The liveliness outside formed a stark contrast to the cold desolation within the room.
Chi You lay sprawled on the soft couch, eyes half-closed, feigning sleep, ignoring the person standing behind her.
Liu Rong Ruo looked down at her from his elevated position, his clear, cold eyebrows revealing no change in expression.
He watched for a long moment before leaning down and scooping her into his arms.
Startled, Chi You’s eyes flew open, and she pushed against him.
“What are you doing?”
“If you don’t want to come out to eat, I’ll carry you out.”
He looked at her from beneath his drooping eyelids, his gaze conveying that he was not joking.
Chi You, irritated, pinched him. “I’m sleepy, not hungry.”
“You’re not hungry, but the seed in your belly is.”
“It’s in my belly? You know?”
Liu Rong Ruo’s expression was indifferent. “Have you heard of the connection between father and son?”
Chi You: “----”
She wriggled her body in protest.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll stab Xiao Chi Zhan to death with a knife and ruin everything for you?”
Liu Rong Ruo lowered his head and bit her lips. “Rest assured, you won’t have the chance to get close to him.”
With that, he moved to walk out.
Seeing his intention, Chi You’s eyes turned red with anger, and she hit him.
“Put me down, I’ll go out myself.”
With so many people around, being carried out like this would be utterly humiliating.
Liu Rong Ruo stopped and looked down at her.
Chi You glared at him hatefully. “Put me down, I’ll walk myself.”
He complied and set her down.
“My waist hurts, I’ve twisted it.”
She sat on a nearby stool, clutching her waist.
Liu Rong Ruo glanced sideways at her dawdling, then walked over.
“Where does it hurt?”
“Below the waist.”
She said, rubbing her waist and abdomen, dragging her feet and clearly not wanting to go out.
Liu Rong Ruo, seeing through her intention, walked over, sat down, pulled her onto his lap, and placed his hand beneath her waist, gently massaging it.
Chi You stiffened, lowered her head, and remained silent.
The air grew quiet.
His technique was quite good, and the massage made her feel drowsy.
Unconsciously, she leaned into his embrace and closed her eyes for a brief rest.
Li Qiong Yu’s impatient voice came from outside. Liu Rong Ruo looked at the person with closed eyes in his arms and leaned down to kiss her.
Chi You wasn’t truly asleep. The moment he kissed her, she immediately opened her eyes and pushed him away.
Their breaths intertwined instantly, broken curses spilling from her mouth in a jumbled mess, echoing within the room.
Liu Rong Ruo held her head and, after kissing her to his satisfaction, released her.
“Shameless!”
Chi You’s face was flushed from the kiss, her rosy lips as vibrant as flowers.
“Is this the first day you’re finding out?”
His expression was so indifferent it was almost inhuman.
Chi You shot him a glare and jumped out of his embrace.
By the time they emerged, several dishes were already laid out on the stone table.
Wei Qing Ge saw her and smiled, waving.
“A Wu, come eat quickly.”
Chi You’s gaze fell upon Xiao Chi Zhan and Tan Tai Ye, who were grilling lamb skewers nearby. Her hand, hidden within her sleeve, clenched involuntarily.
She lowered her eyes and walked towards Ye Luan and the others.
The evening breeze was pleasant, and the sky was ablaze with an orange-red sunset, reflecting on the pond, casting shimmering golden light.
Chi You was genuinely hungry, so she sat on a stool, listening to their aimless chatter, and ate a lot.
Wei Qing Ge was lively and talkative, and laughter filled the garden.
As Chi You listened to her recount novelties from the border, her unhappiness gradually dissipated. She ate while listening with curiosity.
Since coming of age, she had been navigating the court, maneuvering through the deceptions and intrigues. She rarely had such moments of ease.
Wei Qing Ge planted a foot on the stone stool, one hand on her hip, cheerfully recounting stories. Her descriptions were so vivid, more engaging than any professional storyteller.
Ye Luan, hearing her fanciful tales, wanted to laugh and deliberately teased her a few times.
Li Qiong Yu brought over a fruit platter, heard her words, and flicked her forehead with a finger.
“Talking nonsense.”
“Ah—that hurts, you wretched Li Qiong Yu.”
Wei Qing Ge pouted indignantly and pushed him away.
Li Qiong Yu placed an arm around her waist, pressed her onto the stool, and handed her a plate of torn meat.
“Eat quickly, it’ll get cold.”
Wei Qing Ge, who had been chattering non-stop and hadn’t eaten yet, felt a pang of hunger upon seeing the delicious food and obediently sat down to eat.
The cool breeze blew, and the faint fragrance from the lotus pond could not mask the aroma of grilled meat filling the entire garden.
Chi You, perhaps having eaten too much, smelled the grilled lamb and felt an urge to vomit, experiencing a bout of dry heaving.
Ye Luan noticed her discomfort and took out a porcelain bottle from her embrace, offering it.
“A Wu, here, this is medicine I concocted. I had constant vomiting when I was pregnant, and this medicine can help suppress it.”
Chi You looked at the porcelain bottle handed to her, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
Wei Qing Ge directly took it and fed it to her.
“Eat quickly.”
As Wei Qing Ge forcefully pushed it into her mouth, Chi You quickly took the bottle herself and swallowed the medicine.
After taking the medicine, she leaned back on the chair, trying to calm the discomfort within her body.
Liu Rong Ruo brought over a plate of golden bell skewers and shrimp skewers. Seeing her pale face, he approached.
“What’s wrong?”
Chi You didn’t want to talk to him, but seeing the others around, she forced herself to shake her head.
“Nothing, just feeling a bit nauseous.”
Liu Rong Ruo glanced at the iron skewer in front of her and asked, “Are you full?”
“Mm.”
Hearing this, he immediately leaned down and scooped her up in his arms.
Chi You was startled and, forgetting the slight discomfort within her, whispered a reproach in embarrassment.
“What are you doing?”
Liu Rong Ruo ignored her and said to Xiao Chi Zhan.
“I’m taking her back to rest. You all continue eating.”
Xiao Chi Zhan grunted and continued to grill vegetables for Ye Luan.
The lively sounds from behind gradually faded.
Chi You also felt a bit tired, so she didn’t say anything more, allowing him to carry her away.
Upon arriving at Hua Qing Palace, Liu Rong Ruo placed her into the hot spring pool.
“Weren’t you going on a night tour? You go with them, I’ll just rest here myself.”
He didn’t speak, but took off his outer robe, put on only his inner garment, and entered the hot spring pool, then proceeded to undress her.
Chi You didn’t refuse. Wearing so many clothes felt overwhelming.
Stripped down to a white inner dress, she sat in the pool, her shapely figure unable to be concealed.
“Why is your belly still so flat?”
He reached out to embrace her, his long, clean hand caressing her abdomen.
Chi You slapped his hand away with a snap, her voice cold.
“Stop touching me. Get out, I want to be alone for a while.”
Angered by her repeated defiance, Liu Rong Ruo’s expression turned cold. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“You’re getting bolder and bolder.”
Chi You’s bones ached from his grip. She opened her tear-clouded eyes and looked at him coldly.
“I’ve always been unreasonable. Is this the first day you’ve known, Prime Minister?”
Liu Rong Ruo remained silent, his cold demeanor truly frightening.
Chi You instinctively averted her gaze and moved aside.
“Stay put.”
He said indifferently, then stood up and left.
Chi You felt an even greater discomfort in her heart, and closed her eyes.
Later, after she finished bathing and came out, she saw that no one was around. A hint of an unreadable expression flashed in her eyes.
She changed into different clothes, intending to go to the pharmacy. However, before she could leave, the patrolling guards outside increased, and maids were stationed at the door.
She frowned slightly and, just as she was about to climb out the window, a figure suddenly darted in and covered her mouth.
“Little You’er, it’s me, don’t scream.”