Disclaimer: I'm translating this novel for fun. I can't promise 100% accuracy, but I'm doing my best to try to make this coherent. Leave a comment if there's anything confusing and I'll try to fix it. If you enjoy the translation and want to support me, tip me a Kofi at https://ko-fi.com/infinite

~~~~~~~~

Chapter 6 Rest Day

Li Xiao ignored the crowd standing nervously to the side. After being questioned by Li Xiao, Song Song turned to ask the manager: "Is there anyone sitting in the Fuzi Hall?"

The Fuzi Hall is the best area in Fuxiang restaurant. By sitting there, not only can one see the river view, there's also a little staircase that went straight up to the pavilion on the roof. Guests can climb high to survey the river and boats anytime. It's a special service the other halls do not provide, only used to entertain the most distinguished guests.

He didn't directly say he wants to sit there, but rather asked first, because he was afraid Li Xiao might offend someone because of him.

The manager smiled, "No, no. It's empty. Please follow me."

He personally guided the two upstairs.

The people downstairs waited until Li Xiao's figure disappeared before returning one by one to their seats. Some timid and cautious people left, leaving the more daring people to discuss quietly among themselves.

"Just then, wasn't that the bastard son of the Song family?"

"Did you see how skinny he was? Perhaps he received the cold treatment at home."

"No need to mention what happened prior. The guy is fortunate now, to be able to gain connections with the mad king."

Someone laughed out loud, with a hint of bad intentions: "So what if he knows the mad king. It's not like you guys don't know how he is. Every few days, he has one of those episodes. During that time, everyone in the estate can only hide away in their rooms. This gongzi has to stay next to him all day. He can't even run away. Who knows if he can even see the sun tomorrow."

"I bet," Someone said: "This person won't be able to live past a month."

Someone snickered: "It's a wonder if he lasts three days."

"I can't believe this Song Guogong. He doesn't even care about the life of his bastard son. It's still his flesh and blood. How could he just give him away like that."

"Who let the legitimate son's mother be alive, and the bastard son's mom be dead then? With no one to back him up, of course he'd be used for exchange."

"I heard back then when the Fu family married over, originally she could have been the main wife. How come suddenly."

"That all happened in the past. No point talking about it. Let's eat. Let's eat."

Song Song wasn't aware of the gossip going on downstairs. He was currently busy serving food for Li Xiao. Suddenly, the other grabbed his arm and pressed him into his seat. Song Song asked: "Not to your taste?"

"You're not allowed to behave like you're serving a master in front of this king."

Song Song subconsciously withdrew his hands, not really understanding what he meant. He understood his position. He was just a male pet. During a meal, to serve Li Xiao was what he should do. Thinking deeply, his chin was suddenly lifted by Li Xiao. The man gazed into his eyes. "How normal husband and wife interacts is how you and I should interact."

Song Song remained frozen. Li Xiao already released his chin, saying: "Let's eat."

Song Song silently thought. You're always surrounded by royalty and nobility. How are you aware of what a normal husband and wife usually do? But since Li Xiao already said it, he can't really refute, so quietly started eating his food.

He very quickly discovered that something was not quite right. New dishes kept being added to the table. One, two 10 20 The table looked like it was completely covered. At this time, the chef came out from the kitchen. "This lowly one greets your highness."

"En?"

Song Song looked up at that cook, saw him lower his head and say very respectfully: "The table is getting full. If we keep bringing more dishes, I'm afraid the uneaten food will negatively impact your appetite. The manager wanted this one to come ask you, do you still want more food?"

Li Xiao turned to ask Song Song: "Do you want them to bring another table?"

Song Song's gaze moved away from the chef: "Is your highness planning to have a party?"

Li Xiao laughed. "Today's banquet is only for you."

Song Song blinked. "I'm afraid we can't eat that much. Just. There's no need to add more."

"Alright. We can taste test another day." Li Xiao concluded, instructing: "No need to bring up the other dishes. You can go."

Before the chef left, he gave Song Song an extra glance. Song Song also watched him leave before retracting his gaze to look at the table full of food. He said: "What are you trying to do, Your highness?"

"Didn't I say I was bringing Song-er here to try the new dishes?" Li Xiao stated: "Former years' new dishes, naturally should be tasted as well."

For a moment, Song Song looked at him dumbfounded, not knowing what to say. It was only when Li Xiao turned and faced him with a smile, he replied: "Many thanks to your highness's care, this commoner."

"You don't need to refer to yourself as a commoner in front of this king."

Song Song cautiously agreed, taking small bites while secretly stealing glances at Li Xiao.

What is the mad king thinking really.

Of course they couldn't finish all the food. Song Song, who had been starved to frugality, saw all this food being wasted felt a bit reluctant to part. Li Xiao noticed and said: "Later, someone will come to pack this up and bring it back home to split among the servants."

To the servants, this was no doubt a huge gift. Take Song Song for example. If all these years ago, Song Guogong was willing to bring him some leftovers, then he wouldn't have lived so miserably.

He smiled and said: "Your highness is kind."

Li Xiao was staring at him again. Song Song didn't know what he said wrong, so he changed the topic. He pointed up and asked, "Your Highness, do you want to go up and take a look?"

Li Xiao looked away and said, "As you wish."

The two walked along the small staircase up to the roof. There's an eight-sided pavilion here. Because of winter, the edge wes covered by thick wind curtains. Song Song lifted a curtain, a gust of cold air blew in his face. Instantly, he felt refreshed and walked forward two steps, leaning against the guard rails to look out the riverfront. "It's only the afternoon, yet the pleasure boat is already out there." That boat belonged to the brothel. The decoration on the outside was extremely exquisite. Decadent music can be heard floating faintly from the river.

Li Xiao draped a cloak over Song Song's shoulders and said, "The sun sets early these days."

Song Song played with the cloak straps, glanced at him, then went back to silently looking at the river.

Years ago when the weather was perfect in Spring, he would come to this pavilion with his mother and grandfather to chat and drink tea. Now, the river was still the same river, but the people were no longer the same.

On the roof, the wind from the river was really too harsh. Li Xiao soon brought him back downstairs. Today the mad king did not lose his mind. To the owner and customers of FuXiang, this was a huge but pleasant surprise. Because this was the first time Song Song appeared in public, the number of people talking about him also increased.

Plenty of people were waiting to find out when he will die, in these people naturally included Madam Song. At the moment, she was the current empress's blood-related sister. Back then, even though she married Song Guogong after Fu Xiang, she still forcibly occupied the position of the main wife. Because of the prioritization of the four classes (scholars > farmers > artisans > merchants), a lowly daughter of a merchant naturally couldn't snatch away her spotlight.

Madam Song had been staying at the bedside of Song Shi for several days and nights now, watching him slowly escape from life threatening danger. Finally she had the time to inquire about all that's happened. That time when Song Song was carried away, Song Ge said he had a plan to make Song Song obediently return. Even her personal maid tried calming her, saying: "He was brought away by the mad king. He probably won't live long."

However, Song Song continued to be alive after many days passed. Madam Song's heart was already filled with hatred for Fu Xiang from before. She believed in her bones that the other was second rate and therefore by extension, treated Song Song as trash as well. Now, not only was he not dead, he ended up becoming such an important figure because of the mad king. Her hatred naturally grew.

After the second day of Song Shi's recovery, she cleaned up and went to the palace to see the empress.

Song Song also heard of the gossip about himself outside. The capital never lacked chitchatters, afterall, there were many idle people. There was no way to stop their mouths, so Song Song just allowed them to say whatever. In any case, he was living comfortably these days. Eating and sleeping all day. Even his bones felt like they were grown soft by Li Xiao.

When he woke up one morning, Song Song rubbed his eyes, kicked his legs out and stretched his waist lazily. Then suddenly he heard a light laugh coming from his side. His heart skipped a beat. His muddled head instantly cleared: "How come your highness"

"I have the day off." Li Xiao reached out and pulled him into his arms. "So Song-er is actually this casual when he's home alone. How come you're always so tense in front of this king."

Song Song thought in his head. Who isn't tense in front of you?

In the previous life, he saw with his own eyes how Li Xiao acted when he went crazy. That man's pitch black eyes hid crashing waves. The blood on the sword in his hand followed the edge of the blade, dripping to the floor. His face was extremely blank, with a hint of restraint and silent endurance. But the deranged and bloodthirsty expression pouring from his eyes was like a wild beast about to strike. Everyone knew, when the mad king had his outbursts, he had a lot of trouble controlling his desire to kill. So in front of him, even the current emperor would be extremely uptight.

Apparently, the first time Li Xiao was poisoned and fell ill, he started an all out masacre in the palace. Even the imperial army that arrived, he killed about 30. The regular people who lived in the palace, he killed about 100. Among them, also included his birth mother, the former empress, who had come to stop him.

Everyone says that when Li Xiao loses control, he'd kill even his own mother, but the rebirth'd Song Song knew that this was not what happened.

Song Song relaxed a little, pressed closer to Li Xiao's chest: "The last time your highness had the day off, didn't you go practice swordsmanship?"

"Seeing Song-er gain some weight these days and feel better when embraced, this king doesn't want to go practice now."

Song Song instantly looked up, saying: "Really? Then your highness"

He paused for a second before he remembered what he planned to say. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he lowered his head and asked in a small voice:

"When are we going to sleep?"

(Note: Together. He basically says "when are we going to have sex")