This was the way the couple got along. Although they disliked each other, they knew when to stop, just like a chicken rib—tasteless if discarded but a pity to waste.
"Hurry up," Ke Shanlong said, having lost his temper.
Mu had always kept a tight grip on the backyard. She wouldn't interfere in backyard affairs, but she'd quickly find out whatever she wanted to know. That Sang Sang had been sent out of the mansion. She used to sing for a living outside, but then no one knew who had taken her away.
She did have a daughter named Shuang'er, but she had died of illness.
Ke Shanlong showed no expression upon hearing that one of his daughters had died. He had never even seen her and had no feelings for her. "I saw a maid beside Lady Xiao today. She looks extremely similar to Sang Sang. Have someone find out if it's really Sang Sang."
"Lady Xiao, the general's wife?" Mu rolled her eyes.
"Yes."
"Okay," Mu replied readily.
As soon as the news that Xiao Jinghan was still alive spread, he had become the most sought - after figure in the capital, without a doubt. Unfortunately, Xiao Jinghan was unapproachable, and the General's Mansion was like an impregnable fortress. It was as difficult as climbing to the sky to get information from inside.
The only news was that Xiao Jinghan had protected his wife and caused a stir in the Princess Mansion. Later, the Empress Dowager had bestowed a marriage, but Lady Xiao had defied the order, yet the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had said nothing.
If Sang Sang was really in the General's Mansion, it would be great news for Mu. She could take the opportunity to learn about the situation in the mansion, which was like planting her own spy there.
Yi Qing came back from the palace and went straight to bed. Why did she feel that going to the palace was more tiring than performing three consecutive surgeries? The most exhausting part was the mental strain.
When Xiao Jinghan came back and learned that Yi Qing had gone to the palace, seeing that she was still sleeping, he asked about the whole story of Sang Sang. Finally, he learned that Yi Qing had met the Emperor alone, which made him quite unhappy.
Yi Qing was having a wonderful dream. In the dream, she finally managed to overpower Xiao Jinghan and left him unable to get out of bed. So she laughed triumphantly.
Xiao Jinghan was lying on his side beside Yi Qing. Seeing her grinning so widely that even her gums were showing, he thought that she was so happy just because of meeting the Emperor alone. Just as he was thinking this way, Yi Qing reached out her hand and groped around on his chest. His face instantly turned green.
"Yi Qing?" Xiao Jinghan grabbed her wrist, imagining what kind of dream she was having.
Yi Qing was enjoying her groping when she felt herself being lifted up. She saw Xiao Jinghan's angry face. How did his expression change from submissive grievance to anger?
"Don't be angry. I'll treat you well," Yi Qing said as she rubbed against Xiao Jinghan's arms. Her fingers traced his face. "The touch in the dream is so good?"
Xiao Jinghan looked at Yi Qing's state. She must have been so absorbed in her dream that she didn't even realize she was awake.
Suddenly, Yi Qing felt something was wrong. Instinctively, she wanted to escape. She could only have fun in her dreams but really didn't dare to provoke Xiao Jinghan.
How could Xiao Jinghan let her escape? He directly imprisoned her in his arms. "My dear wife said she would treat me well."
"Cough... cough..." Yi Qing wished she could swallow her own tongue. "Did I say that? When did I say that? You must have heard wrong."
"Even if I heard wrong, I still believe it's true," Xiao Jinghan said, not giving Yi Qing a chance to escape.
"Baobao will be back soon," Yi Qing said in a hurry, trying to change the topic.
"We promised Baobao that we'd have a little sister for him. It's been such a long time. If we delay any longer, Baobao will be angry."
Yi Qing felt a twinge in her teeth. "We can't force the matter of having a child. It depends on fate."
"The more you try, the sooner fate will come," Xiao Jinghan said as he deftly untied Yi Qing's belt. He was now very familiar with these actions.
"Wait a minute," Yi Qing said, still groggy from just waking up.
"Okay," Xiao Jinghan said, lying on his side and looking down at Yi Qing. However, his hands didn't stop.
"I said wait a minute."
"Are you waiting for a chance to find an excuse to run away?" Xiao Jinghan's rough hand gently brushed across Yi Qing's back. Her skin seemed better than before.
"No, it's not..." Yi Qing felt very strange.
"Then what is it?" Xiao Jinghan slowly leaned over. His nose gently rubbed against her cheek and then down to her collarbone.
Yi Qing felt that she had to accept her fate in this matter. She just wondered why Xiao Jinghan was becoming more and more skilled and knew better and better how to make her unable to refuse.
When Yi Qing was completely exhausted, Xiao Jinghan carried her into the bathtub in the bathroom. She nestled softly in Xiao Jinghan's arms, her whole body as red as a cooked shrimp.
"Qing'er," Xiao Jinghan called out softly.
Hearing this voice, Yi Qing became even more dazed. But she couldn't refuse and actually fell asleep in a daze.
"This girl," Xiao Jinghan said with a doting look on his face.
Baobao was very angry. He thought his father had tricked him with the promise of a little sister and then occupied his mother. So he stared angrily at his father all the time.
Xiao Jinghan calmly checked Baobao's things. He was now living in the academy, and these were all gifts from his classmates. There were quite a few precious items. This kid was really a little expert at amassing wealth at such a young age.
"Did people give all these to you?" Xiao Jinghan put the things in order.
"Yeah."
"Did you just accept them when people gave them to you?"
"Mother said that if you don't take what the heavens offer, you'll suffer the consequences," Baobao said seriously.
Xiao Jinghan had long known that Baobao had been influenced by his mother. "Do you know the meaning of accepting these things?"
"I've become richer."
Xiao Jinghan wanted to correct him but didn't expect him to be so off - track.
"Besides, they're my seniors. A junior can't decline a gift from an elder. I'm also in a difficult situation," Baobao sighed.
Xiao Jinghan didn't see any sign of him being in a difficult situation. "Since you've accepted them all, I'll ask Jushuang to make a register for you and set up a private treasury."
"Okay," Baobao nodded seriously.
"But you must remember that you mustn't let these things interfere with your studies."
"Mother taught me that these are all external things."
"Then why do you like them so much?"
"They can keep me warm."
Xiao Jinghan was so choked that he didn't know what to say. Baobao had learned Yi Qing's greedy look to perfection. "It sounds like I've let you freeze."
"I haven't frozen, but father doesn't have a little cotton - padded jacket. Sooner or later, he'll freeze."
Xiao Jinghan was really convinced by this fancy way of urging them to have a daughter. He decided to work harder when he got back.
"Father, mother promised to take me out to play on the day off. Don't get up late tomorrow," Baobao said as he got up and bowed in a proper manner. Then he paced away.
Xiao Jinghan couldn't help smiling when he saw Baobao like this. He remembered that Baobao knew how to protect himself when he was in the village. Now there was no need to worry about him. Like Yi Qing, he was so sensible that it made people feel heart - aching.
Yi Qing woke up early and actually felt in good spirits. When she tried to stretch, she found that she was lying in Xiao Jinghan's arms. "Why didn't you go to court?"
"Baobao has a day off today. You promised to take him out to play," Xiao Jinghan said as he held Yi Qing in his arms. If it weren't for this, he wouldn't have let Yi Qing off so easily.
When Yi Qing saw Baobao, she felt like she had done something wrong. In the past, she and Baobao had depended on each other. Although they weren't well - off, they had been together every day, chatting and laughing. Now Baobao had to live in the academy, and she rarely accompanied him.