Chapter 0046 Adorable

Chapter 0046 Adorable

Qu Yunmie summoned the doctor, which startled Chen Shi, who had just lain down not long ago, and Xiao Yi, who was still working late into the night.

As Chen Shi aged, she gained a little weight, but even with this slight increase, she only appeared normal to Xiao Rong. In this era, the aesthetic standards were more skewed towards an unhealthy pursuit of thinness than the "white, young, and slim" trend that would come later. Both men and women obsessively sought a slender physique, and men pursued it even more fervently, sometimes going days without eating to appear delicate and weak.

Chen Shi, being from a noble family, naturally adhered to these principles, eating only until she was seven-tenths full and weeping if she gained a bit of weight. However, things have changed now. The confused Chen Shi could now eat three large pancakes in one sitting, especially after moving into the Northern Pacification King's residence, where all her expenses were covered by Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong never restricted her diet; he ate three meals a day, and Chen Shi happily followed suit. Although there had been no noticeable change in her figure yet, she seemed much happier since she could eat whatever she wanted.

At this moment, Chen Shi had forgotten her excitement over the roasted suckling pig she had eaten earlier. Seeing Xiao Rong's listless appearance, she hurried over and held his hand, refusing to leave.

The doctor, whom Qu Yunmie deemed useless, arrived under the intense scrutiny of the Northern Pacification King. Despite sweating profusely, he still resorted to the same old excuses.

After listening, Qu Yunmie crossed his arms and looked at Xiao Rong.

He knew that Xiao Rong might be feigning weakness, as he always seemed half-dead when he needed something from him. But the mysterious illness was real, and Xiao Rong genuinely felt unwell. He lay half-reclined, accepting whatever others arranged for him. If they told him to take medicine, he obediently did so; if they told him to sleep, he immediately complied, offering no resistance.

This passive behavior frustrated Qu Yunmie. He sensed that Xiao Rong didn't really care about his health issues; his compliance was merely for show. Whether the medicine worked or if he felt better after sleeping didn't matter to him.

Feeling uneasy, Qu Yunmie turned to leave, as Xiao Yi and Chen Shi had already occupied the space around Xiao Rong. Even the small gap between them was blocked by a young man named Ah Shu. Standing behind those closest to Xiao Rong, Qu Yunmie realized that his martial prowess couldn't break through this barrier.

Watching Xiao Rong and Chen Shi converse, Xiao Rong reassured her not to worry, while Chen Shi tenderly stroked his hand, asking if he still felt unwell. This familial moment seemed unrelated to Qu Yunmie, and after a moment of silence, he left.

Xiao Rong saw Qu Yunmie's departing back but, for some reason, didn't call out to him or say goodbye.

After another bowl of bitter medicine, Xiao Rong sent everyone back to rest. Xiao Yi, always understanding, knew Xiao Rong needed to sleep, but Chen Shi refused to leave. She could be stubborn at times, and even Xiao Yi couldn't change her mind. Forcing her away would severely distress her, as she once fell ill when Xiao Yi's mother passed away, losing touch with reality and forgetting basic survival instincts.

In the end, Xiao Rong decided to let Chen Shi stay, as they had nothing to fear regarding propriety. If she changed her mind, he would send Ah Shu to escort her back. Ah Shu, who had been serving Chen Shi recently, was pleased to return to Xiao Rong's outer room, feeling like everything was back to normal.

Seeing Xiao Rong's insistence, Xiao Yi reluctantly returned to his own room.

Halfway through the candle's burn, Xiao Rong urged Chen Shi to lie down. Though it was early summer, sitting up all night would tire her bones, but she refused, holding his hand and occasionally stroking his hand with her rough fingertips.

Xiao Rong leaned against the bed frame, initially puzzled by her actions. Eventually, he realized she was checking if he was still warm.

When someone dies, their body cools differently. A thermometer would show a surface temperature of thirty-five degrees, dropping to thirty within an hour, reaching ambient temperature in just ninety minutes. While the environment might not be cold, touching such a body feels bone-chillingly icy.

Xiao Rong held Chen Shi's hand, covering her aged, spotted palm with his own. She looked at him, and he smiled reassuringly.

Gently shaking her hand, he whispered, "Grandmother, don't worry. I'm fine."

Chen Shi stared at him, then slowly said, "Rong'er, I suddenly remembered something."

Xiao Rong stiffened, wanting to pull his hand back but resisted. He smiled cautiously, "What did you remember, Grandmother?"

Chen Shi: "I remembered that I don't have a daughter. You don't resemble your aunt; you resemble me when I was young. Look at this face, exactly like mine!"

Xiao Rong: "…………"

You people, can you stop attributing my looks to others? My beauty is unique!

Afterward, whether due to forgetting Xiao Rong's illness or his reassurances, Chen Shi released his hand but remained seated, determined to watch over him all night.

With someone watching, Xiao Rong couldn't sleep. Since he wasn't tired, he leaned against the bed frame, letting his thoughts wander.

Usually, his thoughts were purposeful and planned, but when he daydreamed, they roamed freely, bringing him random ideas. Today, however, his thoughts revolved around one person—Qu Yunmie.

Only he knew how he felt when Qu Yunmie yelled at him, saying he wanted to drive away the Buddha's son because he didn't care about himself. Indeed, Qu Yunmie wasn't a competent ruler or superior. He was self-centered, impulsive, and prone to causing trouble with his high martial prowess, completely disregarding offending others. Such behavior would eventually lead to significant consequences.

Yet, Xiao Rong couldn't be angry with him. His rage over someone seemingly "not caring about him" showed how much he truly cared.

Xiao Rong began to understand why Gao Xunzhi, despite his talents, never considered leaving Qu Yunmie. The main reason was that Qu Yunmie treated those he valued exceptionally well, without any pretense. After Gao Xunzhi's death, Qu Yunmie's behavior mirrored that of a mentally ill person, much like Yu Shaocheng, who relentlessly pursued him. Qu Yunmie, in turn, relentlessly attacked Southern Yong, making many mistakes and becoming a cautionary tale for centuries.

Though Xiao Rong was lying in bed, he felt himself sliding down a slope called "calm and independent" toward a pit named "Qu Yunmie."

When the system brought him here, he was forced to serve Qu Yunmie, but he never believed he was truly bound to him. Everything he did was for himself. If the system suddenly returned and offered to send him back to modern times, he would leave without hesitation. But now...

Xiao Rong sighed softly, glancing at Chen Shi, who had fallen asleep, snoring lightly.

Xiao Rong: "……"

Since Ah Shu left, Xiao Rong hadn't shared his thoughts with anyone. With more people around, Qu Yunmie visiting daily, and Gao Xunzhi and Yu Shaoxie frequently dropping by, he hadn't realized how much he had bottled up.

Watching Chen Shi nod off, Xiao Rong didn't wake her. Instead, he murmured, "Grandmother, my life is truly hard."

Chen Shi didn't respond, and Xiao Rong looked at the ceiling, "My precious youth, wasted on Qu Yunmie, the big fool. It's not worth it."

These were words he had said before, usually when Qu Yunmie angered him. But today, repeating them made him feel guilty.

He no longer thought that way, so continuing to repeat it would just be deceiving himself.

Xiao Rong took a deep breath and his expression turned sour. "Why am I even saying this? It's like I have nothing better to do."

He patted his own face, gathered his spirits, and then shook Chen Shi awake. She opened her eyes and looked at him in confusion, asking, "Rong'er, why are you here with your grandmother?"

Xiao Rong: "...Grandmother, it's late. You should go back and rest."

Chen Shi hadn't yet realized how she had ended up in Xiao Rong's room, or perhaps she didn't even recognize it as his room. Xiao Rong called Ah Shu in, who helped her up, and she left in a daze.

The next day, Xiao Rong hadn't slept well the night before and woke up late. When he woke, it was still some time before lunch, but he was hungry, so he asked Ah Shu to serve the meal early. Gao Xunzhi came to visit and saw Xiao Rong sitting at the table without having changed clothes. He couldn't help but nag, "Living an irregular life with messed-up eating habits—how can you possibly recover like this?"

Xiao Rong smiled at him. "Would the Chancellor care to join me for a meal?"

Gao Xunzhi: "..."

After Gao Xunzhi sat down, he didn't rush to eat. Instead, he glanced at Chen Shi, who was enjoying her food, and then asked Xiao Rong, "Where is Xiao Yi?"

Xiao Rong replied, "He only eats breakfast and dinner; he skips lunch."

Gao Xunzhi was silent. This was a normal schedule, wasn't it? How could two children from the same family have such different habits?

But he never imagined they weren't actually brothers, because there was Chen Shi, eating heartily, indicating where Xiao Rong got his habits from.

He could nag Xiao Rong, but he dared not nag the elderly lady who was older than him. Silently, he picked up his chopsticks, about to take a bite, when he heard quick and heavy footsteps outside.

Only one person in the palace made such footsteps. Xiao Rong and Gao Xunzhi looked towards the door, and soon, Qu Yunmie walked in.

Seeing them eating, Qu Yunmie showed no surprise and casually waved for a guard to bring him a chair.

It was a round table, and Qu Yunmie took up half of it. His large stature was one reason, and his exaggerated movements were another. Sitting close to him meant risking being stepped on, hit, or poked.

Xiao Rong habitually moved over to make space for Qu Yunmie and then asked curiously, "Why is the King back so early? Usually, you return an hour later."

Qu Yunmie opened his mouth to answer, but Gao Xunzhi spoke first, "The King returned at dawn and did not stay long in the camp."

Xiao Rong was puzzled. "Why? Did something happen?"

Hearing this, Gao Xunzhi also looked at Qu Yunmie, both of them casting questioning glances.

Qu Yunmie: "..."

He didn't want to answer and replied casually, "Just personal matters."

Xiao Rong was even more surprised. "The King has personal matters?"

Qu Yunmie: "......"

He frowned. "Why can't I have personal matters? In my free time, I do things unrelated to military affairs. Do you think I'm just a brute who knows nothing but fighting?"

Xiao Rong: "..."

He did think that, but he couldn't say it. He gave Qu Yunmie a placating smile, trying to make up for his tone, but before he could speak, Chen Shi, sitting across from Qu Yunmie, suddenly lifted her head as if triggered by a command.

She frowned and said, "Qu Yunmie?"

Everyone at the table looked at her, wondering why she repeated his name. Then she added, "Qu Yunmie is a big fool."

There was a clatter as Xiao Rong's chopsticks fell to the floor.

Chen Shi didn't notice their stunned expressions. She stared at the chicken leg on her plate and said solemnly, "Rong'er wasted his youth on Qu Yunmie. Rong'er's life is so hard. Rong'er has nothing better to do; it's really not worth it."

Gao Xunzhi's eyes widened, and Xiao Rong froze. He realized Chen Shi hadn't been asleep last night and had remembered every word he said, repeating them to Qu Yunmie like a parrot!

Xiao Rong's neck turned slowly, and he looked at Qu Yunmie stiffly, his voice trembling. "I didn't say that. My grandmother has dementia..."

Qu Yunmie's face darkened as he looked at Xiao Rong. "Because I wouldn't let you go to Jinling, you said these things behind my back to your grandmother?"

Xiao Rong stared at him blankly, unsure how to respond.

Qu Yunmie sneered. "You lied to your grandmother too. If you consider yourself idle, then who else in this world is busy?" Huh?

It seemed Qu Yunmie wasn't going to hold it against him.

Realizing this, Xiao Rong immediately bowed his head and admitted his mistake. "The King is right. Those were just angry words. I won't say such things again."

Xiao Rong was always adaptable, and in this matter, he was much better than Qu Yunmie, who never apologized even when he knew he was wrong.

Seeing Xiao Rong's attitude, Qu Yunmie grunted and let it go.

Gao Xunzhi watched this scene in astonishment. After the meal, when Qu Yunmie got up to leave, Gao Xunzhi followed him out and asked, "Does the King truly not mind those words?"

Qu Yunmie walked forward expressionlessly. "Why should I? Mr. Gao knows Xiao Rong's character. He must have said worse things behind my back. These few words are nothing."

And he didn't hold back yesterday either, calling him a dictator right to his face.

Gao Xunzhi: "..."

Indeed. He was even more amazed that Qu Yunmie was being so magnanimous. Gao Xunzhi praised him profusely until they almost reached Qu Yunmie's quarters. Then he cautiously confirmed one last time, "The King really doesn't mind, right? Even those three words...?"

He couldn't even repeat them, as uttering them would be vulgar. As a scholar, he couldn't say those words! Thinking them a dozen times was enough.

Hearing Gao Xunzhi's question, Qu Yunmie suddenly smiled mysteriously. "I don't mind. Xiao Rong must have said these things to his grandmother when we first returned to the palace yesterday. He was angry that I disagreed with him, but all he could do was call me names. He couldn't even curse properly. Doesn't Mr. Gao find such a Xiao Rong somewhat endearing, like a child?"

And he complained about wasting his youth on him, even in private, showing that Xiao Rong indeed planned to stay by his side forever.

So, for that one sentence, Qu Yunmie could forgive everything else.

Tsk, what a day. One thing after another, making him be magnanimous. But surprisingly, being forgiving didn't make him feel oppressed; instead, he felt quite happy.

With new insights into life, Qu Yunmie returned to his residence with a faint smile.

Gao Xunzhi, behind him: "…………"

He looked at Qu Yunmie's back, feeling as if he had been struck by lightning. C-cute?

The thought that this word came from Qu Yunmie's mouth made Gao Xunzhi shiver uncontrollably. …

This was not the Qu Yunmie he knew! He must have been possessed by a wild ghost!

Author's note: