AMLFS Chapter 114
by VolareChapter 115: Exhaustion
Chapter 115: Exhaustion
It would be a lie to say he wasn’t tired after traveling all this way. The scent of sandalwood burning in the bedchamber drilled straight into Song Huaixi’s nose. The peaceful aroma made him feel drowsy.
Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district sat on the edge of the bed, half-embracing him. Song Huaixi was drowsy, his dull, round eyes brimming with moisture, his long, raven-feather lashes fluttering.
Song Huaixi was reluctant to close his eyes, clutching Zhao Fangye’s sleeve as if he still had much to say.
“If you’re sleepy, just sleep for a while. Why force yourself to stay awake?” Zhao Fangye lowered his eyelashes, watching his eyelids flutter shut, a hint of a smile in his pale eyes.
Hearing this, Song Huaixi still refused to fall into the sea of sleep. Zhao Fangye’s sudden departure last time had planted a seed of fear in his heart.
He was afraid that if he closed his eyes this time, he wouldn’t see Zhao Fangye when he woke up.
Seeing Song Huaixi clutching his sleeve tightly, Zhao Fangye understood somewhat. Knowing what he was worried about, he lowered his head and placed a kiss on his smooth, fair forehead.
“Don’t be afraid, Huaixi. We’ll never be separated again from now on.”
Hearing this promise, Song Huaixi finally calmed down, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep. Zhao Fangye gently removed his hand from the sleeve and tucked him in with a silk quilt.
Seeing that he was sleeping soundly, Zhao Fangye left the bedchamber and said to the serving palace staff, “All of you wait outside and don’t wake him.”
“Yes.”
These past few days had been spent in the carriage. Now that his body was on the soft bed, Song Huaixi slept from afternoon until dusk.
Upon waking up, Song Huaixi lazily yawned, feeling very refreshed. The palace staff outside had been paying close attention and rushed in as soon as they heard movement.
“Does Your Majesty the Empress wish to change clothes?” A maid stood by the bed respectfully.
His voice still carried the languidness of just waking up: “Yes.”
The maid picked up the clothes beside her and lowered her eyes to dress him.
He was used to Chun Hua and Zhao Lu serving him, and he felt a little uncomfortable with this new person. Halfway through getting dressed, Song Huaixi said, “I can do it myself.”
Hearing this, the maid obediently stepped aside.
After getting dressed, Song Huaixi realized he was hungry. He turned to look at the window lattice with its exquisite carvings. The evening glow outside shone red on the lattice, like a lit orange lantern.
“Did I sleep for so long?” Song Huaixi wondered, turning to look at the maid beside him: “Where is Zhao Fangye? When will he be back?”
“Your… Your Majesty,” the maid stumbled, startled by his direct use of the Son of Heaven’s name. “His Majesty should be in the Imperial Study right now. This servant is not sure when His Majesty will return.”
“Oh, alright.” Song Huaixi added, “Then take me to the Imperial Study.”
He wanted to have a meal with Zhao Fangye.
Following the maid to the Imperial Study, it was only a short walk, and they arrived quickly. Zhao Fangye hadn’t lied to him; his bedchamber was indeed very close to Zhao Fangye’s.
The maid led Song Huaixi to the door and stopped. Without the emperor’s permission, no one was allowed to enter the Imperial Study. But Song Huaixi went straight up and pushed the door open, stepping inside.
“Zhao Fangye…”
The circle of servants and guards surrounding the Imperial Study were shocked to hear the noise. They never imagined that Her Majesty the Empress would be so bold and disregard the rules before the Emperor.
Once inside, Song Huaixi looked around. The Imperial Study was very spacious. Several tall, carved bookshelves stood around the room, filled with countless books.
In the center of the Imperial Study was a large desk, piled high with memorials. And Zhao Fangye’s figure in bright yellow robes was among them.
Hearing the sound, Zhao Fangye put down his brush. He watched Song Huaixi run toward him.
“Are you awake?”
Zhao Fangye leaned back in his chair, waiting for him to come over, his tone unconsciously carrying affection.
“Yes.”
Song Huaixi walked around the large desk and ran up to him: “Zhao Fangye, I’m hungry. What about the iced rice wine you promised me this afternoon?”
Zhao Fangye chuckled, reaching out to pull him into his arms and let him sit on his lap: “Does your mouth still hurt? Let me see.”
As he spoke, he pinched his pointed chin and leaned closer. Those round, full lips had now returned to normal, neither swollen nor congested.
“It doesn’t hurt…” Noticing that there were other people in the room, Song Huaixi’s ear tips turned hot. He pushed against Zhao Fangye’s hand.
Zhao Fangye’s gaze fell on his shy face. Knowing that he was easily embarrassed, he backed away and asked, “What does Huaixi want to eat? The cooks in the palace are quite skilled.”
“Um…” Song Huaixi thought for a moment. There wasn’t anything in particular he wanted to eat, so he said, “Anything is fine, but I want to eat iced rice wine now.”
“Always wanting something cold.” Zhao Fangye smiled at him, turning his head to instruct the eunuch beside him: “Have the imperial kitchen prepare some refreshing dishes, not too greasy. First, bring a bowl of iced rice wine, not too sweet, and add some seasonal fruits. All of you may leave.”
Zhao Fangye knew Song Huaixi’s dietary habits very well. He knew that he didn’t like meat or sweets. When he first came to the Ning Wang Mansion, Zhao Fangye knew that he was a picky eater.
After only the two of them were left in the hall, Song Huaixi was no longer shy. He leaned in his arms and looked at the memorials piled up like a small mountain on the desk, saying, “That’s a lot! Are you very busy, Zhao Fangye?”
When they were at the Ning Wang Mansion, Zhao Fangye was very busy, and his study was filled with letters. But now that Zhao Fangye was the emperor, Song Huaixi felt that he was even busier than when he was at the Ning Wang Mansion.
Hearing this, Zhao Fangye wrapped his arms around him and buried his face in his neck. The warm fragrance of Song Huaixi lingered in his nose. His voice was low and weary: “Very busy, Huaixi.”
As the ruler of a country, he had to shoulder the responsibility for the people of the world. Corruption was rampant in the court, and the people were living in poverty.
The most urgent task was to stabilize the country. The mess left by his predecessors now fell on Zhao Fangye’s shoulders. Whether it was the court or the local areas, there were big and small matters waiting for Zhao Fangye’s decision.
Each and every one of them was extremely exhausting, and even Zhao Fangye had been extremely tired for the past half month.
Noticing the exhaustion of the person beside him, Song Huaixi turned sideways in his arms, gently wrapping his arms around his waist and patting him lightly on the back: “It’s okay, Zhao Fangye. I will always be with you. Mother said that if you are tired, you should rest well. It’s okay.”
Song Huaixi’s voice was clear and soft, like a gently flowing stream of water pouring into Zhao Fangye’s tired heart.
A maid’s voice came from the door: “Your Majesty, the imperial kitchen has prepared the iced rice wine. Should it be brought in now?”
Zhao Fangye raised his head, concealing his exhaustion. He said lightly to the door, “Come in.”
The maid put down the things and hurried out again.
Song Huaixi’s eyes lit up when he saw the rice wine. He picked up the bowl and eagerly took a bite. The sweet and sour rice wine wrapped in sweet fruit was ice-cold and refreshing.
His eyes narrowed from the cold, and Song Huaixi chewed as he scooped up a spoonful and handed it to Zhao Fangye: “It’s so delicious, try it.”
Taking a bite from his hand, coolness spread through his mouth. Zhao Fangye pecked his lips and reminded him, “Don’t eat too much; it’s cold and hurts the stomach.”
“Mmm…” Song Huaixi was stunned by the kiss and pursed his lips. Although he was reluctant, he still obediently replied, “I know, I’ll only eat half a bowl.”
The remaining half a bowl went into Zhao Fangye’s stomach.