The result of a few more kisses was that—Chu Jiu's lips became swollen.
Fortunately for her, they were returning to the imperial capital the next day, and she stayed inside her tent for the whole day with the excuse of packing her things.
Ling Lihua eyed her son's contented expression and nudged him knowingly. "You didn't bully Jiu, did you?"
Lu Tingchen smoothed his expression and gave her a solemn look. "Mother, do I look like that sort of person?"
"No," Ling Lihua said untruthfully—though she added a snide "as if" in her mind—and she could not help herself from asking, "But what were you doing with Jiu in her tent for so long?"
Lu Tingchen placed an arm around her shoulder and said seriously, "Mother, you should focus more on Father, and not your son and future daughter-in-law. You're about to be separated from him very soon—shouldn't you two spend more time cuddling and whispering sweet nothings?"
"..." Ling Lihua narrowed her eyes.