Chapter 143 Where to Stay?

Chapter 143: Where to Stay?

Yun Xunyu watched that good-for-nothing, his gaze darkening, the jade pendant on his wrist swaying several times.

Star Frost seemed to sense the danger, its snake body stiffening, and silently burrowed deeper into Cheng Ge's sleeve.

Seeing Yun Xunyu bested, Cheng Ge was secretly delighted; he deliberately stuck out his pinky and hooked it around Star Frost's tail.

Star Frost's tail immediately coiled around Cheng Ge's finger.

Its head rubbed against him affectionately, and it flatteringly flicked its tongue to lick his fingertips, looking utterly ingratiating.

Cheng Ge triumphantly looked up at Yun Xunyu and shot him a provocative smirk.

Yun Xunyu, seeing that smug little expression, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Where did you buy this snake? How much?"

Cheng Ge scratched under Star Frost's chin; the little snake writhed in pleasure, nearly tying itself in a knot around his wrist.

"Since dear is so fond of it..." Yun Xunyu smiled meaningfully, "I'll give you Star Frost."

"Really?" Cheng Ge jerked his head up to look at Yun Xunyu, clearly tempted.

Hearing this, Star Frost couldn't help turning its head to look at its owner, as if confirming something.

Lin Nanshu took the food from the lacquer box and carefully arranged it on the low table.

Seeing Cheng Ge busy playing with the snake, he gently stirred the soup in his hand, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to Cheng Ge's lips.

Without a second thought, Cheng Ge opened his mouth and drank the soup, the warm broth sliding down his throat.

The others, seeing this, felt a stifling tightness in their chests and irritably averted their eyes.

Yun Xunyu's gaze darkened involuntarily, but he quickly recovered, eyes smiling: "Of course it's true..."

The others subtly glanced at Yun Xunyu.

Cheng Ge held Star Frost, feeling pleased, and glanced at the bowl, thinking: 'Yuli, that fish meat.'

Yuli immediately understood, picked up a piece of fish with chopsticks, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Cheng Ge's mouth.

Cheng Ge opened his mouth and bit into it, his taste buds instantly filled with the savory fish, eyes half-closed in contentment.

Seeing him eating, Star Frost flicked its tongue and stared at Cheng Ge eagerly.

Cheng Ge smiled, reached out, picked up a small pastry, and waved it by the bedside.

Dahuang, catching the scent, shot out, seized the pastry in its mouth, and began devouring it.

While it was still caught off guard, Cheng Ge lifted his hand and placed Star Frost directly on its forehead.

The moment Dahuang swallowed the pastry, it felt a weight on its head and instinctively rolled its eyes upward.

Unexpectedly, it met Star Frost's gaze perfectly, and its whole body shuddered violently.

Dahuang: "!!!"

Cheng Ge swallowed the fish in his mouth and said to Dahuang, 'Dahuang, go catch a big rat for it.'

Dahuang's entire body stiffened, its four paws gripping the ground tightly, even its tail tip was taut.

Its eyes rolled up desperately, but it could only see the curve of Star Frost's belly slowly sliding over its own nose bridge; its doggy mouth trembled open, revealing pink gums.

"Whimper..." A barely audible whimper squeezed from Dahuang's throat; its hind legs quivered as it shuffled forward half a step, as if treading on knife blades.

Star Frost seemed amused and suddenly flicked its tail tip across Dahuang's ear.

The dog instantly jolted, its front paws lifting three inches off the ground, but it still dared not shake off the 'ancestor' on its head.

"Go on." Cheng Ge patted its bottom. "If you catch a rat, I'll add a chicken leg for you."

Dahuang's wet black nose twitched; it tremblingly lifted its front paw.

Star Frost coiled on its crown, flicking its tongue leisurely, occasionally rubbing its cool scales against the dog's ear.

Dahuang slowly turned and walked out; every three steps, it would be in a confused gait, going out the door with a look of utter despair.

Lin Nanshu suddenly cleared his throat and asked softly, 'Muyu, would you like some red date and goji berry porridge?'

As soon as Cheng Ge heard 'goji berries', his eyes lit up. 'Yes, yes, yes!' Cheng Ge nodded eagerly.

He was injured this time and lost a lot of blood; he needed to replenish well, otherwise if he became useless, how could he ever find a wife?

Lin Nanshu quickly filled a bowl. Just as Cheng Ge reached out to take it, the other gently blocked his hand aside.

Cheng Ge: "???"

"You just touched Dahuang." Lin Nanshu reminded softly, then continued to feed Cheng Ge.

The others: "..." They collectively rolled their eyes inwardly, looking speechless.

Hearing Lin Nanshu's words, Cheng Ge then realized he had touched Dahuang and hadn't washed his hands yet.

He felt a bit embarrassed and curled his fingers. "Then I'll trouble you. Next time I'll treat you to baked chicken."

Lin Nanshu hummed in response, his expression impassive. 'Recently, I hired an old matron at the mansion who is especially skilled in medicinal cuisine for recuperation.'

"Muyu's injury will probably need some more days of recovery. Why not come to the Lin mansion to convalesce first?"

The room fell so silent that a pin drop could be heard; only the bamboo shadows outside the window swayed, casting dappled light on the blue brick floor.

The sound of Zhou Mingqi's fingertips lightly tapping the table was especially clear; the gold-threaded subtle patterns on his dragon robe's cuffs shimmered faintly.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone, finally settling on Cheng Ge's pale face.

"If I recall correctly, in a few days it will be Grand Tutor Lin's birthday. I hear you've invited three opera troupes; it might be too noisy."

Cheng Ge chewed the porridge and unconsciously looked up at Zhou Mingqi.

"It would be more appropriate for Minister Cheng to recuperate in the palace. The newly established quiet room in the Imperial Medical Bureau is next to the herb garden, most suitable for healing."

As soon as the Emperor finished, Zhou Zhan immediately chimed in, 'Father is right. Why not stay in the palace for now.'

"Yesterday I specially retrieved 'The Secrets of Wounds and Sores' from the library."

"Muyu was severely injured while saving Father; I feel deeply guilty. I will personally apply medicine for you."

Cheng Ge: "???"

At that moment, a crisp sound of jade pendants striking arose, and Cheng Ge looked toward the sound.

Yun Xunyu leaned by the window, toying with the mutton-fat jade pendant that had been broken in two.

Sunlight streamed through his fingers, casting fragmented spots of light on the wall.

"Your Majesty," he said with a lazy tone, "the Imperial Medical Institute is damp and dark, and your injury, my dear, is most averse to moisture.

There is still residual poison left in your body, my dear, and it may flare up again. While I'm here, you can rest easy.

This inn is humble, but it gets good sun. I've also heard there's a hot spring that's good for healing, which seems just right for recuperation."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhan stepped forward and sat on the edge of the couch, lightly placing his hand on Cheng Ge's side.

"Third Prince, you jest. That medicinal spring is only ten steps from the stable. I heard just the other day that the Nanling envoy complained it was too noisy, with horses neighing all night long!"

Lin Nanshu was just sliding a plate of almond cakes toward Cheng Ge. Hearing this, he looked up: "Muyu need not worry. The birthday banquet is set in the outer courtyard, separated from your residence, the Listening Rain Pavilion, by two gardens."

He took a wet handkerchief and wiped Cheng Ge's hands clean, each movement extraordinarily careful.

"The Bamboo Garden is quiet and secluded. Every day at around eight in the morning, sunlight falls right before the couch. There is a pond in the yard, perfect for fishing."

Having said that, he picked up a piece of almond cake and placed it in his palm, his face still carrying a gentle smile.

Cheng Ge took a bite of the almond cake. Hearing that he could also go fishing, his interest stirred.

Then he wouldn't have to worry about having no fish to eat—braised, steamed, or fish soup...