"Taste it," Feng Yao handed a pair of chopsticks to Su Yuxin.
"Alright." Su Yuxin eagerly picked up a chopstick, her eyes twinkling. "It's even more delicious than what Xia Mama makes."
"Is it?" A hint of amusement shimmered in Feng Yao's eyes.
"Yes, yes." While eating heartily, Su Yuxin nodded vigorously and complimented with a smiling gaze, "General, you're truly skilled."
"In the future, I'll cook whatever you want to eat." Feng Yao's lips involuntarily curved upwards again.
Being praised and admired by his beloved woman truly brought a feeling of tranquility and elation. It almost made him feel weightless.
"Then it's a promise." Su Yuxin quickly hooked her finger with Feng Yao's and continued contentedly eating her noodles.
The bowl was emptied entirely, not a drop of soup remained.
Setting down her chopsticks, Su Yuxin's eyes curved into crescents. "I'm full."
Feng Yao reached out to wipe the soup stain on her lips but coincidentally caught Su Yuxin licking her own lips. Her tender, rosy tongue brushed against his fingers.
Moist, smooth, and tender.
Feng Yao's gaze instantly turned a few degrees hotter.
Even though he had just eaten in his study, the yearning accumulated over the years wasn't something one meal could fulfill.
Sensing Feng Yao's change in expression, Su Yuxin hastily took a step back.
She didn't want another tussle like the one before; she had already felt utterly drained just now.
Another bout, and she might faint on the spot.
"I suddenly remembered I have something to do; I should go back." Su Yuxin made up a random excuse and bolted.
But after a couple of steps, Feng Yao caught her arm. "You just ate; be careful not to get a stomach ache from running."
"I didn't run." Su Yuxin pressed her lips together, refusing to admit her actions.
"Alright, you didn't run." Feng Yao indulgently smiled and pulled Su Yuxin into his embrace.
Su Yuxin's supple body pressed against Feng Yao's firm chest. She could even feel his powerful heartbeat, pulsating steadily.
Her rosy cheeks blushed, and even the tips of her ears felt scorching.
"Um, I really have something to attend to," Su Yuxin uncomfortably pursed her dried lips and her voice wavered.
"What is it?" Feng Yao rested his chin on Su Yuxin's shoulder, his warm breath tickling her earlobes, almost igniting them.
Su Yuxin's mind went blank.
She had casually spoken and didn't actually have anything to do.
Trying to improvise, but her mind wasn't cooperating at the moment.
She could only timidly tap her fingers and said, "I'm really tired."
Feng Yao chuckled. It seemed the little girl was worried he might eat her again.
Though he wanted to, he refrained. She was so delicate; if he accidentally hurt her, he'd feel distressed.
He could endure it for now.
After all, they had a long future ahead.
"Then I'll accompany you back to Yimei Courtyard," Feng Yao said as he lifted Su Yuxin horizontally.
"Why?" Su Yuxin was startled and quickly reached out to encircle his neck.
"You said you're tired, so I'll carry you back," Feng Yao said.
"I can walk by myself." Su Yuxin struggled to get down. If she went back like this, how many people would see?
"Are you sure you have the energy?" Feng Yao arched an eyebrow, his words holding an implicit meaning.
Su Yuxin stiffened, then obediently looped her arms around Feng Yao's neck, burying her head in his shoulder.
On the way from the kitchen to Yimei Courtyard, all the passing servants couldn't help but glance sideways.
Embarrassed, Su Yuxin dared not lift her head, not until they entered Yimei Courtyard.
Even Qing Que and Zi Yuan forgot to offer their greetings due to their surprise.
Only Luo Mama remained composed, curtsying and saying, "Greetings to General."
"No need." Feng Yao bypassed them and placed Su Yuxin on the couch by the window, smiling, "You should eat more in the future; there isn't much flesh on your bones."
"When you get fat, General won't be able to carry you," Su Yuxin raised her head, her blushing cheeks not fading, her slender fingers tugging at Feng Yao's sleeve as she jiggled her legs.
"As long as it's you, even if you turn into a ball, I can still carry you," Feng Yao pinched Su Yuxin's cheek, smiling, "Look at your little face; it's not even as big as my palm. It might be challenging to turn you into a ball."
"I don't want to become a ball." Su Yuxin slapped away Feng Yao's hand, huffing.
"General, please have some tea." At this moment, Zi Yuan brought tea and placed it on the low table, curtsying.
"Where is your previous personal maid? Why isn't she here?"
Feng Yao glanced at Zi Yuan and then asked Su Yuxin.
"Are you talking about Tao Hong? She stole my jewelry to pawn it. I caught her in the act, so now she's locked in the woodshed," Su Yuxin said.
"Stole from the master?" Feng Yao's expression turned cold. "Someone with such dishonest hands and feet should be sent to the authorities immediately."
He had previously noticed that the maid was not good; she had a mean appearance. However, with Su Yuxin's protection, he had refrained from interfering.
Now it was the perfect chance to expel her.
"That was my intention. I'm just waiting for the inventory to be completed and the accounts to be cleared. Then I'll send her to the authorities," Su Yuxin nodded and said.
"Good." Feng Yao nodded. "On another day, I'll have Zhou Zheng find a midwife for you to select some better ones to serve you."
"No need, Qing Que and Zi Yuan are sufficient." Su Yuxin shook her head. "With them and Luo Mama by my side, it's enough."
"As long as you're happy." Feng Yao didn't insist.
These three people seemed fine to him. At least their eyes were clear.
"However, I do want to ask General for two people." Su Yuxin bit her lip, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"What people?" Feng Yao asked.
"Regardless of who they are, as long as they have martial skills and are loyal to me. Ideally, they should be young girls," Su Yuxin counted on her fingers.
"That's not difficult." Feng Yao smiled and nodded. "I'll send some over in a few days. You can select two whom you feel a connection with."
"Will it take a few days? I urgently need them," Su Yuxin asked in a hurry.
"Three to five days. It takes time to arrange for them to come over," Feng Yao explained.
"That will do." Su Yuxin nodded in satisfaction.
"What's the rush?" Feng Yao didn't understand.
"I recently scolded Su Yuxiang and punished her maid with twenty lashes. And now, my grandmother's sixty-sixth birthday is coming up. I have to go back to the Shangshu Mansion to offer my respects. What if Su Yuxiang tries to make trouble for me and hinder my preparations for the birthday celebration? I need to be prepared," Su Yuxin explained emphatically.
"I'll go with you then." Feng Yao narrowed his eyes slightly and snorted. "I want to see who dares to bully the wife of this general."
"Don't you want to ask why I hit someone?" Su Yuxin tugged at Feng Yao's sleeve.
"It must be her fault. If she got hit, she got hit. What's the big deal?" Feng Yao asserted dominantly. "Rest assured, as long as I'm here, no one in this world can bully you."
If anyone dared, they'd be killed on sight, single or in pairs.