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Chapter Thirteen Reminisce

Examined closely by Li Xiao's pitch black eyes, Song Song also didn't know how to answer this question.

It's not like he could say he had ulterior motives. A proud man like Li Xiao must have a very large ego. If he discovered the reason they were together was not because of his own charisma and attractiveness, he'd definitely feel humiliated.

At that time, this panacea will probably turn into mouse shit in his eyes.

(Note: the word for panacea here is describing Chinese medicinal pills which are small round and black. Song Song is comparing himself to medicine.)

Who's seen mouse shit being treasured like pearls?

Song Song was very self aware. He thought hard and almost found a way to dupe Li Xiao when he saw the other's eyes darken. Once more, Li Xiao grabbed his wrist and kissed him hard. This kiss held a taste of punishment, making his lips sting faintly.

Until a servant came to report: "Your highness, someone is here from the Song family to bring gongzi back." did Li Xiao finally willingly let him go. Song Song panted for air, cheeks dusted with a red hue, and heard him order outside: "Have them wait."

He caressed Song Song's face asking: "Do you want to go back?"

"According to the rules."

"This king is the rules." Li Xiao hugged him with both hands. "You only have to say whether you want to or not, and whether you are willing or not."

Song Song pressed his kiss swollen lips together, then said.

"Don't want to. Not willing."

He continued. "But I have to return."

He still has things left at the Song estate that he didn't bring.

Li Xiao let him decide, respecting his choice 100% and without questioning, said: "This king will personally send you home."

Since he's already said it, Song Song didn't refuse. On this side, Li Xiao left to order people to prepare the carriage. Song Song went instead to the front hall to greet the visitor. There, he saw Song Ge.

He looked at this person who in the previous life had pretended to protect him like a guardian angel, while secretly pushing him straight into hell. He first froze for a second, then gave him a brief smile. The two exchanged some casual chit chat and Song Ge took this time carefully examined him as well.

Still not much different from the Song Song in his memories, just not as skinny. He still had the usual gentle, very easy to pick on appearance.

What pleased Song Ge the most was the humbled, surprised expression on Song Song's face when he saw him. Song Song probably didn't expect him to come personally to collect him. Not only did it seem like Song Ge forgave him for injuring Song Shi right in front of him, he's still treated him so well, just like in the past. According to Song Ge's understanding of Song Song, the other was bound to feel moved again by this treatment.

He told Song Song: "The carriage is already outside waiting. Dinner is all ready for you at home. Let's hurry and get on the carriage, elder brother."

Just looking at his behavior, he'd seem like an exceptional good little brother.

They walked out the door together. However, Song Song did not hurry to get on the carriage. Song Ge patiently waited for a moment. Just as he opened his mouth to inquire, he suddenly heard the sound of wheels. When he turned, he saw the king's luxurious and spacious carriage being driven over. When it stopped next to the Song estate carriage, instantly the Song carriage appeared cheap and ugly in comparison.

Before he could respond, he saw Li Xiao bend down and carry Song Song into his carriage, then straddled onto a high and mighty horse. Without sparing him even a single glance, Li Xiao pulled at the reins and headed to the front.

Song Ge's personal servant leaned close to ask: "Song gongzi isn't going to sit in our carriage?"

A moment later, Song Ge got on his own horse. Even though he was doing his best to maintain a smile, his facial color still looked green, especially when he saw passerbys curiously look over and whisper in voices he couldn't ignore.

"The carriage in the back belongs to Song Guogong? This is to retrieve Song Song, right? How come the king's carriage is also here?"

"You can't even understand this?" Someone said: "Song Song is clearly sitting in the front carriage."

"You're saying this second son of the Song family dragged an empty carriage over, and is now dragging an empty carriage back?"

"Of course. I gotta say, this Song Guogong is really blind. Does he really not know how much the mad king spoils that bastard child? Look at this lousy carriage they arranged for him. How embarrassing. How can it be worthy of the mad king's beloved baobei? No wonder he has to send his own carriage."

(Note: Baobei: baby, sweetheart, as mushy as you can go. you know ;3 )

On the horse, Song Ge's face was full of gloom.

The servant saw his face color and really wanted to curse loudly at the gossipers for him. This clearly was Song family's best carriage alright?! Who dared to say Song Guogong was blind!!

He just finished thinking this when he heard a small voice say to his side.

"Who's to say? Maybe this embarrassing carriage is their best carriage?"

Someone started laughing, then they began whispering in an even lower voice.

The servant saw Song Ge's face turn worse.

Compared to Song Song, even as a kid, Song Ge was arrogant. He only came to receive Song Song personally today, one reason was to show Li Xiao that he had a good relationship with Song Song. The second was to let Song Song understand that in this world, the only person who treated him well was himself.

Yet clearly when the king's carriage was pulled over, Song Song could have declined Li Xiao with just a simple word. But he just accepted the pampering so easily, and completely without any consideration given to him or the Song family.

It can be said that today, he, Song Ge, played Song Song's supporting rule for once, and became a laughing stock for once.

He gloomily lifted his eyes to look at the carriage in the front, then secretly told himself. No worries. The feelings developed between them all these years, eventually will make him listen obediently.

When they arrived at the Song residence, Song Guogong's face looked bad as well. But since Li Xiao already brought Song Song over, he can only put on a smiling face and invite them into the house.

Some effort was indeed spent on dinner at the Song residence tonight. Li Xiao sat down together with Song Song and listened with an indifferent smile, to Song Guogong's bootlicking about how it was a blessing of 3 lifetimes for Song Song to be able marry someone like him. He casually placed a chicken leg into Song Song's bowl, saying: "Where will Song-er live tonight? Did father-in-law make any arrangements?"

Song Guogong married off 'a son', so didn't feel too strange being called father-in-law, and said: "No need to worry about this, wangye. The arrangements have long been ready."

"Oh?" Li Xiao said: "Is it the same courtyard as before?"

Song Song lightly pulled the corner of his mouth. When did he have a courtyard? Before he always lived in the storage room. He quietly looked down and scooped some rice into his mouth. He was wondering how his father would reply when he saw him say with a smile: "That's right. Ever since Song-er was brought away by you, that courtyard has remained empty. Nothing's been touched. Everything is kept the same."

Song Song's chopsticks paused.

Li Xiao seemed satisfied with Song Guogong's 'love' towards Song Song and said: "If that's the case, then this king can rest assured."

Song Guogong said with a smile: "In the end, Song-er is this old man's flesh and blood. How can I treat him unfairly in my own house?"

Li Xiao's eyes flashed, unexpectedly said: "This king has heard of some rumours outside, about how you treated Song-er somewhat severely. Perhaps they were baseless?"

"How can you believe those rumours outside?" Song Guogong hastily replied. He was a little worried Song Song said something to Li Xiao, and explained while glaring at Song Song with an eye: "Maybe I was a bit severe, but it was only regarding school work. In terms of food and clothing, how could this old man discriminate between my children?"

Song Song felt disgusted by his words, but what's more disgusting was to follow.

Madam Song observed Li Xiao's face color, seized the chance to praise Song Guogong, stating: "Exactly! When Song-er was small, he was stubborn and mischievous, often refusing to read and study. Husband would often hit him, but then comforted and consoled him afterwards."

Song Guogong continued saying: "That's right. Madam also loves Song-er dearly. Sometimes educating children is just like this. Often after punishment, Madam even cries gold tears."

He seemed to feel like he told a funny inside joke, and started laughing loudly.

After laughing a few times, he suddenly found Li Xiao didn't seem to be amused even by a little, and unnaturally stiffened, forehead seeping with cold sweats.

Silence permeated inside the room. Madam Song's outstretched chopstick carefully withdrew, cold sweats covering her palms.

Just at this time, Song Song asked quietly: "Doesn't Your highness find this funny?"

Madam Song could hear Song Song's tone of satire and thought he was purposely adding oil to the fire. The hate in her heart burned. She really wished Li Xiao would lose his mind for a second and choke Song Song to death. However, unexpectedly, Li Xiao actually started laughing lightly, saying: "To know that Song-er lived well, this king feels relieved."

The atmosphere at the table instantly lightened. While Song Guogong wiped away the sweat on his forehead, Song Song suddenly smiled and said: "Your highness is unaware. Father really did hit me before because of books. However, it wasn't because I didn't love reading, but because I stole my third brother's book."

Song Guogong's face turned black: "Song Song!"

Li Xiao's thin eyelids lifted and he immediately fell silent. The man looked down again at Song Song, patiently said: "Go on."

The expression Song Guogong threw at Song Song held some panic and pleading. They were extremely afraid of angering Li Xiao. This lunatic who can kill without blinking an eye, what's the point in provoking him?

"Because I was reading in the kitchen and accidentally burned the book. Third brother went to him crying" Song Song looked at Song Guogong's terrified expression, and said slowly: "Father then punished me and third brother together." Actually, the only one punished was him.

Li Xiao's finger fiddled with his long hair for a second. "Looks like father-in-law never did show any favoritism."

Song Guogong let out a sigh of relief. Who knew, Song Song started talking again. "Humans are always biased. With 'mother' present, when he hit third brother, most of the time, it didn't hurt. Hitting me, on the other hand, was quite different"

Seeing those two people's expressions change back to being scared and on edge, Song Song, in front of Li Xiao's displeasure, once again released the high tension: "After all, third brother was not even 5 years old."

Li Xiao revealed an understanding expression.

With the way Song Song kept on playing, one moment raising their anxiety, the next moment dropping it, both madam Song and Song Guogong felt like they almost had heart disease. Feeling like their lives were squeezed in his hands, they finally heard him say mercifully: "I'm done eating."

Song Guogong impatiently said: "Come, someone lead him to Xiang courtyard."

A servant hasily came up to lead the way. However, Song Song said unhurriedly, like a backtracking demon: "For this youngster to leave the feast early, it's not proper etiquette." He said: "Seeing as it's still early, how about we continue reminiscing. Let wangye feel entertained and happy.

Just look at that one sitting next to you who can go crazy any moment now, and begging you please be humane!!

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The Author has something to say:

Madam Song: Paying respect to the mad king, begging you choke him to death the next time you have an episode!

Wangye: This king only fulfills Song-er's wishes.