Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The severely ill Xue Fuguang, whom Prince Gong described as having one foot in the coffin, was propped up on pillows, sipping at a bowl of silver fungus and lotus seed porridge.

He was merely weakened, having endured a fever throughout the night, but was lucid before dawn.

Shaoling, lying by his bed, said resentfully, "Xiujin is still locked up in the firewood shed. My lord, you're unaware that yesterday, there were blind fools who pleaded for Xiujin’s cause!? Despite being fed and sheltered by the prince’s estate, they show no indignation at Xiujin's offense against you, and instead offer sympathy—what, merely because Xiujin appears pitiful?"

He pounded the bed in anger, then added, "Thankfully, the princess was decisive, expelling those who bite the hand that feeds. She personally keeps the keys now, preventing Xiujin’s escape."

Listening to Shaoling, Xue Fuguang pondered, "How many servants pleaded for Xiujin yesterday?"

Shaoling replied, "Three, and all were thrown out of the estate. The rest, no matter how clueless, wouldn’t dare to step out of line in front of the princess."

Fewer than he had anticipated.

Moreover, the absence of incidents like servants stealing keys to free Xiujin from his sister’s side was beyond his expectations.

Could he assume that his actions had influenced Xiujin's “protagonist’s halo”?

Handing the bowl back to Shaoling, Xue Fuguang, out of boredom, instructed him to fetch a couple of pomegranates, “And while you’re at it, take some to Qu Wu. Doesn't he like them?”

With a sour tone, Shaoling assented and went off to deliver pomegranates to Mu Jian Shu.

Not long after his departure, Mu Jian Shu climbed in through the window.

Xue Fuguang, slightly puzzled, lifted an eyelid to look at him: “Is there someone at the main gate stopping you?”

Mu Jian Shu pursed his lips, silent.

Xue Fuguang arched an eyebrow and tossed him the porcelain plate: “Hold this, stretch your hands out to catch it.”

Having said that, he slowly started to peel and break open the pomegranate.

Mù Jiànshū knelt halfway, holding the plate before him, unable to resist sneaking glances at him.

Xuē Fūguāng's gaze was intently fixed on the pomegranate, not noticing where Mù Jiànshū’s eyes had drifted.

Emboldened, he allowed his gaze to linger on Xuē Fūguāng’s lips.

The pale lips bore the signs of cracking from a high fever, with the fissures so red and raw they seemed to bleed.

He thought about touching them, just a touch.

His Adam’s apple moved slightly.

Xuē Fūguāng noticed the tremble in his throat and said lazily, “Do you like it that much?”

Mù Jiànshū averted his gaze, not daring to look again, and after a while responded in a hoarse voice, “Yes.”

Xuē Fūguāng tossed the empty pomegranate shell into Mù Jiànshū's lap: “So spineless, over a few pomegranates. I’ve already sent Shào Jǐng to deliver some to your place. Go back and eat those. If it’s not enough, come and ask me for more.”

Mù Jiànshū replied, “...Yes.”

After delivering the pomegranates, Shào Jǐng came back to find Xuē Fūguāng personally breaking open pomegranates and hurriedly said, “Young master, if you wanted to eat, you could have waited for me to peel them. Why do it yourself?”

Xuē Fūguāng took the plate from Mù Jiànshū's hands and handed it to him, “Enough, isn’t this to make up for the one I owe you? Take it away, and don’t act coy after getting a bargain.”

Shào Jǐng’s eyes widened in delight, pointing at himself in disbelief, “For me?”

Xuē Fūguāng raised an eyebrow: “You don’t want it?”

Shào Jǐng hurriedly took it: “Once given, it's mine; you, young master, can’t take it back.” Clutching it like a treasure, he chuckled and twirled around the room, “No, I must save it, can't eat it so soon.”

Having said that, he ran off with the plate of pomegranates, only to return shortly.

His smile was one of complete satisfaction.

This amused Xuē Fūguāng so much that he couldn't help but laugh softly, hand to his forehead.

Mù Jiànshū pursed his lips, appraising Shào Jǐng with a few glances, standing to the side with his eyelashes lowered, lost in thought.

Xuē Fūguāng took his medicine again, and after father and son left the imperial court, they returned to their home at Tīngzhúxuān.

Noticing his youngest son looking rather spirited, Prince Gong frowned deeply, "Tell me the truth, did you jump in there yourself?"

With the secret guards around, and even Xue Wanxi not encountering such an incident, how could Xue Fuguang, with his temperament, be pushed into a pool?

Xue Fuguang: "..."

One glance from Prince Gong was enough to know the answer, and he raised his hand to deliver another slap.

Unfortunately, even without his daughter there, there was a new obstacle in his path.

Two palms reached out together.

Xue Hongwen blocked Prince Gong's slap, his words echoing those of Xue Wanxi: "Father, A-Ru is still ill."

After speaking, he cast a glance at Mu Jianshu by the bed.

Mu Jianshu silently retracted his hand and looked down, avoiding everyone's gaze.

Prince Gong scoffed, "Each and every one of you knows only how to shield him. He's so audacious, daring to treat his own life as a joke! This time he jumps into a lake, what's next? Planning to leap off the city walls or a cliff!?"

In front of his own father, Xue Fuguang could only offer a dry laugh, finding it hard even to make up a lie.

He earnestly begged for forgiveness, "Father, I was wrong."

Prince Gong retorted, "...Don’t give me that act, crying 'Father' when you're in trouble and 'Your Highness' when you're not. Hmph."

He was just anxious, not truly angry with Xue Fuguang.

After making his point, he inquired, "Tell me, were you planning to return the embroidery to the Crown Prince this time?"

Xue Fuguang shook his head, "No. Good fortune like that doesn't come around every time."

"Since this has been brought before the Emperor, it’s naturally up to him to decide. We will send the person to the Emperor and wait for the rest. However, as Xiujin ultimately belongs to the Crown Prince, it’s only reasonable to inform him of this incident."

Xue Fuguang looked up, with a hint of clever innocence, "Big brother, could you help me deliver a letter to the Crown Prince?"

Xue Hongwen did not hesitate, "Alright."

Author's note: The whole household dotes on A-Ru, our A-Ru is truly the beloved of the clan.

Good night, see you tomorrow~

A special thanks to the angels who cast their Overlord votes or irrigated with nutrient solutions for me between 23:56:16 on 2021-09-25 and 01:54:59 on 2021-09-26~

Thanks to the angel who irrigated with nutrient solution: Bookworm, 2 bottles;

Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!

??Yearning for Dawn??

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