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Chapter 18 Making Soup

When the steward reported what Li Xiao had said to Song Guogong's ears, the estate doors were very quickly opened. Song Guogong stood waiting inside with both of his legs trembling, saw those black boots slowly walk closer, and subconsciously backed away. He said difficulty: "Originally this lowly official was just thinking about Song-er's reputation. But what wangye said is reasonable. Since the wedding date has been set the rules can also be set aside."

Li Xiao said: "The two of you really care for Song-er closely."

These words almost had another meaning. For a moment, Song Guogong felt cold sweats all over, but in the end, he can only put on a bold face and say: "That's right. Song-er's mother passed away early. Madam and I naturally would care about him more. Just now, madam was just saying she plans to bring Song-er to Mingxuan Shop to pick up some fine goods."

Mingxuan Shop was also quite famous in the capital. The goods inside sell for at a starting price of 500 silver pieces. There were ingeniously designed jade ornaments, precious chinaware and treasured artworks. All were items that normal people could only dream of owning. Li Xiao said pleasantly: "Looks like you'll be spending quite a bit."

"For Song-er, as it should be."

Song Guogong kept his head down, and finally sent away this demon with great difficulty. Madam Song immediately charged over, looking startled: "You really want me to bring him to Mingxuan Shop to pick up goods?"

"You haven't noticed that wangye thinks we've been treating him poorly?" Song Guogong furrowed his brows: "It's already like this. In the future, why don't you exercise some restraint."

"My Ah-shi."

"Ah-Shi Ah-Shi" Song Guogong chided: "Careful you'll lose your life!"

When Song Song heard about Song Guogong trying to blockade the door, he was a little worried that Li Xiao would get angry. It's not that he was worried Li Xiao in all his rage would kill the Song family, but he was scared the other would injure innocent people in the process.

He hastily came out of the courtyard, just bent down to get past some plum tree branches, when he saw the figure of that man striding over. Li Xiao's gaze fell on the white scarf wrapped around his neck and he smiled briefly. He took off his cloak and wrapped Song Song in it, saying: "Why aren't you wearing more outside?"

Song Song saw he was in good spirits, was relieved and replied: "I was worried about you."

His honest concern made Li Xiao even happier. The man held his hand and brought him back to the courtyard, saying: "Why did Song Ge come see you today?"

"To chit chat." Song Song allowed himself to be pulled. Suddenly, he felt a light scratch on his palm. Surprised, Song Song withdrew his hand and stared at the other a little stunned.

Li Xiao looked calm and unperturbed: "What's the matter?"

".... nothing." Song Song turned his face, thinking that maybe he was being too sensitive. Li Xiao probably just touched him accidentally. But the feeling of the soft flesh of his palm being lightly brushed did not fade away even after a long time. He used his other hand to rub at the area, the more he rubbed, the more the feeling increased and weighed on his heart.

"Madam Song said tomorrow she will bring Song-er to MingXuan shop to pick out some items. Is there something you want?"

Song Song's attention instantly shifted. "She said it?"

"That's right."

Song Song's eyes turned, suddenly couldn't resist laughing. "Did wangye say something?"

"How could this king offer suggestions on Song's own family matters?"

He replied indifferently. The guard in the back who knocked on the door before quietly recalled what he said before, that 'if Song Guogong dares'

Indeed, he didn't offer any suggestions. He only threatened, that's all.

However, Song Song only nodded his head, thinking that Li Xiao didn't seem the type to get involved in trivial matters like these. When they returned to the courtyard, someone very quickly served dinner. Song Song took off the cover to the soup pot and said: "I made pork rib soup. It's good for warming the body. Wangye, you should drink a lot."

Song Song's culinary skills were actually pretty good. This was because those years before when he was pregnant and lived alone. Song Ge did not deprive him of food and would bring him a lot of material. Song Song didn't have anything to do by himself, so other than reading, he could only experiment with food.

In the soup, he placed some yam. The color of the soup was white. The pork ribs were very soft and loose after simmering under slow fire. The meat upon entering the mouth would melt on the tongue. It was also extremely appetizing to smell. He sat next to Li Xiao and watched him expectantly, waiting for him to have a bite before asking: "How's the taste?"

"Missing a little."

Song Song's excited expression instantly curbed a little. He frowned and asked: "Missing what?"

Li Xiao placed the bowl in front of him and said: "Eating alone, always missing a certain taste."

Song Song grabbed another bowl in good humour, and poured himself some. He drank a spoon, then turned his head to ask: "How about now?"

Li Xiao somewhat grumpily picked up his bowl again, took a sip, then placed it back down and said: "Still missing a little."

Song Song actually tasted the soup as soon as it finished cooking. To the original moderately salty taste, in order to cater more to Li Xiao's preferences, he added a few peppers. Now that he tried it again, it still tasted okay. He thought for a moment but couldn't figure out where he went wrong. So he pulled over the other's bowl, and tried a mouthful using Li Xiao's spoon, concluding: "I think it is pretty good."

"Really?" Li Xiao leaned close. "Give this king another taste."

He opened his mouth and Song Song conveniently scooped a spoonful to feed him. The man's features instantly smoothed, and he said pursing his lips: "Indeed, very delicious."

"But this clearly is the same bowl as before." Song Song suddenly realized something.

This was the same soup as before, but before when Li Xiao drank it himself, it always lacked something. Now that he's feeding Li Xiao, it suddenly changed to a delicacy.

He blinked. Li Xiao said: "Another bite."

Song Song held the spoon and could only continue to feed it into his mouth. He saw Li Xiao still looking at him as he closed his lips around the spoon. Abruptly Song Song looked away to pick up the chopsticks, saying: "Eat some meat. Good for growth."

Because the meat was stewed for a long time, when prodded with the chopsticks, it immediately broke apart. He tried to place it in Li Xiao's mouth, but suddenly felt his cheeks burn hot, and could only put it back down again and say with a stern face: "Wangye should feed himself. I'm also hungry."

Li Xiao accepted his bowl again and said: "When Song-er first entered the estate, he wasn't like this."

That was then. Back then he was scrambling to get on Li Xiao's good side. But now it's not the same. Song Song sucked in his abdomen, gave himself some courage, and declined to answer.

Li Xiao's gaze suddenly rested again on Song Song's scarf. "Song-er really likes this white marten scarf?"

Song Song paused and said: "It's warm"

"You're sweating."

"... " Around noon today, his throat was a bit itchy. He was worried that he'll catch a cold, therefore he quickly started stewing soup. The hot soup was very effective in warming up his body. In addition, he's been wearing the scarf the entire time. It'd be strange if he didn't sweat. He used his sleeve to wipe away the sweat on his forehead and said. "My neck is cold."

Li Xiao looked meaningfully at that scarf a little longer, but didn't say anymore.

After dinner, Song Song said: "Tonight, wangye should return home to sleep. Tomorrow, don't you have to go to the barracks to roll call?"

"This king gets up very quietly. I won't bother Song-er."

Quiet is quiet, but what do you mean by leaving all those red spots on someone's neck so silently? Song Song also doesn't want to wear a scarf while eating, but the clothes he was wearing underneath couldn't cover his neck. Li Xiao was too wild, leaving his mark brazenly. If he didn't wear it, there was no way he could face anyone.

"You scared my family to death." Song Song said softly: "Please return, ok?"

Li Xiao glanced outside and said: "The sky is already pitch black."

Song Song said: "The Song estate is within the city. On the side of the roads, they hang lanterns. The road isn't dark."

Song Song grabbed his cloak and brought it over, gently placing it on his shoulder, then helped him tie up the string. He pulled at Li Xiao's hand, but was yanked back in return, bumping straight into the man's chest.

Li Xiao's both hands encircled around his body. His movement was very light, barely pressing down. If Song Song wanted to, he could even wiggle left and right in Li Xiao's arms. He squeezed the corner of the man's clothes, heard his breathing beside his ears and asked: "Your highness?"

Li Xiao's palm ran down his backbone over his clothes. "How come you're growing so slow? Still so skinny."

Song Song's heart softened. "Who can get fat in one breath"

Li Xiao still embraced him and refused to let go. He even slightly tightened his arms, his chin resting on Song Song's shoulder. When he talked, it gave off a ticklish feeling. "Tomorrow when you go out with that Qin clan member, remember to bring people that this king arranged for you."

The Qin clan member was referring to madam Song. Her maiden name was Qin. Her name was Qin Zhihe. Song Song nodded: "I will."

Li Xiao still didn't let him go. Who knew if he really had a lot to say, or he was just searching for something to talk about. "Don't hold back when you're buying things. If you find something you like and the Song family can't afford it, you still have this king."

"En."

Song Song nodded again. He didn't know how he got so lucky, to be able to rebirth once and meet someone so good like Li Xiao. He said: "How could I be reluctant? If they want to suddenly act like a benevolent mother and father, then I'll pick only the most expensive objects to buy. Then, when I return to the king's estate, I'll exchange those for money and give it all to your highness."

Li Xiao treats him well, therefore, he also wanted to treat Li Xiao well. Thus, all his words carried a fawning tone, not realizing that his soft voice when heard by Li Xiao, gained a more attractive flavor. Li Xiao suddenly felt his heart numb, turned his head to give Song Song a kiss on the earlobe, then finally let him go, instructing: "Rest early."

Song Song nodded his head and sent Li Xiao all the way out of the Song estate. Watching him leave on his horse, Song Song turned and slowly walked back.

When he passed the currently blooming plum trees, he suddenly jumped up to hit a branch. Qi Haoyun behind him was frightened by this sudden movement: "Gongzi, what are you... "

Song Song landed on the ground. For a moment, he couldn't explain his exuberant behavior. Therefore, he maintained a reserved face as he looked up at the branch: "I want that."

The person that Li Xiao left for him was called Bai Yan. His physique was tall and mighty. When he heard what Song Song said, he used the sword in his hand to hook around and press down on the plum tree branch until it was in front of Song Song.

Song Song looked at him and smiled: "Thanks."

Bai Yan didn't speak so Song Song broke off the branch and returned to the courtyard.

On the morning of the second day, Song Song actively ordered someone to find madam Song to go to Mingxuan shop. Who knew if it's because Li Xiao said something to them or because madam Song believed this money, in the end, had to be spent. When facing him alone this time, she didn't say anything malicious.

When they reached the shop, the first thing Song Song said was: "Today, my mother wants to pick out a wedding gift for me. Do you know who she is? She's the current empress's blood related sister. She has the money and the power. You guys, look lively. If you can't bring out quality goods worthy enough to match my mother's prestige, then she'll make sure you won't be able to open this store tomorrow."

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The author has something to say:

Song Song: My mother has money. She loves expensive stuff.