The one returning late sohow had already washed up, emanating a refreshing fragrance.
Xie Liangchen said, "It’s very late."
Song Xian replied, "It’s still early, no need to get up so quickly."
Xie Liangchen felt helpless; in terms of eloquence and audacity, she could never beat Song Xian.
"Do you want so water?" Song Xian’s breathing was slightly rapid, yet he paused to ask her.
Xie Liangchen shook her head.
Song Xian gently urged by her ear, "Drink a little."
He held her in his arms, reached out, and picked up the water beside the bed. The water was warm, with a faint sweetness at the end.
"Did you put syrup in this?" Xie Liangchen looked at Song Xian, surprised he had prepared so much before waking her.
Song Xian responded with a sound.
Xie Liangchen chuckled, "Who drinks sweet water before sleep?"
Song Xian placed the cup down and said quietly, "Didn’t Mr. Xu always say, when you’re too tired, eating so syrup is good? It’s too late to eat sugar directly, so I dissolved so in the water."
Xie Liangchen was gently nestled back onto the bed by Song Xian; Mr. Xu’s words were ant for her exhausting journeys, but this felt different.
In her bewildernt, Song Xian had already undressed and lay beside her.
Song Xian lowered his head to her ear, "Is there anything important you need to tell ?"
Xie Liangchen shook her head; nothing particularly urgent.
Song Xian responded, "Alright, then wait until afternoon."
This ti Xie Liangchen didn’t need to ask why to postpone until afternoon, combining Song Xian’s words, it was all just...
Xie Liangchen said, "You wouldn’t want to..."
The following words couldn’t co out; all were blocked in her mouth.
With the clothing undone, and her inner garnts removed, she was enveloped in a blanket of heat, the gentleness monts ago slowly fading away.
Not knowing how much ti passed, Xie Liangchen’s voice was slightly hoarse as she pleaded, "I’m exhausted; let’s rest awhile!"
Song Xian’s breathing was heavy and urgent, "You’ll soon regain your energy."
Usually, he would agree with whatever she said, but not when it ca to this, Song Xian could always be unyielding.
Her arm barely freed, yet her fair wrist was pulled back into his embrace.
When she fell asleep, the sky was already bright, fortunately with no one entering the courtyard. Now everyone knew that when Song Xian was around, even Chang An had to stay outside the yard.
Xie Liangchen closed her eyes, fell asleep instantly, dreaming she was on a boat, feeling dizzy and swaying with the waves.
The dizziness she didn’t experience while sitting on a ship now overwheld her.
This sleep indeed stretched to the afternoon.
Song Xian had long been up, instructed them to prepare als, and had the housekeeper bring the clothes to change into.
The new clothes prepared the previous day were unsuitable for wear now; the bodice with narrow sleeves would expose her wrists at any stretch. When the master was present, the mistress should wear crossover-collared, wide-sleeved garnts.
Essentially, every area that could be covered should be covered; once the chosen clothing was not appropriate, the housekeeper would notice the red marks on the mistress’s wrists.
Upon waking, Xie Liangchen saw Song Xian seated not far away at the desk looking at docunts.
The day they moved in, Song Xian had them prepare a small table by the side, so each ti she woke up late, he would remain by the table managing affairs.
Song Xian heard movent, turned his head, and said, "Awake?"
Xie Liangchen spoke, "What hour is it?" Only to find that her voice was deep and hoarse once she began to speak.
"Almost 1:00 PM," Song Xian said, "If you hadn’t woken up soon, I’d have called you; have so food first before sleeping again."
Xie Liangchen suddenly rembered; Liu Erniang and Ayin ca from Xinzhou yesterday, promising to et at 9:00 AM today.
"Did Liu Erniang and they co?" Xie Liangchen asked.
Song Xian said, "They did, I had Second Aunt take them to Wang Family Village."
For what reason did Song Xian send them away? Xie Liangchen only needed to think about it to feel her cheeks flush.
Song Xian put down the docunt, ca over to serve Xie Liangchen water, "I’ve asked them, they said there’s no particular urgency, so maybe don’t go out today."
Song Xian had asked, Liu Erniang and the others would naturally say there was no problem, besides, Song Xian returned late last night, and now she was sick, even pretending wouldn’t work. Moreover, she had promised her father, once Song Xian brought back news, they would imdiately discuss the matters of the sea.
Apart from drawing out Prince Lu, she also wanted to take the opportunity to understand the sea trade routes.
Xie Liangchen dressed quickly; she usually dressed herself, but now with soone assisting, it was more convenient and she was ready in a flash.
Song Xian gazed at Xie Liangchen, in today’s light unlike the usual Sister Chen, her eyes more radiant, with a slight blush on her cheeks, and next to the small mole on her wrist, marks left by him were still visible. Reluctant to let her go.
Song Xian considered briefly, "Are you arranging matters for the sea? I’ll join you."
Alright, Song Xian had ntioned the broad strokes yesterday, she had yet to ask about the details.
After sharing the al, together they went to et Xie Shao Yuan.
Liu Ji heard that the court agreed to let them set sail, imdiately filled with excitent; the ships were ready, just waiting for the decree to proceed.
Xie Liangchen said, "Initially, don’t make too much noise, try sending out two ships first, as long as we sell our rchandise."
Liu Ji nodded.
Xie Liangchen said, "Unlike Prince Lu and his people, besides selling thread tassel, pink wax paper, and flower felt, we also have newly made ink blocks."
Though everything was done discreetly and cautiously, Prince Lu and his people should quickly get word.
...
Recently, Li Tao’s affairs went smoothly; the people he captured from the sea proved handy, the preparations on the island increased significantly, along with goods from the eight states selling well, earning ample silver coin in return.
"My lord," Pu Shou presented the accounts to Li Tao, noticing so joy on Li Tao’s face, only then spoke, "This ti eting those vassal rchants, they wish to purchase additional goods from us."
Li Tao, not lifting his gaze, casually asked, "What do they want to buy?"
Pu Shou said, "Besides pink wax paper and such commodities, they plan to buy more ink blocks."
Upon hearing the words "ink blocks," Li Tao slightly furrowed his brow, "Aren’t they sold annually?" Recently they had sold so to Yan Country and Japanese.
Pu Shou pursed his lips, "The ink blocks they want differ from what we usually sell, and the price is half lower."
Li Tao finally understood why Pu Shou spoke hesitantly regarding the ink blocks.
Li Tao asked, "What’s different about them?"
Pu Shou hurried forward to grind ink, Li Tao reached to take a brush, dipped it generously in ink, then wrote on the paper, afterwards picked the paper up for close inspection; his eyes suddenly brightened, the ink was blacker and brighter, indeed exceptional.
Li Tao put the paper down and looked at Pu Shou, "From where did they buy these? Why have I not seen them before?"
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