Chapter 54: From now on, the king does not attend morning court

Li Qingxuan looked at Feifei's gorgeous face beside him, and also didn't prepare to go out exploring; he picked up Li Feifei and headed straight for the fortress.

Inside the greenhouse, the constant temperature and humidity enveloped silently, carrying the fresh scent of soil and plants.

Li Feifei was held in a steady princess carry by Li Qingxuan, her cheek pressed against his solid chest, and she could clearly hear his steady, powerful heartbeat.

"Qingxuan brother..." she whispered softly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor, not from fear, but because this sudden intimacy and her quickening heartbeat left her somewhat at a loss.

She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingertips touching the warm skin at the back of his neck, which was a few degrees warmer than the air inside the greenhouse.

Li Qingxuan didn't lower his head to look at her; his gaze fixed straight ahead on the passage leading to the living area, his steps steady and swift. His arms holding her were firm and strong, with no sway whatsoever, as if she weighed nothing.

In his fresh, clean scent mingled with a hint of sweat, which slipped into Li Feifei's nostrils, causing the faint blush that had just faded from her face to quietly reappear.

She had just been immersed in the joy of the bountiful harvest and endless hopes for the future, but now her thoughts were completely occupied by the man holding her.

He held her and strode straight through the bright greenhouse corridor.

On either side of the passage were transparent observation windows set into the walls, through which one could see crops in different areas outside—lush wheat fields, lettuce and carrot patches that had just been harvested, appearing sparse but with new sprouts already emerging, and other seeds that had only recently been sown.

This vibrant world they had created with their own hands now served as the backdrop to their movement.

Li Feifei could feel the slight tension in his arm muscles, as well as his body heat transmitted through the thin clothing.

She couldn't help but slightly lift her head, secretly taking in his sharply defined jawline and the especially deep eyes that appeared when he gazed forward with focus.

An indescribable sense of safety and a strange flutter intertwined and surged in her heart, dispelling the last trace of fatigue from her body, leaving only a warm, heart‑racing tingling.

At the end of the passage lay the entrance to the fortress's core living area.

As they approached, the sensor door slid open automatically to both sides; stepping inside, warm, soft light spilled across the comfortable, tidy bedroom.

Li Qingxuan held her, his steps steady, and walked straight to the large bed laid with a soft mattress.

He gently set her down to sit on the edge of the bed, his movements carrying a careful tenderness.

Li Feifei's feet finally touched the floor; the lingering soreness at the base of her legs made her body sway slightly, and Li Qingxuan immediately reached out to steady her shoulders, his warm palms conveying strength through her clothing.

"Go to sleep." His voice was low, a mischievous smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, his gaze fixed on her face; deep eyes seemed to silently blaze with fire, making her dare not meet his gaze, her heart pounding like a drum.

Li Feifei obediently nodded, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothing, yet her gaze involuntarily followed him.

The entire fortress seemed to fall silent, leaving only their two steady yet slightly hurried breaths, and a subtle current of warmth quietly rising in the air.

After fighting for four or five hours, Li Feifei fell into a deep sleep; Li Qingxuan wiped her down, then went to prepare dinner.

Not long after, Li Qingxuan carried dinner to the bedside, placed it on a small table nearby, and gently shook Li Feifei's shoulder.

Li Feifei was sleeping soundly, and this gentle shaking pulled her back from the edge of her deep dream.

Her thick eyelashes fluttered slightly, like those of a startled butterfly, before she slowly opened her eyes.

The room's soft warm light gently enveloped her, leaving her momentarily dazed; deep inside her body still lingered the soreness and lassitude from the intense exertion, every muscle seeming to whisper fatigue, yet tenderly wrapped in an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

She unconsciously murmured, heavy with sleepiness, her body instinctively leaning toward the warmth—Li Qingxuan's direction—like a small creature seeking shelter.

A tempting aroma of food curled around the tip of her nose, intertwining with Li Qingxuan's fresh, clean scent, gradually clearing her hazy consciousness.

"Feifei, wake up, eat something then go back to sleep." Li Qingxuan's low voice sounded in her ear, carrying a post‑event tenderness and an unquestionable tone.

Li Feifei finally opened her eyes fully, her hazy focus settling on Li Qingxuan's face right before her.

His eyes were clear, hinting at a smile, obviously having recovered his energy; by contrast, she felt as if her body had been taken apart and reassembled, even moving her fingers feeling like a chore.

"Mmm… Qingxuan brother…" her voice thick with morning hoarseness and softness, sounding more like a whine: "I'm so tired… I don't want to move…"

Li Qingxuan looked at her soft, helpless appearance, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

He reached out, gently tucking a damp strand of hair from her cheek behind her ear, his fingertips inadvertently brushing her warm ear.

"Knowing you're tired, that's all the more reason to replenish your strength." He cooed softly, his other hand already bringing the plate from the small table closer: "Look, I made something light—your favorite vegetable soup and meat steak, plus a salad of freshly picked lettuce, and the carrots are steamed soft and sweet. Have a bit, huh?"

The food's aroma grew clearer, especially the steaming bowl of vegetable soup, its clean sweetness teasing the taste buds.

Only then did Li Feifei feel that her stomach was indeed empty; the previous intense exertion plus deep sleep left her urgently needing energy replenishment.

She tried to push herself up, but the soreness in her waist, abdomen, and thighs surged like a tide, causing her movement to jerk to a halt, and she couldn't help but let out a soft hiss.

Li Qingxuan immediately set down the plate, leaned over, and his strong arms, like an iron band, steadily supported her back; his gentle yet firm motion helped her adjust to a comfortable half‑sitting position, and he carefully placed a soft pillow behind her.

"Thank you…" Li Feifei settled in, her cheeks slightly flushed, and whispered her thanks.

She watched Li Qingxuan bring the plate back to the small table before her, obviously the food had been carefully prepared by him.

"Hurry up and eat, the temperature is just right." Li Qingxuan handed her the spoon, then sat on the bedside with no intention of leaving, his gaze warm as he watched her.

Li Feifei scooped a spoonful of warm vegetable soup into her mouth.

The clear, sweet broth enveloped the natural sweetness of fresh lettuce and carrot, like a spring sun instantly soothing her empty stomach and quietly awakening her appetite further.

She then picked up a pair of chopsticks with a bite of verdant, tender lettuce salad—crisp on the tongue, carrying the unique fresh sweetness nurtured by the spirit spring. The steamed carrot mash was soft, sweet, and melted in the mouth.

The hunger was instantly soothed by the deliciousness; the hot food entered her belly, and her fatigue seemed to dissipate somewhat, warmth spreading from her stomach, making her limbs feel relaxed and at ease.

(PS: Please donate for free to support the author's motivation; please, please.)