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Chapter 69 Sympathy

The distance between the king's estate and the palace wasn't very far, however, Song Song still spent effort packing.

Normally he never realized just how many things he owned. It wasn't until he had to move that he experienced the saying 'even a poor man's things are rich in nostalgia.' No matter how many things he packed, there just seemed to be more.

He ordered people to place all of the flowers and grass he planted onto the carriage. He took care of them very well. The flowers bloomed beautifully, the leaves grew bountifully. When Li Xiao saw them, he even praised Song Song, saying he was the paragon for wives and mothers.

Song Song shot a glare at him in response.

When everything was well packed, Song Song rode the carriage into the palace. When he normally entered and exited the palace, he didn't really notice. But now that he had to live in it, he suddenly discovered that the palace walls were high and endless.

Lifting the carriage curtains, his gaze focused on the palace entrance as he gradually drew near. He waited until the carriage completely passed through under the gates before he finally released the curtains.

Song Song suddenly felt an indescribable feeling in his heart, a little melancholy and a little empty.

Little while later, the carriage stopped. Song Song stepped down using the stool then abruptly paused in surprise: "Why are we here?"

He thought Li Xiao should have made arrangements for his residence already. He even guessed for a while that the other would let him live in the same palace where the little prince had lived in the previous life. However, the carriage actually stopped at Yangxin palace. (Note: remember this is where the emperor lives. Usually the empress and concubines have their own palaces.)

Steward Qi originally was the head manager of the palace eunuchs that empress Zhao had set aside for Li Xiao. Now that Li Xiao ascended the throne, he also resumed his old position. He said to Song Song: "His majesty instructed for you to see him first."

Now, Qi Haoyun wasn't an eunuch. He was adopted by steward Qi. At this time, he was left in a shop outside of the palace. He was raised by steward Qi from a young age, therefore very capable and loyal.

When Song Song entered, Li Xiao was sitting at the table. A pile of paperwork stacked up like a small mountain in front of him. To be this busy, no wonder he didn't have time to return to the estate to talk to Song Song. Song Song quietly waited in the outer hall for him.

Yangxin palace changed its looks somewhat. The old emperor's clothes and personal effects were mostly burnt. Some of the more precious objects were all buried with him. All of the items that were hung on the walls have completely been switched. However, the folding screen that Hong Ren really liked remained.

Song Song looked at Li Xiao through the folding screen. Quickly, someone brought in tea. He accepted it and brought it to Li Xiao himself. His hand was different from that of the servants'. Li Xiao recognized it with just one glance. He swiftly looked up and said: "You're here. What time is it?"

"It's already after 7pm" Song Song said: "Does your majesty want to eat something first before you get busy again?"

Attention refocused, Li Xiao looked at the color of the sky and said: "I'm done for tonight. I'm tired."

Although their titles changed, what they ate and what they wore were no different than what they had at the king's estate. Emperor Hong Ren truly never mistreated Li Xiao. The only difference now was that there were even more servants.

As for Li Xiao, when he ate his meal, he still sat very close to Song Song just like before. This way he could easily feed Song Song himself. Facing the food placed directly next to his mouth, Song Song had no choice but to open his mouth and take a bite. He reminded Li Xiao: "Your majesty, please don't forget the rules."

Li Xiao said: "This place is the same as the king's estate. Song-er, don't treat me again like some terrifying beast or a great calamity."

Song Song could only nod his head: "The sky's already dark. You still haven't said where am I staying today?"

"You're Zhen's empress. Naturally you're going to live together with Zhen."

"If your majesty has time, you can come find me frequently."

"What I'm saying is that you'll live in Yangxin palace with me."

Song Song looked at him dumbfounded. His mouth opened slightly then slowly closed again: "That that is against the rules."

"From now on, my words are the rules." While he was at it, he stuffed a piece of tofu inside Song Song's mouth. The latter obediently swallowed it and said: "Your majesty. I know you love to dote on me, but. "

He looked into Li Xiao's pitch-black eyes and abruptly swallowed the rest of his words. He discovered that Li Xiao seemed to be unhappy so changed what he was saying: "I'm full now. Do you have more to do?"

"No matter how busy I am, there still needs to be a limit. If you're full, then Zhen will accompany you on a walk."

Li Xiao took his hand and led him outside. They stopped in front of a pot of flowers. The season was now almost summer. Although the temperature was still sometimes cold, sometimes hot, the flowers bloomed extremely splendidly. Song Song recalled that emperor Hong Ren would often look at these chinese roses and said: "These were father's favorite."

When he passed, the flower was just budding. Now they bloomed brilliantly.

Li Xiao also looked at them for a while and said: "They were planted by my mother. Father instructed me to take care of them carefully."

Song Song never met empress Zhao, but after learning she was a planter, he faintly gained some more respect for the woman: "It seems like father really liked mother very much."

"Just know when you said 'that's against the rules,' you seemed a lot like her."

Song Song subconsciously looked towards him. Li Xiao squeezed his soft fingers and lightly caressed them, as if thinking about something. He said faintly: "Father used to want her to move in to eat and live together with him, but she refused because it was against the rules. Song-er, you shouldn't learn from her."

"I wasn't..."

Li Xiao reached out and cradled him in his arms, his voice gentle with a hint of restraint: "I love Song-er dearly, want to possess Song-er, want to stay with Song-er at all times."

"Your majesty. "

"What does Song-er think?"

"I naturally. also want to stay with you every single moment and every second, but "

"But what?" Li Xiao asked softly, his eyes staring unblinkingly at Song Song.

Song Song said: "But, but that's against the rules."

Again and again, he still said the same thing. Because of this, Li Xiao revealed a smile: "The rules were set by the ancestors. Some day in the future, Zhen will also become an ancestor. Therefore, Zhen can change it. If becoming an emperor means to be bound at the hands and feet by rules and customs, then why would Zhen work so hard to occupy the throne?"

"Your majesty"

"Song-er." Li Xiao hugged him and then sighed: "Here, there's no 'your majesty', no rules, no government officials, no nation. Only you and I You can be a little more demanding, a little more unreasonable. Let me feel that you like me as well in the same way."

Song Song pressed his lips together, his cheeks flushing red: "Of course I also like your majesty. I. "

He took a glance at Li Xiao, then leaned in to initiate a kiss.

"Then I I'll live together with your majesty. You can just tell other people that you pity me for being pregnant, how's that?"

Li Xiao also kissed him: "Okay."

Song Song swallowed the rest of his words of advice. He knew his reason was muddled by his emotions. Also he discovered that not only did Li Xiao not wish for him to follow empress Zhao's example, it seemed like Li Xiao was very irritated by this matter. Even though his words have been gentle and coaxing all this time, he seemed right on the edge of losing his temper.

This man was just like a little kid. He has to put the thing that he liked right beside him to feel reassured. Sometimes, he even has to hold it in his arms, or else he'll get angry and sulk. Looks like his temper was pretty big too. If he didn't get what he wanted, he might even have an outburst.

Song Song seemed like he was indulging Li Xiao, but actually inside, he was ecstatic, like flowers were blooming in his heart.

So Li Xiao really liked him this much, liked him so much that he could go crazy. On one hand, he warned himself to be a little cautious, but on the other hand, he couldn't stop his cheerful mood. Even though he carefully suppressed it, his face still revealed some of it.

"Ah. " The currently happy Song Song suddenly covered his abdomen. Li Xiao immediately looked at him. Song Song frowned and said: "I think he's kicking me."

Li Xiao stared at his stomach for a moment: "He's your blood."

Song Song blinked and said: "If there's no you, then there's no him."

"If it weren't for him, then would you even want me?"

"...." Song Song nagged: "Don't you want to give him a touch and see? When other people's fathers learn that their child can move, they're always very happy."

Li Xiao fell silent for a moment, then reached out his hand to cover over Song Song's abdomen. His palm clearly felt that strong leg. In his head, he could almost see the little thing moving around. Finally he smiled. Song Song saw him happy and became happy as well. Li Xiao asked him: "Does it hurt when he kicks you?"

"Not at all. Just feels a little strange." Song Song smiled and said softly: "Although it doesn't hurt, I still hope your majesty will show some pity."

He secretly hinted, Li Xiao looked over, fairly surprised. This was the first time Song Song did such a thing. After being looked at for 2 long seconds, Song Song flushed and turned his face away. Looking pensive, a flash of light crossed Li Xiao's eyes: "Just now, was Song-er requesting to be pampered?"