Chapter 494: Wait for me to come back at 485
Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu quickly got out of bed. The servants had already prepared hot water and breakfast.
The breakfast was shrimp wonton soup, Japonica porridge, golden silk cake, milk-cool soft cake, and onion pancakes - all of Chu Lingxuan’s favourite dishes.
Chen Afu had no appetite and just sat across from him staring blankly at him. Chu Lingxuan felt a tad uneasy under her gaze and reaching out to ruffle her hair, he said, "Wait for me to return and you can stare all you want."
After breakfast, Chu Lingxuan returned to his bedroom, picked up Yu’er, and showered her with kisses. Then he went to the east wing, picked up Yu and Ming, and kissed them too.
He then left the east wing for the West Collapse Courtyard. Afraid of waking Hanyan, he didn’t even light a lamp. Guided by the daylight streaming through the window, he bent slightly to take a few looks at her. He smoothed hair from her forehead and left it softly by her pillow.
Seeing his daughter’s chubby little face and rosy-fair skin stirred a mixture of emotions in Chu Lingxuan. Before he met Afu, he had found it hard to part with his daughter, worrying about her wellbeing. But now, even if he was going to face death, he had complete faith in her.
Chen Afu walked him to the outer court. When he reached the gate, he turned around and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair, and took several deep breaths. He said, "Wait for me till I come back. But if anything should happen to me, don’t be too sad. You have to take care of our children and carry on with life."
Chen Afu choked out, "I won’t accept any shortcomings. I just want you to return alive..."
All the men of the Chu family were present in the outer court to bid Chu Lingxuan goodbye. Chu Ling’an arrived at the Bamboo Pavilion just as Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu were sharing an intimate moment.
He quickly hid behind a large tree, his earlier reverence for his sister-in-law diminishing significantly. No matter how intelligent or virtuous a woman might be, if she were seen in such a state, she would seem disrespectful.