Su Muchen was awakened by a wave of soreness.
First came his feet.
The numb ache climbed from the soles of his feet, spreading over his stiff calves and thighs. Every muscle was silently protesting.
Then came his sore, weak lower back, his heavy shoulders. His entire skeleton felt as though it had been dismantled and put back together, releasing signals that he had pushed himself far beyond his limits.
Reminding him of just what kind of ordeal he had gone through last night.
He frowned deeply and did not open his eyes immediately.
Fragments of lingering memories flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
Wind and snow, the heavy first-aid kit, the swaying stretcher, and Xiao Yuan’s steady voice that had been so reassuring.
He could not remember exactly when he had completely lost consciousness. He only knew that this untrained body of his was still protesting.
When he finally slowly lifted his eyelids, the first thing that came into view was the dark canopy above his head.
The canopy over the bed in the Dashing Office was neatly tied back at all four corners with thin cords, leaving a layer of fine, dark-gray gauze hanging down.
Su Muchen could not recall the technical term for this kind of ancient architectural structure. He only felt that after the morning light passed through the gauze, it became an extremely soft, hazy glow, much warmer than the cold white walls of a modern bedroom.
He stared blankly for a moment before his scattered thoughts slowly returned to their proper places.
This was Dasheng, the rear courtyard of the Northern Frontier Office.
Last night, after his strength had completely given out, Xiao Yuan had carried him all the way from the southern courtyard back here.
The moment his mind became half-conscious, he instinctively turned his head slightly.
One look nearly made him cry out in fright on the spot.
Xiao Yuan was actually lying right beside him.
There was only the distance of one person between them.
The man’s long hair was spread across the plain-colored pillow and bedding.
Several strands of frost-streaked white hair were mixed among the ink-black strands, reflecting a thin, snow-like glimmer in the morning light.
The Prince Su had shed the razor-sharp severity he normally carried while asleep, and his features appeared somewhat gentle.
Su Muchen was completely stunned.
Those intermittent fragments of memory that he had automatically ignored last night suddenly reassembled in a tidal wave.
—A steaming bath barrel, and sturdy arms holding him securely.
And the sensation of someone using a rough yet warm dry cloth to patiently wipe him clean from head to toe after lifting him from the bath, before putting dry clothes on him.
He even clearly remembered that when the man was tying the inner garment’s sash for him, those slightly warm fingertips had occasionally brushed against his sensitive skin, sending a shiver through him.
Very light, carrying a deliberate restraint, never crossing the line.
With a loud boom, Su Muchen’s cheeks instantly turned completely red.
He stiffly lowered his head and checked the inner robe and trousers he was wearing, his head buzzing.
That had not been a dream. It had all really happened!
Perhaps sensing the movement beside him, Xiao Yuan’s long lashes trembled lightly before he slowly opened his eyes.
There was no trace of morning confusion in those dark eyes. Instead, they were exceptionally clear, immediately capturing Su Muchen’s face, which was so red it looked ready to give off steam.
The corners of his lips naturally curved into a teasing smile.
“Awake?”
His low voice carried the slight huskiness of someone who had just woken.
Hearing it inexplicably made the atmosphere feel a little ambiguous.
Su Muchen’s throat was dry, and his confused mind did not know which matter to bring up first.
After a long while, he stiffly squeezed out, “…Good morning.”
His voice was equally hoarse.
“Not early. It is already noon.”
Xiao Yuan sat up naturally.
Only then did Su Muchen realize that the other man had already gotten fully dressed at some point.
It was not the black robe he had worn last night, which had been soaked with the cold of the snow, but a brand-new set of everyday clothes. The collar and cuffs were immaculate, with only his long hair still casually falling loose, making him look almost as though he had deliberately stayed by the bed waiting for Su Muchen to wake.
“How is your condition?” Xiao Yuan lowered his eyes and examined him.
“I’m okay. It’s just muscle soreness.”
As he spoke, Su Muchen tried to sit up. However, the moment he moved, the soreness in his waist and abdomen immediately made him frown, and he instinctively supported his lower back.
The mad dash through the snow last night and the emergency treatment had probably amounted to as much exercise as he had gotten over the entire previous year.
Su Muchen finally realized that he really had been far too lacking in exercise normally, which was why he had ended up in such a miserable state.
Xiao Yuan took in the sight of him supporting his lower back with a frown and suddenly said quietly, “In the more than twenty years I have lived, I have never served anyone.”
“…?”
Su Muchen froze.
“You’re the first.”
Those words were practically a spark dropped into boiling oil.
The memories that had still been somewhat blurry were instantly set ablaze.
Although he had been dazed and half-conscious during the latter half of last night, the details he should remember—and those he should not remember—all became vividly clear at this moment.
“…Don’t say anymore.”
Su Muchen covered his face, his voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. He wished he could simply shrink into the blankets, his ears so red they almost seemed ready to bleed.
Xiao Yuan enjoyed his embarrassment briefly and pleasantly, but considerately did not continue teasing him.
He threw back the covers and got out of bed. He walked to the nearby round table, poured a cup of warm water, and handed it over.
Su Muchen accepted it. When his fingertips touched the cup, the temperature was just right.
He lowered his head and used the act of drinking to hide his flustered state, hurriedly asking, “Where’s Xiao?”
Xiao Yuan walked back to the bedside and stopped, looking down at him from above. His handsome brows lifted slightly, and his tone was difficult to decipher.
“You’re on this prince’s bed, and the first person you ask about after waking up is another man?”
Caught off guard, Su Muchen immediately choked on his water.
“Cough… I-I didn’t mean it like that!”
Only then did he suddenly realize, as he looked around at the solemn and dignified furnishings, that this was not the western courtyard at all.
This was Prince Su Xiao Yuan’s main bedroom!
On his very first day in Dasheng, he had actually slept openly in the Prince Su’s own bed, and had even been “served” for the entire night.
There was no telling whether all the servants in the Office had seen it with their own eyes.
Su Muchen rubbed his forehead in despair.
His reputation had been completely ruined on his very first day in Dasheng.
Seeing him like this, Xiao Yuan finally restrained himself and said indifferently, “I went to check on him. He has some fever, but it is still under control. Huaiyu has stayed by his side without leaving. There is no problem.”
Xiao Yuan concealed the strange, deathly stillness that had flashed through Xiao’s eyes when he woke.
He did not want Su Muchen to start worrying the moment he had awakened. Besides, he would see it for himself later.
Only then did Su Muchen’s tense shoulders slump, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
His mind instinctively began calculating: later, he needed to discuss it with Xiao. As long as their physical condition allowed it, they had to “open the door” and return to their side as soon as possible.
Every additional second Xiao spent in Dasheng meant another second of backlash his body had to endure.
Besides, he still had far too many questions waiting for Xiao to answer.
He lowered his eyes in thought, completely unaware of how enticing he looked at that moment.
The overlapping collar of the loose white inner robe he wore had shifted slightly, exposing a large expanse of fair skin and deeply defined collarbones. Against the dark canopy, it was particularly striking.
Watching him, some of the warm scenes from last night, when he had wiped Su Muchen’s body, uncontrollably resurfaced in Xiao Yuan’s mind.
His eyes darkened.
Then, without revealing anything, he shifted his gaze away and forcibly cut off those thoughts.
“If you don’t get out of bed soon, I’m afraid you truly won’t be able to get out of this bed today.”
Su Muchen was half a beat slow and had not yet figured out the meaning behind those words.
Xiao Yuan had already turned sideways and called out toward the corridor in a deep voice, “Mingchen.”
The rolled-up curtain moved slightly, and a man in his early thirties with a steady build answered and entered.
He wore a discreet dark-gray layered robe and no official uniform. Every movement was orderly and composed. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell at a glance that he was a top-tier steward trained by a prestigious noble family.
He stopped beside the screen and bowed respectfully.
“Your Highness.”
“This is Wei Mingchen, the steward of the western courtyard of the Office,” Xiao Yuan introduced him. “From now on, if you have any trivial matters in the Northern Frontier, you may order him to handle them.”
Su Muchen was still pondering in his heart exactly what kind of innuendo “won’t be able to get out of bed” was supposed to mean.
Wei Mingchen had already stepped forward holding an exquisite huanghuali wooden box, interrupting his thoughts.
He lifted the lid, revealing neatly folded clothes inside.
It was a light blue-gray cross-collared long robe.
The color was exceptionally elegant, somewhere between sky blue and snow white, much like the color of the first ray of light falling onto snow on a winter morning.
The fabric was substantial and warm, yet did not look bulky. Along the sides of the robe and the cuffs, snowflake patterns had been subtly woven with fine silver-gray thread, giving off a low-key glimmer as they caught the light.
Beside it was a matching long hair ribbon, its edges pressed with fine silver thread and its end decorated with delicate tassels.
Su Muchen noticed that Xiao Yuan had already consciously retreated behind the screen in the outer room, leaving the quiet space of the inner chamber entirely to him.
However, when Wei Mingchen unfolded the light blue-gray robe in front of him, Su Muchen realized a problem—he had absolutely no idea how to wear Dasheng clothing.
There were no zippers or buttons, only overlapping layers of fabric and several ties of different lengths.
He was accustomed to T-shirts and shirts. He stared at this pile of fabric for half a day. Although he knew he had to put on the inner garment first and then the outer robe, he had absolutely no idea of the order in which all those ties were supposed to be fastened.
Wei Mingchen quietly waited nearby without urging him.
With one experienced glance, he could see the embarrassment of this Doctor Su. He bowed slightly again and said in a calm and appropriate tone, “Doctor Su, if it is inconvenient, this subordinate can assist you in changing.”
Su Muchen looked slightly awkward.
He had been independent since childhood. When had he ever experienced this kind of feudal aristocratic treatment where one merely had to hold out one’s hand for clothes to be put on?
But he also understood that this was not the time to be stubborn.
If he tied something incorrectly and walked outside only to run into someone, it would be even more embarrassing for Xiao Yuan.
“…Then, I’ll trouble you.”
Su Muchen somewhat uncomfortably avoided the other’s gaze and handed over the outer robe.
Wei Mingchen accepted it calmly. With both hands, he shook the robe open and gestured for Su Muchen to raise his arms, without saying anything unnecessary.
His movements were practiced and methodical. He steadily draped the robe over him, his slender fingers skillfully overlapping the collars and pulling them into the correct position.
Throughout the process, he maintained a proper distance, never making Su Muchen feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable.
Su Muchen stood there like a wooden statue, not knowing where he was supposed to look.
When Wei Mingchen bent down and threaded the blue-iron-colored belt through the loops on the side of the robe, his movements were swift.
Su Muchen lowered his head and only then saw the silver-gray pattern hidden on the belt.
It was not embroidery. The thread had been woven directly into the brocade, and only under certain lighting did the extremely simple snow patterns faintly emerge.
Wei Mingchen kept his head lowered, his hands continuing to work, but inwardly, his heart was already in turmoil.
Having spent so long in the Northern Frontier, how could he not know the meaning behind these snow patterns?
They were the distinctive snow patterns found only along the edge of the Prince Su Manor’s silver-wolf main banner.
This Doctor Su, rumored to have come from overseas, had not only been placed in the bedroom that Prince Su absolutely forbade others from entering.
Now, he was even wearing clothing bearing the same pattern as Prince Su.
Anyone with eyes could understand the significance without needing a single word spoken.
Wei Mingchen suppressed his shock and became even more respectful in his manner.
He properly tied a dark braided cord to the side of the belt, securely hanging a delicate little woven pouch from its end. He then stepped back half a pace and straightened the hem of the robe until not a single detail was out of place.
“Doctor Su, it’s done.”
Su Muchen lowered his head and looked himself over.
The robe fit perfectly. The belt was neither too tight nor too loose, and the overlapping collar was neat and securely fastened.
Although wearing this long robe with its wide sleeves made him feel absurdly as though he were playing some high-end cosplay game, he had to admit that his reflection really did look the part.
He cleared his somewhat dry throat.
“…Thank you.”
Wei Mingchen nodded slightly and placed the light blue-gray hair ribbon on the round table.
“Your hair as well. This subordinate can do it for you.”
All men in Dasheng wore their hair long, while Su Muchen’s short hair was unusually short here, barely reaching the back of his neck.
“I can do it myself,” Su Muchen replied quickly.
Wei Mingchen did not insist. He respectfully bowed and withdrew to wait outside the inner door.
Reality quickly slapped Su Muchen in the face.
This soft silk hair ribbon could not find a single point of purchase on his not-so-long hair. He wrestled with the ribbon for a long time, only to end up pulling his own hair into a complete mess.
Just as he was thoroughly frustrated, a steady set of footsteps came from behind.
Xiao Yuan had returned at some point. He naturally took the troublesome hair ribbon from Su Muchen’s hand.
“Don’t move.”
Xiao Yuan’s distinct-knuckled fingers slipped through his hair, his movements gentle and far more practiced.
He gathered the upper portion of Su Muchen’s hair, wrapped the ribbon around it twice, tied it into a neat simple knot, and then arranged the ribbon, with its silver-thread tassels, over his shoulder.
Su Muchen looked at himself in the bronze mirror and felt somewhat unfamiliar for a moment.
The features of the person in the mirror appeared even more gentle and refined against the light blue-gray robe. With part of his short hair tied up, he unexpectedly possessed a few more traces of the ancient elegance and clean bearing of a renowned scholar of Dasheng.
He was still trying to get used to this new appearance.
Xiao Yuan stood behind him, meeting his eyes through the bronze mirror. His gaze eventually settled on the still-short black hair.
“From now on, you still need to let it grow longer.”
Su Muchen finally understood the painstaking reason behind Xiao Yuan’s insistence that he grow out his hair.
In Dasheng, the body, hair, and skin were gifts from one’s parents. If he wandered outside with this short hair, it was practically the equivalent of having the words “outsider” written across his forehead.
Xiao Yuan stepped back, looked him over with satisfaction, then turned and walked outside.
“Let’s go. Lunch has been prepared in the warm hall.”
Su Muchen withdrew his gaze and hurried after him.
All the way there, he could not stop wondering.
From the shoulder width to the waistline, this robe fit far too perfectly, as though it had been custom-made specifically for him.
But he had only just arrived in Dasheng.
When exactly had Xiao Yuan obtained his measurements, and when had he prepared all of this?
He was not sure whether he should ask.
The two passed through the rear courtyard of the Office. The afternoon winter sun was stingy as it fell upon the remnants of last night’s snow.
The air carried a chilly dampness, but it was not nearly as bone-piercing as the previous night’s cold that seemed capable of swallowing human life.
Even so, it was still too cold for Su Muchen.
As he walked, soreness gradually spread through his waist and legs, and his steps unconsciously became heavier.
The black-robed figure walking ahead seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. His pace naturally slowed, leisurely matching Su Muchen’s.
Looking at the black figure beside him, Su Muchen said quietly, “Jingyuan, thank you.”
Xiao Yuan turned his head slightly.
“For what?”
Su Muchen thought seriously for a moment.
“Thank you for saving Xiao last night, and for the clothes, the hot water… and also, for everything that happened last night.”
He spoke the latter part vaguely, but both of them knew exactly what he meant.
“Xiao was someone you risked your life to save. I merely took you there, then brought both of you back.”
Xiao Yuan spoke indifferently, as though it were only natural.
“But without you, I wouldn’t even have made it to that patch of snow last night.”
Su Muchen softly contradicted him.
He still remembered that desperate moment last night, when he had caught sight of that section of black robe from the corner of his eye.
He remembered the coldness beneath his fingertips when he knelt down.
Without Xiao Yuan, none of this would even have been possible.
The two walked side by side along the quiet corridor.
The rules within the Office were strict.
Su Muchen keenly noticed faint gazes behind him. When he glanced back slightly, he saw several solemn Prince Su guards following about ten steps behind, protecting them with their eyes fixed straight ahead.
The sight instantly struck Su Muchen like a blow to the head.
This was Dasheng, and the person standing beside him was Prince Su, who commanded a massive military force.
He had gotten used to behaving without regard for rank around Xiao Yuan at Guichen Studio, and the name “Jingyuan” came naturally to him.
But in this ancient military residence where rank and status were strictly observed, his casual and carefree behavior might bring all kinds of gossip upon Xiao Yuan.
Thinking of this, Su Muchen unconsciously slowed down and deliberately created about half a step of distance between himself and Xiao Yuan, establishing the proper distinction between ruler and subject.
Unexpectedly, the moment he moved half a step back, the black figure ahead stopped at exactly the same time.
Xiao Yuan turned around, his tone carrying a hint of dangerous teasing.
“Doctor Su, if your legs are too weak to walk and you want this prince to carry you all the way into the warm hall, you can simply say so. There is no need to do this.”
“N-No need!”
Su Muchen’s face heated up instantly. How could he possibly let him carry him in front of everyone?
He quickly took two steps forward and stood properly beside him.
Only then did Xiao Yuan satisfactorily resume walking.
“You need not be restrained here.”
Xiao Yuan’s voice clearly reached his ears.
“The Northern Frontier is not the capital. You are someone I invited here from overseas, and you are naturally different from the people of Dasheng. Even if your conduct is somewhat more outrageous, no one will dare say a word.”
Su Muchen turned his head and looked at his profile, his heart lightly struck by something.
He remembered the identity he had established for himself here.
He understood that here, he did not need to wrong himself by adapting to Dasheng’s oppressive feudal rules.
Because Xiao Yuan had already paved a safe and unobstructed road for him.
After passing through a moon gate, the door to the warm hall was half open.
The edges of the heavy cotton curtain were lined with windproof wool felt, firmly keeping out the cold air from outside.
The moment they lifted the curtain and entered, the rich warmth of the charcoal fire, mixed with the aroma of meat simmering in a clay pot, rushed toward them.
The hall was not large, and its furnishings were extremely simple. In the center stood a round table covered with a dark brocade tablecloth.
Several dishes were arranged on the table.
Nothing luxurious.
A dish of refreshing pickled vegetables, a plate of thickly sliced braised meat, a platter of steaming buns, a bowl of hot soup, and a pot of tea that was still giving off steam.
There were no excessive decorations, just enough food for two people.
“Sit. This is a place where we march and fight. The meals are crude, and there isn’t anything good to entertain you with.”
As Xiao Yuan spoke, he gestured for him to sit.
“This is already very good. There are still so many civilians in Linbei City suffering from the disaster. Being able to eat this much is already a privilege.”
Su Muchen sat down. Looking at the steaming bowl of soup, his heart was filled only with warmth.
He had always been a carefree person and had never cared about extravagance.
As Su Muchen sat at the table, his gaze swept over the dishes.
Simple, but warm enough.
He rarely ate elaborate meals himself either, usually eating simple dishes.
He picked up the bowl and took a sip.
The sweetness of vegetables and bone marrow simmered together flowed down his throat and warmed his stomach, making his entire body feel alive again.
Just as he was about to put down the bowl, a fragrant breeze suddenly swept in from the doorway of the warm hall, accompanied by a bright, crisp female voice.
“Doctor Su, I’ve been waiting for so long. I finally get to see you in person.”
Chi Banyue walked in. Without even bothering with a greeting, she naturally took a seat opposite the two of them, as though she had simply found herself the perfect spot.
Su Muchen looked up and examined her.
The woman before him wore a sharp, practical outfit. Her features were exquisite and lively, and there was an unrestrained, spirited quality between her brows that was in no way inferior to that of a man.
Although they had never met before, Su Muchen already knew exactly who she was.
In the rear courtyard of Prince Su’s Office, there was probably only one woman in the entire world who could disregard the rules so completely, even bypassing Xiao Yuan and coming straight for him.
“Miss Banyue, it’s nice to meet you.”
Su Muchen put down his bowl and smiled politely and warmly.
He had heard plenty from Xiao Yuan about Xia Lanshi and Chi Banyue.
The two were Prince Su’s most trusted right and left hands. Xia Lanshi handled strategy and planning behind the scenes, while Chi Banyue, besides commanding the secret guards, also operated the Snow Listening Pavilion under the name “Liu Tingxue.”
It was an immensely wealthy organization and Xiao Yuan’s sole economic lifeline in the Northern Frontier.
Of course, he also knew that, publicly, Chi Banyue played the role of Xiao Yuan’s “beloved concubine,” intended to confuse the Crown Prince’s spies in the capital and conveniently drive away those powerful nobles who wanted to stuff women into Prince Su’s household.
Now that he was seeing her in person, Su Muchen could not help sighing.
Xiao Yuan’s usual descriptions of her had been far too modest.
Yesterday, Xia Lanshi had been so cool and aloof that he seemed almost like an immortal descended from heaven.
Today, Chi Banyue was beautiful like a thorny rose blooming amid the desert’s wind and snow, vivid and lively.
Su Muchen began to suspect that Xiao Yuan’s criteria for selecting trusted subordinates included not only ability but appearance as well.
At that moment, Chi Banyue’s beautiful eyes were unabashedly sweeping over Su Muchen from head to toe.
She first examined him as a whole, secretly assessing him.
His build was on the thin side, and his appearance could not be called stunning in the capital, where noble families were everywhere. But he had a clean and refined quality.
Most importantly, even after changing into Dasheng’s pale blue robe, that cool, carefree quality about him that was completely incompatible with the people of Dasheng remained strikingly obvious.
It was the kind of face that became more pleasing the longer one looked at it, gradually revealing more flavor.
She seemed to understand somewhat why Xiao Yuan had taken one step and then become hopelessly trapped.
Those eyes were too clear, too clean.
There was not a trace of calculation in them.
At the same time, she could not help becoming worried.
Someone like this, in Dasheng, would probably die very easily if he were not properly protected.
Then Chi Banyue’s gaze shifted downward without leaving a trace, fixing firmly on the base of Su Muchen’s neck where his crossed collar had fallen slightly open.
She was looking for certain suspicious marks.
After all, according to the latest intelligence sent back by the secret guards last night, after Doctor Su had exhausted himself saving a person in the snow, a certain prince who had always kept himself pure had openly carried him all the way into the main residence.
Not the western courtyard.
The main residence!
This meant that Su Muchen had spent the night in Xiao Yuan’s private bed.
The smile at the corners of Chi Banyue’s lips was almost impossible to suppress.
She clicked her tongue inwardly in amazement.
Usually, Xiao Yuan looked like an emotionless block of wood who understood nothing about romance. Who would have thought that in private, he was actually the kind of formidable character who bit without making a sound and quietly ate his fill?
It seemed that not only had Xia Lanshi’s side made major progress with Xiao, but the progress on her master’s side was even more astonishing.
How could Xiao Yuan not be perceptive?
He immediately noticed Chi Banyue’s overly bold and gossip-filled gaze.
His eyelids lowered slightly, and an icy warning look shot straight at her, signaling her to rein herself in.
Unfortunately, Chi Banyue had clearly left the two words “restraint” behind at the secret guard camp when she left this morning.
“Doctor Su, I’ve long admired your reputation. I heard Your Highness mention your abilities before, and today, seeing you in person…”
Chi Banyue deliberately drew out the last part, propping her elbow on the table as she examined him playfully.
“…you seem a little more ordinary than I imagined.”
Su Muchen met her gaze without becoming annoyed. He calmly joked, “Then I’ve really disappointed you, Miss Banyue.”
Chi Banyue burst out laughing.
This time, she genuinely found the doctor interesting.
“No need to apologize. Ordinary is better. In a place like the Northern Frontier, people who are too conspicuous and eye-catching often don’t live long. Looking just right is best.”
As she spoke, she naturally reached for the teapot on the round table and poured herself a cup, completely treating the frost-radiating Prince Su beside her as though he were air.
“From now on, Doctor Su, just call me Banyue. Once you’re in the Northern Frontier, we’re family. No need to be so formal.”
“All right, Banyue.”
Su Muchen smiled back. He rather liked the straightforwardness of this woman.
“Oh, right. Chief Administrator Xia is still guarding the southern courtyard. He can’t get away, so he specifically asked me to come and tell you. Young Master Xiao’s condition has stabilized. His fever has gone down a little. He wants you to eat in peace and not rush over.”
Hearing this, Su Muchen nodded gratefully at her.
Last night’s emergency rescue had mobilized so many people. He knew that the Northern Frontier was in a difficult situation right now, and Xiao Yuan’s position was not easy either.
His and Xiao’s identities were unusual. If something had gone wrong because of last night’s actions, it could have caused trouble for Xiao Yuan.
Yet Xiao Yuan, Xia Lanshi, and Chi Banyue had neither questioned nor said anything about it. Instead, they had helped him greatly through their actions.
For that, he was extremely grateful.
Chi Banyue noticed the relief that briefly appeared on his face. The corner of her eye lifted as she gave Xiao Yuan a provocative look.
Sure enough, Prince Su’s gaze was as cold as ice.
It seemed to be asking:
I’ve finished speaking. Why haven’t you left yet?
“Banyue, you’ve finished your assignment. Why are you still here?”
Xiao Yuan issued his eviction in an icy voice.
“Your Highness, don’t be anxious. I came over only after finishing my official business. I’m off duty.”
Chi Banyue acted as though she had not heard him at all and elegantly took a sip of hot tea.
“You two are going to the southern courtyard to see Young Master Xiao after lunch, right? Perfect. I’ll go with you.”
Seeing that she was shamelessly refusing to leave, Xiao Yuan simply stopped paying attention to her.
He directly rolled up his sleeves and pushed the entire plate of steamed buns toward Su Muchen. He also placed several pieces of fatty-and-lean braised meat into Su Muchen’s bowl and said in a deep voice,
“Eat. Ignore her.”
“Okay.”
Su Muchen rubbed his empty stomach. He really was starving.
He had expended so much physical strength last night. If he did not replenish his carbohydrates soon, this body of his that was not accustomed to strenuous activity might actually faint from low blood sugar.
For a while, the warm hall contained only the crisp sounds of bowls and chopsticks lightly touching.
Xiao Yuan barely ate anything himself. Instead, he repeatedly served food and ladled soup for Su Muchen, as though taking care of this person’s meal was a matter of greater importance than the military affairs of the entire Northern Frontier.
Across from them, Chi Banyue rested her chin on one hand, her beautiful eyes darting back and forth between the two.
While drinking her tea, she silently enjoyed this “show” that was even more filling than the braised meat.