Ye Tingyun stammered for a long time, unable to offer a reason, and finally gave up.
"It's too stuffy in the room, I'm uncomfortable. Uh, you go inside, I'll sleep outside."
He said this as he tried to push Feng Yinwan into the room. Feng Yinwan didn't move. She looked up at Song Qing'an, only to see him grab Ye Tingyun first.
"He can't. I'm scared to sleep alone, he has to stay outside to protect me!"
"..."
Under this fellow's unreasonable demands, Feng Yinwan was ultimately driven inside.
The door was locked from the outside by Ye Tingyun. His objective achieved, he was smug. He then noticed his arm was still hooked around Song Qing'an's.
His body stiffened, and he immediately jumped away as if stung by needles.
His eyes swept over the simple sleeping mat laid out to the side. His pupils rolled, and he quickly walked over.
"Uh, I sleep very restlessly, you have to guard here, you can't go anywhere!"
After saying this, he didn't wait for Song Qing'an's agreement. He threw off the blanket and crawled in.
The next morning, Ye Tingyun was woken by Imperial Guards who came to report news.
The sleeping mat was cold and hard, and he had to keep an eye on Song Qing'an's movements. Thus, he had barely slept all night. It wasn't until the fifth watch, as dawn began to break, that he finally closed his eyes.
At that time, he was drowsy. Song Qing'an, meanwhile, had maintained his post, sitting on a long bench by the side, eyes closed, resting.
Perhaps it was the tranquility of the early morning, but the tension between the two had lessened, giving rise to an unusually warm scene.
The Imperial Guard burst in from outside and froze the moment he saw the scene.
His gaze involuntarily dropped a few inches. Upon realizing that it was Ye Tingyun sleeping on the floor, his mouth nearly formed an 'o'.
Yún, Yún, Yún... Prince Yun, sleeping on the floor at General Song's place??
(⊙o⊙)
He stood there, utterly shocked. At that moment, Song Qing'an opened his eyes, sensing something amiss.
The guard was startled by the sharpness in Song Qing'an's eyes and stammered, "Gen-General Song."
Song Qing'an's eyes cleared. He looked at the guard and calmly asked, "What is it?"
He didn't explain, and the guard didn't dare to press further. He quickly lowered his gaze and said respectfully,
"The Emperor summons you to come immediately."
Such an early summons likely meant something urgent.
Song Qing'an nodded immediately, "Understood."
He was still wearing the soft armor he wore on duty last night. He responded, stood up, and was about to leave with the Imperial Guard.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he moved, a hand from below stretched out and grabbed his trouser leg.
Ye Tingyun groggily sat up. Before his eyes could focus, he questioned,
"Where are you going?"
"I told you, you can't go anywhere. Do you take my words for granted!"
He had just woken up, his voice still slightly hoarse. The words didn't sound like a reprimand, but rather something else...
"Gulp—"
The Imperial Guard involuntarily swallowed, his eyes looking at Song Qing'an, as if conveying a myriad of messages.
"General Song, perhaps I should... go back first?"
However, before Song Qing'an could respond, Ye Tingyun frowned and sat up from the floor.
"Hiss... Hurry and help me up, my whole body is sore!"
Imperial Guard: "!"
Your Highness! Don't say such scandalous things!
He dared not listen to any more of the conversation. Quickly throwing out a "Goodbye," he ran out of the courtyard without looking back.
As he ran, he still felt a lingering fear.
God, I really don't want to lose my job by stumbling upon imperial secrets!