Arc 2: Part 58
People who aren't familiar with Xiao Lingchen might find him gloomy and indifferent. However, if you truly enter his heart, you would discover how he treats you as a treasure, always worrying that he might not be pampering you enough.
The winter afternoon sun was warm, and the underfloor heating system made everything cozy. Both of them were awake, but too lazy to get out of bed, preferring to snuggle up together and whisper sweet nothings.
Tong Su poked his delicately chiseled chin, "How can I not get enough sleep when it is because of you? You have given me the whole management of the Xiao Mansion, aren't you afraid I won't handle it?"
Xiao Lingchen lowered his head and kissed the center of her palm, replying, "The capable have more responsibilities. In the future, what you'll manage won't just be the Xiao Mansion."
"Ah, there you go, taking advantage of me again."
Tong Su glared at him and tried to withdraw her hand, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him, her chin naturally resting on his shoulder.
"Miss Bai, could you help clear up my confusion? You mentioned someone taking advantage, but I'm not sure which advantage you are referring to?"
Tong Su was both amused and annoyed, "I didn't realize how eloquent you could be, Gege."
Which advantage was it? Was it the advantage of closeness, or was it him persuading her to manage not just Xiao Mansion?
The former pertained to taking liberties, while the latter was persuading her to agree to marry.
Beyond Xiao Mansion naturally referred to the palace; his intention was for her to get used to handling household affairs soon. If she entered the palace in the future, she would be the mistress of a vast palace with the East and West palaces and twelve departments, responsible for all the palace affairs.
Tong Su noticed the increasingly tense atmosphere in the mansion and guessed that Xiao Lingchen's entry into the main palace must be drawing near.
This was happening a lot sooner than it did in the rewritten history.
In the previous world, Xiao Lingchen was not only unallied with the Prince of Zhenbei due to the latter's severe illness, but they were also enemies. Facing multiple hostile forces, ascending the throne by usurpation was quite challenging.
In this life, with her having resolved the crisis of the crown prince and the Prince of Zhenbei as an ally, neither external relatives nor inner eunuchs were much of a concern. The day of the abdication of Emperor Xuanyi was no longer far off.
Xiao Lingchen laughed with deep significance, "You'd have to experience it yourself to know whether I'm eloquent or not."
Tong Su, puzzled initially, quickly understood what he meant. She blushed with annoyance and angrily stated, "Shut up you, you're so inappropriate!"
He immediately laughed and admitted his mistake, "Okay, it's my fault. Can you forgive me this time, Miss Bai? Sometimes, I misjudge people and make them do things they're not necessarily good at. Putting you to work was indeed inappropriate, considering there are other things more suited for you."
"Such as what?"
"For instance, embroidering a wedding dress."
She couldn’t help but laugh at his audacity, "You wish! In the absence of betrothal gifts and without seeking approval for our marriage, you already want me to stitch a wedding dress. You have some nerve!"
He slowly said, "That's not quite accurate. The six marriage rituals are being prepared, and until now, I haven't dared to indulge in your love. How can you say I'm thick-skinned?"
Tong Su realized that this man was becoming increasingly adhesive.
A powerful regent who holds sway in the court and commands the world with his decisions, yet once he returns to his residence, he becomes a clingy plaster. He appeared to hate letting go of her, seeming to wish to embrace her every moment of the day, whether sitting, walking or resting.
She snorted, "No wonder people behind your back find you annoying. When you're out lecturing others on marital relationships, they say you have a despicable demeanor of a petty person who has just tasted success. I think there is some truth to that."
Xiao Lingchen supported his arm and leaned over, dark eyes gazing dangerously down at her, his handsome face adorned with a smile. He asked slowly, "How much truth do you think there is in that?"
He was too close, smiling but unwavering in his unblinking stare. There was a hint of red in the corners of his eyes, and the way he looked at her neck resembled the greedy, hungry gaze of a lone wolf – fixated on its long-awaited prey. A sense of danger and bloodlust surrounded him.
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