CHAPTER 421: CHAPTER 418: DOTING

Xie Liangchen began to worry that Song Xian might get drunk. She really didn’t want to have to soothe a drunken Song on the night of their new marriage.

However... this thought was quickly overturned.

She started to regret that Du Jian hadn’t managed to switch Song Xian’s wine cup.

Right now she’d prefer to see that kind of Song Xian, although troublesome, he was very obedient, clinging to her side, and would meekly take a beating.

The sober Song Xian, no matter how many soft words he speaks, it’s all deceptive.

Xie Liangchen’s hand was tightly held, unable to move an inch.

"Song Xian."

Xie Liangchen called out, her voice somewhat hoarse, sounding very different from usual.

Let alone the fact that she couldn’t control her voice, her whole being was already not her own; her breathing, her heartbeat, all were under the control of another.

A thin sweat formed on her forehead and the tip of her nose; aside from Song Xian and what was happening in front of her, it seemed as if there was nothing else in her mind.

With great difficulty, she caught her breath and reached out to push him, yet he lowered his head to her ear and pleaded, calling her name over and over again.

Soft, she now knew the feeling of total weakness, suddenly recalling the times he taught her boxing and kicking, when he would toss her to the ground, now she believes, he was holding back his strength then, she had wronged him those times.

"Enough." Xie Liangchen finally withdrew her hand, unable to stop herself from pushing him.

Song Xian was still like before, seemingly coaxing her: "Not yet."

"I’m out of strength."

"There’s still more."

Song Xian slightly released the hand that clasped tightly with hers, and she immediately broke free.

Song Xian said: "See, isn’t there still more? It’s still early."

In any case, no matter how she pleaded, he always managed to handle it.

Xie Liangchen looked into Song Xian’s eyes, and for a moment he was lost; she’d never seen him like that before. Once he slightly recovered, he gazed steadily at her, his breathing growing increasingly warmer.

Her heart softened for a moment, but she quickly regretted it again.

Half-asleep and muddle-headed, she heard him bringing in hot water from outside.

Soaking in the tub, then being wiped clean, wrapped like a cocoon, she heard Song Xian whisper by her ear: "Liangchen, let me tell you something."

Xie Liangchen responded with a sound, not opening her eyes, but instead curling herself down.

Song Xian said: "I’ve never liked having servants around since I was young. All the things in the room, I arrange myself, only two nannies help tidy the house; I don’t have any trusted maids around, the one who just brought you food is from grandmother’s courtyard."

"You might not be used to it... but grandmother has trustworthy family members there, so you should go pick them yourself tomorrow."

Xie Liangchen felt herself reply, then Song Xian patted her head.

Listening to the rustle beside the bed, Xie Liangchen emerged from fatigue and opened her eyes, only to see Song Xian busying at the bedside, seemingly changing the dirty bed sheets.

As Song Xian’s activities gradually dissipated her sleepiness, her mind became clearer, recalling what Song Xian had just said.

Song Xian must not dislike having servants serving him; it’s likely because in his childhood, Mrs. Rong had planted spies beside him, watching his every move, which made him disgusted, preferring to do things himself. The nannies in the yard were probably sent by Old Mrs. Song.

Unpleasant experiences in childhood don’t easily fade.

After Song Xian finished tidying up, he turned to the bed and embraced her.

"Not asleep?" Song Xian asked, "Not tired?"

"Tired." Fearing that someone might have other thoughts again, Xie Liangchen immediately closed her eyes.

Song Xian laughed lightly, lifted her and gently placed her back on the bed.

Perhaps because she had just bathed and was now lying on the soft bedding, Xie Liangchen only felt a bit warm. She disassembled the quilt and extended her arms, wanting to let some air in.

But her arm was promptly tucked back in by Song Xian.

"Careful not to catch a cold."

He felt like a warm stove, how could she catch a cold?

Xie Liangchen tucked her head in: "After sweating it’ll be easy to catch a cold."

Leaning on his shoulder, having just used up all her strength, now only feeling the warmth surrounding her, she closed her eyes, ready to fall asleep again.

"This is perfect," Xie Liangchen said.

Song Xian asked: "What?"

Xie Liangchen mumbled: "Outside there’s Chang An, Chang Yue, the courtyard still has two nannies, there’s nothing much in the room, don’t need that many people... I’m not used to it."

Song Xian listened carefully. After Xie Liangchen finished speaking, he lowered his head to look; her breath was long and steady, she was asleep.

Song Xian wrapped his other arm around Xie Liangchen’s waist, cheek against her hair, feeling incredibly at ease at this moment; thinking about what Liangchen had said earlier, in her previous life she probably had servants beside her in Su Family, when did she not get used to it? She was considering it for him.

He didn’t like others coming and going freely between him and her, this sentiment had only recently been realized; he could manage like this for now, it would be no issue to assign more people to the outer courtyard if needed.

With that thought, Song Xian relaxed himself and drifted into dreamland.

Xie Liangchen was accustomed to waking early, always up before her grandmother. Especially in winter, when the heated bed cooled, it wasn’t as comfortable to sleep; sometimes she’d lie for a while longer, but she never had the habit of lying abed.

Yet today she slept particularly deeply, because the warmth beside her was constant, and the nannies outside hadn’t come to knock on the door.

Did Song Xian not go out to practice boxing and kicking? The nannies hadn’t come to urge, it must still be early, right?

Comforting herself with this thought, she dozed off again, suddenly feeling something amiss, what if Song Xian purposely didn’t get up, and Old Mrs. Song had instructed not to urge them?

Thinking of this, Xie Liangchen opened her eyes.

Sure enough, daylight had come.

"Sleep a bit longer." Song Xian said, gently massaging her back.

The massage was just right, in this slow soothing, it was tempting to close her eyes again.

"Got to get up," Xie Liangchen said, "Need to go greet grandmother with tea, later people from the clan will come, also have to meet relatives."

"No one’s coming from the clan," Song Xian said, "Grandmother instructed yesterday, we’ll visit the clan when we’re free; there are so many people in the clan, it’s hard to remember just a few faces. Today there are no outsiders at home, grandmother isn’t in a hurry."

Xie Liangchen knew it was all arranged beforehand, or else it wouldn’t be so quiet.

Struggling to sit up, Xie Liangchen glanced at Song Xian: "Where are my dresses?"

Song Xian hadn’t let anyone in to serve, he himself got up first and dressed before bringing over the clothes Axiang had prepared.

Xie Liangchen reached out for the clothing, yet Song Xian showed no intention of leaving.

Song Xian smiled as he looked at her: "I’ll help you dress."

"No need," Xie Liangchen said, "Turn your back."

Two nannies stood in the courtyard, listening to the sounds from the room; Grand Master didn’t like anyone serving close, don’t know if the Commandery Princess is alright with it, can she manage?

But seeing this stance, the young couple seemed to be getting along well.

Inside the room, Song Xian was helping Xie Liangchen put on socks.

"Really no need," Xie Liangchen said, "Just give them to me."

Yet she couldn’t compete with him; as she kicked her foot, it accidentally slipped out of his palm, landing on his Adam’s apple.

Just as Xie Liangchen wanted to withdraw her foot, Song Xian held it: "Don’t move, this spot is very delicate, be careful not to break it."