AMLFS Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Emperor Sends a Treasure

Chapter 2: The Emperor Sends a Treasure

Zhao Fangye woke up close to Yin Shi (3-5 AM), and looked down at Song Huaixi, who was nestled in his arms.

The pressure point seal had automatically released after the allotted time.

He was a very restless sleeper, clinging to him like an octopus.

Seemingly sensitive to the cold, he had buried his head under the covers, revealing only his eyes and fluffy hair, his cheeks flushed red from sleep.

Zhao Fangye frowned, pulled off his limbs, and, lifting the covers, got out of bed, dressing himself.

Losing his source of warmth, Song Huaixi groggily opened his eyes, seeing only a blurry figure.

Without thinking much, he mumbled something, wrapped himself in the blanket, and turned over to continue sleeping.

Zhao Fangye glanced at the bed, finished dressing, and went to the courtyard to practice swordsmanship.

Today, they were to go to the Imperial Palace to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress. As it was still early, Zhao Fangye did not wake him.

When he returned, Song Huaixi had already been woken up. He was dressed in court attire for the audience, letting the maids behind him comb his hair.

As Zhao Fangye’s male consort, the maids followed protocol and placed a woman’s crown on his head.

The crown was crafted from gold, with an inner lining of fine silk.

At its center was a gently glowing South Sea pearl, surrounded by blue gemstones. It was decorated with delicate patterns embroidered with fine silver threads and white jade beads.

The crown was also adorned with jadeite, and two ribbons embroidered with exquisite flower and bird patterns, also decorated with white jade beads, hung down the back of his head.

The moment the crown was placed on his head, Song Huaixi felt as if he were wearing a flowerpot.

He felt like his neck was about to break.

“Sisters, can I not wear this? It’s so heavy, Huaixi’s neck is about to break.”

Song Huaixi grimaced in distress, consulting with the maids behind him through the mirror.

“This… Prince Consort, this is against etiquette…” The maid addressed as “sister” immediately blushed.

Song Huaixi was born with a radiant and lovable appearance, his features delicate. It was indeed easy to be soft-hearted when addressed so sweetly.

Hearing that he couldn’t, Song Huaixi sighed, supporting the crown on his head: “It’s so heavy…”

An older woman with a kind face walked up to him: “Prince Consort, just bear with it. You can take it off after you see His Majesty and the Empress. You mustn’t be disrespectful.”

Song Huaixi looked at her with eyes full of reliance: “Will Granny go? Granny can help me hold the crown then.”

Granny Zhang touched his face: “Granny doesn’t have that honor, only the Prince and Prince Consort can go.”

She was Lin Rugui’s dowry servant and had practically watched Song Huaixi grow up.

When Song Huaixi married into the Ning Wang Mansion, Lin Rugui feared he would be mistreated. She specifically asked to come along to take care of Song Huaixi.

Hearing their conversation, Zhao Fangye put down the sword in his hand and said in a faint voice: “If you don’t want to wear it, then don’t. Have the maids tie up your hair.”

It was just seeing the Emperor anyway. He was worried about not knowing how to annoy him.

Hearing this, Song Huaixi’s eyes lit up immediately, looking at him as if he were some great savior.

He immediately took off the crown, saying: “Really? Then I want my hair tied up!”

Being looked at with those eyes, the corners of Zhao Fangye’s lips slightly lifted.

His gloomy mood about having to see the Emperor was somewhat lessened.

“Absolutely not…” Granny Zhang shook her head at Song Huaixi, disapproval in her eyes.

Then, she said to Zhao Fangye: “Your Highness, this is not proper. I’m afraid there will be a breach of etiquette in the Imperial Presence, which would be bad for you and the Prince Consort…”

Zhao Fangye pursed his lips and said nothing, walking to the table to sit down and take a sip of tea.

He had no fear of the Emperor charging him with disrespect. But Song Huaixi was innocent, and he was afraid they would seize on Song Huaixi’s flaws.

Although Song Huaixi was not clever, his animal-like intuition made him sense the change in the atmosphere in the room.

So, he put the crown back on his head and said with a smile to Zhao Fangye: “It’s not that heavy, really! Huaixi can handle it!”

Granny Zhang looked at him with gratification and secretly sighed in her heart. In truth, their young master was not foolish at all.

Hearing this, Zhao Fangye raised an eyebrow and looked at him, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Song Huaixi’s pair of dark eyes were curved like crescents, his long eyelashes curled. At that moment, he looked like a little puppy who hadn’t grown up yet.

Zhao Fangye’s light-colored eyes stared at him, and he suddenly felt that this little fool was quite interesting.

In the carriage, Song Huaixi and Zhao Fangye sat together.

Neither of them spoke.

Song Huaixi supported the crown on his head with his hand, leaning against the carriage, his eyebrows furrowed like two intersecting centipedes.

“Um… how much longer until we get there…”

This crown was really heavy. He couldn’t understand how anyone could wear this on their head.

Zhao Fangye leaned against the soft cushion, closing his eyes to rest, and did not answer. However, the adjutant driving in front heard him and leaned in to say: “Prince Consort, it will still be a while before we reach the palace gates.”

“I see, thank you, Big Brother.”

“No, no, Prince Consort, you’re too kind!!”

Being called “Big Brother” made cold sweat pour down his back. He couldn’t possibly accept that.

Song Huaixi endured it for a while but still couldn’t help it. He tugged on Zhao Fangye’s sleeve: “Are you asleep? Don’t sleep, wake up.”

Zhao Fangye opened his eyes and glanced at him faintly. No one had ever dared to speak to him in such a tone.

Seeing that he had opened his eyes, Song Huaixi pointed to the crown on his head and said softly: “Can I take this off my head?”

“As you wish.” Zhao Fangye said, his tone still gentle: “Since you didn’t want to wear it, why did you put it back on just now?”

Song Huaixi took off the crown as he said seriously: “I can’t embarrass you, and I can’t trouble you. Granny said Huaixi has to behave well in the Imperial Palace.”

It was actually for his sake?

Zhao Fangye’s originally calm eyes rippled slightly at his words, and the corners of his lips curved up: “You are obedient.”

Song Huaixi was still struggling with the crown, not knowing how the maids had put it on for him. He couldn’t manage to take it off himself.

The comical look of him frowning and struggling fell into Zhao Fangye’s eyes, causing him to unconsciously smile.

“Come here.” Zhao Fangye leaned closer to him, pulled him over, and held him in his arms. He reached out to undo the hairpins on his head: “Truly a fool.”

Song Huaixi was buried in his chest, and a muffled voice of disapproval came out: “Huaixi isn’t a little fool. If you say that again, I’m going to be angry.”

“What if you’re angry?” Zhao Fangye was amused and teased him.

“Angry… angry…” He really couldn’t find anything that could threaten Zhao Fangye. After a while, he said: “If I’m angry, I won’t pay attention to you.”

“Oh?” Zhao Fangye took off the crown for him and threw it aside, saying nonchalantly: “Is that so.”

Rubbing his head, which had been sore from being constricted, Song Huaixi got up from his body and sat up straight. Noticing the contempt in his words: “Really. Don’t you believe me?”

“I believe you, but if you don’t pay attention to me, who will you follow to the Imperial Palace in a while?”

Zhao Fangye looked at him leisurely: “Do you know the way?”

Hearing him say this, Song Huaixi immediately said: “I don’t know, then I’m not angry anymore. This time doesn’t count.”

Zhao Fangye couldn’t help but laugh at his sincere repentance.

He really didn’t know where the Emperor had dug up such a treasure to stuff into the Ning Wang Mansion.

It was interesting to tease him from time to time, but he had no other plans.