AMLFS Chapter 66

Chapter 67: Your Existence is a Blessing

Chapter 67: Your Existence is a Blessing

Song Zigen’s health gradually improved after Ouyang Tongji’s treatment.

Song Huaixi had been living in the Song Mansion for some time now. Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district had not mentioned returning to the Ning Wang Mansion.

One day, after Zhao Fangye went to court,

Song Huaixi, with nothing to do, went to Lin Rugui’s courtyard to talk to her.

Seeing him come, Lin Rugui, who was embroidering, sat on a stool and said, “Huaixi, you’re here? Have you had breakfast?”

“I have, mother,” Song Huaixi said intimately as he sat beside her.

Seeing him acting spoiled, Lin Rugui put the embroidery aside.

Touching his head, she jokingly teased him with a smile, “Only when the Prince goes to court do you come to me to be clingy. Usually, you’re always clinging to the Prince.”

Teased by his mother, Song Huaixi’s face flushed as he leaned on her lap, but he didn’t deny it.

Seeing him like this, Lin Rugui felt very comforted.

Stroking her youngest son’s head, although Lin Rugui felt reluctant, she still said seriously, “Huaixi, you should return to the Ning Wang Mansion with the Prince tomorrow.”

“Why?” Hearing this, Song Huaixi immediately raised his head, his face replaced with confusion.

Returning to the Song Mansion and being with his parents, older brother, and sister-in-law, Song Huaixi felt very at ease and happy.

But why did his mother want him to go back?

“Doesn’t mother like me being at home?” Getting up from Lin Rugui’s lap, Song Huaixi looked at her with a hint of disappointment in his eyes and tone, “But I want to stay at home with you.”

“Huaixi, your mother is also reluctant to let you go. But you are, after all, the Ning Wang Consort now. Staying in your maiden home all the time doesn’t look good, does it?”

Seeing him like this, Lin Rugui held his hand and explained, “The Prince has started attending court again, and he’s tied up with official duties, making it inconvenient for him to travel back and forth. The back-and-forth travel is tiring. The Prince has been thinking of you and worried about your father, so he stayed with you at home for so long. You should also be considerate of the Prince.”

Song Huaixi thought for a moment. It seemed that was the case. Zhao Fangye was very busy, running between the Song Mansion, the Imperial Palace, and the military camp every day.

Sometimes Deputy General Sun Shu would send many documents over. These past few days, Song Huaixi would wake up in the middle of the night and see Zhao Fangye’s back as he was dealing with documents by candlelight.

Seeing that he was moved, Lin Rugui continued, “Your father is slowly recovering now, so Huaixi, don’t worry. Go and tell the Prince to return to the Ning Wang Mansion tomorrow. Don’t be so ignorant.”

Nodding, Song Huaixi was still reluctant, but he still said softly, “Understood.”

“Good child,” Lin Rugui said, relieved as she touched his head. “Also, Zhang Wenwen will not be returning with you.”

Song Huaixi and Zhao Fangye were deeply in love now. It wouldn’t be good to have Zhang Wenwen, an old servant of the Song Mansion, by his side.

In the beginning, she was sent to advise Song Huaixi and prevent him from offending the Prince. Now, there was no need for that.

Everyone in the Song family had seen how Zhao Fangye treated Song Huaixi.

In the evening, Zhao Fangye finished his work and came back slightly earlier.

He saw Song Huaixi sitting by the bed, not yet asleep, playing with the small bells on the bed curtains.

The warm yellow candlelight shone on his fair face, and his long, curly eyelashes cast a fan-shaped shadow on his cheeks. He was lost in thought, quiet and well-behaved.

Zhao Fangye’s exhaustion from the day completely dissipated the moment he saw Song Huaixi.

Taking off his outer robe and rolling up his sleeves, he walked over and hugged him, “What are you thinking about, Huaixi? So engrossed?”

Zhao Fangye’s embrace still carried the coolness from outside. Song Huaixi immediately came back to his senses.

Reaching out to hug his neck, his voice was soft and cheerful, “You’re back!”

Leaning down and gently pecking his lips, Zhao Fangye wrapped his arms around his waist and rested his head on his shoulder, “Did you miss your husband?”

“I did!”

Song Huaixi almost unhesitatingly turned to look at him, his eyes shining brightly, filled with Zhao Fangye’s reflection.

Zhao Fangye’s heart stirred at his gaze. He turned his head and kissed his fair, slender neck, and whispered, “Good.”

These past few days at court, the Crown Prince’s faction had caused him a lot of trouble.

Hanzhou was suddenly hit by floods, and the court was appointing officials to provide disaster relief. The emperor, at the suggestion of the Censor-in-chief and the Crown Prince’s supporters, threw this mess to Zhao Fangye.

The flood-stricken area in Hanzhou was vast. The flood had left the people homeless, and after the flood, plagues were rampant. The situation was critical, but the local officials were doing nothing.

For a time, the people were resentful and began to distrust the emperor’s rule. Coupled with the previous national treasury deficit and increased taxes,

the people’s lives were already difficult, and now they were suffering this disaster. Many refugees gradually incited riots.

Large groups of victims gathered and roamed around, spreading the plague to the surrounding areas. The consequences would be unimaginable if this continued.

The court needed someone representing the imperial authority to go and appease the people, but Hanzhou was dangerous, and no one was willing to risk their lives. They were all making excuses.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince’s faction would naturally not let go of such a good opportunity.

Now that the Crown Prince was under house arrest, the emperor had not yet said when he would release him. At present, the only suitable person in the court was the Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district.

They couldn’t wait for Zhao Fangye to get sick and die in Hanzhou. They immediately suggested to the emperor that the Prince of the Ning district go to Hanzhou to provide disaster relief.

The emperor, of course, would not refuse. No matter how you looked at it, this was a beneficial thing for him.

If Zhao Fangye could stop the riots and appease the people, that would be great. If he died in Hanzhou, that would be even more pleasing to him.

Thinking of the matters in the court, Zhao Fangye’s eyes were cold. The body in his arms was soft and warm.

Zhao Fangye hugged him, and his expression softened. He didn’t tell him about going to Hanzhou.

“I’ve been busy with work these past few days and haven’t had time to spend with Huaixi. How about I take you on a spring outing when the weather gets warmer?”

“Okay!”

Song Huaixi was immediately happy when he heard that. But thinking of what his mother had said today, he shook his head, “Zhao Fangye, are you very tired? Then I don’t want to go on a spring outing.”

His heart felt as if it was suddenly wrapped in a warm current. Zhao Fangye was stunned.

Holding him tighter, he smelled the warm fragrance on his body and said in a low voice, “How could I be tired when I’m with Huaixi?”

“Really?”

Song Huaixi turned around and cupped Zhao Fangye’s handsome face, noticing the faint dark circles under his eyes.

Feeling a little distressed, Song Huaixi held his face and said seriously, “But you look very tired, Zhao Fangye. Is there anything I can do to make you less tired? Let’s go back to the Ning Wang Mansion so you won’t be so tired.”

He continued, “When we return to the Ning Wang Mansion, I can pour you tea, feed you, and help you put on your clothes, okay?”

These were all things that Zhao Fangye usually did for him.

Today, Lin Rugui’s words made Song Huaixi inadvertently think of some things.

It seemed that Zhao Fangye had always been taking care of him and accommodating him. But it seemed that he hadn’t been of much help to Zhao Fangye.

He also wanted to do something for Zhao Fangye.

Hearing that he was going to pour tea and water for him, Zhao Fangye chuckled.

But he felt incomparably comforted in his heart. No matter how dirty, disgusting, cold, or cruel he was on the outside, when he turned around, there was always a warm place to rest.

It allowed him to come back to life once again when he was exhausted and full of disappointment.

Zhao Fangye held him tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to embed him in his heart.

“No need, Huaixi doesn’t need to do anything for me. Your existence is a blessing.”