She Is Such A Jerk, And Yet She’s The One Crying! - Chapter 35.1

“Manager Song?”

From a distance, Lin Dongruan called out to him.

For Song Luo, what he feared most had come to pass. His premonition turned into reality; for a moment, he didn’t even dare to look back. He simply hoisted up his grey robes and began to sprint away.

If he had been called by the correct name, he was the steady and composed “Manager Song,” and Manager Song would never flee so gracelessly. But if the name hadn’t been correct, why would he flee in such a desperate hurry?

If his actions led to the Princess being discovered, Song Luo felt he simply could not bear the consequences. This mistake was grave; the Eldest Princess would surely have his head! Thus, he gambled—he bet that Lin Dongruan would not give chase, and even if she did, she wouldn’t catch him.

As it turned out, he bet correctly.

Lin Dongruan seemed to hesitate for a moment and did not continue to pursue him.

For safety’s sake, Song Luo did not dare go looking for Qiang Ning. Between a major blunder and a minor mistake, he chose the lesser of two evils and ran straight to a deserted street corner to crouch down and hide.

Perhaps because he had brushed against some nectar or pollen during his frantic escape, even while crouching in the corner, he attracted wild butterflies. Song Luo swatted at them several times, but he couldn’t drive them away. Instead, he worked up a sweat and eventually just let them be.

After about fifteen minutes, he stood up and prepared to head back.

However, as soon as he stepped out, he came face-to-face with Lin Dongruan.

—A “guiding butterfly” was perched upon Lin Dongruan’s hand. When she saw him, she didn’t look surprised at all.

In an instant, a wave of lingering fear washed over Song Luo.

If he had chosen to go to the Princess just now… things would have been ruined. No wonder Lin Dongruan hadn’t been in a hurry to chase him; she had placed a marker on him long ago. Wherever he went, she would know.

“Why has Manager Song appeared in Sanqi Prefecture?” Lin Dongruan’s tone was flat; her face betrayed neither joy nor anger. “Coming here all alone, do you perhaps have acquaintances in Sanqi Prefecture?”

Song Luo was, after all, the steward of the Eldest Princess’s manor for many years. He quickly recovered from the sudden situation and resumed his practiced, composed demeanor. He smiled modestly and said:

“I’ve made a fool of myself before Doctor Lin. My arrival in Sanqi is merely to escape my creditors. Was it you calling my name just now? Ah, you gave me quite a fright. I thought a debt collector had come for his silver.”

Lin Dongruan: “Manager Song is in debt?”

“Ah, it is shameful to speak of. Ever since Doctor Lin left, my medical clinic became increasingly deserted. Within a few days, the expenses exceeded the income. I finally managed to hire a resident doctor, but that man was a mere charlatan. He poisoned several patients with his prescriptions, and they came to the door to extort me. In the end, someone died, and that doctor was beaten to death. The clinic was sealed up with official strips. I had no choice but to come to Sanqi Prefecture to make a living.” As he reached the sad part, Song Luo raised his sleeve to feign tears, putting on the act of a vivid and pitiful man.

His words held no suspicious gaps. On one hand, he explained why he ran earlier, and on the other, he clarified his reason for being in Sanqi.

Lin Dongruan had no further questions and let the matter drop.

“By the way.” As they were about to part, Lin Dongruan called out to Song Luo. “In the year when the heavy snow blocked the mountains and there was no charcoal at home, Manager Song provided me with funds and showed me the kindness of allowing me to practice medicine. Today, since Manager Song is stranded in a foreign land with nowhere to turn, it is only right that I repay you.”

Song Luo straightened his back and cupped his hands in a salute. “Our parting in the rain that day was my fault toward you, Doctor Lin. Yet, you return malice with kindness; Song is truly moved beyond words. However, I am currently being pursued by creditors and would never dare to involve you. I shall take my leave now.”

“It is precisely because you are being pursued by enemies that you need a place to settle down. Manager Song, do not refuse.” The habitually gentle Lin Dongruan turned slightly more insistent, virtually forcing him to follow her back to the residence.

Song Luo truly had no reason to refuse. On second thought, staying in the residence would make it easier to attend to his Princess at any moment, which was quite convenient.

Song Luo nodded: “Then Song shall respectfully obey.”

Qiang Ning, unable to find Song Luo, returned home. However, she discovered that Lin Dongruan had gone out.

Gone out?

In an instant, Qiang Ning felt a surge of panic, feeling as though she had been abandoned. Had she pushed the other woman too hard? Or had a rift formed between them, making Lin Dongruan unwilling to be as intimate as before?

“Sister…” Qiang Ning held onto a final shred of hope. Clutching her skirt, she frantically searched every courtyard of the house. “Are you hiding from me?”

There was still no response within the residence.

Qiang Ning’s heart grew increasingly uneasy, and she was just about to head out to search when she opened the door—only to see the long-absent Song Luo following behind Lin Dongruan as they returned together.

For a moment, Qiang Ning’s expression shifted rapidly, nearly revealing her true self.

She thought her lies had been exposed and was already prepared to let everything go to pieces, even considering using forceful measures against Lin Dongruan. Fortunately, Song Luo spoke up in time, cutting off her thoughts.

“Greetings, Miss. I did not expect you and Doctor Lin to have moved to Sanqi Prefecture.” Song Luo smiled, looking at Qiang Ning. “I fled here from Wusang Town after provoking some creditors. Having no way out, I happened to be taken in by Doctor Lin. If it weren’t for her kindness, I would probably be sleeping on the streets tonight.”

Only after Song Luo spoke did Lin Dongruan shift her gaze from Qiang Ning.

“A-Ning, from now on, Manager Song will be helping out in our household.”

“Oh, okay.” Qiang Ning regained her composure. “I thought Sister was going to leave me and go away.”

Lin Dongruan was somewhat surprised: “A-Ning, why have you suddenly become so afraid of me leaving lately?”

Qiang Ning lowered her eyes. When she looked up again, they were filled with tears: “Because Sister has been cold to me recently, and you have secrets hidden from me. Today… you were even mean to me.”

“When was I ever harsh with A-Ning?” Lin Dongruan was astonished. She thought back carefully for a moment and replied, “Is it because I told A-Ning to wait outside the study today?”

Qiang Ning gave a soft affirmation and threw herself into Lin Dongruan’s arms: “Sister, so you did know.”

Lin Dongruan held her, patting her back: “It was my fault. It won’t happen again.”

Qiang Ning asked another question she already knew the answer to, acting coy: “Then, when you went out just now, were you planning to leave me behind?”

“I went out just now to look for you.” Lin Dongruan knew what answer she wanted, so she told her directly. “I knew you were upset, so I set aside the letter I was writing to find you, but I didn’t expect to run into Manager Song first.”

Qiang Ning curled her lips in satisfaction, then caught sight of Song Luo out of the corner of her eye.

Song Luo stood not far away, squinting as if he were being scorched by the direct sun. His mouth was turned down, and his face was pulled long. Seeing her act so spoiled, he looked as if he had seen a ghost.

Qiang Ning, still nestled in Lin Dongruan’s arms: “…”

Qiang Ning read the words “Your Highness, you can actually act like this?” clearly on Song Luo’s face and quickly shot him a very fierce look in return.

Song Luo immediately pulled his mouth straight, smoothed his brow, and returned to his steady, composed look.

The residence had several courtyards. Lin Dongruan let Song Luo choose a room to tidy up and live in, then prepared to take Qiang Ning out.

Qiang Ning looked confused and asked where they were going.

“Prefect Jiang Weilan agreed to send a thousand-mile steed today. Judging by the time, it should have arrived.” Lin Dongruan took her hand and led her out. “I am taking A-Ning to the outskirts of the city to learn horsemanship.”

This was great news. Qiang Ning was instantly overjoyed, the excitement of taming a fierce horse surging within her.

It was a tall, majestic horse with fur as white as snow, a flowing mane, and frost-white hooves—it looked very grand.

Jiang Weilan had been very thoughtful, providing a saddle, stirrups, and a bridle. The moment Qiang Ning took hold of the horse, she almost habitually flipped herself onto its back. Fortunately, she didn’t forget her current persona as someone who “didn’t know horsemanship.” She quickly let go of the reins and stroked the horse’s mane, putting on an expression of amazed delight: “Sister, this horse is so beautiful.”

Lin Dongruan looked at her with a smile: “A-Ning, give it a name.”

“The north wind whistles, the falling snow falls thick. Be kind and love me, let us hold hands and return together. Qiang Ning thought for a moment, her eyes brightening. “How about calling it ‘Feifei’?”

“A-Ning’s name is well-chosen, but the sentiment of that poem is not ideal. It speaks of a tyrant’s cruelty and of wise men agreeing to flee to a hidden land.” Lin Dongruan shook her head and said, “Better to take it from the line ‘When I set out long ago, the snow felt thick Feifei.'”

“Fleeing together during times of danger and chaos—isn’t that exactly like us?” Qiang Ning said. “Sister, after the fire at home that day, Wusang Town had its greatest rain. We were both in quite a sorry state.”

Lin Dongruan considered this and was about to nod in agreement, but then she thought of something: “Fortunately, the current monarch is not a cruel tyrant, and the people will not be displaced.”

Qiang Ning said: “War exhausts the people and drains wealth, but as long as it isn’t a senseless pursuit of military glory, starting a war isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Like the battle between the two armies that day—if it had been won quickly, it wouldn’t have affected ordinary people at all. It’s a pity the Emperor is too weak, always retreating and seeking peace. It only emboldens the arrogance of the other side. Our people have no choice but to leave their homes; their fields, houses, livestock, and even their territory are handed over to those petty tribes.”