The room was lit by an extra lamp, and in the bright light, Lu Nianfu bandaged the wound on Gu Yanchen’s shoulder with great care, even tying a pretty bow.
“Madam, is this bow inappropriate?”
Lu Nianfu slapped his wound. “If you’re so capable, you got injured on your shoulder and rode back, and now you dare to make demands?”
Seeing his delicate wife transform into a tigress, Gu Yanchen’s eyes crinkled with amusement. He grinned playfully, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. My hand is injured, and I’ll have to rely on Madam for care in the future.”
“Hmph.”
Lu Nianfu let out a cold snort and gathered the bloody gauze. “Go eat your meal.”
A bowl of beef noodles was steaming on the table outside, freshly brought by the cook. Slices of braised beef were piled high, and two poached eggs peeked out, looking incredibly appetizing.
Gu Yanchen said, “My shoulder is injured, I can’t feed myself.”
Lu Nianfu replied without turning her head, “Commander Gu, allow me to remind you, you injured your left shoulder, and you are not left-handed.”
“Alas, why couldn’t it have been my right hand?”
His request to be fed was refused, but Gu Yanchen was unfazed. He put on his clothes and went to eat his noodles.
He stuffed a large piece of beef into his mouth; it was fragrant and tender. He said, “When we return to the capital, I must take Aunt Cui (the cook) with us.”
Lu Nianfu, who was pouring tea, was startled by his words. Tea spilled out of the cup, but she didn’t notice. “You’re returning to the capital?”
“Yes, my position has been taken by someone, where else can I go?” Gu Yanchen said, a hint of suspicion in his voice. “Didn’t I send Xiao Wuzi back to report this?”
“He only said that the Emperor had appointed a new commander, and I thought he was just coming to share power. Who is this person that they could directly push you out?”
Gu Yanchen spoke between mouthfuls of noodles. He savored a large bite and smacked his lips. “Share power? You underestimate the King of Ning’s appetite. But it doesn’t matter, even if he takes it, he might not be able to digest it. Besides, the Emperor’s son has taken his father’s throne. Upon returning to the capital for rewards, a low-ranking position would not suffice to placate public opinion, so it’s not too much of a loss.”
Lu Nianfu’s mind reeled. “Who did you say? The one who took your position is the King of Ning?”
Da Yin greatly valued martial prowess, and military merit was the greatest foundation for promotion. When Gu Yanchen had established the garrison and set up the coastal defense line, she knew it was a rich prize. Yet, she had never worried that this prize would be snatched away.
Situ Jue was a prince.
But Gu Yanchen was too, and he was even more favored by Emperor Changwu. How dare Situ Jue? And looking at the man beside her, eating heartily as if he hadn’t had his achievements plundered.
Hadn't he?
Was he this placid when he was young? Then how did he develop that arrogant demeanor in his previous life?
Gu Yanchen blinked. “Uh-huh, the King of Ning, the son of the Noble Consort. Do you know him?”
Lu Nianfu gritted her teeth. “No, I just don’t like the sound of that title. Is the King of Ning so great that he can just snatch your things?”
“He even wants to snatch the Crown Prince’s position, what is my meager offering to him? Alas, one must bow their head when under another’s roof, who is to say we must still rely on the court for our livelihood.”
Lu Nianfu: “…It’s good that you can see it that way.”
Gu Yanchen let out a couple of hums and continued eating his noodles. It wasn't that he had accepted it, but rather he was waiting to watch the show. Those fools, they really thought the Japanese pirates were made of mud, that anyone could suppress them.
As for Situ Jue…
It wasn't that he looked down on the man, but with his character, he was practically begging for a lesson. If his father, the Emperor, refused to teach him, it was fortunate that the Japanese pirates could lend a hand.
He finished his noodles in a few mouthfuls and leaned back comfortably in his chair, intending to chat with his wife. However, he saw her lost in thought, gazing into the lamplight. The warm yellow light illuminated her beautiful face. Her autumn eyes were like clear water, her delicate nose was charming, and even her profile silhouette was almost enough to capture his soul.
He couldn’t help but swallow, and glanced down at the position of his lower body.
As the saying goes, when one is full and warm, they begin to lust. This saying was indeed true. Unfortunately, while his stomach was full, his lower body still had to endure. However, if he couldn't have the main course, a bit of tofu soup was still acceptable.
He tiptoed behind her, wrapped his large hands around her soft, slender waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder. “What is Madam thinking about?”
Lu Nianfu’s body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed.
After two years, she had long grown accustomed to the kisses and embraces from the person behind her. Even the quilt that divided the river and the Han boundary on the bed had lost its effectiveness. No matter how neatly it was folded at night, it would be kicked to the foot of the bed the next morning.
And she would either be held in Gu Yanchen’s arms or be completely on top of him, intimate and inseparable.
Lu Nianfu stared at the flickering candlelight, still lost in thought. “I was thinking about when you will depart.”