Third Watch
Setting aside the disputes and troubles of Rongguo Mansion.
That same morning, Sun Shaozong sleepily pulled his leg free and casually called out, "Qingwen," only to realize the person he was looking for was actually beneath him.
Seeing Qingwen muttering with her eyes closed, her naked body shrinking deeper beneath the covers, Sun Shaozong knew he could not count on her today.
And the two little maids serving in Xiang Ling's room clearly were not yet due to start work.
Sun Shaozong could only get up himself, grabbing his clothes and haphazardly throwing them on.
He had been here for over four years now. Aside from the first year, when he had not yet adjusted, he had almost always been dressed by servants and rarely put on his own clothes.
With winter clothing already so cumbersome, he found himself somewhat flustered.
At that moment, Xiang Ling rose from the small bed beside him. Reaching for the clothes at the head of the bed, she said softly, "Master, please wait a moment. I'll get up and attend to you right away."
"No need."
Bare-chested, Sun Shaozong stepped forward and pressed her back beneath the covers. In a tone that allowed no argument, he said, "Since your monthly bleeding has come, rest properly. I've got hands and feet—can't I put on a few garments by myself?"
Because Xiang Ling's period had arrived several days early, she had simply yielded the big bed yesterday, letting Sun Shaozong and Qingwen fool around for half the night.
Had it been Ruan Rong or You Erjie, they would never have agreed to that. Sharing a bed with a maid was one thing, but letting a maid sleep in their own bed was, to them, a matter of principle.
Only Xiang Ling, who was simple-minded