Chapter 174 – Historically Memorable Villainy Arc (52.1)
The sky brightened as the sun rose from the horizon. It had snowed throughout the night and the ground outside was blanketed in white.
The light that came in through the window was a glaring white that hurt to look at. Su Shi opened his eyes only to close them right away when the bright light hit his pupils. Even then it still took a good long moment for the whiteness behind his lids to dissipate.
Sensing his movements, Song Rong subconsciously tightened his arms and lowered his eyes with concern.
He saw Lu Li with his eyes closed against the bright light. A faint furrow of discomfort marred the space between his brows as he nuzzled closer to Song Rong’s chest.
Song Rong knew that this was just Lu Li’s instinctive reaction to waking up to the bright light and was confused, but his heart couldn’t help going soft at the action.
He took off his heavy court clothes, hugged Lu Li closer to him, and propped himself up to block the glare coming in front the window.
“Are you feeling better?”
After the fever subsided, his body felt cold. Su Shi instinctively clutched the court clothes and wrapped them tightly around himself. He let out a soft noise of agreement.
It was rare to see Lu Li acting so soft and unguarded. A soft smile tugged at the corners of Song Rong’s lips. He tucked the blanket around Lu Li tighter and said in a warm voice, “The food has been delivered. You haven’t eaten for a day, so try to eat a little, okay?”
Su Shi had heard the conversation outside the door back then, so he was curious about what kind of food was delivered. He wanted to sit up, but Song Rong gently pushed him back.
“Your fever has only just passed and it has snowed outside. It’s the cold season right now. You must not catch a cold again.”
Song Rong’s tone was soft and earnest. Su Shi had no choice but to lie back down again. Su Shi opened his mouth to speak, but choked on the cold air and couldn’t help coughing twice.
Translations by Vanilla Muse. Read on vmnovels [dot] com
Song Rong was taking out a porridge bowl from the food box. When he heard Lu Li coughing, he hurried back to his side and carefully lifted him up and helped him leaned against his chest.
The body that has been practicing martial arts for many years was strong and powerful. Even in the cold morning air, his chest was still warm.
Su Shi also planned to live until the young emperor’s enthronement ceremony, so naturally he wouldn’t make things more difficult for his body. He stopped resisting and relaxed into Song Rong’s broad chest and strong arms. He reached for the spoon in Song Rong’s hand.
After resting for a day, the injury on his wrist was finally no longer so red, swollen, and glaring, and the strength in his hand had somewhat recovered. At the very least, it was no longer a problem for him to hold a spoon.
The porridge in the bowl was slow cooked and mixed with lean meat. It seemed very exquisite. Clearly, it was not food meant for a prisoner that should be kept in the Heavenly Prison*.
[*T/N: Heavenly Prison 天牢 – refers to the prison in the capital and directly under the control of the imperial court. It is different from the Earthly Prison 地牢, which is below ground. The Heavenly Prison is above ground and it is a place where prisoners with severe crimes are held.]
Su Shi wondered what Song Rong had done with the breakfast meant for the Heavenly Prison. Su Shi stirred the spoon in the bowl twice. He saw the silent concern in Song Rong’s eyes and decided not to ask. He lowered his head and slowly ate the lukewarm porridge.
Seeing that Lu Li was willing to eat, Song Rong finally breathed a sigh of relief. With one hand, he held the bowl steady for Lu Li, and with the other hand, he adjusted the blanket around Lu Li to prevent him from getting cold again.
Su Shi’s stomach had been empty for a day, so as soon as the porridge entered his stomach, the first thing it brought him was a sharp burst of pain.
Su Shi couldn’t help but frown. Hidden beneath the blanket, he brought a hand to his stomach. He was immediately met with Song Rong’s worried look, which seemed to be overly anxious.
Su Shi reluctantly removed his hand from his stomach, and spoke in a warm voice. “I’m fine, it’s just that I haven’t eaten anything for a long time.”
After the discomfort subsided, he lowered his head and ate a few more mouthfuls of porridge. Then he put down the spoon.
He didn’t eat much at all. Song Rong frowned slightly and said in a tentative and warm voice: “Is it not to your liking? Is there anything you want to eat?”
“Not really, I just don’t feel hungry.”
Su Shi shook his head, and a thought suddenly came to his mind: “Does wangye know how to make noodles?”
His voice was very soft.
Song Rong was slightly startled and asked subconsciously. “What?”
Su Shi had already given up the unrealistic idea and shook his head: “It’s nothing.”
The first time he could only grill ready-made meat. It was only the second time that he learned how to cook instant noodles. There were no such easy-to-make instant foods in this world, so he shouldn’t ask for difficult things from others.
