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Chapter 33: Grievance

The snow continued to fall for several days, sometimes more, sometimes less. Occasionally it was even mixed with gale. During these days, Li Xiao only left outside once. The rest of the large amount of time he spent nesting inside the room, 'discussing' the secret techniques with Song Song.

This morning, Song Song really couldn't take it anymore. While Li Xiao was not paying attention, he wrapped himself tightly into a large cocoon. This time, Li Xiao really found it hard to unpeel him.

Song Song laid on the bed, only revealing his head. His back was turned away, not even sparing a glance at Li Xiao. The latter sat on the side of the bed and said: "You're not going to get up to eat?"

Song Song pretended he didn't hear. From Li Xiao's words and actions during these days of discussion, he discovered that his hinting at Li Xiao being incapable had offended Li Xiao. He finally understood how much the man cared about this matter and was impressed by the man's dedication to prove otherwise.

At the moment, Song Song knew that if he dared to come out of the blankets to eat, when he returned, he'd definitely be devoured clean himself. Song Song really couldn't take it anymore.

"Song-er." Seeing he didn't reply, Li Xiao reached out his hands and grabbed him, blankets and all, over. Song Song's body which was full of marks lay softly in the blankets. His eyes were forced to meet Li Xiao's gaze. He mumbled: "I'm not hungry."

His voice was still hoarse. More accurately, these days, it never got better.

Don't even mention going outside, he didn't even get off the bed, and was helplessly carried around by Li Xiao.

"Song-er admired this king's lofty ambitions, so why are you holding us back now?"

He could absolutely hear the teasing laugh from Li Xiao's voice. Song Song held it in and refused to reply. His revealed face was carefully kissed by Li Xiao, then prodded lightly. "Song-er?"

"Song-er doesn't want to talk with wangye." Song Song's voice was quiet, carrying a hint of grievance. After the first day, he even suspected that Li Xiao ate some kind of "magic pill" that made him vigorous. But the man didn't admit to anything. He held that book and studied that book with him for an entire day and night. By half way, Song Song was already completely emptied dry, and only thought about resting. Not only did his body hurt. There, there, and there, also hurted a lot.

"Today the snow stopped." Li Xiao kissed the tears at the corner of his eyes and said: "How about I bring Song-er outside to play?"

"Song-er doesn't want to go. Song-er wants to sleep."

Li Xiao leaned against his forehead and chuckled: "That's fine as well. Get your rest. This king will go take a look at the barracks today."

Song Song nodded and was placed back down by Li Xiao. The silk cocoon baby wiggled around with difficulty, was just about to unwrap the blankets when he found the closed bed curtains being pulled open again. The two's gazes met midway. Li Xiao's eyes held a hint of teasing: "At night, I'll return to eat dinner with you."

Song Song's face paled. He watched wide eyed as the bed curtains closed again. Suddenly, he turned his head and glared resentfully at the 'secret child making technique' book that was next to the pillow.

He closed his eyes and laid in bed for a while, until he was absolutely certain that Li Xiao left. Then struggled to crawl out of the blankets. He wrapped himself in clothes, then grabbed that book and got off the bed, and threw it directly into the fire heater outside.

He stared at that book until it was burned to ashes. After fiddling with the fire, he turned and returned back to the inner room. The servants all looked at each other at a loss.

Song Song was finally able to sleep well.

The next time he woke, it was surprisingly not because of movements from behind him. He opened his eyes, subconsciously touched his back, then released a light breath. He felt some hunger pains and got up to order the servants to get some food ready.

He just finished eating when he heard activity outside the room. Song Song heard the noise and asked: "Jin Xiang?"

"Here." The latter got up and walked outside, berating: "Making such a fuss, what are you all doing? Hurry and stop."

A servant quickly stepped up and explained: "This is Ling Hua. She's from madam Qin's courtyard. She said that our wangfei is too cruel, changing the coal in madam Qin's room to kitchen's coal and causing her to be fumed so badly by the smoke that she's been coughing nonstop for a few days. The maid couldn't bear her anger any longer so came here to complain."

(Note: I don't think it's supposed to be a coincidence. This madam Qin's name () is not the same as the empress Qin ()and her family's.)

Jin Xiang figured out the whole sequence of events, turned and reported the issue for Song Song to hear. The latter swallowed the food in his mouth and said: "First send someone to change madam Qin's coal. The weather has been cold these days, so give her some extra. Then go investigate clearly who was the one that took initiative to switch her coal. When you figure it out, punish them severely."

Jin Xiang paused and said: "Perhaps it's someone who saw wangfei receive favor, and therefore want to get on your good side."

Song Song slightly smiled and said: "Since I'm favored, there's no reason for me to bully people who aren't. This you should understand."

Jin Xiang immediately agreed, then left quickly to complete her task. Not long after, steward Qi brought someone over. It was the estate's old man Liu. This person had a good friendship with steward Qi. Normally, he was in charge of purchasing items for the estate. After Song Song received management of the estate's affairs. Most of the divisions of labor remained the same. He only occasionally looked over the accounting reports.

Everyone knew Song Song was favored, and also that wangye was the type of person who can kill over a single word of disagreement. Naturally, people didn't dare to be lazy. The main house has been harmonious for years. However, with Song Song's appearance, some servants who wanted to raise their ranks suddenly decided to try whatever they could to enter Song Song's eyes.

Jin Xiang's guess wasn't wrong.

Song Song finished listening, laughed lightly and said: "Using your master's reputation to bully the side madam. To those who understand, they will only think that the servant didn't know the rules. To those who don't understand, they probably believe that I'm completely despotic and cruel enough to eliminate all my competition."

Old man Liu bowed with his head to the ground instantly: "This one does dare. This one only heard that before the wedding, you and madam Qin did not get along. I just wanted to help wangfei give her a little warning. This one was sincerely thinking for wangfei."

Song Song held up his teacup, calmly watching him. Suddenly his hand loosen, and the cup dropped to the floor with a brittle sound. The people all around bowed down one by one.

"Wangfei please calm."

Song Song looked down at the pieces on the floor. His words, however, were spoken to old man Liu: "As someone in charge of purchasing items, you sure understand the estate's family business pretty clearly."

Steward looked at him from the side, thinking, how is this person dumb? Clearly he was very clever. When these words were spoken, old man Liu instantly felt a chill. A small, small servant dared to get involved in his master's business. Not to mention this was the king's estate. If he received this offense, then to be dragged out and beaten to death wouldn't even be excessive.

He finally panicked: "This one didn't mean it! Wangfei, please forgive me. I will never do it again!"

"Steward Qi."

"Here."

"You've been at this estate longer than me. How would you handle this issue?"

"Starting rumors about the master, making decisions on one's own. According to the estate's rules, this person should be beaten to death by a stick."

Li Xiao's behavior was severe, therefore, his house rules were just as severe. Those who angered him, very few lived afterwards. It's only in front of Song Song that he would hide away many of his negative sides. When steward Qi said this, old man Liu instantly hugged the floor: " Wangfei, please spare me! Begging you please spare my life ah!"

"Forget it." Song Song said: "Hit him 20 times, then expel him from the estate."

"Thank you for your grace, wangfei!"

Old man Liu was dragged out. Steward Qi continued to wait by the side for instructions. He heard Song Song say: "Clean the floor here."

Immediately, a maid came up. Steward Qi saw him look to the side at the tea pot on the table, then suddenly reach out and pour himself a cup. Then he opened the lid of the teapot to glance inside and said: "After using the same tea set everyday, it's hard to pick out any problems. Today I accidentally broke a cup, only then did I realize that inside this pot, there're stains that can't be washed away. Steward Qi, can you help me find another set?"

Steward Qi replied hastily: "Yes."

He saw Song Song get up and walk back into the inner room. Eyebrows furrowing, he walked outside where old man Liu was yelling and crying from being hit. Steward Qi waited until he finished receiving his punishment, then slowly crouched down in front of him. He looked at old man Liu's pained expression and said: "Wangfei said that the old tea set has stains and wants me to find a new set for him."

Old man Liu's lips trembled as he said: "Steward Qi, this thing, I admit I overstepped. But it was all because I wanted to get on wangfei's good side. Steward Qi, normally you trust me the most. You know what kind of person I am."

"We've been at this estate together ever since wangye left the palace. You should know wangye's temper. How about we resolve this with him?"

Old man Liu's face instantly changed: "Steward Qi. It was madam Qin who told me to do this. She was willing to harm herself to besmear wangfei's reputation. I, I was only cooperating with her to make some money. Other than this, I've done nothing else!"

"Looks like what wangfei said was correct. This tea set was used for too long. Without removing the lid, one would have never known the stains inside. Wangfei's reputation is connected directly with wangye. Old man Liu, how could you be this dumb."

"Steward Qi, based on our past friendship, please spare me!"

"Based on our past friendship, I'll remind you." Steward Qi stood up and said: "Because of the new years festival, the capital hasn't been very harmonious. When you leave, you should be very careful."

Old man Liu swallowed his saliva, pushed up his body with effort, slipped on the snow, then immediately climbed up again and staggered away.

When Li Xiao returned to the estate, steward Qi again recounted to him everything that happened today. The latter said: "Where is he?"

"Wangfei is benevolent. He said he wanted to release him so we released him."

"Released?"

Steward Qi saw Li Xiao glance at him, and hastily added: "But these two days the capital is very messy. Who knows if he will be able to leave the city?"

"Did you switch wangfei's tea set?

"The new set is already sent over. However, there are plenty of old people in the estate. If you want to switch them all, it will still take some time."

"It's almost the end of the year. You should pay close attention. Don't cause any more trouble for wangfei to deal with and tire him out. Everyone should have a good new year, en?"

"This servant understands."

Li Xiao continued to walk forward then suddenly paused and asked: "Madam Qin entered the estate for how long?"

"Around two years."

"Where did she come from?"

"Two years ago, wangye's military service was outstanding. That time, the director of rites, An Yuchun, wanted to make friends with you, so he sent over his daughter."

"Expel her also."

Steward Qi blanked: "This this side madam, how am I supposed to expel her?"

No one answered him. Li Xiao already walked into the main house. He removed his cloak, and first stood by the heater to warm himself up. Then he lifted the curtains to walk into the inner room. Song Song heard the movement and immediately sat up in bed and asked: "How come you returned so early today?"

"I heard about everything that happened today in the estate. I already ordered people to send away madam Qin. Although she's a side madam, it was never official. Separation is no trouble."

He opened his mouth to explain everything clearly, however, Song Song was the one who felt it out of the blue. He asked: "Madam Qin has been in the estate for 2 years. How come you're suddenly asking for a separation? Would she agree?"

Li Xiao frowned and said: "Although this king has a bad reputation far and wide, I'm still my father's blood related son. No one can do anything to me. But for you, it's not the same. If you obtain a bad reputation and are disliked by my father, I'm afraid my father will say I did not teach you properly. Certain people will then use this as a reason drive a wedge between father and I. Do you understand?"

Song Song nodded and said: "Today the way I dealt with the situation"

"Was very good." Li Xiao first praised him, then showed off his own contribution: "From now on, there will be no side madam. In the future, there will be less of those annoying troubles."

Song Song couldn't resist laughing: "Your highness is correct."

Li Xiao's expression softened, and leaned over closer towards him. Song Song subconsciously grabbed the blanket and retreated backwards. He heard the man say: "From now on, this king only has you. Are you happy?"

Song Song nodded vigorously, expression extremely serious: "Of course I'm happy."

"Then... my reward?"

Song Song pressed his lips together, curled up both of his legs, and said timidly: "No, no more reward."

Li Xiao said displeased: "Why?"

"I have no more." Song Song said full of grievance and indignance: "You already did me for so many days. How could I have anymore?"

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The writer has something to say:

Song Song: I'm done. Completely dried up. No more.

Cray Cray: .

(Note: The Song Song () used here is means an ode or eulogy. And as always, the author calls Li Xiao crazy crazy )