The day of the Emperor's return to the capital was set for December 23rd.
With only three days left, Song Zhao began to make preparations in advance.
On this day, while Xiao Fuzi was tidying up the qin box in the inner chamber, a jade tassel accidentally fell out.
Yun Shan, who was arranging clothes, noticed the commotion and glanced over. Seeing the jade tassel on the ground, she quickly put down her work and rushed over. "Oh! Why are you always so clumsy?"
She hurriedly picked up the jade tassel and blew on it, making sure it was undamaged before finally heaving a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness it's not damaged. If it were, you would have been in trouble, young master!"
Xiao Fuzi looked at the seemingly ordinary jade tassel, which wouldn't attract much attention even if it were thrown into Song Zhao's jewelry drawer, and asked, "Is this jade tassel very important to the young master? It looks like an ordinary trinket."
"What do you know?" Yun Shan rolled her eyes at Xiao Fuzi. "It was a gift from Sister Tong to the young master, so it's precious to him."
"Sister Tong? I've never heard of her."
Yun Shan carefully put away the jade tassel and explained, "She's the daughter of Lord Tong from Jiangdu. Lord Tong and our master were very close friends. When our master used to return to the capital for official business, he often stayed at our mansion. But you were already sent to the palace back then, so you wouldn't know. At that time, Madam Bai had just passed away, and the lady of the house treated the young master poorly, often beating and scolding him."
"During that time, Sister Tong happened to be staying at our mansion. When she saw this, she asked the young master to live with her, and they spent their days and nights together, so no one could bully the young master anymore. Sister Tong comes to the capital every spring and stays at our mansion for a while. The young master always looks forward to it."
"The young master has had such a close friend since childhood. The things she gives him are naturally treasured by him."
"Lord Tong from Jiangdu? Isn't he the Admiral of the Navy?" Xiao Fuzi scratched his head. "I heard he only has one daughter, so she should be entering the palace along with the young master. Why isn't she here?"
Yun Shan shook her head. "Who knows? If we go by the rules, it should have been the young lady entering the palace this time, but in the end, it was the young master who went instead. Anyway, stop talking about it and let's finish getting things ready. Let's not discuss matters concerning the master."
The two of them quickly and efficiently tidied up the things outside.
Suddenly, Xiao Fuzi remembered something and asked, "By the way, why didn't you accompany the young master to Bitong Academy today to have lunch with the Emperor?"
"Guess why?" Yun Shan playfully circled around Xiao Fuzi and suddenly pulled out a brand new plain handkerchief from her sleeve, waving it in front of Xiao Fuzi's eyes. "Here, it's for you!"
Xiao Fuzi blankly took the handkerchief, noticing the embroidered pattern of bamboo, symbolizing safety and peace. He was pleasantly surprised. "Is this... your handiwork?"
"You've got a good eye! Do you like it?" Yun Shan proudly raised her chin at him. "You better keep it safe. Besides the young master, I haven't given embroidered patterns to anyone else yet!"
Xiao Fuzi hurriedly tucked the handkerchief close to his body, tucking it into his clothes. As he did so, he felt his own chest, and his heartbeat was... really intense.
Yun Shan said, "I've finished tidying up here. You go to the waiting room, and I'll prepare a couple of small dishes. The Young Mistress asked Doctor Zhang and remembered that today is your birthday. When the Young Mistress returns, she has good news for you. You can secretly celebrate."
After saying that, she hummed a little tune and happily went into the small kitchen.
Xiao Fuzi watched her joyful figure as she left, and suddenly a warm feeling surged in his heart, causing tears to well up in his eyes.
Being a servant for so long, being humiliated, squeezed, and scolded were all commonplace.
Before he met Song Zhao, he couldn't even have a decent meal, let alone celebrate his birthday.
Over the years, he had long forgotten what day his birthday was.
But Song Zhao remembered for him.
His nose tingled, and he wiped away the tears. In his heart, he silently vowed:
In the future, he must serve Song Zhao even better. Even if it meant sacrificing his life, he would protect her and take care of her for the rest of her life.
*
On one side, Yun Shan and Xiao Fuzi's small kitchen was bustling,
On the other side, inside the Bitong Academy, Song Zhao and Xiao Jingheng enjoyed their lunch with relish.
Xiao Jingheng's love for Song Zhao gradually manifested through the small details of their daily interactions.
He didn't like seafood and always disliked its fishy smell.
But knowing that Song Zhao liked it, today's lunch included stir-fried prawns, braised bird's nest with wings, and steamed dragon grouper, none of which were left out.
At this moment, he even peeled the prawn shells and removed the prawn veins, then handed the delicious and plump prawn meat to Song Zhao's lips.
As Song Zhao lightly bit into the prawn meat, she intentionally pressed her lips against Xiao Jingheng's fingertips.
Xiao Jingheng saw her seductive eyes, every frown and smile making it impossible for him to resist falling into a state of intoxication. His desire grew even stronger.
He had been fascinated by many women before,
But there had never been a woman who could captivate him for so long.
Only Song Zhao was the exception.
His thumb traced the corner of Song Zhao's lips, gently caressing, and smiled at her with sparkling eyes.
Song Zhao felt a bit rude and hurriedly said, "Did I make a fool of myself?"
She thought there was oil stain on the corner of her lips and immediately took out a handkerchief to wipe it away.
But Xiao Jingheng stopped her, saying, "Enjoy your meal in peace. I like seeing you as a lovely cat, very charming."
"Your Majesty, are you teasing me again..."
Later, when they had nearly finished their lunch, the two of them strolled hand in hand in the courtyard. Xiao Jingheng said to her,
"For your promotion, because we're in the countryside, we can only keep it simple. But once we return to the palace, I won't skimp on the rewards you deserve. They will only increase, not decrease."
"Your Majesty, I..."
"I know that what you desire is not these material things, but giving them to you is my heartfelt intention. You must not refuse."
Song Zhao smiled playfully, "Who said I would refuse? I am naturally greedy. I still feel that those material things are not enough. I want to ask Your Majesty for another favor."
Xiao Jingheng's tone slightly rose, "Oh? Do tell."
"Darling...," Xiao Jingheng suddenly stopped in his tracks. He tiptoed and leaned close to Song Zhao's ear, exhaling a gentle fragrance of orchids. In an instant, a sweet kiss landed on Xiao Jingheng's right cheek.
"I have obtained the favor I desired, thanks to His Majesty," she whispered.
Though inherently beautiful, in the warm afternoon sunlight, Song Zhao smiled like a mischievous child.
Xiao Jingheng laughed openly and effortlessly embraced the beauty, holding her chin firmly. His voice, low and hoarse, murmured, "Did you read the book I gave you last time?"
Upon hearing his words, Song Zhao blushed deeply, her cheeks burning.
A few days ago, Xiao Jingheng had given her a book, but it was "Fragrant Shadows in the Warm Bed." The illustrations depicted amorous encounters between men and women.
"Oh, Your Majesty," Song Zhao playfully pouted and lightly slapped Xiao Jingheng's chest, "When you sent the book, you deliberately folded a page. Were you specifically asking me to examine it closely?"
"Hahaha, my intelligent consort, who prides herself on being well-read and knowledgeable, should naturally be perceptive and learn independently."
Xiao Jingheng nodded approvingly, leaning closer to her, his nose touching her delicate neck. His scorching breath filled the air, causing Song Zhao's body to tremble slightly.
"So tonight, I may test your knowledge and see how much you have learned."
