Chapter 403: Chapter 394: Mom and Dad Practicing Swordplay in the Room
Sure enough, the next morning, Lin Ling’s cries were heard early on. Lin Qiao was startled awake from her sleepiness and instinctively looked outside the window, seeing the sky was still dim and unclear.
Listening to Lin Ling’s cries, she hesitated for a moment before covering herself with the blanket to continue sleeping. It wasn’t that she was a heartless mother; the child really needed some discipline.
Sigh, perhaps it’s an inherited trait from her.
Since kindergarten, she had been a source of headaches for her teachers.
She quickly got up, tiptoed to the window to peek. Lin Ling was holding a sword, seemingly unable to lift it any longer, with the sword’s tip nearly touching the ground.
But he seemed afraid to let it touch the ground, probably because Song Tingfan had said something to him.
She couldn’t bear to watch it anymore and decided to go back to sleep. Just as she lay down, the door was pushed open from outside, "Awake?"
Clearly, he had seen her.
Lin Qiao sat up, "How’s Ling’er?"
"Not bad, he’s quite persistent."
Song Tingfan was worried she might think he was being harsh on the child, so he paused, "I’m doing this for his own good; military life is tough."
He didn’t want his child to follow his path and endure the same hardships.
Without explanation, Lin Qiao already understood in her heart that just imagining the military life was difficult, let alone considering its dangers.
"You’re not going to be bad to the child, you should attend court."
"I won’t go, the Emperor has excused me from the court."
"Why?"
"Recently, there’s been a lot of factional plotting to establish the Crown Prince, and the Emperor doesn’t want me involved."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qiao responded with an "oh." Indeed, with Song Tingfan holding tens of thousands of military power, if he were pulled into the factions, the establishment of the Crown Prince or even rebellion could become possible.
Thinking about rebellion, she coughed, "You wouldn’t rebel, would you?"
Song Tingfan pursed his lips, "If you don’t want me to, I won’t rebel."
The Third Prince had meticulously plotted for seven or eight years, and his wings were fully grown; even with him, it’s difficult for the Emperor to deal with.
However, he knew the Third Prince’s cards better than anyone else.
Lin Qiao unexpectedly found his words ten times more endearing than love talk. She shook her head, "Does the Emperor have any faults?"
His answer suggested he had once considered rebellion, but he shouldn’t think that way now.
"He has a fondness for Longyang." Song Tingfan mentioned this with a hint of resentment.
So that’s how it was. Lin Qiao was well aware of Song Tingfan’s experiences in the brothel, so she changed the subject, "Let’s have glutinous rice balls later, it’s been a long time since I had them, and I’m craving some."
Song Tingfan looked at her, trying to discern any disdain on her face, but found none; instead, her almond eyes were smiling.
The resentment in his eyes dissipated, "Alright, let’s get some more sleep." He said, lifting his hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.
Lin Qiao couldn’t resist his demeanor, gentle and handsome; even a stone wouldn’t withstand it. She swallowed, averted her gaze, and just as she was about to agree, he kissed her.
"I will treat you well."
As long as she didn’t despise him, he would treat her well; even if she wanted his life, he would give it.
The seriousness on his face didn’t look deceitful at all. Lin Qiao’s heart was slightly softened by his words.
She didn’t like to be coy, so she lifted her head and kissed him back, "If you’re not good to me, I’ll go complain to my parents at their graves."
"Alright."
Song Tingfan didn’t hesitate at all. His gaze drifted to the loose garments on her, deepening his eyes as he kissed her again.
"The child..." Lin Qiao noticed her clothes being undone, quickly grabbing him.
Song Tingfan’s breathing became heavier, "Hmm."
He got up and walked to the door, "Go play, continue in half an hour." With that, he closed the door.
Half an hour...
Lin Qiao’s cheeks flushed. Watching him walk over step by step, she inexplicably felt a soreness in her waist, "Ahem, I’ll take a bath, I didn’t wash last night."
"Fragrant."
Song Tingfan had loosened his clothes and hung them up, then got onto the bed to hold her in his arms, kissing her forehead twice, and then in a low voice said, "I’ll be gentle."
...
Lin Ling was thrilled. It had been an hour, and his naughty father was still in bed with his mother. He mysteriously told Lin Han, "Grandpa, naughty father is so lazy, he’s still sleeping with mom."
As someone who’d been there, Lin Han naturally understood the intimate matters of young couples. Looking at his grandson’s innocent big eyes, he awkwardly coughed, "Your dad is busy, not sleeping in."
"Busy with what?"
Lin Ling was curious. Before Lin Han could answer, his eyes lit up, "Is he teaching mom swordplay?"
Lin Han: "..."
Caught off guard, he choked on his saliva, "Coughs..."
After a while, he finally recovered, his old face reddened, not knowing how to explain, so he just grunted.
At this point, Li Guifen walked in with congee, muttering, "Why aren’t they up yet? They can eat before going back to sleep."
"Grandma, father is in the room teaching mom swordplay." Lin Ling looked as if he understood something.
Li Guifen was puzzled, "Swordplay, swordfighting, why not practice in the courtyard?"
Lin Han’s coughing grew louder with each bout.
Lin Ling shook his head, "I don’t know, I’ll go see." After speaking, he ran off.
Lin Han became alert, immediately chasing after him. Li Guifen pulled him back, "Teaching what swordplay?"
"Just...that kind of thing," Lin Han stammered.
Li Guifen: "..."
She angrily slapped him, "What nonsense are you telling the child, you can’t let him learn from you or he’ll definitely become a rogue and scoundrel."
Lin Han helplessly said, "I didn’t do it on purpose, the child asked, so I answered."
"Still, you shouldn’t say swordplay, just say sleeping isn’t enough?" Li Guifen hit his arm again, stuffed the congee into his hand, and turned to chase after the child.
Meanwhile, Song Tingfan took out clothes from the wardrobe for her, but after seeing them, Lin Qiao shook her head, "Take the old ones."
"Just wear this one, if it’s worn out, we’ll buy more." Song Tingfan thought of something and took a key from the cupboard for her, "Warehouse key."
Lin Qiao accepted it as expected, and under his insistence, she put on a fifty-tael dress. The dress was very form-fitting, accentuating the woman’s advantages.
Although it was a bit expensive, it was indeed beautiful.
Seeing her fixate on the dress, clearly liking it, Song Tingfan felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart; her liking it was good enough.
Suddenly, they heard something. He sharply looked over to find a child peeking at the window. He took a deep breath and strode over, "What are you doing!"
Lin Ling was startled, looking at him with some fear, "I... Grandpa said you were teaching mom swordplay, I was curious."
Song Tingfan narrowed his lips.
Lin Qiao: "..."
Li Guifen had arrived just in time, her face flushed, wishing there was a hole to crawl into. It was all Lin Han’s fault, his mouth lacking a filter.
After a while, Song Tingfan solemnly said, "Go study swordplay."
Lin Ling’s little face drooped immediately, acting spoiled, "Daddy, my hand hurts, the sword is too heavy."
"Daddy~"
Lin Qiao: "..."
Even though she didn’t see it, she could imagine his pitiful look.
Normally, this trick worked on her without fail.
But his father wasn’t normal.
Indeed, Song Tingfan paused only briefly, "Study or practice swordplay?"
Lin Ling thought for a moment and replied timidly, "I’ll study."
