiao Shan pouted, and then, bypassing Ling Yao, he looked at Song Beiting.
Seeing him turn his head away with disgust.
Hmph! Don't think you've earned merit just by saving him. If he hadn't stopped Xue Niang, this would never have happened!
"Why are your eyes so red? Have you been busy until now?"
"Yes, you sleep with me, I have a headache."
Xiao Shan glanced at Song Beiting again. As expected, the man's face was filled with suppressed anger.
Heh, if you're unhappy, I'm happy.
"Then hurry back." Ling Yao turned around and said to Song Beiting, "Wen... Commander Song, take good care of your injuries. Don't worry too much about matters in the palace. Yu Shan, take good care of him."
"Yes, Princess, please rest assured."
Song Beiting was a little stunned, a trace of desolation flashed in his eyes.
"Oh, right." Xiao Shan reached the door and turned back, "Thank you, Commander Song, for saving my wife's life. When our child is born, I will definitely have them kowtow to you to express our gratitude."
Song Beiting's brow twitched, and he suddenly closed his eyes.
Ling Yao pinched a piece of flesh on Xiao Shan's arm and walked out.
"If you keep talking nonsense, see if I don't drive you out of the palace."
"The person is yours, why are you still provoking others? Looking at your actions, how are you like a magnanimous great general!"
Xiao Shan stumbled and sat on the wooden chair under the corridor, covering his head as if he had lost his strength.
Ling Yao was terrified, her small face turned pale, she hugged his arm and exclaimed in shock, "What's wrong?"
She fumbled to touch his forehead, checking his wound.
Seeing her so anxious that she was about to cry, Xiao Shan quickly grabbed her hand, "It's nothing, I'm just too tired. I almost fell asleep while walking."
"Really?" Ling Yao asked with trembling eyes, her eyes clearly filled with fear.
Oh no, I really scared her.
For a moment, Xiao Shan felt regret, but also an indescribable joy rose in his heart.
She really cared about him.
Happy.
Sweet.
He rummaged around and took out something fluffy from his embrace.
"I found this on the way back to the city, for you to play with."
"What is it?" Ling Yao, worried about his health, took it absentmindedly.
The soft touch carried warmth, its entire body covered in snow-white fur, like a ball of fluff. Its two ears stood up high, and its eyes were as clear and translucent as rubies.
It was a small, snow-white rabbit.
"Doesn't it look good? It looks like you. I held it in my arms all the way," Xiao Shan said, seeking praise.
"How do I look like you!"
How could she look like a rabbit!
"Let's go! Go rest." Ling Yao frowned, still worried about him, "Let Qing He take a look when you get back."
"Hey? No, I'm really fine, just tired. Let's go back to sleep."
Xiao Shan's feigned illness earned him imperial treatment.
A pair of small hands gently massaged his forehead and the acupoints on his head. He hummed contentedly and soon fell asleep.
Even in his dreams, he could feel the incredibly soft fingertips caressing his eyebrows, the bridge of his nose, and his mouth.
It was moist and sweet.
He was awakened by the aroma of food.
His stomach rumbled with hunger. The fire in the room was a bit too strong, making him sweat. He walked around the screen and saw a table full of food, just placed and untouched. He picked up a bowl of soup and gulped it down.
"Qing He~"
He heard a soft, coquettish voice. The sound twisted and turned several times, and he could imagine the charming expression on that little face, which could make a person's body go weak.
Damn it!
Why did she speak to a servant in such a tone, yet she wasn't so clingy with him.
"Princess, it really has no effect on your body! Think about it, what if you drink alcohol... and lose control... your body is not your own."
"But... but..."
"This servant guarantees it, only for three months, it will be over soon."
What nonsense were they talking about?
Xiao Shan was impatient with what he heard and coughed heavily. The conversation outside stopped.
Ling Yao entered the room. Because she was in mourning, she wore a white coat with a fur collar. When she saw him, her eyes flickered tremblingly. She really looked like the white rabbit she had caught today.
"Come here."
Seeing her dawdling, Xiao Shan couldn't wait. He grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap.
"Ah! Where's the soup?" Ling Yao looked at Xiao Shan in shock, holding up the empty bowl in front of her.
"I drank it!" Xiao Shan rubbed his nose against her earlobe, "It was delicious."
Ling Yao: "..."
It's over, he drank it all, not a drop left.
He was no longer a man.
Ling Yao's eyes darted around, not daring to look at him.
"What, why are you shy again today?" Xiao Shan put one arm around her waist and the other on her protruding belly.
"I'm hungry, feed me, okay?"
"Okay!" Ling Yao suddenly said angrily, "I'll feed you poison, and poison you to death!"
Xiao Shan: "..."
Pregnant women are indeed moody, I dare not provoke her.
"I wouldn't dare to trouble the Princess, I should serve Your Highness!"
Xiao Shan, thinking he had figured out her temper, started picking up dishes and feeding her. Unexpectedly, Ling Yao was still unhappy.
"Still a great general? So stupid."
"Yes, this subject is foolish, please give me a hint?"
Ling Yao fell silent, pursing her lips for a long time, her eyes darting around.
"There are still remnants of the Lu rebels in the palace. Everything you eat and use must be checked. Don't eat anything randomly."
"I know! Weren't all the things sent in checked?" Xiao Shan was confused. He had arranged three rounds of poison testing. Who would dare to tamper with things under his nose?
Wasn't the last stage guarded by Qing He and Yu Shan? Who could escape Qing He's eyes?