AMLFS Chapter 67

Chapter 68: Going to Hanzhou

Song Huaixi was tightly embraced by Zhao Fangye’s arms, feeling like he couldn’t breathe.

He patted Zhao Fangye’s hand, frowning slightly, “It’s too tight, I can’t breathe.”

Hearing this, Zhao Fangye loosened his grip a little. He looked down at his face, filled with worry, “Did I hurt Huaixi?”

Shaking his head, Song Huaixi leaned on his shoulder, smiling with his eyes crinkling as he saw Zhao Fangye anxiously checking him over, “It doesn’t hurt.”

Song Huaixi looked up at him; Zhao Fangye’s clear jawline was right in front of him.

Zhao Fangye’s cold, hard features softened quite a bit in the flickering candlelight.

Remembering what he had just said, Song Huaixi grabbed his collar and retorted.

“That’s not allowed, Zhao Fangye. Father and Mother both said that if others are good to me, I must be good to them too.”

“Zhao Fangye, you are so good to me, I must be good to you too.”

Song Huaixi decided to do something for him, and the only thing he could do right now was to return to the Ning Wang Mansion with him.

He repeated it again, “Let’s go back to the Ning Wang Mansion tomorrow, Zhao Fangye.”

“Go back to the Ning Wang Mansion tomorrow?” Zhao Fangye looked down at him.

Song Huaixi had been incredibly comfortable at the Song Mansion these past few days. He hadn’t shown any desire to return to the Ning Wang Mansion.

This was the second time he had mentioned returning to the Ning Wang Mansion, from just now until the present.

Zhao Fangye raised an eyebrow, reaching out to caress his brow bone, “Aren’t you going to keep Song Zigen company?”

“Father is much better now, he doesn’t need me to keep him company.”

Song Huaixi grabbed his wrist to stop his actions, Zhao Fangye’s movements were tickling him, “Let’s go back to the Ning Wang Mansion, so you don’t have to run around everywhere. It’s so tiring.”

Was he being considerate of him?

Zhao Fangye’s lips curved up, a look of tenderness flashing in his eyes. Although he also wanted to return to the Ning Wang Mansion with Song Huaixi.

But for now, it was more appropriate for Song Huaixi to stay at the Song Mansion.

The imperial decree had already been issued, and in two or three days, he would have to set off for Hanzhou to provide disaster relief.

If he returned to the Ning Wang Mansion and left Song Huaixi alone, given Song Huaixi’s personality, he would definitely feel lonely.

This trip for disaster relief was dangerous, and the Chancellor wanted him to take this opportunity to establish prestige among the people, in preparation for seizing power in the future.

Even if the Chancellor hadn’t said it, Zhao Fangye had already intended to do so.

Looking at Song Huaixi in his arms, Zhao Fangye was determined to build a new world for him with his own hands. Those pure, innocent eyes of his should not be tainted by the filth of the world.

Seeing that Zhao Fangye was not speaking, Song Huaixi was still waiting for his reply. He shook his arm, “Okay?”

Zhao Fangye gazed into his dark eyes, not answering.

He didn’t plan to tell Song Huaixi about going to Hanzhou for disaster relief; what he had to do was troublesome and dangerous. He didn’t know when he would return once he left.

Song Huaixi didn’t understand anything, so knowing would only make him worry for nothing. It was better to let him stay at the Song family, where he wouldn’t easily feel lonely with his family’s company.

Zhao Fangye took him to the bed, “Sleep, we’ll discuss this tomorrow.”

Song Huaixi was still a little dazed, and was just about to ask again. Unexpectedly, Zhao Fangye pulled the blanket over them and leaned in to kiss him.

The words in his mouth were silenced by lips and tongue, and Song Huaixi’s thoughts drifted away. He grabbed the front of Zhao Fangye’s clothes and engaged in a lingering, tender kiss with him.

When the kiss ended, Song Huaixi’s cheeks were flushed.

He wanted to continue the previous topic when he saw Zhao Fangye’s slender index finger bend and rest against his lips.

Zhao Fangye interrupted his relentless questioning.

His voice was low and husky, “Huaixi is so energetic tonight. If you can’t sleep, this husband wouldn’t mind doing something else with you.”

Song Huaixi, as if by conditioned reflex, immediately covered his waist and butt, sat up, and moved to the side.

He shook his head like a rattle-drum, hurriedly denying, “No, I’m not energetic.”

Zhao Fangye saw his actions and sat up as well.

His eyes were full of smiles as he looked at him, “Wasn’t it Huaixi who took the initiative that day? Why are you avoiding me like I’m a venomous snake today?”

As he spoke, he pretended to be disappointed, his light-colored eyes fixedly gazing at him, “Huaixi is like this, could it be that you dislike this husband?”

Listening to his words, Song Huaixi covered his butt with a conflicted expression.

He was both shy and flustered. His face couldn’t hide anything, and everything was written on it.

It was true that he said those things that day, but he didn’t know that doing that kind of thing while awake would hurt.

It was also very tiring, and even though he said he was tired, Zhao Fangye still didn’t stop.

After that day, his waist felt like little bugs were crawling on it for several days, like hammers were pounding on it.

Zhao Fangye was too fierce.

Just as he was about to tease him further, a pair of fair hands grabbed Zhao Fangye’s wrist.

Song Huaixi came in front of him, his face incredibly serious.

His pair of dark eyes were filled with nothing but Zhao Fangye, “I don’t dislike you! I won’t dislike you! I like Zhao Fangye the most.”

He hadn’t expected that his words of jest would be taken seriously by Song Huaixi.

To that end, he even explained it to him so earnestly. In that instant, Zhao Fangye only wanted to keep the person in front of him by his side for the rest of his life.

Abruptly closing his eyes, Zhao Fangye restrained the darkness that surged in his heart.

Holding Song Huaixi’s face, he kissed his lips, “I know.”

The next day, Zhao Fangye sat on a carved wooden chair.

Song Zigen, whose spirits were much improved, sat on another carved wooden chair next to him.

“Your Highness is going to Hanzhou? I heard that there’s a plague going on there. Are you going to represent the imperial court for disaster relief?”

“That’s right.”

Hearing Zhao Fangye’s words, Song Zigen put down the teacup in his hand, a little worried.

Hanzhou had a sudden outbreak of riots, and the plague was rampant. The people were living in poverty, and if the disaster victims were not properly appeased, it would easily lead to major problems.

It was just that popular resentment had been accumulating for a long time, and the people sent by the imperial court might not be accepted by the refugees.

Zhao Fangye’s trip was bound to be very dangerous.

Seeing Zhao Fangye’s calm expression, Song Zigen asked, “Then… does Huaixi know about Your Highness going to Hanzhou?”

Zhao Fangye’s expression paused slightly.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said in a calm voice.

“This Prince came today to discuss this matter with Song Zigen. Huaixi doesn’t know. While this Prince is in Hanzhou, let Huaixi stay at the Song Mansion.”

These words hit Song Zigen’s wishes right in the center. He originally wanted to ask what would happen to Song Huaixi after Zhao Fangye left.

He didn’t expect Zhao Fangye to have already thought of it in advance for Song Huaixi.

Zhao Fangye looked at the teacup, his light-colored eyes flickering slightly, “Song Zigen doesn’t need to mention this Prince’s trip to Hanzhou in front of Huaixi. Lest he overthinks.”

“This…”

Song Zigen hesitated for a moment, not immediately agreeing.

He understood Song Huaixi’s personality. Although Song Huaixi was not clever, he was very stubborn. Zhao Fangye’s trip to Hanzhou wouldn’t be a matter of a day or two.

The disaster in Hanzhou was serious, and it would take at least three or four months to properly deal with it. Not to mention the time it would take to travel.

Song Huaixi was currently inseparable from Zhao Fangye. How could he hide it from him when he was gone for so long?

Seeing his hesitation, Zhao Fangye looked at him, understanding his difficulty, “Song Zigen only needs to do his best to appease him, and this Prince will return as soon as possible.”

Song Zigen thought for a while and still said, “Your Highness, Huaixi has a stubborn nature. Rather than us telling Huaixi the truth later, it would be better for Your Highness to personally tell Huaixi now.”

“After all, sometimes our arbitrary decisions may not be good in the eyes of the person involved.”