"Yes, I’m worried about you," Xie Wanqing couldn’t bear his indifferent manner, so she smiled at him, "You want to take us mother and son back to the Capital City, let us step into such a place of conflict. If you die young, I can’t protect Ran’er, so of course I have to worry about you."
Worry was real.
Unwillingness to admit it was pure worry was also true.
Lu Ziyuan’s expression gradually froze as he looked deeply at her, then suddenly smiled.
"Don’t be afraid, I’ll protect you," he wrapped his palm around her waist, "No one can harm you."
"Stop dodging the question," Xie Wanqing wasn’t so easily placated, "Answer me first, your heart issue..."
"It’s nothing," Lu Ziyuan said lightly, "Even if I die young, I will ensure your safety."
What he said was calm and carefree, but when Xie Wanqing heard it, it echoed like thunder.
"You really have a health issue..." her nose reddened suddenly, "How many years do you have left to live!"
Her eyes quickly filled with tears, ready to spill like gold peas.
Lu Ziyuan suddenly panicked, he propped himself up with his arm, pulled her tightly into his embrace, "Don’t curse me, my hair may have turned gray, but I’m not yet at the point of dying young."
"Don’t cry," he lowered his head to kiss her eyes, coaxing softly, "If you get angry at me fewer times in the future, I promise I’ll even make my hair grow back for you, okay?"
"Really?" Xie Wanqing climbed around his neck, her right hand moving downward to touch his heart, earnestly feeling his strong heartbeat, sniffing, "You didn’t lie to me?"
"...I’m not lying to you," Lu Ziyuan’s eyes flickered slightly, kissing her reddened nose, teasing, "Are you really so worried about me?"
Xie Wanqing refused to admit it.
She said, "I don’t want to become a widow."
Especially not the widow of the Emperor.
Lu Ziyuan’s lips tugged slightly, unsure whether he believed her.
It was then that Xie Wanqing realized how intimate their current position was.
She was straddling his waist and abdomen, her lower back tightly held by one of his hands, her entire body pressed against his chest.
And he was half-lying there, propped up on one arm, holding her waist with the other, his eyelids slightly raised as he glanced at her sideways.
Xie Wanqing swallowed dryly, "Let me down, weren’t you about to leave, Ran’er is back now, you can go."
As she spoke, the hand on her lower back didn’t loosen, instead it tightened further.
Lu Ziyuan raised his brows slightly, "What if I don’t want to let go?"
Just now, he was full of thoughts that this place was her and that young man’s love nest, so he couldn’t stay for another moment.
But now, in Lu Ziyuan’s eyes, this was merely the place where his wife and child had lived for four years.
How could it be the same?
This small room, this bed, even the bedding, all carried her scent.
Just the thought of this made him feel hot all over, unable to produce a single shred of desire to leave.
"It’s already late, why don’t we rest here for the night?" Lu Ziyuan swallowed, his voice hoarse, "Wanwan, it’s been such a long time, I miss you..."
Those eyes, darkened at some unknown point, locked firmly onto her, the desire in them blatantly obvious.
This made Xie Wanqing’s face blush furiously.
Before she could respond, her wrist was grasped, guided to his clothing.
"Aren’t you worried about my health?" his voice teased, "You must check thoroughly."
Upon hearing this, the slightly awkward Xie Wanqing suddenly became serious.
She didn’t need his guidance, she began to explore on her own.
Her fingertips, like green onions, skimmed over each area, instantly causing the muscles she touched to tense.
Soon, she moved past the blazing chest, reaching his firm and powerful waist and abdomen.