After that mess of a meeting, the main bedroom finally quiet down. Ci Tao runs over to the kitchen to prepare dinner while Qing Zhi bring over a freshly brewed bowl of medicine.
Liu Qinghuan could smell the strong aroma of herbs without Qing Zhi even being near her. She purse her lips and slide deeper into the blanket. Xue Mu takes over the bowl of medicine and look at her, seeing only her eyes. Liu Qinghuan stares at him and shakes her head silently.
Xue Mu sighs and picks up a snowflake-shaped pastry from the plate next to the bowl.
” You can have a Jade Drop Cake after drinking the medicine. There’s honey and cheese in it. It’s very sweet. ”
Liu Qinghuan considers for a moment.
” Can I have it even without drinking the medicine? ”
” Then I’ll have to get Mother-In-Law to feed you the medicine. ”
” ………. ”
She slowly climbs up from under her blanket and take the bowl in Xue Mu hand. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she gulp down the entire bitter bowl in one sitting. Just when Xue Mu is about to praise her, she immediately bites down on the pastry he holds in his hand.
The hint of sweetness spreads all over her mouth and Liu Qinghuan’s features finally ease up a little. Seeing her finish her mouthful, Xue Mu then place the leftover half piece in his hand next to her mouth.
” Open up. ”
She opens and gulps the leftover piece down.
Xue Mu suddenly have an image of him feeding his leopard cub.
Liu Qinghuan greedily wants to get another piece from Xue Mu when he pass the empty bowl to Qing Zhi and orders her to clean up everything, including the plate which holds the pastry. She looks at him.
” Ah Mu, the physician said I need to recuperate but if I am not ful nor warm, how can I heal? ”
Xue Mu laughs and pats her head.
” Then you’ll just have to drink more medicine. ”
” ………. ”
She knew she shouldn’t tell him her true feelings! Now he’s fearless!
As if reading her mind, Xue Mu suddenly ask.
” Qing Qing, do you really want a cousin? ”
” ……….. ”
She laughs dryly.
” I just feel like a character like ‘cousin’ can provides a more colorful story. ”
” Hm. Like abandoning and terrorizing? ”
” … Erm, the next time he could also be gentle and amazing. ”
Next time? Xue Mu smile silently at her.
” Marquise, dinner is ready. ”
Ci Tao reports politely.
Liu Qinghuan’s dinner is a bowl of bird nest porridge and only after Xue Mu finish feeding her does he start to have his dinner. Looking at all the seafood and meat on his table and turning to look back at her small bowl of porridge, sadness suddenly overcomes her.
After finish serving Xue Mu his dinner, the 2 maids look awkwardly at each other.
” Marquise, we need to help Madam with her bath… ” So would you mind stepping away?
Xue Mu considers for a second before walking away as the 2 of them heave a sigh of relief. Madam is sick and injured and if the Marquise stares at her having a bath and feels like doing something… they can’t stop him!
Xue Mu takes this chance to have a bath as well and after he is done, Liu Qinghuan had already changed into new clothing and is sleeping. She is very pale and look as soft as her younger self that Xue Mu can’t help but to stroke her cheeks. His little dumpling has finally return back to his side.
Liu Qinghuan isn’t really asleep so she open her eyes and look at the person beside her.
” Ah Mu… ”
Xue Mu smile gently at her.
” We’ve been on the road for the entire day, so have an early rest. ”
” Okay… ”
Just when she is about to close her eyes, she surprisingly see Xue Mu removing his clothes!
Wait!!
” Ah Mu, are you… sleeping here? ”
The hand removing his outer garment pause and Xue Mu lift his eyes and look amusingly at her.
” Where should I go if not here? ”
The room at the Lotus Pavilion maybe?? Come to think of it, the small bed that used to be outside is missing too.
Xue Mu walks to her side, bent down and whisper into her ear.
” I’ve been sleeping here the entire time you’re not here. ”
Liu Qinghuan’s ears flush red as Xue Mu removes everything, leaving only his inner garment. He then climbs onto the bed and lies next to her. Liu Qinghuan is a little nervous, her body stiffening and she dare not even move. He snuggles close to her, smiling.
” It’s not like this is our first time, so why are you so nervous? ”
” T-that is different. You’re drunk that time… ”
” Then you can treat it as I’m drunk. ”
After saying that, he kiss her plum lips as their tongue intertwine and his hand slowly entering into her clothes. Liu Qinghuan purrs for a bit before looking at Xue Mu.
” Ah Mu, I still have injuries… ”
Xue Mu’s kisses slides down her pale neck and only after planting a few ‘berries’ does he stop.
” I know… ”
Pulling his hand out of her clothes, he rearranges her clothes and tuck her inside the blanket.
” Go to sleep. ”
She obediently shuts her eyes and after staring at her for a bit, Xue Mu too, follows.
Feeling the heated gaze moving away, Liu Qinghuan sneakily crack open one eyelid and peep at the person sleeping next to her. Her Ah Mu is as gorgeous as ever, his skin as smooth as white jade and his lashes even longer than hers.
But… it’s just that she have injuries on her. If anything does happen, she would be on the losing side. Just wait till she heals… then… he he he he~
This night, the both of them had a great sleep and before the morning bell of Chang-An even sound, Xue Mu habitually wakes up. The face of a sleeping Liu Qinghuan enters his sight the moment he open his eyes and his gaze immediately soften. Being able to look at his little dumpling every morning he wakes up sure is a great feeling.
There is still a light hand imprint on her face as Xue Mu dearly and lightly kiss it, before getting up.
This morning assembly is additionally crowded and even the frequently ill Minister Pan who is usually not present is standing right at the front. The Emperor dealt with everything Duke Ling Nan is involved in as well as everyone related. He also dealt with Magistrate Ma for listening to rumors and causing bodily harm to others. He was dragged outside for tens of caning, stripped of his title and a new magistrate will soon be reporting to the town. The priest that was full of lies had also been thrown in jail, awaiting the new magistrate to handle.
As for Mongolian Envoy who stayed behind because he ‘missed the scenery here’, bid his adieu and claim that he missed his brother and shall be returning to Mongolia.
Transporting the treasure back to the Emperor, Li Mo only barely managed to rush back in time for the morning assembly ending and was able to report to the Emperor. Due to Gao Cheng’s help in this mission, as well as having good martial arts despite his young age, the Emperor bestow upon him a seven rank official title and he is to follow Xue Mu the Great General from then on. As for Gao Zheng Ping, the Emperor send physicians to help with his illness but being able to heal or not is another matter.
When Xue Mu head back to the mansion, Liu Qinghuan already had her lunch and is currently lying on her bed. The King of Shrooms Xue Mu brought back has been carefully simmered by the kitchen and is only currently being served right now. Cooling the soup down, Xue Mu walk over to where Liu Qinghuan is and gently call out to her.
” Qing Qing? ”
” Hmm…… ”
She keep her eyes close as she mumbles.
” I already had my medicine…. I’m not drinking it again… ”
Xue Mu laughs and pinch her cheeks.
” How about some soup then? ”
She slowly open her eyes and look at him.
” Ah Mu… ”
Having just woken up, her voice is soft and mushy and Xue Mu loves hearing her call him ‘Ah Mu’. Unable to resist, he leans over and kiss her, before helping her up, leaning her against his chest.
” You’re really a little lazy pig. You’re sleeping when I was away and still sleeping when I’m back. ”
” I’m not always sleeping. ”
She disagrees, pouting, before looking at the bowl of soup in front of her.
” What soup is this, it smells really good. ”
” It’s made from the Shroom King we brought back from the mountain. Try it. ”
Hearing that it’s the Shroom King, Liu Qinghuan look up at Xue Mu.
” I heard this would help increase lifespan. Mother’s health isn’t really great so it’s better to save it for her. ”
Xue Mu hand pause, before smiling.
” Stupid, do you really think a Shroom King could only be made into such a tiny bowl? I already have Liang Cheng deliver one to Mother. ”
” Oh, that’s true. ”
Only then does Liu Qinghuan start sipping. After finishing half a bowl, she looks up at Xue Mu again.
” Ah Mu, this soup taste really great, would you like a try? ”
Xue Mu laughs. This is such a tiny bowl of soup. He don’t even think the entire bowl is enough for her, not to mention him drinking from it. But, since she asked, why not? He lower his head and kiss her.
To Xue Mu, Liu Qinghuan taste sweeter than any Jade Drop Pastry and after lingering on her lips for a long while, till she almost lost strength in holding the bowl, he finally releases her.
” I’m done trying… you can have the rest of the soup. ”
Liu Qinghuan lightly pants, and finish the rest of the soup. Qing Zhi comes up, face flush red as she takes over the empty bowl and hurriedly exit the room.
It seems to her like the wild animal in Marquise is about to break out and devour Madam!!
Xue Mu really want to gulp down Liu Qinghuan. Just by imagining, he knows how delicious his little dumpling must be. But it’s a pity that the little dumpling currently is injured.
” Qing Qing… ”
He gently hug her waist as he whisper into her ear. Recalling what happened the last time he did this, Liu Qinghuan’s ears goes bright red.
But this time, he only calls her name for a few times before releasing her.
” I still need to enter the palace once more later, you can take a nap first. ”
He lowers her onto the bed, walk away for 2 steps, before turning back, giving her a kiss on her forehead.
” Hurry and get better. ”
” ………… ”
Liu Qinghuan ducks into her blanket and close her eyes.
After that mess of a meeting, the main bedroom finally quiet down. Ci Tao runs over to the kitchen to prepare dinner while Qing Zhi bring over a freshly brewed bowl of medicine.
Liu Qinghuan could smell the strong aroma of herbs without Qing Zhi even being near her. She purse her lips and slide deeper into the blanket. Xue Mu takes over the bowl of medicine and look at her, seeing only her eyes. Liu Qinghuan stares at him and shakes her head silently.
Xue Mu sighs and picks up a snowflake-shaped pastry from the plate next to the bowl.
” You can have a Jade Drop Cake after drinking the medicine. There’s honey and cheese in it. It’s very sweet. ”
Liu Qinghuan considers for a moment.
” Can I have it even without drinking the medicine? ”
” Then I’ll have to get Mother-In-Law to feed you the medicine. ”
” ………. ”
She slowly climbs up from under her blanket and take the bowl in Xue Mu hand. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she gulp down the entire bitter bowl in one sitting. Just when Xue Mu is about to praise her, she immediately bites down on the pastry he holds in his hand.
The hint of sweetness spreads all over her mouth and Liu Qinghuan’s features finally ease up a little. Seeing her finish her mouthful, Xue Mu then place the leftover half piece in his hand next to her mouth.
” Open up. ”
She opens and gulps the leftover piece down.
Xue Mu suddenly have an image of him feeding his leopard cub.
Liu Qinghuan greedily wants to get another piece from Xue Mu when he pass the empty bowl to Qing Zhi and orders her to clean up everything, including the plate which holds the pastry. She looks at him.
” Ah Mu, the physician said I need to recuperate but if I am not ful nor warm, how can I heal? ”
Xue Mu laughs and pats her head.
” Then you’ll just have to drink more medicine. ”
” ………. ”
She knew she shouldn’t tell him her true feelings! Now he’s fearless!
As if reading her mind, Xue Mu suddenly ask.
” Qing Qing, do you really want a cousin? ”
” ……….. ”
She laughs dryly.
” I just feel like a character like ‘cousin’ can provides a more colorful story. ”
” Hm. Like abandoning and terrorizing? ”
” … Erm, the next time he could also be gentle and amazing. ”
Next time? Xue Mu smile silently at her.
” Marquise, dinner is ready. ”
Ci Tao reports politely.
Liu Qinghuan’s dinner is a bowl of bird nest porridge and only after Xue Mu finish feeding her does he start to have his dinner. Looking at all the seafood and meat on his table and turning to look back at her small bowl of porridge, sadness suddenly overcomes her.
After finish serving Xue Mu his dinner, the 2 maids look awkwardly at each other.
” Marquise, we need to help Madam with her bath… ” So would you mind stepping away?
Xue Mu considers for a second before walking away as the 2 of them heave a sigh of relief. Madam is sick and injured and if the Marquise stares at her having a bath and feels like doing something… they can’t stop him!
Xue Mu takes this chance to have a bath as well and after he is done, Liu Qinghuan had already changed into new clothing and is sleeping. She is very pale and look as soft as her younger self that Xue Mu can’t help but to stroke her cheeks. His little dumpling has finally return back to his side.
Liu Qinghuan isn’t really asleep so she open her eyes and look at the person beside her.
” Ah Mu… ”
Xue Mu smile gently at her.
” We’ve been on the road for the entire day, so have an early rest. ”
” Okay… ”
Just when she is about to close her eyes, she surprisingly see Xue Mu removing his clothes!
Wait!!
” Ah Mu, are you… sleeping here? ”
The hand removing his outer garment pause and Xue Mu lift his eyes and look amusingly at her.
” Where should I go if not here? ”
The room at the Lotus Pavilion maybe?? Come to think of it, the small bed that used to be outside is missing too.
Xue Mu walks to her side, bent down and whisper into her ear.
” I’ve been sleeping here the entire time you’re not here. ”
Liu Qinghuan’s ears flush red as Xue Mu removes everything, leaving only his inner garment. He then climbs onto the bed and lies next to her. Liu Qinghuan is a little nervous, her body stiffening and she dare not even move. He snuggles close to her, smiling.
” It’s not like this is our first time, so why are you so nervous? ”
” T-that is different. You’re drunk that time… ”
” Then you can treat it as I’m drunk. ”
After saying that, he kiss her plum lips as their tongue intertwine and his hand slowly entering into her clothes. Liu Qinghuan purrs for a bit before looking at Xue Mu.
” Ah Mu, I still have injuries… ”
Xue Mu’s kisses slides down her pale neck and only after planting a few ‘berries’ does he stop.
” I know… ”
Pulling his hand out of her clothes, he rearranges her clothes and tuck her inside the blanket.
” Go to sleep. ”
She obediently shuts her eyes and after staring at her for a bit, Xue Mu too, follows.
Feeling the heated gaze moving away, Liu Qinghuan sneakily crack open one eyelid and peep at the person sleeping next to her. Her Ah Mu is as gorgeous as ever, his skin as smooth as white jade and his lashes even longer than hers.
But… it’s just that she have injuries on her. If anything does happen, she would be on the losing side. Just wait till she heals… then… he he he he~
This night, the both of them had a great sleep and before the morning bell of Chang-An even sound, Xue Mu habitually wakes up. The face of a sleeping Liu Qinghuan enters his sight the moment he open his eyes and his gaze immediately soften. Being able to look at his little dumpling every morning he wakes up sure is a great feeling.
There is still a light hand imprint on her face as Xue Mu dearly and lightly kiss it, before getting up.
This morning assembly is additionally crowded and even the frequently ill Minister Pan who is usually not present is standing right at the front. The Emperor dealt with everything Duke Ling Nan is involved in as well as everyone related. He also dealt with Magistrate Ma for listening to rumors and causing bodily harm to others. He was dragged outside for tens of caning, stripped of his title and a new magistrate will soon be reporting to the town. The priest that was full of lies had also been thrown in jail, awaiting the new magistrate to handle.
As for Mongolian Envoy who stayed behind because he ‘missed the scenery here’, bid his adieu and claim that he missed his brother and shall be returning to Mongolia.
Transporting the treasure back to the Emperor, Li Mo only barely managed to rush back in time for the morning assembly ending and was able to report to the Emperor. Due to Gao Cheng’s help in this mission, as well as having good martial arts despite his young age, the Emperor bestow upon him a seven rank official title and he is to follow Xue Mu the Great General from then on. As for Gao Zheng Ping, the Emperor send physicians to help with his illness but being able to heal or not is another matter.
When Xue Mu head back to the mansion, Liu Qinghuan already had her lunch and is currently lying on her bed. The King of Shrooms Xue Mu brought back has been carefully simmered by the kitchen and is only currently being served right now. Cooling the soup down, Xue Mu walk over to where Liu Qinghuan is and gently call out to her.
” Qing Qing? ”
” Hmm…… ”
She keep her eyes close as she mumbles.
” I already had my medicine…. I’m not drinking it again… ”
Xue Mu laughs and pinch her cheeks.
” How about some soup then? ”
She slowly open her eyes and look at him.
” Ah Mu… ”
Having just woken up, her voice is soft and mushy and Xue Mu loves hearing her call him ‘Ah Mu’. Unable to resist, he leans over and kiss her, before helping her up, leaning her against his chest.
” You’re really a little lazy pig. You’re sleeping when I was away and still sleeping when I’m back. ”
” I’m not always sleeping. ”
She disagrees, pouting, before looking at the bowl of soup in front of her.
” What soup is this, it smells really good. ”
” It’s made from the Shroom King we brought back from the mountain. Try it. ”
Hearing that it’s the Shroom King, Liu Qinghuan look up at Xue Mu.
” I heard this would help increase lifespan. Mother’s health isn’t really great so it’s better to save it for her. ”
Xue Mu hand pause, before smiling.
” Stupid, do you really think a Shroom King could only be made into such a tiny bowl? I already have Liang Cheng deliver one to Mother. ”
” Oh, that’s true. ”
Only then does Liu Qinghuan start sipping. After finishing half a bowl, she looks up at Xue Mu again.
” Ah Mu, this soup taste really great, would you like a try? ”
Xue Mu laughs. This is such a tiny bowl of soup. He don’t even think the entire bowl is enough for her, not to mention him drinking from it. But, since she asked, why not? He lower his head and kiss her.
To Xue Mu, Liu Qinghuan taste sweeter than any Jade Drop Pastry and after lingering on her lips for a long while, till she almost lost strength in holding the bowl, he finally releases her.
” I’m done trying… you can have the rest of the soup. ”
Liu Qinghuan lightly pants, and finish the rest of the soup. Qing Zhi comes up, face flush red as she takes over the empty bowl and hurriedly exit the room.
It seems to her like the wild animal in Marquise is about to break out and devour Madam!!
Xue Mu really want to gulp down Liu Qinghuan. Just by imagining, he knows how delicious his little dumpling must be. But it’s a pity that the little dumpling currently is injured.
” Qing Qing… ”
He gently hug her waist as he whisper into her ear. Recalling what happened the last time he did this, Liu Qinghuan’s ears goes bright red.
But this time, he only calls her name for a few times before releasing her.
” I still need to enter the palace once more later, you can take a nap first. ”
He lowers her onto the bed, walk away for 2 steps, before turning back, giving her a kiss on her forehead.
” Hurry and get better. ”
” ………… ”
Liu Qinghuan ducks into her blanket and close her eyes.
