AMLFS Chapter 59

Chapter 59: You Said It Yourself

Entering Song Zigen’s courtyard, it wasn’t large. It couldn’t even compare to a side hall in the Ning Wang Mansion.

Many officials in the capital with ranks lower than Song Zigen had residences that were much more luxurious and elaborate. Although this courtyard wasn’t big, it was very elegant.

One could tell that the owner had meticulously cared for it.

Bearing the same scholarly demeanor as Song Zigen, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district looked around. One could tell from his residence that Song Zigen was a beacon of integrity in the court.

Unfortunately, these days officials were abusing their power and treacherous ministers were in charge.

In the corrupt officialdom, how could he maintain his integrity? If he had been willing to conform, he wouldn’t have just a mere Minister position.

And still live in this inconspicuous house in the corner of the capital.

Entering the house, the aroma of medicine permeated the air.

Lin Rugui sat on a low stool beside the bed, feeding Song Zigen medicine, while Zhao Qiongwan stood by, holding a cup of mouth-rinsing tea.

As soon as Song Huaixi entered, he ran to Song Zigen. Looking at Song Zigen’s pale and weak face on the bed, he immediately burst into tears.

“Father… Father… Dad… don’t be sick… your face looks so bad… does it hurt?… Waa… I don’t want Father to hurt…”

He sobbed as he leaned on Song Zigen, his voice intermittent.

He felt a pang of sorrow.

In his memory, Song Zigen had always been kind and refined, speaking in a slow and measured tone. Even if he was slow-witted, his father wouldn’t scold him.

He would only hug him and say that he was a Bodhi seed before the Buddha, and it was his good fortune to not understand the mundane world.

This doting, compassionate father. Now, his cheeks were sunken, and his eyes were dull. Where was his former refined demeanor?

Everyone in the room watched Song Huaixi wail on Song Zigen. Lin Rugui felt sad and turned away, secretly wiping her tears.

Song Lianyu took the things from Zhao Qiongwan’s hands, glanced at Lin Rugui, and said softly, “Qiongwan, Mother shouldn’t be upset.”

“Yes.” Zhao Qiongwan nodded, stood beside Lin Rugui, held her wrist, and comforted her: “Mother, now that Huaixi is back, you can’t hide Father’s illness from him anymore.”

Lin Rugui stopped crying and nodded.

Song Zigen looked at his youngest son with a smile in his eyes, raised his hand, and stroked his head: “Huaixi is back? Why are you crying as soon as you see Father? Little crybaby, don’t cry. Father likes Huaixi to smile.”

“Waa… Waa…” Song Huaixi looked up at his now gaunt face, feeling very sad: “Father, you’ve become ugly… Waa…”

After saying that, he choked up and wanted to cry again.

“Hahahaha.”

Song Zigen rarely felt so energetic after hearing this and touched his somewhat sunken cheeks.

He jokingly said, “Alas, Father is indeed a little ugly. Huaixi, don’t dislike me.”

Song Huaixi was amused by him and laughed. His face was still covered with tears.

Song Zigen’s eyebrows relaxed, and he pinched his nose: “That’s right, Huaixi looks good when he smiles.”

The somber atmosphere in the room livened up because of their conversation.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district stood aside, seemingly out of place in the room. Song Huaixi’s conversation with Song Zigen sounded very unfamiliar to his ears.

Slightly distracted, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district looked at the two of them. So, the relationship between father and son didn’t have to be tense, a deadly struggle.

Could it really be so intimate and warm?

The Song family’s atmosphere surprised Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district. At the same time, he also felt a sense of envy.

Like a dark tick, he had mistakenly entered a land filled with sunshine. His heart felt like it was being roasted on the scorching earth.

Making crackling, mournful sounds.

The reason why Song Huaixi attracted him so much was because he possessed something that he couldn’t obtain in his entire life.

Song Huaixi accompanied Song Zigen for a while, and it was almost noon.

Lin Rugui prepared a table full of dishes. Ever since Song Huaixi came back, the gloomy atmosphere in the house had improved a lot.

There were some good dishes on the table. Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district glanced at them. His gaze lingered on a light yellow pastry.

Noticing Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s gaze, Lin Rugui hurriedly said, “I don’t know what Your Highness likes to eat. Huaixi said that Your Highness likes to eat water chestnut cake. Please try it to see if it suits your taste.”

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s heart stirred. He didn’t expect Song Huaixi to value his casual remark so much.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district nodded slightly: “Madam Lin is too kind.”

“Not at all.” Lin Rugui quickly said: “I only hope that Your Highness doesn’t find it distasteful.”

Song Huaixi picked up a piece of water chestnut cake and placed it in Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s bowl, his tone expectant: “This is made by my mother. Our family’s cook can’t make water chestnut cake. My mother was afraid that you wouldn’t be used to it, so she made it specially!”

“Hey! Huaixi!”

Song Huaixi said everything in one breath, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

Lin Rugui couldn’t stop him in time.

Staring at the light yellow water chestnut cake in the bowl, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district was moved. Something deep in his heart was touched. The emotions that had been sealed in the originally dark and cold corner were melted by this warmth.

He had never been treated so meticulously before. His parents loathed him, feared him, his maternal grandfather used him, his enemies hated him, and his subordinates feared and respected him.

On the contrary, in the Song family, he experienced emotions that he had never experienced in his life.

It was warm and delicate.

Seeing that he was silent, Lin Rugui thought that he didn’t like it. She quickly explained.

“Your Highness, water chestnut cake is a common food in my hometown. Although it’s not as exquisite as the ones in the palace, it has its own unique flavor. If Your Highness doesn’t like it, I’ll have someone take it away immediately.”

“Someone…”

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district raised his hand to stop her: “No need.”

He took a bite of the water chestnut cake, which was clearly ordinary and unremarkable. However, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district tasted the flavor of that piece that two young boys shared back then.

The two overlapped, and some of the things that had dissipated in his heart slowly gathered together.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district raised his light-colored eyes and looked at Lin Rugui: “It tastes very good, thank you, Mother.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone at the table looked sideways. This was the first time Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district had called Lin Rugui “Mother.”

Lin Rugui’s face immediately filled with smiles, and she quickly said, “Your Highness is too polite, eat. Eat quickly.”

After the meal, the Song family became much closer to Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district.

In the evening, Song Huaixi stayed at the Song Mansion, unwilling to leave. He said that he wanted to stay and accompany Song Zigen.

“Then, how about I come to pick you up in a few days?”

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district asked.

“Not how….”

Song Huaixi replied.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district sat on the stool in Song Huaixi’s room, holding him in his arms.

Song Huaixi lowered his head. He seemed a little unhappy.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district leaned closer and tilted his head to look at his expression: “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want you to leave…” Song Huaixi tugged at his sleeve, his eyes full of reluctance.

They had been so close and intimate for the past few days. The thought of sleeping alone made Song Huaixi unhappy.

He had gotten used to Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s embrace.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district had no choice but to agree to stay at the Song Mansion with Song Huaixi for a few days.

At night.

Song Huaixi lay on his bed, rolling back and forth a few times.

It had been a long time since he had slept in his own room. Everything he saw was familiar to him.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district washed up and stood in front of the bed, taking off his clothes. Song Huaixi stared unblinkingly at his exposed skin.

His gaze lingered on his tight waistline. Song Huaixi knew very well the explosiveness there. His body heated up, and he couldn’t help but gulp secretly.

Noticing his scrutiny, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district didn’t even put on his undershirt. He went to the bed naked and circled Huaixi under him.

His voice was low and sexy, his light-colored eyes staring intently at him. “What are you looking at? Little glutton?”

Seeing his handsome face so close, Song Huaixi’s face turned hot. He pulled up the quilt to cover his face.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district immediately stopped him, lowered his head, and kissed his lips. At the same time, he guided his hand to his waist.

The atmosphere between the bed curtains immediately became romantic. Song Huaixi had matured and naturally knew the taste of pleasure. He hugged Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s neck and moaned softly, his desire undisguised.

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district knew what he meant, propped himself up on the bed, pulled away, and his light-colored eyes were restrained: “Be good, your injuries haven’t healed yet.”

But Song Huaixi was persistent, pestering him: “It’s healed, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“You said it yourself.”

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s eyes suddenly darkened, and he reached out to pull the bed curtains. The bed immediately became dimly lit.